Entrepreneurship Training Program and Task Performance of SMEs in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between entrepreneurship training programs and task performance among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Delta State, Nigeria. The study focused specifically on two components of entrepreneurship training programs: business planning programs and financial management programs. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 351 SME owners and managers selected through a stratified random sampling technique across the three senatorial zones of Delta State. A structured questionnaire served as the primary instrument for data collection, and its reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s Alpha values ranging from .82 to .89. Linear regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that business planning programs significantly affected task performance among SMEs. The regression results showed that business planning had a strong positive influence on task performance with a coefficient (B) of 0.502, a standardized beta (β) of 0.611, a t-value of 15.39, and a significance level of p = 0.000. This indicates that 37.5 percent of the variations in task performance were explained by business planning programs. Similarly, financial management programs demonstrated a significant positive effect on task performance. The model showed that financial management had an unstandardized coefficient (B) of 0.674, a standardized beta (β) of 0.612, a t-value of 16.402, and a p-value of 0.000, explaining 37.5 percent of the variance in task performance. The study concluded that entrepreneurship training programs in business planning and financial management are critical drivers of improved task performance among SMEs in Delta State. It recommended strengthening structured training programs to enhance SME productivity and sustainability.