Abstract
Abstract: This study explores the impact of technical skills within the circular economy framework on job creation and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Conducted in Lagos State, the research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from 384 survey participants with qualitative insights from 16 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The factor analysis revealed that three components explain 75.221% of the variance, demonstrating strong construct validity. The survey instrument showed high reliability with a Cronbach's Alpha of .730. In the quantitative analysis, Model 1 demonstrates that Circular Economy (CE) significantly impacts Job Creation (JC), with an R Square value of .656 and a coefficient B of .768 (p < .000), indicating that CE accounts for 65.6% of the variance in JC. Model 2 shows that CE significantly influences Entrepreneurship Development (ED) with an R Square value of .670 and a coefficient B of .783 (p < .000), explaining 67% of the variance in ED. Hypothesis testing confirms significant relationships between technical skills in the circular economy and both job creation and entrepreneurship development, with F values of 757.634 and 809.194 (p < .000), respectively. The qualitative data provided further insights, highlighting the importance of integrating technical skills in circular practices to foster sustainable economic growth and entrepreneurial activities. The study concludes that technical skills in the circular economy are crucial for job creation and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. It recommends incorporating circular economy principles into vocational training programs and encouraging government-private sector partnerships to promote circular economy initiatives. By enhancing technical competencies, Nigeria can achieve significant improvements in job stability and entrepreneurial growth.
References
Akinola, E. T., Laosebikan, J., Akinbode, J. O., & Afolabi, F. O. (2023). Practicable vocational and entrepreneurial skills acquisition for job creation and poverty alleviation among Nigerian youths. International Journal of Professional Business Review.
Anugwu, C., & Adani, N. (2021). Assessment of entrepreneurial development and job availability in South East Nigeria. African Journal of Business and Economic Development.
Borms, L., Van Opstal, W., Brusselaers, J., & Van Passel, S. (2023). The working future: An analysis of skills needed by circular startups. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.12345678
Camilleri, M. (2018). The circular economy's closed loop and product service systems for sustainable development: A review and appraisal. Sustainable Development.
Deshpande, M. (2020). Knowledge management for entrepreneurship development in the circular economy. In M. Deshpande (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship Development and Opportunities in Circular Economy (pp. 480-499). IGI Global.
Garba, A. (2017). Promoting entrepreneurship amidst poverty and unemployment: The role of Nigerian educational policies. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 7(8), 684-695.
Ghisellini, P., Ripa, M., & Ulgiati, S. (2017). Exploring environmental and economic costs and benefits of a circular economy approach to the construction and demolition sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 618-643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.200
Horbach, J., & Rammer, C. (2019). Circular economy innovations, growth and employment at the firm level: Empirical evidence from Germany. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 24, 615-625. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12922
Kamar, K., Terzungwe, I., & Muhammad, S. (2021). Entrepreneurship education: A panacea for job creation and sustainable development in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research in Education, Technology & Social Strategies.
Mhatre, P., Gedam, V., & Unnikrishnan, S. (2023). Management insights for reuse of materials in a circular built environment. Waste Management & Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X231078586
Moreno-Mondéjar, L., Triguero, Á., & Cuerva, M. C. (2021). Exploring the association between circular economy strategies and green jobs in European companies. Journal of Environmental Management, 297, 113437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113437
Muhammad, A., Kamin, Y., Abd Wahid, N. H., & Al-rahmi, W. (2019). The need for integrating entrepreneurial education and training in Nigerian technical colleges. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering.
Nzelibe, G., & Ezekiel, B. D. J. (2019). Redesigning entrepreneurship curriculum in Nigerian universities for knowledge creation and labor market competition. Nigerian Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship, 4(10), 3-18.
Okoye, J. C. (2023). Development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria and circular economy. International Journal of Science and Research Archive.
Onileowo, T. T., & Anifowose, O. D. (2020). Catalyst and instrument of national growth: Interrogating the significance of entrepreneurship in Nigerian economic development. European Journal of Business and Management, 12(3), 103-110.
Ozigbo, N. C. (2022). The dynamics of technological entrepreneurship: Fostering entrepreneurial ventures in Nigeria. International Journal of Development Strategies in Humanities, Management and Social Sciences.
Pinzone, M., & Taisch, M. (2023). Key competencies for circular manufacturing. In J. Z. Dion (Ed.), Human Aspects of Advanced Manufacturing.
Ranta, V., Aarikka-Stenroos, L., & Mäkinen, S. (2018). Creating value in the circular economy: A structured multiple-case analysis of business models. Journal of Cleaner Production.
Reike, D., Vermeulen, W., & Witjes, S. (2017). The circular economy: New or refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring controversies in the conceptualization of the circular economy through a focus on history and resource value retention options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling.
Segun, P. A. A. (2021). The strategic importance of entrepreneurship as a mechanism for sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. Humanities and Social Sciences: Latvia.
Varbanov, P., & Walmsley, T. (2019). Circular economy and engineering concepts for technology and policy development. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 21, 479-480.
Veleva, V., & Bodkin, G. (2018). Corporate-entrepreneur collaborations to advance a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production.
Zhu, Q., Jia, R., & Lin, X. (2019). Building sustainable circular agriculture in China: Economic viability and entrepreneurship. Management Decision.