USING A MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING MODEL TO EVALUATE AND SELECT AN E-COMMERCE PLATFORM

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to disruptions in consumers' lifestyles and purchases, as well as businesses' online business models. Online platforms are increasingly used for shopping purposes. To evaluate and choose an e-commerce platform requires using many criteria and decision makers. Therefore, the process of evaluating and selecting an e-commerce platform is viewed as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. The objective of this study is to develop a multi-criteria decision-making model to help consumers evaluating the e-commerce platforms. In the proposed model, the ratings of alternatives and the weights of the criteria are evaluated using the linguistic variable. Simulation examples are used to show the effectiveness of the model in practice. Keywords: Fuzzy TOPSIS, E-Commerce Platform, Mcdm, Fuzzy Sets.

THE EFFECT OF HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF SELECTED BREWERIES IN THE SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of manpower planning on organizational performance in the Brewery industry in South-East, Nigeria. The literature review section touched on all the four-main sections of the review which include conceptual review, theoretical framework, theoretical exposition and empirical review. The study adopted descriptive survey design and used summary and descriptive statistics as well as regression analysis as the main tools of analysis. All tests were conducted at 0.05 level of significance. Preliminary results indicated that F-Statistic of 18.029 is statistical significant and as such, the model was considered valid for predictions. The regression coefficient showed that 61.7 percent relationship exists between the dependent and independent variables. The coefficient of determination also showed that 52.9 percent variation in the dependent variable can be explained by the regressors. Major findings are that manpower planning in the area of forecasting to anticipate employees number and skills/expertise level have significant positive effect on organizational performance. It was concluded that human resource planning is very essential for optimal performance in the brewery industry. The study recommended among others that the issue of human resource planning should be treated in the organization with the seriousness that it deserves. Keywords: Human Resource Planning, Manpower Forecasting, Manpower Planning, Organizational Performance, Brewery Industry and Southeast Nigeria.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATION ON EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the effect of employee job involvement and autonomy on performance in the organization by using selected manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria as the study area. The design of the study is descriptive survey. Quantitative approach was used and major statistical tools of analysis were summary statistics, correlation and multiple regression. All tests were conducted at 0.05 level of significance. Preliminary results showed that with F-Statistic of 15.005, the model was adjudged statistically significant, fit and valid for predictions. The regression coefficient ‘R’ with a value of 0.713 means that 71.3 percent relationship exists between dependent and independent variables. The coefficient of determination ‘R2’ with a value of 0.702 means that 70.2 percent variations in the dependent variable can be explained by the independent variables. The Durbin Watson Stat of 1.603 is an indication that the model does not contain serial autocorrelation. Major findings were that employee job involvement and autonomy have significant positive effect on employees’ performance in the organization. The study concluded that both job involvement and job autonomy have significant positive influence on employees performance in the organization and managers should always endeavour to encourage them. It was equally recommended among others that management should always think of how they can re-design jobs by incorporating the characteristics that promote job involvement in employees to facilitate the achievement of enhanced employee performance in the organization. Keywords: Performance Management, Job Autonomy and Involvement, Employees’ Performance, Manufacturing Firms.

POLICIES OF DEVELOPING HUMAN RESOURCES FOR UNIVERSITY SPIN-OFFS TO MEET THE 4TH INDUSTRY REVOLUTION REQUIREMENTS

Creating University spin-offs (USOs) is considered one of the most effective ways to transfer scientific research results and promote national science and technology resources. However, several studies have identified factors limiting their growth: a lack of management skills among entrepreneurial teams. Therefore, human resources development in general and scientific and technological human resources, in particular, are the most critical factors to promote the development of USOs. This paper analyzes some general characteristics of human capital for USOs, finds some experiences to promote USOs' human resources development in China, and then gives some recommendations for USOs of Vietnam. Keywords: Human Resource Development, Entrepreneurship Development, University Spin-Offs.

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs), A DYNAMIC CAPABILITY APPROACH

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the southeast of Nigeria face great sustainability challenges, making most of them die within the first-fifth year of establishment. Therefore, this study examined how dynamic capability can help them sustain their performance. Specifically, the study looked at the nexus between sensing capability and performance sustainability of SMEs in Southeast Nigeria. The study employed the use of survey research design with a population of 200 owners of SMEs. Primary source (questionnaire) of data collection was used, which was subjected to both validity and reliability test. The data were analyzed through the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and hypothesis tested at a 5% level of significance. The result indicated that Sensing Capability has a statistically significant relationship with the Performance Sustainability of small businesses in Southeast Nigeria (r = .909; p-value < 0.05). The study, therefore, concluded that the more firms are alert to the changes in their environment, the more they can sustain their performance and last longer in the environment. Among others, the study recommended that SMEs need to give equal attention to what is happening in their environment as they give to what is happening within their firms, as this will enable them to react swiftly to changes in the environment. Keywords: Dynamic Capability, Sustainability, Performance, Sensing Capability, SMEs and South-East Nigeria.

DYNAMIC CAPABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SMES IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA: THE NEXUS

Dynamic capability (DC) is an ability that has helped big corporations navigate successfully through the ever-changing and competitive business environment. However, SMEs in the southeast of Nigeria seem not to have fully maximized the opportunities embedded in these practices, hence, the need to examine the dynamic capabilities SMEs in Southeast Nigeria need, to stay relevant and ahead of competitors. This study, therefore, looked at the concept of DC and those capabilities that could help SMEs stay afloat in the ever-changing business environment. The capabilities looked at include sensing, absorptive and adaptive capabilities. Others are innovative networking and integrative capabilities. The study further examined the micro-foundations of DC and the composition of SMEs in South East, Nigeria. To embellish the work, Dynamic Capability Theory (DCT) was used to anchor the work. Some studies were reviewed empirically. The study concluded that DC is one of the surest ways to ensure that SMEs compete favourably in the ever dynamic marketplace. Hence, it was recommended among other things that SMEs need not to be operating in isolation of what is happening in the global market, as what happens outside has an implication on what happens inside the organization, and as such, need to be alert through the application of DC principles. Keywords: Dynamic Capability, Sustainability, SMEs, South-East, Absorptive, Adaptive and Innovative Capability.

THE PLACE OF INTELLIGENCE IN THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs): A SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE PARADIGM

For so long, intelligence quotient and to a greater extent, social intelligence has dominated organizational discussions on intelligence and its implication on performance. This study, however examined the place of spiritual intelligence on the productivity of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Nigeria. The study was anchored on the Theory of Rational Intelligence. A survey research design was adopted for the study, with a population of 400 SME owners. A census method was deployed for the work. The source of data was primary, and the analysis was done using simple regression, and hypothesis tested at a 5% level of significance. The result revealed that a 74% change in the innovative capabilities of SMEs is influenced by changes in ethical behaviour. The study, therefore, concluded that spiritual intelligence affects the productivity of SMEs in Southeast Nigeria. Hence, it was recommended among others that the owners of SMEs need to give their ethical conduct and behaviour an important place in their operations, as people will tend to trust and appreciate their innovativeness more, if they are seen to be spiritually intelligent. Keywords: Spiritual Intelligence, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Productivity, Innovative Capabilities and Ethical Behaviour.

SOCIAL CLASS, CONSUMPTION AND CONFLICTS: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ON CONSUMERS IN A WEST AFRICAN CHRISTIAN CONTEXT

The relationships between alcohol consumption and conflicts has been explored in several contexts. Little research has been conducted on the subject in Burkina Faso. The purpose of this research is to deeply investigate the relationship between social class and alcohol consumption on one hand, and alcohol consumption and household conflicts on the other in Burkina Faso where alcohol consumption is on the increase. This exploratory research is focused on the constructivist epistemological posture. A qualitative method research design is used to collect data from both primary and secondary sources for analysis. Semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. The results show that social class moderates the relationship between alcohol consumption and conflicts, and a high relationship between alcohol consumption and household conflicts. The findings imply that there should be a rigorous segmentation and religious hyper-personalisation of the alcohol beverage market in order to meet the local Christian consumers’ core needs and real expectations. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is an exploratory research in the West African Christianity context that shows the relationship between different social classes and alcohol consumption and conflicts. Keywords: Social class, Alcohol Consumption, Household Conflicts, Ouagadougou

MARKETING PRACTICES AND THE DARK SIDE OF INEQUITY: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN AFRICAN PRIVATE COMPANIES

Business ethics is capital for both customer satisfaction and growth in a world where competition is a distinctive constituent for companies’ unrelenting existence. The purpose of this research is to examine how ethical and fair practices affect customer satisfaction of companies in very low income countries. The research is centered on a constructivist design model with a qualitative approach that is inspired by the researcher’s experience of the context. Data collection is implemented in two (2) private companies, using a digital recorder and some semi-structured interviews. One company in the field of professional training, and one in the field of IT and printing. The data is transcribed by hand, and then a content analysis is made. The results show that equity has some effects on customer satisfaction, and thus on the overall growth of companies. The recommendation is that companies in the context should offer nondiscriminatory products and reasonable services to upturn customer satisfaction. Keywords: Business ethics, Equity, Customer satisfaction, Marketing, Burkina Faso.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE

This work examined the extent of the relationship that exists between knowledge management (KM) and organizational commitment in Private Universities in Anambra State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted by the study. The population of the study is 95 teaching staff of 4 randomly selected private universities in the studied area. A structured questionnaire was used in data collection and it was validated using face and content validity, while the reliability was done using Cronbach Alpha reliability test, with a coefficient of 0.878. The analysis of data was done using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics and the hypothesis was tested at a 5% level of significance. The result showed that there is a strong positive relationship (r = .939) between the two variables and that an 88% percentage change (R2 = .882) in continuance commitment was explained by changes in management buy-in. With an F-statistics of 658.525 and a p-value of .000, the study stated that there is a statistically significant relationship between management buy-in and continuance commitment. Sequel to this, it was concluded that knowledge management as measured by management buy-in, spurs employee commitment level. Among others, it was recommended that the management of the studied institutions needs to take the issue of management of knowledge serious, by ensuring that the older and more experienced staff pass their wealth of knowledge to the younger and less experienced ones, as this will breed an environment of positive competence. Keywords: Knowledge Management, Organizational Commitment, Management Buy-In, Continuance Commitment, Private Universities and Anambra State.