Entrepreneurial Orientation and Female SMES Performance: Reactiveness Perspective

This study was conducted to assess the influence of entrepreneurial orientation particularly, proactiveness perspective on performance of female owned small and medium scale enterprises in Akwa Ibom State. Survey research design was adopted for this study. Population of the study was 418 registered SMEs in Uyo. Sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan table for sample size determination, the figure was gotten as 196. Primary data was the main source of data. Instrument for data collection was a structured Likert scale questionnaire. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. Specifically, simple linear regression statistical tool was the inferential statistics. Findings of the study revealed proactiveness had positive significant influence on female owned SMEs in Uyo. It was concluded that cultivating entrepreneurial orientation among female SME owners represents a viable pathway toward improving business performance, empowering women economically, and contributing to sustainable development in Akwa Ibom State. As recommendation, Stakeholders should encourage and train female SME owners to be more proactive by identifying market opportunities ahead of competitors. This can be achieved through market research training, opportunity recognition programs, and networking events that promote first-mover initiatives in the Uyo business environment.