APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TRANSFORMING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Cyriacus Izuchukwu Mbanugo (Ph.D)

Abstract



 

This study determined the application of artificial intelligence in transforming small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State. Two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. This study was carried out in Anambra State which is one of five states in the south east zone of Nigeria. The population of the study comprised 2,837 SME managers of enterprises in Anambra State who are registered with the State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Technology. The sample size of 351 SME managers was used for the study. The sample size was derived using the Taro Yamani formula. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The face validity of the instrument was established using the opinions of three experts in business education. The application of Cronbach Alpha reliability method on the two clusters of the instrument yielded coefficient values of 0.84 and 0.82 for clusters B1 and B2 respectively. An overall reliability co- efficient value of 0.83 was obtained. From the findings of the study, it was revealed that managers of SMEs in Anambra State applied artificial intelligence in supply chain management and customer service in small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State based on years of experience. The study further revealed that there is no significant difference in the mean ratings of managers on the extent of application of artificial intelligence in supply chain management and customer service in small and medium scale enterprises in Anambra State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government, in a bid to promote SMEs and make them sustainable, should carry out awareness and training programs to let them know about the existence of certain AI technologies and their usage in their businesses, to encourage them to embrace it for their businesses.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, small and medium scale enterprises.


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