JOURNAL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMY

The agro-processing sector in Nigeria, especially in Osun State, plays an important role in economic growth by reducing post-harvest losses, adding value to agricultural products, and creating jobs. However, the sustainability of small-scale agro-processing firms is often undermined by irregular raw material supply, poor infrastructure, and systemic inefficiencies. This study investigated the role of raw material sourcing in the survival and growth of small-scale agro-processors in Osun State. Specifically, it examined the strategies employed for sourcing, the relationship between sourcing and agro-processing production practices, and the systemic and operational factors influencing the availability of raw materials. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with a sample of 120 respondents drawn from owners, managers, and staff of agro-processing firms across Osun State using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed with descriptive statistics and linear regression at a 0.05 significance level. Findings showed that multiple sourcing channels, supplier diversification, farmer partnerships, and seasonal planning were the most effective strategies, with minimal reliance on importation. Regression analysis revealed that sourcing strategies moderately improved raw material availability, and sourcing practices strongly influenced agro-processing production outcomes. Systemic and operational factors such as infrastructure, storage, and staff competence also had significant but smaller effects. The study concluded that effective sourcing is central to sustainability and recommends diversification, farmer contracts, ICT adoption, and improved rural infrastructure to strengthen agro-processing enterprises.

This article examines the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) to socio- economic development in developing countries, using Nigeria (1990 - 2022) as a detailed case study. The study focuses on the contributions of FDI to the reduction of unemployment in Nigeria over the period. The study used unemployment rate (UNEM) as the dependent variable while FDI, DIV, and CPS were used as independent variables. Using time series and ARDL regression analysis and based on 5% level of significance, the paper finds that FDI credit to private sector, and domestic investment have contributed negatively to UNEM rate growth, implying that increase in these variables can potentially reduce the unemployment rate in Nigeria. The study concludes that to combat unemployment rate in Nigeria, FDI must be encouraged. It is therefore recommended that domestic investments must be encouraged using credit to private sector.

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of customer retention strategies on marketing performance of Hotels in Abia State of Nigeria. The researchers employed a survey research design. The population of the study comprised clients from 15 selected Hotels in Abia State. A sample size of 385 was used in the study. The study utilized convenience sampling method. A simple regression model was latter employed in testing the stated hypotheses in the study. The presentation of data and testing of hypothesis were done with the SPSS software version 25.0. Findings show that attractive pricing is a positive and significant factor affecting customer satisfaction of Hotels in Abia State of Nigeria. Customer care is a positive and significant factor affecting customer satisfaction of Hotels in Abia State of Nigeria. It was also found that complaint handling is a positive and significant factor affecting customer satisfaction of Hotels in Abia State of Nigeria. The study based on the findings concludes that customer retention strategies have positive and significant effect on marketing performance (customer satisfaction) of Hotels in Abia State of Nigeria. It was recommended that Hotel managers in Abia State of Nigeria should work towards value and price paid and the overall expectations of the customers. This will promote satisfaction to customers and increase overall marketing performance.

This article examines the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) to socioeconomic development in developing countries, using Nigeria (1990 - 2022) as a detailed case study. The study focuses on the contributions of FDI to the  reduction of unemployment in Nigeria over the period. The study used  unemployment rate (UNEM) as the dependent variable while FDI, DIV, and CPS were used as independent variables. Using time series and ARDL regression  analysis and based on 5% level of significance, the paper finds that FDI credit to private sector, and domestic investment have contributed negatively to UNEM  rate growth, implying that increase in these variables can potentially reduce the unemployment rate in Nigeria. The study concludes that to combat  unemployment rate in Nigeria, FDI must be encouraged. It is therefore  recommended that domestic investments must be encouraged using credit to  private sector. 

This study investigates the relationship between investment and economic growth in Nigeria. The study employed a rigorous econometric approach using Pooled Mean Group (PMG) regression analysis covering Nigeria from 1985 to 2023. The dependent variable is Gross Domestic Product Growth (GDPG) while, the independent variables are Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) and Domestic Investment (DOI). The result shows that there is long run relationship among the variables employed. Also, the findings revealed that, foreign private investment demonstrates the strongest long-term growth impact, Domestic investment shows consistent positive effects while, Foreign direct investment presents an interesting paradox - initially negative but ultimately positive effects - highlighting the complex dynamics of economic integration. The study therefore recommends among others that government should improve the investment climate by reducing regulatory bottlenecks, ensuring stable exchange rates, and strengthening property rights and also develop critical infrastructure (power, transport, and digital connectivity) to attract high-value foreign investments in order to achieve sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

This study focuses on the Health Care Expenditure and Economic growth using, some key indicators as the independent and dependent variables (expenditure on specialist surgical work force, external health expenditure, domestic health expenditure and the gross domestic product growth); in determining the effectiveness of health care expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria. This study gave answers to the research questions and the stated hypothesis. The study scope covered between the years 1990- 2023, in order that a proper understanding will be grasped. The study highlighted several theories in the chapter, from which the theory which the work anchored on was selected; which are the Grossman model of health production and the endogenous growth model. The ex-post facto research design was adopted that aided the examination of how pre-existing variables influences the dependent variable, from the sourced data from the world development index 2024. The study adopted the ARDL model for the regression analysis because the variables were stationary at level and 1st difference. The result that was reached shows that there exist relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable; DHE exhibits a positive and significant influence on GDPG, while SSW, reveals a positive but not significant influence on the GDPG; lastly, EHE shows a positive influence on the growth of the gross domestic product. It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian government should strengthen policies that attracts and retain investments in the health sector.

This study examines how web and social media marketing can be used as tools for achieving marketing performance among selected small and medium scale enterprises in a digital economy, using Abia State in Nigeria as a microcosm. In carrying out the research, multi-stage probability sampling method was adopted for the study. Here the state was divided into three educational zones namely Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. From each of these zones, 50 respondents were selected which gave us a sample size of 150. From here, 150 copies of questionnaire was designed for collection of primary data for the study. Cronbach Alpha model was computed to determine the reliability of the research instrument. And a result of 0.76 and 0.74 were adopted for reliability of the instrument. After the empirical analysis and statistical research, it was concluded that Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter or X as dimensions of social media web marketing were significant and positively affected marketing performance of the selected SMEs in the study area. Taking cognizance of the results of the analysis, the research suggests that to enhance and consolidate on the gains of marketing performance via social media and web marketing in a digital economy, SMEs should manage their use of using Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter or X in the modern global cum digital economy, like their counterparts in multinational firms. Such will stimulate market customer traffic and thereby demand for their (SMEs) product in the long-run.

This study focuses on the Health Care Expenditure and Economic growth using, some key indicators as the independent and dependent variables (expenditure on specialist surgical work force, external health expenditure, domestic health expenditure and the gross domestic product growth); in determining the effectiveness of health care expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria. This study gave answers to the research questions and the stated hypothesis. The study scope covered between the years 1990- 2023, in order that a proper understanding will be grasped. The study highlighted several theories in the chapter, from which the theory which the work anchored on was selected; which are the Grossman model of health production and the endogenous growth model. The ex-post facto research design was adopted that aided the examination of how pre-existing variables influences the dependent variable, from the sourced data from the world development index 2024. The study adopted the ARDL model for the regression analysis because the variables were stationary at level and 1st difference. The result that was reached shows that there exist relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable; DHE exhibits a positive and significant influence on GDPG, while SSW, reveals a positive but not significant influence on the GDPG; lastly, EHE shows a positive influence on the growth of the gross domestic product. It is therefore recommended that the Nigerian government should strengthen policies that attracts and retain investments in the health sector.