SMEs

Determinants of Occupational Fraud amongst Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria (Published)

The main objective of the study was to assess the determinants of occupational fraud amongst SMEs in Edo State. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between owner factor; organizational factor; personal factor; and employee factor on occupational fraud amongst SMEs in Edo State. The study employed primary data with the use of questionnaire to elicit information from population of study using Guilford and Flruchter (1973) formula to determine sample size among SMEs key officials, and introduced path correlation and pooled Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression to assess which among the determining indicators had positively or negatively influences occupational fraud amongst SMEs. The study revealed that owner factor had significant influence and positive relationship with occupational fraud. This implied that owner factor is a strong influencing factor on occupational frauds amongst SMEs in Edo State, while organizational factor showed a significant effect and positive relationship. The implication of this is that organizational factor is a critical enhancing factor of occupational fraud amongst SMEs in Edo State. Moreso, the study observed that personal factor had significant effect and positive relationship with occupational fraud. The implication of this is also that personal of the employee had strong determining influence, which further revealed that employee factor had no significant effect, but positive relationship. The finding implied that employee factor is a weak enhancing factor of occupational fraud amongst SMEs in Edo State. The study therefore, concludes that the following factors of occupational fraud such as owner, organizational, personal and employee has the ability of lessen occupational fraud amongst small and medium scale enterprise in Edo State if adequate policy is entrenched, rules and procedures are closely monitored and followed to the later. Hence, occupational frauds with emphasis to various factors that enhance them are cankers that could disruption operations and going concern of small businesses in Edo State and Nigeria in general.

Keywords: Employees, Factors, Fraud, Occupation, Opportunity, Organization, SMEs, owners, personal factor, rationalization

Disentangling Rationales for Leaving: A Quantitative Multidimensional Account of Employee Turnover in Southwestern Nigeria Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (Published)

This paper appraised major reasons employees of Nigerian manufacturing and service SMEs’ exit their jobs from a holistic perspective rather than the seemingly parochial voluntary employee turnover angle alone.Following pre-field interviews, quantitative data was collected from 696 respondents adopting two structured survey questionnaires; data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Contrary to widely held belief, results revealed that most exits are not necessarily voluntary, but reflect three multifaceted issues (Employee-Induced, Organisationally-Induced and Externally-Induced). Employees reported job alternatives (Exp(β) = 1.438), organisation as a great employer (Exp(β) = 1.301), reward-performance ratio (Exp(β) = .676) and internal opportunities (Exp(β) = .695), as critical to their exit decisions. Owners/managers indicated external job opportunities, employee leaving after training and low salary as playing major roles in their employees’ exit decisions. A Revised Model of Turnover of Nigerian SMES employees resulted from the findings.

Keywords: Nigeria, SMEs, employee turnover causes, multidimensional, quantitative

Exploring Regulatory Constraints to the Growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in Delta State (Published)

This study investigated the intricate landscape of regulatory constraints and their impact on SME growth in Delta State. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, empirical data analysis, and qualitative insights, this study seeks to identify, analyze, and understand the key regulatory challenges faced by SMEs operating in Delta State. The study explored a range of regulatory factors including bureaucratic procedures, taxation policies, access to finance, compliance burdens, and the interplay between formal regulations and informal practices. Furthermore, this study accessed the implications of regulatory constraints on SME performance, competitiveness, innovation, and overall economic contribution within the region. It also examined the effectiveness of existing government policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional mechanisms in addressing these constraints and fostering an enabling environment for SME growth. The theoretical frameworks of this study hinged on the institutional theory which provides valuable insights into the regulatory dynamics shaping the SME sector in Delta State. The findings of this study show that while regulatory constraints are a key challenge, they are not lethal. Despite the divergence in ratings, SMEs face significant challenges and should be given special consideration for development through targeted interventions and constraint removal. It was therefore recommended that streamline regulatory processes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to streamline registration, licensing, and financing. Government departments should introduce digital enablers to simplify compliance and expedite the start-up process

 

Keywords: Challenges, Constraints, Policy, SMEs, bureaucratic, regulatory

Technological Skills and the Performance of Managers of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Published)

This study was to assess the influence of technological skills on the performance of managers in Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs). The study was born out of the fact that over the years, one of the major challenges of SMEs managers has been grossly attributed to the absence of inadequate use of technology. The study adopted survey research design. Population of the study was made up of 320 registered SMEs in Uyo. Using Taro Yamene’s formulae for sample size determination, 180 was arrived at as the sample size. Source of data was from primary source gotten from copies of administered questionnaire. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the study. The descriptive statistics were percentage and frequency distribution tables which were used to capture respondents’ demographic characteristics and frequency distribution of the responses on the study variables. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient statistical tool was used in assessing the relationship between the studied variables. Findings revealed that there exist a positive correlation between technological skill and production output; technological skill and efficiency of SME managers; and technological skill and competitiveness of SME managers. Conclusively, it is established that SME managers possessing effective Technological skill is very important to the performance of their enterprises.

Citation: Imagha O.A., Okon M.G., Akpaetor U.A., Nkanor W.N. and Umana E.S. (2023) Technological Skills and the Performance of Managers of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, Vol.11, No.1, pp.,40-53,

Keywords: Competitiveness, Efficiency, SMEs, production output, technological skills

Major Determinants of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Growth in Ragwe Market, Homabay County, Kenya in Post Covid -19 (Published)

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal economical role in various countries. The SMEs propel the growth of a country, create job opportunities, and increase the national income. There is a number of SMEs in Ragwe market on which many entrepreneurs rely for income and livelihood. However, SMEs growth is challenged with some of them dying in their first years of operations. The main objective of this study was to examine major determinants of growth of SMEs. The specific objectives were to examine how the i) management skills; ii) availability of ready market; iii) source of capital, iv) availability and accessibility to credit facilities, v) government policies and regulations affect the growth of SMEs in Ragwe Market. This was a cross-sectional study that targeted SMEs within Ragwe Market. A sample of 41 SMEs was selected using purposive sampling. The study made use of a questionnaire and SPSS 22 was used to analyse the data. The frequencies, percentages, chi-square test, multiple linear regression and ANOVA were used in data analysis. The study found that management skills, availability of ready market, source of capital, availability and accessibility of credit facilities, and government policies and regulations significantly influence the growth of SMEs in Ragwe Market (p < 0.05) with management skills being the most important determinant of SMEs growth. The regression model with the five variables managed to explain 73.9% of variance. Therefore, further studies should be done to capture more factors influencing SMEs growth in post covid-19 era.

Citation: Akoth C. and Mutabazi M. (2023) Major Determinants of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Growth in Ragwe Market, Homabay County, Kenya in Post Covid -19, International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, Vol.11, No.1, pp.,25-39

Keywords: Capital, Growth, Management Skills, SMEs, credit facilities, government policies and regulations, ready market

Smuggling and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Published)

Smuggling has become a huge global menace which has continued to impact on the activity of locally manufactured good. The study examined the effect of smuggling on performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Ekiti state. The study adopted survey approach in which questionnaire was the research instrument. The study population consists of 395 small scale business owners in Ekiti state. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 350 SMEs owners who participated in the study. Data analysis was done using simple linear regression. The regression test results showed that smuggling activities significantly affect the performance SMEs in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that Government of Nigeria should consider having a clear smuggling policy which should vehemently stand tall against any act of smuggling while offenders should be heavily punished.

Citation: Aliu, Akidele Anifowose , Adejimi, Seun Oyebola, and Adebayo, Adeleke David (2022)   Smuggling and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ekiti State, Nigeria, International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, Vol.10, No.2, pp.,36-40,

 

Keywords: Economic Performance, Economy, SMEs, Smuggling

Improvement Strategies of SMEs Operators for Effective Management of Cash and Accounts Payable in Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)

This study was carried out to determine the improvement strategies of SMEs operators for effective management of cash and accounts payable in Cross River State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive survey research design was used in carrying out this study, with a total population of 437 operators of registered SMEs in cross river state, Nigeria. The sample size of two hundred and ten (210) Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operators was drawn for the study using Taro Yamen formulae. The sample which is made up of One hundred and fifty-six (156) experience operators of SMEs and fifty-four (54) fewer experience operators of SMEs in Cross River State were composed using multi-stage sampling. A questionnaire for the improvement strategies of SMEs operators of small and medium scale enterprises operators for effective management of cash and accounts payable (QISSMSE) was used. Mean was used to answer the research questions, while the hypotheses were tested using independent t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that the SMEs operators needed strategies of cash, accounts payable, and wealth of experience in cash, account payable management; SMEs operators did not differ significantly in their mean responses on their improvement strategies for effective management of cash accounts payable in Cross River State. Some recommendations were made to help facilitate the improvement strategies of SMEs operators.

Citation:  Clement Afo Odey  (2021) Improvement Strategies of SMEs Operators for Effective Management of Cash and Accounts Payable in Cross River State, Nigeria, International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, Vol.9, No.3, pp.6-21

 

Keywords: Cash and accounts payable, Improvement strategies, SMEs

Smuggling and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ekiti State, Nigeria (Published)

Smuggling has become a huge global menace which has continued to impact on the activity of locally manufactured good. The study examined the effect of smuggling on performance of small and medium scale enterprises in Ekiti state. The study adopted survey approach in which questionnaire was the research instrument. The study population consists of 395 small scale business owners in Ekiti state. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 350 SMEs owners who participated in the study. Data analysis was done using simple linear regression. The regression test results showed that smuggling activities significantly affect the performance SMEs in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that Government of Nigeria should consider having a clear smuggling policy which should vehemently stand tall against any act of smuggling while offenders should be heavily punished.

Keywords: Economic Performance, Economy, SMEs, Smuggling

Working Capital Management –Performance Relationship: A Study of Small and Medium Enterprises in Akure, Nigeria (Published)

Despite the available potentials for sustainable growth and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) especially in developing economies, poor management of working capital has continued to deny most SMEs the optimum performance needed to annex the inherent potentials in the business. The study therefore seeks to investigate the relationship between management of working capital and Performance of small and medium enterprises; assess various sources of financing working capital; evaluate working capital management and identify problems associated with the management of working capital of SMEs in Akure, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey with primary source of data collection through a well-structured questionnaire, to elicit information from randomly selected respondents. Both the descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis. The study discovered a significant and positive relationship between working capital and performance of SMEs; identified bank loan, loan from family members and friends, and personal savings as major sources of financing working capital. The study also revealed cash as mostly used of all other working capital components while ineffective management of cash appeared to be most worrisome of all the problems associated with working capital management in the study area. The study concluded that effective working capital management ensures that SMEs have enough funds for day to day running of the business, which suggests consideration for other sources of financing working capital such as cooperative societies among others, for optimum performance needed by SMEs to annex the potentials for sustainable growth and development.

Keywords: Akure-Nigeria, Management, Performance, Relationship, SMEs, Working capital.

Financial Management of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Cebu, Philippines (Published)

The study attempts to examine the influence of entrepreneurship marketing on performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Specifically, the study addresses the following objectives: To examine the influence of entrepreneurial marketing on the growth of SMEs in Nigeria and to investigate the extent to which innovativeness, pro-activeness, opportunity-driven, resource leveraging, risk taking, customer intensity and value creation influence the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. This research adopted a descriptive survey design. All the data used for the study were elicited from the sampled respondents through the use of questionnaire. The study population consists of all the 345 registered SMEs in Delta state, Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 120 SMEs which represents the sample size for the study. Multiple regressions were the statistical tool used to test the hypothesis proposed for the study. Data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20.0). The findings of the study show that entrepreneurship marketing is a driven force of economic growth and also helps to enhance the development of new product/service for existing markets. More so, the study reveals that the SMEs operators in Nigeria mostly use traditional form of marketing to reach potential customers and to entrench their brands. Interestingly, only few of them use modern marketing technology to promote their products and services. It was thus recommended that SMEs should take advantage of the emerging global technology to improve their overall performance.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Marketing, Innovativeness, SMEs, pro-activeness, resource leverage, value creation