ICT social interfaces and business transactions in the Nigerian fashion small and medium-sized enterprises View PDF    View Abstract

Abstract


Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an integral part of business operations and transactions, impacting business performance. The study identified ICT social interfaces used for business transactions in the fashion Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), investigated business transactions that engage ICT, and identified the challenges associated with ICT use. Purposive sampling was used to select 385 fashion designers from the six States in Nigeria. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview schedule. The result showed that ICT social interfaces used include social media and e-commerce platforms for communication. WhatsApp (74.8%) and Facebook (69.4%) were the most proficiently used. YouTube (27.3%) and Instagram (32.2%) were also fairly popular, but with lower proficiency levels. The majority are conversant with the internet and social media. Respondents expressed strong training needs in learning new skills, digital sample display, online banking, and product marketing. This study recommended training for fashion designers in the use of the internet to boost their business interactions. It offered insights that can inform industry practices, policies, and strategies while providing a comprehensive understanding of how ICT social interfaces shape business performance in the dynamic Nigerian fashion sector.