Financial Sustainability and Technology Integration in Oil & Gas Cooperatives: Opportunities and Challenges (Published)
The oil and gas sector remains a critical component of the global economy, contributing significantly to energy supply, employment, and economic development. However, with growing environmental concerns, market volatility, and operational complexities, maintaining sustainable operations has become increasingly challenging for industry players. This paper delves into the role of financial sustainability and technology integration within oil and gas cooperatives, focusing on the opportunities and challenges that arise from this dual approach. The paper highlights the importance of cooperatives in addressing these challenges by ensuring operational efficiency, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable development. The integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) offers substantial benefits for cooperatives operating in the oil and gas sector. These technologies enable organizations to optimize resource allocation, streamline operational workflows, and implement predictive maintenance models to reduce downtime and equipment failure. Furthermore, IoT-based monitoring systems ensure real-time visibility of key operational metrics, allowing for proactive risk management. Financial sustainability, on the other hand, involves implementing robust financial models to manage cash flows effectively, forecast economic risks, and align business strategies with market demands. The interplay between financial sustainability and technology integration allows cooperatives to maximize profitability while reducing environmental impact, contributing to broader sustainability goals. A case study on Shell Nigeria’s Cooperative Society in Port Harcourt is presented to provide practical insights into the application of these principles. The study demonstrates how Shell’s cooperative has utilized IoT-based solutions and predictive financial models to ensure sustainable growth and efficient project execution. The cooperative plays a pivotal role in managing employees’ thrift and loan operations, generating significant value through real estate investments and technology-driven initiatives. By adopting innovative tools and sustainable practices, the cooperative not only ensures operational resilience but also contributes to socio-economic development in the communities it serves. Mathematical models, such as Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, are employed to illustrate the financial optimization strategies used by Shell Nigeria’s cooperative in evaluating project profitability. Diagrams depicting the integration of technology and financial systems further highlight the efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. Through these models, the paper demonstrates how financial decision-making is enhanced, ensuring that investments align with long-term sustainability goals. This study explores the broader implications of integrating technology with financial sustainability in oil and gas cooperatives. It emphasizes the importance of building public-private partnerships to attract investment and foster technological innovation. Additionally, the paper discusses the regulatory landscape and the need for cooperatives to align with global sustainability standards. The findings suggest that cooperatives in the oil and gas sector have a unique opportunity to drive economic resilience and environmental stewardship through effective financial management and advanced technology deployment. The paper provides actionable recommendations for cooperatives seeking to achieve financial sustainability and operational efficiency through technology integration. These recommendations include upskilling employees, enhancing data management capabilities, and establishing strategic partnerships to overcome challenges. The research underscores the importance of cooperatives in achieving sustainable development within the oil and gas sector, making a compelling case for aligning business strategies with emerging technologies and financial best practices. This approach ensures long-term resilience and contributes to broader national and global sustainability goals.
Keywords: Challenges, Cooperatives, Financial Sustainability, GAS, oil, opportunities, technology integration
Relationship Between Ethical Values and Financial Sustainability of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret (Published)
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret’s financial sustainability and its ethical values. The study specifically aimed to address the following research questions: how the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret’s financial sustainability is affected by ethical values? The study was grounded using Stewardship theory. Using correlational research design, the study targeted 1,663 respondents, out of which 322 were sampled a stratified random sampling technique. Data was gathered using document analysis and questionnaires. Research hypothesis was tested using linear regression. The findings of the study (R=0.765, R2=0.585, β1=.254, p<0.05). This implied that there a very strong significant relation between ethical values and financial sustainability. Further the study found out that 58.5% of variation in financial sustainability was as a result of ethical values embraced by the CDE. In addition, the study found out that for any unit change in ethical values the financial sustainability changes by 0.254. The study concluded that ethical values have a positive and significant relationship with financial sustainability. Based on the data, the study concluded that ethical values have a positive and substantial relationship with financial sustainability. The study recommends CDE should formulate and implement policies that create a strong value system in place. Ruther, CDE should have a plan to control, evaluate and monitor adherence to the set value standards by everyone. A system for reporting unethical behavior by employees and other stakeholders. Since this research only examined ethical values, it was suggested that other aspects of the internal control system be considered for subsequent investigations
Keywords: Financial Sustainability, Internal Control System, catholic diocese of Eldoret, ethical values
Central Bank Regulations and the Financial Sustainability of National Microfinance Banks in Nigeria (Published)
This study examines the impact of Central Bank Regulations on the Financial Sustainability of National Microfinance Banks in Nigeria. The study employed the expost-facto research design. Data was collected from the central bank bulletins and the financial reports of the sample seven national Microfinance banks. The data collected was analysed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The findings derived from the empirical analysis revealed significant relationships between the Minimum Capital Requirement, and the financial sustainability indicators, including returns on assets (ROA) and returns on equity (ROE) and confirmed that the Minimum Capital Requirement imposed by the central bank has a significant impact on the financial sustainability of microfinance institutions. Based on the findings of the study, the following policy recommendations can be made; Policymakers and regulators should continue to enforce and monitor the Minimum Capital Requirement for microfinance banks. Adequate capitalization is essential for the financial sustainability and profitability of microfinance institutions. However, the capital requirement should be flexible enough to accommodate the specific needs and characteristics of microfinance banks, considering their focus on serving the underserved segments of the population. And Microfinance banks should prioritize maintaining an adequate level of capital to ensure their ability to generate returns on assets. This can be achieved through effective capital management strategies, including attracting additional capital from investors, optimizing internal capital generation, and ensuring efficient use of capital in productive activities.
Keywords: Financial Sustainability, minimum capital requirements, returns on assets (ROA) and returns on equity (ROE)