Volume 5, Issue 9

Impact Factor 3.582

1) The Moderating Effects of Customer Satisfaction on the Relationship between Service Quality and Customer Loyalty: Evidence from the Banking Sector of Egypt.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating significant role of Customer Satisfaction (CS) in the relationship between Service Quality (SQ) and Customer Loyalty (CL).
Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive SQ, refer to (SQ Questionnaire, Cronin & Taylor, 1992), CS (CS Questionnaire, Athanassopoulos, et al, 2001) and CL (CL Questionnaire, Parasuraman, 1996). The data of the study was collected from 310 employees at commercial banks in Egypt. Out of the 382 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at commercial banks in Egypt, 310 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 81%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: This research findings show that CS is an important mediator between SQ and CL at commercial banks in Egypt. CS significantly influenced SQ and CL. The finding reveals that SQ affects CL through CS.
Practical implications: Learning the relationships between SQ, CS and CL, retailers can effectively allocate their resources and develop a rational plan to improve their SQ under specific business circumstances. In addition, by the referring of loyal customers, the commercial banks can attract more customers. Managers are advised to satisfy and better manage their relationships through quality product and service offerings to their customers as a competitive policy in the marketplace. The commercial banks are required to offer services that meet or surpass consumers’ expectation. The study also reveals interesting implications in SQ, CS and CL, useful to both academics and practitioners. Managers will find this research helpful in better understanding these variables and their roles on their companies’ performance.
Originality/value: This research dealt with SQ in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the significant role of CS in the relationship between SQ and CL at commercial banks in Egypt.
Keywords: service quality, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty
[Download Full Paper] [Page 01-30]

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2) Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty: A Correlational Study on the Telecommunications Sector in Egypt.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract:
Purpose: CS and CL is a well known and established concept in several areas like marketing, consumer research, economic psychology, welfare-economics, and economics. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Customer Satisfaction (CS) and Customer Loyalty (CL).
Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive CS, refer to (CS Questionnaire, Athanassopoulos, et al, 2001) and CL (CL Questionnaire, Parasuraman, 1996) are used. The data of the study was collected from 250 employees at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt. Out of the 290 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt, 250 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 86%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: The research has found that there is significant and positive relationship between CS and CL at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt. CS significantly influenced CL. The finding reveals that CS affects CL. The findings supported the contention that strong relationship exists between CS and CL. However, CS alone cannot achieve the objective of creating a CL base. CS and CL are not directly correlated, particularly in competitive business environments because there is a big difference between CS, which is a passive customer condition, and CL, which is an active or proactive relationship with the organization. The results suggest that improving CS and CL is necessary. The research results also indicate that high levels of CS can build CL.
Practical implications: Learning the relationships between CS and CL, retailers can effectively allocate their resources. In addition, by the referring of CL, the Telecommunications sector can attract more customers. Managers are advised to satisfy and better manage their relationships through quality product and service offerings to their customers as a competitive policy in the marketplace. The Telecommunications sector in Egypt is required to offer products/services that meet or surpass consumers’ expectation. The study also reveals interesting implications in CS and CL, useful to both academics and practitioners. Managers will find this research helpful in better understanding these variables and their roles on their companies’ performance.
Originality/value: This research dealt with CS in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the significant role of CL at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt.
Keywords: customer satisfaction, customer loyalty
[Download Full Paper] [Page 31-51]

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3) Organizational Silence: An Obstacle to Organizational Learning.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to study Organizational Silence (OS) as one of the biggest barriers to Organizational Learning (OL) at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach: To assess OS, refer to (OS questionnaire, Schechtman, 2008; Brinsfield, 2009), and OL (OL questionnaire American Society for Training and Development, 2002). Out of the 290 questionnaires that were distributed to employees, 235 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 81%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: The research has found that there is a significant relationship between OS and OL. Also, the research has found that OS directly affects OL. In other words, OS is one of the biggest barriers to OL at the Telecommunications sector in Egypt.
Practical implications: This research contributes to stimulate scientific research, particularly in terms of testing the model content, as well as studying the research variables and the factors affecting them. In addition, this research pointed to the need for organizations to adopt a culture which encourages and urges employees to speak in the labor issues and the non-silence in order for the administration to be able to realize these issues and try to solve them first hand in order to prevent their aggravation.
Originality/value: Although the phenomenon of silence is expected in organizations, there is little empirical evidence in the literature aimed at defining, analyzing, and coping with it. Silence climate has an impact on the ability of organizations to detect errors and learn. Therefore, organizational effectiveness is negatively affected. This research aims to measure the effect of OS on OL. Based on the findings of this research, some important implications are discussed.
Keywords: organizational silence, organizational learning
[Download Full Paper] [Page 52-71]

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4) The Role of Organizational Learning in Promoting Organizational Success: A Study on Teaching Hospitals in Egypt.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract:
Purpose: This paper attempts to highlight the significant role of Organizational Learning (OL) in improving Organizational Success (OS). OL is widely acknowledged as a critical factor for OS at Teaching hospitals in Egypt.
Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive OL, (OL questionnaire American Society for Training and Development, 2002) and OS (OS questionnaire Simon et al., 2011). The data of the study was collected from the employees at Teaching hospitals in Egypt. Out of the 357 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at Teaching hospitals in Egypt, 285 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 79%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: There is a statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of OL (the dynamics of learning, conversion of the organization, employee empowerment, knowledge management, and the application of technology) and OS at Teaching hospitals in Egypt.
Practical implications: This research contributes to the need for organizations to practice OL in order to be able to meet contemporary intense competition, as this trend is to play an important role in enhancing OS. The study suggests that the Teaching hospitals in Egypt can increase OS by influencing its OL. The study provided that it is necessary to pay more attention to the dimensions of OL as a key source for organizations to enhance the competitive advantage which is of prime significance for OS.
Originality/value: The study observes that there is a critical shortage in OL and that a greater understanding of the factors that influence the OS is of great importance. Therefore, this study is to examine the relationship between OL and OS. This research dealt with OL in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the role of OL in promoting OS. Accordingly, the study provided a set of recommendations including the necessity to pay more attention to OL as a key source for OS at Teaching hospitals in Egypt.
Keywords: organizational learning, organizational success
[Download Full Paper] [Page 72-85]

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5) Organizational Silence: A Barrier to Organizational Change.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract:
Purpose: There is little empirical evidence regarding the nature of Organizational Silence (OS) and its components. So, the purpose of this research is to identify the types of OS and its effects on Organizational Change (OC) at Sadat University in Egypt.
Design/methodology/approach: To assess OS, refer to (OS questionnaire, Schechtman, 2008; Brinsfield, 2009), and OC (OC questionnaire Dunham, et al., 1989; Lussier, 1990; and Kursunoglu & Tanriogen, 2009). Out of the 692 questionnaires that were distributed to employees, 420 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 60%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: Results indicate that supervisors’ attitudes to silence, top management attitudes to silence and communication opportunities are associated. The research has found that there is significant relationship between OS and OC. Also, the research has found that OS directly affects OC. In other words, OS is one of the biggest barriers to OC of the employees at Sadat University in Egypt.
Practical implications: This research pointed to the need for organizations to adopt a culture which encourages and urges employees to speak in the labor issues and the non-silence in order for the administration to be able to realize these issues and try to solve them first hand in order to prevent their aggravation.
Originality/value: There is little empirical evidence in the literature aimed at defining, analyzing, and coping with OS. It has an impact on the ability of organizations to detect errors and learn. Therefore, organizational effectiveness is negatively affected. This research aims to measure the effect of OS on OC. Based on the findings of this research, some important implications are discussed.
Keywords: organizational silence, organizational change
[Download Full Paper] [Page 86-105]

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6) Job Attitudes as a Mediator of the Relationship between Leadership Styles and Organizational Success: An Empirical Investigation on Sadat University in Egypt.
Author Details: Wageeh A. Nafei-University of Sadat City, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract:
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation is to determine the mediating significant role of Job Attitudes (JA) in the relationship between Leadership Styles (LS) and Organizational Success (OS) at Sadat University in Egypt.
Research Design/Methodology: To assess JS, refer to (JS questionnaire, Judge et al., 2001; Best & Thurston, 2004, OC (OC questionnaire Allan & Meyer, 1990; Meyer, et. al., 1993), LS (LS questionnaire Bass & Avolio, 1990; Popper & Lipshitz, 2000; Jung & Avolio, 2000; Sarros & Santora, 2001; Avolio & Bass, 2002; Stone, et al., 2004; Vera & Crossan, 2004) and OS (OS questionnaire Simon et al., 2011). The data of the study was collected from the employees at Sadat University in Egypt. Out of the 692 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at Sadat University in Egypt, 420 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 61%. Multiple Regression Analysis was used to confirm the research hypotheses.
Findings: The findings of the study indicated that there is a significant correlation between LS, JS, OC and OS. In addition to that, JS and OC have the advantage of increasing OS.
Practical implications: The main subject of the study were all categories of employees at Sadat University in Egypt. Self-reported measures were used to measure JS, OC, LS and OS. Considering the importance of employees’ OC and their effects on effectiveness of Sadat University, policy makers should take necessary measures for the optimal provision of intrinsic and extrinsic job rewards to make their core workforce highly satisfied and committed.
Originality/value: The relevant literature shows that job attitudes, LS and OS are under-researched in the public sector in Egypt. So, the current investigation has contributed to improve the understanding of this significant issue. Besides, the study findings are discussed in perspective of practical implications. This research dealt with job attitudes in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the role of LS in promoting OS at Sadat University in Egypt.
Keywords: job attitudes, leadership styles, organizational success
[Download Full Paper] [Page 106-128]

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7) Anlysis of Poverty Determinants and the Coping Strategies among Rural Farming Households in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾ Ume.  S I and ⁽²⁾ Ochiaka C.D –⁽¹⁾Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu. Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. ⁽²⁾Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Anlysis of Poverty Determinants and the coping strategies among farming household in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was studied using one hundred respondents selected using multi- stage random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to gather information as relates to the objectives of the study. Percentage response and probit analysis were used to address the objectives of the study.   The results of the study revealed that majority of the farmers were male, youths and married. The major determinants of poverty were educational level, income level and meal per day. The poverty alleviation strategies  adapted the respondents farming; trading, transportation, rice milling business and food vendors. The recommendations proffered included; the need for policies to enhance farmers’ access to education in order to increase their managerial skills of scarce resources, diversification of income through engaging into different business ventures and access to improved production inputs
Key words: Poverty, Rural Farming
[Download Full Paper] [Page 129-135]

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8) Determinant Factors to the Adoption and Discontinue Adoption of Improved Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Production Technologies in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾ Ume.  S I and ⁽²⁾Ochiaka J.S-⁽¹⁾Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu. Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.⁽²⁾Department of Commercial Agriculture Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria.
Abstract:
The determinant factors to the rate of adoption and rejection of improved okra production technology among small-holder farmers in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria was studied using 120 selected using multi stage random sampling technique.  Percentage,  Logit model and Tobit model analyses were used to address the objectives of the study. Structured questionnaire and oral interview were use ormation d to collect relevant infas it  related to the study. The results of  the study showed that  most of respondents were female, had formal education and had long years of farming experience. The determinant factors to okra production in the study area were household size, education level, membership of cooperatives and access to credit. More so, the determinant factors to discontinue adoption of okra production technology were attitude, feedback provision, marketability and input availability. The following recommendations were proffered: there is need to enhance farmers’ access to credit through commercial banks and microfinance banks. Furthermore, there is need to expose farmers to adult education, worships and seminars in order to improve their adoption rates.
Keywords: Adoption, Determinant, Discontinue adoption,  Okro, Production, Technology
[Download Full Paper] [Page 136-146]

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9) Technical efficiency OF Catfish Production among small holder Farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria.
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾ Ume.  S I and ⁽²⁾Ochiaka J.S-⁽¹⁾Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu. Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.⁽²⁾Department of Commercial Agriculture Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria.
Abstract:
This study was carried out to investigate resource use efficiency of catfish production in Anambra State of Nigeria. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to select 120 catfish farmers in the State in the year 2015.  Percentage response was used to determine the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics and the constraints to catfish production. Maximum likelihood methods was used to address stochastic frontier and simultaneously the determinants. The results of the study show that level of education, farming experience and extension contact were positive and significantly related to technical efficiency while credit access had inverse relationship with technical efficiency. The mean technical efficiency was 0.44; the maximum efficiency was 0.97, while the minimum was 0.23. The constraints to catfish production in the study area were poor access to credit, poor fish breed, water pollution, problem of climate change and poor access to extension services. Policies aimed at encouraging both new entrant and older farmers into catfish farming through provision of improved production inputs, increasing farmers’ access to extension contact and educational programmes such as adult education, workshop and conferences were therefore recommended.
Keywords: Technical efficiency,  Catfish Production,   Small holder,  Farmers
[Download Full Paper] [Page 147-155]

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10) John Dewey, New Education, and Social Control in the Classroom.
Author Details: Jeroen Staring-Dr Jeroen Staring teaches mathematics at secondary schools in The Netherlands. His 2005 Medical Sciences dissertation describes the life, work and technique of F. Matthias Alexander. In 2013 he successfully defended a second dissertation, on the early history of the NYC Bureau of Educational Experiments.
Abstract:
This case study investigates John Dewey’s role in debates on the topic of New Education and Progressive Education schools. It deals about William H. Kilpatrick’s learning by projects method, Gertrude Hartman’s learning by activities method, and the late-1920s and early-1930s Activity Program. In his writings between 1902 and 1938, Dewey advised to walk the middle path between teacher-centered education and child- or student-centered education. Surprisingly enough, his Experience and Education holds a hidden message, which promotes the so-called Alexander Technique as a means of achieving the “ideal aim of education,” that is, the “creation of power of self-control” (Dewey, 1938, p. 75).
Key Words: Harriet Alice (Chipman) Dewey (1858-1927), Louisa Parsons Stone Hopkins (1834-1895), Gertrude Hartman (1876-1955), Marietta Louise (Pierce) Johnson (1864-1938), Caroline Louise Pratt (1867-1954). Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955), Samuel Engle Burr (1897-1987), George Sylvester Counts (1889-1974), Lawrence Arthur Cremin (1925-1990), John Dewey (1859-1952), Lester Dix (1890-1961), Charles William Eliot (1834-1926), Abraham Flexner (1866-1955), Charles Hanford Henderson (1861-1941), William Heard Kilpatrick (1871-1965), Colonel Francis Wayland Parker (1837-1902), Joseph Mayer Rice (1857-1934), Eugene Randolph Smith (1876-1968), Rufus Whittaker Stimson (1868-1947), Calvin Milton Woodward (1837-1915). Activity plan, Bureau of Educational Experiments, learning by activities, learning by doing, learning by projects, New Education, Project Method, Progressive Education Association.
[Download Full Paper] [Page 156-181]

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11) Superficial Radial Artery – A Case Report.
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾T Ramesh Rao ⁽²⁾Suresh R Rao-Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Trinidad & Tobago
Abstract:
Arterial variations in the arm are of potential clinical implications as it is a frequent site of injury and also involved in many surgical and invasive procedures. Variations in the vascular system of upper limbs are relatively common, and occur at the level of the axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries as well as in the palmar arches. During a dissection of the right upper extremity, an abnormal high origin of the radial artery was found. A high radial branch from the brachial artery was found in a middle aged male during routine dissection course. The brachial artery and its branches were dissected carefully and the anomaly was documented with a photograph. Usually the axillary artery continues as brachial artery beyond the lower margin of teres major muscle and the brachial artery terminates in the cubital fossa by dividing into the ulnar and the radial arteries. Accurate knowledge of these variation patterns is of considerable clinical importance in the conduct of reparative surgeries around the shoulder and fracture management of the humerus. This high origin of radial artery and the abnormal course of the radial artery is of interest to clinicians; in particular vascular and plastic surgeons and radiologists.
Keywords: axillary artery, brachial artery, radial artery, ulnar artery, arterial variations
[Download Full Paper] [Page 182-187]

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12) Nutritional Evaluation of Graded Levels of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Seed Meal on Growth Performance and Blood Chemistry of Broiler Starter Birds.
Author’s Details: ⁽¹⁾P.C. Jiwuba,⁽²⁾O.E. Kadurumba, ⁽³⁾Nwoko, A. C ⁽⁴⁾E. Dauda
⁽¹⁾⁽⁴⁾Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, P.M.B.7008, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. ⁽²⁾Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria.⁽³⁾Department of Animal Production Technology, Federal College of Agriculture, P.M.B.7008, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Abstract:
An experiment was carried out to investigate the dietary effects of toasted pigeon pea seed meal on growth performance and blood biochemical indices of broiler starters. One hundred and forty four day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four experimental groups with 3 replicates of 12 birds per replicate. Four diets designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels of toasted pigeon pea seed meal respectively. The four treatment groups were assigned the four experimental diets in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and fed the experimental diets for 28 days. Data was collected on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, total protein, urea, creatinine and cholesterol and statistically analyzed. Results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Average daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio was best at T3 (82.33g/day, 32.54g/day and 2.53 respectively) and declined at T4 30% (75g/day, 27.25g/day and 2.77 respectively) inclusion level of toasted pigeon pea seed meal. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) for urea, creatinine and cholesterol. Total protein differed (P<0.05) significantly with T1 having the lowest value of 3.89mg/dl and T4 the highest value of 4.50mg/dl. From the results, it could be concluded that toasted pigeon pea seed meal could be best utilized at 20% dietary inclusion in broiler starters without any detrimental effect on growth performance and serum biochemistry.
Keywords: broilers, pigeon pea, performance, serum chemistry and alternative protein source
[Download Full Paper] [Page 188-192]

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13) Climatic Variability Associated With Tea Cultivation: A Case Study Of Nuwaraeliya Pedro Tea Estate in Sri Lanka.
Author Details: Rekha Nianthi, K.W.G.-Department of Geography – University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract:
The tea cultivation highly depends on the prevailing weather conditions and is extremely sensitive to climate variability and changes both short and long term. The excessive rainfall and high temperature can cause the low productivity and low quality of the tea. This study has attempted to understand the perception of tea estate workers about the impact of climate variability and change on tea cultivation in Pedro tea estate which is the highest tea estate located about 3 km east of Nuwaraeliy in Sri Lanka. James Tailor has established this tea estate in 1885 and it had 668.38 hectares with the elevation about 1910 m. But the tea areas extent is now decreased due to various factors. The main objective of this study is to identify the public perception of tea working community towards the climate variability and change on tea cultivation and compare with some original climate data analysis. The primary data have been collected from a questionnaire survey, observations and focus group interviews with tea estate community. Rapid Rural Participatory Appraisal is used to gather for further information. 25 tea estate workers were randomly selected for the survey. Focused group discussions are also held with tea estate manager and other officers to get an in-depth preview of the impact of climate variability on tea cultivation. Two field surveys have been conducted in the month of October 2011 and February 2015. The experiences gain from both field surveys is added to the results and discussions where necessary.  The climate data of rainfall and temperature have been collected from various secondary reports and Department of Meteorology, and analyzed through the various statistical methods. Questionnaire data is tabulated, coded and analyzed using various graphical methods. Increases of temperature, dry spells, frequency of drought, high intensity of rainfall, soil water deficit and dry soil condition have affected the tea cultivation in the study area.  Planting of the drought tolerance tea, growing of high shade trees, introduce rainwater harvesting, proper land preparation, and soil moisture conservation practices can be introduced in the study area.  Adaptation practiced should be encouraged because preliminary assessments showed that climate variability will have a significant impact on future tea cultivation of high elevation in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Tea cultivation, Climate variability, Climate change, Impact, Perception
[Download Full Paper] [Page 193-198]

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