African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovations (AJeIN)

Assessing the Interaction of Technology, Innovation and Sociocultural Variables on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises

2025-05-30T13:26:15+00:00

Research in this study explored the effect of innovation in the link between small and medium-sized businesses' external business environment and their overall success (SMEs). Oyo-based small and medium-sized enterprises are the focus of the study. Technology and the sociocultural milieu were used to gauge the external business environment. Owners and managers of small businesses in Oyo state, Nigeria, were surveyed. According to the study, 457 copies of questionnaire were collected from the respondent using the stratified sampling method. Only 409 copies of the completed questionnaires made it through the screening process and were used in the analysis. Smartpls2 data was analysed using structural equation modelling. The results show that the performance of SMEs is positively influenced by technological and sociocultural factors. The study concludes that managers and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the business environment in order to be able to perform effectively and to welcome new innovations. According to this study, customers are more likely to patronise a SME if its managers/owners focus on technology and the sociocultural environment.

Characteristics of Firms in Botswana's Informal Economy

2025-05-30T13:29:15+00:00

Botswana has a large informal economy which continues to grow at a rapid rate. The Government recognises the importance of the sector in reducing unemployment and poverty. The objective of this paper is to empirically identify the characteristics of the firms in Botswana’s informal economy. A binary logistic regression model is used to model the characteristics of Botswana’s informal firms, and data employed came from the 2015/16 Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey (BMTHS). Findings indicate that informal firms in Botswana are likely to be situated in rural areas, they operate in their own households, as sole proprietors. Results further depict that, firms that did not need a loan when starting up are more likely to be informal, than businesses that used household savings or sold assets to start the business. Furthermore, it was also revealed that informal firms are less likely to have small businesses and institutions as the main buyer of their goods and services, as compared to individual buyers. The paper advocates for a policy that is tailor made for the informal sector, to address the specific challenges the sector faces. Government needs to boost the business environment in rural areas, to allow for growth of firms, and create more jobs.

Key Words: Informal Economy, Logistic Regression, Firms

Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition Disparities in Emerging and Established Continents: Perspectives from African and European Economies

2025-05-30T13:35:48+00:00

This study explores the disparities in entrepreneurship and skills acquisition between Africa and Europe, analysing their theoretical and practical dimensions. It aims to understand the root causes of these disparities and propose strategies for improving Africa's entrepreneurial landscape and skill development experiences. The urgency of this investigation stems from the historical context of European colonisation, which introduced various lingua francas, educational systems, and frameworks for business, entrepreneurship, and skill development in Africa. Despite ongoing advancements in technology, science, business, and the economy in Europe, Africa continues to be an economically emerging continent that remains import-dependent and grapples with challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and technological stagnation. Employing a desk-study research approach, this study conducts a critical analysis and comparison of the geographical, historical, educational, technological, and entrepreneurial contexts of both regions. The findings indicate that factors such as colonialism, an inadequate educational structure, outdated technology, and necessity-driven economic conditions significantly contribute to Africa's current challenges in entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, unemployment, economic stagnation, and limited technological progress. The study recommends a paradigm shift from necessity-driven entrepreneurship to opportunity-based entrepreneurship, fostering collaboration with their European counterparts to become more technology-focused, research-oriented, and opportunity-driven, while integrating curricula that feature skill acquisition and entrepreneurial development in African educational institutions.

Key Words: Entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, necessity-driven entrepreneurs, opportunity-based entrepreneurs, innovation

Environmental Considerations and Sustainability of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in South-South, Nigeria

2025-05-30T13:40:08+00:00

This research explores the relationship between environmental considerations and sustainability of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the South-South, Nigeria. The methodology employed was the descriptive survey design. Adopting the purposive sampling technique, data were collected from 317 respondents, consisting of 105 environmental analysts, 106 consumers, and 106 SMEs executives, through structured questionnaires. A linear regression model was employed to analyse the association between stakeholders’ perceptions, environmental regulations, and business sustainability. The study finds that stakeholders’ perception significantly correlate with business sustainability. Also, environmental regulations have a significant positive relationship with sustainability of small and medium enterprises. However, the relatively low explanatory power of the model suggests that additional factors contribute to business sustainability in emerging economies. The study recommends enhancing public awareness through targeted campaigns to educate stakeholders about sustainability and its benefits to businesses, especially SMEs.

Key Words: Stakeholder, Sustainability, environmental concerns, regulations

Nexus between Gang Productivity of Labour and Ship Turnaround Time in Tanzania Ports: A Case Study of Dar es Salaam Port

2025-05-30T13:44:03+00:00

Ship turnaround time is one of the significant indicators used to measure port performance. It involves the total time spent by the vessel at the port from its arrival to departure. The aim of ship charterers/owners and shippers is to find a port with fast and efficient port calls in order to have a definite business profitability and commercial advantage. Dar es Salaam port has been experiencing higher ship turnaround time due to operational inefficiency that leads to vessel traffic at outer anchorage. Vessel traffic has been causing customer dissatisfaction such as shipment delays and increasing extra costs to shippers and ship charterers/owners and some shipping companies have opted to use neighboring ports like Mombasa in order to escape the cost burden. Tanzania’s government has been losing revenue due to port inefficiency. Therefore, this research problem is derived from customer complaints who are involved in the shipping business. Therefore, the study used a quantitative approach with secondary data from the year 2020 to 2022 that collected from Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC). The data to be collected includes ship turnaround time and gang productivity of labour. The analysis of the study used analysis of variance, correlation and regression analyses depending on study specific objective in particular. The data analysed through R-programming as well as Microsoft Excel. The study found that the labour gang productivity exhibited significant correlation with turnaround time specifically, labour gang productivity in general cargo operations was correlated significantly with shorter turnaround time. The findings suggested that any potential extension of bulk operations may lead to congestion and space limitations, further impeding turnaround time for bulk ships.

Key Words: Gang Productivity of Labour, Ship Turnaround Time

Social Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development: Moderating Role of Sustainable Entrepreneurial Competence of SMEs Managers in Lagos State, Nigeria

2025-05-30T13:51:01+00:00

There is an increasing pursuit of innovative concepts in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship that extend beyond mere economic growth to include global social impact, enterprise development, and environmental sustainability. Despite the rising acknowledgment of its importance, the divide between the theoretical and practical aspects of social and sustainable entrepreneurship remains unaddressed. This research aims to bridge that gap by investigating the effects of social entrepreneurship on enterprise development, as well as the moderating influence of sustainable entrepreneurial competence among SME managers in the Lagos metropolis. A cross-sectional survey design was utilized to gather data from 362 participants selected from a pool of 400 social entrepreneurs and managers through a convenience sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire, incorporating validated scales for social entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and sustainable entrepreneurial competence, was employed for data collection. Using regression analysis, three hypotheses were tested. The results indicated that social entrepreneurship dimensions collectively exert a significant influence on social enterprise development, with the governance dimension demonstrating the most substantial effect. Furthermore, sustainable entrepreneurial competence significantly impacts social enterprise development; however, it does not serve as a significant moderating factor in the relationship between social entrepreneurship and social enterprise development. The study positions its findings within the context of the TBL theory and highlights recommendations to enhance SME managers' sustainable entrepreneurship competence and promote social enterprise development.

Key Words: Enterprise Development; SMEs Managers; Social Entrepreneurship; Sustainable Development; Sustainable Entrepreneurial competence

The Nexus of Social Entrepreneurship and Business Efficiency Study of Cooperative Societies in Ogun State, Nigeria

2025-05-30T13:59:12+00:00

The role of cooperative societies in any national economic growth and development as well as social development of members and businesses can never be over emphasized. However, inspite of these enormous contributions of cooperative societies, evidence from literature shown that the efficient and effective functioning/performance of cooperative societies are militated by factors declining funds, low productivity, and difficulties in maintaining business efficiency. The aforementioned factors are suggestive of the absence of social value creation, social learning, and social innovations (social entrepreneurship dimensions). Previous studies attempted to clarify the challenges faced by cooperative societies and the associated potential solutions remain inconclusive. Thus, this study examined the nexus of social entrepreneurship and business efficiency with reference study of cooperative societies in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Survey research design was adopted for this study and the population for the study comprised 1,590 executives of co-operative societies in Ogun State, Nigeria. A sample size of 403 was determined using Raosoft calculator. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting respondents. A structured and validated questionnaire was utilized for data collection and the response rate was 72.5%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

The analysis of findings revealed that Social Learning (β = 0.363, t = 5.673, p<0.05) and Social Innovation (β = 0.485, t = 7.632, p<0.05), both have positive and significant effect business efficiency, while Social Value Creation (β = 0.048, t = 0.828, p>0.05) has positive and insignificant effect on the business efficiency of selected cooperative society in Ogun States, Nigeria. The analysis of findings indicated that two out of the three dimensions of social entrepreneurship have direct and significant effect on business efficiency of selected cooperative society in Ogun States, Nigeria. The findings on the aggregate revealed that social entrepreneurship have significant effect on business efficiency of the selected cooperative societies in Ogun State, Nigeria (Adj.R2= 0.769, F (3, 357) = 400.205, p<0.05).

The study concluded that the social entrepreneurship dimensions have a significant effect on the business efficiency of the cooperative societies. Thus, the model proved to fit and adequately predict the relationship between the variable. Therefore, the study recommended that that the owners and executive of cooperative societies in Nigeria should develop strategy to connect social entrepreneurship ancillaries in order to make the sector profitable and enviable in the long run. Such a strategy would be the premise on actions adopted by the firms in matters pertaining to market dominance.

Key Words: Business Environment, Cooperative Societies, Business Efficiency, Performance, Social Capital, Social Entrepreneurship

Value Added Tax Implementation among Small and Medium Enterprises and Household Consumption Patterns in Delta State, Nigeria

2025-05-30T14:03:10+00:00

This study explores the relationship between Value Added Tax (VAT) implementation among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and household consumption patterns in Delta State, Nigeria. The methodology employed was the descriptive survey design. Using the purposive sampling technique, data were sampled from 178 respondents comprising 90 CEOs of 18 selected SMEs registered with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency in Nigeria (SMEDAN) and 88 VAT-able household consumers across the 3 senatorial districts in Delta State. The data analyses adopted was the descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis revealed that public perception of VAT, VAT Compliance and VAT policy awareness exhibit significant relationship with household consumption patterns. The study recommends targeted public awareness campaigns to educate households on VAT policies and their benefits, greater transparency in the use of VAT revenues for visible developmental projects, and simplified tax systems to improve compliance.

Key Words: Compliance, Public Perception, Consumption, Value Added Tax

Determinants of Brand Preference from the Consumer's Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review

2025-06-13T05:40:36+00:00

Abstract

Brand preference significantly influences consumer decision-making, shaping market competition and ensuring long-term business success. However, global data indicate that up to 67% of consumers switch brands based on various influencing factors, highlighting the importance of systematically understanding these determinants. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA framework, drawing from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to analyze studies published between 2015 and 2024.The main objectives are to: (1) assess the impact of brand equity dimensions—brand awareness, brand associations, brand loyalty, and perceived quality—on brand preference; (2) examine how psychological, social, and cultural factors shape consumer decisions; and (3) evaluate the influence of digital marketing tools, social media engagement, and online reviews. Anchored in Aaker’s Brand Equity Theory (1991), the study investigates how brand loyalty and other equity dimensions drive consumer preferences. The review analyzed over 600 studies globally, employing a stratified sampling approach to select 30 key empirical studies for detailed examination. To ensure validity and reliability, stringent screening criteria and thematic coding were used across studies. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive synthesis. Findings show that brand loyalty emerged as a critical determinant of brand preference, explaining up to 55% of consumer choice variance. Psychological and emotional factors also played major roles, while digital marketing tools influenced preference by around 40% in several contexts. The implications of these findings are substantial for policymakers, the study advocates for transparent branding regulations to foster consumer trust. For academics, it proposes a new conceptual framework for future research. For brand managers, it offers practical strategies for refining product positioning, leveraging digital engagement, and tailoring branding efforts to strengthen brand loyalty and preference.

Key Words: Brand Preference, Consumer Perspective, Literature Review