Diversity Towards the Human Capital Development and Staff Job Satisfaction in Tertiary Institutions in Kogi State

This study aimed at Human Capital Development (HCD) and Job Satisfaction (JS) in public tertiary institutions in Kogi State. The study applied a descriptive research survey. The sampling method used in this study was a multi-stage sampling technique. A sample size of 123 was chosen. The quantitative data obtained from respondents using a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Matrix and Ordered Probit Regression. Findings showed a statistically significant and positive relationship between HCD and Staff Job Security in Public Tertiary Institutions in Kogi State and that HCD significantly affects the JS of Staff in higher institutions in Kogi State. The study concluded that through HCD, Public Tertiary Institutions could enhance JS. The study recommended that the management of Public Tertiary Institutions should increase investment in HCD to facilitate improved job security of staff in Kogi State. The government should also provide adequate funding support to adopt best practices in HCD in Public Tertiary Institutions in Kogi State. Furthermore, the management should adopt any strategic measure to increase commitment to HCD as it positively affects the JS of Staff in higher institutions in Kogi State

THE STRATEGIC INTENTION OF MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISES IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN NIGERIA

Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) around the globe are integrators and the grace for economic flight. One major helping hand given by Multinational Enterprises in the provision of capital intensive social amenities and infrastructures is obvious in the area of their social responsibilities. In this vein, the study examined the strategic intention of multinational enterprises in corporate social responsibilities in Nigeria. In the quest into the subject matter, this study gathered data and information through primary and secondary sources. The study randomly selected 500 respondents from the population of the study area (Nigeria). Data were analyzed with Likert Scaling Method and simple percentage method. It was discovered that some MNEs have demonstrated a Two-aim approach (which implies a win-win) as a strategy to keep their operations going in Nigeria, and likely, other developing countries of the world. It was concluded that the rationale behind their commitment to corporate social responsibilities is to establish balance of objectives between the Multinational Enterprises’ home countries and host countries. The study therefore recommended that MNEs and the host countries should maintain two-aim approach, so as to ensure that the objective of one party is not hurt

An Exploratory Study of Entrepreneurship Development in Kogi State

This study aimed to unveil the challenges confronting entrepreneurship development and the impact of government support in Kogi State. The study determined the effect of government support on entrepreneurship skills development in Kogi State and examined the influence of government policies on entrepreneurship skills development in Kogi State. The survey research design was used in this study. A convenient sampling technique was adopted, and 296 participants were taken. Data were gathered and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Multiple Regression and Ordered Probit Regression. The study found that government support had a substantial effect on the development of entrepreneurship skills in Kogi State. Findings also demonstrated that government policies in Kogi State have a limited effect on the development of entrepreneurship skills. The study’s limitations are attached to the small sample size, which may not stand as a perfect representation, as well as the inability of the study to exhaust the factors challenging entrepreneurship development. The results of the study provide insight into cardinal factors affecting entrepreneurship development in Kogi State, the degree of the effectiveness of government support and the government policies that need review. Entrepreneurship skills development is crucial for driving social and economic development. Unveiling the challenges confronting it provides a pipeline for remedies and the needed support from the government. The study is novel as it links with sustainable entrepreneurship programs. The study is intended to widen the knowledge of the audience and establish a theoretical relationship that can be considered by practitioners in the field of entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship and the Economic Problems in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation

The study focused on the influence of entrepreneurship on unemployment and poverty rate in Nigeria. The study used survey research design, and equally gathered secondary data from both International Labour Organization and National Bureau of Statistics. The instrument used for gathering data was structured questionnaire. The study analyzed the data gathered through descriptive statistics, correlation and regression model. Finding shows inverse inter-operational behaviour between entrepreneurial practices and poverty level in Nigeria with significantly weak effect, and positive inter-operational behaviour between entrepreneurial practices and unemployment level in Nigeria with significantly weak effect. Finding further shows that four major factors (pull, passion to utilizing opportunity, knowledge-skill-ability and unemployment) are attributed to the weak entrepreneurial practices in Nigeria. The study concludes that though poverty level appears to be reducing at almost unnoticeable rate, unemployment level keeps increasing in a slow and steady rate alongside increase in entrepreneurial practice and engagement in Nigeria. This study therefore recommends that the four factors should be given solution attention as this will systematically affect the way entrepreneurship is practiced in Nigeria

Assessment of the Variations of Ghost Employee Fraud in Nigeria: 2008-2015

This study assessed the variations of ghost employee fraud in Nigeria. The study systematically investigated the effects of ghost employee fraud scheme on the Nigerian economy. The study was conducted on employees of Nigerian private and public companies making the population of 3,314,043 prospective respondents (1,672,903 from Private companies; and 1,641,140 from Public companies). Taro Yamane sampling method was used to determine the sample size of 400, and Bowler’s proportional allocation method was also used for distribution of questionnaires. The study adopted stratified random sampling technique. The study gathered its data and information through primary and secondary sources. This study analyzed the data collected with descriptive statistical tool and tested hypothesis with F-Test statistical method. The study revealed that family member ghost employee scheme is the most commonly fraud scheme, particularly, in public sector, and that ghost employee fraud has negative effects on the Nigerian economy. Thus, the study concluded that there are evidently variations of dangerous ghost employees in Nigeria, and the fraud emanating from these ghosts has negative effects on her economy. The study therefore recommends that the variations of ghost employee fraud scheme affecting the economy should be identified in order to determine the appropriate strategic preventive measures to adopt. Keywords: Ghost Employee Fraud, Strategic Preventive Measures, Financial Crimes, Victim Organizations, Economic Performance

Small Scale Enterprisesand the Economic Siamese of Nigeria: Growth-Barrier Chain Analysis

This study investigated the SME growth-barrier chain in Nigeria. A target population of 39,600 was sampled using Taro Yamane method to achieve the surveyed 396 respondents. A well structured questionnaire was administered to collect the data. Percentage, descriptive, Likert analysis and regression analysis were used to explain the nature of the SME growth-barrier chain in Nigeria. Results of the study reveal that barrier factors have been influencing SMEs growth in Nigeria, and that the most significant among the barrier factors are entrepreneurial skill, irregular power supply and lack of business strategy. This study is limited by sample size and selection of SMEs at their clustered areas, and therefore may not be generalized to other sectors and countries. The study concludes that these factors cause epileptic growth or sudden death of SMEs in Nigeria. The study recommends that the government should engage in intervention programmes, and also ensure regular power supply in Nigeria. In addition, SME owner-managers should adopt and implement business strategies in their business environment. Keywords: SMEs growth. Barrier factors, employment, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurial Skil

Effects of Marketing Strategies on the Performance of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Kogi State

This study focused on the effects of marketing mix strategies on the performance of SMEs in Kogi State. To achieve the study’s objectives, a survey research design was adopted. A purposive sampling was used, and 300 respondents were selected. Findings show that promotion strategy relates negatively and significantly with sales and profitability performance of SMEs in Kogi State. Findings further show that distribution strategy significantly and positively relates with sales performance; while pricing strategy significantly and positively relates with the profitability performance of enterprises in Kogi State. The study concluded that marketing mix strategies have significant effects on sales and profitability performance of SMEs in Kogi State. The study recommends that SME owners should adopt less of promotion strategy to achieve high sales and profitability performance in the business environment of Kogi State, and that more aggressive distribution strategy and pricing strategy should be adopted to sustain sales and the profitability performance of their enterprises in Kogi State. Keywords: Marketing Environment, Marketing Strategies, Sales, Profitability DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-7-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

IMPERATIVES OF STRATEGY IN HUMAN RESOURCE TRAINING OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA

This study focused on the imperatives of strategy in human resource training for Small and Medium scale Enterprises in Nigeria. This study aimed at investigating whether Strategic Human Resource Training can facilitate the achievement of SMEs growth objectives in Nigeria. This study selected 18 Micro-Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria, with the population of 232 (32 SME owners and 200 employees). The study determined its sample size through Taro Yamane sampling method, and used Bowler’s Proportional Allocation formula to distribute samples to its varying universe. Data and information were gathered through primary and secondary sources. This study analyzed the data collected with descriptive method and tested hypothesis with Likert statistical method. The study revealed that Strategic Human Resource Training can facilitate the achievement of SMEs growth objectives in Nigeria. Thus, the study concluded that strategic human training programme can serve as the bedrock of success for SMEs, and can engineer knowledge, initiatives, innovativeness and confidence, competitiveness and the achievement of positive payoff. The study therefore recommends that SME owners should integrate effective strategy to human resource training such that growth objectives can be facilitated and achieved.Key words: human resource training, strategy, growth objectives, business game, talent war

ANALIZA FAKTORA USVAJANJA TOTALNOG UPRAVLJANJA KVALITETOM (TQM) OD STRANE MALIH I SREDNJIH PREDUZEĆA U NIGERIJI

This study focused on Total Quality Management (TQM) adoption by SMEs in Nigeria. The study investigated and analyzed factors responsible for TQM adoption by SMEs in Nigeria, its rate and success of the implementation and influence in competitive situation. Cross-sectional survey method was adopted to achieve these objectives. 250 SMEs were selected from manufacturing, textile, agricultural, food processing and service industries for data gathering; making the population of 2548, from which the sample size of 346 was determined using Taro Yamane method. The study found that the adoption of total quality management by SMEs is subject to many factors, and that TQM practices significantly affect different performance outcomes. Thus, the study concludes that TQM practice is another strategic option that can enhance viable performance outcome, and subsequently, competitive advantage of any SMEs at the marketplace. The study therefore recommends that SME owner-managers should invest substantial resources in adapting and implementing TQM in their operations such that success and viable performance outcome can be achieved.Ova studija fokusira se  na usvajanje Totalnog upravljanja kvalitetom  (TQM) od strane malih i srednjih preduzeća u Nigeriji. Studija je ispitivala i analizirala faktore odgovorne za usvajanje TQM od strane malih i srednjih preduzeća u Nigeriji, njihovu brzinu i uspeh u implementaciji i uticaj na situacije konkurentnosti. Usvojen je metod istraživanja poprečnog preseka za postizanje ovih ciljeva. Odabrano je 250 MSP iz proizvodnih, tekstilnih, poljoprivrednih, prehrambenih i uslužnih delatnosti za prikupljanje podataka; ukupno 2548 ispitanika, od kojih je određena veličina uzorka od 346 korišćenjem Taro Yamane metoda. Studija je pokazala da je usvajanje ukupnog upravljanja kvalitetom MSP podložno mnogim faktorima, a da praksa TQM značajno utiče na različite ishode performansi. Tako, studija zaključuje je da TQM praksa još jedna strateška opcija koja može poboljšati održiv ishod performansi, a kasnije konkurentsku prednost malih i srednjih preduzeća na tržištu. Studija stoga preporučuje da bi vlasnici-menadžeri MSP trebalo da ulože značajna sredstva u prilagođavanje i sprovođenje TQM u svom radu tako da se može postići uspeh i održivi ishod učinka