ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND THE GROWTHOF SMEs IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

This research examined entrepreneurial orientation and growth of SMEs in the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on SMEs in Plateau State. COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious disruptions to business activities around the world and has impeded the commitment of resources to drive business growth. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there seems to be a reduction in entrepreneurial activities (made manifest by the low number of SMEs in the state): strongly suggesting a lack of growth in Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs. We believe that entrepreneurial orientation is crucial in explaining this phenomenon. To achieve our objectives, a questionnaire, designed by Lumpkin and Dess (2001) was adapted and administered to 319 owners/managers of SMEs in Plateau State. The questionnaires were coded in SPSS version 23.0 and multiple regression analyzes were used to test the hypotheses. The results show that the entrepreneurial orientation dimensions of Innovativeness, Proactiveness, Autonomy and Competitive Aggressiveness were positively related to SMEs' growth in the State. However, the relationship between Risk-taking and SMEs’ growth was not significant. Therefore, it was recommended that for SMEs to grow in the COVID-19 pandemic, owners and managers should be innovative, proactive, autonomous, and competitively aggressive in the State.