International Journal of Case Studies (ISSN Online 2305-509X)

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 7
IMPACT FACTOR 4.428

1) A Strategic Analysis of Aegon, Ltd. (2023)
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾ Amber Horton-Business Department, CUNY School of Professional Studies ⁽²⁾Herbert Sherman-Long Island University – Brooklyn
Abstract:
This strategic case analysis focuses upon Aegon Ltd., more commonly known as simply “Aegon,” an international financial services firm headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. Aegon offers a wide variety of investment, insurance, and retirement solutions to its nearly 24 million customers worldwide. Its portfolio of businesses includes its fully owned businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom, a global asset manager, as well as joint ventures in Spain, Portugal, China, France, and Brazil. This strategic analysis includes the use of the following external/environmental analysis tools (PESTLE, Five Forces and Competitor Analyses) as well as internal analyses (VRIO, Value Chain and Functional) which are presented in table form. All of these analyses culminate in a SWOT analysis of the firm
Keywords: Case study, strategic analysis, international, financial services.
[Download Full Paper] [Page 01-17]
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2) Effect of Citrullus colocynthis Juice Pulp Extract on High Fat Induced
Author Details:Mariam Olawunmi Ibrahim-Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Abstract:
Obesity is a chronic disease caused by an imbalance in the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy expended. Citrullus colocynthis ( known as bitter apple)  is a desert viney plant that grows in sandy, arid soils. It is rich in various bioactive compounds such as essential oils, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and fatty acids. This study evaluated the effect of citrus colocynthis on the lipid profile of high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Forty-two male albino rats weighing between 200-250g were divided into six groups of seven rats each. Group 1 contains animals fed with normal feed and water (control group), group 2 contains animals receiving 150mg/kg Citrullus colocynthis and fed with high cholesterol diet, group 3 contains animals receiving 75mg/kg Citrullus colocynthis and fed with high cholesterol diet, group 4 contain animals fed high cholesterol diet only, group 5 contain animals receiving 150mg/kg Citrullus colocynthis and fed with normal diet and group 6 contain animals receiving 75mg/kg Citrullus colocynthis and fed with normal diet. The animals were sacrificed after three months, blood was collected for biochemical evaluation. The administration of high-cholesterol diet-induced obesity was indicated by an increase in body mass index, Lee index, and specific rate of body mass gain in the group fed with high cholesterol diet only when compared to the control group. The serum was analyzed for cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein, significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein and an increase in cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels was observed in the group that fed with high cholesterol diet only when compared to the control group and the group that is fed with high cholesterol diet and treated with 150mg/kg of the extract, while significance increase in high-density lipoprotein and decrease in cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein levels were observed in the group that was given 150mg/kg of the extract only when compared to the control group and the group that was fed high cholesterol diet only. In conclusion this study suggested that Citrullus colocynthis juice pulp extract is effective in the treatment of obesity as evidenced by a reduction in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL, while there is an increase in the level of HDL, due to the presence of phytochemical constituents in the plant.
Keywords: Citrullus Colocynthis, obesity, overweight, genetics, cardiovascular dysfunction
[Download Full Paper] [Page 18-36]
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3) Foreign Currency Exchange Rate and Return on Assets of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria
Author’s Details:Adesola Adebayo AKANDE¹ AMEDU, Emmanuella Orhunwakho²
adesola.akande@elizadeuniversity.edu.ng +2348037067714
Abstract:
This study examined the foreign currency exchange rate effect on Return on Assets of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria between 2013 – 2022. Financial data of ten selected manufacturing firms quoted on the Nigeria stock exchange that embark on production of industrial and consumer goods were collected through CBN Statistical Bulletin and annual reports of the selected companies. The obtained data were analysed with E-view version 9.0. The result showed a positive-relationship between the Real Effective Exchange Rate and the return on assets metrics as the Granger Causality Wald Tests-result offers insights into potential causality relationships of the economic variables. The study concludes that the significant interactions between financial performance variables and the real exchange rate of an economy dictates a broad spectrum of economic opportunity indicators in a complex and interconnected economy and it remains essential to grasp the dynamics due to the global economic intertwinements and external forces capable of shaping Nigeria economy at any rate. With this, the result of the study provides a guidepost to manufacturers in their transactions with their trade partners across the border.  The study strongly recommends the utilization of Real Currency Exchange rate by financial and economic regulators in Nigeria to enhance manufacturing entity’s performance financially in developing economy
Keywords: Exchange Rate, Real Exchange Rate, Nominal Exchange Rate, Interest Rate, ROA. 
[Download Full Paper] [Page 37-48]
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