Proactiveness and Competitive Aggressiveness as a Predictor on Entrepreneurial Intention among Female Undergraduates in Northwest Nigeria Federal Universities (Published)
In the dynamic entrepreneurial environment of Northwest Nigeria, understanding the catalysts of entrepreneurial intentions among female undergraduates is paramount. This study examines the influence of proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness on Entrepreneurial Intentions among female undergraduates in Federal Universities. Anchored on the Entrepreneurial Orientation Theory, which accentuates proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness, a cross-sectional survey targeting final-year female students was employed. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses. Findings spotlights proactiveness as a potent influencer of entrepreneurial intentions, underscoring the imperative of integrating proactiveness training in academic curricula. Conversely, competitive aggressiveness did not exhibit a significant association with entrepreneurial intentions, suggesting the interplay of other predominant factors. The study concludes that fostering proactive traits in academic settings can sculpt future entrepreneurial trailblazers, while emphasizing the balance between competitiveness and collaboration. Hence, it is recommended that Federal Universities in Northwest Nigeria infuse proactiveness-driven modules to amplify entrepreneurial zeal among female undergraduates.
Keywords: Collaboration, Entrepreneurial Intentions, competitive aggressiveness, orientation, proactiveness
Co-Creating Business Development Service: A Strategic Marketing Approach for Leveraging the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) In Nigeria (Published)
The provision of Business Development Services (BDS) is critical to the survival and sustainable growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). BDS in Nigeria has been poorly provided as there are very few institutions that provide it. As a result, most SMEs neither appreciate the need for such services nor access them. This paper posits that a Business Development Service co-created through collaboration between the service provider and service consumer stands to elicit the need for such service among SMEs as well as improve their utilization and access to BDS. Based on theoretical paradigm and contemporary practices as documented in literature, this paper suggests that Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) are best positioned to provide the BDS. Given the provision of services like BDS may involve the collaboration of other organizations and institutions, it is the suggestion of this paper that the institutions who may undertake this project collaborate with larger enterprises and mass media organizations in alliance to provide the service while on the other hand, SMEs within the target market are sensitized through a radio phone-in programs that address the general problems of SMEs. When this is done, it is expected that an opportunity of interaction between the consumers of service and provider would have been in place for the requisite value-based BDS to be co-created.
Keywords: Business Development Services, Co-Creation, Collaboration, Leveraged Value, SME