ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to access Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Performance of Small Scale Businesses in Essie Udim LGA of Akwa ibom state. Specifically, the study sought to examine; the relationship between risk taking and performance of small scale businesses; the relationship between innovation and performance of small scale businesses; the relationship between communication and performance of small scale businesses. Literature were reviewed based on the variable of the study. The research design adopted for the study was the survey research design. The population of the study comprises of all registered SSEs business owners-managers operating in Essien Udim Local Government Area. Purposive sampling technique was used to determine a sample of fifty(50). Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Performance of Small Scale Businesses questionnaire (ECPSSEQ) was the major tool for data collection and data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Entrepreneurial Characteristics have significant positive effect on business Performance in Essien Udim Local Government Area. This implies that the more Small Scale businesses possess entrepreneurial characteristics in the areas of locus of control, self-efficacy and risk taking; the higher the performance of SSES. It is therefore recommended that Entrepreneurs should therefore be encouraged to acquire, as well as engage in planning, organizing, leading and controlling activities so as to improve the Performance of their businesses.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DECLARATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Theoretical Framework 5
1.2.1 Psychological Theory by McClelland David(1960) 5
1.3 Statement to the Problem 10
1.4 Purpose of the study 10
1.5 Research Questions 11
1.6 Research Hypotheses 12
1.7 Significance of the Study 12
1.8 Assumptions of the Study 13
1.9 Scope of the Study 14
1.10 Limitation of the Study 14
1.11 Definition of Terms 15
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Risk-taking and Business Performance of SSEs 17
2.2 Innovation and Business Performance 22
2.3 Communication and Business Performance 29
2.4 Summary of Literature Review 36
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1      Research Design                                                                                38
3.2 Area of the Study 39
3.3 Population of the study 41
3.4 Sampling Techniques 41
3.5 Sample 41
3.6 Instrumentation 42
3.6.1 Validity of the Instrument 42
3.7 Procedure for Data Collection 42
3.8 Procedure for Data Preparation and Coding 43
3.9 Procedure for Data Analysis 43
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 General Description of Research Variables 46
4.2 Presentation of Results 48
4.3      Discussion of Findings                                                                      54
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of the Study 58 5.2 Conclusion 60
5.3 Recommendations 61
5.4 Suggestions for Further Research 62
REFERENCES 64
APPENDIX 69
