Henry Okwo

Bio: Henry Okwo is an academic researcher from University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Index (economics) & Competence (human resources). The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 7 publication(s) receiving 16 citation(s).

Firm Size and Age mediating the Firm Survival-Hedging Effect: Hayes’ 3-Way Parallel Approach

Abstract: A James Gaskin Excel Macro Analysis is performed to determine the reliability of our scales, and a 3-way parallel mediation using the Andrew Hayes’ PROCESS model is applied to test the formulated hypotheses. Results show that hedging has a direct effect on firms’ survival; firms’ size and age individually do not strongly influence these effects, but a combination of the two does. We, therefore, concluded that while the hedging-survival effect exists on all forms of hedging, the practice of hedging is consequential for firms on the premise of their ages and numbers of employees.

Self-Efficacy and Subjective Norms as Moderators in the Networking Competence–Social Entrepreneurial Intentions Link

Abstract: This study examines self-efficacy and subjective norms (moral obligation, empathy, and perceived social support) as moderators of the effect networking competence has on social entrepreneurial inte...

Apprenticeship Training Effects On Entrepreneurship Development in Developing Economies

Abstract: The study examines the effects of apprenticeship training on entrepreneurship development in developing economies: A case study of Nigerian apprenticeship system. The study seeks to ascertain how apprentices acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills for selfemployment; assess the extent to which apprentices acquire entrepreneurial skills and knowledge for entrepreneurship development, and also identify the challenges encountered by apprentices in course of skill acquisition. The study adopted the survey design and interview apprentices in specific vocations. The sampled data were analyzed using Chi-square technique on Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS v.20). Experts from the academia and industry validated the instrument. The results reveal that: apprentices acquire technical and entrepreneurial skills for self-employment through formal and informal apprenticeship training systems; Lack of qualified manpower, insufficient training tools, inadequate infrastructure facilities and lack of start-up capital impede the course of skill acquisition and apprentices do ultimately acquire sufficient entrepreneurial skills and knowledge for entrepreneurship development. The study recommends that the government should provide physical, financial, and moral support for apprenticeship training to boost entrepreneurship development.

Green Strategy Effect on Financial and Environmental Performance: A Mediation Analysis of Product Quality

Abstract: The dilemma of firms in developing economies was the crux of this study. In probing whether the adoption of organization-wide green strategy would enhance the product quality and the firm’s financial lifeline, while also improving the environment, we developed a mediation model. The specific objectives were to ascertain the direct effect of green strategy on both environmental and financial performance and its total effect on both environmental and financial performance through product quality. With data collated and analyzed from 648 respondents, using the Hayes mediation approach, results show that while environmental performance is strongly predicted by green strategy and product quality (as a mediator), financial performance is also positively predicted, but by a smaller effect. The import of the findings of this study is that the adoption of green strategy mediated by product quality improves both environmental and financial performance, implying that firms can remain financially viable while adopting product-focused green strategy.

Moderating role of social capital on the effect of financial behavior on financial inclusion

Abstract: The need for improved institutional interventions aimed at increasing access to financial services by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been emphasized. Complimenting these efforts, this study proposes that building social networks capable of informing requisite financial behaviors would facilitate the financial inclusion of SMEs co-existing in business clusters. This study aimed to empirically test the moderating influence of collective action, bonding, trust, and bridging on the effect of financial behavior on financial inclusion. Using a sample of 311 owners/managers of small and medium scale businesses in sub-urban clusters in South-Eastern Nigeria, the hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses of the study. Results show a positive main effect of financial behavior on financial inclusion (βf = 0.162; t (304) = 1.503; p < 0.05). Also, collective action (βfca = 0.201; t (304) = 6.906; p < 0.05) and bridging (βfbr = 0.201; t (304) = 6.906; p < 0.05) had positive moderating effects, bonding (βfb = 0.032; t (304) = 1.423; p > 0.05) and trust (βft = 0.014; t (304) = 0.9609; p > 0.05) were statistically insignificant. For policy implications, social virtues such as bridging and collective action are more veritable tools for financial inclusion than the personal virtues of trust and bonding and should be factored into economic and social intervention being deployed by institutions interested in meeting the banking/financial needs of businesses.

The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy

Abstract: Poruka koju nam salje knjiga Paradoks globalizacije može se jednostavno sažeti rijecima da je samo stabilna i zdrava domaca ekonomska politika temelj otvorene međunarodne ekonomije i da su samo stabilne politicke zajednice temelj mirom prožetog i stabilnog međunarodnog poretka. Implikacije ove dvije teze su siroke, ali vrlo su zanimljive u kontekstu dužnicke krize koja potresa eurozonu vec pune dvije godine. Dubinska ekonomska integracija u domeni fiskalne politike bez demokratizacije EU i nametanje tehnokratskih rjesenja izvana uz zanemarivanje domacih razvojnih potreba nije rjesenje za probleme u kojima se ona trenutacno nalazi. Rodrik navodi EU kao primjer uspjesne regionalne ekonomske integracije, ali koja u ovo krizno vrijeme pokazuje totalnu konfuziju oko odabira dvije od tri ponuđene opcije. Uz sve sto je autor naveo kao dio friedmanovske hiperglobalisticke zablude sasvim je izvjesno da bi u kontekstu europske integracije autor na prvo mjesto stavio kombinaciju ekonomske integracije i demokratizacije EU, na drugo mjesto nacionalni suverenitet i demokratsku politiku, a kao najnepoželjniji scenarij duboku ekonomsku integraciju i nacionalne države kao dio integracije sui generis sputane luđackom kosuljom supranacionalne politike bez demokratskog legitimiteta ili diktatom Merkozy.

How Enhancing Information and Communication Technology has affected Inequality in Africa for Sustainable Development: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract: This study examines if enhancing ICT reduces inequality in 48 countries in Africa for the period 2004-2014. Three inequality indictors are used, namely, the: Gini coefficient, Atkinson index and Palma ratio. The adopted ICT indicators include: mobile phone penetration, internet penetration and fixed broadband subscriptions. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. Enhancing internet penetration and fixed broadband subscriptions have a net effect on reducing the Gini coefficient and the Atkinson index, whereas increasing mobile phone penetration and internet penetration reduces the Palma ratio. Policy implications are discussed in the light of challenges to Sustainable Development Goals.

Social Entrepreneurship: An Overview

Abstract: This chapter provides a short history of social entrepreneurship in order to frame up a discussion of youth-centered social entrepreneurship. The chapter explores the basic concepts and foundational elements of social entrepreneurship as a whole before differentiating it with youth social entrepreneurship. It includes a description of early movements of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise. The reader who is new to the field of social entrepreneurship will find this chapter to be an appropriate introduction, while readers who are more experienced in this area will find it to be a review that shapes the explorations of youth social entrepreneurship to come.

Firm age and performance

Abstract: Amid increasing interest in firm age and its effects on firm performance, this special issue offers an exhaustive review of the literature and a novel collection of evidence on the effects of firm age on performance, including a special focus of interest on innovation performance, financial performance, exports, survival and growth. This editorial positions the theme in the extant literature, and provides key definitions and challenges ahead in the field of evolutionary economics. It introduces the collection of articles composing the special issue. The papers offer a diversity of country contexts, as well as analytical approaches and methods. They include an exhaustive review of the literature on age and firms' performance, and present original empirical studies focusing on the effects of age on firms' economic outcomes on the one hand, and on innovation outcomes on the other hand. While most of the papers use econometric analysis, the level of analysis ranges from firm to individual.

Industry structure, entrepreneurship, and culture: An empirical analysis using historical coalfields

Abstract: There is mounting evidence demonstrating that entrepreneurship is spatially clustered and that these spatial differences are quite persistent over long periods of time. However, especially the sources of that persistence are not yet well-understood, and it is largely unclear whether persistent differences in entrepreneurship are reflected in differences in entrepreneurship culture across space as it is often argued in the literature. We approach the cluster phenomenon by theorizing that a historically high regional presence of large-scale firms negatively affects entrepreneurship, due to low levels of human capital and entrepreneurial skills, fewer opportunities for entry and entrepreneurship inhibiting formal and informal institutions. These effects can become self-perpetuating over time, ultimately resulting in persistent low levels of entrepreneurship activity and entrepreneurship culture. Using data from Great Britain, we analyze this long-term imprinting effect by using the distance to coalfields as an exogenous instrument for the regional presence of large-scale industries. IV regressions show that British regions with high employment shares of large-scale industries in the 19th century, due to spatial proximity to coalfields, have lower entrepreneurship rates and weaker entrepreneurship culture today. We control for an array of competing hypotheses like agglomeration forces, the regional knowledge stock, climate, and soil quality. Our main results are robust with respect to inclusion of these control variables and various other modifications which demonstrates the credibility of our empirical identification strategy. A mediation analysis reveals that a substantial part of the impact of large-scale industries on entrepreneurship is through human capital.