Title: Substituting Styrofoam food containers with paper food containers for entrepreneurial opportunity among Nigerian youths

Authors: Isidore Ekpe; Victor Chidiebere Adim; Godwin Omogbai Ofeimun; Ayo Olaniyi

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Anchor University, Ayobo-Lagos, P.M.B. 001 Ipaja P.O., Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria ' Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria ' Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences, Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo, P.M.B. 101 Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria ' Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Anchor University, Ayobo-Lagos, P.M.B. 001 Ipaja P.O., Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract: The study examined the relationship between paper food container production and entrepreneurial opportunity among Nigerian youths, moderated by attitude. The question was: could paper food containers present an alternative to plastic (Styrofoam) food containers? In doing this, a questionnaire was used to collect data from 384 youth entrepreneurs in southern Nigeria as the sample size. Analysing data through descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression, the study found (among others) a positive influence of paper food container production on entrepreneurial opportunity. The study recommended that Nigerian youths should utilise the enormous opportunities abounding in paper food container business to substitute plastic (Styrofoam) food containers for the benefit of the populace while achieving profit objective. The Nigerian government should support youths who venture into such business through financial aid. The study was limited to youth entrepreneurs in southern Nigeria. Future studies could be extended to northern Nigeria.

Keywords: paper food container; youth's attitude; entrepreneurial opportunity; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCG.2025.146829

International Journal of Business Competition and Growth, 2025 Vol.10 No.1, pp.36 - 47

Received: 09 Sep 2024
Accepted: 08 Feb 2025
Published online: 20 Jun 2025 *

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