AN APPRAISAL OF THE PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF PURCHASING IN SMALL-SCALE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF AQUA RAPHA, GOD’S HEALING WATER IN ENUGU)

ABSTRACT

This research work is centered on the Problems and Prospects of Purchasing in Small-Scale Business in Nigeria. 
The study was aimed at identifying and examining the problems militating against the effective operations of small-scale business.   Also the study was focused on analyzing and assessing the purchasing activities of small-scale business, with a special reference on Aqua Rapha (God’s Healing Water) Company.   
The data for the study were collected using questionnaires and oral interviews. 
The hypothesis of the study were tested using chi-square. After analyzing and testing the hypothesis, the researcher made the following findings:
•Firstly, that Aqua Rapha (God’s Healing Water) Company practices purchasing concept. 
•That Aqua Rapha (God’s Healing Water) Company does not carryout purchasing research.   It was also discovered that the company promotes their product through personal selling. 
•Furthermore, the researcher discovered that the customers of Aqua Rapha (God’s Healing Water) Company are satisfied with their distribution systems. 
•Based on the findings the researcher made the following recommendations. 
i)That Aqua Rapha Company should adopt and practice purchasing concept. 
ii)That the firm should always-carryout purchasing research.
iii)That it is imperative for the company to carryout a proper blending of the purchasing mix. 
iv)That Aqua Rapha should employ a purchasing professional. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Approval Page
Dedication 
Acknowledgment 
Abstract 
Table of Contents 

CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION 
1.1 Background of Orientation of Problems 
1.2 Statement of Problems 
1.3 Historical Background 
1.4 Objective of the Study 
1.5 Statement of Hypothesis 
1.6 Limitation of the Study 
1.7 Definition of Terms 

CHAPTER TWO:
LITERATURE REVIEW 
2.1 The Meaning of Purchasing 
2.2 An Over view of Small-Scale Industrial Development in Nigeria. 
2.3 Definition and Characteristics of Small-Scale Enterprise. 
2.4 The Importance of Small-Scale Industries for Economic Development
2.5 The Strategy for Purchasing in Small-Scale Business 
2.6 General Problems Encountered by Small-Scale Business in Nigeria 
2.7 The Practice of Purchasing Concept in Small-Scale Business. 
2.8 Purchasing of Product in Aqua Rapha (Healing Water for Every Body)
2.9 Prospects and Viability for Promotion 

CHAPTER THREE:    
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 
3.2 Source of Data
3.3 Population of the Study 
3.4 Research Instrument used
3.5 Sample Size Determination 
3.6 Sample Technique 
3.7 Method of Data Treatments and Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR:
DATA PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDING 
5.1 Recommendations 
5.2 Conclusion 
    BIBLIOGRAPHY
QUESTIONNAIRE