International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

The Impact of Government Policies and Small Scale Enterprise Development Activities on Economic Growth Evidence from Nigeria

Open access
In Nigeria, government initiatives and ways to grow and sustain firms have been mapped out to enhance SME entrepreneurial development. This will help SSEs thrive and develop so they can address societal needs. Interest in SSE development, expansion, and promotion as a productive structure to promote economic growth and prosperity has developed in recent years. This research explores how government policies, SSE advancement, expansion, and promotion affect SSE performance and economic growth in Nigeria. The research contributes to various theoretical models, including the Organizational Theory of Innovation and the Schumpeterian Theory of Innovation. These models serve as the foundations for innovation performance, competitive advantage and organizational strategic management. It also promotes ethical decision-making in terms of policies, progress, expansion, promotion and enterprise/company performance. We used survey based research approach. . The study sampled a valid respondents of 250 to make a generalization using Yaro Yamane formulae. The study used Cronbach's Alpha, Pearson's Correlation, Durbin-Watson, ANOVA, and OLS Regression.. The results reflects the level of significant impact of the regressed variables on the SSEs and economic growth at 10%, 1%, 5%, and 1%, significant P-values. This indicate that SSE progress, expansion and promotion are significant factors or elements that can impact positively on SSE development and economic growth (EG). We accept all hypotheses in this study due to their relevance to the measured variable. Effective government policy boosts SSE performance and economic growth. We agree that good government policy for SMEs is vital to most economies' long-term growth and prosperity. Effective government policies affect SSEs' long-term viability. The correlation analysis connected all variables positively. These issues may affect SSE's performance and economic growth. Effective government policies, SSE advancement, expansion, and promotion are combined efforts between the government and entrepreneurs. It will help firms or organizations to expand, find new possibilities, and improve. Besides, the ability of entrepreneurs to continue to develop and offer services depend on having access to financial resources to expand their businesses is a means to contribute to economic growth and development because the continual function of these SSEs will create employment, reduced unemployment and generate revenue through taxes for development intervention. Hence, a need for government to create the enabling environment for small scale business activities to thrive. This research informs the government to strengthen policies to support the private sector growth in Nigeria and elsewhere around the globe.
Abdullah, M. A. H. (2000). Small and medium enterprises in Asian Pacific countries: Roles and issues (Vol. 1): Nova Publishers.
Abor, J., & Quartey, P. (2010). Issues in SME development in Ghana and South Africa. International research journal of finance economics, 39(6), 215-228.
Acs, Z. J., & Szerb, L. (2007). Entrepreneurship, economic growth and public policy. Small Business Economics, 28(2), 109-122.
Adam, S., Fuzi, N. M., Ramdan, M. R., Mat Isa, R., Ismail, A. F. M. F., Hashim, M. Y., . . . Ramlee, S. I. F. (2022). Entrepreneurial Orientation and Organizational Performance of Online Business in Malaysia: The Mediating Role of the Knowledge Management Process. Sustainability, 14(9), 5081.
Adcock, C. (1997). Sample size determination: a review. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series D, 46(2), 261-283.
Adebusuyi, B. (1997). Performance evaluation of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Bullion, 21(4), 6.
Adewale, A.-a. A. AN EVALUATION OF THE FINANCING PROBLEMS OF MEDIUM AND SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA.
Alabi, F., David, J., & Aderinto, O. (2019). The impact of government policies on business growth of SMEs in South Western Nigeria. International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 1(2), 1-14.
Amoah, S. K., & Amoah, A. K. (2018). The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to employment in Ghana. International Journal of Business Economics Research, 7(5), 151-157.
Ang, J. S. (1991). Small business uniqueness and the theory of financial management. 1(1), 1-13.
Aremu, M. (2010). Small and Medium Scale Enterprises As A Means of Employment Generation and Capacity Building In Nigeria, A Paper Presented at the International Conference on Management and Enterprise Development on “Intellectuals and New Strategies for Sustainability Development of the Third World” Held at Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Aremu, M. A., & Adeyemi, S. L. (2011). Small and medium scale enterprises as a survival strategy for employment generation in Nigeria. Journal of sustainable development, 4(1), 200.
Aroge, S. T. (2012a). Employee's training and development for optimum productivity: The role of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigeria. 2(4), 50-58.
Aroge, S. T. (2012b). Employee’s training and development for optimum productivity: The role of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigeria. Developing Country Studies, 2(4), 50-58.
Asuquo, A. N. (2018). ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A SINE QUA NON TO THE CURRENT ECONOMIC MELTDOWN IN NIGERIA. 4(2), 105-111.
Audretsch, D. B. F., Maryann P. (2004). Knowledge spillovers and the geography of innovation. In Handbook of regional and urban economics (Vol. 4, pp. 2713-2739): Elsevier.
Ayyagari, M. (2003). Small and medium enterprises across the globe: a new database (Vol. 3127): World Bank Publications.
Aziato, L., & Korsah, K. A. (2014). Nursing Research: A Focus on Qualitative Orientation and Application. Footprints of the Nursing Profession: Current Trends Emerging Issues in Ghana. Legon-Accra, Ghana.
Balunywa, W. (2010). What are Small Scale Enterprises? Entrepreneurship and Small Business Enterprise. Makerere University Business School. In.
Beltrame, F., Grassetti, L., Bertinetti, G. S., & Sclip, A. (2022). Relationship lending, access to credit and entrepreneurial orientation as cornerstones of venture financing. Journal of Small Business Enterprise Development
Blaikie, N. (2003). Analyzing quantitative data: From description to explanation: Sage.
Blaikie, N. (2018). Confounding issues related to determining sample size in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 21(5), 635-641.
Borrego, M., Douglas, E. P., & Amelink, C. T. (2009). Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods in engineering education. Journal of Engineering Education, 98(1), 53-66.
Callegari, B., & Nybakk, E. (2022). Schumpeterian theory and research on forestry innovation and entrepreneurship: The state of the art, issues and an agenda. Forest Policy and Economics, 138, 102720.
Caner, S. (2010). The role of small and medium size enterprises in economic development. Paper presented at the HSE Conference.
Clement, M., Huaicheo, C., Felicia, A., Philip, A. S., Isaac, S. H., Kwame, O. E., & Juliana, N. O. (2021). The New Experiential Impacts Linked to the Application of Knowledge Management in Businesses. International Journal of Academic Research in Business Social Sciences, 11(12), 1540-1556.
Cooper, D. R., Schindler, P. S., & Sun, J. (2006). Business research methods (Vol. 9): Mcgraw-hill New York.
Cowell, M. M. (2013). Bounce back or move on: Regional resilience and economic development planning. 30, 212-222.
De Vaus, D., & de Vaus, D. (2013). Surveys in social research: Routledge.
Dell, R. B., Holleran, S., & Ramakrishnan, R. (2002). Sample size determination. ILAR journal, 43(4), 207-213.
Easterly, W. R., Sergio (1993). Fiscal policy and economic growth. 32(3), 417-458.
Edmiston, K. D. (2007). The role of small and large businesses in economic development. SSRN 993821.
Emerole, I. (2017). The Empowering of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises for Sustainable Development–A Study Of Small and Medium Enterprises In Lagos.
Eniola, A. A., & Entebang, H. (2015). Government policy and performance of small and medium business management. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 5(2), 237-248.
Etim, E. O. (2010a). PROMOTING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA: A PANACEA FOR REALIZATION OF FINANCIAL SYSTEMS STRATEGY (FSS) 2020. 1(2), 3.
Etim, E. O. (2010b). PROMOTING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA: A PANACEA FOR REALIZATION OF FINANCIAL SYSTEMS STRATEGY (FSS) 2020. International Journal of Economic Development Research and Investment, 1(2), 3.
Ezejiofor, R. A., Olise, M. C., Emmanuel, E., & Otugo, E. (2014). The appraisal of entrepreneurship and SME on sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. Journal of Economics, Business Management, 1, 367-372.
Ezejiofor, R. A., Olise, M. C., Emmanuel, E., & Otugo, E. (2014). The appraisal of entrepreneurship and SME on sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. Journal of Economics, Business Management 1, 367-372.
Francis, U. U. (2009). THE ROLE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY.
Galindo, M. A., & Mandez?Picazo, M. T. (2013). Innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth. Management decision.
Gundry, L. K., & Welsch, H. P. (2001). The ambitious entrepreneur: High growth strategies of women-owned enterprises. Journal of business venturing, 16(5), 453-470.
Gunu, U. (2004). Small Scale Enterprises in Nigeria: Their Start Up.
Gupta, P. D., Guha, S., & Krishnaswami, S. S. (2013). Firm growth and its determinants. Journal of innovation and entrepreneurship, 2(1), 1-14.
Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Clark, V. L. P., Petska, K. S., & Creswell, J. D. (2005). Mixed methods research designs in counseling psychology. Journal of counseling psychology, 52(2), 224.
Ibrahim, M., & Musah, A. (2014). Record keeping and the bottom line: Exploring the relationship between record keeping and business performance among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Tamale Metropolis of Ghana.
Ihua, U. B. (2009). SMEs key failure-factors: a comparison between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. 18(3), 199-207.
Israel, G. D. (1992). Determining sample size.
Juliana, N. O., Hui, H. J., Clement, M., Solomon, E. N., & Elvis, O. K. (2021). The impact of creativity and innovation on entrepreneurship development: evidence from Nigeria. Open Journal of Business Management, 9(4), 1743-1770.
Kozak, R. A. (2007). Small and medium forest enterprises: instruments of change in the developing world: Citeseer.
Kumar, R. (2018). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners: Sage.
Macqueen, D. (2006). Governance towards responsible forest business: guidance on different types of forest business and the ethics to which they gravitate: IIED.
Mintah, C., Gabir, M., Aloo, F., & Ofori, E. K. (2022). Do business records management affect business growth? PloS one, 17(3), e0264135.
Mohammed, A. A., JULIUS (2015). Innovation among small and medium Enterprises in Nigeria. 11(1), 250-263.
Moser, C. A., & Kalton, G. (2017). Survey methods in social investigation: Routledge.
Nyong, M. (1992). Small and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria: their characteristics, problems and sources of finance. Retrieved from
Oba, U. O. O. (2013). The role of small and medium scale enterprises in poverty reduction in Nigeria: 2001–2011. 7(4), 1-25.
Obitayo, K. (2001). Creating an enabling environment for small-scale industries. 25(3), 5.
Okongwu, D. (2001). Fostering the innovation potential of SMEs in the globalization era: The role of patents. Paper presented at the WIPO Milan Forum on Intellectual property and small and medium-sized enterprises. February.
Omotola, D. (2008). Small scale enterprises, economic reform and national development in Nigeria.
Onakoya, A. B., Fasanya, I., & Abdulrahman, H. (2013). Small and medium scale enterprises financing and economic growth in Nigeria. European Journal of Business Management, 5(4).
Ongori. (2009). Role of information communication technologies adoption in SMES: evidence from Botswana.
Onugu, B. A. N. (2005). Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: Problems and prospects.
Onuoha, B. C. (2013). Wealth creation, retirement and succession planning of entrepreneurs in South-East, Nigeria. 7(1), 99-105.
Osotimehin, K., Jegede, C. A., Akinlabi, B. H., & Olajide, O. (2012). An evaluation of the challenges and prospects of micro and small scale enterprises development in Nigeria. American international journal of contemporary research, 2(4), 174-185.
Ozigbo, S. N. (2016). The Role of Small Scale Industry in Economic Development of State.(Selected Studies).
Patrick, H. T. (1966). Financial development and economic growth in underdeveloped countries. 14(2), 174-189.
Patton, M. Q. (2014). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice: Sage publications.
Romano, C. A. T., George A. (2001). Capital structure decision making: A model for family business. 16(3), 285-310.
Roper, S. (1997). Product innovation and small business growth: a comparison of the strategies of German, UK and Irish companies. Small Business Economics, 9(6), 523-537.
Rosenberg, N. (2006). Innovation and economic growth.
Schwartz, E. (1959). Theory of the Capital Structure of the Firm. 14(1), 18-39.
Sehnem, S., de Queiroz, A. A. F. S., Pereira, S. C. F., dos Santos Correia, G., & Kuzma, E. (2022). Circular economy and innovation: A look from the perspective of organizational capabilities. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(1), 236-250.
Sule, E. (1986). Small scale industries in Nigeria concepts, appraisal of some government policies and suggested solutions to identified problems.
Surya, B., Menne, F., Sabhan, H., Suriani, S., Abubakar, H., & Idris, M. (2021). Economic growth, increasing productivity of SMEs, and open innovation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market Complexity, 7(1), 20.
Taiwo, M. A., Ayodeji, A. M., & Yusuf, B. A. (2012). Impact of small and medium enterprises on economic growth and development. American journal of business management, 1(1), 18-22.
Thaddeus, E. (2012). Perspectives: Entrepreneurship development & growth of enterprises in Nigeria. Entrepreneurial practice review, 2(2), 31-35.
Turner, M., Sermcheep, S., Anantasirijkiat, S., & Srisangnam, P. (2016). Small and medium-sized enterprises in Thailand: government policy and economic development. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 38(4), 251-269.
Walter, S., Eliasziw, M., & Donner, A. (1998). Sample size and optimal designs for reliability studies. Statistics in medicine, 17(1), 101-110.
Yemane, M. (1967). Elemantary Sampling Theory, Printice-Hall Inc, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA.
In-Text Citation: (Onyedikachi et al., 2022)
To Cite this Article: Onyedikachi, N. J., Clement, M., & Funmilayo, A. K. (2022). The Impact of Government Policies and Small Scale Enterprise Development Activities on Economic Growth Evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(12), 745– 772.