Authors : Okeke Nkechi Mercy, Uzoamaka Lucynda Koledoye, Nwakaego Ebele Ekwealor, Justina Ngozi Igwe, Beatrice N. Onah, Stella Chioma Nwizu, Polycarp M.D. Okeke, Iheanyichukwu G. Ozurumba and Ann Ebere Okechukwu
Abstract: The study investigated the utilization of information and communication technology by entrepreneurs to boost production in South-East, Nigeria. Three research questions were posed to determine the extent to which ICT is utilized to enhance administration, networking and marketing of goods and services in business. One null hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The design used for the study was descriptive survey and the data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire. The population of the study was all of the 1251 registered entrepreneurs of medium and large scale enterprises in the private sector from which 723 respondents were drawn via. a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Mean and standard deviation were used in analyzing the data from the research questions and the real limit of numbers was used to judge the responses as to whether they were high or low. Findings of the study showed that ICT is utilized to a high extent to enhance administration, networking and marketing of goods and services in South-East, Nigeria. The null hypothesis of no significant difference in the marketing of goods and services was not accepted. Based on these findings, recommendations were made which include that the government needs to balance the potential gains from innovation in ICT with the need to provide stable and reliable operations and services, entrepreneurs should insist on employing staff with ICT compliant skills and entrepreneurs should raise skill levels of their staff to enable them to grow in open and productive markets.
Okeke Nkechi Mercy, Uzoamaka Lucynda Koledoye, Nwakaego Ebele Ekwealor, Justina Ngozi Igwe, Beatrice N. Onah, Stella Chioma Nwizu, Polycarp M.D. Okeke, Iheanyichukwu G. Ozurumba and Ann Ebere Okechukwu, 2020. Utilization of Information and Communication Technology by Entrepreneurs to Boost Production in South-East, Nigeria. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 15: 2576-2584.