ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AND VENTURE INNOVATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN BENUE STATE

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and venture innovativeness of SMEs in Benue State, Nigeria. The main objective was to determine the relationship between dimensions of entrepreneurial skills and measures of venture innovativeness of SMEs. Ten research questions and ten hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey in its investigation of the variables. The population for the study was 180 drawn from 10 SMEs. The sample size was 123 using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. A structured questionnaire was used. Data generated were analyzed and presented using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The hypotheses were tested using Spearman's Rank Order Correlation Statistics while the partial correlation was used to test the moderating influence on the variables. The tests were carried out at a 95% confidence interval and a 0.05 level of significance. In line with the specific objectives, the following findings emerged; there is a significant correlation between dimensions of entrepreneurial skills and measures of venture innovativeness. Therefore, the study concluded that dimensions of entrepreneurship skills and measures of venture innovativeness. The paper thus, recommends that entrepreneurs should read and seek for information to assist in their quest for entrepreneurial skills in SMEs within Benue State.