Significant Nexus Research Articles

Workplace Stress as a Predictor of Absenteeism of the Employees of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Lagos State, Nigeria

Absenteeism whether voluntary or involuntary is a manifestation of continued stress whose outcome is highly negatively engender poor results as well as low delivery of tasks among employees. One hundred and fifty (150) employees of five selected manufacturing firms in Lagos State served as respondents for the study through purposive and convenience sampling methods. Findings revealed that a significant and positive nexus was found between emotional exhaustion and voluntary absenteeism with “0.743>0.5”; also, a strong and positive correlation existed between psychological consequences and involuntary absenteeism with “0.913>0.5”. The study concluded that activities in the manufacturing environment is massive and has huge propensity to induce stress and high burnout rate thus culminating into high level of work alienation and absenteeism. Therefore, management should on a constant basis lookout for activities that poses stress on employees, such should be given rapt attention and curtailed to avoid work estrangement within and among employees.

The drunk side of trust: Generalized and instantaneous trust at gathering events

We present novel evidence on the nexus between alcohol intake and trust at a large cultural gathering event. Throughout six editions, we interviewed nearly 2,000 attendees and collected an objective measure of alcohol intake (Blood Alcohol Concentration, BAC) using electronic breathalyzers and self-perceived measures of intoxication. We elicited different self-reported trust measures toward eventgoers and the general public. While alcohol intoxication is not correlated with trust toward the general public, there is a positive and significant nexus between alcohol intake and trust toward the other participants in the event (Instantaneous trust). Only a small part of this effect (15%) is driven by an increased trust in other drinkers at the event. Taken together, these findings indicate endogenous group formation regarding alcohol intake.

Financial Technology (Fintech) as a Driver for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The human race has been confronting the issue of poverty which is threatening its continued existence for a long time. Poor access to finance can lead to poverty this breeds health issues, lack of access to social and recreational facilities, social delinquencies, reduced living standard, malnutrition and economic difficulties. The goal of defeating poverty in its various ramification remains a cardinal concern for policy formulators in the Nigerian state and international bodies such as the World Bank and United Nations. Following the thriving emergence of financial technology (fintech) in Nigeria, there exist a dearth in academic researches to examine how fintech can be a driver in the reduction of poverty. This study examined the impact of financial technology on poverty reduction in Nigeria. Data on poverty rate, financial technology, mortality rate, literacy rate and gross domestic products were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin for the period of 1991 – 2021. This study employed the multiple linear regression estimation technique to analyse collected data as it examines a cross-section of major key independent variables across a time series data, on the premise of a common effect model. Data analysed indicates a negative and significant nexus between poverty rate and financial technology innovation. The result also suggest that literacy rate and poverty rate have a negative and insignificant relationship. The poverty rate was also found to be positively and insignificantly related to mortality rate and gross domestic products respectively. The study findings have several significant policy implications. Firstly, infrastructures that support internet and mobile telephony should be expanded by providing incentives for investment since technology is the backbone of the operations of fintech. Secondly, education on fintech, information communication technology and finance should be increased to fill the gap among citizens who are not technological inclined especially in the rural areas to increase the use of fintech. Lastly, there should be further regulatory interventions through reforms to remove the barriers to credit.

Fragile Lines: Climate-Security Nexus on Power Transmission Infrastructure

Pakistan ranks top ten countries worst hit by climatic changes, as climate-related events become habitual, these disruptions produce terrain facilitative to theft and vandalism, thereby complicating / intensifying existing challenges and trapping the system in vicious circle of clime-security nexus. This paper explores complicated relationship between climate and physical security within power transmission sector, a crucial lynchpin in energy system. By emphasizing on compounded vulnerabilities arising from climate-induced disruptions and accelerating security threats, the study aims unveiling its nexus in Pakistan Electric Transmission Networks. Employing Barry Buzan's “Five Sectors of Security” frame and triangulation approach, the study carried out detailed investigation of records, collected data physically and performed interviews of key stake holders to get practical insights into climate-security nexus. Findings reveal significant climate-security nexus damaging the power systems, wherein environmental stressors amplify physical security challenges, the complex statistical tests conducted on data set showed strong significant results also positive correlation between the two variables i.e. climatic impacts and physical security incidents on power transmission system, the study also revealed as to how positive feedback (virtuous cycle) and negative feedback (vicious cycle) operate in this nexus. Paper emphasizes and recommends critical need for visionary responses to these interlinked challenges and responses which are required for enhanced reliability / resilience of energy systems, thereby promoting socio-economic stability / sustainability by enhancing National Security posture and safeguarding effective economic balance of power in South Asia.

Financial performance of Nigerian deposit money banks and corporate governance

Corporate governance has become a significant policy issue in Nigeria, especially with many developments such as the volatility of corporations on the Nigerian Exchange and the rise in the population of stockholders, which have increased the relevance of corporate governance measures. This study examined the nexus between corporate governance and Nigerian Deposit Money Banks’ (NDMBs) financial performances using a period from 2012 to 2019. Using a judgmental sampling technique, out of 25 NDMRs, 15 NDMRs were selected as a sample size. Secondary data were extracted from the annual reports of the selected banks. Descriptive research design and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings offer empirical evidence to refute the five null hypotheses and found that the financial performance of NDMBs as measured by Tobin Q and corporate governance proxies (i.e. board meetings, the board size, CEO duality, audit committee independence, and board independence) is statistically related. This study found that the nexus between Nigerian deposit money banks’ financial performance and CEO duality is negative and significant. The nexus between Nigerian deposit money banks’ financial performance and board independence is negative and significant. Nigerian deposit money banks’ financial performance and audit committee independence have a positive and significant nexus. The nexus between Nigerian deposit money banks’ financial performance and board size is positive and significant. The nexus between Nigerian deposit money banks’ performance and board meetings is positive and significant. This study concluded that corporate governance and financial performance of NDMBs are related. AcknowledgmentWhichever contributors to this publication, both non-researchers and scholars, are much acknowledged.

Perception matters: How air pollution influences life satisfaction in China

Academic studies on environmental pollution have convincingly acknowledged the salient relevance of ambient pollutant emissions on individual life satisfaction. However, an understanding of how the different dimensions of air pollution influence public self-assessment of their living condition is required. This research investigates whether objective pollutant emissions and subjective evaluation influence individual life satisfaction. The findings were based on data from the China Environment Yearbook and China Social Survey in 2019. The multi-level linear regression model found that air pollutants emissions, including particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), failed to explain the variations in public life satisfaction because of the lag effect of public perception. A significant nexus between perceived air pollution and public life satisfaction was observed at a significance level of 0.01. Specially, as the perceived air pollution by the public increased by one-point, life satisfaction decreased by 0.22 on a scale of 1–10, on average. Heterogeneous analysis based on income further suggested the salient negative effect of PM emissions on life satisfaction only occurred in the high-income group. The findings were robust after various methodological analyses. This study has theoretical implications for understanding the effects of air pollution on public subjective perception and provides guidance for how the government can manage the relationship between environmental governance and life satisfaction.

Rumours. Who believes them?

PurposeWhile psychology, sociology and communications studies hypothesise a range of independent variables that might impact on individuals’ acceptance or rejection of rumours, almost all studies of the phenomenon have taken place in environments featuring notable, and sometimes very deep, partisan divisions, making it almost impossible to isolate the impact of partisan influences on views on different rumour subjects. This study aims to remove the possibility of partisan influences on readers of internet rumours by testing the impact of independent demographic variables in China, a one-party state with no overt partisan divisions. The study provides an opportunity to strip away the influence of ideology and see whether this factor may have coloured previous studies on susceptibility to believe rumours.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study was used to examine belief in false and true online rumours in a non-partisan environment. A large sample group was presented with rumours across four subject areas and respondents’ conclusions and demographic information was then subject to logistic regression analysis to identify relationships between factors and ability to identify the veracity of online rumours.FindingsUnexpectedly, the regression analysis revealed no statistically significant nexus between many independent demographic variables and patterns of believing or disbelieving rumours. In other cases, a statistically significant relationship was revealed, but only to a limited degree. The results suggest that once the role of partisanship in explaining the proliferation of and belief in false rumours and the ability to identify true ones is removed from consideration, no other independent variables enjoy convincing links with rumour belief.Originality/valueThe study tests in China, a jurisdiction featuring a non-partisan environment, the impact of independent variables on media users’ belief in a wide range of rumours.

The Stuarts in Italy, 1766–1807: A Court in Perpetual Pretence

Taking its cues from the conclusions of Edward Corp in The Stuarts in Italy, 1719–1766: A Royal Court in Permanent Exile, this article considers the evolution of the princely court held by the two final Stuart claimants, Charles Edward and Henry Benedict Stuart. It surveys the dénouement of this court from the deposed Catholic dynasty’s loss of de jure recognition of sovereignty in 1766 to the death of its last representative in 1807. By analysing the Stuarts’ interactions with the Papacy and European monarchies amid their ongoing struggle to uphold the appearance of royalty, it argues that the changing nature of their court emerged as a significant and distinctive nexus of cultural and symbolic meaning. The court of the exiled Stuarts from 1766 to 1807 emphasised the character, prerogatives and status of retreating Ancien Régime kingship in the decades preceding the French Revolution, during the years of its existence and in the Napoleonic era that followed.

Can the digital economy empower urban energy resource transition? A natural gas perspective.

The diffusion effect of the digital economy (DEN) has become increasingly prominent, but few scholars have investigated the energy transition effect of China's DEN. To this end, this study takes 207 cities in China as the research object to explore the potential role of DEN development in boosting energy resource transition (ERT). The endogeneity and asymmetry between variables are also analyzed. We find that (i) China's urban DEN and ERT show a synchronized fluctuating upward trend from 2006 to 2019; (ii) both DEN and ERT show significant positive nexus; put differently, the rapid evolution of DEN can significantly help enhance the strength of ERT; and (iii) substantial heterogeneity exists at different quantiles. In 10th and 90th quantiles, the impacts of DEN on ERT are insignificant, and both DEN and ERT exhibit significant positive linkage in 25th, 50th, and 75th quantiles. To this end, we put forward corresponding policy recommendations to boost ERT from the perspective of DEN.

Tasting the Soil and Mobilizing the Future: Pedagogies of Hope in Timor-Leste’s Permaculture Youth Camps

This article localizes the traveling concept of permaculture in Timor-Leste as a pathway into studying the juventude permakultura (permaculture youth) movement, its pedagogies of hope, sensory learning, and emotional mobilization. Focusing on permaculture-based community gardening and water conservation projects in Timor-Leste in relation to projects implemented by the nation’s significant government-NGO nexus opens up anthropological inquiries into various social, political, and ecological phenomena. It contrasts divergent imaginaries of shaping young persons’ selves and futures and taps into issues of food security, environmental awareness, and alternative knowledge construction. Although ongoing research localizes the traveling concept of “permaculture” in Timor-Leste through tracing, exploring, and juxtaposing methodologies, this article focuses on the practice-oriented sensorial pedagogy of permaculture youth camps. It inquires how the eco-social youth movement contests the marginalization of vulnerable communities by acknowledging local knowledge and connecting it with translocal permaculture techniques. More precisely, the article focuses on the sensory and affective dimensions of learning in vulnerable communities and disaster-prone landscapes. It zeroes in on tasting the soil and mobilizing the future as pedagogies of hope and considers these powerful ways of securing (future) livelihood.

The Significance of Nepal’s Geopolitical Location; Reality Checking

This research paper investigates Nepal's geostrategic importance by analyzing its role as a significant nexus in South Asia. In ancient times, Nepal occupied a crucial geostrategic position as it served as a pivotal crossroads connecting South Asia, Tibet, and China, facilitating the exchange of commodities, ideas, and culture. The central argument posits that Nepal's geographic location endows it with substantial strategic significance, both politically and economically, enabling it to influence regional dynamics. Employing a mixed methodology, the research delves into various facets of Nepal's geostrategic relevance through historical assessments, geopolitical analyses, and case studies of hydro-politic potentiality. The approach commences by examining Nepal's historical role as a buffer state amid regional powers, leading to a longstanding history of diplomatic struggles to safeguard its sovereignty. Furthermore, the paper explores how Nepal's geographical position shapes its security dynamics, particularly in the context of the escalating China-India rivalry in contemporary times, employing geopolitical frameworks to illuminate this aspect. To shed light on Nepal's involvement in facilitating global trade and connectivity, the methodology also includes case studies of infrastructure initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and regional connectivity projects. In conclusion, the paper asserts that Nepal's geostrategic significance is a product of its historical development and proactive international relations, closely intertwined with its geographic positioning. It underscores Nepal's potential to serve as a conduit for regional cooperation and economic integration while emphasizing the need for astute navigation to preserve its independence in a challenging geopolitical landscape.

Severity of environmental degradation and the impact on quality of life in Africa

Considering the mounting impacts of environmental degradation on the global ecosystem, this study offers an empirical contribution to the debate on whether there exists a significant nexus between environmental degradation and quality of life in Africa. Towards this end, we employ several econometric techniques to account for cross-sectional dependence, causality, and also present results based on IV-Lewbel 2SLS regression. Using a sample of African countries, the results indicate cross-sectional dependence due to spill-over effects from common factors in Africa, while the panel cointegration test affirms that environmental degradation have long-term consequences for quality of life only in sub-Saharan African region. Moreover, our results reveal a unidirectional causality between environmental degradation variables and quality of life at both the continent and sub-Saharan African region levels while a bi-directional causality between these variables are revealed for North Africa. On this evidence, our conjecture is that increased mineral extraction, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation, amongst other factors, may be driving this result. Hence, improvement in environmental quality in the continent would have an increasingly beneficial effects on the well-being and survival of the populace. The varied impacts across regions also suggest that policy initiatives toward mitigating the effects of environmental degradation should consider regional dynamics of the continent.

Relationship Between Organizational Justice And Job Performance: Mediating Effect Of Psychological Capital And Organisational Commitment In Teachers Of Pakistani Universities

The objective of this study was to know about the nexus among organizational justice (Org. Justice), organizational commitment (Org. Com), psychological capital (PsyCap) and job performance (JP). This study also aimed to test the mediatory effect of PsyCap and Org. Com in the nexus between Org. Justice and JP. Data were gathered from 554 Public Sector Universities’ Teachers, Pakistan (PSUTP). Eighty two percent (82%) of participants were male, while 18% were female. Twenty two percent (22%) respondents were Lecturers, forty eight percent (48%), Assistant Professors, nineteen percent (19%), Associate Professors and eleven percent (11%) Professors. The results revealed that Org. Justice has a positive nexus with PsyCap, JP and Org. Com. Psycap and Org. Com also showed a significant nexus with JP. Structure equation modelling confirmed that PsyCap and Org. Com partially mediated the nexus between Org. Justice and JP.

Impact of Islamic Financial Inclusion on Economic Growth in Nigeria

Although the connection between finance and growth is well deliberated in literature, attentions are now geared to non interest inclusive finance with understanding the deficiency of traditional inclusive finance. However, the impact of interest free inclusive finance on growth still is partly examined. This research work dealt with Islamic inclusive finance - growth nexus. The research employed quarterly data spanning from (2010-2020). In this work, a novel index of Islamic financial inclusivity was constructed using the (PCA) and a recently developed Bootstrap ARDL (BARDL) Cointegration technique was used in analyzing the data. The finding indicates a number of results. First, the results of BARDL demonstrates a robust association among Islamic Inclusive finance and Growth. As such, it demonstrates the presence of positive and statistically significant nexus between Islamic inclusivity finance and growth. Moreover, findings also reveal presence of cointegration among Islamic inclusivity finance and growth. As such, interest free finance can be used as a tool to help nations to exit from economic recession and other macroeconomic challenges.

Evaluating the Nexus between Digital Transformation and Financial Inclusion: A Fresh Insight from Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya

Small and medium enterprises are considered vital in Kenya due to the significant role which they carry out towards the attainment of the big four agendas with respect to the country’s vision 2030. Despite this importance, these businesses continue to be financially excluded. Studies relating to digital transformation and financial inclusion are characterized by underlying research gaps cutting across conceptual, contextual to methodological gaps. As such, this study which originates from the Doctoral dissertation of the first author in which the co-authors served as supervisors sought to evaluate the nexus between digital transformation and financial inclusion of small and medium enterprises in Kenya. Diffusion Innovation Theory and Financial Intermediation Theory were utilized and explanatory research design was adopted. The top 100 small medium enterprises in Kenya constituted the target population and the sample size was 200 based on purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques where two respondents were picked from each of the Small Medium Enterprises of interest. A response rate of 81.5 percent was achieved through the use of questionnaires. The study established a significant nexus between digital transformation and financial inclusion of small and medium enterprises in Kenya. Consequently, the study concluded that digital transformation is important in determining the financial inclusion of small and medium enterprises in Kenya. The study recommended that the management of small and medium enterprises should fully invest in digital transformation so as to maximize its underlying benefits of flexible financial services.

Air pollution and life expectancy: New evidence from the MINT economies

Life expectancy (LEX) has gained relevance among health and environmental scholars due to the current upsurge in carbon emissions. As a result, this article examined the impact of economic development (ECD), air pollution (AIP), human capital (HUC), natural resources (NRR), and renewable energy consumption (REC) on LEX in the MINT countries. The DSK estimation approach was used to estimate the variables’ long-term interaction. The following are the main empirical findings from the analysis. First, the research discovered a positive, significant, and favourable nexus between ECD, HUC, REC, and LEX. Second, AIP and NRR have a detrimental and significant impact on LEX. Third, the causation analysis revealed a one-way link between economic development, renewable energy consumption, and LEX. This empirical research gives policy-makers unique ideas on using human capital, renewable energy, and economic growth as strategic tools to promote life expectancy. Therefore, MINT nations must employ the appropriate strategies to boost economic growth, human capital and renewable energy to improve life expectancy. On the other hand, these countries should enhance natural resource utilization and reduce carbon emissions to achieve a longer lifespan.

Trauma Informed Interventions and Academic Adjustment among Adolescent Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Globally, the problem of escalating incidences of trauma among adolescents has adversely affected their physical, behavioral, emotional and psychological functioning hence impairing their quality and ability to adjust in school. The purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of trauma informed interventions and academic adjustment among adolescents in public secondary schools in Kisii County. This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method design. The study targeted a population of 1100 students from which 275 students were sampled through simple random and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions, in-depth interviews and academic adjustment scale. Both descriptive and inferential techniques were employed to analyze quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results from Pearson Correlation coefficient affirmed a positive statistically significant nexus (n=.732, n= 275, p<.0.05) between trauma informed interventions and academic adjustment. The qualitative data findings further affirmed that trauma informed interventions enhance academic adjustment and resilience among adolescents. The study concluded that effective adoption of trauma informed interventions are critical in coping with academic adjustment levels among adolescents.

Fatala River Basin (Republic of Guinea, Africa): Analysis of Current State, Air Pollution, and Anthropogenic Impact Using Geoinformatics Methods and Remote Sensing Data

This study conducts an in-depth analysis of anthropogenic transformation and air pollution within the confines of the Fatala River Basin situated in the Republic of Guinea, Africa. The foundation of this investigation relies upon interdisciplinary geoinformatics methodologies and data acquired through remote sensing, specifically drawing from Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-2 satellite datasets. The primary objectives encompass scrutinizing the extant ecological conditions characterizing the Fatala River Basin and assessing the anthropogenic influences within its geographic expanse. The utilization of remote sensing data, as facilitated by the Sentinel-5P satellite, emerges as a potent instrument for meticulously monitoring environmental transformations. A comprehensive analysis of the designated area, conducted through remote sensing methodologies, is employed to ascertain the concentrations of various atmospheric constituents, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, methane, ozone, and carbon monoxide. The findings gleaned from this inquiry reveal that, notwithstanding the dynamic growth of the extractive industry centered around the world’s preeminent bauxite province, the Fouta Djallon–Mandingo, the anthropogenic transformation of the Fatala River Basin exerts a comparatively minor influence on air quality. Statistical assessments, including correlation analysis, conducted between computed parameters delineating anthropogenic alterations within the Fatala River Basin, and a comprehensive atmospheric pollution index elucidate a lack of a significant nexus. It has been determined that air pollution within the Fatala River Basin is notably influenced by topographical features and the transport of contaminants from adjacent river basins. Consequently, this article makes a substantial contribution to our comprehension of the contemporary ecological state of the Fatala River Basin in the Republic of Guinea. It also holds significant importance in elucidating the ecological challenges specific to the researched region.

Analysis of Fishery and Forestry Ventures and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Fishery and forestry ventures are sub-sectors of agriculture with the potential for poverty reduction through employment creation, value addition, and improvement in export earnings. Nevertheless, they have received relatively less attention from all levels of government in Nigeria. This paper examined the effect of fishery and forestry ventures on poverty reduction in Nigeria between 1976 and 2022. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. Data were sourced from CBN annual statistical bulletin, the National Bureau of Statistics, publications of the World Bank, as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. NARDL was adopted for data analysis. Phillip-Peron Unit root tests revealed a uniform order of integration, while Co-integration Bounds test revealed no existence of long-run relationship between the fishery and forestry ventures and poverty reduction. Findings revealed that agricultural production in fishery and forestry has no significant long-run nexus with poverty reduction in Nigeria. The paper recommended that the Federal Department of Fisheries should engage reputable research institutes and colleges in the fishery industry in Nigeria to train and retrain participants in the sub-sectors to provide skilled workforce in the development of sustainable fishery production towards poverty reduction in Nigeria. The paper also recommended that regulatory agencies in the forestry sub-sector in Nigeria appoint more supervisors and enforcement officers to ensure adequate regulation of the industry towards adding maximum economic value to the exploration and exploitation of the forestry resources in Nigeria by reducing leakages and ensuring that adequate taxes and levies are paid including collection of relevant penalties from defaulters in order to attain sustainable income generation and poverty reduction among the accredited participants.

Systematic Review of Nexus between Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Stock Market Price Movements: Flow Oriented Theory, Stock Oriented Theory and Portfolio Balance Theory

The study investigated literatures on nexus between exchange rate fluctuations and stock market price movements: flow oriented theory, stock oriented theory and portfolio balance theory. It was discovered that many studies predominantly found out statistically significant positive nexus between exchange rate fluctuations and stock market price movements (Parsva & Lean, 2017; Mechri, Ben Hamad, De Peretti & Charfi, 2018; Morales-Zumaquero & Sosvilla-Rivero, 2018; Bahrnani-Oskooee & Saha,2016; Ho & Huang,2015; Sui & Sun,2016; Mroua & Trabelsi,2019; Nazakat & Kashif,2017; Yildirim & Adali, 2018; Fapetu, Adeyeye, Seyingbo & Owoeye,2017; Okechukwu, Mbadike, Geoffrey & Ozurunma,2019; Bagh, Azad, Razzaq, Liaqat & Khan,2017; Alzyoud, Wang & Basso, 2018) while very scanty and few studies revealed a negative significant relationship and statistically insignificant. Various studies conducted shows different results on asymmetric and symmetric effects and causality: bidirectional, unidirectional and no causality between exchange rate fluctuations and stock market price movements. Some results support the ?ow oriented theory, some are for the stock oriented theory and portfolio balance theory while others believe that three theories are functional in an economy. Variation in these studies could be as a result of methodology used, market condition, risk and other factors that are peculiar to each economy. The study discovered other factors namely GDP of a country, level of employment, companies business internal ?nancing structure, investment inflow, inflation rates, oil prices, government expenditure, in?ation rate, interest rate, and exchange rate that have effect on stock market movements. The empirical studies examined recommended as follows: Regulators should consider developing sound policy measures to prevent ?nancial risk. The public who desire to invest must utilize the information of important macro-economic variable in particular exchange rates vol