PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL BUSINESS COMPETENCIES ON SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
The study investigated the perceived influence of digital business competencies on sustainable economic development among Business Education students in public universities in Anambra State, Nigeria. While sustainable economic development remains a national priority, a persistent digital skills gap among graduates limits youth participation in the digital economy, constraining income generation, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion. This study examined how digital literacy and skills, and e-commerce knowledge collectively termed digital business competencies, contribute to these outcomes. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 206 Business Education students sampled from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, using stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a validated 14-item questionnaire which was also tested for reliability using the Cronbach’s Alpha statistic. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that students strongly perceive digital literacy and skills, such as using productivity software, online communication tools, social media marketing, and digital payments, as influential for accessing income-generating opportunities and enhancing employability (cluster mean = 3.42), among others. The study concludes that digital business competencies represent investable human capital capable of fostering youth-driven economic inclusion and sustainable development, emphasizing the need for practical digital skills integration in university curricula. It recommended among others that the National Universities Commission (NUC) should require all business education programmes to include a minimum of 6 credit hours of practical digital literacy courses in their curricula.
Keywords: Digital business competencies, digital literacy, e-commerce knowledge, sustainable economic development, Business Education.
Dr. Mbogu, Emmanuel Onyinye Ejike
emmambogu@gmail.com
Commerce and Co-operative Edu. Dept
Ndubuisi, I. S.
Accounting Edu. Dept.
School of Business Education, Federal College of Education (Tech) Umunze