Leadership Styles and Business Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in FCT Abuja (Published)
This study investigates the impact of leadership styles on the business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. The study aims to examine the influence of autocratic, democratic, and transformational leadership styles on SME performance in the region. Survey research design was utilized for the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey administered to SME owners and managers in various industries within the FCT Abuja. The questionnaire measured respondents’ perceptions of leadership styles and business performance using Likert scale items. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reveal significant relationships between leadership styles and business performance among SMEs in FCT Abuja. Contrary to initial hypotheses, autocratic, democratic, and transformational leadership styles were all found to have significant effects on business performance. Autocratic leadership demonstrated a positive influence on performance, while democratic and transformational leadership styles also showed significant relationships with performance. The study’s implications underscore the critical role of leadership in shaping the success of SMEs in FCT Abuja. The findings highlight the need for SME leaders to adopt a balanced leadership approach that incorporates elements of autocratic, democratic, and transformational leadership styles. Moreover, the study emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of employee involvement, empowerment, and innovation within SMEs to drive performance and competitiveness in the market. Based on the study’s findings, recommendations are provided to support SME leaders in enhancing business performance.
Keywords: Autocratic, Business Performance, Democratic, Leadership Styles, transformational leadership styles.
Entrepreneurial Training Needs: An Imperative for Business Performance among Women Entrepreneurs in South-Eastern Nigeria (Published)
This study assesses the impact of entrepreneurial training needs among women entrepreneurs in Southeast Nigeria. The study employed exploratory research design and primary data was collected using copies of structured questionnaire from 360 sample respondents. The data collected was analysed using spearman’s rank correlation and multiple regression analysis. The research findings revealed that bookkeeping training needs and Credit recovery training needs emerged as a significant factor in enhancing the performance of women entrepreneurs. On the other hand, access to finance training needs had a highly significant negative impact on the performance of women entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, the study recommends that Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other relevant stakeholders should collaborate to provide comprehensive and accessible bookkeeping, access to finance and credit recovery training to women entrepreneurs. This will enable them to develop effective financial management skills, make informed decisions, and improve overall business performance.
Keywords: Business Performance, bookkeeping training needs, credit recovery training needs, entrepreneurial training needs