UTILIZATION OF TECHNICAL SKILLS BY MANAGERS OF SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES (SSEs) FOR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OPERATION IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The need to ensure the survival of small scale enterprises in Bayelsa State necessitated this study. The study examined the utilization of technical skills by managers of small scale enterprises for successful business operations in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. One research question was answered while one null hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance to guide the study. The study design descriptive survey. Population of 120 managers of small scale enterprises in Bayelsa State was studied without sampling. Self-developed questionnaire containing 8 items, which was face validated by three experts in the field of Business Education and Measurement and Evaluation was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was determined using trial-testing method and data collected were analyzed using Cronbach Alpha formula, which yielded correlation coefficient value of 0.81. The researcher administered 120 copies of the questionnaire to the respondents with the help of three research assistants and 116 (97%) copies were returned and found usable. Mean, standard deviation and t-test were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that managers of small scale enterprises in Bayelsa State, Nigeria to a low extent utilize technical skills for successful business operations. Location of business did not influence respondents’ mean ratings on the extent they utilize technical skills for sustainable economic development. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concluded that managers of small scale enterprises in Bayelsa State do not highly utilize technical skills for successful business operations. It was recommended among others that, managers of small scale enterprises should increase their utilization of the technical skills in conducting business activities. This will enable them to contribute to the sustainable economic development of Bayelsa State.