Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Cognitive Innovative Technical Competencies Needed of Information Processing Specialists for Effective Performance in Small and Medium Enterprises: Evidence from Enugu State, Nigeria

Lydia, Udeh Opara

Abstract

This study determined cognitive innovative technical competencies needed of information processing specialists for effective performance in SMEs in Enugu State. One research question was posed and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, with a population of 1,800 information processing specialists in registered SMEs in Enugu State. The sample size of 180 information processing specialists was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling techniques. A-10 item structured questionnaire titled “Cognitive Innovative Technical Competencies Needed of Information Processing Specialists for Effective performance Questionnaire (CITCNIPSEPQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated using three experts in the field of education, and the reliability coefficients determined through Cronbach alpha calculation yielded .71. The researcher administered copies of the questionnaire to the respondents with the help of four research assistants adequately briefed. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions and determine the homogeneity of respondents’ ratings while t-test and Analysis of Variance were used to test the null hypotheses. Findings revealed that cognitive innovative technical competencies are highly needed of information processing specialists for effective performance in SMEs in Enugu State. Gender and years of experience were not significant factors on respondents’ mean ratings of the cognitive innovative technical competencies needed of information processing specialists for effective job performance. Based on the findings of the study, the research concluded that information processing specialists highly needed cognitive innovative technical competencies to effectively performance their jobs in SMEs in Enugu State. It was recommended that practicing information processing specialists in Nigeria should attend refresher training courses in t

References

Ahmadu, A., & Ahmadu, R. (2021). Management challenges and sustainability of small businesses in Nigeria. Journal of Business and Management, 9(2), 45–56. Ajayi, O. A., & Olatokun, W. M. (2022). Information management competencies and SME performance in Nigeria. African Journal of Information Systems, 14(3), 112–128. Akpan, I. J., & Ibidunni, A. S. (2021). Innovation capability and SME survival in emerging economies. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(4), 593–610. Birt, J. (2025). Digital skills and technical competence in modern organizations. London: Routledge. Central Bank of Nigeria. (2018). Baseline study of small and medium scale industries in North- West Region, Nigeria. Central Bank of Nigeria . (2014). SME development policy in Nigeria. Abuja: CBN. Ezeora, N. J., Ukekwe, E. C., Adegoke, F. O. and Tenuche, B. S. (2023). The effect of cognitive knowledge acquired from industrial training on computer science degree project. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology, 101(6), 2068–2078. Ibeh, G. O., Agbo, O. G. and Okebaram, S. M. (2025). Technopreneurial competencies and sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises in Southeast, Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management , 5(1), 697–707. Imagha, O. A., Okon, M. G., Akpaetor, U. A., Nkanor, W. N. and Umana, E. S. (2023). Technological skills and the performance of managers of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, 11(1), 40–53. Karabatak, M., & Ozturk, E. (2020). Survival challenges of SMEs in developing economies. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 24(2), 1–12. Marshall, S. (2023). Competency frameworks in the digital workplace. Human Resource Development Review, 22(1), 78–96. Man, T. W. Y. (2018). Entrepreneurial competencies and firm performance. Singapore: Springer. Ndukwe, E. (2019). Small and medium enterprises and employment generation in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Economics, 11(1), 23–37. National Bureau of Statistics report (2019). National survey of micro small & medium enterprises , https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary. Nissen, M. (2022). Information management and organizational performance. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Odede, I. (2018). Records management practices in Nigerian SMEs. Journal of Office Technology and Management, 5(2), 34–46. Okafor, C. E. and Ile, C. M. (2023). Cloud computing competencies required of OTM graduates of polytechnics in North-East Nigeria for electronic records management. NAU Journal of Technology & Vocational Education, 8(1), 102–107. Okrah, J. and Irene, B. (2023). The effect of top managers’ years of experience on innovation. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 7(3), 208–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2023.03.004 Oladunjoye, A. O. and Oladunjoye, T. G. (2020). Gender differences in technological knowledge and readiness towards digitalization of the accounting profession among undergraduates in Nigeria. Journal of Accounting, Finance and Auditing Studies, 6(2), 170–185. Oliveira, T., Marques, C., & Miranda, S. (2019). Information as a strategic resource. Information Systems Frontiers, 21(4), 879–892. Omenka, J. C. and Babalola, Y. T. (2023). Information technology competence and innovation in small and medium enterprises. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science , 7(7), 873–880. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2023.70767 Onyeose, C. (2018). Technologies for marketing libraries. A paper presented at the 38th annual seminar/workshop of Nigerian Library Association, Cataloguing, Classification and Indexing Section, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. Suter, P. (2021). Internal constraints to SME growth. Small Business Economics, 56(2), 623– 640. Usman, B. U. (2019). The impact of entrepreneurship education on SMEs growth. International Review on Public and Non-profit Marketing Venture, 8(2), 111–130. World Bank (2021). Small and Medium Enterprises Finance. Improving SMEs’ access to finance and finding innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital. Retrieved from: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/smefinance

More Articles from WORLD JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES