Management Information Systems Capability and Sustainability Outcomes among Informal Manufacturing SMEs in Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of management information systems (MIS) capability on sustainability outcomes among informal manufacturing SMEs in Calabar, Cross River State. Specifically, the study assessed the influence of digital infrastructure capability, management support capability, and human resource information capability on sustainability outcomes. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. A sample size of 234 manufacturing SMEs was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size determination table. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select respondents. Primary data were collected from 228 valid respondents using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis in SPSS. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 43.249, p < 0.001) and explained 36.7 percent of the variation in sustainability outcomes (R² = 0.367). Human resource information capability emerged as the strongest predictor of sustainability outcomes (β = 0.670, p < 0.001), followed by digital infrastructure capability (β = 0.441, p < 0.001) and management support capability (β = 0.354, p < 0.001). The findings indicate that MIS capability significantly enhances sustainability outcomes among manufacturing SMEs in the informal business sector. The study concludes that strengthening MIS capabilities is critical for improving the sustainability of manufacturing SMEs. Accordingly, manufacturing SME operators should deepen the integration of digital infrastructure, intensify the use of information systems in managerial decision-making, and broaden the application of human resource information systems to enhance sustainability outcomes.