Vol. 1 | Issue 3 | 2025
By AAVER James Terzungwe, PhD
This study evaluated the effect of occupational stewardship on the reputational capital of small scale agro-based businesses (SSABs) in Benue State, Nigeria. Grounded in Stewardship and Signaling theories, the research examined three dimensions of stewardship: professional integrity, resource continuity practices, and community-oriented duty. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, utilizing a census of 234 registered SSAB owners/managers across Benue State. Primary data gathered via structured questionnaires yielded 226 valid responses (96.6% response rate). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the joint model significantly predicts reputational capital (R = 0.639, R2 = 0.408, F (3, 222) = 13.716, p < 0.001), accounting for 40.8 % of its total variance. Individually, all three dimensions exerted statistically significant positive effects on reputational capital: professional integrity (Beta = 0.343, t = 6.654, p = 0.003), resource continuity practices (Beta = 0.392, t = 5.606, p < 0.001), and community-oriented duty (Beta = 0.289, t = 4.130, p < 0.001). The study concludes that practicing trade custodianship serves as an effective market signal that resolves information asymmetry, builds brand trust, and secures market legitimacy. It recommends that agro-entrepreneurs formalize transparent quality assurance protocols, integrate sustainable resource practices, and embed local community welfare into core business operations to drive long-term commercial viability.
Occupational Stewardship, Reputational Capital, Professional Integrity, Resource Continuity, Community-Oriented Duty, Small-Scale Agribusinesses, Benue State.
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Email: wijamssae@gmail.com
Address: Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, Benue State. Nigeria.