International Journal of Social Sciences and Management

94-104

Authors: Md. Sayedur Rahman, Akkas Ahamed

South Asia which is the southern region of Asia bordering with China, Central Asia, and West Asia. South Asia comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Geographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate and defined extensively by the Indian Ocean on the southern region, and the Himalayas' hills and the Karakoram mountains on the northern part. On the other hand, China is a country in East Asia, which is the world's most populous country, with a huge population size of around 1.4 billion, according to the survey of 2019. Both the regions have been maintaining friendly relations for several decades since the birth of South Asian countries and the Chinese revolution in 1949. Currently, China is a rapidly growing economy which has been turned into the biggest economy of the World, taking into account of its GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP). Thus, many scholars think that the Chinese economic involvement in the South Asian countries can create huge opportunities for both regions. The current trade imbalance between China and South Asia needs to be readdressed to ensure a win-win situation for both regions in the context of economic relations. At the end of this article, some policy recommendations have been provided to reduce the political tension between India and China and India and Pakistan. Finally we have recommended some policies to increase economic activities in the region and to speed up the sustainable development.

113-130

Authors: Charles Alba

In this paper, we aimed to look at a Nations Individual Network usage and its effects on a business’s capacity for innovation. We do so through the utilization of data from 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) Networked Readiness Index report. In order to best determine the effects of a Nations Individual Network usage on a business’s capacity for innovation, we create the most suitable supervised Machine Learning model through stepwise regression. We did so with the use of the numerous variables in the 6th pillar of the Network Readiness report, which reflect a nations individual network usage, against the Capacity for innovation Index found in the 7th pillar of the Network Readiness Index. Of the 6 initial prior variables in the 6th Pillar reflecting Individual Network Usage, stepwise regression outputs a best fit and an appropriate model that contains predictors “Use of virtual social networks”, “Rate of Mobile broadband subscriptions” and “Rate of Mobile phone subscriptions” as significant factors in predicting a Business’s Capacity for innovation. The results are utilized to make policy-proposals to both governments and businesses with the aim of improving a nations Business’s Capacity for Innovation.

152-158

Authors: Ali Johnson Onoja, Chris Ogedengbe, Sheila Onoja, Felix Olaniyi Sanni, Paul Olaiya Abiodun, Samuel Ayorinde, Monday Okeme

Introduction: The North-Eastern part of Nigeria is currently struggling with a complex humanitarian emergency. This study aimed to identify the challenges facing the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and evaluate the effect of the humanitarian response projects in alleviating these challenges. Methodology: The study was carried out in sixteen local governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states using mixed methods. The quantitative data were obtained by the administration of a structured questionnaire to men of 25 years and above and women aged 15-49 years. The data obtained were analysed and complemented with the qualitative data from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: The majority of the IDPs were between age 25 – 29 (26.0%), women (56.7%), 40.8% had Qur’anic education, and 76.6% were married. The major challenges facing the IPDs were hunger (26.2%), lack of clothing (19.9%), regular sickness (18.5%) and lack of drugs (9.8%). Rape cases constituted (4.3%) of the total responses. The major sicknesses were Malaria (53.1%) and skin infections (34.4%). The items received from the NGOs include foodstuff (27.9%), soap and detergents (19.0%), clothing (14.0%), and drugs (9.4%). The majority (46.5%) rated their situation since they arrived in the camp very good, 52.1% affirmed great improvement in their situations, and 9 (1.4%) stated that their situations were deteriorating. The majority (33.3%) were trained on tailoring, 21.4% on cream-making, 17.0% knitting and bead making (15.2%). Conclusion: Humanitarian services positively impacted the IDPs, yet there is need for government and the humanitarian services providers put more efforts the alleviate the suffering of the IDPs in Nigeria.

169-175

Authors: Sasmita Poudel, Dipesh Gautam

The study was conducted to understand the cultural and social practices and knowledge prevailing on menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in Nepal. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 122 adolescent girls of class VII to X at three schools of Kaski district, Nepal. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for assessing socio-demographic profiles, knowledge, and experiences on menstruation, practices (social and cultural) regarding menstrual hygiene management. The data collected were analysed using SPSS version 23 for windows. The mean age at menarche was found to be 12.5±0.9. The majority (73%) girls were aware of menstruation prior to the attainment of it. Most of them got the information from mother (45.9%), the majority (69.7%) used sanitary pad as the absorbents, however, most of them (78.4%) throw the sanitary pad in the garbage. Many cultural and social taboos and restrictions were found associated with menstruation. The majority (91.8%) were not allowed to participate in religious activities, 45.1% were not allowed to touch things in the house, two- thirds (67.2%) were not allowed to cook, and 60.7% were not allowed to enter the kitchen. Most of the adolescent girls were isolated even from normal daily activities and they were not happy with these restrictions during the menstruation. Instead, they urged the need for more support, care, and hygienic practices for proper hygiene management to lead a healthy life. This paper reflects the actual knowledge and practices prevailed in the society during menstruation and emphasizes on providing the correct knowledge on health and helping to correctly practice hygiene during menstruation.