Entrepreneurial Competencies and Small Businesses Performance in Ebonyi State: Evidence from Networking, RiskTaking and Managerial Competencies

This study examined the effect of entrepreneurial competencies on the performance of small- scale enterprises in Ebonyi State. The main objective of the study is to examine the extent to which entrepreneurial competencies influence performance of small businesses in Ebonyi State, specifically, the study sought to; ascertain the extent to which networking competence affects small business performance in Ebonyi State, to determine the extent to which risk taking competence affects small business performance in Ebonyi State, and to find out the extent to which managerial competence affects small business performance in Ebonyi State. The study was anchored on Resource Based View ( RBV) theory by Edith Penrose (1959), sample size of 331 was derived from a population 0f 2433 using Krejcie and Morgan table 1970 and a structured questionnaire was used to elucidate data from respondents which was analyzed by regression and findings show that networking competency (NTC),and managerial competency (MGC) had P-values of 0.000, and 0.000. and coefficient of 0.324 and 0.310 respectively showing positive and significant value, but risk –taking competency (RTC) has p-value of 0.583 and coefficient of 0.034 showing positive and insignificant. The study recommended among others, small business owners should consistently maintain networking competencyby creating networking opportunities with experienced managers and industry expert, Small- scale enterprise’s owners/ managers should invest in leadership development programs, strategic planning workshop and communication training in other to create a conducive business environment. Finally, the study recommended that existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in Ebonyi State should aim for stronger Risk-taking competences in order to achieve positive results in small- scale enterprises sector.