Extent Of Utilization Of The Principles Of Top Management Commitment And Team Work By Smes For Improved Business Performance In Anambra State
Onwubuya, Uju Nkiru
Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Okoli B. E.
Department Of Business Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
Keywords: Utilization, Top Management Commitment, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Team Work
Abstract
The study investigated the extent of utilization of top management commitment and team work principles by small and medium scale enterprises for improved business performance in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in Anambra State. The population of the study comprised 2,895 small and medium scale enterprises managers in Anambra State who are registered with the State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Technology. The sample of the study comprised of 869 small and medium scale enterprises managers. The sample was drawn from 2895 registered SMEs across the three senatorial zones (Anambra Central, Anambra North and Anambra South) in Anambra State using proportionate stratified random sampling. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was structured on a 4-point rating scale. The instrument was validated by three experts. The instrument was subjected to a pilot test. The application of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 using Cronbach Alpha reliability method on the obtained data yielded scores of .70 and .80 for clusters B1 and B2 respectively with an overall reliability co-efficient of 0.75 for internal consistency which was deemed reliable for the study. The researcher administered the copies of the questionnaire to the respondents with the help of six research assistants. Out of the 869 copies of questionnaire administered, 739 were returned in good condition. The 739 copies amounted to 85 percent return rate. The 739 copies of questionnaire were used for the analysis of data. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions and t-test were also used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that small and medium scale enterprises utilize top management commitment principle and team work principle for improved business performance to a high extent. Findings further revealed that the respondents did not differ in their opinions based on size and location of business. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended among others, that Managers of SMEs should make concerted efforts towards improving their knowledge and application of leadership principles in their business operations. They can do these through the reading of books and journals on effective leadership principles for improved business performance.