Technological Innovation and Risk Management Efficiency of Food and Beverage Firms of Enugu State

• Post by: birpo
• December 16, 2025
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Onyeka-Udeh Virginia ¹ Bill-Uchegbue Susan Ekelechi ²  & Abiakwe Joseph Uzoma ³

Abstract         

The study evaluated the technological innovation and risk management efficiency of food and beverage firms in Enugu State. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of automation on the incidence of stockouts and to evaluate the effect of blockchain tracking on the frequency of fraud in food and beverage firms in Enugu State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and primary data were collected through the administration of a questionnaire. The total population of the study comprised 1,282 employees of the selected firms. A sample size of 297 was determined using the Ferund and Williams formula. A total of 284 questionnaires were returned and correctly completed. Data were presented and analyzed, and the hypotheses were tested using the Z-test. The findings indicated that automation had a significant positive effect on the incidence of stockouts (Z = 9.672, p = .05), and blockchain tracking had a significant positive effect on the frequency of fraud in food and beverage firms in Enugu State (Z = 11.452, p = .05). The study concluded that automation and blockchain tracking significantly improved the management of stockouts and fraud within the industry. It recommended, among other things, that food and beverage firms in Enugu State should invest in automation technologies to enhance inventory management, reduce the incidence of stockouts, and promote consistent product availability and customer satisfaction.

Keywords:  Automation, Blockchain Tracking, Efficiency, Innovation, Risk Management & Enugu State.