ABSTRACT
This research examined the Effects of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on Employment Generation in Gombe Metropolis. The Personality Based Theory, Human Capital Theory and the Goal Setting Theory were adopted as theoretical framework for this study. Data for the study were obtained through questionnaire designed on a four (4) point Likert scale. In all, one hundred respondents were used for this study. The responses were analyzed empirically using descriptive statistics for mean and standard deviation in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. Findings showed among others that SME’s are a significant tool for employment generation and contributes to economic growth and development both at the national and global level as majority of the respondents agreed. This research has concluded that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is potential tool for realizing progressive growth in the Nigerian economy and in the long run, technological advancement in our contemporary society as it contributes to improvement in employment generation and acts as a panacea to socioeconomic problems inherent in Nigerian economy. It was then recommended that there is need for encouragement of youths towards developing and nurturing their entrepreneurial skills and spirit. That being said, appropriate policy should be formulated and implemented in favour of functioning small and medium scale sub-sector, as well as supervision, assessment, assistance and provision of enabling environment for SMEs to achieve sustainable developmental growth both in the sector, in Gombe state economy and the Nigerian's at large.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - i
Dedication - - - - - - - - - - ii
Certification - - - - - - - - - - iii
Abstract - - - - - - - - - - iv
Table of Content - - - - - - - - - v
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - 3
1.3 Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - 4
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - - - 4
1.5 Research Hypothesis - - - - - - - 5
1.6 Significance of the Study - - - - - - - 5
1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study - - - - - 5
1.8 Structure of the Study - - - - - - - 6
1.9 Definition of Terms - - - - - - - - 6
1.10 Reference - - - - - - - - - 8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - 9
2.1 Literature Review - - - - - - - - 9
2.1.1 Conceptual Discussion - - - - - - - 13
2.1.2 Roles of SMEs in Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Development - 14
2.1.3 Efforts towards Promoting SMEs in Nigeria - - - - 15
2.1.4 Factors Militating against the Development of SMEs in Nigeria - 17
2.2 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - 24
2.2.1 Personality Based Model - - - - - - - 24
2.2.2 Human Capital Theory - - - - - - - 25
2.2.3 Goal Setting Theory - - - - - - - 27
2.3 Conceptual Framework of the Study - - - - - 27
2.4 Relevance of Theoretical Framework to the Study - - - 29
References - - - - - - - - - 31
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - 34
3.1 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - - 34
3.2 Validity of Instrument - - - - - - - 34
3.3 Population of the Study Area - - - - - - 34
3.4 Sample Size and Technique - - - - - - 35
3.5 Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - - 35
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - - 36
4.1 Data Presentation - - - - - - - - 36
4.2 Data Analysis - - - - - - - - 38
4.3 Verification of Hypothesis - - - - - - - 52
4.4 Discussion of Finding - - - - - - - 53
References - - - - - - - - - 56
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - 57
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - 57
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - 58
Bibliography - - - - - - - - - 59
Appendix
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1.1: Mean and Standard Deviation indexes of Responses of Respondents to each item on the questionnaire on a four point Likert scale.
Table 4.1.2: Mean, Median and Standard Deviation statistics indexes of Responses on the questionnaire on a four point Likert scale.
Table 4.2.1: Small and medium scale enterprises contribute to national and global economic growth and development.
Table 4.2.2: Entrepreneurship can promote industrial and technological growth
Table 4.2.3: Promotion of SMEs contributes to improvement in employment generation
Table 4.2.4: Small and medium scale enterprises is a significant instrument for employment generation
Table 4.2.5: Sustainable Employment Generation solves socio-economic problems inherent in Nigerian economy
Table 4.2.6: Youth employment reduces social vices in an economy.
Table 4.2.7: Giving of right focus to the youth welfare prevent crime and other social vices in our society
Table 4.2.8: Constant supervision, assessment, assistance and providing enabling environment for SMEs will contribute to its sustainability
Table 4.2.9: There is need for appropriate policy formulation and implementation in favour of functioning small and medium scale sub-sector
Table 4.2.10: The youth should be encouraged to develop and nurture entrepreneurial spirit
Table 4.2.11: To me, government support in the development of Small Medium Scale Enterprises in Gombe metropolis is effective
Table 4.2.12: The youth can enhance sustainable development of the Nigerian economy
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Model for SMEs as an Instrument of Employment Generation
