EFFECT OF ECOPRENEURSHIP ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN AFRICA EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA

Abstract

This study presents an empirical investigation of the effect of Ecopreneurship on organizational performance of selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study was motivated by the need to solve the environmental problems caused by the activities of profit driven entrepreneurs as well as exploring the benefits to organizations. The study was guided by two key objectives, from which appropriate research questions and hypotheses were formulated. The specific objectives of this study were: (i) ascertain the extent to which ecological sustainability practices affect the profitability of selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria (ii) establish the degree to which eco-innovation affects market share of selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study adopted the survey design. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the 10 manufacturing firms in Nigeria based on the rich ecopreneurship profiles and mode of operations of the manufacturing firms in Nigeria. A sample size of 543 respondents was determined from the population of 5705 drawn from management, middle and lower cadre of the selected manufacturing firms using Cochran (1977) statistical formula. A stratified sampling technique was also used to determine the proportional allocation of questionnaire to management cadre, middle cadre and lower cadre. Designed questionnaire and personal interview were used for primary data collection. The questionnaire was structured on 5-point Likert scale. The validity of the instrument was ascertained using content validity. The instrument was checked for Reliability using test re-test method through Cronbach alpha with a value of 0.90, which shows consistency in the items of survey. Data were analyzed and the hypotheses were tested using linear regression analysis. Probability level of significance was given at 5%. Data were presented using simple percentage. Findings revealed that Ecological sustainability had a positive and significant effect on the profitability of the selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Eco-innovation had a positive effect on the market share of selected manufacturing firms of south-south, Nigeria. In conclusion, the implementation of ecopreneurship practices, principles and processes will lead to very positive outcome that will be visibly manifested in the organization and the environment. The recommendations were ecopreneurship courses should be incorporated into the current entrepreneurship education curriculum. Governments should give incentives, subsidies to ecopreneurship firms by way of tax waivers and policy support.