Manpower Development and Innovative Work Behavior: A Study of Selected SMES in Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the manpower development on innovative work behavior among employees of selected SMEs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive survey design, the study targeted a population of 465 staff across four SMEs: Miva Rice, Seraph Nigeria Limited, BIPC Bread and Water, and Oracle Farms. A sample of 215 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula at a (5%) margin of error, ensuring both statistical reliability and feasibility. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires measuring the independent constructs of manpower development: Job Enrichment (JE), Committee/Workshop participation (CW), and Job Rotation (JR) and the dependent variable, Innovative Work Behavior (IWB), on a five-point Likert scale. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS 4 was employed to analyze the relationships among variables, providing robust path coefficients and significance levels. The results revealed positive and significant effects of JE, CW, and JR on IWB, with path coefficients of 0.333, 0.223, and 0.323, respectively, indicating that structured development practices enhance creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving among employees. These findings suggest that SMEs can foster innovation by investing in meaningful job enrichment, rotational assignments, and collaborative workshops, thereby enhancing organizational performance and sustaining a culture of innovative behavior.