INFLUENCE OF ICT ADOPTION AND EMPLOYEE SKILL ON SUSTAINABILITY OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN OWERRI.

Small businesses, often referred to as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), are widely recognized as the engine of economic growth and development in both developed and developing economies. This study investigates the influence of ICT adoption and employee skill on the sustainability of small businesses in Owerri, Imo state. Sustainability encompasses economic viability, operational efficiency, market competitiveness and resilience to external shocks. The potential implications of this study are that both ICT adoption and employee skill are statistically significant predictors of small business sustainability in Owerri. Employee skill exerts the stronger effect, underscoring the importance of human capital development. Therefore, policy makers should focus not only on ICT infrastructure provision but also on employee training programs to ensure maximum sustainability outcomes. Theoretical framework. This study was hinged on the resource-based view (RBV) theoretical framework. The resource-based view posits that an organizations competitive advantage and long-term sustainability are largely determined by the resources and capabilities it controls. According to this theory, for a resource to contribute to sustainable competitive advantage, it must be Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, and Non-substitutable. Methodology. The participants of this study consist of small business owners across different sectors in Owerri. A structured questionnaire was distributed to these participants and the purpose of the questions was to elicit responses on the participant’s experience on ICT adoption and Employee skill as an influence of sustainability to small businesses. Findings indicate that ICT adoption and employee skill are crucial determinants of small business sustainability in Owerri. However, this study recommends policy support for ICT access, capacity building for entrepreneurs, and skill development programs. This study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence, practical implications for small business owners in Owerri, policy implication for government and support agencies, and societal benefits.