Entrepreneurial Competencies and Firm Performance of SMEs in Abuja Municipal FCT (Published)
The economic growth of many nations, especially developing ones, has often hinged on empowering small businesses. One thing that most investors put in mind is the issue of SMEs performance. This study therefore examines the effect of entrepreneurial competencies (innovativeness, creativity and risk taking) on performance of SMEs in Abuja Municipal. The study employed survey research design with a population of 2066 and a sample 327. Data was collected from 290 respondents through primary data with the help of designed questionnaires. The data collected were analysis using the SPSS V 22 to test for correlation analysis; regression analysis was well as other diagnostic test. The study found that creativity and risk taking has significant effect on performance of SMEs in Abuja Municipal. But innovativeness has negative and significant effect of performance. The study concluded that entrepreneurial competencies (innovativeness, creativity and risk taking) have effect on performance of SMEs in Abuja municipal. The study then recommends that stock holders should ensure they put more effort on creativity and risk taking as it has impact on performance and also SMEs should look forward on other avenue of being innovative as well as inventing on new opportunities in area of business.
Keywords: Creativity, Innovativeness, risk-taking, sales growth