Effects of Perceived Information Technology Object, Perceived Information Technology Knowledge and Perceived Information Technology Operation on Employees Productivity (Published)
The study investigated the effects of information technology capability dimensions: IT objects (infrastructure), IT knowledge and IT operation on employee’s productivity. The entire population (N=51) of the School of Business, FCET Gombe were considered for the study. The sample is deemed adequate going by the software used. SmartPLS version 3 was used for the analysis. The result from the analysis and hypotheses testing suggest that three IT dimension have positive effects on employee’s productivity. The study offers some recommendation and propose avenues for future researches.
Keywords: Employees, Information Technology, Productivity, object, perceived information technology knowledge, perceived information technology operation
Labour Turnover and Productivity among Employees in Selected Brewing Firms in Southwestern Nigeria (Published)
The study identified the causes of labour turnover and its effect on productivity among employees in the brewing industry in Southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to providing information for management policy makers on maintaining a constant workforce particularly of the skilled and exceptional workers for increased productivity. The method of data collection was questionnaire to elicit information on causes of labour turnover, and the resultant effects on employee’s productivity. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics such as analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results underscored the significant effect of training and career development, job satisfaction and family ties on labour turnover. The study concluded that there was significant effect of labour turnover on employees’ productivity with R square = 0.076, P = 0000 which shows that 7.6% of the variation in employees’ productivity in the brewing industry in Southwestern Nigeria was due to labour turnover.
Keywords: Family Ties, Job Satisfaction, Labour turnover, Productivity, Training and Career Development
EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEES/APPRENTICES HUMAN CAPITAL ON THEIR PERFORMANCE IN SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES IN THE SEKONDI-TAKORADI METROPOLIS, GHANA (Published)
The study inquired about the association between employee’s human capital on their performance in small scale businesses in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the competencies of employees, examine the connection of these competencies on employees’ performance and to determine the problems associated with the development of employees’ competencies in small scale businesses in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The study used descriptive survey involving one hundred and fifty-three (153) employees. Interview schedule and interview guide were the main instruments used for data collection. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to find out the associations between variables. The findings revealed that education and training are significantly associated with increased productivity and enhanced the effectiveness and efficiencies of employees. In addition the study showed that employees’ knowledge and skills were significantly associated with all the performance dimensions (improved quality, increased productivity and enhanced efficiency and effectiveness). Finally, the study discovered that the key challenges inhibiting the development of employee competencies were inadequate funds for training programmes and lack of time for training activities. In view of the fact that employees face financial challenges in quest to have up-to-date training on their jobs, it is recommended that government through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, National Board for Small Scale Industries and Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) should not relent their effort in supporting training programmes for the mechanics, hairdressers, bakers and dressmakers associations since their support would help lessen the financial burden incurred during training programmes.
Keywords: Competencies, Motivation, Performance, Productivity
ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY, INCOMES AND RETURN ON INVESTMENTS IN YOUTH SMES IN NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA (Published)
The objective of this study was to identify profitable and viable SMEs which could form a basis for an economic empowerment programme for the restive unemployed youths in the Niger Delta Region. The focus of the study is on SMEs which are registered with the co-ordinating agency of government and are therefore considered bankable by financial institutions. A survey of SMEs was conducted in four major urban centres of Aba in Abia State, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Benin in Edo State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State and their environs. The cities were purposively selected because they are known centres of economic activities around which industrial establishments and SMEs cluster in the region. The SMEs were registered by government agencies, under eleven categories, with unequal number of enterprises. One hundred enterprises were purposively selected in each of the four centres, for a total of four hundred, ensuring that all enterprise types, in each category, were represented. Applying the simple analytical tools of total factor productivity, net income (NI) and rate of return on total investment (RRTI), the ten most viable SMEs were identified for the states as follows: Abia; metal fabrication, garments, interlocking tiles, concrete electric poles, printing works, saw mills, metal construction, paints, air conditioner and refrigerator repairs and restaurant; Akwa Ibom, paints, oil palm processing, garment/fashion, furniture works, leather bags, bakery and confectionery, metal construction, electronic repairs, brick making and wood arts. Edo, Auto electric, air conditioner and refrigeration, fish production, candle production, oil palm processing, auto mechanics, wood arts, metal works, poultry production and garment/fashion. Rivers: Hair dressing, fish production, metal works, oil palm processing, foot wears, aluminum and glass fabrication, cassava processing, air conditioner and refrigeration, block moulding, restaurant.
Keywords: Niger-Delta, Productivity, Profitability, Rate of Return, SMEs, Youths
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS TRAINING WORKSHOPS ON SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCE AND CAPABILITIES: CASE STUDIES OF DOTITO IRRIGATION SCHEME IN MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE AND MITCHELL AND MITCHELL IN MASHONALAND EAST PROVINCE, ZIMBABWE (Published)
The study was aimed at assessing the entrepreneurial competence and capabilities of the local farmers after the government had introduced strategic entrepreneurship workshops to some parts of the rural areas such as Dotito Irrigation Scheme and Mitchell and Mitchell. Strategic entrepreneurship workshops were aimed at equipping farmers with skills that promote the sustenance of their agricultural businesses as well as increasing productivity. The study employed the mixed methodology to increase validity and credibility of the findings. The hypothesis of the study was that strategic entrepreneurship workshops would improve the entrepreneurial capability and competence of the rural farmers. The study found that strategic entrepreneurship workshops enabled the majority of the rural farmers to satisfy their customers, train their children in the farming business adapt to the environmental changes and to be able to successfully market their produce. Farmers in these areas had poor marketing and strategic skills which could enable them to increase productivity and earn more profits. This was because they did not have the basic strategic skills, since most of them were not highly educated. The research recommended that the Government of Zimbabwe should introduce strategic entrepreneurship training workshops as a policy to all farmers in the country.
Keywords: Agricultural Business, Entrepreneurial Capability, Entrepreneurial Competence, Productivity, Strategic Entrepreneurship