DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

This study examined and analyzed the effect pricing policies on profitability level of manufacturing firms. Data were primarily sourced through the administration of fifty (50) questionnaire out of which same number (50) of responses were retrieved and used for the empirical analysis. The descriptive (frequency, mean and percentage) and inferential statistics (regression) were adopted for the study’s analysis. Specifically, the analysis revealed the following: cost-plus pricing and competitive pricing strategies have a significant impact on the profitability level of manufacturing firms in Nigeria; while value-based pricing, dynamic pricing, and psychological pricing do not significantly affect the profitability level of Nigerian manufacturing firms. Based on these findings, it was recommended that: firms could benefit from rigorous cost control measures and efficient cost accounting systems; manufacturing firms should integrate customer perceptions of value into their product development and marketing strategies; manufacturing firms should maintain a keen awareness of market dynamics and competitor actions; manufacturing firms should consider scenarios where dynamic pricing could be useful, such as in managing inventory more effectively or in capitalizing on seasonal demand changes; and seek to understand psychological triggers specific to their target market segments and then experiment with different pricing formats and presentations that might appeal more to consumers' emotions and perception of pricing fairness.

This study investigates the effect of discounts and promotional strategies on the sales performance of food products within Benin City, Edo State. The main objective is to evaluate how price-related incentives and marketing promotions influence sales outcomes in the food industry. Specifically, the research analyzes the effect of discounts on sales volume, examines the impact of promotional strategies on consumer purchasing behaviour, identifies the most effective promotional types for boosting sales, explores the r lationship between discount rates and sales revenue, and develops a framework for optimizing discount and promotion strategies. The scope of the study covers selected supermarkets, grocery stores, and retail outlets engaged in the sale of both perishable and non-perishable food items over a five-year period. The population comprises employees of food product businesses within Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, with a sample size of 100 respondents randomly selected from five key enterprises: Mat-Ice Fast-Food, Domino’s Pizza/Cold Stone Eatery, Nadia Bakery, Z-Zone Foods, and Chicken Republic Eatery. Primary data were collected through structured
questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions, averages, modes, ranges, and percentages, based on a Likert scale anchored from “strongly
agree” to “strongly disagree.” The findings reveal that discount and promotional strategies are indispensable tools for driving sales growth and customer retention in the food industry. Nevertheless, their effectiveness depends on strategic planning, continuous market research, and maintaining a balance between short-term sales incentives and long-term profitability. The study concludes that food businesses that adopt data-driven and customer-focused discount and promotion strategies are more likely to achieve sustainable growth, enhanced brand loyalty, and stable revenue performance.

This study on emotional exhaustion, Job Satisfaction and Organizational commitment among academic staff in university of Benin, aimed to ascertain the relationship between emotional exhaustion and Job satisfaction, emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment and determine the moderation of job satisfaction on emotional exhaustion and organizational commitment. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all the academic staff in University of Benin. The simple random sampling technique was employed to select 100 academic staff to represent all the academic staff in University of Benin. The data was collected using a research questionnaire developed by the researcher, the questionnaire was distributed to the staff and retrieved, the data collected was computed into SPSS and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that emotional exhaustion did not have a substantial effect on job satisfaction among academic staff at the University of Benin. Regression analysis indicated a negligible relationship, with emotional exhaustion explaining minimal variance in job satisfaction. Emotional exhaustion was found to be significantly related to organizational commitment and Emotional Exhaustion has a negligible and statistically insignificant impact on Job Satisfaction based on their organizational commitment. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that; academic institutions should implement support mechanisms to help academic staff manage and cope with emotional exhaustion. This could include counseling services, stress management workshops, and initiatives promoting work-life balance. Creating a positive work environment that fosters a sense of community, recognition, and support can help mitigate emotional exhaustion and enhance organizational commitment among academic staff.

This study investigated the effect of quality control practices on organizational performance in the manufacturing industry. Data were primarily sourced through the administration of two hundred (200) questionnaire out of which same number (200) were found usable for the empirical analysis. The descriptive (frequency, mean and percentage) and inferential statistics(regression) were adopted for the study’s analysis. It was revealed that: there is a significant relationship between quality standards and organizational performance; resources significantly affect the organizational performance; communication processes related to quality control do not significantly influence organizational performance; continuous improvement in quality control practices does not significantly influence organizational
performance; and regulatory compliance does not significantly impact organizational performance. Based on these findings, it was recommended that: manufacturing firms should prioritize the establishment and maintenance of stringent quality standards; organizations should allocate sufficient resources, including financial, human, and technological resources, to support the effective implementation of quality control practices; it is crucial to emphasize the importance of clear and effective communication within manufacturing firms; it is essential for manufacturing firms to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement; and it remains crucial for firms to adhere to relevant regulations and standards as non-compliance can result in legal and reputational risks

The health care sector employs workforce which includes doctors, nurses as well as other health care practitioners across related fields. Essentially, nurses and doctors are the major practitioners in the healthcare system and has the most direct contact with patients. Therefore, these employees (nurses and doctors) are a major determinant of the overall hospital care quality and patient outcomes. They must be provided with anideal professional practice environment where their job satisfaction is guaranteed in order to provide standard care (de Francisco, Meguid & Campbell, 2015). Job satisfaction has been identified as a major determinant of good staff retention in the health care workforce(Wang, Tao, Ellenbecker, & Liu, 2012). Employee welfare and satisfaction are critical in achieving the organizational mission and vision in an ideal setting. Nurses, for example, are the safety net, always present with their patients at the bedside, caring for and detecting medication errors, and addressing patients' true needs. In any healthcare facility, nurses are the first point of contact forpatients. Job satisfaction in the nursing workforce is therefore critical to providingqualitycare (Abualrub, El-Jardali, Jamal, and Al Rub, 2015; Alenius, Tishelman, Runesdotter, and Lindqvist, 2013; Saleh, Darawad, and AlHussami, 2015). Thus, job satisfaction is the most important aspect of nurses' lives (likewise other healthcare practitioners), as it has a positive impact on their morale, productivity, quality of care, patient safety, and retention(Ezeonwu, 2011; Aiken, et al., 2012).

This research delves into the preferences and perceptions of mobile network services among undergraduate students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), offering valuable insights into Nigeria's competitive telecom industry. By analyzing data from 385 students, we discovered that peer influence plays a significant role in shaping brand preference, whereas factors like network quality, pricing, customer service, and advertising have relatively less impact. Notably, MTN and Airtel emerge as the top choices among students, showcasing their strong brand presence on campus. The study's findings provide actionable insights for telecom providers seeking to capture this vital market, informing strategies for targeted marketing, service development, and customer retention. The study also reveals a nearly equal gender distribution among respondents, with a concentration of students in their early twenties. Based on these findings, it is recommended that telecom operators have an extensive understanding of the preferences and behaviors of this key demographic so they can enhance their market share and competitiveness in Nigeria's dynamic telecom landscape, ultimately driving growth and success in the industry

This study was carried out to examine the relationship product quality on customer retention in manufacturing companies in Nigeria using Uniben table water, Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between product reliability and customer retention. The study also examine the relationship between perceived product quality and customer retention. The study further examine the relationship between product conformance and customer retention. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 150 responses were validated from the survey using a structured questionnaire to collect data from the respondents, out of which 150 copies were filled and retrieved and all copies were found to be valid and useful for this study because they were properly filled. To conduct the analysis , the study utilized statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 22.0) which were presented in tables, mean and standard deviation. Linear Regression analysis was used to test each hypothesis. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that there is no significant relationship between product reliability and customer retention. Also, there is a significant relationship between perceived product quality and customer retention. Lastly, there is a significant relationship between product conformance and customer retention. The study thereby recommend that manufacturing companies should be concerned about the quality of their products. This will help them to maintain a desirable customer base. Also, manufacturing company should produce quality products that the consumers expect. Products that can stand the taste of time and compete favorably in the market place.

The study investigated the effect of outsourcing on business performance. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were raised and answered. The research design adopted for this study is the cross-sectional research design. The population for this study comprises all the 4,877 registered small-scale businesses in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The sample for this study consisted of 196 small- scale business owners. The data collected for this study were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions and percentages, were employed to provide a preliminary summary of the respondents’ demographic characteristics and response patterns. Findings from the study revealed that outsourcing serves as a strategic tool for businesses seeking to streamline their operations and focus on core competencies. It was concluded that outsourcing, when strategically implemented, not only enhances business performance but also positions firms to adapt to market dynamics. Based on the findings, it was recommended that businesses should adopt outsourcing strategically by focusing
on non-core activities, allowing internal resources to concentrate on core competencies that directly enhance competitiveness.

The study investigated supply chain management and organizational efficiency. To achieve the purpose of the study, three research questions were raised and answered. The research design adopted for this study is the cross-sectional research design. The population for this study was made up of all 75 staff members of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Table Water Factory, Benin City. The sample size for this study is 75, representing the entire population of staff at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Table Water Factory. The data collected for this study were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions and percentages, were employed to provide a preliminary summary of the respondents’ demographic characteristics and response patterns. Findings from the study revealed that that supply chain management serves as a critical strategic component in improving organizational performance. It was concluded that that effective supply chain management is a transformative tool for achieving cost efficiency, operational improvement, and strategic advancement. Based on the findings, it was recommended that businesses should adopt lean supply chain principles to eliminate waste and enhance productivity while maintaining flexibility to respond to market changes. This dual approach will increase operational responsiveness, lower costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

This study investigates the relationship between stress factors and academic achievement among University of Benin students. Recognizing stress as both a mental and physical response to perceived danger, the research aims to understand how various stressors impact students' academic performance. Building on the perspectives of Sharma, Parasar, and Mahto (2017), Yates (1979), and other scholars, the study explores the dual nature of stress, highlighting its potential to both motivate and hinder academic success. Specific institutional stressors such as overcrowded lecture halls, inadequate resources, excessivehomework, examinations, and peer competition, as identified by Decoste and Israel (2011), form the basis of this investigation. The study employs a convenience sampling method to survey fifty students across various faculties and departments within the university, due to financial and time constraints. Data collection involved self-administered questionnaires designed to capture comprehensive information on students' experiences with academic pressure, financial difficulties, and social support . Data analysis was conducted using E-Views software, employing regression analysis to assess the relationship between variables. Key findings highlight a significant correlation between academic pressure and GPA, the impact of financial difficulties on academic performance, and the role of social support in influencing academic success. These insights underscore the need for targetedinterventions and support systems to alleviate stress and enhance student well-being. The study's limitations, including reliance on self-reported data and a focus on a single university. Overall, this research contributes to academic knowledge by providing actionable recommendations for improving student support services and promoting a more supportive educational environment at the University of Benin. The findings aim to guide university administrators and policymakers in developing strategies to manage stress effectively, thereby fostering a conducive learning atmosphere that enhances students' academic achievements.