ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES AND PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN SOUTH-EAST OF NIGERIA

This study aimed at identifying the effect of entrepreneurial competencies and performance of SMEs in south east, Nigeria. The objectives of this research were; To ascertain the extent to which effective time management and communication competence have on the performance of SMEs in south east, Nigeria. This work was anchored on Entrepreneurial Value Creation Theory (EVC) by Mishra Zachary in 2014. A descriptive survey research design was used and the population was 593 practicing entrepreneurs. The sample size for the study was determined using Taro Yameni’s which was arrived as 238. Data collected through the questionnaire were described using descriptive statistics while Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. This study however, has shown that there is positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and performance of SMEs in south east, Nigeria The study concluded that entrepreneur need to acquire competencies in these identified areas to be able to continue to remain relevant in the fast changing business environment across the globe. Based on the findings, the study recommended that competencies can however be achieved through effective training programmes to reawaken the consciousness of the practicing entrepreneurs on the need to develop those skills.