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Author(s):
Rose Marienga, Michael Korir, Fredrick Ochieng.
Page No : 1-20
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The Role of Green Innovation in Driving Sustainability Performance within the Manufacturing Sector in Kenya.
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of green innovation on sustainability performance among manufacturing firms based in Nairobi County, Kenya. Data was collected from 351 respondents and analysed through multiple regression model in SPSS version 26. The results showed that both management innovation (β=0.345, p<0.001) and product innovation (β=0.177, p<0.001 are significant positive drivers of sustainability performance in the manufacturing sector in Kenya. However, process innovation (β=−0.084, p=0.016) had an unexpected negative effect. In addition, the model's low R2 value (R2 = 0.274, adjusted R2 = 0.259) suggests that other factors not incorporated in the study also play a significant role in the sustainability performance of the sector. The study concludes that green innovation is crucial in driving sustainability performance, and recommends that firms prioritize management and product innovation to enhance their sustainability efforts.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Ikwuakam O. T., Musa M. T..
Page No : 21-41
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Effect of Credit Access, Utilization, and Repayment Patterns on Rural Women Agro-Entrepreneurship Performance in Katsina State, Nigeria.
Abstract
This study examined credit access, utilization, repayment and effect on rural women agro-entrepreneurship performance in Katsina State. A descriptive survey design was employed using multistage sampling procedure to select 240 rural women agro-entrepreneurs across three senatorial districts: Katsina Central (KC), Katsina North (KN), and Katsina South (KS). Data on respondents’ demographic characteristics, involvement, credit access, utilization, repayment, performance and challenges were collected using a structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Results revealed that KS had older population (mean age = 45.08) compared to KC (36.57) and KN (36.99) years. Religious homogeneity (Islam) prevailed, while Quranic education (69.6%) dominated. Mean experience was 11 years, with KN (13.08) having highest mean age. Household sizes were large, averaging overall (7.32) people with KN (9.64) recording largest. Involvement showed that small ruminant rearing emerged as primary activity (weighted mean 1.363), followed by poultry (1.313) and staple crop production (1.013). KC showed highest involvement across most activities, while KN and KS lagged. Cash crops production varied, with KC having higher engagement (1.500) compared to KN (0.250) and KS (0.139). Traditional processing like oil extraction and fruit juice showed moderate participation across districts. Majority never accessed credit from commercial banks (97.5%) and microfinance institution (98.8%). Family (31.7%) and friends (31.2%) occasionally dominated credit sources. District-level results showed KC with most balanced access, while KN and KS demonstrated family-based access. Credit utilization exposed diversion into non-business purposes (75%). Fertilizers and seeds (79.6%), intended agro-enterprise purposes (88.8%), and land expansion (90.8%) were poorly utilized. Overall (68.8%) had low credit utilization. Primary challenges included poor market conditions (weighted mean = 1.867), lack of business registration/formalization (1.863), limited investment information (1.842), and inadequate business management skills (1.842). Gender and cultural barriers varied, with KC facing more severe religious/cultural restrictions. Repayment behaviour revealed 53.3% having poor repayment. Moral obligation (3.925) towards loan repayment scored highest. KC (60.4%) recorded best repayment, while KS (29.2%) lagged. ANOVA confirmed significant differences across districts in all key variables (p < 0.001). Multiple regression identified credit access (β = 2.25, p < 0.001) followed by credit utilization (β = 1.16, p < 0.001) and repayment behaviour (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) as performance predictors. Challenges posed negative effects on performance (β = -0.19, p < 0.001). The study concludes that while women agro-entrepreneurship potential existed across the districts; credit access, utilization, repayment and performance disparities require targeted interventions.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Bukar Ali Bularafa, Kachallah Umar Mustapha.
Page No : 42-59
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Analysis of the Effect of Crowdfunding Platforms in Enhancing the Sources of Finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
Abstract
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sector plays a strategic role in the economic development of Nigeria, providing job opportunity, improving standard of living, regional development. However, MSMEs in Nigeria faced a financial exclusion which result in shortage of finances for their businesses. This prevents many from sustaining and growing their businesses. Crowd-funding is an innovative Fintech aimed at closing the financial gap faced by MSMEs through raising funds from crowd using the internet. This research examines the effect of crowd-funding platforms in enhancing the sources of finance for MSMEs in Nigeria. The idea behind this study is to examine the effect of crowd-funding platforms in enhancing source of financing for MSMEs, analyse the financial gap and challenges faced by MSMEs. Descriptive-survey research design was adopted using structured questionnaire as data collection instrument. The data collected was analysed using descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Findings revealed significant relationship exist between reward-based, debt-based fundings and MSMEs financing. But donation-based and equity-based no significance. Furthermore, the finding revealed that MSMEs in the study are faced with challenges in using crowdfunding platforms, also the study has realised that, there is a financial gap exist among MSMEs in the study area. Conclusively, findings also confirmed the validity of the crowdfunding model in the context of Nigeria. Policymakers should also ensure that the necessary infrastructure of the Fintech industry is publicly accessible in order to facilitate new crowdfunding platforms and other financing tools and for the purpose of raising awareness about the significance of crowdfunding for MSMEs. Future researchers should consider using different state, zone within the country.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Eze O., Ikwuakam O.T., Giwa S. F., Yakubu H. S..
Page No : 60-78
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Assessing Rural Women Agro-Entrepreneurs’ Access to Katsina State Support Interventions for Agro-Enterprise Development in Katsina State, Nigeria.
Abstract
The study examined the awareness, access, and effectiveness of support interventions among rural women agro-entrepreneurs in Katsina State. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from women agro-entrepreneurs across three districts: Katsina Central (KC), Katsina North (KN), and Katsina South (KS). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regression were used to data on socioeconomic characteristic, awareness, access and support interventions. Results revealed that 72.7% of the respondents were married with an average age of 35 years and 12.6 years of experience. Religious homogeneity in Islam (100%) and dominance of Quranic education (82.9%) prevailed. Average monthly income was ₦14,979, with district variations ranging from ₦13,256 in KN to ₦17,431 in KS. Enterprise involvement patterns showed concentration in poultry farming (63%) and small ruminant rearing (61%) always, while value-addition activities remained severely underutilized. Fish farming (99.5%) were not involved, while dairy processing (96.8%), and meat processing (98.1%) also showed minimal participation. While 69% demonstrated high awareness of available support interventions, 76.4% had low access to these programmes. Microfinance and credit interventions showed highest awareness (89.4%) but 89.4% never accessed. District level results revealed disparities, with KN and KS showing very high awareness rates (95.8% and 98.6% respectively) with only 16.7% high access each, while KC demonstrated better access (37.5%) despite lower awareness. Effectiveness assessment revealed 78.7% had low programme effectiveness. Technology adoption (87% ) was never effective) while business practice changes (87%), and market access improvements (83.8%) showed poor performance. KC outperformed other districts with 44.4% reporting high effectiveness compared to 13.9% in KN and 5.6% in KS. Policy implementation gaps (94.4%) and political factors (94.4%) were most serious constraints, followed by bureaucratic barriers (93.1%) and information gaps (81%). Multiple regression analysis revealed that awareness had a negative effect on access (-0.503, p<0.001), while information sources positively influenced access (0.44, p<0.05). Educational levels showed negative relationships with access, suggesting that structural barriers outweigh individual capacity factors. Significant differences between districts in awareness (F = 276.027, p < 0.001), effectiveness (F = 26.890, p < 0.001), and challenges (F = 30.095, p < 0.001) occurred. The study concludes that while Katsina State has established various support interventions for rural women agro-entrepreneurs, critical implementation gaps, bureaucratic barriers, and political factors severely limited actual access and effectiveness. The research recommends institutional strengthening, simplified access procedures, and targeted district-specific approaches to bridge the awareness-access gap and improve programme outcomes for rural women agro-entrepreneurs.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Edet Asuquo Okon.
Page No : 79-105
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Integration of Management Theory and Industry 4.0 Technologies for Economic Development in Africa: A Framework Proposal.
Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the intersection of management theories, technology adoption enablers, and I4.0 technologies' collective impact on business growth and economic development in Africa.
Design/methodology: The study used a systematic narrative and analytic literature review method to gather metadata on the relationship and interaction study variables. We used fuzzy interpretative structural modelling (Fuzzy-ISM) in the Python programming language to model metadata from 40 pieces of literature reporting the study theme interactions, aiming to understand the relationship and interaction between MT, technology adoption enablers, and I4.0 technologies.
Findings: The findings indicate that integrating I4.0 technologies with conventional manufacturing techniques can revolutionise industrial processes, boost productivity, and stimulate entrepreneurial innovation. The findings further validate that factors such as digital transformation, innovation, and collaboration play essential roles in facilitating the adoption of I4.0 technology. Nonetheless, obstacles like technological disruption, skill gaps, and socioeconomic issues present considerable hurdles to the adoption of I4.0 technology among businesses in Africa.
Practical implication: The study emphasises the importance of strategic alignment between MTs, enablers, and I4.0 technologies to accelerate business growth, Africa’s industrialisation, and economic growth, although this requires substantial investments and localised adaptation.
Originality/value: Overall, the study provides valuable insight into how African businesses can leverage I4.0 technologies to drive sustainable development while mitigating the risks associated with technological adoptions.
