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ZITE Augustine Banigo1, AKEKUE-ALEX Nennaaton2, OGONU Chituru Gibson3
1, 2, 3 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
aubzite@gmail.com

`Abstract`
The purpose of the research was to examine the relationship between website security and online patronage of 4-star hotels in Rivers State. Website security was the predictor variable while online patronage was the criterion variable with purchase intention, purchase action and repeat purchase as measures. Three alternate hypotheses were tested in the research. The study population consisted guests (customers) of 18 registered 4-star hotels in Rivers State. In view of the infinite and flowing nature of the population, the Cochran formula for computing sample size where the population is infinite, was used to derive a sample size of 384 guests. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, while hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation with the help of the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences, version 23.0. The results from showed positive and statistically significant correlations between website security and all the indicators of online patronage used in the study. Therefore, the study concludes that website security relates to online patronage of four-star hotels in Rivers State. In order to increase their online patronage, four-star hotels in Rivers State; and recommends that managers of four-star hotels should constantly evaluate their website security status as this can ignite purchase intention, purchase action, and repeat purchase.

Keywords: Purchase action, purchase intention, repeat purchase, online patronage, website security.

NSIRIM Ezebunwo Macson1, NADUBE Paul M. 2
1, 2 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt

Abstract
This study investigated the impact of technological transportation on effectiveness of maritime companies in Rivers State. Technological transportation is the predictor variable, and effectiveness is the criterion variable. The predictor variable was used as a one-dimensional variable while the criterion variable was measured in terms of operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Adopting a positivist philosophy, the study adopted an explanatory research design and a quantitative. The population of the study comprised 16 maritime companies. A total of 73 respondents from the 16 maritime companies provided valid data for the study through a 20-item questionnaire. Simple Regression Analysis was used to analyze the data with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The study found that technological transportation has positive significant impact on operational efficiency and environmental sustainability of maritime companies in Rivers State. Thus, the study concluded that technological transportation determines effectiveness of maritime companies in Rivers State; and recommends that maritime companies in Rivers State that desire to improve their effectiveness should invest in, and adopt technology in transportation operations in order to enhance their operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Keyword: Environmental sustainability, organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, technological transportation.

TOBY Idabie Leovincy1, NWULU Stella Chinyere2
1, 2 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
chijoefrank@gmail.com

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between warehouse management and economic sustainability of poultry firms in Rivers State. This study adopted a survey research design and a quantitative research approach. The population of the study consisted 134 registered poultry. The Taro Yamane formula for sample size determination was used compute to derive a sample size of 100 poultry firms. The study collected primary data using structured questionnaire whose reliability was ascertained via Cronbach’s Alpha test. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, while test of hypotheses was done using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, relying on Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The results showed that warehouse management has positive and statistically significant relationship with proxies (productivity, resilience and cost reduction) of economic sustainability. The study therefore concluded that warehouse management has significant relationship with economic sustainability of poultry firms in Rivers State; and recommends that managers of poultry firms should adopt warehouse management to boost their productivity and resilience, as well as reduce their costs of operation, hence, improve their economic sustainability.

Keywords: Cost reduction, economic sustainability, resilience, productivity, warehouse management.

ELENDU Nkechinyere1 , WALI Andy F. 2, ADIELE Kenneth C. 3
1 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management,
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
elendunkechinyere@gmail.com
2, 3 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management,
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract
This study examined the relationship between reverse logistics and organizational resilience of packaged water firms in Rivers State. The study adopted a survey research design. The study was conceptualized using reverse logistics as a predictor to organizational resilience proxied by strategic flexibility, management of keystone vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity. The population of the study comprised 10 packaged water firms operating in Rivers State as listed by Finelib.com, Nigeria Directory and Search Engine. The entire population was surveyed. 4 copies of questionnaire were administered to each of the 10 package water firms, thereby giving us a total of 40 respondents which included procurement, marketing, sales and production managers. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test 3 hypotheses, with the help of the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences Version 23.0. The study found the existence of positive and statistically significant relationship between reverse logistics and organizational resilience of packaged water firms in Rivers State. Thus, the study concludes that reverse logistics significantly relates to organizational resilience of packaged water firms in Rivers State. The study recommends that management of packaged water firms should imbibe environmental friendly orientation such as recycling, reuse, and re-design in their innovation process, as this can enable them remain resilient in the face of disruptions.

Keywords: Adaptive capacity, management of key stone vulnerabilities, organizational resilience, reverse logistics, strategic flexibility.

EZE Christian Chukwudi1 DIDIA James U. D. 2
1, 2 Department of Marketing Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between materials recycling and performance of Table water processing companies in Rivers State, using customer patronage and customer retention as measures of performance. A correlational research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 108 Table water processing companies. The Taro Yemen formula was used to derive a sample size of 85 companies. 255 management level staff were selected on a sample frame of 3 staff from each of the companies to provide data for the study. A 5-point likert-scale questionnaire was used to collect data. 255 copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents, out of which, 200 copies were used in the final analyses. This represents 98% response rate. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the direction and strength of correlation between materials recycling and measures of organizational performance. The results showed that materials recycling has a moderate positive and significant relationship with customer patronage and a strong positive and significant relationship with customer retention. Therefore, the study concludes that materials recycling significantly relates to performance of Table water processing companies in Rivers State; and recommends that management of Table water companies should adopt materials recycling as a strategic approach to achieving customer patronage and customer retention, hence organizational performance.

Keywords: Customer patronage, customer retention, materials recycling, organizational performance.

OWABIE Dorin Chinyere
Department of Supply Chain Management
Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
owabiedorinc@gmail.com

Abstract
This treatise explored the concept of lean distribution and its relevance to corporate reputation. Following a comprehensive literature review, it was revealed that lean distribution impact customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility, hence, corporate reputation. The review also revealed that corporate social responsibility initiatives enhance corporate reputation by demonstrating a commitment to sustainable business practices and community engagement. Based on these insights from literature, the discourse concluded that lean distribution is essential to corporate reputation building and management. Recommendations were those made based on our conclusion, with emphasis on adoption of lean distribution, and prioritization of customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility. This paper contributes to existing body of knowledge by providing insights into potentials of lean distribution to enhance corporate reputation.

Keywords: Corporate reputation, corporate social responsibility, customer satisfaction, lean distribution.

WORDU Benjamin C.1, NWULU Chinyere Stella2, ADIELE Kenneth C. 3
1Department of supply chain and logistics management
Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Port Harcourt, Nigeria
benjamin.wordu@ust.edu.ng
2, 3 Department of marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Port Harcourt, Nigeria
chinyere.nwulu@ust.edu.ng; kenneth.adiele@ust.edu.ng

Abstract
This study explored the impact of logistics network design on cost reduction. The population of the study comprised State independent electoral commissions in South-South Nigeria. The study considers four dimensions of logistics network design (facility location, transportation mode, routing and scheduling, and technology integration) and analyzed their individual and collective impacts on cost reduction. The study was based on data collected from 90 representatives of the six (6) electoral commissions in the South-South Nigeria, using structured questionnaire and in a cross-sectional survey. The findings indicate that dimensions of logistics network design collectively have moderate significant impact on cost reduction.
However, individually, they have mixed impacts. While transportation mode and routing and scheduling exert significant impact on cost reduction; facility location and technology integration exert insignificant impact. Therefore, we conclude that with improved logistics network design, state independent electoral commissions in the south-south geopolitical zone can achieve higher operational performance in terms of cost reduction in line with the expectation of election stakeholders.

Keywords: Classical regression model, cost reduction, facility location, routing and scheduling, technology integration transportation mode, logistics network design.

OBIENU Azubuike Ndubuisi1, GLADSON-NWOKAH Juliet2
1, 2 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
endyzubbygmail.com; juliet.gladson-nwokah@rsu.edu.ng

Abstract
This study investigated strategic supplier partnership and supply chain performance of food and beverages firms in Rivers State. The study adopted a survey research design and was carried out in a non-contrived environment. The population of the study comprised 25 registered food and beverage companies. Based on the small size of the population, a census was conducted. Procurement/purchasing manager, logistics manager, production manager, customer-service manager and accounts manager of the firms were relied upon for primary data. The data was collected using questionnaire. After cleaning and sorting, data derived from 110 copies of questionnaire were found fit and used in the analysis.
Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The statistical package for the social science (SPSS) version 23.0 aided the test of hypotheses. The results revealed that strategic supplier partnership has positive relationship with supply chain performance of Food and Beverages Firms in Rivers State. The study therefore, concludes that supplier partnership is a key determinant of supply chain performance, and can be exploited to improve a firm’s competitive advantage. The study recommends that strategic supplier partnership should be continuously employed by food and beverages firms in Rivers State to enhanced on-time service delivery, improved decision making and operational flexibility, and ultimately improve their supply chain performance.

Keywords: Flexibility, on-time delivery, strategic supplier partnership, supply chain performance.

NWAFOR Onyemelike Chidiebere1, OKWANDU Gabriel A. 2, HARCOURT Horsfall3
1, 2, 3Department of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between green packaging and supply chain competitiveness of electronics distribution companies in South-East Nigeria. The study was anchored on transaction cost economies theory. The study adopted a, explanatory research approach. The population of the study consisted one hundred and fifteen (115) electronics distribution companies. The Taro Yamane’s formula was used to derive a sample of eighty-one (81) companies. One logistics manager from each company was drawn from the 81 companies to provide primary data for the study. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The Cronbach’s Alpha test was used to ascertain the consistency of the constructs in the questionnaire, with a threshold of 0.7. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed to determine the degree and direction of relationship between the variables. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 aided the tests. Results from the analysis showed that green packaging significantly relates to supply chain competitiveness (innovativeness, cost reduction, optimal resource utilization). Thus, the study concluded that green packaging contribute to innovativeness, cost reduction, and optimal resource utilization of electronics distribution companies in South-East Nigeria; and recommends that management of electronics distribution companies in South-East Nigeria should effectively implement green packaging, if they seek to improve the competitiveness of their supply chain.

Keywords: cost reduction, green packaging, innovativeness, optimal resource utilization, supply chain competitiveness.

OKWONG Stella Bassey1
IKEGWURU MacKingsley2, ATEKE Brown Walter3
1, 3 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
2 Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Faculty of Administration and Management
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.

Abstract
This study examined the nexus between information sharing and market presence of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) distributors in Rivers State. The study took a unidimensional view of information sharing, and represented market presence with brand awareness and product availability. The population of the study comprised 12 FMCG distributors in Rivers State. The study adopted the universe as its sample, and collected primary data from customer service, operations and logistics manager of each firm. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The hypotheses formulated for the study was tested using Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation. The study found that information sharing has positive and statistically significant connection with market presence. Specifically, the results indicate that information sharing has very strong positive and statistically significant correlation with brand awareness, and moderate positive and statistically significant correlation with product availability. The study therefore conclude that information sharing is a pivot for market presence (brand awareness and product availability); and recommend that FMCG distributors in Rivers State that seek improved market presence in terms brand awareness and product availability should enter into information sharing arrangement with other firms in their supply chain. This will allow them to source and utilize valuable information resources that will enliven market presence; as they will no longer rely solely on internal information resources.
Keywords: Brand awareness, information sharing, market presence, product availability