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EZEANO Prince Chijioke WALI Andy Fred OGONU Chituru Gibson
Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management,
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt

Abstract
This study examined the correlation between Internet of Things (IoT) and supplier effectiveness of downstream oil and gas companies in Rivers State. A cross-sectional survey design adopted. The population of the study comprised 30 downstream oil and gas companies in Rivers State. A census was taken, while test units were purposively drawn. 6 management staff were engaged from each of the 30 companies to arrive at 180 respondents. Primary data was collected for the study using questionnaire, and was analyzed using Tables, simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation. The hypotheses formulated for the study were tested using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC). The study found that a significantly positive correlation between IoT and supplier effectiveness of downstream oil and gas companies in Rivers State. Hence, the study concluded that IoT significantly relate to supplier effectiveness of downstream oil and gas companies in Rivers State, and recommends that management of oil and gas companies should implement IoT sensors and tracking devices across their supply chain to monitor product location and environmental conditions.

Keywords: Cost minimization, internet of things, supply effectiveness, waste reduction

OKUSOWA Osuomosoma Winifred1

HARCOURT Horsfall2

ORLU Rising Ezekiel3
1,2Department of Marketing, Faculty of Administration and Management,
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt
3 Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Administration and Management,
Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt

Abstract
This study examined the correlation between automated storage system (ASS) and operational efficiency of food and beverage (F&B) companies in Nigeria, focusing on how ASS relates to inventory accuracy, cost saving and space utilization. Founded on the Lean Theory, the study adopted correlational research design with a cross-sectional approach. The population of the study comprised 20 F&B companies in Nigeria. All the companies were studied because the population is small. However, the study collected data form 119 respondents provided through a semi-structured questionnaire consisting 16 measurement items, and designed in 5–point Likert scale. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistic was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. The results indicates that ASS relates positively and significantly to inventory accuracy, cost saving and space utilization. Based on these findings, the study concluded that there is a positive and significant relationship between ASS and operational efficiency of F&B companies in Nigeria; and recommends that F&B companies in Nigeria that seek improved operational efficiency in terms of tory accuracy, cost saving and space utilization should prioritize investment in ASS to capitalize on long-term cost saving, maximize space efficiency, collaborate with technology providers to design and implement customized ASS, and integrate data analytic tools that allow them to continuously analyze operational data generated by ASS to reduce cost, and stay ahead of competitors.

Keywords: Automated storage system, cost saving, inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, space utilization

MUSTAPHA Abdullahi Hauwa1

OJELEYE Yinka Calvin2

SAHNUN Ladan3

1, 2, 3 Department of Business Administration
Faculty of Management Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Corresponding email: hauwam95@gmail.com.

Abstract
Employee performance is the backbone of organizational competitiveness and sustenance. This study examined the impact of workplace harmony on employee performance in selected banks in Nigeria, as well as the moderating role of employee voice. Adopting a descriptive research design and a quantitative research approach, the study collected data via cross-sectional survey. Data was collected from 150 employees of selected banks in Kaduna State, using convenience sampling. 143 valid responses were retrieved and analyzed to test the hypothesized relationships. The study found that workplace harmony has significant positive effect on employee performance, while employee voice has negative direct effect on employee performance. However, employee voice positively moderated the relationship between workplace harmony and employee performance. These findings underscores the importance of cultivating a harmonious work environment and strategically integrating employee voice to optimize performance outcomes in the banking sector. The study recommends that commercials banks should prioritize creating a conflict-free, collaborative work environment by promoting mutual respect, team-building and effective conflict resolution.

Keywords: Employee performance, employee voice, social exchange theory, workplace harmony.

AHAIWE Emmanuel O.1

NWODO Sylvanus Ikechukwu2

UWAOMA Ugochukwu G. A3

NWACHUKWU Chima Peter4

1, 3 Department of Marketing, College of Management Sciences,
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State
2 Department of Marketing, College of Management and Social Sciences,
Rhema University Nigeria, Aba, Abia State
4Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Procurement
Faculty of Management Sciences, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State

Corresponding email: trustedemma@yahoo.com

Abstract
This study examined factors that determine consumers’ intention to use online food ordering (OFO) systems in Abia State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study comprised staff of selected manufacturing companies in Aba, Abia State. A total of 320 respondents participated in the study. Online survey (Google Form) was used to collect data. Convenience and snowball sampling were employed in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis. Individual item reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were confirmed in the study. The study found that perceived ease of use (PEoU) positively affects intention to use OFO system, perceived usefulness (PU) positively affects intention to use OFO system, social influence (SI) positively affects intention to use OFO system, and delivery time (DT) positively affects intention to use OFO system. The study concludes that (PEoU), PU, SI and DT are factors that determine intention to use OFO system in Abia State, Nigeria. The study recommends that OFO service providers should prioritize clear communication and demonstration of how OFO system improves user convenience, saves time, offers diverse food options, and simplifies transactions.

Keywords: Delivery time, intention to use, online food ordering, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, social influence

OMUNAKWE Priscilla Obunwo1

WOGBOROMA Henry2

DEEMUA Victoria Barisuka3

1, 2, 3Department of Office and Information Management
Faculty of Administration and management
Rivers State University

Abstract
This study examined the relationship between workplace civility and employee performance of oil and gas Firms in Rivers State. This hypotheses testing study adopted the explanatory research design, using a cross sectional approach. The study population comprised 221 employees of 17 operational oil and gas firms in Rivers State. 17 functional and operational oil and gas firms in Rivers State. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire whose validity and reliability were determined by experts in measurement and evaluation and the Cronbach Alpha test respectively. The Spearman Rank Order of Correlation served as test statistic. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.00 facilitated the test of hypotheses. The results of test of hypotheses showed that workplace civility has positive and statistically significant relationship with employee performance. Thus, the study concludes that workplace civility predicts employee performance and recommends that oil and gas firms in Rivers State that seek improved employee performance should implement a formal recognition programme that celebrates employees’ efforts; institute process to facilitate active listening and provide regular constructive feedbacks to elicit positive reinforcement from employees.

Keywords: Active listening, complementary communication, contribution appreciation, employee performance, improved service delivery, task accomplishment, workplace civility.

SAMUEL Kalode Mikel
Department of Marketing
Faculty of Management Sciences
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between transportation management systems (TMS) and operational efficiency in bakery firms in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study focused on two major components of TMS – real-time tracking and route optimization. A descriptive research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 24 bakery firms in Rivers State. The study collected data from 20 logistics and operations personnel in 24 bakery firms using structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson Product Moment Correlation via SPSS. The study revealed that real-time tracking had strong positive and statistically significant relationship with operational efficiency, while route optimization demonstrated very strong positive correlation with operational efficiency. The study concludes that TMS are essential to improved operational efficiency and recommends that bakery firms in Rivers State that seek improved operational efficiency should adopt TMS like real-time tracking and route optimization to enhance their ability to meet delivery targets and reduce wastes and redundancies.

Keywords: Operational efficiency, real-time tracking, route optimization, transportation management systems.

UWABOR Osagie Leslie
Department of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences,
Federal University Otuoke (FUO) Bayelsa State, Nigeria
uwaborben@yahoo.com, uwaborol@fuotuoke.edu.ng
ORCID ID: 0009-0001-4812-6417

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between responsible marketing practices and customer loyalty. The study used corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethical marketing and consumer privacy to represent responsible marketing practices, and tested their relationship with customer loyalty. The study is quasi-experimental in nature, and adopted a survey research strategy. Primary data was collected at a single point in time, and in a non-contrived setting, using structured questionnaire designed in the 5-point Liker scale. The population of the study comprised of resort hotels in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A census was taken, while 10 management level staff of each resort hotel served as respondents. Thus, 100 copies of questionnaire were administered, and all of which were retrieved and used in the final analyses. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the demographics of respondents and for univariate analyses, while t-test associated with simple regression was used to test the link between dimensions of responsible marketing practices and customer loyalty. The results of the statistical tests indicated the existence of a positive and significant relationship between dimensions of responsible marketing practices (CSR, ethical marketing and customer privacy) and customer loyalty. Therefore, the study concluded that CSR, ethical marketing and customer privacy as responsible marketing practices, are key determinants of customer loyalty of resort hotels in Port Harcourt. This means that resort hotels in Port Harcourt that seek improved customer loyalty can achieve it by undertaking CSR, focusing on ethical marketing and ensuring customer privacy.

Keywords: Consumer privacy, customer loyalty, ethical marketing, resort hotels, responsible marketing practices.

OTOBO Perearau1

INYANGA John I. N.2

1Department of Business Education
Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education Sagbama, Bayelsa State
2Department of Business Education, Imo State University Owerri, Imo State

Abstract
Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries. Its benefits include employment opportunities, cultural integration through bridging language and religious barriers, and socio-economic development accruing to the tourist sites or destinations with environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, these benefits of tourism do not come to Nigeria as a country, and to tourism organizations and other stakeholders as expected and in spite of the many existing and potential tourism centres and festivals in the country. These is due to insecurity, political instability, scarcity of essential social infrastructure like energy or electricity supplies. Nevertheless, ethical marketing by tourism institutions is advanced as a potent leverage for tourism development in Nigeria. The paper argue that ethical marketing practices by management, staff and other stakeholders in tourism business could engender sustainable tourism development for all concerned in the country.

Keywords: Marketing ethics, sustainable development, tourism, tourism business

MIYENE Charles Tom1

NWANKWO Greg Chigemecha2

1Department of Marketing, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State
2 Department of Marketing, Rivers State University

Abstract
Sustainable tourism development that emphasizes a balance between economic, social and environmental considerations has gained prominence in Nigeria, in recent years. Leveraging ESG-embedded service innovation (ESG-E SI) for sustainable business growth (SBG) in the tourism industry in Nigeria, involves integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into service innovation strategies to drive SBG. This research examined the influence of ESG-E SI on SBG in the tourism industry in Rivers State. The study adopted quantitative approach and a causal research design, and a survey strategy. A survey of 92 tourism businesses in Rivers State was conducted, and a total of 346 respondents were surveyed using questionnaire as data collection instrument. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics for univariate analyses. Linear regression was used to test the influence of dimensions of ESG-E SI on SBG. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was relied upon for data analyses. The results of test of hypotheses show that sustainable accommodation, cultural heritage preservation, and transparency all have significant influence on SBG in the tourism industry in Rivers State. Thus, the study concluded ESG-E SI has significant positive influence on SBG in the tourism industry in Rivers State, and recommends that tourism businesses in Rivers State that seek SBG should adopt sustainable accommodation, cultural heritage preservation, and transparency as ESG-E SI in their business operations.

Keywords: ESG-embedded service innovation, business growth, tourism industry.

KOCE Diko Henry1

SIMADI Monday2
1Department of Marketing, The Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger state: okindo66@gmail.com
2FCT Mass Education Headquarters Karu, Abuja: simamong@gmail.com

Abstract
Agriculture remains a critical pillar of food security, economic development and livelihood sustenance across the globe. But its vulnerability to climate change has become a growing national and international concern. Thus, this study examined the impact of climate change on agricultural produce availability in Bwari Area Council, Abuja – a critical agrarian hub in Nigeria that is vulnerable to shifting global climate patterns. The study employed a descriptive design and collected data from 500 farmers across ten towns in a cross-sectional survey. A structured questionnaire served as data collection instrument. Data analysis, utilizing frequencies and percentages, revealed farmers’ acute awareness of climate change, through observed unreliable rainfall, increased dry spells, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. These changes profoundly impacted production, with significant yield declines across staple crops like maize and yam and a dramatic reduction in vegetable availability. Livestock production also suffered, marked by decreased pasture and water access. Despite farmers’ proactive adaptation efforts (e.g., adjusting planting times, these were severely hindered by lack of financial resources, limited access to improved inputs, and insufficient climate information/extension services. The study concludes that climate change is inflicting tangible negative impacts on Bwari’s agricultural output and livelihoods and recommends among others, that there should be enhanced financial inclusion and access to capital for farmers to bolster local adaptive capacity and ensure food security.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, climate change, food security, crop yields.