EFFECT OF GENDER AND LOCATION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISE IN ABIA STATE: SPECIAL FOCUS ON COMPUTER BUSINESS CENTERS

Abstract

Good locations attract large numbers of customers and increase the potential profits of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), hence, the need to understand the impact of location on business performance. Similarly, there is inadequate literature to clarify the
performance gap between male and female business owners with similar businesses. Hence, this study investigated the effect of gender and location on the performance of SMEs in Abia state. The study adopted survey research method, while data used for the study was collected from a total of one hundred and thirty male and female owners of Computer Business centres located in Ikwuano Local Government Area, using a simple random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a 30-item structured questionnaire containing closed-ended questions. The validity of the research instrument was done using the face and content validity, while in testing for reliability, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient Statistical Procedure was used to determine the validity of the test instrument, and showed a correlation coefficient of 0.90. Findings revealed that owners of SMEs consider customer demography, economic power, level of competition, ease of accessibility and the presence of magnets as important factors when choosing a location. Also, a good location enhances sales volume, increases customer patronage, market share and profitability. Again, the study
found that there exists a large difference in the services offered by computer business centres owned by male respondents and those owned by female respondents, which invariably translated to much better performance on the part of the male entrepreneurs. Based on this, the study concludes that gender and location play a pivotal role in the performance of small businesses, and in this case, computer business centres. Hence, the paper recommended further studies to critically examine the variables responsible for such observable differences.