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Digitalization and Production Processes Re-Engineering in Rivers State Agro Based Industries

Micah Nyone Uelee PhD, Solanky, George Ayanate PhD

Abstract

The study determined the relationship between digitalization and production processes re- engineering in Rivers State agro‐based industries. The objective of the study was to ascertain the relationship between the dimensions of digitalization, such as operations automation and digital connectivity, and production processes re-engineering in Rivers State agro‐based industries, especially in terms of process efficiency improvement and product quality enhancement. The study was anchored on Socio-Technical Theory. The population of the study consisted of sixteen (16) agro-allied firms operating in Rivers State. The entire population of sixteen (16) agro-allied firms operating in Rivers State, was made the sample size of the study. This made the study a census research. As pertaining to respondents, top managers were selected from each of the firms, which gave a total of 79 respondents. Cronbach Alpha was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. A total of 79 copies of the questionnaire was administered and 79 copies were retrieved. The primary data obtained from the field were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation in SPSS version 27.0 for the bivariate analysis. The result of the analyses showed that there is a very strong positive relationship between the dimensions of digitalization, such as operations automation and digital connectivity, and measures of production processes re- engineering in Rivers State agro‐based industries, such as process efficiency improvement and product quality enhancement. The study concluded that digital transformation is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic imperative for sustainable productivity and competitiveness. Therefore, the study recommended amongst others, that agro-based industries should fully integrate automated systems, such as sensors, robotics, and smart logistics, to boost workflow efficiency and ensure consistent product quality.

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