Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Of Selected SMEs Competiveness In Lagos State, Nigeria

This paper investigates the effect of strategic innovation on entrepreneurship development of selected SMEs competitiveness. The main objective is to explore the effect of strategic innovation on entrepreneurship development of selected SMEs competitiveness in Lagos State, Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study. The study population consists of 11,663 owners/managers of SMEs in Lagos State. The Cochran formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 742. A structured questionnaire was administered with 92.6% response rate. The instrument was validated and Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients for the major constructs were obtained for the construct validity test factor analysis. Findings revealed that Innovation strategy had significant effect on the profitability of SMEs competitiveness in Lagos State (β = 0.314, t = 8.884, p<.05).This study made a contribution to knowledge by submitting significant background to the various concepts of strategic innovation and entrepreneurship development. The study concluded that there is a positive and significant effect of innovation strategy on profitability of SMEs competitiveness in Lagos State, Nigeria. Therefore, the paper recommended that SMEs competitiveness in Lagos State should constantly engage in innovation to improve the competitive advantage it acquires against other organizations in the sector. They should constantly analyze and determine their services operations in an attempt to improve operations efficienc

The Impact of Learning Curve Model Selection and Criteria for Cost Estimation Accuracy in the DoD

The first part of this manuscript examines the impact of configuration changes to the learning curve when implemented during production. This research is a study on the impact to the learning curve slope when production is continuous but a configuration change occurs. Analysis discovered the learning curve slope after a configuration change is different from the stable learning curve slope pre-configuration change. The newly configured units were statistically different from previous units. This supports that the new configuration should be estimated with a new learning curve equation. The research also discovered the post-configuration slope is always steeper than the stable learning slope. Secondly, this research investigates flattening effects at tail of production. Analysis compares the conventional and contemporary learning curve models in order to determine if there is a more accurate learning model. Results in this are inconclusive. Examining models that incorporate automation was important, as technology and machinery play a larger role in production. Conventional models appear to be most accurate, although a trend for all models appeared. The trend supports that the conventional curve was accurate early in production and the contemporary models were more accurate later in production

A simulation approach to PERT network analysis

This paper presents simulation as a useful analytical tool for project network analysis. Simulation is a powerful tool for evaluating many of the decision parameters involved in project management. A computer program, named STARC, is used to illustrate the effectiveness of computer simulation for project planning. STATGRAPHICS software is used to illustrate some of the post-simulation statistical analyses that can be conducted.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Benefits of Zucchini Crop Cultivation among Farmers in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State

This study assessed the benefits derived from the cultivation of zucchini crop among farmers in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. Data were collected from 79 farmers on socioeconomic characteristics, access to information and knowledge of the potentials of zucchini cultivation as well as constraints to and benefits derived from zucchini cultivation. Frequency counts and percentages were used to describe the data. Majority of the farmers had minimum formal education (75.9%) and over 10 years of farming experience (86.1%). Many (46.8%) had large household size (9 – 13 members), small holdings of 3 – 5.9 hectares (63.3%) and mostly (91.1%) cultivated Middle Eastern zucchini varieties. Access to information on zucchini was mainly through zucchini merchants ( 16 x'> =1.76), extension agents ( 16 x'> =0.90) and radio ( 16 x'> =0.54). The majority (60.8%) however, had low knowledge of the potentials of zucchini cultivation. The main constraints to its cultivation were inadequate storage facilities ( 16 x'> =1.96), low awareness of the value and potential of zucchini ( 16 x'> =1.95) and high cost of inputs (X=1.24). The major benefit derived from the cultivation of the crop was increased income ( 16 x'> =1.94). There was no significant relationship between knowledge of the potentials and benefits derived from the cultivation of zucchini. Awareness campaign on the potentials of the crop should be created while farmers’ capacity on appropriate storage technologies should be enhanced.   

Private Sponsorship of Rural Development Broadcasts on Radio in Southwest Nigeria

The study explored the private sponsorship prospects of rural development broadcasts (RDBs) on radio in Southwest Nigeria. Forty private sponsors of programmes were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data on private sponsorship status of RDBs, reasons for broadcasts’ sponsorship, factors hindering RDBs sponsorship and willingness to sponsor RDBs. Frequency counts and binomial logit were used to analyse the resulting data. There was a low sponsorship status (26.7%) of RDBs among the sponsors. Inadequate knowledge of benefits derivable from sponsorship of RDBs (30%) hindered sponsorship of RDBs while increased sensitisation on these benefits (40%) would enhance their sponsorship status. Increased brand awareness was the most important reason (46.7%) that propelled sponsors to support broadcasts. Most sponsors (66.7%) would be willing to support RDBs on radio. Sponsors’ characteristics were not significantly related to their willingness to sponsor RDBs. Stakeholders in rural development broadcasting should therefore step up their sensitisation campaigns among prospective sponsors to intimate them of the listenership strength of RDBs in the area in order to improve the sponsorship situation

Benefits of Zucchini Crop Cultivation among Farmers in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State

This study assessed the benefits derived from the cultivation of zucchini crop among farmers in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State. Data were collected from 79 farmers on socioeconomic characteristics, access to information and knowledge of the potentials of zucchini cultivation as well as constraints to and benefits derived from zucchini cultivation. Frequency counts and percentages were used to describe the data. Majority of the farmers had minimum formal education (75.9%) and over 10 years of farming experience (86.1%). Many (46.8%) had large household size (9 – 13 members), small holdings of 3 – 5.9 hectares (63.3%) and mostly (91.1%) cultivated Middle Eastern zucchini varieties. Access to information on zucchini was mainly through zucchini merchants ( 16 x'> =1.76), extension agents ( 16 x'> =0.90) and radio ( 16 x'> =0.54). The majority (60.8%) however, had low knowledge of the potentials of zucchini cultivation. The main constraints to its cultivation were inadequate storage facilities ( 16 x'> =1.96), low awareness of the value and potential of zucchini ( 16 x'> =1.95) and high cost of inputs (X=1.24). The major benefit derived from the cultivation of the crop was increased income ( 16 x'> =1.94). There was no significant relationship between knowledge of the potentials and benefits derived from the cultivation of zucchini. Awareness campaign on the potentials of the crop should be created while farmers’ capacity on appropriate storage technologies should be enhanced.   

Private Sponsorship of Rural Development Broadcasts on Radio in Southwest Nigeria

The study explored the private sponsorship prospects of rural development broadcasts (RDBs) on radio in Southwest Nigeria. Forty private sponsors of programmes were randomly selected for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data on private sponsorship status of RDBs, reasons for broadcasts’ sponsorship, factors hindering RDBs sponsorship and willingness to sponsor RDBs. Frequency counts and binomial logit were used to analyse the resulting data. There was a low sponsorship status (26.7%) of RDBs among the sponsors. Inadequate knowledge of benefits derivable from sponsorship of RDBs (30%) hindered sponsorship of RDBs while increased sensitisation on these benefits (40%) would enhance their sponsorship status. Increased brand awareness was the most important reason (46.7%) that propelled sponsors to support broadcasts. Most sponsors (66.7%) would be willing to support RDBs on radio. Sponsors’ characteristics were not significantly related to their willingness to sponsor RDBs. Stakeholders in rural development broadcasting should therefore step up their sensitisation campaigns among prospective sponsors to intimate them of the listenership strength of RDBs in the area in order to improve the sponsorship situation

Job shop configuration optimization at Tinker Air Force Base

This paper discusses a large simulation model that was developed to aid the reconstruc tion efforts after a disastrous fire at Tinker Air Force Base. The model, developed in SLAM, facilitated the analysis and efficient design of the functional layout that replaced the previous machine-based layout in the appropriate number of machines to place within a modular repair center (MRC), stacker capacity for in-process inventory, location of elevators for sending parts to the conveyor, and the optimal design and routing scheme for overhead conveyor system. The new layout, as predicted by the simulation model, has proven to be quite effective compared with the pre fire layout. Improvements that have been achieved include a 50 to 80% decrease in material handling, substantive decrease in flow times, better manage ment control of part transfers, $4.3 million savings from the elimination of excess capacity, and$1.8 million savings resulting from higher direct labor efficiency.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Enhancing the graduates’ employability and career development through building information modelling intensive training

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging technological process which highly promotes a better collaborative working environment in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. It is essential that the Higher Education (HE) sector innovates its education system to integrate between different disciplines in the AEC industry to encourage the adoption of BIM. In conjunction with this, BIM Intensive Training was conducted for a selected number of final year undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. They were assigned a real time construction project, utilizing BIM software applications for model authoring, model review, 4D modelling and project coordination. It was observed that the participants were able to overcome various challenges through information sharing and team collaboration. A BIM coordination workflow was produced during the training to assist them in organizing their work. Although their existing knowledge of BIM and their skills using the software applications were quite limited, they were capable in learning expeditiously as the assignment provided them with real-world problems. A year after the training, more than half of the participants agreed that the training had helped them to secure their employment and excel in their current involvements in BIM-based projects. However, due to the current scenario many firms are yet to embrace BIM, there are participants who could not utilize the training. Hence, the establishment of a dynamic and continuous collaboration between professionals and HE sector is the way forward in transforming the traditional structure of AEC industry into a more collaborative and technological approach

Consequences of Kaizen Practices in MSMEs in the Philippines: The Case of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX)

The Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX) is a fully subsidized public-instigated productivity improvement program directed toward the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. While not advertised and packaged as a Kaizen initiative, it has all the elements of the Kaizen philosophy. Based on survey responses from 64 MPEX beneficiaries and 47 non-MPEX beneficiaries, the study showed that MPEX increased the number of product lines implying that Kaizen practice leads to product innovation among firms. Due to data and confounding issues, significant difference in productivity in terms of number of workers and sales per worker was not established. Firm asset size was implied to influence the capability to implement Kaizen. Regulatory compliance and customer demand requirements and entrepreneurial capacity are catalysts for enabling, adopting, and sustaining Kaizen implementation