Managerial Problems of the Nigerian Aviation Industry: A Systems Analysis of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Managerial Problems of the Nigerian Aviation Industry: A Systems Analysis of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

ABSTRACT

Aviation is a phenomenon which every country is conversant with. Since countries must interact with one another, and movement between countries is made by air, the maintenance of reliable aviation authorities is considered imperative.

Hence, this study sets out to investigate the managerial problems of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA – The regulatory body of the Nigerian Aviation Industry), and present a framework which can be adopted for a better management of the industry. It is therefore focused on a systems analysis of NCAA.

The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study, whereby data were collected through the use of questionnaire and secondary sources such as textbooks, journals, newspapers and articles from NCAA.

The proportional stratified sampling technique was used for the selection of respondents. Two hundred and fifty – six copies of the questionnaire were distributed.

Based on two hundred and forty copies returned, data were analysed, using Chi – square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance.

Findings from the study reveal that there is a significant relationship between the integration among the component systems within NCAA and low performance. There is no relationship between the surveillance capacity of NCAA and low performance.

Also revealed by the study is that the control system in NCAA has  an adverse effect on its overall performance.

Finally, the study showed that the available network of information is both inadequate and unreliable, thus making effective control a near illusion.

Inadequate information, aggravated by poor radar coverage, has remained the main reason behind NCAA’s inability to maintain effective control of airlines and parastatals.

The recommendations made for better performance include merging of airlines, undisputed adherence to the rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), provision of adequate radar coverage, and others.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Approval – – – – – – – – – ii
Certification – – – – – – – – – iii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgments – – – – – – – – v
Abstract – – – – – – – – – vii
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – viii
List of Tables – – – – – – – – xi
List of Figures – – – – – – – – xii
Appendices – – – – – – – – – xiv

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – – 1
1.2 Brief History of NCAA – – – – – – 5
1.3 Statement of Research Problem – – – – – 7
1.4 Objectives of the Study – – – – – – 8
1.5 Research Questions – – – – – – – 8
1.6 Hypotheses – – – – – – – – 9
1.7 Scope of the Study – – – – – – – 9
1.8 Limitations of the Study – – – – – – 10
1.9 Significance of the Study – – – – – – 11
References – – – – – – – – 15

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 18
2.2 Observed/Recorded Lapses in the Aviation Sector – – 18
2.3 Perceiving Aviation from a Systems Perspective – – 29
2.3.1 Organizations as Systems – – – – – – 34
2.4 The Concept of Management – – – – – 53
2.5 Organizations as Open Systems – – – – – 61
2.5.1 Characteristics of Open Systems – – – – – 68
2.6 Organizations as Cybernetic Systems – – – – 69
2.6.1 Situation Awareness in Aviation – – – – – 73
2.6.2 Concept of a Cybernetic System – – – – – 75
2.6.3 A Descriptive Analysis of NCAA – – – – – 77
2.6.4 Control as a Feedback System – – – – – 81
2.7 Bad Management – – – – – – – 83
2.7.1 Symptoms of Bad Management – – – – – 84
2.7.2 Causes of Bad Management in Nigerian Organizations – – 84
2.7.3 Solving Problems of Bad Management – – – – 87
References – – – – – – – – 89

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction – – – – – – – – 98
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – 98
3.2 Sources of Data – – – – – – – 99
3.2.1 Primary sources – – – – – – – 99
3.2.2 Secondary Sources – – – – – – – 100
3.3 Study Population – – – – – – – 100
3.4 Sample Size Determination – – – – – 101
3.5 Research Instruments – – – – – – 102
3.6 Sample Selection Method – – – – – – 102
3.7 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – – 104
3.8 Validity and Reliability of Test Instruments – – – 104
References – – – – – – – – 106

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 107
4.2 Presentation of Data – – – – – – 107
4.3 Responses of the Respondents – – – – – 112
4.4 Testing of Hypotheses – – – – – – 145

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS ON FINDINGS

5.1 Introduction – – – – – – – – 157
5.2 Relationship between Level of Integration among Component Parts within NCAA and Low Performance  157
5.3 Relationship between the Surveillance Capacity of NCAA and Low Performance  158
5.4 Relationship between NCAA’s Control Capacity and Low Performance -159
5.5 Relationship between Control Problems and Communication within NCAA – 161
References – – – – – – – – 164

CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION

6.1 Summary of Research – – – – – – 166
6.2 Summary of Findings – – – – – – 167
6.3 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 167
6.4 Contribution to Knowledge – – – – – 168
6.5 Recommendations – – – – – – – 168
Bibliography – – – – – – – – 171
Appendix – – – – – – – – 182

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Incessant air mishaps have paved  way  for  concern  over  air  safety.  These mishaps in turn, have been aggravated by  poor  airport  safety  and  security.

To maintain a reputable safety culture, proper crew selection and  training must be guaranteed. Ofojebe (2007:15) explains that  the  ultimate  success or failure of an organization is attributed to the efforts of all the

organization clearly depends on the collective performance of its  individual administrators. Ude (1990:44) states clearly that  most  of  the  problems confronting organizations in Nigeria are management related.

A statistics released by  Federal  Airports  Authority  of  Nigeria  (FAAN) in February 2006 showed that, with respect  to  international  passenger movement, a total of 114,950 was recorded for passengers coming into the  country from the  West  Africa  sub-region  and  other  parts  of  Africa  as opposed to 245, 200 recorded in the previous year.

Mail  movement  at  the  airport also experienced  a  sharp  drop-in  patronage.  At  the  Murtala Muhammed airport Lagos, mail tonnage dropped by 308.116kg within six  months. (September, 2005 to February,  2006).

At  the  Aminu  Kano International Airport, cargo  movement  dropped  from  17,828,621  to  15,246,173 within 6 months.  Internal Reports available   show    that   the    Nigerian    aviation   sector is poorly rated in terms of safety.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abdul, N. (2005), “Reps And Flight 210”, The Guardian, Oct. 30. Ajakaiye, A. (2006), “Air Travel in Trauma”, The Guardian, Nov. 27.

Akintola, I. (2006), “Annan Wants Critical Look at Nigeria’s Aviation Sector”, The Guardian, Nov. 2.

Amalberti, R. and Deblon, F. (1992), Cognitive Modeling of Fighter Aircraft Process Control: A Step toward an Intelligent On-Board Assistance System, International Journal of Man-Machine Systems, Vol. 36 No. 9.

Amogu, N. (2005), “How Safe are Nigerian Airlines?” Business Times, Jan. 6 – 9.

Ansoff, H.I. (1984), Implanting Strategic Management: London: Penguin Books. Anuforo, E. (2005), “A Disaster … And The Nation in Disarray”, The Guardian, Oct. 30.