Akuhwa T Paul | Benue State University, Makurdi (original) (raw)

Papers by Akuhwa T Paul

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Unemployment and Anti-social Activities of Youth on Socioeconomic Development of Benue State, Nigeria

Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, "youth unemployment and antisocial activ... more Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, "youth unemployment and antisocial activities and their effects on socioeconomic development in Nigeria." A review of these works have their central tenets on causes and affects phenomena but failed to address the issues with empirical reality as their recommendations were not immersed in resource-based policy approaches. This paper addresses all the issues using a policy decision analytic graphical approach having four generic policy positions: optimistic or proactive, coping, opportunistic, and pragmatic. The paper also called on policy direction toward the market highlighting that it is in the activity level and output level in the economy that employment, investment, income and corresponding socioeconomic development rents are obvious. Finally, the paper recommended that the policy positions to be taken by policy groups in Nigeria and especially Benue state should be devoid of corruption, financial sharp practices, favouritism and nepotism, through embracing best practices of accountability, transparency, probity, integrity and ethics. These are the necessary conditions for this policy model to be maximized in seeking redress to youth unemployment and antisocial activities for socioeconomic development.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship and Globalization: Correlates for the Wealth of Nations and Perspectives from Nigeria

Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 2015

Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is wit... more Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is without an acceptable concept globally, their tenets represent sound methods and strategies for socioeconomic development. Inextricably, KBE and globalization phenomena could be seen as mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive in exploiting socioeconomic development capital. In this paper, the authors investigated and found out that the defining role of both KBE and globalization was to relate as correlates for the wealth of nations, and also was in an invaluable relationship. KBE is defined as variables that engender innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial culture and orientation with science and technology to underpin optima value creation. These include measurable inputs such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) performance and literacy rates at a given time period in the economy. Globalization on the other hand is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary and complex phenomenon that is proxy on economic, political and social globalization indexes, and internet penetration at a given time period in the same economy. This paper tested two hypotheses to prove the construct that KBE and globalization were correlates for wealth of nations with very significant results using secondary data. Research triangulation was also performed to pragmatically prove the results using primary data. Both meta-analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 21 software on the main model, the multiple regression, a confirmatory model and the chi-square. Finally, the paper called for policy for improving training and education of science and technology content to the entrepreneurs, while taking a 360 degrees approach to promote and intensify globalization practices in Nigeria, and by extension, to other global economies.

Research paper thumbnail of Decision Theory and Analysis: An Optima Value Creation Precursor for Organizations

Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 2015

Organizations make many informed decisions such as increasing production capacity, improving huma... more Organizations make many informed decisions such as increasing production capacity, improving human capital, entering a new market etc. This paper shows that executives take either of the two major types of decisions: programmed (structured) and nonprogrammed (unstructured) decisions. While the programmed decisions are for perfectly stable situations, the nonprogrammed decisions are for the real world situation surrounded by uncertainties, risks and ambiguities. For an optima value creation, this paper is succinct that a robust decision theory and analysis serve as a precursor. The environment of decision-making keeps changing and it takes decision-making for organizations to change proportionately to these environmental changes if they must survive. The decision-maker uses probability values to convert uncertainties and risks into perfect knowledge poles so as to make informed decisions. Models are veritable decision making tools and are deterministic and probabilistic (or stochastic) for programmed and nonprogrammed decisions respectively. Real-world value optimization in this paper centres on decisions under pure uncertainty and risky situations generating model fits for an optima value creation. Finally, the optima value creation models under the uncertainty and risk are suggested and organizations advised to use professional decision theorists and analysts as the need arise.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship and Globalization: Correlates for the Wealth of Nations and Perspectives from Nigeria.

Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is wit... more Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is without an acceptable concept globally, their tenets represent sound methods and strategies for socioeconomic development. Inextricably, KBE and globalization phenomena could be seen as mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive in exploiting socioeconomic development capital. In this paper, the authors investigated and found out that the defining role of both KBE and globalization was to relate as correlates for the wealth of nations, and also was in an invaluable relationship. KBE is defined as variables that engender innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial culture and orientation with science and technology to underpin optima value creation. These include measurable inputs such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) performance and literacy rates at a given time period in the economy. Globalization on the other hand is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary and complex phenomenon that is proxy on economic, political and social globalization indexes, and
internet penetration at a given time period in the same economy. This paper tested two hypotheses to prove the construct that KBE and globalization were correlates for wealth of nations with very significant results using secondary data. Research triangulation was also performed to pragmatically prove the results using primary data. Both meta-analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 21 software on the main model, the multiple regression, a confirmatory model and the chi-square. Finally, the paper called for policy for improving training and education of science and technology content to the entrepreneurs, while taking a 360 degrees approach to promote and intensify globalization
practices in Nigeria, and by extension, to other global economies.

Key Words: Entrepreneurship Process, Knowledge Management, Globalization, Innovation and Creativity, Education and Learning.

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Unemployment and Anti-social Activities of Youth on Socioeconomic Development of Benue State, Nigeria.

Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, “youth unemployment and anti-social acti... more Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, “youth unemployment and anti-social activities and their effects on socioeconomic development in Nigeria.” A review of these works have their central tenets on causes and affects phenomena but failed to address the issues with empirical reality as their recommendations were not immersed in resource-based policy approaches. This paper addresses all the issues using a policy decision analytic graphical approach having four generic policy positions: optimistic or proactive, coping, opportunistic, and pragmatic. The paper also called on policy direction toward the market highlighting that it is in the activity level and output level in the economy that employment, investment, income and corresponding socioeconomic development rents are obvious. Finally, the paper recommended that the policy positions to be taken by policy groups in Nigeria and especially Benue state should be devoid of corruption, financial sharp practices, favouritism and nepotism, through embracing best practices of accountability, transparency, probity, integrity and ethics. These are the necessary conditions for this policy model to be maximized in seeking redress to youth unemployment and anti-social activities for socioeconomic development.

Keywords: Unemployment, Anti-social Activities, Policy Decisions, Strategy Positions, Decision Analytic Model.

Research paper thumbnail of Decision Theory and Analysis: An Optima Value Precursor for Organizations.

Organizations makes many informed decisions such as to increase production capacity, improve huma... more Organizations makes many informed decisions such as to increase production capacity, improve human capital, enter a new market and etc. This paper shows that executives take either of the two major types of decisions: programmed (structured) and nonprogrammed (unstructured) decisions. While the programmed decisions are for perfectly stable situations, the nonprogrammed decisions are for the real world situation surrounded by uncertainties, risks and ambiguities. For optima value creation, this paper was succinct that a robust decision theory and analysis serves as a precursor. The environment of decision-making keeps changing and it takes decision-making for organizations to change proportionately to these environmental changes if they must survive. The decision-maker uses probability values to convert uncertainties and risks into perfect knowledge poles so as to make informed decision. Models are veritable decision making tools and are deterministic and probabilistic (or stochastic) for programmed and nonprogrammed decisions respectively. Real-world value optimization in this paper centres on decisions under pure uncertainty and risky situations generating model fits for optima value creation. Finally, the optima value creation models under uncertainty and risk are suggested and organizations advised to use professional decision theorists and analysts, as the need arise.

Research paper thumbnail of The OECD Entrepreneurship Model: A Capacity Building Framework for Poverty Reduction in Africa.

Poverty reduction in Africa has occupied top policy decisions in the last three decades. So much ... more Poverty reduction in Africa has occupied top policy decisions in the last three decades. So much theory has been advanced about how poverty reduction in Africa could be achieved. Various poverty reduction programs have been designed and implemented at different African States contingent with their respective state policies without much positive results in effect. Entrepreneurship, which is a vehicle for poverty reduction have been well embraced by Africa over the past three decades but without encouraging results. Whilst the contribution to GDP of SMEs in the OECD states is averaged at 50%, that of Africa is less than 8% showing capacity divide between the two continental economies. In so much as SME entrepreneurship remain the most efficient, effective and prudent vehicle for poverty eradication, the nature and contribution of same in Africa tells volumes of the very high poverty and unemployment in the continent. Thus, it is only common wisdom and knowledge to benchmark success, which this paper intends to discuss, and advice policy maker-practitioners, scholar-practitioners and business practitioners both real and potential, the advantages that underlie appropriating the OECD Entrepreneurship Model as a capacity building framework for poverty reduction in Africa. As Africa charts a course out of global financial crisis of the present, successful and gainful SMEs, properly modelled and appropriated, shall be a viable capacity building vehicle for the journey. The paper shall be in five sections. The first section is the problem introduction and the second section follows with a brief theoretical review. Section three discusses the methodology of the study and the adopted OECD entrepreneurship model. Sections four and five discuss findings and way forward for Africa respectively. Finally, it is advised that the OECD model of entrepreneurship be better appropriated by Africa‘s SMEs for capacity building and poverty reduction shall result in the long run.

Research paper thumbnail of Network-Based Strategies and Operational Excellence of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Businesses in Nigeria.

Global business practices have shifted from traditional business models to a much more dynamic di... more Global business practices have shifted from traditional business models to a much more dynamic digital business behavior models. This paradigm shift is masterminded by the present information-knowledge-based economic regime vide information and communication technology (ICT). In this economy, competition is based primarily on information – a strategic resource for competition toward competitive advantage and operational excellence. Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (SME) is under diverse challenges for survival posed by environmental dynamics of the new regime. The best to survive are those entrepreneurs that have lived abreast and adept with these dynamic digital models and have designed their competitive strategies to live atop these challenges, in all quality and dependability. The developed economies of the west are thriving in ICT and are getting the gains, and sustained economic growth in small-scale entrepreneurship businesses. What about the developing economies of the south and Nigeria in particular? In an attempt to answer this question, this paper evaluates the effect of particularly knowledge-based strategies for the survival of small and medium entrepreneurship businesses in Nigeria. Secondary data shall be generated for this study for comparative deductions and generalizations. It is finally recommended that entrepreneurship small and medium businesses, as niche firms should create links in the value webs to keystone firms in the global business ecosystem for competitive collaboration. Thus, small and medium entrepreneurship shall on this premise survive, be competitively profitable, thereby, sparking sustained economic growth and development.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge Entrepreneurship (KE): The socio-economic Gate Opener for Wealth Creation in Nigeria.

Knowledge Entrepreneurship emerged in the wake of a fluid environment evolved from the industrial... more Knowledge Entrepreneurship emerged in the wake of a fluid environment evolved from the industrial economy. It is that entrepreneurship that drives knowledge and it is in turn driven by knowledge. When knowledge entrepreneurship is applied into the production function in right and desired proportion, it becomes a gate opener for wealth creation. Thus, this study show the imperatives that, as knowledge entrepreneurship is adapted it evolves a knowledge entrepreneurship economy with wide gates for wealth creation opened as the resulting effect in Nigeria. The study further showed that the literacy rate, globalization penetration index and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NSME) combines to make for effective knowledge entrepreneurship with high output in wealth creation for Nigeria. Lastly, the study was based on secondary data and survey methodology deployed whilst meta-analysis performed on the hypothesis to answer the research questions posited with recommendations for policy.

Keywords: Knowledge and Knowledge Management, Knowledge Entrepreneurship, Wealth and Gate Opener.

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Unemployment and Anti-social Activities of Youth on Socioeconomic Development of Benue State, Nigeria

Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, "youth unemployment and antisocial activ... more Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, "youth unemployment and antisocial activities and their effects on socioeconomic development in Nigeria." A review of these works have their central tenets on causes and affects phenomena but failed to address the issues with empirical reality as their recommendations were not immersed in resource-based policy approaches. This paper addresses all the issues using a policy decision analytic graphical approach having four generic policy positions: optimistic or proactive, coping, opportunistic, and pragmatic. The paper also called on policy direction toward the market highlighting that it is in the activity level and output level in the economy that employment, investment, income and corresponding socioeconomic development rents are obvious. Finally, the paper recommended that the policy positions to be taken by policy groups in Nigeria and especially Benue state should be devoid of corruption, financial sharp practices, favouritism and nepotism, through embracing best practices of accountability, transparency, probity, integrity and ethics. These are the necessary conditions for this policy model to be maximized in seeking redress to youth unemployment and antisocial activities for socioeconomic development.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship and Globalization: Correlates for the Wealth of Nations and Perspectives from Nigeria

Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 2015

Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is wit... more Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is without an acceptable concept globally, their tenets represent sound methods and strategies for socioeconomic development. Inextricably, KBE and globalization phenomena could be seen as mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive in exploiting socioeconomic development capital. In this paper, the authors investigated and found out that the defining role of both KBE and globalization was to relate as correlates for the wealth of nations, and also was in an invaluable relationship. KBE is defined as variables that engender innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial culture and orientation with science and technology to underpin optima value creation. These include measurable inputs such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) performance and literacy rates at a given time period in the economy. Globalization on the other hand is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary and complex phenomenon that is proxy on economic, political and social globalization indexes, and internet penetration at a given time period in the same economy. This paper tested two hypotheses to prove the construct that KBE and globalization were correlates for wealth of nations with very significant results using secondary data. Research triangulation was also performed to pragmatically prove the results using primary data. Both meta-analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 21 software on the main model, the multiple regression, a confirmatory model and the chi-square. Finally, the paper called for policy for improving training and education of science and technology content to the entrepreneurs, while taking a 360 degrees approach to promote and intensify globalization practices in Nigeria, and by extension, to other global economies.

Research paper thumbnail of Decision Theory and Analysis: An Optima Value Creation Precursor for Organizations

Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 2015

Organizations make many informed decisions such as increasing production capacity, improving huma... more Organizations make many informed decisions such as increasing production capacity, improving human capital, entering a new market etc. This paper shows that executives take either of the two major types of decisions: programmed (structured) and nonprogrammed (unstructured) decisions. While the programmed decisions are for perfectly stable situations, the nonprogrammed decisions are for the real world situation surrounded by uncertainties, risks and ambiguities. For an optima value creation, this paper is succinct that a robust decision theory and analysis serve as a precursor. The environment of decision-making keeps changing and it takes decision-making for organizations to change proportionately to these environmental changes if they must survive. The decision-maker uses probability values to convert uncertainties and risks into perfect knowledge poles so as to make informed decisions. Models are veritable decision making tools and are deterministic and probabilistic (or stochastic) for programmed and nonprogrammed decisions respectively. Real-world value optimization in this paper centres on decisions under pure uncertainty and risky situations generating model fits for an optima value creation. Finally, the optima value creation models under the uncertainty and risk are suggested and organizations advised to use professional decision theorists and analysts as the need arise.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge-Based Entrepreneurship and Globalization: Correlates for the Wealth of Nations and Perspectives from Nigeria.

Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is wit... more Though Knowledge based entrepreneurship (KBE) is yet an evolving concept and globalization is without an acceptable concept globally, their tenets represent sound methods and strategies for socioeconomic development. Inextricably, KBE and globalization phenomena could be seen as mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive in exploiting socioeconomic development capital. In this paper, the authors investigated and found out that the defining role of both KBE and globalization was to relate as correlates for the wealth of nations, and also was in an invaluable relationship. KBE is defined as variables that engender innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial culture and orientation with science and technology to underpin optima value creation. These include measurable inputs such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) performance and literacy rates at a given time period in the economy. Globalization on the other hand is a multifaceted, multidisciplinary and complex phenomenon that is proxy on economic, political and social globalization indexes, and
internet penetration at a given time period in the same economy. This paper tested two hypotheses to prove the construct that KBE and globalization were correlates for wealth of nations with very significant results using secondary data. Research triangulation was also performed to pragmatically prove the results using primary data. Both meta-analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS 21 software on the main model, the multiple regression, a confirmatory model and the chi-square. Finally, the paper called for policy for improving training and education of science and technology content to the entrepreneurs, while taking a 360 degrees approach to promote and intensify globalization
practices in Nigeria, and by extension, to other global economies.

Key Words: Entrepreneurship Process, Knowledge Management, Globalization, Innovation and Creativity, Education and Learning.

Research paper thumbnail of The Effects of Unemployment and Anti-social Activities of Youth on Socioeconomic Development of Benue State, Nigeria.

Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, “youth unemployment and anti-social acti... more Much scholarly work has been done in this research area, “youth unemployment and anti-social activities and their effects on socioeconomic development in Nigeria.” A review of these works have their central tenets on causes and affects phenomena but failed to address the issues with empirical reality as their recommendations were not immersed in resource-based policy approaches. This paper addresses all the issues using a policy decision analytic graphical approach having four generic policy positions: optimistic or proactive, coping, opportunistic, and pragmatic. The paper also called on policy direction toward the market highlighting that it is in the activity level and output level in the economy that employment, investment, income and corresponding socioeconomic development rents are obvious. Finally, the paper recommended that the policy positions to be taken by policy groups in Nigeria and especially Benue state should be devoid of corruption, financial sharp practices, favouritism and nepotism, through embracing best practices of accountability, transparency, probity, integrity and ethics. These are the necessary conditions for this policy model to be maximized in seeking redress to youth unemployment and anti-social activities for socioeconomic development.

Keywords: Unemployment, Anti-social Activities, Policy Decisions, Strategy Positions, Decision Analytic Model.

Research paper thumbnail of Decision Theory and Analysis: An Optima Value Precursor for Organizations.

Organizations makes many informed decisions such as to increase production capacity, improve huma... more Organizations makes many informed decisions such as to increase production capacity, improve human capital, enter a new market and etc. This paper shows that executives take either of the two major types of decisions: programmed (structured) and nonprogrammed (unstructured) decisions. While the programmed decisions are for perfectly stable situations, the nonprogrammed decisions are for the real world situation surrounded by uncertainties, risks and ambiguities. For optima value creation, this paper was succinct that a robust decision theory and analysis serves as a precursor. The environment of decision-making keeps changing and it takes decision-making for organizations to change proportionately to these environmental changes if they must survive. The decision-maker uses probability values to convert uncertainties and risks into perfect knowledge poles so as to make informed decision. Models are veritable decision making tools and are deterministic and probabilistic (or stochastic) for programmed and nonprogrammed decisions respectively. Real-world value optimization in this paper centres on decisions under pure uncertainty and risky situations generating model fits for optima value creation. Finally, the optima value creation models under uncertainty and risk are suggested and organizations advised to use professional decision theorists and analysts, as the need arise.

Research paper thumbnail of The OECD Entrepreneurship Model: A Capacity Building Framework for Poverty Reduction in Africa.

Poverty reduction in Africa has occupied top policy decisions in the last three decades. So much ... more Poverty reduction in Africa has occupied top policy decisions in the last three decades. So much theory has been advanced about how poverty reduction in Africa could be achieved. Various poverty reduction programs have been designed and implemented at different African States contingent with their respective state policies without much positive results in effect. Entrepreneurship, which is a vehicle for poverty reduction have been well embraced by Africa over the past three decades but without encouraging results. Whilst the contribution to GDP of SMEs in the OECD states is averaged at 50%, that of Africa is less than 8% showing capacity divide between the two continental economies. In so much as SME entrepreneurship remain the most efficient, effective and prudent vehicle for poverty eradication, the nature and contribution of same in Africa tells volumes of the very high poverty and unemployment in the continent. Thus, it is only common wisdom and knowledge to benchmark success, which this paper intends to discuss, and advice policy maker-practitioners, scholar-practitioners and business practitioners both real and potential, the advantages that underlie appropriating the OECD Entrepreneurship Model as a capacity building framework for poverty reduction in Africa. As Africa charts a course out of global financial crisis of the present, successful and gainful SMEs, properly modelled and appropriated, shall be a viable capacity building vehicle for the journey. The paper shall be in five sections. The first section is the problem introduction and the second section follows with a brief theoretical review. Section three discusses the methodology of the study and the adopted OECD entrepreneurship model. Sections four and five discuss findings and way forward for Africa respectively. Finally, it is advised that the OECD model of entrepreneurship be better appropriated by Africa‘s SMEs for capacity building and poverty reduction shall result in the long run.

Research paper thumbnail of Network-Based Strategies and Operational Excellence of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Businesses in Nigeria.

Global business practices have shifted from traditional business models to a much more dynamic di... more Global business practices have shifted from traditional business models to a much more dynamic digital business behavior models. This paradigm shift is masterminded by the present information-knowledge-based economic regime vide information and communication technology (ICT). In this economy, competition is based primarily on information – a strategic resource for competition toward competitive advantage and operational excellence. Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (SME) is under diverse challenges for survival posed by environmental dynamics of the new regime. The best to survive are those entrepreneurs that have lived abreast and adept with these dynamic digital models and have designed their competitive strategies to live atop these challenges, in all quality and dependability. The developed economies of the west are thriving in ICT and are getting the gains, and sustained economic growth in small-scale entrepreneurship businesses. What about the developing economies of the south and Nigeria in particular? In an attempt to answer this question, this paper evaluates the effect of particularly knowledge-based strategies for the survival of small and medium entrepreneurship businesses in Nigeria. Secondary data shall be generated for this study for comparative deductions and generalizations. It is finally recommended that entrepreneurship small and medium businesses, as niche firms should create links in the value webs to keystone firms in the global business ecosystem for competitive collaboration. Thus, small and medium entrepreneurship shall on this premise survive, be competitively profitable, thereby, sparking sustained economic growth and development.

Research paper thumbnail of Knowledge Entrepreneurship (KE): The socio-economic Gate Opener for Wealth Creation in Nigeria.

Knowledge Entrepreneurship emerged in the wake of a fluid environment evolved from the industrial... more Knowledge Entrepreneurship emerged in the wake of a fluid environment evolved from the industrial economy. It is that entrepreneurship that drives knowledge and it is in turn driven by knowledge. When knowledge entrepreneurship is applied into the production function in right and desired proportion, it becomes a gate opener for wealth creation. Thus, this study show the imperatives that, as knowledge entrepreneurship is adapted it evolves a knowledge entrepreneurship economy with wide gates for wealth creation opened as the resulting effect in Nigeria. The study further showed that the literacy rate, globalization penetration index and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NSME) combines to make for effective knowledge entrepreneurship with high output in wealth creation for Nigeria. Lastly, the study was based on secondary data and survey methodology deployed whilst meta-analysis performed on the hypothesis to answer the research questions posited with recommendations for policy.

Keywords: Knowledge and Knowledge Management, Knowledge Entrepreneurship, Wealth and Gate Opener.