Volume 4, Issue 7, August 2013

Impact of Transformational Leadership Style on Employees' Satisfaction and Well-Being with Working Conditions as Mediator

Tuba Javeed and Yasir Aftab Farooqi

Department of Management Sciences, University of Gujrat, Pakistan

Abstract– The study aims to investigate the relation of transformational leadership style and followers' perception of well-being and job satisfaction with mediating role of perceived work characteristics. Some evidences were found regarding relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction & employee well-being. However there is a little research found on the mediating relation of working conditions among transformational leadership (TL) and work related outcomes. Banking sector has been selected to explore this relationship. Population of study is bank employees of District Gujrat, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study includes sample of 152 employees of private sector banks. SPSS and AMOS were used for data interpretation. Structural equation modeling was used to find out the relationship of proposed variables. Results suggested a significant positive impact of TL on perception of meaningful work and job involvement, however job influence was not found significant. Moreover, this research proved the mediating role of follower’s perception of meaningful work between TL style and JS. However, employee well-being was not found any significant relation with either of variable. Transformational leadership style is very important for the employees’ positive attitude. Its’ absence may present an incomplete picture of impact of working conditions on job satisfaction. Moreover, development managers can design their interventions for change by putting emphasizes on transformational leadership behavior. Moreover, non-significant relation of employee well-being with all other variable explores a new area for future researchers that need to be investigated extensively.

Keywords— Banking, Job Satisfaction, Meaningful Work, SEM, Transformational Leadership and Well-Being Working Conditions

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Multi-Elemental Analysis of Local Millet and Wheat by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Using NIRR-1 Facility

Y.A. Yamusa, Y.A. Ahmed, Y. Musa, Kasim, S. A., M. Tukur and Bilal S.

Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract– The nutrient value of local millet and wheat in terms of minor and trace element content has been evaluated by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) using the Nigerian Research Reactor (NIRR-1). Two locally cultivated millet and wheat samples were obtained directly from the farmers and two millet and wheat samples grown under surveillance condition were collected from Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria. Multi-Elemental analyses using the relative technique were adopted. Twenty one elements were determined and analyzed (Na, K, As, Br, La, Sm, Np, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, Sb, Ba, Eu,Yb, Lu, Hg and Pa) in these cereals foods.

Keywords— NIRR-1, Millet, Wheat and INAA

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Optimization of Switching Characterization of Inverter Design Using Artificial Neural Network

Najmeh Mohsenifar and Abbas Kargar

Department of Electrical Engineering, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract– In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of artificial neural network in switching characterization of inverter design. Circuit design deals with complicated nonlinear equations. We have exploited that neural networks are capable of complicated nonlinear mapping. In this work, performance criteria of inverter employed to circuit design. The ANN based designs of inverter are compared with theoretical designs and PSO results under transient performance. Our simulations show that the designed inverters have high accuracy and optimized the switching characterization of inverter.

Keywords— Artificial Neural Network, Switching Characterization, Inverter Design, Accuracy and Optimized

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Poverty Alleviation through Information and Communications Technology: A Case Study of Nigeria

Okogun Oluwanishola Abiodun and Abang Igwe Sunday

National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), No 9, Kofo Abayomi, Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), House 4, Coal City, Garden, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract– The flexible nature of ICTs allows them to help address problems in health, education famine and livelihoods. They can enable people’s empowerment and strengthen human rights. Due to this, the study evaluates information and communications technology (ICT) as a means of reducing poverty using Nigeria case. Human Development Index (HDI) and Gini Coefficient were used as standardized measures of poverty. This evaluates ICT as it relates to poverty alleviation. The study reveals Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI) was only 0.416 and that about 70% of the population was living below the poverty line and ranked 156 out of 187 economies. While, the Gini Coefficient of Nigeria was 0.4470 in 2010 indicating that inequality keeps growing between the poor and the rich. In conclusion, appropriate policy suggestions were suggested for efficient use of ICT in reducing poverty and bridging the gap between the poor and the rich in Nigeria.

Keywords— Gini Coefficient, Poverty Alleviation, Nigeria, Human Development Index (HDI)

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Development of Marine Information System for Dama Dama Port (Sudan)

Mohammed Badreldeen and Nagi Zomrawi Mohammed

Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering (sustech.edu)

Abstract– No doubt that good quality and well managed spatial hydrographic and oceanographic data constitute an essential ingredient to economic and commercial development as will as to marine environmental protection. This research has been oriented towards locating, managing, accessing and manipulating hydrographic data i.e. establishment of marine information system. These data have been collected and applied in Geographical Information System (GIS) package in order to develop marine information system. Collected data are then being easy to analyze, and process for the production of maps charts, and Digital Terrain Models (DTM). Results showed that there is no need to carry out sound calibration in depth less than 12m. Vessels draft more than 14m may cause damage to collide with seabed in the study area. Also, water temperature is considered to be as the major effect on the sound velocity. Study also showed that change in tide is limited to the range of 0.5m - 4.0m in the study area. On the other hand, density and salinity were found to be proportionally increased with depth while temperature decreases.

Keywords— Marine Information System, Marine Database, GPS, Digital Terrain Model and GIS

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Waste to Wealth through the Incineration of Waste Tyres and Recovery of Carbon Black

Oriaku E.C., Agulanna C.N., Odenigbo J., and Nnoruka N.

Engineering Research, Development and Production (ERDP) Department
Projects Development Institute, (PRODA) Emene, Enugu

Abstract– Solid waste management is a problem industrial and municipal areas in the world face daily. In the United States of America, there are up to one hundred and fifty (150) waste-to-energy combustion plants in operation. These plants equally exist in Europe and Asia ( Switzerland incinerates about 75% of its solid waste, Sweden incinerates 60% and compost up to 25% of its solid wastes; Japan incinerates about 50%). In Nigeria, there is no known waste-to-energy or waste to wealth combustion plant in existence. In this work, a bench experiment was carried out on incineration of waste vehicle tyres in limited supply of air. The weights of waste tyres used ranged from 22kg – 93kg while the maximum temperature of combustion obtained for test runs ranged from 359 - 586 0C. The weight of carbon black recovered ranged from 0.44 - 3.2kg. The solid by product of the incineration (carbon black) was collected and analyzed. This product could be used as raw material for small scale industries in production of printing ink, paint, shoe polish, dry cell and battery heads. It is also expected that the results can be used to design an industrially and environmentally friendly carbon black recovery plant from waste tyres.

Keywords— Carbon Black, Incineration, Energy, Waste and Tyres

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Investigating the Effect of Transformational Leadership as a Moderator, between Employees’ Psychological Empowerment and Employees’ Job Satisfaction Relationship

Imran Malik and Yasir Aftab Farooqi

Department of Management Sciences, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan

Abstract– The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Transformational Leadership and Psychological Empowerment on employees’ Job Satisfaction as well as to confirm the moderating role of Transformational Leadership between the relationship of Psychological Empowerment and Job Satisfaction by selecting the sample of respondents from Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) Circle Gujrat. The data were collected using well structured questionnaire and the results have shown that Transformational Leadership is more strongly correlated as well as influencing Job Satisfaction than Psychological Empowerment. All the relationships have been found positive and significant. It has also been found that Transformational Leadership plays a moderating role between the relationship of Psychological Empowerment and Job Satisfaction.

Keywords— GEPCO, Job Satisfaction (JS), Psychological Empowerment (PE) and Transformational Leadership (TL)

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Establishing Allometric Relationships Using Crown Diameter for Estimating Above Ground Combustible Fuels in Southern Nigerian Mangrove Vegetations

Nwigbo Solomon C., Azaka Onyemazuwa A., Chukwuneke Jerimiah L., and Nwadike Chinagorom E.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract– Allometric equations, which predicts the above ground dry combustible fuels of a tree from its Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), are needed to estimate wildfire behaviour in Southern Nigerian Mangrove vegetations. Although several biomass equations have been developed for different vegetations, but none could fit in for the estimation of crown combustible fuels in southern Nigerian mangroves. In previous studies, we have tried estimating wildfire behaviour, but saw that our predictions will depend on estimating the above ground biomass of combustible fuels. To achieve this aim, we measured the above ground biomass of 20 sample trees belonging to three species of Rhizophora’s (Rhizophora Mangal, Rhizophora Harrizoni, and Rhizophora Racemosa) which are the species that dominates the lower Niger Mangrove Vegetations in southern Nigeria. Using the data collected, we developed specific biomass equations which can aid in estimating the above ground combustible fuels in southern Nigeria mangroves. This study was conducted during the peak of the region’s dry seasonal period (December–February), which usually is the period of devastating wildfires and the equations developed are within 96% accuracy because it aided in predicting the behaviour, and attacking / suppression of the January 13th–15th wildfire that occurred in the region.

Keywords— Allometric Equations, Crown Combustible Fuels, Mangrove Vegetations, Southern Nigeria and Wildfires

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Comparative Performance Analysis of Melon (Colocynthis Citrullus L.) De-Husking and Separation Machines by Principles of Impact and Attrition

Oriaku E.C., Agulanna C.N., and Nwannewuihe H.U.

Engineering Research, Development and Production Department (ERDP)
Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu

Abstract– Melons are grown in Nigeria not for their pulp which is bitter, but for their seeds which are particularly rich in protein and fat, in addition to essential vitamins and minerals. The seeds are shelled to obtain the cotyledons and two methods (impact and attrition) were identified for carrying out this process. A machine was designed for each method and an optimal speed of 1000rpm selected after testing. Dehusking at an impeller speed between 1400 – 1800 rpm at moisture content of 16.47% ±2 resulted to high percentage breakage ranging from 40 - 80%. However, using an optimal speed of 1000rpm, percentage breakage was reduced to 12% for impact principle and 1% for attrition. Percentage undehusked for both methods was 10%, while percentage separation of dehusked shell from the white seed was 60% for impact and 70% for attrition. The attrition method clearly has the advantage of reducing post harvest loses due to deterioration caused by breakage. Both machines are applicable to agro processing industry.

Keywords— Melon (Egusi), Dehusking, Attrition, Impact and Separation

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Statistical Thermodynamics Approach to Urinary Analysis Employing Micro-Canonical Ensemble

Achebe C.H., Chukwuneke J. L., Okolie P. C., and Okonkwo U. C.

Mechanical Engineering Department, NnamdiAzikiwe University, P.M.B 5025 Awka, Nigeria

Abstract– This paper presents, the study of urinary analysis using micro-canonical ensemble, which dealt with the study of urine system that was further related to the micro-canonical ensemble of statistical thermodynamics. The goal of statistical thermodynamics is to understand and to interpret measurable macroscopic properties of the absorbance and to establish valid relationships among measureable variables in a statistical manner over samples range. A valid relationship with constant, kB between the absorbance (Aabs) and wavelength (λ) of different samples was obtained. The use of numerical method “Newton Cotes methods” to integrate the absolute values of absorbance (Aabs) and wavelength (λ) was equally employed. This study is necessary to show the relationships among important variables for optimal outputs and longevity of the system. Absolute values of absorbance (Aabs) and wavelength (λ) are 12.32 and 497.143, respectively.

Keywords— Absorbance, Intensity, Micro-canonical Ensemble, Spectrometer, Statistical Thermodynamics, Urine System, Urinary Analysis and Wavelength

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