ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN AWKA-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of entrepreneurial skills development on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Awka South, Anambra State, Nigeria. The objective was to explore the extent to which risk-taking skills and communication skills enhance customer satisfaction and revenue growth of SMEs in Anambra State. A descriptive survey design was employed. Two research questions were raised, and two hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The study population consisted of 1902 registered SMEs in Awka-South L.G.A. A purposive sampling method was used to select 506 entrepreneurs who were meaningfully engaged in SMEs in Awka-South. The instrument for data collection was a drafted questionnaire culled from the two research questions. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while a t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that risk-taking and communication skills enhance customer satisfaction and business growth among SMEs in Awka-South L.G.A, Anambra State. It was concluded that entrepreneurial skills development enhances the performance of SMEs in Anambra State. It was therefore recommended among others that SME entrepreneurs need to continually develop these skills through attending workshops and seminars, as this will strengthen and improve their market demand.