The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria has significantly changed the country’s economic environment, resulting in higher living and transportation costs. These economic pressures have had a negative effect on employee performance and livelihood, creating an urgent need for strategies to mitigate their consequences. This study investigated the combined influence of flexible work arrangements (FWAs) and e-leadership on the performance of non-teaching staff at Bayero University, Kano. The research was underpinned by the Job Demand-Resources (JD-R) Theory, which provided a framework for understanding how job demands and resources interacted to shape employee outcomes. The data was collected from 190 non-teaching staff members using non-probability sampling technique, and regression analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. The results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between e-leadership and employee performance, emphasizing the importance of digital leadership in driving productivity. In addition, one dimension of FWAs was also shown to have a significant effect on employee performance, indicating that flexible work options could assist employees in managing economic challenges more effectively. The findings highlighted practical implications for both policymakers and organisational leaders. Specifically, they suggested that adopting FWAs and strengthening e-leadership practices could serve as effective strategies for sustaining employee performance in times of economic uncertainty. Beyond its practical contributions, the study has also enriched the literature on workplace adaptability by highlighting the strategic value of FWAs and e-leadership in turbulent environments. Finally, recommendations for policy and practice are provided, alongside directions for future research to further examine the long-term impact of these interventions.
Waste management has become a pressing global issue, requiring the enactment and enforcement of comprehensive regulatory frameworks to promote sustainability and protect the environment. Despite the available legislations, inadequate resources and inefficient monitoring impede their proper execution, allowing noncompliance and illicit trash disposal to continue. Illegal waste sites are popping up all over the city of Kwara in Nigeria. Improper garbage disposal appears to suggest a breakdown in the state's regulatory system for environmental protection and waste management. This paper has examined the regulatory framework of environmental protection policies and waste management in Kwara state. Both primary and secondary data were used. The population of the study was 280 and the sample size was 172, which was determined through a specific formula. A total number of 172 questionnaires were distributed to the selected respondents and from these 154 responses were retrieved. Findings from the study showed that the majority of the respondents disagreed that the regulatory frameworks did not prioritise the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste materials. These respondents were of the view that there were clear guidelines and procedures for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The study also showed that the available regulatory frameworks have encouraged public participation and awareness of waste management practices in the state. Consequently, this paper has recommended that policymakers collaborate closely with communities to design strategies that incorporate local infrastructure, resources, and behaviours to reduce waste and promote recycling. There should also be frequent monitoring to ensure compliance. The rules and policies must be amended to ensure stakeholder engagement in waste management services.
This paper examines how working capital investment decisions relate to various internal and external risks faced by Malaysian firms. The study employed fixed effects instrumental variable estimation to analyse cross-sectional panel data from 406 firms listed on the Malaysian Securities Exchange (Bursa Malaysia). The results confirmed the hypothesised relationships between the various risks firms face and their working capital investment decisions. These relationships were statistically significant at the 5% or 1% levels for all risks, except for credit risk. Additionally, the connection between economic growth and a firm’s market strength in relation to its working capital investment was not confirmed. The industry analysis indicates that firms in the basic materials sector were more sensitive to all measured risks than firms in other sectors. This research fills a gap in the emerging economies literature by examining how working capital investment decisions relate to internal and external risks for Malaysian firms. The findings may assist firms in making more informed decisions regarding their working capital investments. To date, this is the first study to examine the impact of a broad range of risks on working capital investment decisions for firms in an emerging economy.
This study explores the complex interplay dynamics between leadership styles, organizational structure, and digital culture adoption within Katsina State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with particular emphasis on how these elements influence digital transformation efforts. Data were collected from 630 employees across four randomly selected MDAs—Katsina State Library Board, State House of Assembly, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Katsina State Television Authority. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between transformational leadership style and digital culture adoption, as well as a significant but negative relationship between transactional leadership style and digital culture adoption. However, the analysis did not reveal any significant moderating effects of organizational structure on these relationships. While the study provides valuable insights, limitations such as the use of cross-sectional data and the limited generalizability of the findings should be noted. The results underscore the critical role of leadership—particularly transformational leadership—in driving digital culture adoption. Based on these findings, the study recommends that organizations invest in leadership development programs that promote transformational leadership behaviors and foster a culture of digital innovation. Additionally, future research should consider longitudinal or experimental designs, employ multi-source data collection methods, and explore other organizational contexts to enhance the robustness and applicability of the findings. Further investigations into the mechanisms and long-term impacts of leadership and structural reforms are also encouraged to provide actionable guidance for organizations navigating digital transformation in today’s evolving landscape.
Many emerging markets in developing countries have seen a decline in entrepreneurial activity. This is especially concerning because entrepreneurs constitute a significant share of the workforce, enterprises, and national revenue. In this turbulent time of the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath, the struggle for economic survival has added considerable pressure on the Nigerian government. Despite the economic challenges, entrepreneurs can still play a significant role in reviving the economy However, for entrepreneurship activities to take place, opportunity identification must first occur. To better understand the factors that influence the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities, this study has examined the potential effects of entrepreneurial social networks, prior knowledge, self-efficacy, proactive personality, alertness, and creativity on opportunity identification. The study employed an exploratory research design and several quantitative methods in the analysis of the collected data. The population of the study was the total number of registered nascent entrepreneurs in Southwestern Nigeria, comprising six (6) states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti. A muti-stage sampling technique was used, while primary data was collected directly from all the participants by administering the study questionnaires. The number of questionnaires administered was 300, with a sample size of 103, which is this study’s minimum according to the Gpower result. The study found that entrepreneurial alertness and self-efficacy exhibited the strongest correlation, suggesting that entrepreneurial ability was closely linked to entrepreneurial skills. Entrepreneurial creativity and entrepreneurial self-efficacy also demonstrated a strong relationship, indicating that higher entrepreneurial skills were associated with greater entrepreneurial commitment. These variables had jointly enhanced the performance of emerging entrepreneurs in Southwestern Nigeria, highlighting the need for entrepreneurial training programs and policies that could help cultivate these abilities and characteristics. Therefore, this study has shown that opportunity identification shaped by social networks, prior knowledge, self-efficacy, proactive personality, alertness, and creativity could play a critical role in driving business sustainability by enabling entrepreneurs to recognize and exploit viable, innovative, and enduring market opportunities.
