Entrepreneurial skills required of small and medium scale construction firms’ operation in Abuja, Nigeria

K.C. Okolie & Ukwumonun Etubi

Department  of Building, Faculty of Environmental Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined entrepreneurial skills required of small and medium scale construction firms’ operation in Abuja. One research question and hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted descriptive research design. The population of the study consisted of 976 managers, building construction professionals and contractors in registered small and medium sized building construction firms in Abuja. A sample size of 284 managers, building construction professionals and contractors was used for the study. The sample size for this study was determined using Taro Yamane’s sample reduction formula. The data for this study was collected using structured questionnaire. The face and content validity of the instrument was  established using the opinions of three experts from the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha; which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78. The findings of the study revealed that financial management, industry knowledge, project management, innovation and technology savvy, risk management, quality control, and adaptability are the most essential entrepreneurial skills for small and medium sized construction firms in Abuja. The study among others recommended that managers of this firms should place emphasizes on financial management skills, networking skills through training programs, workshops, and mentoring opportunities.

Keywords

entrepreneurial skills; small and medium-sized building construction firms; performance.

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