Effect of Corporate Human Capital on Financial Performance of Quoted Nigerian Agricultural Firms’ (2007 – 2020)

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Effect of Corporate Human Capital on Financial Performance of Quoted Nigerian Agricultural Firms’ (2007 – 2020)

Amalachukwu Chijindu Ananwude*, Chisom Njideka Ezeaku, Chimarume Blessing Ubah and Dr Felicia Akujinma Anyanwu
Department of Banking and Finance, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria
*Corresponding author

Abstract: This study examined the effect of corporate human capital on financial performance of quoted Nigerian Agricultural firms. The agricultural sector in Nigeria are faced with a lot of challenges (use of crude equipment’s in farming, improper information, agri-marketing, etc.) which hinder productivity. Specifically, the effect of human capital efficiency, capital employed efficiency and structural capital efficiency on return on assets was ascertained. Secondary data for a period 2007 to 2020 were sourced from the annual reports of all the firms quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The Panel Ordinary Least Square (POLS) and the Granger Causality test were the technique employed in estimating the models. The result of the analysis revealed that human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency have significant effect on return on assets; Agricultural firms should improve their human capacity development (workforce be up to date on ever changing technology) to enhance productivity. This is based on the significant effect of human capital efficiency on return on assets. More investment on human and their growth in the agricultural sector is recommended as it is a significant key for the success.

Keywords: Corporate human capital; financial performance

I.INTRODUCTION

Investments in human capital by firms comes with a cost. Firms, especially large ones amidst technological innovations keeps (periodically depending on policies of the firm) a fraction of their earnings for human capital development in order to stay competitive in business. Similarly, small firms in most emerging economies does not see human capital development as contributory to improved returns. At times, firms embark on human capital development on the basis of employees’ output. The out of the employees’ are assessed through performance appraisal system as may be determined by the firm. According to Isychou, Chountalas, Magoutas and Fafaliou (2016), human capital is often considered as one of the most fundamental requirements for high organizational performance, whereas key driver for the achievement of higher levels of employees’ productivity is considered the employment of a suitable performance appraisal system. However, the emphasis on human capital in firms reflects the view that market value depends less on tangible resources, but rather on intangible ones, particularly human resources (Stiles & Kulvisaechana,

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