ABSTRACT
The study is on strengthening the competitive advantage of rural business through quality and environmental management system. Business in the rural areas are facing severe challenges with industries closing by the day as a result of inability to cope with competition arising from products from domestic and foreign companies which are cheaper in price and of better quality. The objectives of the study are to determine the extent of competitive advantage impact on rural business quality and environmental management system; to highlight competitive advantage factors that affect sustainability of rural business; to identify competitive advantage strategies that are used in strengthening rural business; to identify the key challenges of competitive advantage in strengthening rural business and to ascertain the extent to which corporate social responsibility improves competitive advantage of rural business.The study was centred in five states of South Eastern Nigeria selected through stratified sampling technique. The methodology of the study was descriptive survey research design. The instruments used for data collection were the interview and questionnaire, structured in line with 5 point likert scale. A sample size of six hundred and fifteen (615) was obtained from a population of nine hundred and ninety nine, (999). The findings indicated existence of a significant impact of competitive advantage on rural business quality and environmental management system; competitive advantage factors affect sustainability of rural business; competitive advantage strategies strengthen rural business; there are challenges facing competitive advantage in strengthening rural businesses, and corporate social responsibility improves competitive advantage of rural business. The conclusion of the study is that application of knowledge and technology, productivity, satisfaction of customer, infrastructure, government policies and corporate social responsibility are basic ingredient that strengthen rural business and ultimately guarantee competitive advantage. The recommendations of the study include: knowledge and technology application in the operation of rural business; satisfaction of customers as the purpose of rural business; control of waste that pollute the environment and government provision of enabling environment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certification ii
Approval iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
List of Tables x
List of Figures xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.4 Research Questions 11
1.5 Research Hypotheses 12
1.7 Scope of Study 13
1.8 Time Scope 13
1.9 Limitations of Study 13
1.10 Definition of Terms 14
References 16
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction 18
2.2 Conceptual Framework 18
2.3 Rural Business and Quality Improvement 52
2.4 Issues in Creating an Enabling Environment for Rural
Business 73
2.5 Concept of Environmental Management System 103
2.6 Concept of Quality 137
2.7 Functions of Standard 145
2.8 Challenges of Business Definition 162
2.9 Corporate Social Responsibility of Business 173
2.10 Theoretical Framework 176
2.11 Direction ofr Emerging Advatnage Theories 179
2.12 Empirical Framework 182
2.13 Summary of the Related Literature 188
References 191
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction 198
3.2 Research Design 198
3.3 Sources of Data 198
3.4 Tools for Data Collection 199
3.5 Population of Study 199
3.6 Sample Size Determination 199
3.7 Reliability of Instrument 201
3.8 Validity of the Instrument 202
3.9 Methods of Data Analysis 203
References 204
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
4.1 Introduction 205
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis 205
4.3 Biographical Data 206
4.4 Test of Hypotheses 222
4.5 Discussion of Findings 230
References 246
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction 247
5.2 Summary of Major Findings 247
5.3 Conclusion 247
5.4 Recommendations 248
5.5 Contribution to Knowledge 249
5.6 Suggested Area for Further Research 250
Bibliography 251
Appendix A 260
Appendix B 263
Appendix C 264
Appendix D 265
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Nigeria ranking on world economic forum’s global
competitiveness index alongside comparator countries 79
Table 2.2: Nigeria performance rankings on doing business indicators &
Terms of Use: This is an academic paper. Students should NOT copy our materials word to word, as we DO NOT encourage Plagiarism. Only use as a guide in developing your original research work. Thanks.
Disclaimer: All undertaking works, records, and reports posted on this website, eprojectguide.com are the property/copyright of their individual proprietors. They are for research reference/direction purposes and the works are publicly supported. Do not present another person’s work as your own to maintain a strategic distance from counterfeiting its results. Use it as a guide and not duplicate the work in exactly the same words (verbatim). eprojectguide.com is a vault of exploration works simply like academia.edu, researchgate.net, scribd.com, docsity.com, course hero, and numerous different stages where clients transfer works. The paid membership on eprojectguide.com is a method by which the site is kept up to help Open Education. In the event that you see your work posted here, and you need it to be eliminated/credited, it would be ideal if you call us on +2348064699975 or send us a mail along with the web address linked to the work, to eprojectguide@gmail.com. We will answer to and honor each solicitation. Kindly note notification it might take up to 24 – 48 hours to handle your solicitation.