Green Entrepreneurship in Plastic Manufacturing: Pathways to Job Creation and Environmental Responsibility

This study examined the effect of green entrepreneurship on job creation in plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study set to determine the nature of relationship existing between green entrepreneurial innovation and job opportunity. Correlational research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised of 121 staff from the plastic manufacturing firms representing the three senatorial zones in Anambra State: Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha respectively. An interview was conducted which was later translated into a well-structured questionnaire which was used for data generation. The questionnaire was structured in five-likert scale of strongly agree, agree, undecided, strongly disagree and disagree to capture the responses of all the respondents that facilitated the analysis. The data gathered were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Formulated hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. Finding showed that green entrepreneurial innovation had a significant positive relationship with job opportunity in plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State. The practical implications of the findings for policymakers, industry stakeholders and academia are that it can enhance competitiveness and sustainability by creating new market opportunities and employment in emerging sectors. Also, it prepares graduates to get fully involved in sustainable business practices that handles environmental challenges while creating jobs. The study concluded that green entrepreneurship had a significant positive relationship with job creation. Therefore, it was recommended that plastic manufacturing firms are adjured to embrace green entrepreneurship in all its entirety so that our environment can be sustained to benefit all stakeholders in particular and citizenry at large thereby preventing environmental damage.