STRENGTHENING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF RURAL BUSINESS THROUGH QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

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

• Background of the Study                                                                         1
• Statement of the Problem                                                                        10
• Objectives of Study                                                                                  11

1.4    Research Questions                                                                                   11

1.5    Research Hypotheses                                                                                12

• Significance of  the Study                                                                    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           &