TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF LOGISTIC FIRMS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Emeji, P. E.

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of dministration, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Email: pius.emeji@rsu.edu.ng

Wechie, I.

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of dministration, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

and

Gbarale, K. D.

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of dministration, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the relationship between talent development and growth of logistic firms in Rivers State, Nigeria. For this purpose, the study examined the talent development and their effects on organisational growth measures such operational growth, market growth and geographic expansion. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population of the study was the one hundred and eighty-one logistics firms in Rivers State. The study took a sample of thirty logistics firms. As an organizational level study, three managers were selected from the thirty logistics firms in Rivers State making a total of ninety managers which serves as the population elements. As a quantitative study, the primary data collection instrument utilized was the structured questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to analyze the data with the aid of SPSS. The results showed that talent development positively influences operational growth, market growth, and geographic expansion. This suggests that firms that invest in training, mentoring, and skill enhancement of their workforce experience improved efficiency, market presence, and regional reach. The study concluded that talent development is a strategic enabler of organizational growth. By strengthening employee capabilities, logistic firms can boost productivity, expand their customer base, and successfully enter new markets, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Keywords: Talent development, organisational growth, operational growth, market growth, geographic expansion