Entrepreneurship Competencies Required by Business Education Graduates for Improved Management of Small Scales Businesses in Ebonyi State

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the entrepreneurship competencies required of Business Education graduates for improved management of small-scale businesses in Ebonyi State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 120 Business Education graduates from three selected tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State: Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki; and Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo. The entire population was studied because it was small and manageable. Data were collected using a researcher-developed four-point rating scale questionnaire titled Entrepreneurship Competencies Questionnaire (ECQ). Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while the t-test statistic was used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that marketing and business creativity competencies were required for improved management of small-scale businesses in Ebonyi State. The study concluded that entrepreneurial competencies are essential for enhancing business sustainability, self-employment, and effective management of small-scale businesses. It recommended that Business Education programmes should strengthen practical, market-oriented training and incorporate creativity-enhancing activities to equip graduates with relevant competencies for successful entrepreneurship.