Effect of Entrepreneurial Skills on the Performance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Eastern Uganda. A Case Study of Kamuli Municipal Council

ABSTRACT 

This research report comprises of five chapters that is to say chapter, chapter two , three , four and chapter five including the appendices which comprises of the acceptance letter from the organization, and the questionnaires. In chapter one, a clear description of the background of the study, the problem statement, the research objectives, questions, scope of the study. Chapter two comprises of the literature review, conceptual frame work and a discussion about the empirical studies of the research objectives. Chapter three comprises of the methodology that will used to collect data from the field, it comprises of the research design , study populate n , 3ample size and procedure , sources and collection methods, data collection instruments data analysis and data presentation. Chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis of the findings obtained from the field. Various techniques of data analysis were used that is to say, frequency tables were used to analyze the demographic characteristics of respondents, means and standard deviation for the effects of each objectives upon financial performance. Finally chapter five consists of the conclusions and recommendations and further areas of research followed by appendices that is to say the questionnaires, the acceptance letter from Kamuli Town Council and the introductory letter.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

ABSTRACT

LIST OF ACRONYMS

TABLE OF CONTENT ix

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION I

1.O lntroduction 1

l.l Background of the study 1

1.1.1 Historically perspective

1.2 Theoretical perspective 2

1.3 Conceptual perspective 3

1.4 Contextual perspective 3

1.5 Statement of the problem 3

I.6 Purpose of the study 4

1.7 Objectives of the study 4

1.8 Research questions 4

1 .9 Scope of the study 4

1.9.1 Content of the scope 4

1.9.2 Geographical scope 4

1.9.3 Time scope 4

1.9.4 Significance of the study 5

Conceptual framework showing the relationship of the variables understudy 5

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 Theoretical review 7

2.2.lEffect of creative thinking on performance of SMEs 8

2.2.2 Communication Skills and performance of small and medium sized enterprises 9

2.2.3 The effect of entrepreneurial financial management skills on the performance of small and

medium sized enterprises 11

CHAPTER THREE 14

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14

3.0 Introduction 14

3.1 Research Design 14

3.2 Study Population 14

3.3 Sample Procedure and Size 14

3.4 Data Sources and Collection methods 15

3.4.1 Sources of Data Collection 16

3.4.1.2 Primary data 16

3.5 Data collection instruments 16

3.5.1 Questionnaires 16

3.6 Data Analysis 16

3.7 Validity and reliability of the instrument 17

3.7.1 Validity 17

3.7.2 Reliability of the instrument 17

3.7 Data Presentation 17

3.8 Ethical consideration 18

3.9 Limitations of the study 18

CHAPTER FOUR .19

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 19

4.0 Introduction 19

4.1 Demographic characteristics of the Respondents 19

4.1.1 Gender 19

4.1.2 Age of respondents of Kamuli Municipal C icil 20

4.1.3 Level of education of respondents of Kamuli Municipal Council 22

4.1.4 Level of experience of respondents in Kamuli Municipal Council 23

4.2 The effect of entrepreneurial skills on the performance of Small and Medium Sized 25

4.2.1 The effect of creative thinking skills on the performance of small and medium sized 25

4.2.2 The effect of financial management skills on the performance of Small and Medium 28

4.2.3 The effect of Communication skills on the performance of small and medium sized 29

CHAPTER FIVE 31

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 31

5.0 Introduction 31

5.1 Discussion of findings 31

5.1.1 Effect of creative thinking on Performance of SMEs 31

5.1.2 Effect of Financial Management skills on organizational performance 31

5.1.3 Effect of communication skills on performance of Small and Medium Sized enterprises. .32

5.2 Conclusions 32

5.3 Recommendations 32

5.5 Areas for further research 33

REFERENCES 34

APPENDICES 37

APPENDIX 1: SECTION A. QUESTJQNAIRE 37

APPENDIX II: SECTION B: ENTREPRERNUERIAL SKILLS 38