CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Business constitutes the highest percentage of business establishments in the country both at the national, state and local levels. Since they are of great importance to the nation’s economy and industrial development, one therefore, wonders why such businesses are prone to poor management. However, the poor management of the rise and fall of these businesses daily are not of major concern to most of us. This according to Omlekwusi, (1995) is that people tend to sing success and hide failure.
Basically, the aim of any businessman is to maximize profit and achieve success. However, the achievement of his objectives depends on this managerial skill and the quality of those employed. Madu, Nwaogwugu and Ohiri (1988) noted that incompetence on the part of entrepreneurs accounts for over 35% of failure in business.
This, therefore, is traceable to their inability to employ the right caliber of people, with relevant experience and personal qualification.
To underscore this point, Frame (1975), Iwuoha, (1993) and Onvekwusis, (1995) believed that most business collapse within a short period as a result of poor management by entrepreneurs and lack of qualified officer workers.
Since these people lack certain qualifications, they sometimes believe that business are only run by capital.
According to Nolan, (1967) and Pophan, (1971) the knowledge of business education makes one not only a good business manager but also better sales manager. Similarly, Jackson (1975) stressed the need for developing competency in payroll procedures, he believed that any community that have many small businesses need to have knowledge of accounting (pay rolling) in order to survive. Since majority of those who run small scale businesses are people who are unable to complete their education or those who could not go beyond the JSS 3 and are prepared for self reliance, it is important that they understand that business education is for business and about business. To what extent the operators of small-scale businesses have the knowledge of business education or education for business is still unknown. This project, therefore determines the extent to which the operators of small scale business are knowledgeable in their areas o operation, examines the factors responsible for this and suggestions where necessary.
Therefore, Yewande (1991) quoting the Federal Ministry of Industries an others defined small-scale business as one that has a total capital investment of up to 50 persons.
The World Bank defines it as an enterprise whose total fixed assets (excluding land) push cost of investment does not exceed N10 million in constant 1998 price index. While the Third National Development plan puts the capital investment of small scale industry at N150,00. Some years ago the Central Bank of Nigeria further defines small scale industry/business as one with Annual turnover not exceeding N500,000. It is therefore, clear that there is no universally acceptable definition of small scale business for the purpose of this project, a working definition of small scale business enterprise will be one with a working capital of N100, 000 to N150,000.
Small scale business enterprises have greater flexibilities which allows this survival of economicship as compared to the large scale enterprises.
Moreover; the decision making and renovation process in large scale enterprises are in habited by rigid bureaucracy. Therefore, small scale business enterprises development is important and needed by the nation.
The rote of the government and support institution in the development and growth of small scale business enterprises cannot be over emphasized. The government’s rote in encouraging entrepreneurship is not just limited to providing and economic environment conductive for business and a stable political scene. To stimulate economic growth entrepreneurship, it must be able to provide the right combination of political and incentives to attract individuals to become entrepreneurs. Since government resources are limited, it is then the role of the support institutions to fill the gab between the resources needed by entrepreneurs and what the government can provide. This can be in the form of financial assistance or non-financial services to both enterprises and would be entrepreneurs. To ensure. The continued effectiveness of the small scale business enterprises, it is imperative that an analysis of this be made from the perspective of the entrepreneurs themselves.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Despite the wide spread economic reforms by the state government, small scale business enterprises, seem to face a variety of constraints owing to the difficulty of absorbing large fixed costs, the absence of economies of scale and scope is key factors of production, improper monitoring mechanisms by the government, and lack of management knowledge.
From the preliminary discussion with some enterprise, the government supporting institutions do not have formal feedback mechanisms to check whether the assistance given to small scale business enterprises are adequate and effective.
The small scale business enterprises are unable to introduce modern equipment machinery to improve their product due to financial constraints. It seems that access to finance remained a dominant constraint to small scale business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis, credit pertaining to working capital is of permanent concern to small scales business enterprise.
Lack of managerial know-how places significant constraint on small scale business enterprise seem to attract most people, they can hardly compete with larger forms.
Association providing a voice fro the interest of small scale business enterprises in the policy role compared to those of larger forms.
One major problem in Nigeria’s business environment is in adequate power supply. This and other factors are responsible for the problems and low performance of small scale business enterprises and these problems seen to defied all efforts by government to address them.
The problems over the years have equally kept foreign investors on the run despite Nigeria’s efforts to lure them to invest in the country.
It’s difficult to make it in business under this environment “the rate at which power supply is being rationed these days cannot help any businessman. And by so doing, you will discover that the rate of turnover becomes so low that one keeps losing customers at the end of the day. Power supply is nothing to write home about.
Business operation here is being starved to the extreme. At a time like this, government should put more effort to salvage business operations in this country. Power. Supply has not improved even after the so called privatization this is killing business
1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
In the context of the above mentioned problems, the main purpose of this study is to analyze the avenues of doing business in Kaduna metropolis. The following are the specific objectives.
1. To identify avenues for doing business in Nigeria
2. To find out whether business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis has any association that project their interest.
3. To investigate whether lack of managerial knowhow has affected business enterprises Kaduna metropolis
4. To find out whether small – scale business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis actually have access to finance in the area of working capital.
5. To know how many businesses truly grow with avenues for doing business
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research question were formulated to guide the study
1. What are the avenues for doing business in Nigeria?
2. Do business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis has any association that project their interest?
3. Do lack of managerial knowhow have affected business enterprises Kaduna metropolis?
4. To find out whether small – scale business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis actually have access to finance in the area of working capital.
5. How many businesses truly grow with avenues for doing business
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Small scale business enterprises are believed to be a sure room for the development of an economy like that of Nigeria. This study therefore shall be of immense benefits value to the following:
Small Scale Business Enterprise
The research project will be a source of assistance to the managers of small scale business enterprises, it will provide a clue to how they could solve their financial and administrative structure.
The Government and Supporting Institution
This research will provide valuable assistance to government and their supporting institution in the area of suggestion on how to have feed back on the capital they have advanced to the small scale business enterprises.
Future Researchers
The findings of the research will serve as a source of reference to future re researchers who may wish to replicate this study.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This project work is restricted to small scale business enterprises in Kaduna metropolis. It will bother on avenues of doing business
1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The result of this project will be limited on the willingness of the respondent in filling the questionnaire. Also as some of the small scale business enterprises are illiterate, this project might be hindered because most of the respondents may not be willing to disclose the facts especially when it concern. The area of their financial and control. Also the research work is limited to time and cost to complete the work.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
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