Performance Implication of Entrepreneurial Orientation in South Eastern Nigeria A Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Perspective

The performance of small and medium scale enterprises SMEs in Nigeria seem to be adversely affected as a result of poor entrepreneurial orientation, hence, the need to carry out this study to identify the extent of the relationship that exists between proactiveness and customers patronage of SMEs in South East, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study, with a target population of 35,535 SMEs in the study region. A sample of 396 respondents were selected through the application of Taro Yamane Formula. Data collection was carried out through a structured questionnaire, while the analysis of the collected data was handled using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypothesis was tested 5 level of significance. The Result revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between the proactiveness of SMEs and customer patronage r= 0.55 p value 0.05 . The study, therefore, concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is a key part of the survival strategies of SMEs as the proactiveness of the SMEs go a long way in building confidence in customers and retaining their patronage. Sequel to this, it was recommended among others, that the management of small businesses should build their anticipatory capacity to be able to take proactive steps to remedy situations to avoid devastating effects in the future. Chinedu Cosmas Onyemesi | Faith Chidi Onwuchekwa | Chike Kanayo Nwosu "Performance Implication of Entrepreneurial Orientation in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Perspective" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-5 , August 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd43930.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/management/business-economics/43930/performance-implication-of-entrepreneurial-orientation-in-southeastern-nigeria-a-small-and-medium-scale-enterprises-perspective/chinedu-cosmas-onyemesi