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Determining Factors of Smes’ Sales’ Performance —— Case of Togo
Yendoutie Gnounfougou,
Xiongying Niu
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
139-154
Received:
4 May 2021
Accepted:
26 June 2021
Published:
2 July 2021
Abstract: By using a cross-firms time-series data of 135 SMEs for the years 2009 and 2016, this paper has identified the determinants and has empirically investigated their impact on corporate performance in Togo. The sample was clustered on SMEs given that no previous studies have focused on this area of research. We have considered in our analysis two categories of determinants including internal and external factors to the SMEs so as to have room for targeted policy recommendations to both corporate managers and the government who administrates and regulates the business environment. To measure the influence of identified determinants on SMEs level of performance, we have first set up a conceptual framework adapted from the Balanced Scorecard model which originally provides a clear prescription as to what companies should measure in order to ‘balance’ their financial perspective. In the basic econometric model that follows, we have used SMEs annual sales, the dependent variable, as a proxy for performance. Results, following the regression –using random effects model – pointed out five variables with high significant impact on SMEs development. We found that in practice, firms with experienced top managers have direct impact on their annual sales. Similarly, banks loans to working capital, manufacturing as well as firms that use internet and sell whole or part of their products to foreign markets enjoy significant positive margin as compared with the rest. On the downside, taxation appeared as one of major obstacles that hamper SMEs growth. Following all above findings, we sensed that both managers, financial institutions and the government have equally high responsibilities to take. Internally, business starters and less experienced managers need to be trained. Programs designed for more interaction and knowledge sharing between managers can mean a way to make them more productive. Despite recent efforts, we argued that external factors including infrastructure, production facilities, tax schedules and the financial environment must feature high in government priority actions to implement.
Abstract: By using a cross-firms time-series data of 135 SMEs for the years 2009 and 2016, this paper has identified the determinants and has empirically investigated their impact on corporate performance in Togo. The sample was clustered on SMEs given that no previous studies have focused on this area of research. We have considered in our analysis two cate...
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Antecedents of Opportunism on Integrity in Competitive Tendering
Hamisi Sama,
Philibert Ndunguru,
Paul Nsimbila
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
155-161
Received:
19 June 2021
Accepted:
2 July 2021
Published:
7 July 2021
Abstract: Opportunism negatively impacts relational exchange tenets in public procurement such as trust, compliance, professional values and ethics. It is manifested in behaviours such as stealing, cheating, dishonesty, and withholding information when executing competitive tendering. The problems of competitive tendering and its implications on public sector procurement have been identified as not only enormous but complex now that there is serious needs on the part of various government servants to provide poor services with little funds. However, integrity translates degree of reliability of public procurement practitioners, as bidders and all other stakeholders need to have assurance that they can rely on any information disseminated by the procurement entity, formally or informally. This study is endeavor to reach a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between integrity on opportunism dimensions, with a special focus on behavioural aspects in public sector. Primary data were collected through self administered questionnaire to public procurement practitioners and regulators in Tanzania’s Local Government Authorities of Singida and Dodoma Regions. Data were analysed through preliminary analysis, descriptive analysis and multiple regression analysis to examine effects of Integrity on Opportunism in Competitive Tendering. It is evidenced that integrity practices in competitive tendering are statistically significant and negatively correlated to opportunism. The findings will help public procurement practitioners and regulators in Local Government Authorities to take necessary steps to improve integrity so as to reduce opportunistic behaviours in competitive tendering. In overall, higher integrity is associated with higher level of competitive tendering performance.
Abstract: Opportunism negatively impacts relational exchange tenets in public procurement such as trust, compliance, professional values and ethics. It is manifested in behaviours such as stealing, cheating, dishonesty, and withholding information when executing competitive tendering. The problems of competitive tendering and its implications on public secto...
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30 Years of Entrepreneurial Team Research: Review and Suggestions for Developing the Field
Stephanie Schoss,
Malte Brettel,
Rene Mauer
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
162-177
Received:
7 June 2021
Accepted:
1 July 2021
Published:
13 July 2021
Abstract: This article provides a detailed review of entrepreneurial team (ET) research over 30 years across the fields of entrepreneurship, management, organizational science and psychology. 145 articles from 24 journals were identified, analyzed, and classified in the comprehensive, overarching Upper Echelons Input-Mediator-Outcome framework. This overview contributes by organizing ET research into its sub-domains, analyzing their historic developments and trends, providing guidance for positioning future research, and offering trend-based suggestions how the field can be further developed. Our analysis shows that 30 years ago, ET research was mainly concerned with the formation of ETs, and linking the founding team to venture success. During the last two decades, the focus shifted to deeper analyses of particular mediating variables, such as cognitive and affective emerging states. The most influential articles (by weighted citation) belong to the sub-domain of team composition, which has also become the most frequently studied field during the last 10 years. Authors around the world and from other scientific fields (especially management and organizational science) are now contributing to this domain, which was earlier confined mainly to entrepreneurship scholars from North America. The most widely addressed issues of concern are the lack of theoretical studies and longitudinal data, a bias towards the technology industry, the unavailability of primary data from new ventures, and conflicting findings, especially in the main trending sub-domain of team composition research and in particular on the impact of personality aspects and behavioural dynamics.
Abstract: This article provides a detailed review of entrepreneurial team (ET) research over 30 years across the fields of entrepreneurship, management, organizational science and psychology. 145 articles from 24 journals were identified, analyzed, and classified in the comprehensive, overarching Upper Echelons Input-Mediator-Outcome framework. This overview...
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Moderating Role of Organizational Learning: Relationship Between Strategic Change and Performance
Baliratu Abubakar,
Umar Abbas Ibrahim
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
178-185
Received:
17 June 2021
Accepted:
5 July 2021
Published:
15 July 2021
Abstract: With several literature on strategic change, it is obvious that role of organizational learning in strategic change process is an aspect that is worth studying. The aim of this study is to examine the potential links between strategic change, organizational learning, and organizational performance. Based on the population of 22 Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria, a survey questionnaire was administered to 250 top manager, middle managers and front line employees of banks in Nigeria. In total, 154 responses were used after data processing. Linear Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses in the study using Microsoft excel. The study revealed an insignificant moderating effect of organizational learning on the relationship between strategic change and organizational performance. All other relationships between constructs were found to be highly significant with a coefficient of determination value that denotes significant positive relationship between constructs. It is crucial for managers to be aware of their operating environment and the right type and suitable level of strategy to employ that fit changes in the environment to improve performance. Given the features of this paper, a pertinent literature and empirical study, thus, seeks for a future conceptual mode study to be carried out in service industries and in the context of developing countries. Hence this paper tries to explain the relationship that exist between strategic, performance and when organizational learning plays its role.
Abstract: With several literature on strategic change, it is obvious that role of organizational learning in strategic change process is an aspect that is worth studying. The aim of this study is to examine the potential links between strategic change, organizational learning, and organizational performance. Based on the population of 22 Deposit Money Banks ...
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Factors that Affect the Quality of Healthcare Services in Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
186-196
Received:
29 April 2021
Accepted:
6 July 2021
Published:
15 July 2021
Abstract: Service-quality dimensions are controversial and they continue to debate about the factors (also called determinants) and indicators (also called criteria). Service quality still constitutes an undecided critical issue. This gives rise to challenges as far as the improvement of healthcare service-quality is concerned, and there Ethiopia is no exception. The main objective of this study is to identify the factors that affect the quality of healthcare services in Ethiopia. This study used a qualitative research design. The study was initially investigated through a comprehensive review of the extant literature regarding factors and indicators of healthcare service quality. Then focus-group discussions and panel of experts were conducted for confirming the indicators identified and also exploring additional indicators as per the Ethiopian context. Lastly, indicators were grouped in to factors. Three hospitals administered by the Federal Ministry of Health, Ethiopia, namely, St. Paul‟s, Tikur Anbessa and ALERT hospitals. Managers, healthcare providers, patients and support staff were participated in the study. This study came up with 60 indicators, 36 indicators were generated from the literature review, and the rest were added by the focus groups and the panel of experts. The panel of experts grouped these indicators into 6 factors, namely tangibles, technical quality, personal care, assurance, medical-administration procedures, and reliability. The factors and indicators of factors identified in this study were the unique characteristics of the healthcare services in Ethiopia. It could also be a basis for every country and even a basis for every organization in the developing world.
Abstract: Service-quality dimensions are controversial and they continue to debate about the factors (also called determinants) and indicators (also called criteria). Service quality still constitutes an undecided critical issue. This gives rise to challenges as far as the improvement of healthcare service-quality is concerned, and there Ethiopia is no excep...
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Effect of Internal Control on Performance of Cooperatives in Nigeria: A Case Study of CSM Cooperative Society Abuja, Nigeria
Maren Damina Makut,
Umar Abbas Ibrahim
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
197-202
Received:
1 July 2021
Accepted:
13 July 2021
Published:
24 July 2021
Abstract: This paper examined the impact of internal control on operational performance in CSM Cooperative Society. Cooperatives have become a good source of affordable finance for both low and medium income group all over the world. As critically important as cooperatives are to the growth and development of Nigeria vide the provision of funds for business and investment hence employment, they may not survive in the long term if they are not properly managed. The presence of an effective and efficient internal control system will go a long way in aiding the cooperatives to manage their operations well. The study investigated internal control impact on performance of cooperatives in Abuja. The target population was the Executive Management Committee, Senior Management, Senior and Junior staff of CSM Cooperative, Abuja, Nigeria. Survey method was employed, and questionnaires were distributed to all the categories of employees identified. Multiple-Linear Regression was used to analyze the data collected vide a 5 point Likert-scale questionnaire. The study revealed that the relationship between internal control (monitoring, control environment, control activities) and performance of cooperatives is not significant. It was recommended that cooperatives should ensure that they seek for and implement measures that increase profitability in addition to instituting a good and functioning system of internal control. The study also recommended that future research should add the two variables of internal control not covered in this research and also use a sample number of cooperatives in Abuja.
Abstract: This paper examined the impact of internal control on operational performance in CSM Cooperative Society. Cooperatives have become a good source of affordable finance for both low and medium income group all over the world. As critically important as cooperatives are to the growth and development of Nigeria vide the provision of funds for business ...
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The Effect of Quality Management on the Performance in Aviation Industry in Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
203-208
Received:
9 July 2021
Accepted:
20 July 2021
Published:
27 July 2021
Abstract: The increasing demand by clients for better quality of transportation services in Nigeria has encouraged many companies especially in the aviation industry to provide quality services in order to grow in the marketplace. To meet this feat, the aviation industry in Nigeria has invested substantial resources in adapting and implementing quality management practices in their operations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of quality management practices on the operational performance in Aviation industry in Nigeria. However, the specific objectives are to determine the relationship and the effect of quality management practices and operational performance in aviation sector. This study design is a descriptive research survey design which was analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis to evaluate the relation and the effect of quality management practices on operational performance. These analyses were carried out using statistical data for social scientist (SPSS v.22). The study reveals that there are positive and statistically significant relationship between quality management practices and operational performance at 5% level of significance. The study also concludes that quality management practices have significant positive effect on operational performance of aviation industry in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that quality management practices should be effectively managed in the industry because each practice improves different aspects of firms’ operational performance.
Abstract: The increasing demand by clients for better quality of transportation services in Nigeria has encouraged many companies especially in the aviation industry to provide quality services in order to grow in the marketplace. To meet this feat, the aviation industry in Nigeria has invested substantial resources in adapting and implementing quality manag...
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Impact of Strategic Planning on Organizational Performance of Health Care Services in Nigeria
Aderibigbe Elkanah Oludele
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
209-214
Received:
24 June 2021
Accepted:
13 July 2021
Published:
2 August 2021
Abstract: Strategic planning is a concept that has posed so many problems to several organizations in its applicability. However, for any organization to thrive well in this modern contemporary age there is need for such organization to embrace strategic planning in its fullness. This objective of the study aims at examining the influence of strategic processes on organizational development and growth of the public health institution in Nigeria. The strategic plan outlines a plan or strategy to improve the organizational performance, effectiveness as well as overall efficiency of an institution whether public or private. Typically, as an approach to strategy formulation, strategic planning includes elements such as analysis of the organization’s mandate, mission, and values, analysis of the organization’s internal and external environment and the formulation of strategic issues based on these analyses and the formulation of strategies, goals, and plans to address the issues. Numerous research studies show that many institutions are often involved in strategic planning in order to attain and maintain the organizational goals of profit maximization and greater market share. Also these studies in literature show that the development and implementation of it has a direct influence on the efficiency and effectiveness of health institutions with increases in the performance of departments and longevity of the institution. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate the ability of strategic planning to provide similar results as in quality service delivery of the health sector in Nigeria, which is known for inefficiency and underdevelopment. Therefore, this research focuses on examining the systems, types and implications of the strategic approach for institutional performance in the public health sector.
Abstract: Strategic planning is a concept that has posed so many problems to several organizations in its applicability. However, for any organization to thrive well in this modern contemporary age there is need for such organization to embrace strategic planning in its fullness. This objective of the study aims at examining the influence of strategic proces...
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Investigating the Effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Hotel Performance: The Data Mining Capability Perspective
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
215-223
Received:
22 July 2021
Accepted:
2 August 2021
Published:
7 August 2021
Abstract: Today’s businesses improve their performances through adoption of entrepreneurial orientation and leveraging their resources to create value for their customers and achieve competitive advantage. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on hotel business performance. Extant studies recognized moderating effect of third variables on how entrepreneurial orientation impacts performance. In this research, data mining capability is considered to be the moderating variable. With a population of 628 hotels in Abuja, data was collected via survey instruments administered on 250 hotel owners/managers and supervisors. The empirical study carried out in this research was achieved using questionnaires administered on hotel owners, supervisors and managers of three star hotels in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Out of the 250 distributed questionnaires, a total of 50 responses were received due to the fact that in most of the hotels, either the hotel owner or manager or supervisor alone gave their responses rather than a combination of any two. This figure therefore formed our final population size of 50 respondents. Regression analyses ware used to test the hypothesis on microsoft excel. Outcome of the study shows a significant moderating effect of data mining capability on the linkage between entrepreneurial orientation and performance. Findings also revealed that relationship between all other constructs is significantly positive with coefficients of determination value that reflect this positive relationship between constructs. It is recommended that future investigation into this field of study should give consideration to other geographical locations as well as other line of respondents to achieve more elaborate connection between entrepreneurial orientation and performance of hotel businesses in Nigeria. With a view to further boost support to this sector which is characterized with consistent uncertainties and environmental challenges, it is advised that regulators should put in place some palliatives to help enhance their business activities.
Abstract: Today’s businesses improve their performances through adoption of entrepreneurial orientation and leveraging their resources to create value for their customers and achieve competitive advantage. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of entrepreneurial orientation on hotel business performance. Extant studies recognized moderating effe...
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Investigating the Impact of Risk Management on Project Performance in Construction Industry: Evidence from Nigeria
Abdulkarim Ahmed Bukar,
Umar Abbas Ibrahim
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
224-230
Received:
2 August 2021
Accepted:
27 August 2021
Published:
7 September 2021
Abstract: The construction industry is highly risky and clogged with many uncertainties especially with the continued surging of COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence abounds on the severity of the impact leading in increase in project abandonment, cash inflow and jobs losses. The purpose of the research is to examine the impact of risk management on project performance of construction industry in Nigeria. A quantitative research design was used and adopting a descriptive study for more in-depth into the risks and risk management issues in the industry. Survey questionnaires used in collecting data from 84 sample respondents. Data generated were analysed using simple linear regression model. The results revealed that risks (internal and external) and risk management significantly impacted on project performance. The research paper, therefore, presents the result of study conducted among the major stakeholders (contractors, consultants, and the client) of projects in Abuja, Lagos and Portharcourt all in Nigeria. In addition, the result revealed that the major problem of the construction industry in risk is the lack of a regulatory framework to be imbibed and implemented by the companies and firms in the industry. The framework is to be created and monitored by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the monitoring process is to include risk audits, risk reassessment, risk technical performance, reserve analysis and status meeting. The study contributes to better management of risks in the construction industry to reduce impact on project performance.
Abstract: The construction industry is highly risky and clogged with many uncertainties especially with the continued surging of COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence abounds on the severity of the impact leading in increase in project abandonment, cash inflow and jobs losses. The purpose of the research is to examine the impact of risk management on project performan...
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University-Industry Interaction in Tunisia: Exploring Benefits for the University from a Firm Level of Analysis
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2021
Pages:
231-236
Received:
12 August 2021
Accepted:
30 August 2021
Published:
16 September 2021
Abstract: During the last three decades, university–industry interaction (U–I) has appeared as a specific field of study. In this context, research which study benefits that these relationships can bring to university remain insufficiently explored. Specifically, studies on developing countries remain fewer. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of interactions by exploring benefits that firms can bring to university from a firm level of analysis. The importance of such relations has been discussed in many studies but studying benefits from a firm level are still poor, especially in African context. The methodology includes a qualitative research based on the use of content analysis. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews conducted within four Tunisian pharmaceutical firms. The results show similarities between the firms. Benefits include practical knowledge transfer, learning, joint research, accessing laboratory equipment and infrastructure, training opportunities, hiring graduates or postgraduates. But benefits don’t include securing funds because of the limited pharmaceutical firms’ resources. Moreover, interaction is concentrated in the short term and in the trainee and researchers’ level. This study also indicates that, like other African countries, U-I relations should be supported by political policy. Such policies contribute to involve legislation revision, implementing support mechanisms that enhance U–I interaction and stimulate connections between universities and firms.
Abstract: During the last three decades, university–industry interaction (U–I) has appeared as a specific field of study. In this context, research which study benefits that these relationships can bring to university remain insufficiently explored. Specifically, studies on developing countries remain fewer. The aim of this paper is to examine the extent of ...
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