Bringing quality management to perspective in higher education institutions' research output: A focus on selected private universities in Nigeria.

Bringing quality management research into perspective is a critical need in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of most developing nations, including Nigeria. The existing literature has not sufficiently explained the relationship between total quality management implementation and the research performance in the educational industry, especially from a developing economy perspective. Therefore, this study investigated total quality management (TQM) and the research output of HEIs in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive design to draw insights from research-based faculty members of three reputable Universities in Nigeria and adopting the PLS-SEM analysis this study established the relationship between components of TQM tools, values, and methodologies on the research output of HEIs. Our study found that dimensions of TQM, specifically TQM tools and values were found to relate positively with HEI's research output. Our study suggests that implementing total quality management, especially through its various tools, values, and methodologies will be beneficial to improving HEIs' research outputs.

Leveraging 5G network for digital innovation in small and medium enterprises: a conceptual review.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role within a country's economy considering that they provide a source of skills and innovation for entrepreneurship and their capacity for introducing, integrating and disseminating new technologies is incomparable. However, the world may be looking at an impending devastating recession delivered by the coronavirus pandemic. As governments intensify restrictions on business to halt the spread of the pandemic, the fear of the virus also reconfigures the very concept of business and the workplace. Therefore, there is a need for a greater focus on digital transformation considering that physical distancing requirements to curb the spread of this virus may become a cultural orientation for businesses and the workplace. A real digital transition is anticipated for small businesses with the 5G network technology. 5G network will not just be a technological connection but will affect different socio-economic sectors and will stimulate innovation in small companies. The goal of this paper was to carry out a literature review on the potential ways small businesses can leverage on 5G network for digital innovation. The paper proposed that small and medium businesses can leverage the 5G Mobile Technology through enhanced interpersonal communication, expanded remote work opportunities, innovative digital tools and supply chain efficiency. Finally, while many individuals and small business owners will profit from 5G technology some will work to undermine it. As a result, companies must keep this in mind when implementing 5G, or other new technology, and adjust their security protocols accordingly to remain secure.

Knowledge transfer and innovation performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): An informal economy analysis.

SME operators in the informal sector of developing economies have a significant influence on their nation's economies through their involvement in international business relationships. However, the existing deficiency in the literature to show empirical relationships between knowledge transfer, from these SMEs and their international business partners, and innovation performance is a significant gap in the strategic management and international business literature. Therefore, this paper explores the link between knowledge transfer and innovation performance of informal economy SMEs that are involved in international business relationships. The study included a survey of 370 owners-managers and managers of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria's informal electronic market. Using Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) this study shows that knowledge transfer dimensions, such as R&D and social networking, have varying levels of impact on innovation performance of informal sector SMEs. Knowledge transfer from training showed an inverse and insignificant relationship with innovation performance. The study established implications and recommendations that will be useful for theory and practice.

From Job Satisfaction to Organizational Commitment: The Mediating Influence of Perceived Treatment of Diversity among Nigeria's Public Healthcare Employees.

BACKGROUND: In the Nigerian, like most developing economies', health sector, employees' perceptions about treatments of diversity are crucial not only to their satisfaction with the job but equally to their commitment to the organisation. The importance of this view of the public health sector, is that it could induce political behaviours, result in conflict situations and hence promote tensed work environments, if not properly managed. Despite these facts, there is again, a dearth of existing literature that shows an element of empirical analysis to demonstrate the moderating influence of workforce diversity on job satisfaction and organisational commitment of public healthcare employees in Nigeria. AIM: This study is focused on investigating the mediating effect of employees' perceived treatments of diversity in the workplace on the relationship between job satisfaction and their commitment to the organisation. METHODS: The survey method was used to collect data. One hundred thirty-three public health workers from the Lagos State Health Ministry in Nigeria were involved in this research. The research used questionnaires as the main tools to perform this research. The statistics on the reliability of the tools used in this study were 0.747. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS (version 22) and AMOS (version 23) software for this study. RESULTS: The results from the statistical analysis indicate that job satisfaction significantly relates with all dimensions of workforce diversity in the following ways: education (r = 0.19), gender (r = 0.48), religion (r = -0.20), ethnicity (r = 0.42) and position (r = 0.15). The mediating effects of workforce diversity on the relationship between job satisfaction and employee commitment is also evident from the statistical analysis, especially with respect to education (affective commitment = 0.16, normative commitment = 0.18, continuance commitment = 0.18); gender (affective commitment = 0.32, normative commitment = 0.42); and religion (continuance commitment = 0.14). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that not only is job satisfaction significant to ensuring the commitment of healthcare workers to their organisation, but more critical is the role of workforce diversity as viable leverage for transiting the interest of employees from the level of job satisfaction to organisational commitment.

Data set on training assistance and the performance of small and medium enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria.

Human capital is considered a major asset of any business. This is even more vital in a knowledge-driven economy, where non-visible factors and services are of increasingly significant. The focus of this study was to determine the impact of training assistance on the performance of SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria. Only few studies have investigated how training support programmes by government facilitate the performance of SMEs under Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Nigeria. Descriptive research method was adopted for this study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22) was used to analyse 203 copies of questionnaire retrieved. The reliability and validity of research instruments was also established. This data set indicated that training and development can facilitate innovative processes among SMEs owners to create economic, social values and remain globally competitive.

Contribution of small and medium enterprises to economic development: Evidence from a transiting economy.

The focus of this research was to present a data article on the contribution of SMEs to economic development in a transiting economy. Descriptive research design was adopted in this study. Data were obtained from 600 respondents in 60 small-scale enterprises located in different parts of the country (20 small-scale enterprises located in Lagos State, 20 in Anambra State and 20 in Kano State of Nigeria respectively). Data analysis was carried out using tables and percentages and the null hypotheses of the study was tested using chi-square (X2) inferential statistical model at 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between the operation of small and medium-scale enterprises and economic growth in developing nations.

Data on the relationships between financing strategies, entrepreneurial competencies and business growth of technology-based SMEs in Nigeria.

The article presents data on the relationship between financing strategies, entrepreneurial competencies and business growth of technology-based SMEs in Nigeria. Copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 233 SME owners and financial managers. Using descriptive and standard multiple regression statistical analysis, the data revealed that venture capital and business donations significantly influences profit growth of technology-based SMEs. Moreover, the data revealed that technology-`based firms can enhance their access to financing through capacity building in entrepreneurial competencies, such as acquiring the right skills and attitude.

Data article on disposition towards enhancing SMEs' performance through entrepreneurial orientations: Perspectives from a developing economy.

This article present data on the disposition of SME operators towards enhancing SMEs Performance through entrepreneurial orientations. Copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 102 SME owners/managers. Using descriptive and standard multiple regression statistical analysis, the data described how proactiveness, risk-taking and autonomy orientations significantly influenced SMEs' profitability, sales growth, customer satisfaction and new product success.

Workforce diversity among public healthcare workers in Nigeria: Implications on job satisfaction and organisational commitment.

The aim of this research was to present a data article that identify the relationship between workforce diversity, job satisfaction and employee commitment among public healthcare workers in Nigeria. Copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 133 public healthcare workers from the Lagos state ministry of health in Nigeria. Using descriptive and structural equation modelling statistical analysis, the data revealed the relationship between workforce diversity and job satisfaction, workforce diversity and organisational commitment, and the role of job satisfaction on organisational commitment was also established.

Data on customer perceptions on the role of celebrity endorsement on brand preference.

This research presents data on the effect of celebrity endorsement on consumers' brand preference. Copies of structured questionnaire were administered to 384 customers of telecommunication industry. Using descriptive, correlation and regression statistical analysis, the data revealed that celebrity image has an effect on consumer brand loyalty, celebrity trustworthiness has an influence on consumer brand association. More so, the relationship between celebrity expertise and perceived quality of the product was established.

Employee resourcing strategies and universities' corporate image: A survey dataset.

The data examined the effect of employee resourcing strategies on corporate image. The data were generated from a total of 500 copies of questionnaire administered to the academic staff of the six (6) selected private Universities in Southwest, Nigeria, out of which four hundred and forty-three (443) were retrieved. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for this study. Descriptive and Linear Regression, were used for the presentation of the data. Mean score was used as statistical tool of analysis. Therefore, the data presented in this article is made available to facilitate further and more comprehensive investigation on the subject matter.

Data article on the effect of work engagement strategies on faculty staff behavioural outcomes in private universities.

The main objective of this study was to present a data article that investigate the effect of work engagement strategies on faculty behavioural outcomes. Few studies analyse how work engagement strategies could help in driving standard work behaviour particularly in higher institutions. In an attempt to bridge this gap, this study was carried out using descriptive research method and Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) for the analysis of four hundred and forty one (441) valid questionnaire which were completed by the faculty members of the six selected private universities in Nigeria using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Factor model which shows high-reliability and good fit was generated, while construct validity was provided through convergent and discriminant analyses.