DIGITALIZATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES’ OPERATIONS IN THE POST COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN IMO STATE

Abstract

The research examined the digitalization of small and medium enterprises’ operations in the post COVID-19 pandemic era for sustainable national development in Imo State. Two research questions were raise inline with the two specific purposes to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted 2,500 operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Imo State. The sample of the study was 750 operators of SMEs determined through stratified random sampling. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. The instrument was face and content validated by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation Department, Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri Imo State. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained through a trial test. The application of the Cronbach Alpha reliability method for the two clusters yielded coefficient values of 0.82 and 0.88 for the two clusters with an overall reliability co-efficient of 0.85. Data for the study was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that workers require some skills like ability to work with technology, good communication skills, ability to work in a team, taking responsibility for action and being proactive in decision making. Specific skills knowledgeable about trends in the business and ability to manage the business online environment et cetera, for digitalization of SMEs in the post COVID-19 pandemic era in Imo State. Further findings revealed that expanding adoption of digital consumer tools like e-commerce and digital payments, funding digital research and development, facilitating access to financial services, improving mobile internet affordability, fostering environments friendly to innovation in new technological areas and training and retaining of professionals with digital skills are some of the conditions necessary for promoting the digitalization of SMEs operations in the post COVID-19 pandemic era in Imo State. The researchers recommended among others that operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should organize training and retraining programmes that would equip workers with the necessary digital competences needed to conduct businesses with digital tools in the post COVID-19 pandemic times.