Background of Study
Quarrying is a part of the mining industry that focuses on providing some basic and vital elements for building and civil engineering works throughout modern nations. Unlike other aspects of mining, quarrying involves a close connection to the wider society since builders of all categories in a given region of a nation will need materials from quarries to complete their work. Most other mining activities are restricted to a few specialized activities that often lead to output which is sold to specific entities that market the products. However, quarries are opened to almost every contractor in a given nation. This gives room for business managers and business developers at all levels to interact with mines.
The human interaction and commercialization element of mines often has serious impacts on the exploration of the resources of a quarry. A mine that is poorly managed and ran by a system of disorganized management practices often operates in an inefficient and ineffective manner.
The Akamkpa Quarry of Nigeria’s Cross River State is a major mine the produces stones and other forms of granite for building and construction works in the southern Nigeria region. It involves tens of thousands of contractors who rely on the products from the quarry and this means there are substantial investments by international engineering companies. As a sub-section of the mining industry, there are numerous stakeholders who are linked to the Akamkpa Quarry. However, for all practical purposes, Akamkpa is strongly influenced by the role of business managers who work within the business model of the industry.
The fundamental research problem is that business managers in Nigeria generally lack an understanding of business development process. The Akamkpa Quarry in Cross River State is going through a lot of inefficient operations and is functioning under its capacity because of the disorganized and poorly oriented work practices of business managers. This causes the mine and project sponsors to waste millions of dollars each year in maintaining a proper supply chain and sourcing system that links consumers of the Akamkpa Quarry’s products with the quarry.
The lack of understanding of the managers of the respective companies that utilize the Akamkpa Quarry for their building materials is attributed to the lack of a centralized sourcing system in the quarry.
Figure 1: Nature of Efficiency Problem at the Akamkpa Quarry
The fundamental purpose of the research is to identify a solution to improve results for stakeholders in the Akamkpa Quarry by improving the management practices of business managers who utilize the quarry.
In achieving the goal at hand, it is posited that there should be a system of organizing activities in the mine to promote efficient work practices that will improve the performance of the Akamkpa Quarry. This include the processes that will enhance the work ethics, optimize the supply chain management processes and improve delivery times and volume of extraction in the quarry. This will ensure the attainment of higher work performance by the stakeholders who rely on the quarry and the entire industry at large.
The purpose of this research is to formulate a qualitative study that will critique the relevant variables relating to management practices of users of the quarry, supply chain management practices and performance indicators in the mine.
Operationalization of the Research
Qualitative research matches a broad array of behaviors with the reality and critiques it with empirical methods to draw conclusions and formulate theories . This study is conducted on the basis of the fact that the Akamkpa Quarry is dysfunctional and operates far below its potential. A good research is one that utilizes the appropriate methods and approaches to analyze relevant variables within the qualitative tradition to conduct a study of affairs – usually based on, but not limited to ethnography.
This study will be operationalized through the following pattern and trend:
Establish the patterns of poor management practices and how they lead to inefficient utilization of the Akamkpa Quarry;
Explore the possible approaches of centralizing and formulating a strong supply chain system and the education of managers of businesses;
Application of the application of the best possible methods of optimizing and ensuring a successful utilization of the Akamkpa Quarry.
The variables of the research are as follows:
Independent Variable: This is the variable that creates cause in the research. In this study, the independent variable is the pattern of management in the mine. This is viewed as the cause of the problem since it does not help to keep the mine organized and it does not allow for efficient utilization of resources in the mine. This include amongst others (1) Inefficient work ethics (2) Poor Supply Chain Practices (3) Irregular Deliveries
Mediating Variables: These are variables on which the primary variables are dependent or affected. In this study, the mediating variable, the main mediating variable is the Centralization of Operations in the quarry.
Moderating Variables: Once centralization occurs, there is the need for the education of the managers of respective companies in the industry and this will be based on the supply chain system that will be put in place by the authorities of the mine.
Dependent Variable: This is the effect of the inputs that are put into the research or a given study. The effects that will be studied in this research will include the factors and variables that determines the results from the use of the Akamkpa Quarry. This include (1) operation capacity (2) business model of the quarry (3) ability of managers to utilize this business model for optimal results in their respective companies (4) work ethics (4) delivery times and supply chain considerations.
Data Collection
Data will be collected in two fundamental phases – the diagnostic stage and the analytical stage. Data for the diagnostic stage will be collected from the classes of stakeholders directly affected by the operations of the Akamkpa Quarry. This will include amongst others, the units that use the gravels from the quarry like construction companies, transporters of products from the quarry, workers and leaders on the quarry and community leaders. Data about their current performance based on relevant indicators will be collected and reviewed through various surveys, questionnaires and interviews.
This will be followed by a critical evaluation of the diagnostic reports and this will lead to the formulation of various possible solutions. The possible solutions will lead to a set of distinct impact assessment data collection tools like surveys and expert submissions. From this, possible solutions to the current problem and attainment of centralization and training of managers will be evaluated.
Statistical Analysis
The collections for both the diagnostic and analytical phases will be aggregated through popular statistical methods. This will include the presentation of graphs and other regression and correlation analysis to show the main trends and explain the core issues and problems with the Akamkpa Quarry. They will be reviewed and used to deduce major problems and relevant minor issues.
The trail of issues will be used as basis for designing data collection and statistical analysis methods for the analytical phase. This will be contingent on the realities of the situation and will lead to the creation of appropriate statistical analysis methods and tools for the analytical data.
Findings and Theorization
The findings of the analytical phase will show the role of poor managerial skills amongst business leaders and the lack of a central authority in causing the inefficiency in the Akamkpa Quarry. This will show major trends and the main correlations and averages that exist in reality.
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