African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovations (AJeIN)

Leadership and Innovative Work Behaviour amongst Artisans in Construction Industry: A Study of Vita Construction Ltd

2025-07-15T09:06:04+00:00

Leadership has become an important discussion in the literature because of its relevance in building the resilience of organisations. This study, therefore, examines the influence of leadership on innovative work behaviour of construction artisans at Vita Construction Ltd Lagos, Nigeria. The study focuses on adaptive and transformational leadership to drive innovative work of artisans with the aid of social cognitive theory, and adaptive leadership model. The study applied a mixed-method using questionnaire and interview schedules for 604 artisans working at Vita Construction out of which 241 were selected. In the process of questionnaire administration, 238 copies were validly filled and returned while 7 artisans from Vita Construction Limited were selected for the interview schedules. Simple regression and Pearson correlation were deployed to analyse the two hypotheses. The findings reveal that adaptive and transformational leadership styles have positive and significant influence on innovative work behaviour of construction artisans and this is validated by the outcomes of the interviews. The study, therefore, recommends that entrenching effective leadership styles can improve innovation outcomes of artisans in construction sector.

Key Words: Adaptive leadership, adaptive model, innovative work behaviour, leadership styles, transformational leadership

Problems and Prospects of Academic Collaboration in Business Teacher Education Programmes in Colleges of Education in Delta State

2025-07-15T09:10:07+00:00

Abstract

This study explored the challenges and opportunities of academic collaboration in business teacher education programmes at colleges of education in Delta State. Guided by two research questions, data were gathered through a survey of 123 lecturers, using structured questionnaires. The analysis involved calculating the mean and standard deviation. Results revealed significant issues, including limited resources, poor communication between institutions, and a lack of institutional support. Conversely, notable opportunities included increased research prospects, better teaching methods, and greater global exposure for students and faculty. The findings emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships between colleges and external organisations to promote professional growth, curriculum relevance, and a more vibrant educational setting. The study recommended that both institutional leaders and government agencies invest in fostering meaningful academic collaborations.

Key Words: Academic Collaboration, Business Teacher Education, Colleges of Education, Collaborative Academic Programmes, Collaborative Research

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Decision Making: A Study of First Bank Nigeria

2025-07-15T09:17:32+00:00

The fast-paced nature of the Nigerian banking industry, coupled with regulatory pressures, market volatility, and competitive dynamics have heightened stress levels and strain emotional resilience. In such environment, leaders may struggle to maintain composure, leading to impulsive or emotionally-driven decision-making rather than rational, strategic choices. Therefore, this study leverage Goleman’s emotional intelligence (EI) performance theory, and Mayer, Salovey and Caruso’s EI ability model to examine the role the role of emotional intelligence in decision making in First Bank Nigeria. The study employed a multiple-stage sampling method whereby ten (10) branches of First Bank within the Lagos metropolis were randomly selected initially. Subsequently, fifteen (15) employees from each of these ten (10) branches were chosen through random sampling. In total, the study included 138 respondents, and this puts the response rate at 92% of administered copies of questionnaire retrieved and found usable. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze the collected data. The findings demonstrated a positive and significant relationship between emotional intelligence and effective decision-making, strategic decision-making, and effective team decision-making by managers. The study, therefore, recommends that management within the bank need to prioritize the development of an effective emotional resilience program, as this initiative is capable of cultivating a healthier and more emotionally intelligent leadership team, ultimately enhancing overall organizational performance.

Key Words: Effective decision-making, effective team decision-making, emotional intelligence, strategic decision-making

The Survival of Gauteng-Based Businesses after Business Incubation

2025-07-15T09:22:26+00:00

Business incubation influences the long-term development and expansion of emerging enterprises in Gauteng, specifically their market sustainability following graduation from an incubation programme. The research problem investigated was that the long-term influence of business incubation practices on the survival of businesses post graduating from a business incubation programme is not traceable. A qualitative inductive approach employing semi-structured interviews was utilised. The focus was on incubatees who completed the incubation programme and have been out of the programme for more than six months. Data was also obtained from incubation practitioners using focus group interactions with a snowball sampling strategy. The business incubation theory examined the survival strategies to determine the relationship between incubation services and post-incubation entrepreneurship. The research findings indicate that incubators promote the development and market expansion of emerging entrepreneurs’ post-incubation. A further analysis revealed that incubators remain deficient in mentoring strategies and securing of funding. This recommended that the development of a post-incubation monitoring and evaluation system is key for business incubators in Gauteng and the incubation programme should not only offer technical training, but also integrate the services of the incubatees into supplier development initiatives offered by their multinational stakeholders. Incubatees’ businesses can be given preferential consideration by the incubator’s stakeholders in the provision of services required by them.

Key Words: Business incubation, post-incubation, emerging businesses

Emerging Trends and Best Practices in Startup Incubation: A Contextual Analysis for the African Innovation Ecosystem

2025-08-04T13:07:01+00:00

This study explores emerging global trends in entrepreneurship and innovation support systems, with a focus on how these models can inform and strengthen incubation practices in the African context. Drawing from a wide range of scholarly literature, policy documents, white papers, and case studies, the research identifies key developments such as virtual and hybrid incubation models, industry- and people-specific programs, alternative funding mechanisms, deep tech integration, and university-based innovation hubs. It also examines how government policies, such as Nigeria’s Startup Act, France’s La French Tech, and Japan’s J-Startup, facilitate innovation-driven economic growth. Using a qualitative, context-based approach, the study synthesizes secondary data to understand how these innovations can be adapted to local realities, particularly in Nigeria and similar developing ecosystems. The findings highlight the importance of tailored policy frameworks, collaborative ecosystems, and inclusive program designs in building resilient and impactful innovation systems across Africa.

Key Words: Startup incubation, innovation, entrepreneurship, Africa

Research Collaborations in an Academic Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Insights from a Nigerian University

2025-08-26T05:14:47+00:00

This study utilizes a developed framework for research collaborations to identify the types of collaborations occurring within a university's entrepreneurial ecosystem with 17 faculties, schools, institutes, a Centre for entrepreneurship development, a directorate of Innovation and Technology, and 9 financial institutions, which include conventional and microfinance banks. The sample consisted of 151 published articles from the proceedings of the 3rd University of Benin Annual Research Conference. Out of the 151 articles, 14 were authored by individuals, 77 were written by authors from the same department, 22 by authors from different departments within the same faculty, 7 articles were produced by authors from different disciplines, 18 articles involved authors from different universities, , 7 articles stemmed from collaborations between university and industry, 4 articles from university-government collaboration and 2 articles from international collaboration. The findings reveal a low level of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research collaborations. Given the promising nature of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, it is recommended that scholars at UNIBEN increase their engagement in interdisciplinary and cross-institutional research collaborations. This approach could enhance the university’s innovative capacity and its ranking in research and development.

Key Words: Interdisciplinary Research collaborations, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Innovation

The Significance of Information and Communication Technology on Organizational Operations Effectiveness: Exploring the Banking Industry in Akure, Ondo State Nigeria

2025-08-26T05:20:28+00:00

This study investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the operation of an organization, using a descriptive survey design. The research focuses on how ICT influences various operational aspects such as efficiency, communication, decision-making, and service delivery. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to employees of Zenith Bank Plc, Akure Ondo State, Nigeria. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Chi-Square test. The results reveal statistically significant relationships between ICT implementation and key organizational operations. Specifically, all three tested hypotheses showed strong associations, confirming that ICT contributes meaningfully to operational effectiveness. The findings suggest that ICT enhances productivity, improves internal processes, and supports better strategic decision-making. Based on these results, the study recommends that organizations invest in ICT infrastructure, provide continuous staff training, and integrate ICT into their strategic planning. These measures will ensure sustainable operational efficiency and long-term organizational success. The study concludes that ICT is not just a support tool, but a critical enabler of modern organizational performance.

Key Words: Information, Communication, Technology, Organizational Effectiveness

Effect of Evictions on the Performance of Urban-Based Vendor Firms: A Case Study of Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania

2025-09-12T13:55:17+00:00

In November 2021, the Dar es Salaam City Council (DCC) initiated a campaign aimed at regaining pavements and other public spaces. The initiative aimed at maintaining cleanliness and order in the city resulting in the removal of female pavement vendors, among others, due to the implementation of restrictions on the unauthorized areas. This study analyzes the effect of the street clean-up initiative in Dar es Salaam, focusing specifically on the relocated areas. Surveys and questionnaires were used to collect data from 133 displaced female pavement vendors. A cross-sectional research design was utilized, and Multiple Linear Regression analysis was applied to achieve definitive results. The findings indicated a positive and significant effect of eviction on the performance of urban-based vendor firms. This finding enhances Modernist theory by highlighting the importance of a robust policy formulation process for inclusive urban development. This process is essential for addressing Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which seeks to eliminate discrimination and violence against women and girls, thus aligning with the objectives of social work both globally and in Tanzania.

Key Words: Effect, eviction, performance, urban-based firms, Dar es Salaam