Forthcoming Articles

Linking Process Integration and Employee Commitment: A Study of SMEs in South West Region of Nigeria
1-19
Views:
12

The South-West region of Nigeria presents inherent challenges and opportunities that are peculiar to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and shape their operational dynamics and employee behavior. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the linkage between process integration and employee engagement: a study of SMEs in South-West region of Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the effects of career development workshops, effective communication, and leadership competence on employee commitment. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a total of 253 selected registered electrical and electronics stores across the six South-Western states of Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti). 155 participants were administered a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using PLS-SEM. Findings revealed that effective communication has the strongest effect on employee commitment (β = 0.391, t = 3.837, p < 0.000), followed by leadership competence (β = 0.292, t = 3.165, p < 0.002), and career development workshop (β = 0.201, t = 2.993, p = 0.003). It concluded that process integration is significantly vital for driving employee commitment in selected electrical and electronics SMEs stores in South-West region of Nigeria. It is therefore strongly recommended that, to increase employee commitment among Electronic SMEs, their managers should focus on ensuring that the essential features of process integration, such as leadership competence, effective communication, and career development, are adequately implemented and practiced within the organization.

Sustainable and Competitive? The Dual-Role of Information Systems in Green Supply Chain Operations
1-15
Views:
25

This is a conceptual theory-building paper that questions the notion of a "trade-off narrative" between sustainable supply chain management. It claims that advanced Information Systems (IS) play a crucial dual function in designing the co-construction of environmental and competitive value. The paper proposes a Dual-Role framework based on an abductive analysis of modern literature, mapping the synergistic impact pathways of these technologies. The framework proposes that the Internet of Things (IoT) allows data-driven closed-loop control, blockchain provides cryptographic trust, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers predictive intelligence for systemic leanness, and cloud platforms offer orchestration and alignment. The framework results in a series of research propositions that can be tested and specify the likely conditions for this dual value creation. We argue that strategically located IS can transform sustainability from a constraint on operations to a parameter of the design for competitive advantage. This study offers a propositional theory for scholars to guide empirical research, as well as a principled rationale for managers to view digital investments as a foundation for planetary and business resilience.