Emmanuel Makanjuola OGUNJEMILUA, Titilayo Olubunmi OLAPOSI, Mathew Olugbenga ILORI

Impact of Knowledge and Network Ties on the Performance of Micro and Small Technical Enterprises in Southwestern Nigeria

The study examined the knowledge areas of operators of micro and small technical enterprises MSTEs in Southwestern Nigeria. It investigated the extents and depth of operators’ collaborations and evaluated the influence of operators’ knowledge and network ties on the performance of micro and small technical enterprises MSTEs . This was with a view to recommending policy interventions that could influence the performance of MSTEs. The study covered technical entrepreneurs in Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo and Ondo States. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected using one set of questionnaire and interview. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Three Local Governments were randomly selected from each of the states. Twenty five micro and small technical enterprises were purposively-randomly selected in each Local Government, making a total of three hundred respondents. The questionnaire elicited information on the socio-economic characteristics, knowledge areas, extents and depth of collaboration and the performance of the respondents. Secondary data were sourced from the records of the firms. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as multinomial logistics regression and ANOVA. Results showed that comprehensiveness of knowledge areas and forms of collaborations significantly influenced performance measures; profit X2= 102.101, p= 0.000** , sales volume X2= 87.086, p= 0.000** , and staff strength X2 = 47.313, p = 0.000** . Certain control measures were significant on performance measures, some were not. The study concluded that improved knowledge of the operators of MSTEs and effective collaboration among them could lead to significant improvement of their performance.

Keywords:

Knowledge, Network Ties, and Performance,

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