| 1 |
Author(s):
Idongesit Murphy Williams, Christabel Divine Brownson, Kingsley L. Uwa.
Page No : 1-20
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Certification and Entrepreneurial Development in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between certification and entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the relationship between certification as a cosmetic chemist, certification as Esthetician, and entrepreneurial Development in Nigeria. This study was delimited to three local government areas in Akwa Ibom States, namely Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene. This study adopted a survey research design and utilized primary data collected from a sample of two hundred and forty-two (242) respondents across the three Local Government Areas selected for this study in Akwa Ibom State. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis via SPSS 25.0 statistical package. The study findings revealed that Certification as a cosmetic chemist has an insignificant positive relationship with entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. This suggests that having certifications as a cosmetic chemist does not significantly impact entrepreneurial development in Nigeria while Certifications as an esthetician has an insignificant negative relationship with entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. This result indicates that having certifications as an esthetician is negatively correlated with entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. It was thus concluded that certification exerts a significant effect on entrepreneurial development at 5% level of significance. The study recommended, amongst others, that individuals holding certifications as estheticians should consider supplementing their expertise with additional skills or exploring alternative pathways within the cosmetics industry that align more closely with entrepreneurial opportunities.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Ifekanandu Chukwudi Christian (Ph.D.), Asagba Samuel (Ph.D.).
Page No : 21-35
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Logistics Risk Management and Delivery Performance of International Shipping Companies in South-West Nigeria.
Abstract
This study examined logistics risk management and delivery performance of international shipping companies in South-West Nigeria. The correlational research design and the positivist research philosophy were applied in this study. The population of this study consisted of 12 international shipping companies in South-West Nigeria. The census sampling technique was adopted where all the members of the population were studied. The sampling units consisted of managers of international shipping companies in South-West Nigeria. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire which was structured on a point rating scale. The data collected via the questionnaire were analyzed statistically while the hypotheses were tested using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient (rho). The SPSS version 24 was used to correlate the data collected on the study variables. The findings revealed that transportation risk management has a significant relationship with accurate delivery of international shipping companies. This study also reported a significant relationship between transportation risk management and on-time delivery of international shipping companies. The study equally revealed that warehousing risk management has a significant relationship with accurate delivery of international shipping companies. The study also found a significant relationship between warehousing risk management and on-time delivery of international shipping companies. Therefore, it was concluded that logistics risk management such as transportation and warehousing risk management significantly improve delivery performance of international shipping companies in South-West Nigeria. Hence, it was recommended that international shipping companies in Nigeria should manage their logistics risks effectively as it would enhance their delivery performance.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Piabari Nordum (Ph.D.), Omona-a Hamilton Horsfall (Ph.D.), Nwidua Lebia Patricia (Ph.D.).
Page No : 36-48
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Sales Agility and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises SMES in Port-Harcourt.
Abstract
The study examined “sales agility and performance of small and medium enterprises SME in Port Harcourt”. The population of study covered production, internal/quality control managers, sale managers and salesmen for Ever living Products, Mini Penny Enterprises Nigeria Company and Global-Ainsworth Engineering Nig. Limited at Ada George, Port Harcourt. The population was 100 comprising of managers of the selected SME in Port Harcourt. The judgmental sampling technique was used to derive the sample size of the four selected tourism destinations. The sample size of 60 cadres of managers of the selected firms. The study, based on the finding, concluded that there is a significant relationship between alertness, accessibility, swiftness and flexibility and performances of small and medium enterprises in Port Harcourt.
The study recommended that the management of SME in Port Harcourt should build alertness and develop their adaptive capacity to change and respond efficiently and effectively in a timely and cost-effective manner in the internal and external environments. Also, the management of SMEs owners should always provide necessary access to data to encourage changes in the business environment that might impact on businesses to make necessary adjustment for better performance.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Etuk Idorenyin Udo, Vincent A. Onodugo (Prof.), Joseph Akam Mpuon (Ph.D.).
Page No : 49-62
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Supply Chain Integration and Operational Performance of Oil Service Firms, South-South, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between supply chain integration and operational performance of oil service firms in south-south, Nigeria. The specific objectives therefore were to: examine the relationship between internal integration and product quality; investigate the relationship between supplier integration and improvement in delivery time; examine the relationship between customer integration and increase in market size. The study adopted a cross-sectional study with a population of 522 from six oil service firms. Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size of 226. Data for this study were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient and partial correction technique with Z-test were used to analyze data. Based on the analysis of the findings, it was revealed that that there was a strong and significant relationship between supply chain integration (internal integration, supplier integration, customer integration) and operational performance. Also discovered that information technology significantly moderates the relationship between supply chain integration and operational performance. The study recommended that oil service firms should ensure that information sharing among supply chain partners are timely, completely; there should be a real-time integration and connection among all internal functions in oil service firms from raw internal functions in oil service firms from raw material management, through production to sales so as to deliver quality products to customers.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Ilodigwe Anthonia Onyinye.
Page No : 63-78
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Workplace Diversity and Its Effects on Employee Relations in Nigeria: A Study of Commercial banks in Nigeria’s Geopolitical Zones.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of workplace diversity on employee relations within Nigeria's commercial banking sector, focusing on gender, age, education, religion, and ethnicity across three major geopolitical zones. The study was hinged on Social Identity Theory. Using a descriptive research design, the study sampled 385 commercial bank staff from the Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest zones. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using SPSS, with hypotheses tested via T-test and one-way ANOVA. The findings reveal that while gender, age, and ethnicity do not significantly affect employee relations, differences in educational background and religious affiliation do. The study also found that employee relations in Nigerian commercial banks are generally positive, with respect, mutual support, and fair conflict resolution present. However, challenges remain, including a reluctance to engage with management and a lack of enthusiasm for teamwork due to hierarchical structures and individual performance pressures. The study concludes that while banking institutions in Nigeria have cultivated a professional and inclusive environment, improving vertical communication and fostering a more collaborative culture could enhance employee relations further. The study recommendations include creating structured feedback systems, integrating cross-functional team-building initiatives, and providing cultural competency training to address relational divides caused by educational and religious differences. These strategies aim to strengthen trust, transparency, and teamwork within the commercial banking sector, ultimately improving overall employee relations.
