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One of the aims of the Local Content Policy (LCP) is the economic development of Nigeria through the utilisation of local personnel and resources in the activities of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Many studies have investigated the LCP, but limited work has been undertaken in investigating the transparency practices involved in the implementation of the LCP in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The study critically evaluates the effectiveness of the LCP and the transparency practices associated with its implementation. A conceptual framework based on accountability was developed and employed in designing the research instrument. This framework was underpinned by the institutional theory, which links accountability discourse to regulatory institutions where organisations within a particular field are subject to pressures to exhibit legitimacy through socially and culturally authorised administrative routines that are intended to render accountability. The study employed a qualitative methodology and the data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with respondents from twenty-three indigenous oil and gas companies, regulatory bodies, international oil and gas companies and non-governmental organizations. The research findings demonstrate that the various LCP stakeholders’ views on the definition and purpose of the LCP differ significantly. These diverse opinions affect the way in which the LCP is perceived and implemented in the oil and gas industry. The study has been instrumental in revealing a number of positive effects the LCP has generated since its implementation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. For example, the LCP compelled IOCs to utilise local resources in their operations, resulting in the domestication of oil and gas activities. However, the findings also reveal that the LCP has been enforced despite the lack of local capacity and capability for its implementation. The findings, therefore, highlight a number of challenges associated with LCP implementation including: the lack of infrastructure; insufficient capital and manpower; absence of trust; and the lack of coordination between the regulatory agencies in the industry. The research findings also reveal that there are different levels of transparency in the implementation of LCP. Determination of the level of transparency in LCP implementation and compliance monitoring is at the discretion of the NCDMB and the oil and gas companies, which unfortunately facilitates corrupt practices. Therefore, this study argues that significant improvements are required in transparency practices in LCP implementation by strengthening the LCP’s monitoring and enforcement process. Further, enforcement should strictly be the responsibility of the NCDMB, with no interference from the Nigerian government. Some further recommendations arising from this research include the need for investment in infrastructure that will facilitate indigenous companies’ participation in the industry. Also, efforts should be made to promote partnership and collaboration between indigenous companies and IOCs, encouraging investment in world-class infrastructure that can compete with international standards. To foster this partnership, the government and IOCs must invest in educational institutions which could boost the knowledge and capacity of Nigerians. The research concludes with the development of two new models: (1) The LCP stakeholder perception model; and, (2) The LCP implementation model. These models, which are the main contributions of knowledge arising from this thesis, will potentially aid the effective implementation of the recommendations arising from this study.

Digital platforms such as blogs and social networking sites provide new means for individuals to gather and spread information about products and services through electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM). Within those platforms, individuals have the potential to emerge to become influential actors with the power to affect the behaviours and attitudes of others. Despite the growing interest in online influence, there is still a limited understanding of how key individuals share and engage in eWOM. This study looks at tech-bloggers as an emerging actor category that create and develop consumption oriented online content such as product reviews using blogs and associated technologies. This thesis presents an in depth qualitative investigation to understand how this emerging actor category have been able to establish an influential status. Existing literature often labelled bloggers as “opinion leaders” obscuring what is new and different about them. Building a practice based discussion of these emerging actors aims to capture activities and processes in a wider, natural setting. Paired with the exploratory nature of research, this thesis draws on a conceptually grounded, qualitative research approach utilising interviews with key tech-bloggers, marketers and blog analysis. Findings show that these emerging actors engage in three distinct but interrelated practices centred on audience construction, content development and network formation. Audience construction requires emerging actors to develop quality content utilising existing networks composed of other actors within the same category and the audience. As a consequence, emerging actors are socially embedded in a multiplicity of interactions online and offline to develop their blog and their content. This study contributes to existing concepts in eWOM by showing how emerging actors develop a particular expertise, distinct from consumers, in attracting an audience. Furthermore, these emerging actors transform from being knowledge replicators to become knowledge producers developing communication content in line with a wider audience. As tech-bloggers become more established as emerging actors, tech companies are adapting their marketing to account for these practices. The result is a co-creation of product news and advice on new products between emerging actors, marketers and the audience. Thus, this work gives a more nuanced account of eWOM and the role of emerging actors shaping communication in this sector.

Thesis (M.T.S.C.)--Miami University, Dept. of English, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31).

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A CPD model for the University of Technology lecturers is designed in this study. The focus of the CPD model is on teaching as a predominant feature of the Lecturers‟ functions. Literature review on the nature, historic developments and the mandate of former Technikons in South Africa is conducted. A comparative analysis of University of Technology education systems in five other countries is conducted. Research was then conducted to establish the status of Lecturers‟ CPD in former Technikons. Data obtained from literature and the research project was used to design a CPD model for University of Technology Lecturers. Interviews were subsequently conducted with CPD practitioners in Universities of Technology to obtain opinions on the model. A survey was conducted to obtain Lecturers‟ opinions on the aspects of the model. Data obtained was then used to modify the model. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

A CPD model for the University of Technology lecturers is designed in this study. The focus of the CPD model is on teaching as a predominant feature of the Lecturers‟ functions. Literature review on the nature, historic developments and the mandate of former Technikons in South Africa is conducted. A comparative analysis of University of Technology education systems in five other countries is conducted. Research was then conducted to establish the status of Lecturers‟ CPD in former Technikons. Data obtained from literature and the research project was used to design a CPD model for University of Technology Lecturers. Interviews were subsequently conducted with CPD practitioners in Universities of Technology to obtain opinions on the model. A survey was conducted to obtain Lecturers‟ opinions on the aspects of the model. Data obtained was then used to modify the model. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

Nano silver has positive effects on the growth and development of in vitro plants. In this study, shoots of in vitro banana with 1 cm in length were cut off the tip which was cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 30 g.L-1 sucrose, 15% coconut water (v/v), 5 mg. L-1 6-Benzyladenine (BA), 8 g.L-1 agar and nano silver (1, 3, 5, 7 ppm). After twenty days cultured, shoots in the medium supplemented with 1 ppm nano silver have grown well with 8.4 times multiplication and total chlorophyll content (2.05 mg.g-1), three-fold higher than in the control experiment. All new shoot samples were cultivated in a new medium with same component and supplemented with 1 mg.L-1 active charcoal to study root formation. The results showed that the best medium for root development was the one with 3 ppm nano silver. In this treatment, the height of shoots, number of leaves, number of roots, root length, fresh weight, dry weight and total chlorophyll content were 2.90 cm, 4.40 leaves per explant, 7.10 roots per explant, 7.7 cm per explant, 1.47 g per explant, 0.136 g and 3.17 mg.g-1, respectively. In vitro healthy seedlings with equal size were grown in nurseries. Different concentrations of nano silver (5, 10, 15 ppm) were sprayed on once a week. After 30 days, the highest quality result was observed at concentration 5 ppm with shoot of 4.86 cm in length, 5.20 leaves per shoot, 4.60 roots per explant, root of 4.87 cm in length and 3.07 g per explant in fresh weight. / Nano bạc có tác động tích cực lên quá trình sinh trưởng và phát triển của một số loài thực vật nuôi cấy in vitro. Trong nghiên cứu này, chồi non in vitro có chiều cao 1 cm đã cắt bỏ đỉnh được nuôi cấy trên môi trường MS có bổ sung 30 g/L đường, 15% nước dừa (v/v), 5 mg/L BA, 8 g/L agar và nano bạc ở nồng độ 1, 3, 5, 7 ppm. Sau 20 ngày nuôi cấy, mẫu cấy phát triển tốt trên môi trường bổ sung nano bạc nồng độ 1 ppm với hệ số nhân chồi 8,4 lần, hàm lượng chlorophyll tổng số đạt 2,05 mg/g, cao gấp ba lần so với mẫu đối chứng. Mẫu cấy được chuyền sang môi trường mới có thành phần tương tự và bổ sung thêm 1 mg/L than hoạt tính để khảo sát sự tạo rễ. Kết quả cho thấy mẫu cấy trên môi trường có nồng độ nano bạc 3 ppm phát triển tốt nhất với chiều cao cây 2,90 cm/mẫu; số lá 4,40/ mẫu; số rễ 7,10/ mẫu; chiều dài rễ 7,7 cm/mẫu; khối lượng tươi 1,47 g/mẫu, khối lượng khô 0,136 g/mẫu và hàm lượng chlorophyll tổng đạt 3,17 mg/g. Những cây con in vitro phát triển tốt được trồng ngoài vườn ươm. Các dung dịch nano bạc có nồng độ 5, 10, 15 ppm được dùng để phun lên cây 1 lần/tuần. Sau 30 ngày, kết quả cao nhất ghi nhận ở dung dịch có nồng độ 5 ppm với chiều cao chồi đạt 4,86 cm, 5,20 lá/chồi, 4,60 rễ/mẫu, chiều dài rễ đạt 4,87 cm và khối lượng tươi đạt 3,07 g/mẫu.