. O. L. DIMOWO

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.