Authors:Anietie Peter Akpan, Andrew Amuamuziam Okwudu Pages: 1 - 10 Abstract: This research is designed to examine the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). The study was carried out in the South-South Geopolitical Region of Nigeria. The proxies for EO were innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, autonomy and competitive aggressiveness. This study used a survey research approach and a sample size of 1308 SMEs was selected. Copies of an adopted questionnaire were administered to the respondents who were owners/managers of the selected SMEs using the stratified random sampling method. Pearson's correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected. The result of the research revealed that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has significant influence on performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Consequently, it was recommended that SMEs' owners/managers should use the EO dimensions that best suit their firm's strategic emphasis, taking into account aspects such as the organization's age and/or size, industry influence, and the specific setting in which the firm works. PubDate: 2022-06-27 DOI: 10.9734/jemt/2022/v28i830425
Authors:Harry Zambika Pages: 11 - 21 Abstract: Sustainable procurement has in the recent past generated considerable interest world over considering the potential benefit it presents in preserving the environment and other aspects of human life and development. This is more seemingly been applied more in private firms than in the public sector organisations. The research sought to add to the knowledge of sustainable procurement and how organisations in the public sector can embrace it to facilitate development and service delivery. The research outlined the importance of sustainability and the challenges that organisations face when implementing initiatives. The outcomes of the research indicate that there was lack of clear policy guidelines in most public institutions to embrace and act on the pillars of sustainability. There was also a lack of top management commitment to ensure that sustainability is implemented in public institutions. There was a need for public institutions to ensure that a comprehensive skills development and training in sustainable procurement is undertaken to foster implementation and awareness across the organisation especially procurement professionals. PubDate: 2022-06-28 DOI: 10.9734/jemt/2022/v28i830426
Authors:Nicetus Simon Seluhinga Pages: 22 - 38 Abstract: For some time researchers in entrepreneurship have employed the concept of the network as a means of exploring how entrepreneurs do business. More recently, attempts have been made to show how networking contributes to small firm performance. The overall research on which this chapter is based aims to show how networking contributes to economic links in small agro-processing firms' activities. This paper assessed the influence of networking of small scale agro food processing enterprises in Dodoma, Morogoro and Singida Regions in Tanzania. Primary data were collected from 134 small agro processing firms. Secondary data were collected from Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL), District councils, TRA, SIDO, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of agriculture, Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA), and National Bureau of Statistics and cluster officials. The paper focuses on a specific objective namely an understanding of the process of small firms' networking. The paper provides an in-depth analysis on the forms and structure of networks and how networks can facilitate linkage between local small-scale agro-processing firms and international firms. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The analysis was grouped into how entrepreneurs value the contacts they make and their impact on business performance. The study also investigated the nature of organizational networks amongst agro-food processing firms and how network functions are translated into business performance. The findings indicate that agro-food processing firms value their sub-sectorial associations data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results show that that small agro-food processing firms value their sub-sectorial associations. The findings also show that belonging to non-business-related associations is relevant in their business. This is however not the implication of getting direct assistance from these none related business associations. Therefore the study concludes that there is evidence of weak forward and backward linkage in the sub-sector because of poor linkages with rural farmers. The informal distribution channels are the most used in product and input marketing among the local and poor in Tanzania. It is recommended that dedicated public and private sector support on the development of small agro-food processing firms is called for the subsequent support of subsequent business and networking of the subsector. More importance should be given to local independent business organizations, local chambers of commerce and sub-sectoral associations in terms of the flexibility and efficiency of small agro-food processing enterprises. PubDate: 2022-06-29 DOI: 10.9734/jemt/2022/v28i830427
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