ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCE AND PERFORMANCE OF PLASTIC MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study determined the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies on the performance of plastic manufacturing industries in Anambra state. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, which allows for effective statistical analysis without manipulating variables. The population comprised 1,648 employees from 15 selected plastic manufacturing firms across Anambra State. Using Borg and Gall’s (1973) formula, a sample size of 321 was determined and proportionally distributed across the firms. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale, while secondary data were sourced from textbooks, journals, and online databases. To ensure validity, experts in business administration reviewed the questionnaire. Reliability was confirmed through a pilot test and Cronbach’s Alpha, which yielded coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.92 across the constructs. Data analysis involved both descriptive (frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics, with Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation used to test hypotheses at a 5% significance level. The findings revealed that: entrepreneurial leadership styles have a positive relation to job satisfaction of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra state (r = 0.847, at p .000<0.05); there is a significant relationship between entrepreneurial innovativeness and customers’ satisfaction of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra state (r = 0.813, at p. 000<0.05). It was recommended that Government agencies, industry associations and educational institutions should collaborate to design and implement structured training programs focused on developing core entrepreneurial competencies.