Service System Innovation and Competitiveness In an Emerging Market: The Moderating Role of Managerial Competencies

EKOM ETIM  AKPAN; Anthony Aniagbaoso  Igwe; Waribugo  Sylva; Ben Etim  Udoh

EKOM ETIM AKPAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS
Anthony Aniagbaoso Igwe UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS
Waribugo Sylva University of Port Harcourt
Ben Etim Udoh UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS

Keywords: Service System Innovation, Competitiveness, Idea Generation, Service Development, Commercialization, Managerial Competences

Abstract

This study empirically examines the correlation between service system innovation and competitiveness in Nigeria, an emerging market, by focusing on the country’s mobile telecommunications sector. The moderating effect of managerial competencies was also tested. Due to the contribution of the telecommunications sector to the economic well-being of Nigeria and the world’s economy at large, the sector witnesses a high level of competition among its players, resulting in unsustainable price wars, negatively impacting the telecommunication firms and their ability to invest in service improvements. Thus, there is a need for a study into the factors affecting competitiveness in the telecommunications sector. A cross sectional survey was used because the study explored the relationships between service system innovation, managerial competencies and competitiveness. The study used a survey instrument, which was sent to 450 respondents using Google Forms, out of which 230 responded. The 230 returned copies represented a 51.1 percent return rate, which satisfied the minimum required return rate for a cross sectional study. The study’s hypotheses were tested using the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The finding revealed that service system innovation (idea development, service development and commercialization) enhances the competitiveness of mobile telecommunication firms. Thus, an increase in idea development, service development and commercialization is essential for a competitive advantage. Also, managerial competencies were found to significantly moderate the relationship between service system innovation and competitiveness. The study provides a new insight into how service system innovation affects the competitiveness of telecommunications companies, particularly in emerging markets, with Nigeria as the focal point. It also shows the role managerial competencies play in the telecommunications sector. This study offers proof of the traits of service system innovation, managerial competencies, and competitiveness in the telecommunications sector. It also developed and tested a scale for measuring these variables, which future studies could adopt.

Author Biographies

EKOM ETIM AKPAN, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS

Akpan, Ekom Etim, is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Management, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from University of Nigeria (2019), and a B.Sc. in Management from the University of Port Harcourt (2014). He is a certified data analyst from Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria (2016). Mr. Ekom’s research interests are in operations and production management, information management systems, service innovation, research methodology, and contemporary statistical data analysis techniques. He has published in Vision: Journal of Business Perspective, Cogent Business and Man- agement, and Investment Management and Financial Innovations.

Author’s contact detail: Address: Department of Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria; phone number: +2348134242767; Email: akpan.ekom.pg.79821@unn.edu.ng

Anthony Aniagbaoso Igwe, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS

Igwe, Anthony Aniagbaoso, is a Catholic Priest of Enugu Diocese. He is an amazing writer, brilliant management consultant and a self-defined "conflict manager". He is a holder of three Doctorate degrees: in Management (2011) from the University of Nigeria; in Philosophy (2013) from Nnamdi University; and in Economics (2016) from the Enugu State University of Science. He is currently a Reader (Associate Professor of Management), and a former Head, Department of Management, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. He also doubles as the Diocesan Health Coordinator and Administrator of all the Enugu Diocesan Catholic Hospitals. He is the Coordinator of the Doctoral Programmes of University of Nigeria Business School as well as a visiting lecturer to Godfrey Okoye University and ESUT Business School both in Enugu State, Nigeria. He has published in several journals including: SAGE Open, Problems and Perspectives in Management, and Information Development.

Author’s contact detail: Address: Department of Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria; phone number: +2348037113894; Email: anthony.igwe@unn.edu.ng

Waribugo Sylva, University of Port Harcourt

Sylva, Waribugo, is a scholar who graduated Summa Cum Laude at the University of Port Harcourt. Dr. Waribugo holds a Ph.D in Production and Operations Management (2018), an M.Sc. and MBA in Management (2014), and B.Sc. in Management (2009). All from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management and a fellow of two institutes, namely: The Institute of Public Management and the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria. He is currently a senior lecturer in the area of Operations Research in the Department of Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and has published in several journals including Vision: Journal of Business Perspectives; Research Journal of Business and Management; and International Journal of Business & Public Administration.

Author’s contact detail: Address: Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria; phone number: +2348033103959; Email: sylva.waribugo@uniport.edu.ng

Ben Etim Udoh, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, ENUGU CAMPUS

Udoh, Ben Etim, holds a Ph.D in Management from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (2016). He currently works in the same department lecturing courses such as Macro Economics, Strategy Management, Business Policy and Research Methodology. Dr. Ben is widely published including publications in Elsevier journals; Universal Journal of Accounting and Finance; Sustainability; and Academy of Strategic Management Journal. He has presented papers in both local and international conferences

Author’s contact detail: Address: Department of Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria; phone number: +2347069968903; Email: etim.ben@unn.edu.ng

References

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