ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCE AND BUSINESS SUCCESSES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between entrepreneurial competence and business successes of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bayelsa State. The study was descriptive survey research design with 80 respondents (N=80) using pre-tested self-designed, close -ended questionnaires to generate primary data. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) 23. Pearsons correlation analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial competences (communication skill competence, risk-taking competence and learning competence) and amplify SMEs performance. The results showed a positive significant relationship between the independent variables (communication skill competence, risk-taking competence and learning competence) and the dependent variables amplify SMEs performance. (Beta Coefficients= -0.043, 0.165 and 0.965 respectively). The study recommended that government should equip current and future entrepreneurs with skills and competencies to make them self-reliant. Additionally, SME owners should improve themselves through personal trainings by attending entrepreneurship seminars and conferences in order to improve their learning, communication and risk-taking competencies.