Human capital development for SMEs in Pakistan: is the “one-size-fits-all” policy adequate?

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 804-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik ◽  
Chandran Govindaraju ◽  
Evelyn S. Devadason
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
The One ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose – Pakistan adopted “one-size-fits-all” policy for human capital (HC) development with the assumption that the level of HC is equal across industry and firm size. The purpose of this paper is to test this major assumption on which this policy is based, by comparing the differences in the levels of HC, overall and by dimensions of HC, by industry and firm size. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on new data set of a sample of 750 manufacturing SME firms in Pakistan, compiled through a survey. Applying the independent sample t-test, one way analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance, the hypotheses of differences in levels of overall and dimensions of HC were tested. Findings – The results indicate significant differences in the levels of HC by industry and firm size. The levels of HC were found to be higher in textiles, food, metal and leather industries, and for medium-sized firms. Practical implications – The findings provide supporting evidence on the inadequacy of the current human capital development (HCD) policy in Pakistan. The study therefore recommends customized HCD policies, accounting for differences across industry and firm size. Originality/value – By taking the data on nine major dimensions of HC from 750 manufacturing sector SMEs, the study tests the level of overall HC and its nine dimensions by industry and size. The study also challenges the “one-size-fits-all” policy of the government of Pakistan for developing HC in SMEs.

The impact of FDI on human capital development in SACU countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Winfried Henok ◽  
Teresia Kaulihowa
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Secondary Level ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how FDI trickle down to human capital development in SACU member states.Design/methodology/approachA longitudinal research design and feasible general least squares was used over the periods 1990 and 2018.FindingsThere is supporting evidence that FDI enhances human capital when primary school enrolment rate is used. However, the reverse holds for the secondary level of education. It can be argued that although FDI exhibits a positive effect on primary education, optimal spillovers to human capital development has not been realized. An indication that certain level of human capital may be required to ensure the optimal benefit of FDI or the types of current FDI does not enhance FDI-led-human capital hypothesis.Practical implicationsThe negative effect of FDI toward secondary level of education could be an indication of a weak absorptive capacity. SACU's current dominance of FDI activities toward extractive industries could limit potential benefit of FDI due to capacity constraints. Practical policy implications indicate that SACU member states need to ensure that it attracts FDI toward smart investment that enhances human capital development.Social implicationsThere is need to a gear FDI firms toward corporate social responsibilities that will stimulate secondary education.Originality/valueThe novelty of this paper is twofold. First, it focuses on SACU countries where majority of the people are trapped with poverty and inequality issues. Second, SACU member states have used greenfield FDI as a policy instrument to enhance human capital. However, human capital link remains weak. This creates a need to search for smart FDIs that are committed toward community transformation through human capital development.

Human capital development in the hospitality industry in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ogechi Adeola
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Government ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify weaknesses in human capital development (HCD) in the hospitality industry in Nigeria and to find implementable solutions. Design/methodology/approach The author draws on the literature on HCD and the hospitality industry, as well as her experience working with practitioners to enlighten the discussion. Findings Deficiencies in HCD in the Nigerian hospitality industry are the result of a lack of sound and forward-thinking educational development, lack of a supportive environment for the meaningful employment of graduates of the educational system and social bias against vocational education, as well as inadequate hospitality skills of employees, insufficient empowerment or support from the government and hospitality industry participants. Practical Implications This paper summarises the key issues in HCD in the hospitality industry in Nigeria and the implementable solutions. The roles of the government, society and the hospitality industry are highlighted to demonstrate that HCD in the industry is a collective responsibility. Originality/value HCD has increasingly been a prominent goal of research policy in Nigeria and elsewhere but has not yet engendered much discussion in the hospitality literature.

The role of government in driving human capital development in the tourism industry in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Nwosu ◽  
Gabe Onah
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross River State ◽  
The Government ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer an opportunity to reflect on government-led initiatives for addressing human capital development (HCD) in Cross River State (CRS), the widely acknowledged number one tourism destination in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive case study of the CRS government’s initiative to build and consolidate the human capital base for an emerging tourism destination is presented. Findings The findings show that HCD initiatives emerged as a result of a public–private collaboration between CRS and the Citizens Development Corps (CDC). Originality/value Using a real-life example, this paper demonstrates how the government in an emerging nation can initiate positive policies to advance HCD in tourism.

scholarly journals Influence of Construction Firm Size on the Level of Adoption of Sustainability Practices in Niger Delta, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-118
Author(s):  
Monday Otali ◽  
Michael G. Oladokun ◽  
Paul Anih
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Capital Development

AbstractThe need to address the problems facing the natural environment and social economic development cannot be overemphasised. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of firm size on the level of implementation of sustainability practices in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Survey design approach was used in the study. Data were obtained through interviews and one thousand one hundred and seventy-nine copies of structured questionnaire administered to representatives of the firms by researchers and research assistants. The methods of data analysis were simple percentage and Spearman’s rank correlation. The result showed that small firms accounted for 84.7 %, medium-sized firms accounted for 11.61 % and large construction firms accounted for 3.73 %. Thus, a majority of firms are small and medium-sized construction companies in Niger Delta. The study revealed that the firm size influenced the level of implementation of firm sustainability practices in the study area. It was concluded that the size of firms had a significant influence on the level of adoption of sustainability practices among the construction firms operating in Niger Delta. It was also concluded that small and medium-sized construction firms recorded poor capacity building and human capital development. The study recommended that small and medium-sized construction firms operating in Niger Delta should improve their level of capacity building and human capital development.

Entrepreneurial actions: implications for firm performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 706-725
Author(s):  
Curtis Sproul ◽  
Kevin Cox ◽  
Amanda Ross
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Competitive Dynamics ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Action ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate different types of investment actions undertaken by entrepreneurial firms to determine how these actions influence performance. Specifically, the effects of entrepreneurial action with regards to investments in human capital, the capabilities of the firm and the competitive dynamics of the business relative to other firms are examined. These actions are examined in conjunction with the offering of products, services or both, to determine the benefits of specific actions for firms. Design/methodology/approach The sample is taken from the confidential version of the Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS). The data are analyzed using a fixed effects model. Findings Results show that investment in human capital development actions and capability development actions improve firm performance. Further, investment in human capital development actions is shown to have the largest positive impact on the performance of firms that offer products only. Competitive positions actions have the greatest positive impact on firms that offer products and services. Research limitations/implications Results contribute to multiple theoretical lenses within the context of entrepreneurship and demonstrate applicability of theory related to entrepreneurial action to other established theories. Findings also demonstrate that different entrepreneurial actions benefit firms that offer products or services in different ways. Limitations of the study are those associated with survey research generally, such as self-reported measures, non-response bias and the KFS specifically such as survivorship bias and variance in survey items across years. Originality/value The consideration of firms whose primary focus is the selling of products compared to services and how they moderate specific actions is novel and valuable. Theoretical development tying human capital, competitive dynamics and dynamic capabilities to entrepreneurial action creates new avenues for inquiry.

scholarly journals Early Careers of Dropouts from Vocational Training: Signals, Human Capital Formation, and Training Firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-759
Author(s):  
Alexander Patzina ◽  
Gabriele Wydra-Somaggio
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Vocational Training ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Career Progression ◽  
Labour Markets ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Capital Development

Abstract Dropping out of post-secondary education has negative consequences for career progression. However, as human capital theory predicts and as previous studies have shown, having some training still pays off. For a large part of the European workforce who has attended vocational training, however, the theoretical predictions are less clear and empirical studies are scarce. In occupational labour markets, signalling and credentialism theories predict negative effects of dropping out. Furthermore, apprenticeship dropouts learn at different training firms, which differ in their influence on human capital development and the provision of job opportunities. Relying on a unique panel data set from Germany and estimating normalized fixed effects growth curve estimators, our study reveals the following results. First, the timing of dropping out structures career progression, as late dropouts have the highest employment rates and highest wages within the dropout population. However, in an occupational labour market setting, credentials and signals are still highly important for career progression, as the wage advantage of late dropouts within the dropout population is rather small, and late dropouts suffer a wage penalty when we compare their wage profiles to those of graduates. Second, our study emphasizes the importance of training firms, which influence the human capital development of individuals during the course of training and provide dropouts with connections to their first jobs. Thus, in occupational labour markets, the consequences of dropping out depend mainly on different mechanisms, as in other settings.

Revisiting the potential of human capital development to predict commitment: an empirical approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benon Muhumuza ◽  
Sudi Nangoli
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Capital Development

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to revisit the potential of human capital development to predict commitment from an empirical perspective. This followed the fact that while organisations continue to invest a lot of resources into development of their human capital, a growing tendency of the trained staff to quickly abandon the organisation and move on to search for greener pastures has also been registered.Design/methodology/approachThis study takes a positivistic approach. It is an explanatory, cross-sectional study that is based on a case study approach.FindingsThe findings revealed that developing human resources still leads to enhanced commitment among staff. The findings provide empirical support for the tenets of the human capital development theory.Research limitations/implicationsInvestment in development of human resources is still a worthy while cause for organisations as it positively and significantly contributes to commitment.Practical implicationsWhile organisations ought to keep watch of the costs that come with human capital development endeavours the practice of developing human resources should be continued as it contributes to the organisational performance of staff.Originality/valueThe paper deepens the understanding on how human capital development is currently enhancing the commitment of organisational staff in a typical developing economy and sector. Such knowledge provides a clear basis for allocating resources on people development endeavours.

scholarly journals Does institutional logic matter in microfinance delivery? An empirical study of microfinance clients

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-202
Author(s):  
Victor Yawo Atiase ◽  
Samia Mahmood ◽  
Yong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Entrepreneurship Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Capital Development

Purpose From an institutional theory perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined impact of financial capital (microcredit) and human capital development (entrepreneurship training) delivered by financial non-governmental organisations (FNGOs) on the performance of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a multiple linear regression analysis, the study used primary data collected from 506 Ghanaian MSEs. Microcredit was measured using four main constructs, namely, loan cost, loan amount, the flexibility of loan repayment and loan accessibility. Entrepreneurship training was measured using four main constructs, namely, training content, training efficiency, training frequency and training accessibility. MSE performance was also measured using three main indicators, namely, sales, employment and profitability growth. The study controlled for business age, industry category, manager’s educational level and gender. Findings The results of this study show that the combined delivery of financial and human capital development by FNGOs has a significant impact on MSE performance. The social welfare logic adopted by FNGOs seems to be legitimate to the needs and growth of MSEs in Ghana. However, the cost of microcredit remains a drawback, constraining the performance of MSEs in Ghana. Research limitations/implications This study was carried out in the Volta Region, which is one of the ten regions of Ghana. Even though the sample size suffices, the findings from this study could not be generalised to the whole of Ghana. Also, this study is a quantitative study and could benefit from a triangulated method where the qualitative inputs could offer insights into the findings in this study. Originality/value Theoretically, this study contributes to the understanding of institutions and the type of impact they have on the growth of MSEs. Practically, the provision of a conducive environment and access to financial capital is crucial to the growth of MSEs. Also, the adoption of the social welfare logic in microfinance delivery could be one of the major steps in promoting the performance of MSEs in Ghana.

scholarly journals Selected macroeconomic determinants and economic growth in Cameroon (1970–2018) “dead or alive” an ARDL approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kesuh Jude Thaddeus ◽  
Chi Aloysius Ngong ◽  
Njimukala Moses Nebong ◽  
Akume Daniel Akume ◽  
Jumbo Urie Eleazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capital Development ◽  
Macroeconomic Determinants ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine key macroeconomic determinants on Cameroon's economic growth from 1970 to 2018.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained from the World Development Indicators and applied on time series data econometric techniques. The auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds model analyzed the data since the variables had different order of integration.FindingsThe results showed long and short runs’ positive and significant connection between economic growth in Cameroon and government expenditure; trade openness, gross capital formation and exchange rate. Human capital development, foreign aid, money supply, inflation and foreign direct investment negatively and significantly affected economic growth in the short and long-runs. Hence, the macroeconomic indicators are not death.Research limitations/implicationsThe present research paper has tried to capture the impact of nine macroeconomic determinants on economic growth such as the government expenditure (LNGOVEXP), human capital development (LNHCD), foreign aids (AID), trade openness (LNTOP), foreign direct investment (LNFDI), gross capital formation (INVEST), broad money (LNM2), official exchange rate (LNEXHRATE) and Inflation (LNINFLA). However, these variables have the tendency to affect each other in a unidirectional or bidirectional manner. Further, the present research paper is unable to capture the impact of other macroeconomic variable due to the unavailability of data.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that Cameroon should use proper planning and strategic policy interventions to achieve higher sustainable economic growth with human capital development, foreign aid, money supply, foreign direct investment and moderate inflation.Social implicationsMacroeconomic indicators, if managed well, increase economic growth.Originality/valueThis paper to the best of the researcher's knowledge presents new background information to both policymakers and researchers on the main macroeconomic determinants using econometric analysis.

The Nigerian e-Government Strategies (NeGST)

2011 ◽  
pp. 93-105
Author(s):  
Charles K. Ayo ◽  
I.T. Fatudimu
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Vision 2020 ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Average Percentage ◽  
The World ◽  
The One ◽  
Capital Development

Nigeria has made frantic efforts towards achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs) as spelt out in the United Nations’ Agenda for the world. A critical assessment of the e-Government strategies in Nigeria is important being responsible for 20% of the population of the entire African continent. This paper presents a review of the e-Government strategies in Nigeria; the human capital development initiatives; the information and communications technology (ICT) diffusion and e-Inclusion. The global and continental ranking of the country is presented as well as recommendations to accelerate developments towards achieving the MDGs. Findings revealed that there are ongoing efforts in Nigeria to address the issue of poverty. The various initiatives of government include: the National/State Economic Empowerment Strategies (NEEDS/SEEDS), the Vision 2020, the National e-Government Strategy (NeGST) and a well-formulated National IT policy to mention a few. The little hindrance encountered in the research is that the available data was only up to the year 2005 and 2006 in some cases. However, based on the human capital development indices such as: economic empowerment and poverty reduction, education, health, employment generation, etc, it was observed that the adult literacy level of 64.2% is satisfactory and better results are expected before 2015. The life expectancy level is constant (54 years) from 2002 to 2007, which is the one of the lowest in Africa. On school enrolment, the major problem is access and poverty. It was observed that only 25% of primary school leavers made it to the secondary school level, while about 14% of the students at this level made it to the tertiary level. Similarly, the average percentage of female enrolment in schools is 45%. The health facilities are under-funded and are grossly inadequate both in quality and quantity. There is an average of 1,700 persons per hospital bed and the ratio of physicians to the populace is about 1:6000. This calls for a state of emergency in this sector. One major sector of the economy that is experiencing a boost is the ICT and Telecoms. The sector had brought about a teledensity growth of 0.73 to 37.05 from 2001 to 2007. Consequently, Nigeria has been named the fastest growing Telecoms nation in Africa and the third in the world, with a number of direct and indirect jobs created. Similarly, the rate of Internet diffusion is encouraging bearing in mind that the level was almost nonexistent in 1999. It is obvious that Nigeria would be able to bridge the divide by 2015. Generally, there are some meaningful developments in the country arising from the various poverty eradication schemes but the resultant effect has not imparted positively on unemployment. This is the opinion of the populace and hence the need for government to restrategize, otherwise, fulfilling MDGs by 2015 may not be realistic.

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