Indexing

Abstract: Alcohol has figured in human affairs since the beginning of recorded history and has been widely consumed since prehistoric times around   the world. It is the oldest and most widely diffused intoxicating substance known to man. Alcohol consumption is an integral part of social fabric in most societies. As per the written records available, it is clear that the production and consumption of alcohol were integrated in to social and religious life among different communities at different parts of the world. Further alcohol has been playing a significant role in many cultures in Neolithic Era, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient, Epic  Medieval and modern India. Be it a business event or informal party, alcoholic beverages have always graced the occasion. Alcohol has, since time immemorial, been an indispensable part of all celebrations, be it birthdays, parties, anniversaries or any other occasion.                    

Abstract: The Economic status of a nation or a state is largely associated by the presence of industries, companies and manufacturing units. The state of Nagaland though surprisingly devoid of the presence of such industries and companies has been making steady progress over the years in its economic status but at a slow phase. The introduction of the Self- help Group scheme in the state in 1999-2000 has been a blessing to the people in many respects. The present paper dwells on the immense contribution made by the SHGs towards the growth of the state’s economy. It brings out to light the role of SHGs in strengthening the economic position of the state, employment opportunities generated and the number of people seriously engaged in the SHGs. The paper attempts to examine the huge potentiality SHGs have in the absence of industries and companies by making a case study of three districts of Nagaland viz. Peren, Kohima and Dimapur districts. It also brings out the SHGs –Bank linkage programmes in the state. For this purpose the paper is divided into three sections. Section I deals with introductory remarks and outlines, the significance of self help groups for employment generation with the infusion of low capital. It also provided an input to analyse the data relating to self help groups from an all India perspective Vis a Vis to self help groups in north eastern states. Section II draws attention of the economic profile of the state and also focus on the sample size for the study emphasising on the impact of self help groups and their contribution to socio- economic development. Section III analyses the findings of the study and provides concluding remarks and suggestions.

Abstract: In Ethiopia, other than the traditional aspect, the scientific aspect of aromatic and medicinal plants in general and Menth spicata L. commonly known as spear mint in particular is not well known.  As a result nothing has been done on the costs, returns, profitability, and financial feasibility of spear mint cultivation. Therefore, the study was aimed at analyzing the costs, returns, profitability, and financial feasibility of spear mint cultivation for herbal production. The study was conducted at Wondo genet agricultural research center experimental field. For this study stolons of spear mint was planted on an area of 100m2 with an inter-raw spacing of 60cm and all the required cost and benefit data were collected. For the analysis of costs, returns and profitability simple cost accounting method was used whereas cost benefit analysis was used for financial feasibility analysis and the two popular measures namely net present value and cost benefit ratio were applied for final decision making. The result of analyses shows that, spear mint cultivation for herbal production requires a total cost of 57757.37 birr/ha and provides total revenue of 117366 birr/ha. The finding also shows that the first year cost of cultivation is 37.8% higher than the second year and labor cost accounts the largest share of the total cost of cultivation which is 75.2%. Moreover, in the cultivation of spear mint the first year total revenue shares the largest amount which is 75%. Furthermore, involvement in cultivation of spear mint is profitable and can provide a net return of 59608.63 birr/ha. Finally, the result shows that the value of net present value and benefit cost ratio is 54402.46 birr/ha and 2.05 respectively indicating that involvement in cultivation of spear mint is financially acceptable.

Abstract:  The business organizations are attaching great importance to human resource because human resources are the biggest source of competitive advantage and have the capability of converting all the other resources in to product / service. The effective performance of this human resource depends on the type of HRD climate that prevails in the organization, if it is good the employee’s performance will be high but if it is average or poor than the performance will be low. The study of performance appraisal and HRD climate is very important for all the organization and the banking sector is not an exception, especially in the present situation of financial recession. The present study is an attempt to find out the importance of performance appraisal and the types of HRD climate that is prevailing in ICICI Bank and Punjab National Bank. The Researcher has also tried to find out the difference in the perception of the employees regarding performance appraisal and HRD climate on the basis of age, qualification and work experience. The researcher collected the data from the employees of the officer cadre of ICICI Bank and Punjab National Bank through a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using several statistical tools such as Chi-square test, Z test, Percentage, T test. The result shown that the HRD climate in ICICI Bank is better than the Punjab National Bank. The perception of the employees regarding appraisal system helps in identifying training needs do not differs significantly on the basis of work experience but it differs significantly on the basis of age and qualifications .The perception of the employees regarding kinds of appraisal preferred do not differs significantly on the basis of age and work experience but it differs significantly on the basis of qualifications.

Abstract:This study seeks to establish factors affecting tax compliance by Small and Medium Enterprises, with special emphasis on Income Tax and Value Added Tax and their effects on government revenue. Tax compliance level which is internal factor affecting tax revenue not only undermines tax administration infrastructure but also makes the tax base narrow and inequitable. The objectives of the study include establishing the influence of compliance cost, fines and penalties and attitudes of tax compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises. The study adopts a descriptive research design involving both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The target population was 200, out of which a sample size of 132 respondents were drawn, using stratified and simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the respondents, which were analyzed using SPSS applying both descriptive and inferential analysis. There was a positive relationship between the tax and compliance cost (r=.514), fines and penalties (r=.415) attitudes (r=.546) and tax compliance. The findings showed that compliance cost, fines and penalties and attitude had significant relationship with tax compliance. It is recommended that the tax system should provide a clear and simple guideline on how to fill tax returns but also enhance taxpayer education services to enable the taxpayers understand their rights and obligations as taxpayers, there should be moderate levels of fines and taxes so that SMEs are encouraged to comply since they will keep accurate records for taxation purposes in order to avoid fines and penalties.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinantsof strategic supply chain management in enhancing organization performance, a case of Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company. The target population consisted of all the managers and employees at ELDOWAS. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, in which both stratified and simple random sampling techniques were utilized in selecting the participants for the study. This study used a sample of 60 employees and management representatives. Questionnaire, interview schedule and document analysis were be used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical technique that included frequencies, percentages and means. Findings of the study found out that 53.3% of organisation performance was influenced by the four determinants studied in the research. Results on coefficient of variation showed that a unit change in supply chain infrastructure would affect organisation performance by (0.14β₁), resource sharing (0.062β₂), information flow (0.457β₃) and organisation linkage (0.215β₄). All the four determinants looked in this research were found to have positive influence; supply chain infrastructure (r=0.505), resource sharing (r=0.567), information flow (r=0.705) and organisation linkage (r=0.322) on organisation performance. The study recommends that ICT should be fully integrated and utilised in sharing information between the organisation and partner in the supply chain management, information systems and flow need to be enhanced to ensure that the suppliers and customers receive it on time.

Abstract: In the recent years ,Kenya’s Public Procurement has experienced phenomenal importance with the formation of the Public Procurement and Oversight Authority and the subsequent reforms seeing the institutionalization of procurement in all public entities .With the launch in 2008 of Kenya’s development blue print vision 2030, the role of public procurement in stimulating economic growth and development has received more attention than before .The central objective of this study is to examine the effect of internal organization communication channels on efficiency of the procurement function in public institutions in Kenya using Kenya Seed Company as a case study . The study aimed at determining the effect of communication between procurement personnel on supplier selection, effect of communication between procurement and user departments on quality control of goods and services, effect of communication between procurement personnel on staff training and performance and well as effect of communication between procurement and user departments on inventory management. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Analysis of quantitative data was done using measures of central tendency, correlation and regression analysis. From the findings, communication between procurement department personnel explained 36 % of procurement efficiency, communication on quality control of goods and services explained 32% of procurement efficiency, communication on staff training and performance explained 22% of procurement efficiency while communication on inventory management explained 13 % of procurement efficiency. For the public entities to realize increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of services, these four factors must be put into consideration during execution of procurement functions.

Abstract: Kenya is undertaking public procurement reforms, by enacting the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA) of 2005 which became operational in 2007. This research considered the factors which affect the implementation of PPDA in public secondary schools by considering four factors; procurement skills, enforcement, organizational procurement culture and familiarity with procurement regulations. The researcher adopted purposive sampling and questionnaires were administered to the respondents, who included the members of the tender and procurement committees. Data collected was analyzed by use of SPSS and presented in percentages, frequency tables, and inferential statistics. The study showed that there is a significant relationships between; procurement skills, enforcement of PPDA, organizational procurement culture and familiarity with the regulations and the implementation of the PPDA. 80% of the respondents agree that lack of familiarity with the procurement regulations, inhibited the implementation of the PPDA. 85% of schools in Trans- Nzoia County have not engaged procurement professionals. 53% of the respondents agree that lack of training has hindered the implementation of PPDA. 80% agree that lack of enforcement has somehow hindered its implementation. It is recommended that the procurement officers in public secondary schools to read, understand and implement the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005 and that the school management should train their procurement officers to gain procurement skills, which will enhance the effective implementation of the PPDA.

Abstract: This paper sought to evaluate the effect of technology adoption, early supplier involvement, low-cost sourcing and backward integration on supply chain performance in the public sugar sector, guided by four objectives: To assess effectiveness of technology adoption on supply chain performance, to assess the role of early supplier involvement on supply chain performance, to evaluate effectiveness of low-cost sourcing on supply chain performance and to evaluate effectiveness of backward integration on supply chain performance.  Purposive sampling was used to select a target population of 60 respondents. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used in data analysis aided by SPSS software. From the findings, technology adoption and early supplier involvement were found to be positively correlated to supply chain performance. Thus the above factors should be considered as major determinants in influencing supply chain performance in the public sugar sector.

Abstract:This research paper looks at Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A’s) that have happened in Indian banking sector to understand the resulting synergies and the long term implications of the merger. The paper also analyses emerging future trends and recommends steps that banks should consider for future. The paper reviews the trends in M&A’s in Indian banking and then impact of M&A’s  has been studied in three leading banks of India. The study covers the area of performance evaluation of M&A’s in Indian banking sector during the period from 2000 to 2013. The paper compares pre and post merger financial performance of merged banks with the help of financial parameters like, Net Profit margin, operating Profit margin, Return on Capital Employed, Return on Equity, earnings per share, capital adequacy ratio, dividend per share etc. The findings suggest that to some extent M&A’s has been successful in Indian banking sector. The Government and Policy makers should not promote merger between strong and distressed banks as a way to promote the interest of the depositors of distressed banks, as it will have adverse effect upon the asset quality of the stronger banks.

Abstract: This paper investigates the causality effect of energy consumption and economic growth in Nigeria using annual data from the World Bank Development Indicator and CBN Statistical Bulletin from1980 to 2012.The paper adopts Vector Auto Regressive (VAR) and Error Correction Model (ECM) to test the causality between energy consumption and economic growth in Nigeria. The order of integration of the variables was determined using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test and the DF-GLS test which was followed by co-integration and causality test. Our findings suggest a positive relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. There is no causality between energy consumption and economic growth in the short run; in the long run we find unidirectional causality running from Economic growth to Energy consumption. There is need for government to diversify the energy mix to include all the untapped potentials of renewable power options such as small hydro, wind, solar and biomass among others in all the states and local constituencies. Energy conservation policy is necessary to adopt if this causality is running from per capita GDP to energy consumption but policy should be designed in a way that energy conservation measures do not adversely affect the economic growth.