International Journal of Business and Technopreneurship (IJBT)

A Study of Cultural Diversity and Ethical Climate towards Employee Selection in Higher Education Institutions

Nur Anis Zulaikha Sharif Azam — 2024-10-28

This study investigates the critical role of employee selection processes in organisational success, focusing on the impact of cultural diversity (CD) and ethical climate (EC) within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Northern Malaysia. Employing a quantitative methodology and a descriptive research design, data were collected from academic staff through a structured questionnaire. The analysis using SPSS software reveals strong positive correlations among employee selection, CD, and EC. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity confirm the data's suitability for factor analysis, while Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicate robust internal consistency. The findings underscore the importance of aligning employee selection processes with organisational strategies and values to attract competent employees. Additionally, effective management of CD enhances financial performance, competitive advantage, and profitability. An EC significantly promotes ethical behaviour, job satisfaction, and organisational performance. The study highlights practical implications for integrating diversity and ethical considerations into selection strategies, providing valuable insights for human resource management and organisational behaviour. The research emphasises the need for a holistic approach to talent acquisition by demonstrating how selection practices influence organisational outcomes. This approach fosters inclusivity and ethical leadership, ultimately contributing to long-term organisational success. These findings comprehensively understand employee selection, CD, and EC dynamics in enhancing institutional effectiveness and achieving strategic goals in HEI settings.

Impact of Corporate Entrepreneurship and Market Orientation on the Performance of Small Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ibadan Nigeria

Joshua Ijatuyi — 2024-10-28

The performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is pivotal to economic development, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria. This paper explores the intersection of Corporate Entrepreneurship (CE) and Market Orientation (MO) and their collective impact on the performance of SMEs in Ibadan, Nigeria. Two research questions were raised, and two hypotheses were tested. The study employed the survey research design with five hundred and forty-six (546) respondents as subjects. Representative SMEs were purposively selected from each of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan Metropolis. Primary data was employed using the questionnaire to elicit information from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using Canonical Correlation and Multiple Regression. Findings indicated a combined impact of CE and MO on the performance of SMEs with a Canonical Correlation of 0.510 at p < 0.0. The results also showed that corporate innovation, corporate pro-activeness, risk taking, entrepreneurial culture, intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness using Multiple Regression jointly predicted SMEs performance at F = 19.501; R= .450, R² = 202, Adj. R²= .192; P < 000. Based on these results, it is recommended that SMEs should emphasise the practices of CE and put more effort into market research specifically to make confident, progressive business decisions based on market development and market entry opportunities that can lead to sustainable competitive advantage and superior organisational performance.

Continuance Usage Intention of Mobile Financial Services in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: An Empirical Study

Sabakun Naher Shetu — 2024-10-28

Research on users' behavioural intention and continuation usage intention to adopt Mobile Financial Services (MFSs) is scarce, despite the rapid increase in their usage in developing countries. This study seeks to examine the predicting characteristics and intention of Bangladeshi customers to continue using MFSs for online purchasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. A theoretical framework was presented and examined. A structured questionnaire survey was used to gather the primary data. The data was gathered using convenience, non-probability sampling technique. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on a sample size of 413 participants using SmartPLS4.0. The study findings indicate that consumers' decisions to continue using MFSs are influenced by ease of use, perceived usefulness, and fear of COVID-19. The research findings indicate that perceived online security, perceived social influences, and perceived lifestyle compatibility do not have a substantial impact. The study investigates the psychological and ecological aspects peculiar to epidemics to elucidate the reasons behind consumers' expectations of continued usage of MFSs for online purchases. Online businesses must exercise caution when deploying MFSs as consumers' usage patterns can undergo unforeseen changes. The theoretical and managerial implications of the study have been incorporated. The study limitations and potential areas for future research were also evaluated.

Drones and Technopreneurship in Malaysia: Unlocking the Economic Potential of Drones in Built Environment Development

Al Fhaliq Naabil Abd Halin — 2024-10-28

Drones, with diverse technological capabilities, are poised to revolutionise various traditional tasks, particularly in-built environment development while driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation. Within the Malaysian context, drones have evolved beyond recreational use to become sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles with untapped business potential. Against this backdrop, this paper explores a comprehensive review of drone development in Malaysia. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the review includes selected publication data from academic journals and online media published between 2018 and 2023, complemented with insights gathered from expert interviews. Aiming to bridge the discursive gap surrounding emerging drone technologies, the review focuses on identifying patterns and trends in recent Malaysian publications on drone applications, as well as understanding current issues related to its technology adoption. The thematic findings reveal a notable surge in interest in drone-related publications and draw clear connections between drone applications and diverse industrial sectors over the past six years. The paper emphasises critical issues such as community acceptance, the transforming landscape of business, diverse industry applications of drone technology, and government strategies for advancing drone technology. As a preliminary study, this paper establishes the foundation for leveraging the benefits of drone technology within the broader context of the built environment, social, and economic landscape. By shedding light on the evolving drone ecosystem in Malaysia, the paper contributes to fostering informed discussions and strategic initiatives in the integration and advancement of drone technologies. Thus, it offers valuable insights for professionals, economists, engineers, policymakers, and researchers alike.

Effects of Financial Bootstrapping Techniques on Operational Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos State

Ayobami Elegunde — 2024-10-28

Accessing credit from the conventional banks has been one of the major challenges of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in achieving their goals and objectives. This has made SMEs not able to achieve their operational objectives from time to time, thus affecting overall performance of the business. The SMEs operators are forced to design methods which funds could be raised to finance the operational activities. The study investigated the effects of financial bootstrapping techniques on the performance of SMEs in Lagos State. Owner-related finance, delaying payments and customer-related finance were adopted as the financial bootstrapping techniques while operational performance is viewed from the angle of business operations. The study employed survey research design with simple random sampling method. Questionnaire was used as a research instrument for primary source of data collection. 226 copies of questionnaires were administered to SMEs operators in Lagos State, but 219 copies were returned. The findings of the regression analysis revealed that owner related finance and customer-related finance have significant effect on operational performance of SMEs in Lagos State. Delaying payments has no significant effect on operational performance of SMEs in Lagos State. The study recommended that SME operators focus more on owner-related and customer-related financing techniques, and that they consider utilising delaying payment techniques.

The Impact of Financial and Non-Financial Rewards on Employee Migration Intentions in Lagos Banking Sector

Samuel Chidiebere Okeke — 2024-10-28

The Nigerian banking sector has been facing a significant exodus of skilled employees in recent times which has continued to threaten the sector's development. However, despite numerous studies to address this phenomenon, fewer empirical studies have explored how financial and non-financial rewards impact the migration intention of employees in the banking sector in Nigeria. This study therefore examines how reward systems including financial and non-financial affect the migration intention of employees in Lagos banking sector. A cross-sectional design with purposive and proportionate sampling was adopted for the study. The purposive sampling was adopted to select eight banks in the Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos, Nigeria while a proportionate sampling was used to sample the respondents to ensure adequate representation across the banks. A structured questionnaire was used for collecting data from a sample size of 99 which was determined from a population of 131 in the selected banks using the Yamane formula. However, only 89 responses were obtained across the selected banks and were then statistically analysed using descriptive statistics for the socio-demographic data. Correlation with multiple regressions was utilised for hypothesis testing at a 5% significance level and the study found that both financial and non-financial rewards significantly affect employees’ migration intention. Therefore, the management of banks should improve on the existing financial reward systems to make them more globally competitive as this would enhance talented employees’ retention and reduce employees’ migration intention in the banks.

Investigating the Influence of Time Pressure on Risky Riding Behaviour among P-Hailing Riders in Malaysia: The Mediating Role of Moral Disengagement

Muhammad Safizal Abdullah — 2024-10-28

This study investigates the impact of time pressure on risky riding behaviour among p-hailing riders in Malaysia, with moral disengagement as a mediating factor. Drawing on Bandura's Moral Disengagement Theory and the Job Demand-Resources (JD-R) Model, the research explores how time pressure influences these behaviours. A survey of 200 respondents, selected through stratified convenience sampling, was conducted across three Northern States in Malaysia, namely Perlis, Kedah, and Penang. Data analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) reveals that time pressure significantly increases risky riding behaviour, with moral disengagement significantly mediates this relationship. The study finds that younger and less experienced riders are particularly susceptible to time pressure effects. Demographic data indicate that 80% of riders are under 35 years old, with 75% having less than three years of experience. Based on these findings, the research emphasises the need for targeted interventions, including specialised training programmes and improved workload management strategies, to mitigate risks associated with p-hailing. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of a cognitive mechanism factor in influencing risky riding behaviours among p-hailing riders and provides valuable insights for enhancing road safety measures. Future research directions are suggested, including exploration of additional cognitive mechanisms that may impact risky riding behaviours in this context.

Influence of Business Process Re-Engineering on Customer Satisfaction in Corporate Organisations: A Case of Sterling Bank PLC.

Peter Omoyebagbe Oiku — 2024-10-28

Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR) has emerged as a crucial strategic tool for organisations aiming to enhance performance and competitiveness in today’s dynamic market. This study examines the influence of BPR on customer satisfaction within corporate organisations, with a particular focus on Sterling Bank Plc. A survey research design was adopted, utilising structured questionnaires to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 100 bank employees. The data were analysed using multiple linear regression to determine the influence of BPR practices and customer satisfaction in corporate organisations. The results reveal a strong positive correlation, with an adjusted R-squared value of 56.8% and a standardised coefficient of 0.775, indicating that effective BPR implementation significantly enhances customer satisfaction (p-value = 0.000). The findings demonstrate that BPR is essential for improving customer loyalty, service quality, and overall organisational success. It underscores the role of BPR in fostering a customer-centric approach, which is critical in a highly competitive business environment. To maximise these benefits, the study recommends that organisations continuously review and refine their BPR strategies, invest in employee training, and leverage advanced technologies to optimise business processes. Furthermore, fostering a culture of innovation and responsiveness and implementing regular feedback mechanisms is vital for ensuring that BPR efforts align with customer expectations and drive long-term improvements in organisational performance.