This study examines the relationship between employee empowerment and sustainable competitiveness in the food and beverage manufacturing industry through the lenses of the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capability perspectives. Although employee empowerment has been widely associated with organisational success, comparatively limited attention has been devoted to its relationship with operational dimensions of competitiveness in manufacturing firms within emerging economies. Using cross-sectional survey data collected from 277 employees of the five largest food and beverage manufacturing companies in Southwest Nigeria, the study investigates employee empowerment as a multidimensional construct comprising structural and psychological components. Sustainable competitiveness is operationalised through cost leadership, product quality, on-time delivery, and flexibility. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that employee empowerment is positively associated with all four dimensions of competitiveness. The strongest associations were with flexibility, followed by product quality and on-time delivery. The association with cost leadership was relatively weaker. These findings indicate that employee empowerment might be particularly relevant to adaptability-oriented capabilities in manufacturing environments. The study contributes to the literature by integrating Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capability perspectives and provides insights into the importance of workforce-related capabilities in aiding operational competitiveness in manufacturing firms operating under resource-constrained conditions.

A firm’s ability to compete effectively depends on matching its internal operations with various exterior contexts. This research investigated the impact of strategic fit orientation on business agility among female entrepreneurs in Lagos state, Nigeria’s non-oil export sector. This study used a descriptive and quantitative approach to gather information from four hundred and two (402) selected female entrepreneurs actively engaged in non-oil exporting activities in the agribusiness, textile, and information and technology business processing industry. The respondents were purposefully determined, while the data were analyzed using measurement and structural modeling. This study reveals that strategic fit orientation significantly mediates firm strategies and business agility. This means that women entrepreneurs should continually develop structures and strategies to stay agile and strategically fit in the business environment. They are to adapt their objectives strategically to reduce potential risks and assess situations and possible consequences of threats to remain dynamic in the business environment. This study addressed the gap between strategic fit orientation and business agility in developing economies.

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of humanistic and mechanical indicators on the concept of sustainability. Embarking designers create brands to fulfill creative needs, but fashion entrepreneurs must evaluate challenges with discernment and expertise, understanding customer-centric product design. This study examined how local fashion brands in Nigeria manage customer experience in accordance with this fundamental principle of sustainability. In order to accomplish the stated aims, two hypotheses were derived based on the study questions posed. The study employed a mixed method, where a survey and an interview were used to get responses from the employees and customers. The survey was generated via a structured questionnaire and distributed online. The investigation employed a descriptive research approach, distributing and retrieving 103 copies of the questionnaire from the employees of the two selected local fashion brands. Using the structural equation model (SEM-Smart-PLS), the study found that humanic and mechanic clues both have a significant influence on sustainability. Based on the findings, it was recommended that fashion companies ought to provide training to their personnel to surpass client expectations, cultivate a welcoming work environment, and strategically position fittings to generate a favourable psychological influence on prospective buyers.

Goal: Information management frameworks, models, and software’s have the capacity to enhance the competitiveness of logistics operations by maximizing information management. The study objectively examined information management role in logistics operations in medical supply stores. Methodology: The methodology utilized in this review includes; quantitative philosophy such as smart partial least square(PLS).An aggregate of five hundred and twenty-eight (528) questionnaires were duly completed of the six hundred and fifty-nine (659) administered to various participants. Results: The Findings based on the statistical outcome shows that maximal product tracking, optimal information transfer, expanded echelons, prompt distribution, and delivery are the indicating roles of information management in logistics operations. It is suggested that medical supply stores utilize information management models, frameworks, and software to aid effective distribution and flow in logistics operations echelons. Limitations: The limitations to this study is the coverage of post-utilization stage by comparing the expected outcome to the actual outcome after enhancing the information management procedures. Originality: The study demonstrates its novelty and pertinency by introducing a framework fixated on a comprehensive methodology, as it gives a viewpoint of information management in logistics operations. Thus, information management frameworks in logistics operations are optimized and analysed from the source to the destination. Finally, the development of medical supply stores and their capacity to survive depends on the proficiency of information management.

COVID has affected the performance of small-scale businesses in Lagos positively and negatively. The purpose of this research work is to investigate the impact of COVID on the performance of small-scale businesses in Lagos. One of the contributions of this research work is the bringing together, the concepts of the impact of COVID, and Nigeria’s economy in the context of small-scale businesses in Lagos. 24 research cluster groups from academia’s and Lagos small-scale business organizations partook in the quantitative research study that made use of focus group discussions for data collection that was analyzed through content analysis and reliability of inter-rater. The finding is that COVID has impacted small-scale businesses in Lagos negatively. This research work provides recommendations for Lagos state government and the federal government of Nigeria.

The research was conducted within the selected large-scale fabrics manufacturing firms in Lagos State, with the goal of examining the degree of material distribution on environmental outcome. The study was done utilizing an outlined questionnaire through purposive sampling and total enumeration approach. The information was examined utilizing partial least square(PLS) that showed the opinion of participants in the transportation, warehousing, purchasing, inventory, and production section. The result of the study uncovered that material distribution does not have a marginal impact on environmental outcome. Nonetheless, the discoveries also show an inverse connection between material distribution and environmental outcome. This carefully suggests that an increment in material distribution philosophy will impact the environmental outcome of textile firms and otherwise.

Background: The issue of technological adoption and innovation in businesses as always been a big problem to organizations, especially manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos state, Nigeria. The emphasis has therefore always been on how to adopt new technologies and innovations in improving and scaling profit or the profitability heights in businesses or SMEs. Methods: The main purpose of this research work is to have an understanding of the effect of technological innovation capabilities on the performance of selected manufacturing SMEs in Lagos State. This research work made use of a descriptive and causal research design as well as survey methods to examine whether technological learning capability affects the profitability of selected manufacturing SMEs in Lagos State and to determine whether resource allocation capability promotes sales growth amongst these manufacturing SMEs. Results: Findings showed that research and development capability have a significant impact on the value creation of selected manufacturing SMEs in Lagos. The research concluded that technological innovation capabilities have a positive impact on the performance of selected manufacturing SMEs in Lagos. In addition, the study recommended that manufacturing SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, Africa and the globe should implement technological learning and the use of technology in their production process. Lastly, this research recommended that future research should focus on SMEs in other geopolitical zones or states.

The purpose of this study is to critically examine the effect of relationship marketing (such as trust, commitment, communication effectiveness, and conflict handling) on customer loyalty in the telecommunication service delivery sector. The data for this study were gathered through a questionnaire. In addition, a survey of two hundred and twenty-five (225) customers of telecommunication services in Nigeria supports the investigation. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was employed to analyze the data gathered. The findings of this study show that trust, commitment, communication effectiveness, and conflict handling directly affect customer loyalty. In addition, all four variables directly influence customer loyalty. Hinging on the study’s discoveries, the paper suggested that organizations should strategically implement relationship marketing as this will help build and increase loyal customers. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in this field, which adds significant value. Moreover, the study provides valuable details on the telecommunication sector, possibly new to many readers. AcknowledgmentThe authors wish to appreciate the management of Covenant University for the full sponsorship of this publication in this journal.

The increasing role of the customer experience, based on the feelings the customers acquire from the interaction with a firm’s product and services, has been considered an effective influence on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customer satisfaction also plays a linking role in the performance–loyalty link. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of the social- and cultural-experience dimensions on loyalty towards hotel services, with customer satisfaction playing a mediating role. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 532 customers of three-star hotels in Lagos State, Nigeria, the analysis was carried out with partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results showed that social and cultural experience jointly account for about 38% of the variance in consumer loyalty, customer satisfaction has a moderate impact size on loyalty, and social and cultural experiences have a moderate and low effect size on customer loyalty, respectively. The study further established an indirect and significant effect to show that customer satisfaction partially mediates the association between cultural experience and loyalty and the association between social experience and loyalty. Consequently, since the hotel service environment provides the types of experiences that customers expect, sustainability strategies based on the aspects of the hotel service environment would provide memorable experiences for guests’ satisfaction and loyalty. Furthermore, this study has both theoretical and practical implications for researchers and practitioners, by suggesting additional dimensions to the traditional customer-experience realms.

The vision and mission statements have the groundwork of any corporate strategy because they help to guide the institution’s mode of operation, develop a common purpose, foster a culture of mutual expectations, and also facilitate leadership styles. In more specific term, the vision and mission statement characterizes the most significant steps to be taken or completed by the university’s decision-maker. To accomplish this study, a sample of the top 10 African universities was analyzed using the Atlas.ti and the list was obtained from the Times Higher Education and the world’s best university ranking of 2022 in terms of their prestige and rivalry with other universities around the world. The findings highlight significant differences between the top 10 African universities’ vision statements and mission statements in terms that the vision statement trend toward a global influence which a deep drive for research and the mission statement was typically longer than the vision statement. However, this study fills a gap in the current literature in regard to universities in Africa by analyzing the vision and mission statements to determine their strategic intent. Altogether, the study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field of strategic management for universities in Africa.

Inventories don't usually follow normative linear models in cement manufacturing firms. At best a degree of bounded decisions rather than a boundless decision based on a trend and model of the inventory distribution and replenishment. In this study, the operational mechanism of inventories in a continuous framework within an inventory chain was examined. The study utilized backorder inventory model, and reorder point / safety stock (normal distribution) to decide inventory volumes and optimality so as to augment profitability. Partial least square(PLS) was additionally utilized to examine the extent of inventory optimality on replenishment and distribution. The study posited that volume and inconsistency of order amount will generally be bigger and the request time lengthened while the inventories move along the echelons. The study also linked inventory optimality to replenishment and distribution decisions. Results show that inventory quantity span should be initiated by clients' demand hence decreasing holding and order costs. Furthermore, the results also stated that optimal inventory is an important variable that maximizes replenishment and distribution. Therefore, a linear relationship between inventory optimality and replenishment leads to maximal distribution.

BACKGROUND: Information management is a framework of data identity, procedure, characterization, and dissemination utilizing hierarchical, social, and technological entities. Consequently, information management requires collaboration and a specific depiction for each echelon within logistics operations to achieve optimality and also impact social performance.AIM: The study examined the emanating role of information management in social performance in the boundaries of logistics operations in medical supply stores in Lagos State, Nigeria.METHODS: The study adopted a survey with an aggregate of eight hundred and fifty (850) questionnaires. It was apportioned to employees in the logistics and operations division of sixty (60) medical supply stores in Lagos State, Nigeria. Notwithstanding seven hundred and ninety-five (795) were substantial for analysis. The respondents were drawn utilizing purposive technique and complete enumeration method. Information analysis was completed utilizing partial least square (PLS).RESULTS: The study identified the emanating role of information management in social performance based on the statistical outcome (β _= 0.415, R2 = 0.173, t-statistics=4.738 >1.96, p = 0.000 < 0.05).CONCLUSION: This infers that information management plays a critical role in social performance within logistics operations in the medical supply stores in order to achieve optimal performance.

This research paper presents a reconceptualization operational efficiency construct within an institution context, specifically, in the Nigerian higher educational Institution-University. The research applied a single case study of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. This study used a multi-stage development of scale process where on an online survey. Seven dimensions were identified: teaching, research and publication, recruitment and selection, community service, technology, training and development and effective communication. The study provides evidence of the scale’s reliability and validity. The scale proposes a new approach to measure, evaluate operational efficiency within the higher educational institution, and shows the need to go beyond the traditional approach to efficiency.

Inventory optimality is an option of energy utilization proportionality that can lessen carbon emanations and maximize profitability. This study proposes an inventory management model in which the stock volume is optimally decided to diminish energy per resource utilized in-other to reduce carbon emanations. This will likewise help in concluding renewal volume optimally. Consequently, the study utilized economic order quantity (EOQ) to decide inventory volumes in-other to decrease carbon emanations so as to augment profits of the inventory chain. Partial least square(PLS) was additionally utilized to examine the extent of inventory management frameworks on environmental sustainability. The study, therefore, shows its oddity and pertinency by utilizing economic order quantity (EOQ) and partial least square (PLS) to examine and optimize inventory respectively, as it gives a perspective of decreasing carbon emanations during inventory procedures.

The objective of this research is to carry out an optimisation of the comparative analysis of the queuing efficiency of commercial banks using the TORA Optimisation Approach. Based on a sample size of four commercial banks of the top two performing banks and least two performing banks in Lagos State Nigeria, the research adopted the output from the Tora Optimisation Software to show the performance of each of the banks based on queuing efficiency. The variables measured include arrival rate ( λ ) and service rate ( µ ). They were analysed for synchronised efficiency in customer satisfaction as relating to the queuing efficiency of each of the banks which were compared among commercial banks using number of queuing efficiency performances such as; the average number of customers on queue and in the system, average time each customer spends on queue and in the system and the probability of the system being idle. The results showed that Bank A had the highest traffic intensity with its customer arrival rate not being matched with faster service delivery rate by bank officials. Banks peak period with high influx of customers was 10:30 to 11:30am and between 12:30pm to 1:30pm daily is off peak period. The research made recommendation on how the queuing efficiency of each banks, can be improved upon due to its concern to most customers. Keywords: Queuing Efficiency, Peak period, Traffic Intensity, Queuing system, Arrival Rate, Service Rate

This study presents a numerical analysis for enhancing material handling allotment and deciding whether to produce or not in a bread production section of an educational institution. The study utilized 0/1 and real variables by the means of integer linear programming. In line with this, integer linear programming was applied in a bread production plant that produces three brands of bread, such as, medium size (x1), huge size (x2), and small size (x3). The discoveries using 0/1 variable shows that x1 = x2 = x3 = 1 while Z = 80 Naira. Hence, the item mix of bread is optimal, and production can continue. The result obtained utilizing real variable demonstrated that x1 (medium-size bread) = 649, x2 (huge-size bread) = 0, x3 (small-size bread) = 145, Z=18,388 Naira. In this manner the material handling allotment was optimized to obtain a profit of 18,388 Naira. Consequently, the organization should produce more medium-size bread (x1), more small-size bread (x3), and less huge-size bread (x2).

The study examined to what extent material handling influence environmental performance in the circumference of selected textile manufacturing firms in Lagos state. The study adopted a structured questionnaire and a total of 659 set of questionnaire was administered to employees in the production, transportation, warehousing, inventory, accounting, and operations / administration department in twelve (12) textile manufacturing firms in Lagos State, however (528) were valid for analysis. The respondents were drawn using purposive sampling technique and complete enumeration method was adopted. Data analysis was carried out using regression analysis via partial least square(PLS). The findings show an inverse relationship between material handling and environmental performance based on the statistical output of (β= -0.531, R2=0.282, t-statistics=4.029>1.96). This implies that an increase in material handling procedures will decrease the environmental performance of textile manufacturing firms and vis versa.

The gain of entrepreneurial practice has been the alleviation of poverty along with the reduction of unemployment in every economy. Various studies have embarked on the practice of entrepreneurship intent amidst other needs but the scarcity in the line of motivation has been a dredge in the entrepreneurial literature. To this end, this study responds to the need to venture into more data on the gender preference on the informal entrepreneur participation using the electronics market in a developing nation for the study. The study employed the use of the gatekeeper to employ the quantitative technique, using T-test analysis to riddle the involved patterns of discussion in the selected electronics market, southwest Nigeria. The two-sample showed that 435 male participants were found to be socially motivated (M=3.8587 SD=0.63775) compared to the 109 female participants in the selected informal market (3.3965, SD=0.76449). From the study result, it was also posited that the involvement of informal entrepreneurship in the electronics market was not a gender-based effect but a social drive as needed which needed to be infused for sustainable development in the nation. The study clearly shows that there are lapses on gender-based comparison in the informal entrepreneurship and thus a need to fill the gap.

This paper examined the effect of stakeholders’ intimacy on quality of educational services in private institutions in Nigeria. The study population consists of four private universities in Nigeria namely AUN, Covenant, Babcock and Baze Universities. The sample size was made up of 1200 students who patronize the services of these institutions selected based on random and convenient sampling techniques. In order to obtain relevant data for the survey, a well-structured questionnaire was used as an instrument. A total of 1200 questionnaires were distributed and a total of 1003 were retrieved and analysed. Data analysis was carried out with the aid of structural equation model (SEM) and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software. The findings showed that stakeholders’ intimacy has a significant effect on quality of educational services. The study recommends that private educational institutions should ensure they offer quality services to their students in order to foster and promote loyalty and cordial relationships with their stakeholders.