ANALYSIS OF GROWTH STAGES IN SMALL FIRMS A STUDY OF SELECTED FIRMS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Analysis of growth stages in small firms, a study of selected firms in Enugu metropolis is a research aimed at critical assessment of the metamorphosis in the growth stages of small firms and the factors incidental to the growth or retardation in the life of the firms in the state.

Considering the critical role small firms play in catalyzing rapid economic development, growth in stages of a firm depicts a favourable business environment where the available resources are efficiently utilized to achieve organisational objectives. But when growth become less dynamic or retards, firms shrink in size thereby showing the pace or prospect of economic growth. The variable responsible for these phenomenon are encapsulated in the chapters as follows: Chapter one introduces the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, research hypothesis, scope of the study, organisation of the study and the profile of selected small firms. Chapter two literatures review. Chapter three dwelt on the research methodology used for analysis of research findings. Chapter four presents the data gathered, analysis and interpretation of the data, while chapter five summarizes research findings, conclusion and recommendations as well as suggested areas for further research study

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i
Dedication ii
Acknowledgments iii
Certification iv
Approval page v
Table of contents vi
Abstract ix
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 5
1.3 Objectives of the Study 6
1.4 Research Questions 7
1.5 Research Hypotheses 7
1.6 Scope of the Study 9
1.7 Limitations of the Study 10
1.8 Operational Definition of Key Terms 12
Organisation of the Study 11
Profile of Selected Small Firms 11
References 13
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 14
2.1 The Importance of Entrepreneurship to Economic Development 14
2.2 Stages of Development and their Differing Skills Needs 21
2.3 The Growth Stages of Small Scale Firms in an Economy 24
2.4 Financing the Growth Stages of Small Scale Firms 31
2.5 Managing a Growing Business: The Internal Strategies 36
2.6 Critical Issues in the Management of Growth Stages of Small
Scale Firms 43
2.7 Challenges of Managing the Growth Stages of Small Scale
Firms 51
2.8 Managerial Orientation and Goals 52
2.81. Human Resource Management 53
2.8.2 Managerial Capacity 54
2.8.3 Customer Base 55
2.8.4 Policy Implications and Adoptions 56
2.8.5 ICT and Commerce 58
2.8.6 Policy Consistency 59
2.9 Summary 60
Reference 62
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 65
3.1 Introduction 65
3.2 Research Design 65
3.3 Sources of Data 66
3.4 Method of Data Collection 67
3.5 Population of the Study 68
3.6 Sampling Procedure/sample Size Determination 68
3.7 Questionnaire Design and Administration 70
3.8.1 Techniques(s) from Data Analysis 71
3.8.2 Degree of Freedom 72
3.8.3 Confidence Level/Level of Significance 72
3.8.4 Decision Criterion 73
Reference 74
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 75
4.1 Introduction 75
4.2 Presentation of Data 75
4.3 Analysis of Data 80
4.4 Interpretation of Data 82
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Introduction 90
5.2 Summary of Findings 90
5.3 Conclusion 91
5.4 Recommendations 92
5.5 Suggested areas for Further Research Study
Research Paper 98
Journals 99
Bibliography 100