Interrogating the Growth and Survival of Nigerian SMEs in the Digital Technology Era through Personal Entrepreneurial Characteristics of Printing Firms in Somolu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

---

In this chapter, the personal entrepreneurial characteristics (PECs) of printing entrepreneurs is used to cross-examine the growth and survival of Nigerian SMEs amidst the challenges posed by technological changes in the digital era. It equally assesses the influence of attributes, skills, competences and traits possessed by the entrepreneurs in sustaining businesses in difficult times. A set of questionnaire was administered on 270 entrepreneurs drawn randomly from Somolu, a well-known printing hub situated in Lagos, Nigeria. Descriptive analysis of the demographic variables revealed the sector as fairly technologically-inclined (51.8%) and nongender discriminatory (59.3% male and 40.7% female). The study further revealed that innovativeness with a mean score of 3.67, ranked 9th out of the 12 PEC variables used in the study, while commitment and determination, and ability to adapt, both with mean scores of 4.85 ranked first among the PECs. In addition, regression analysis (R = 0.804, R2 = 0.646, F = 5.482, p value = 0.01) revealed that PECs support the growth and survival of small and medium scale printing business in Nigeria, with a substantial 64.6% predictive effect. It is therefore suggested that SMEs should adequately harness these potentials to accommodate the transformational efforts suggested to government and universities in the era.

Suggested citation

---

Tolutope Fakokunde (2024). Interrogating the Growth and Survival of Nigerian SMEs in the Digital Technology Era through Personal Entrepreneurial Characteristics of Printing Firms in Somolu, Lagos State, Nigeria Koozakar Festscrift, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.69798/k7468206

Metric

---