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From Readiness to Performance: Modelling AI-Enabled HR Analytics Adoption Capability as a Second-Order Formative Construct in Nigerian SMEs

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  • Michael Raphael OnenyiORCID iD verified by the author (show author details)

    Michael Raphael Onenyi

    Department of Business Administration, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Nigeria, Nigeria

    0009-0005-7272-4483

    Corresponding author

  • Peter Ugbedeojo Nelson (show author details)

    Peter Ugbedeojo Nelson

    Department of Business Administration, Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria, Nigeria

  • Muhammed Idris Ogbike (show author details)

    Muhammed Idris Ogbike

    Department of Business Administration, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Nigeria, Nigeria

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Onenyi, M. R., Nelson, P. U., & Ogbike, M. I. . (2026). From Readiness to Performance: Modelling AI-Enabled HR Analytics Adoption Capability as a Second-Order Formative Construct in Nigerian SMEs. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 9(1), 70-88. https://doi.org/10.33215/ys2h9974

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Abstract

Objective: This study examines how AI-enabled HR Analytics Adoption Capability (AIHRA), a second-order formative construct, is associated with operational performance among Nigerian SMEs.
Design: Drawing on UTAUT2, the Resource-Based View, and Socio-Technical Systems Theory, a survey was administered to 296 respondents across SMEs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano. PLS-SEM via SmartPLS 4.0.9.9 was used for analysis.
Findings: Technological Readiness (weight = 0.584, p<0.001) and Organisational Support (weight = 0.532, p<0.001) significantly form AIHRA. Perceived Value and Use is non-significant (0.119, p = 0.219) but shows absolute importance. AIHRA is positively associated with operational performance (β = 0.626, R2 = 0.392).
Policy Implications: Managers and policymakers should prioritise digital infrastructure and organisational support before AI procurement.
Originality: This study contributes an empirically tested higher-order formative model linking AI-HR analytics adoption capability to operational performance in Nigerian SMEs, extending prior technology-organisation-environment evidence by showing structural determinants dominate perceptual constructs within a multi-theory, capability-based specification.

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Copyright (c) 2026 Michael Raphael Onenyi, Peter Ugbedeojo Nelson, Muhammed Idris Ogbike

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): SEISENSE Journal of Management View Issue

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2025-122026-11

Article history

  1. ReceivedApril 2, 2026
  2. Published July 19, 2026

Author Biography

Michael Raphael Onenyi

Department of Business Administration, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Nigeria Nigeria ORCID

 

 

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