THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS ON THE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

 

 

 

Universities in Nigeria are among the tertiary institutions of learning charged with the responsibility of training individuals to become professionals indifferent field for them to earn their first degree, second degree as well as PhD.

 Universities or any tertiary institution of their likes have three categories of staff, which are the principal officers or hither-to referred to as management staff, the academic staff and the non-academic staff.

Peaceful co-existence of these categories of staff is of paramount importance to the achievement of the objectives for which the university was established. That is, the interpersonal relationship between these categories of staff must be positive and cordial.

Research study reveals that, the impact of public relations in the university or any higher institution of learning cannot be over emphasized because it contributes greatly to the achievement of the positive interpersonal relationship between the management and the staff.

Public relations according to the British Institute of Public Relations are “a deliberate planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain mutual understanding between an organization and its publics”.

Osuji Chuks (1999), contends that:

“public relations is the process of creating favourable public opinion for an individual, firm, institution, organization and even for an intangible thing such as name so that any person who has something to do with that tangible or intangible thing, may perceive it in a good way”.

 

Dany Moss (2002), defines public relations as “reputation management that is enhancing reputation, reinforcing reputation and combating damages done to reputation”.

Public relations is all about building good image and good will for one’s self or for his organization.

From the above definitions of public relations, one can see the place of public relations in terms of maintaining mutual interpersonal understanding between the management and staff of the university.

For the purpose of this study a university is an organization where academic and non-academic staff are grouped together to form the publics or internal publics to be specific.

Public relation is the arbitrator to establish and maintain mutual interpersonal understanding between the organization and its external and internal publics.

The purpose of the study is to prove whether or not the establishment of public relations units or departments as the case may be has meaningfully contributed to the mutual interpersonal relationship existing among the various categories of staff of the University of Ilorin

 

1.2     HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

South.

The University of Ilorin is located in the ancient city of Ilorin, about 500 kilometres from Abuja, the Federal capital. Ilorin, the Capital of Kwara State, is strategically located at the geographical and cultural confluence of the North and South.

 

University of Ilorin was one of the seven institutions of higher learning established by a decree of the Federal Military Government in August, 1975. This step, taken to implement one of the educational directives of the country’s Third National Development Plan, was aimed at providing more opportunities for Nigerians aspiring to acquire university education and to generate high level man-power, so vital for the rapidly expanding economy.

The then University College of Ilorin was initially affiliated to the University of Ibadan. Dr. T.N. Tamuno, Professor and Head of History Department at the University of Ibadan, was appointed the first Principal of the College in September, 1975. Shortly after Professor Tamuno’s appointment as Principal of the College, he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. It therefore, became necessary to appoint another Principal in the person of Professor O.O. Akinkugbe, former Dean of the then Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan, in December, 1975.

The then new Principal, Professor O.O. Akinkugbe, made several visits to the second Military Governor of Kwara State, the late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo in connection with the new institution, such that by March 1976, he had established residence at Ilorin. The support given to the fledgling Institution by Governor Taiwo continued even more vigorously under the third Military Governor of the State, Brigadier George A. Innih, who ceded a portion of the temporary site of the Kwara State College of Technology to the University. The site, up till now, serves as the mini campus of the University.

 

Academic/Physical-Development
        Following an entrance examination, 200 foundation students were admitted into residence on Saturday, October 23rd, 1976, and academic activities commenced on Monday, October 25th , 1976, after the Principal’s maiden address at about 10.00am in the  Africa Hall. The University College had three foundation Faculties namely: Arts, Science and Education. The Institution began to develop its programmes in a way that not less than 60% of its effort was directed towards science-oriented programmes.

In October 1977, the Institution attained full autonomous status and has since then developed by leaps and bounds. The student population of 200 in 1976 has increased to 20,084 by the 2005/2006 session, while the total staff strength of the university stood at approximately 3,040 as at March 1, 2007. Up till January 1982, the university carried out its academic programmes, involving the Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Engineering & Technology, Business and Social Sciences, and the Pre-Clinical aspect of the Health Sciences on the Mini-Campus. The completion of the Faculty blocks for Natural Sciences and Engineering as well as 8 blocks of student hotels by December 1981, made it possible, on the 2nd of January 1982, for the actual movement of over 1,000 science-oriented students to the Main-Campus to pursue their various academic programmes.   The law degree programme was initially established in 1983/84 session as a department in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. Though cancelled in 1986/87, it was resuscitated in 1993/94 as a full fledged Faculty.

The Main Campus currently houses the Faculties of Science, Engineering & Technology, Agriculture, Education, Law, Arts, Business and Social Sciences, (following the completion of the new seven-storey Senate Complex), the Unilorin Sugar Research Institute, Postgraduate School, the Main University Library, Computer Services and Information Technology (COMSIT), Works Yard, Conference Centre,  Unilorin Resources Development and Management Board (URDMB), Student Canteens, the newly completed 2,000 seat multipurpose Auditorium and the Alumni/ Endowment Office. The Mini-Campus presently houses the College of Health Sciences, a mini Library, Canteens and Shopping Complex, the Institute of Education, some of the Revenue-yielding projects which are under the URDMB such as the Unilorin Computer Centre (Training Wing), Unilorin Bookshop, the Bakery, the Printing Press, and the Guest Houses. Each Campus has a Health Centre, a Post Office and Banking facilities.

Aside from two lecture theatres commissioned in 1997, there is an upsurge, from 2002 to date, in the physical development of the Main Campus. Five new Hostels were completed in 2002. Other projects were the Faculty of Education blocks and Lecture theatre; Lecture rooms, Offices and Lecture Theatre for the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences; Faculty of Science Chemistry block; Department of Agricultural Engineering block; offices for the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education; COMSIT building (PhaseI)among others.

A water Dam and Treatment Plant to provide uninterrupted water supply to the main campus has just been completed. The University will soon construct a rail-line to boost transportation between the University Main Campus and the township.

Apart from the renovation of buildings, a systematic upgrading of teaching and research facilities is being undertaken by the University within its lean resources. This includes provision of computers, laboratory equipment, etc.

Growth of Faculties

From three faculties in 1976, today there are ten faculties: Arts (1976), Science (1976) Education (1976), Engineering & Technology (1978), Business & Social Sciences (1981), Agriculture (1982), Law (1993, after an initial start-up in 1983), Basic Medical Sciences (2004), Clinical Sciences (2004) and Communication and Information Sciences(2008).

Altogether, there are 60 academic departments in the existing ten faculties. Undergraduate degree programmes run for 3,4,5, or 6 years, depending on entry qualifications and discipline. The University started with the traditional British “Three Term System” but later changed into a modified form of the American “Two Semester System” called Harmattan and Rain semesters with effect from 1979/80 session.

Each semester comprises one half of an academic year as determined by Senate. Also instruction in the various Faculties with the exception of the Health Sciences is by the course system. These courses are quantified into credits. The University has teaching support units which include the Computer Centre, Central Workshop and Stores, Biological Garden, Community Based Experience and Services (COBES), Medical Educational Resources Unit, General Studies (Use of  English/National Awareness) Division, and Teaching & Research Farm.

There are also the Public Units which are the University  School, the University Secondary School, Institute of Education and Educational Technology Centre. Although an academic unit, the Library is actively involved in rendering service to the university and the public. In addition, there is a Sugar Research Institute which is mainly a research unit served by academic mainly from Science and Agriculture Faculties.

        Public relations in Nigeria have come a long way. Just as the development of public relations practice was linked with world wars I and II in the USA, its beginning in Nigeria has also been linked with World War II.

As presented by NIPR’s (1988) anniversary publication “25 years of Public Relations in Nigeria”, the colonial government before World War II was concerned with collection of taxes and the running of a police force to maintain law and order in three protectorates amalgamated into Nigeria in 1914. If there was any public relations practice before the Second World War, it was merely maintenance of relationship with the traditional rulers to get in touch with the people. During the Second World War, however, the need arose for the colonial government to set up an information office which was later known as the public relations office of the government.

Sam Black (1990) has described June 1, 1990 as a memorable day for the public relations Profession in Nigeria. This is because on that day, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed Decree No. 16 “Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Practitioners 1990”. The then NIPR President also described the event as the “Finest hour of public relations”. He stated that, by this recognition all members of the Institute deserve to be congratulated on being part of the movement that has made Professionalism and excellence the hallmark of the Institute.

 

1.3  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Public relations have a cardinal objective of establishing and sustaining mutual understanding among the management and its various publics.

The underlying belief and basic concepts of public relations is that every organization, has an environment or a climate in which it is operating. This climate or environment, public relations also believe, should be conducive and peaceful to ensure continued and happy survival of that organization and the consistent achievement of its objectives. This translates to harmony between an organization and its publics.

This is why all definitions of Public Relations which are the notions, ideas and thoughts of what Public Relations are, from the point of view of its pioneers, have always centered on some constituents of the Public spirit, that is, opinion goodwill, acceptability, cooperation, understanding and others. All these are attributes of the public spirit which guarantee a good working and operational environment for any corporate body.

The problem statement is how the public relations function in University of Ilorin intends to actualize its Professionalism to achieve the good interpersonal relationship among the management and the staff. In other words, what are the contents of its armory in the achievement of its basic aims?

Public relations unit of the University will have to articulate management behaviour or mode of relationship between the management and the staff.

Public relations will communicate using all communication media. Public relations have to liaise with and be sensitive to the yarning and aspirations of the staff and act positively to satisfy them.

Having discussed what public relations is out to achieve within an organizational set up like University of Ilorin, I will like to discuss what an organization is.

An organization is a stable system of individuals who work together to achieve, through hierarchy of ranks and division of labour, common goals.

This buttresses the fact that an organization consists of people that interact with one another on regular basis for a productive venture.

For an organization to be vibrant and be in good terms with its employees, there is need for a good communication strategy and these are not always available at all times. This should not be so; therefore, the college has to do more publicity to enable its staff members to enjoy its good will and confidence.

With the existence of public relations experts in the college, the research is poised to critically evaluate its (public relations) activities in connection with the relationship existing between the management and workers in the University.

How has public relations unit tried to mediate between the two bodies as expected? Or does it only disseminate information?

How does information reach the members of staff who required such information?

Do employees have the opportunity to talk back to the management inform feedback?

How can one explain the incessant breakdown of communication within the campus?

This is what the study will like to research into in order to contribute to educational development and bring to light the significance of public relations in non-commercial organizations like a higher institution of learning.

 

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study is aimed at providing answers to the following questions:

i.            Do public relations activities adequately enhance employees’ communication in University of Ilorin?

ii.          Would employees of the University be better informed about the institutions policies, goals and programmes if there are no public relations in the University?

iii.        Do public relations efforts enhance employee’s productivity at the University?

iv.         To what extent are the public relations practitioners involved in the prevention of industrial unrest such as strike actions, ensuring harmony and better working conditions?

v.           How have the services of public relations promoted the image of the institution within and outside the institution?

vi.         Is the positive interpersonal relationship enjoyed in the university presently among the management and staff as a result of public relations unit’s efforts?

 

1.5   AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

It is erroneously believed in some quarters that public relations are only relevant in commercial organizations because it is aimed at improving the level of profit of the organization in the long run.

But this study’s aim and objective is to prove whether or not public relations is equally relevant in a non-commercial organizations where profit-making means nothing to their survival but rather peaceful governance for governments, achievement of the welfare of the people through the propaganda of an idea for voluntary organizations e.g. UNICEF, planned parenthood and others.

The result of the study is aimed at adding to the body of knowledge in the field of public relations.

It will also serve as a reference source and provide a research base for further researches in this area of public relations practice in higher institutions of learning and other related disciplines.

I also have the aim of making the study an educating and interesting project for reading by all and sundry especially the public relations students and practitioners.

The study is also aimed at meeting part of the requirement for the award of post graduate Diploma of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

 

1.6   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will cover a section of the university internal publics, which are the employees. These employees consist of the academic and non-academic staff.

The study will also focus a little attention on efforts of the principal officers commonly referred to in academic circle as management staff with regards to assisting the public relations department to achieve its set objectives i.e. improving the interpersonal relationship between the management and staff.

The scope of the study will be between the management and staff of University of  Ilorin.

 

1.7   CLARIFICATION OF TERMS USED

This study has tried as much as possible to use familiar and common terms which people are mostly accustomed to.

However, I shall try to simplify some of the key terms that were mostly mentioned times without number.

Organization: as used in the study referred to the University of Ilorin and as well called corporate body a times.

Internal publics: are used to mean the employees, that is, staff or workers.

Academic staff: are those workers in the college that have their primary functions as teaching the students while non-academic staff referrs to workers in the administrative and technical offices.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE:     The Impact Of Public Relations On The Interpersonal Relationship Of The Management And Staff (The University Of Ilorin As A Case Study)

 

THE IMPACT OF INTERNET ADVERTISEMENT ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

 

 

 

         The advent of the internet has been one of the most exciting events in the second half of the 20^th century. The ancient dream of “a scholar knows all things happening in the world without venturing outdoors” has finally become a reality. Since 1993 when the internet broke into the communication world. At present, the internet has spread to more than 180 countries and regions, connecting more than 6000,000 domestic new networks of various types, hooking up more than 120 million computers available to million users [2% of the entire population] within the interest are the information treasure shared by all human civilizations.

          The reason why the internet seems all-powerful is because it has two characteristics beyond the reach of other mechanisms via: The internet contains the biggest resources of information in the entire world; second, it enables people to obtain an interactive mechanism to instantly communicate with one another.

          Once connected within the internet, everyone can enjoy the unparalleled richness of global information resources including but not harmful to textual, audio and graphic information.

         The information on the internet is so rich that no one can tell what is really out there because, the internet information resources are constantly expanding at a great speed, one can only imagine. The types of information on the internet are also wide ranging from scientific research, education, public policy, legal regulations to commerce, arts, entertainment, e.t.c. It provides unlimited access for those connected with the internet to reach anybody, anywhere in the world so much that the entire world has became global village.

          The internet not only has an inexhaustible amount of information as vast as the ocean, but also has the interactive mechanism, net-to-net; net-to-people and people-to-people communications that makes the internet seems able to take on any task: entertainment, inter-personal exchange

s, education, health and medicine, information gathering, securities and investment, trade and settlement of commercial goods, even online voting e.t.c.

All these seemed so remote and unrealistic only yesterday. The exchange and sharing of information among all people has unshared in an omnipotent status in internet application. As long as people develop certain desires, the information to satisfy such desires will quickly and continuously appear on the internet. Such information will gradually satisfy people’s desires for their materials as well as spiritual demands.

With the knowledge economy gradually ascend to a dominant status and the gradual formation of an information society and that of the characterization of the internet as seemingly “omnipotent” may not be an overstatement. In the past last four year, our country has seized the tare opportunity of developing computer networks. By the middle of “July 1998:”, our country has 570,000 computer connected with the internet, with a total of 1.175million users. In order to speed up the application of information’s technology in operations, command and communication, our military has also established computer networks, some of which are connected with the internet, making use of what was originally designed to serve the u.s military and u.s scientific research organization.

        However due to its innate transactional, decentralized, open and unregulated nature, the internet as a free, open and anarchy device has brought various countries to great risks as well as opportunities. While it provides enormous convenience that stimulates economy growth, the internet also brought negative impact that cannot be ignored.

       We live in a global village where information now travels in a moment. The barriers of time and spaces have been effectively eradicated through the interplay of science and technology. New communication technology (NCTS) has ultimately revolutionized the ways of doing things. The advent of these NCTS particularly the internet or information super highway as it often called is fast changing the face of mass communication, journalism and advertisement.

       The metaphor “Information super Highway” which connotes an international network of computer has been coined to describe the communication revolution characterized by speed and sophisticated with which information travel around the world through incredible-powerful new information communication technologies which enfolds the world into a global village.

The entire faces of mass communication, its definitions, audience composition and message delivery patterns together with the advertising strategies and methods have been altered by this information revolution.

       The internet with its associated resources had opened up opportunities for advertisers to place their products before their targeted audience all year round, its usage had been adjudged as not only cost effective but highly successful as the world has gone “cyber crazy” it is estimated that over 160million people around the globe uses the internet on a daily basis, of these number, over 100million engage in shopping and other commercial activities.

       Equiped with this knowledge, it is pertinent to determine the influence of internet advertisement on consumer behavior what are the merits and demerits of cyber space advertising and how advertisers have been able to harness these internet resources to the promotion of advertisement practices in the country.

       The resources of this study is to Clive into the contemporary hype on the internet. Synonymously referred to as electronic advertising (E-advertisement), cyber space advertising or on-line advertisement.

       The internet actually began in the early 1960’s as a twinkle in the eyes of the u.s.a department of defense, which saw it as a means of super computer communication for researchers and military facilities across the country. Until its commercial explosion in the 90’s, the internet remained a relative obscure network of linked computer used mostly by academics, military researchers and scientists around the world to send and receive electronic mail, transfer files and find or retrieve information from data bases.

       These economic benefits of the information super high ways are quite enormous to technologically starved African.

In the words Abati (1997:4) it has been tagged as a technology that will create wealth, reduce military coup plotting, indirectly reduced famine, war and alleviate the poverty level.

       The internet has also helped in improving effectiveness, efficiency and productivity in the work place.

 

1.2                       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The information age has resulted in greater number of the world’s population adopting a cyber-culture where computer and the internet play a major role. This research study seeks to establish the impact of internet advertisement on consumer behavior.

       It will look at the various internet resources being utilized in electric advertisement and seek to establish the extent and scope of Nigeria’s involvement in internet advertisement. In other words, the study seeks to determine the impact and attitude of Nigerians to internet advertisement, the gratifications they derive from it and determine the direction of impact on internet advertisement on their buying behavior.

1.3                       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The overall objectives of this study are to vigorously examine the impact of internet advertisement on consumers.

This study is designed to attempt achieving the following objectives:

·        To elicit the expectations of consumers about internet advertisement.

·        To access the impact of internet advertisement among consumer in Kwara state polytechnic

·        To determine the attitude of consumer towards internet advertisement.

·        To determine the trend of impact of internet advertisement on consumer in Kwara state polytechnic.       

1.4    RESEARCH  QUESTIONS

           The research will address the following questions:

1.    What is the impact of internet advertisement on consumers in Kwara poly Ilorin?

2.    What is the attitude of consumer in Kwara poly Ilorin towards internet advertisement?

3.    What is the gratification derived by consumer in Kwara poly Ilorin from internet advertisement?

4.    What is the trend of influence of internet advertisement on consumer in Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin?

 

1.5    RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

         As predicted by Marshall McLuhan the word is now embracing a global culture. The increase in information communication technology [ICT] as necessitated to an increase in communication between countries thereby breaking geographical language and other barriers. To this extent the internet paved way for the interaction and exchange of ideas/message across national boundaries. It [internet] has greatly affected the way things are done, in which the field of advertising is not an exception.

       Therefore, this research is stimulated by the increase and prevalence of internet advert and how it affects consumer behavior.

 

1.6    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

      The study was embarked upon as a result of the fast growing popularity of the internet in the contemporary world particularly the advertisement.

      The study will be of immense vise of advertisement practitioners in determining the effectiveness of internet advertisement. This will also help them in strategizing and packaging such adverts to enhance positive consumer behavior. The study will also be of benefit to scholars and students of mass communication, in understanding internet advertisement and business tycoons stands to benefit in the area of assessing consumer response to internet advertisement.

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

         The scope of this study will be limited to resident of Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin. This is designed to get a representative sample of the entire population. As such other states and cities are suitable for sampling but will not be sampled due to inadequate manpower, finance and time limitations.

 

LIMITATIONS

        This study is limit to radio advertising via the medium of radio. Airtime is purchasing from a station or network in exchange for airing the commercials. While radio has the limitations of being restricted to sound, proponent of radio advertising often cite this as an advantage.

 

1.8    DEFINATION OF TERMS

IMPART: A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what an action behavior, or way of thinking.

INTERNET ADVERTISEMENT: Any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods and services by an identified sponsor which is placed on a network formed by co-operative inter-connection of networks.

CONSUMER BAHAVIOUR: The response of consumer having been exposed to internet advertisement, in terms of taken on whether or not the act on the content of the message.

OMNIPOTENT: Having virtually unlimited authority or influence [power].

INEXCHAUSTIBLE: [An amount or supply of something] unable to be used up because existing in abundance.

DECENTRALIZATION: The process of redistributing or dispersing functions, powers, people or things.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE:     The Impact Of Internet Advertisement On Consumer Behavior. (Ilorin, Kwara State As A Case Study)

 

IMPACT OF PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

1.0      This chapter is intended to discuss certain vital element in marketing known as the “marketing communication mix”. The purpose of the study will be discussed. Attempts will be made to identify problems of the organization (i.e. Kwara Hotel), upon which hypothesis will be formulated to be analyzed in later chapters. The aims, objectives and significance of the study will also be discussed, and a brief historical background of the organization.

Promotion is marketing involves the designa dn communication of information about the existence, the nature and the usefulness of a business organization and or its product or service to a given market audience or the society at large. Through promotional activities an organization seeks to inform its existing and potential customers of the desirable elements or special attraction of its product. Since the large of the selling organization is intricately interwoven with its products, additionally, a business organization through promotion creates for itself the desirable impression in the minds of its customers and its community. Buyers patronize products or services because of their believes in the qualities of the product as well as, having confidence in the ability or the firm to make reliable and functional product or services.

        As an economy shifted from of the relative scarcity to one comparative abundance as both the number of consumer and the number of producers grew, moreso, completion for consumer’s money intensified, a need emerged for planned, controlled marketing communications.

        Over the years, the transmission of information about products to potential buyers in a manner designed to prompt positive action has grown increasingly sophisticated. We (marketers) have developed good ways to communicate. We have learned to identify and segment market. We have made intensive studies of motivation and buyers psychology or consumers behaviour. We have home to rely increasingly on marketing research as opposed to hunches. And we have come to depend on planned communications to arouse attention, stimulate interest, generate desire and motivate action. Most firm on longer operates on the principles that all you need is a “good product” sell itself. Modern marketing therefore,e calls for more than developing a good product, pricing it attractively and making it available to target customers.

        Organization or marketing organization manages a complex marketing communication system. The organization communicates with its middle men, customers and public. To communicate well, organization wires advertising agencies to develop effective, sales promotions specialist to design sales incentive programmes, and public relation firm to develop their corporate image. They train their sales people to friendly helpful and persuasive. For many organizations, the question is not whether to communicate, but know how much to spend on communication and in what ways.

        The goals of specific communication and in what ways may include selling more of products to existing customers, selling the product during off seasons, increasing sales by promotion new uses for the product and so on. While, some firms have money than others to spend for promotion, on firm has unlimited resources.

        Therefore, each company must determine for itself which of those goals are most important and how much it can afford to spend to reach them.

 

ABSTRACT

This project work is intended to deal with the application of promotional strategy to marketing and its contributions to achievement of organization goals with particular focus on the Nigerian hotel industry (wing Kwara hotel as a case study).

        Attempts will be made to discuss certain vital elements in marketing known as the “marketing communication mix” or the “promotion mix”. The purpose of the study will be discussed. Attempts wil be made to identify problems of the organization (i.e. Kwara hotel) upon which hypothesis will be formulated to be analyzed and interpretation to the hypothesis and data will be stated in clear terms. The aims, objective and significance of the study will also be discussed, and a brief historical background of the organization.

        Furthermore, conclusion and recommendation will be put forward in order in develop a more standard way of enlightening the public the more.

        Promotion is a coordination of all seller initiated efforts to set up channel of persuasion and communication in order to facilitate a sale of the product or the acceptance of an idea. An effective promotion should arouse attention, stimulate interests, generate desire and motivate action of consumers and potential consumer in a product or brand. It persuade people and finally sells the product.

        Marketing calls for more than developing a good product, packaging the product, pricing it attractively and making it readily to the consumers. The company must design and disseminate information about the product existence, features and terms and how this will disseminating information to the target customers. It must communicate effectively with other parties in the task environment for example dealers or suppliers and also with major external publics for example the stock holders or the financial comities and with internal public e.g. management, directors, sales force and the employees.

        To communicate well, organizations involve themselves in advertising, sales promotion, personal selling and publics. For many organizations, the question is not whether to communicate, using any of the above tools, but how much to spend and in which of the tools above.

        A study of promotion is relevant to different type of organization. Promotional activities are undertaken by commercial enterprises, trade association’s educational institutions, government bodies, charitable organizations, political parties and many others.

        While some firms have money than other for promotion, spending, no firm including Kwara hotel has unlimited resources. Therefore, they most determine for themselves which of these goals are much important and how much it can afford to spend to reach them. However, after completion of their research project, the organization of Kwara hotel is expected to benefit from it in great measure.

 

EDITOR SOURCE:  Impact Of Promotional Strategy In The Hotel Industry

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATION

 

 

 

One of the greatest problems of Nigerian public service is the prevailing incidence of corruption. Corruption therefore has become a persistent cancerous phenomenon which bedevils Nigeria public sector. Misappropriation, bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and money laundering by public officials have permeated the fabric of the society. Any attempt to understand the tragedy of development and the challenges to democracy in most developing countries (Nigeria inclusive), must come to grips with the problem of corruption and stupendous wastage of scarce resources. This is not to suggest that corruption and prodigality are peculiar to the developing countries. Certainly, corruption is neither culture specific nor system bound. It is ubiquitous.

However, the severity and its devastating impact vary from one system to the other. The impact is undoubtedly more severe and devastating in the developing world with weak economic base, fragile political institutions and inadequate control mechanisms. According to the Executive Director, Office of Drugs and Crime at the United Nations, Dr. Antonio Maria Costa, about US $400 billion was stolen from Nigeria and stashed away in foreign banks by past corrupt leaders before the return to democratic rule in 1999 (http://allafrica.com). Most people would argue that poverty definitely contributes to corruption. In many poor countries, the wages of public and private sector workers is not sufficient for them to survive (Otive, 2008).

It is ironic that Nigeria is the sixth largest exporter of oil and at the same time hosts the third largest number of poor people after China and India. Statistics show that the incidence of poverty, using the rate of US $1 per day, increased from 28.1% in 1980 to 46.3% in 1985 and declined to 42.7% in 1992 but increased again to 65.6% in 1996 (Obasanjo, 1995). The incidence increased to 69.2% in 1999 (CBN, 1999:95). If the rate of US $2 per day is used to measure the poverty level, the percentage of those living below poverty line will jump to 90.8%.

It is against this background that sectoral distribution of the nationwide corruption survey in the Nigeria Corruption Index (NCI) 2007 identified the Nigerian Police as the most corrupt organization in the country, closely followed by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). Corruption in the Education Ministry was found to have increased from 63 per cent in 2005 to 74 per cent in 2007, as against 96 per cent to 99 per cent for the Police in the corresponding period. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was the only new organization identified as corrupt among the 16 organizations on a list which included Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the Presidency, and the Nigerian National Petroleum

Commission (NNPC).While the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have been identified as the least corrupt organizations with respect to bribe taking from the populace as at June 2007 (Abimbola, 2007).

Corruption has therefore reached an unprecedented level in Nigeria. It has pervaded every facet of the nation and has even metamorphosed into a way of life for most Nigerians. The Nigerian civil service has the potential  to transform the collective challenge of Nigeria as a nation if its immense energies are properly harnessed; but the situation seems different after its radical reform between 1960 and 1976; during which period, the civil servants were in control of government political process due to the emergence of military rulers in political administration prevailing in the African continent then, coupled with their lack of experience of political leadership in governance. Some scholars blame the institutionalization of corruption in Nigeria on military rule. Amongst these scholars is Ribadu (2006:1) who asserted that:

The history of corruption in Nigeria is strongly rooted in the over 29 years of military rule, out of 46 years of  her statehood successive military regimes facilitated the wanton looting of the public treasury, decapitated institutions and free speech and instituted a secret and opaque culture in the running of government business. The result was total insecurity, poor economic management, abuse of human rights, ethnic conflicts and capital flight.

Against the above views of Ribadu however, are also other contending postulations that did not restrict the issues of corruption in Nigeria to preponderance of military rule in Nigeria alone. In this regard, Yinusa and Akanle (2008:297) have asserted that:

 

Corruption has become a way of life in Nigeria, which no one can ignore. Corruption and cronyism have long haunted Nigeria while military has been castigated for generally misruling the country. It must be noted that the military did not emerge from another planet. They are made up of people who come from the various parts of the country and therefore are a reflection of the society. The first, second and third Republics failed essentially due to corruption from our political gladiators.

From the above views; it is evident that corruption has permeated every facet of our national life; and has remained unabated under both the military and civilian administrations in the country.

However, there have been efforts aimed at curbing the menace of corruption in Nigeria. This anti-corruption war in Nigeria dates to a very long time. The fight against corruption in Nigeria one must acknowledge, is one of the most daunting and challenging task to embark on, but with political will and commitment by her leaders and the right attitude by all Nigerians there is no doubt that someday, the Transparency International will in her report rank Nigeria as one of the least corrupt countries in the world (Ameh, 2007). 

Every community in Nigeria has mechanisms for dealing with corruption with appropriate sanctions for corruption. The anti-corruption fight in the public sector came to the limelight in 1966 when the military identified corruption of the politicians as one of the reasons for taking over political power. Each of the past regimes contributed to the problem of corruption. According to Nwaka (2003), corruption became legitimized, especially during the Babangida and Abacha regimes (1985-1998), with huge revenues, but wasteful spending, and nothing to show in terms of physical developments. 

Experience has shown that the military is probably more corrupt than civilian politicians.  The military ruled Nigeria from 1966-1979 and handed over power to Alhaji Shehu Shagari administration in 1979. But barely four years later, the Shagari administration was overthrown by the Buhari/Idiabgon regime. The Buhari/Idiagbon regime launched a war against corruption, tried and jailed many politicians and dismissed many civil servants. But when the Ibrahim Babangida regime overthrew the Buhari regime, it released many of the politicians that were jailed by the Buhari regime and reduced the sentences of others. 

In fact, it has been argued that “Babangida’s government was unique in its unconcern about corruption within its ranks and among public servants generally; it was as if the government existed so that corruption might thrive (Gboyega, 1996). Scholars no doubt agree that corruption reached unprecedented levels in incidence and magnitude during General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime. It is ironic that the regime also had its own re-orientation and anticorruption programme, christened MAMSER. By the time President Olusegun Obasanjo came back to power as a civilian President in 1999, corruption had reached unprecedented proportion that it formed a major portion of his inaugural speech.

Ideally, in a democratic setting like Nigeria, the public service consists of the civil service, parastatals and agencies with structure that is systematically patterned to serve as a lasting instrument through which the government drives, regulates and manages all aspects of the society. However, the Nigerian public service has performed below the expectations of the public as a result of corruption in the service. Thus, corruption has become a cog in the wheel of efficient and effective service delivery.  Corruption has eaten so deep into Nigeria that corrupt practices are even encouraged in most businesses (private or public) nowadays. Nigeria is the major oil producer in the world, but the average Nigerian on the street is poor and there is poor infrastructure like power supply, roads, schools, hospitals etc. The Nigerian public service is filled with stories of wrong practices such as stories of ghost workers on the pay roll of Ministries, Extra-ministerial Departments and Parastatals, frauds, embezzlements and setting ablaze of offices housing sensitive documents and award of contracts without recourse to due process mechanisms (Okwoli, 2004). According to Bello (2001), huge amount of Naira is lost through one financial malpractice or the other in the country, which to say the least, drains the nation’s meager resources through fraudulent means with far-reaching and attendant consequences on the development or even socio-economic or political programmes of Nigeria. Billions of Naira is lost in the public sector every year through fraudulent means. This represents only the amount that is ferreted out and made public. Indeed much more substantial or huge sums are lost in undetected frauds or those that are for one reason or the hushed up.

Appah and Appiah (2010) argues that cases of fraud is prevalent in the Nigerian public sector that every segment of the public service, could seem to be involved in one way or the other in some of these nasty acts.

A cursory look at the Nigeria public service further indicates poor public service delivery which manifests in corrupt practices such as distortion of official records, forgery of official documents like collection of taxes with fake receipts in which such revenue is not paid into the public treasury but pocketed by the individual official, falsification of their official age, the insistence by public servants for monetary and material gratification from their client before carrying out their official responsibilities for which they are being paid still persist in the Service. Furthermore, civil service recruitments and promotions do not often go to the best qualified persons but to “political clients”, who keep their jobs not by being efficient but by “maintaining their loyalty.

In the light of the foregoing, the study examines the incidence of corruption in the Nigerian public service focusing essentially on Isiala Mbano LGA from 1999 to 2012.

 

ABSTRACT

One of the fundamental problems of contemporary Nigeria is corruption. It has thrived; progressed and flourished unabated .Corruption has been institutionalized to the point of accepting it as part of our system. This study examined the incidence of corruption in the Nigerian Public Service with particular focus on Isiala Mbano LGA from 1999 to 2012. Specifically, the study investigated whether motivational incentives provided for civil servants contributes to their greater involvement in corruption in Imo State from 1999 to 2012. The study also examined the impact of weak internal control mechanism on the incidence of looting of state treasury by politicians in Imo State within the same period. We predicated our analysis on The General Systems Theory, adopting David Easton’s Political System theory.   As for method of data collection, the study employed qualitative and quantitative method of data collection. As for sources of data, we principally relied on primary and secondary sources. The data so generated were analyzed accordingly using  Likert measurement scale.  The findings reveal that motivational incentives provided for civil servants contribute to their greater involvement in corruption. Based on the findings also, weak internal control mechanism was identified to have contributed to incidence of looting of state treasury by politicians in Imo State. We therefore recommend adequate motivation of civil servants through improved salary,prompt payment of all their entitlements and good working condition, government should strengthen internal control mechanism to forestall incidence of looting of state treasury which could have been averted. These recommendations if properly implemented would be a panacea for eradication of

corruption.

 

 

EDITOR SOURCE:    Accountability And Corruption In Public Organization