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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 June 2020

Johnson Okoro, Tobechukwu Odionye, Benedicta Nweze, Martins Onuoha, Chinenye Ezeonwuka, Jude Owoh and Joel Nkire

This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and knowledge level about the disease among inmates of a Custodial…

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and knowledge level about the disease among inmates of a Custodial Center in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 66 new prison inmates were assessed for psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10); and inmates’ knowledge about COVID-19 using a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire developed by the researchers.

Participants had a mean age of 28.39±8.71 years; 63 (95.5%) were male inmates and 3 (4.5%) were female inmates. Sixty-one (92.4%) were awaiting-trial inmates, 43 (65.1%) had psychological distress, and 35 (53%) had completed at least secondary school. COVID-19 questionnaire mean score was 3.82±3.33. Thirty-one (21.8%) had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 (7-10 score), while 35 (53%) and 10 (15.2%) had poor (0-3) and average (4-6) knowledge, respectively. Adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was significantly higher among those that completed at least secondary school (48.6%) than those who did not (12.9%). Though not statistically significant, adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was commoner among those without psychological distress (43.5%) than those with psychological distress (25.6%).

Considering responses to specific questions contained in the questionnaire, knowledge about some questions was relatively high. For example, a majority of the participants 45 (68.2%) correctly responded that death can be a complication of COVID-19; whereas half of them 33 (50%) correctly responded that regular hand washing with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the disease. Nevertheless, responses to some questions showed poor knowledge about the disease as 18 (27.3%) correctly answered that COVID-19 can affect the lungs, while 20 (30.3%) correctly responded that COVID-19 is caused by a virus.

Our study highlighted the need to have all quarantined persons educated about the disease for which they are being quarantined. It also provided the opportunity to raise awareness of COVD-19 among the inmates.

Details

Emerald Open Research, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-3952

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 January 2022

Johnson Okoro, Ambrose Ekeroku, Benedicta Nweze, Tobechukwu Odionye, Joel Nkire, Martins Onuoha, Chinenye Ezeonwuka and Jude Owoh

COVID-19 remains a public health emergency of international concern. Efforts at the global and national levels are being made to control its spread. The Nigerian Correctional…

Abstract

COVID-19 remains a public health emergency of international concern. Efforts at the global and national levels are being made to control its spread. The Nigerian Correctional Service is also proactive in the fight against the disease by organizing COVID-19 awareness training for correctional officers. We conducted a pre- and post-test assessment of COVID-19 knowledge among correctional officers in Enugu State Command to determine the impact of awareness training on their knowledge level. The study also assessed correctional officers’ attitude and preventive practices towards the disease.

The mean knowledge score was 19.34 out of 25, and the awareness training significantly improved the participants’ COVID-19 knowledge. We found a significant moderate, positive correlation between knowledge and attitude/practice, and a significantly higher knowledge level among those with higher educational qualifications.

Regular hand washing with soap and water (87.9%), wearing face masks (84.4%), and social distancing (83%) were practiced by the majority of the participants. The majority of the participants (53.2%) received COVID-19 information from multiple sources including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Details

Emerald Open Research, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-3952

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2019

Khaled Saleh Al-Omoush, Mohammad Khalid Al Attar, Isam Hamad Saleh and Ayman Abdalmajeed Alsmadi

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the drivers of e-banking entrepreneurship. The impact of e-banking entrepreneurship on banks’ performance in the banking industry is…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the drivers of e-banking entrepreneurship. The impact of e-banking entrepreneurship on banks’ performance in the banking industry is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed to collect data from 16 banks with a sample of 214 respondents. Structural equation modeling using PLS was conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results reveal a significant impact of top management support, organizational context, technological context and social capital on the degree of e-business entrepreneurship. The findings also reveal a direct impact of e-banking entrepreneurship on achieving a competitive advantage, financial performance and customer performance.

Originality/value

The present empirical study contributes to a better understanding of the existing theories and practices of banking entrepreneurship and e-innovations in today’s banking industry. This study also provides insights into the drivers and the role of e-entrepreneurship in this industry for improving the opportunities of competitiveness and growth. The findings of the present study are of importance to both academic and practitioner audiences. The present study provides empirical evidence to bolster e-banking technology as an enabler of banking entrepreneurship and improving performance. Additionally, these findings provide directives to managers regarding the untapped opportunities and potential that innovative e-banking technology can offer in a highly volatile and rapidly changing environment.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 14 August 2021

Antonia Sorge, Federica Bassanini, Jennifer Zucca and Emanuela Saita

This study aims to explore the psychological effects of lockdown during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living in an Italian prison. The suspension of family…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the psychological effects of lockdown during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living in an Italian prison. The suspension of family visits and most activities, along with the difficulties in applying social distancing to this vulnerable population was associated with increased psychological distress. Riots broke out over two days in more than 22 prisons across Italy at the beginning of March 2020, highlighting the negative psychological impact of the pandemic and the country’s emergency policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involves 17 men (Italians and foreigners) detained in a Lombardy prison from 1 March to 4 May 2020, corresponding to the lockdown phase in Italy. The qualitative content analysis (CA) of 27 posts, written by participants during that period and published on the blog “L’Oblò”, were analysed. The analysis allowed the identification of topics and subtopics that are related to two major categories of content: cognitions and emotional connotations about the COVID-19 lockdown in prison.

Findings

Analysis showed that blog post content was predominately negative in terms of emotional connotations. The most frequent coded negative emotional connotations were: missing, worry, psychological pain and fear, whilst the most frequent coded positive emotional connotations were: hope and gratitude for the support they received from prison workers. The rest of the blog content was coded as “cognitions”. Cognitions were coded as descriptions of lockdown effect on detention; prison during the COVID-19 emergency; the pandemic situation in general; and comparison between inside and outside prison.

Originality/value

The current study is original as it describes through blog CA the psychological condition of prisoners during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the most affected region in Italy.

Details

International Journal of Prisoner Health, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1744-9200

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Digital Activism and Cyberconflicts in Nigeria
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-014-7

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2016

Akume T. Albert and F.C. Okoli

This paper aims to assess if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been effective in combating corruption in Nigeria from 2003-2012.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been effective in combating corruption in Nigeria from 2003-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopted a documentary analytical approach.

Findings

The organization has not been effective in combating corruption in Nigeria.

Research limitations/implications

The study is between 2003-2012.

Practical implications

There is a need to correct those identified inhibitors that undermined the Commission’s capacity, such as intrusive government interference, lack of autonomy, poor funding and weak laws, among others, to mitigate corruption.

Social implications

Eliminating those identified constraints will remove the incentive to be corrupt, thereby curbing the desire to be corrupt.

Originality/value

This paper is an original assessment of the EFCC's effectiveness in combating corruption in Nigeria during the specified period.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 February 2021

Hieu Thanh Nguyen, Thinh Gia Hoang, Loan Quynh Thi Nguyen, Hoa Phan Le and Hoanh Xuan Vu Mai

This paper aims to explore green technology (GT) transfer through the perceptions of both business managers and technology specialists, who have been identified as the foremost…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore green technology (GT) transfer through the perceptions of both business managers and technology specialists, who have been identified as the foremost practitioners of this practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with business leaders and technology scientists. The interviewees were asked to share their views on the motivations for importing GT; their familiarity with, knowledge of and understanding of GT transfer and the current GT performance in their organization; the key strengths of GT transfer and its limitations; the barriers to the use of GT; and their usefulness. The theoretical framework of actors’ resistance to institutional demands of Oliver (1991) is used as a theoretical lens to investigate the perceptions of the interviewees.

Findings

This study suggests that despite some benefits of the adoption of GT, such as increasing competitive advantage and improving green operations, there are huge concerns over the use and importation of GT. More specifically, almost all the technicians were concerned about the technical risks resulting from the lack of operational tests, the old technologies and the lack of knowledge transfer. Meanwhile, the paucity of specific regulations, guidance and environmental standards has been reported by business managers as one of the primary constraints for this movement.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the emerging literature on GT transfers in the developing world. It proves that the lack of communication and the scarcity of a true champion for GT efforts have reduced the efficiency of GT transfer.

Practical implications

By shedding light on the intricate nature of the relationships arising from GT adoption in organizations, this paper aims to support business leaders and standard setters in making a decision regarding the implementation and promotion of GT transfer, especially in the context of developing countries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore eco-friendly technology transfers in a developing country from the micro-level perspective of both business and technology practitioners of GT-recipient organizations.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 May 2023

Simona Andreea Apostu, Maria Denisa Vasilescu and Kiran Sood

Introduction: One of the main goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to represent gender equality due to its essential role in sustainable progress. At the same…

Abstract

Introduction: One of the main goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to represent gender equality due to its essential role in sustainable progress. At the same time, the balance between women and men in management is explicitly mentioned as a desideratum, given that more women in leadership roles positively impact business performance and sustainability.

Purpose: The study investigates the dynamic relationship between gender inequalities in management positions and sustainable competitiveness. Our contribution is twofold: we examine this interrelationship and its causality.

Methodology: We used panel data of 350 observations for 2012–2021, and we employ a Vector Auto-Regression model and Granger causality method to examine the relationship between the gender gap in management and sustainable competitiveness. The panel VAR for analysing the impulse response function was enriched using Monte Carlo simulations with 5% and 95%.

Findings: The results highlighted that a bidirectional causality between the gender gap in management and sustainable competitiveness is manifested in the European countries. Our results are similar to other studies found in the literature, with gender equality and sustainability positively associated. As an element of originality, our study demonstrates that gender equality in management contributes to sustainable performance, and, on the other hand, a more competitive and sustainable environment contributes to eliminating the gap between men and women in management.

Details

Smart Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Performance Management in a Global Digitalised Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-555-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 May 2021

Anneke Zuiderwijk and Mark de Reuver

Existing overviews of barriers for openly sharing and using government data are often conceptual or based on a limited number of cases. Furthermore, it is unclear what categories…

Abstract

Purpose

Existing overviews of barriers for openly sharing and using government data are often conceptual or based on a limited number of cases. Furthermore, it is unclear what categories of barriers are most obstructive for attaining open data objectives. This paper aims to categorize and prioritize barriers for openly sharing and using government data based on many existing Open Government Data Initiatives (OGDIs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes 171 survey responses concerning existing OGDIs worldwide.

Findings

The authors found that the most critical OGDI barrier categories concern (in order of most to least critical): functionality and support; inclusiveness; economy, policy and process; data interpretation; data quality and resources; legislation and access; and sustainability. Policymakers should prioritize solving functionality and support barriers and inclusiveness barriers because the authors found that these are the most obstructive in attaining OGDI objectives.

Practical implications

The prioritization of open data barriers calls for three main actions by practitioners to reduce the barrier impact: open data portal developers should develop advanced tools to support data search, analysis, visualization, interpretation and interaction; open data experts and teachers should train potential users, and especially those currently excluded from OGDIs because of a lack of digital skills; and government agencies that provide open data should put user-centered design and the user experience central to better support open data users.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the open data literature by proposing a new, empirically based barrier categorization and prioritization based a large number of existing OGDIs.

Details

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 April 2022

Mfon Solomon Jeremiah, Kassa Woldesenbet Beta and Raphael S. Etim

This study aims to develop a framework that enables the identification of sustainability factors from industry-specific environmental issues, and it proposes that these factors…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a framework that enables the identification of sustainability factors from industry-specific environmental issues, and it proposes that these factors, in turn, can influence the corporate environmental performance (CEP) of firms in such an industry. It also validates the factor identification aspect of the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts by reviewing relevant literature extensively and then developing an issue-based environmental sustainability framework to highlight the structural relationship of industry-specific sustainability factors with CEP. By involving 131 participants from academics in Niger Delta, the paper uses exploratory factor analysis techniques to reduce industry-specific sustainability factors from several environmental and socio-economic issues in the Nigerian oil and gas (O&G) industry.

Findings

Environmental risk originates from business environmental issues, and it triggers community reaction, which impacts negatively on corporate image. The nature of firm’s strategic responsiveness to these factors determines CEP.

Research limitations/implications

The study draws from the perspectives of academics on environmental issues in Niger Delta to validate the factor identification aspect of the framework. The views of other stakeholders are not included, and hence, it should be applied with caution.

Practical implications

Useful in identifying and managing industry-specific environmental issues, and thus, achieving some sustainable development objectives.

Originality/value

Although most previous studies have focused on generic CEP drivers, this study proposes sustainability factors that can originate from industry-specific environmental issues as crucial drivers of CEP in such an industry. It provides empirical evidence of such credible sustainability factors emerging from the Nigerian O&G industry’s environmental issues.

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