DIGITAL LITERACY TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE OF MEDIUM-SCALE ENTERPRISES IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of digital literacy training on the performance of medium-scale enterprises in Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of digital skills acquisition, digital information management training, and digital business application training on enterprise performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 132 registered medium-scale enterprises in Cross River State, from which a sample of 99 respondents was selected using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire titled Digital Literacy Training and Enterprise Performance Questionnaire (DLTEPQ). The instrument was validated using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), while reliability was established using Cronbach's Alpha, with all constructs recording coefficients above the acceptable threshold of 0.70. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Ordered Probit, Logit, and Extreme Value regression models were employed to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that digital skills acquisition, digital information management training, and digital business application training each exerted positive and statistically significant effects on the performance of medium-scale enterprises in Cross River State. The study concluded that digital literacy training is a critical determinant of enterprise productivity, operational efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. It therefore recommended that enterprise owners and managers invest in continuous digital capacity-building programmes, strengthen employees' information management competencies, and promote the effective use of digital business applications to enhance organizational performance and ensure long-term business sustainability. Keywords: Digital literacy training, digital skills acquisition, digital information management, digital business application training, enterprise performance, medium-scale enterprises, Cross River State.