IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

WORLD JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (WJEDS )

E-ISSN 2579-0544
P-ISSN 2695-2483
VOL. 10 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/wjeds.v10.no1.2025.pg41.60

---

Ease of Doing Business on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMES) in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Victor AKIDI, Ibeinmo Friday COOKEY & Isaac Olubiyi OLADOSU

---

Abstract

This study examined ease of doing business on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The study adopted Institutional theory and Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. The population of the study consisted of 365 registered SMEs in Port Harcourt Metropolis. Applying Taro Yamane formula, the sample size consisted 191 managers of SMEs in Port Harcourt while purposive sampling technique was utilised to select the sample. Utilising structured questionnaire as data gathering instrument, raw (primary) data were collected for this research. Descriptive statistical techniques i.e., frequencies, simple percentages and weighted mean scores were applied to analyse the demographic data of the responding persons and other questionnaire items while regression technique is utilised to test the hypotheses. The research established that access to finance, regulatory environment and infrastructure are noteworthy contributors to spurring SMEs performance in Port Harcourt Metropolis. On the other hand, taxation had negatively considerable effect on SMEs performance. It is therefore concluded from the empirical outcomes that congenial doing business conditions are critical for driving and enhancing SMEs performance. Thus, recommended among others are that government should streamline ex-ant regulatory procedures and reduce bureaucratic red tape that hinder SMEs’ operations. This should include simplifying business registration processes, reducing the time and cost associated with obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and ensuring that regulatory actions are clear and transparent.

keywords:

Ease of Doing Business, SMEs, Access to Finance, Regulatory Environment, Infrastructure,

---

References:

Adagba, David T., & Shakpande, C. (2018). Effect of environmental factors on business
performance. Journal of sustainable development, 1(2), 16-23.
Akpoghol D. D., Hanmaikyur T. J., Kwahar N., & Utile Z. (2023). Effect of ease of doing business
and entrepreneurship training on sales growth of small and medium enterprises in Gboko
Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. The International Journal of Business & Management,
11(6), 56-64.
Azmat A. S., Muhammad J., Nooshen F., Soofia I., Sidra A. Ameer T. A. K., Awais A., & Aleem
G. (2023). Perceived ease of doing business and business growth motivation of SMES;
Russian Law Journal, 11(9), 229-241.
Eisingerich, A. B. Auh, S., & Bindl, U. K. (2014). The role of visionary leadership, emotion, and
organizational support in change implementation: a study of entrepreneurial ventures.
Journal of Business Venturing, 29(2), 292-306).
Ekeh O. L., & Mohammed M. (2023). Business environment and performance of small and
medium scale enterprises (SMES) In Benue State, Nigeria, Journal of Business and
Economic Review, 1(12), 24 – 35.
Eniola, A. A., Entebang, H., & Sakariyau, O. B. (2015). Small and medium scale business
performance in Nigeria: Challenges faced from an intellectual capital perspective.
International Journal of Research Studies in Management, 4(1), 59-71.
Essien B. S. (2014). The Nigerian business environment and growth constraints of micro and
small-scale manufacturing industries, Journal of Small Business Finance, 4(8), 113-127.
Ezenyili E. N. & Adekunle A. (2023). An assessment of government policies on ease of doing
business and the development of small medium scale enterprises in Delta State.
International Journal of Management Science and Business Analysis, 28(7), 45-66.
Glyn, R., Cornell, U. & Samuels, G. (2016). Financial management (9TH ed.) Delhi, Modern
Printers.
Heindenreich, R. (1998). Economic and institutions: the socioeconomic approach of K. Williams
Kapp, Journal of Economic Issues, 32(4) 965-984.
Karen, S. (2010). Studying organizations, University of Salford, Manchester.
Memba, S. F., Gakure, W. R., & Karanja, K. (2012). Venture capital (VC): Its impact on growth
of small and medium enterprises in Kenya. International Journal of Business and Social
Science, 3(6), 32-38.
Myers, S. C. (1984). The capital structure puzzle. The Journal of Finance, 39(3), 575-592.
Nwobashi, H. N., & Elechi F. A. (2019). The ease of doing business report and security challenges
in Nigeria: Engaging the narratives. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science
(IOSR-JHSS), 24(12), 37-48.
Olasunkanmi O. O., & Jonathan O. I (2019). The evaluation of the national policy on ease of doing
business. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial Research, 1(2), 89-97.
Olufemi O. O., Patrick S. O., & Martin O. O. (2021). Ease of doing business reforms and business
growth among selected micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) in present day
Nigeria: A Hierarchical multiple regression modelling approach, Journal of Economics
and Management Research, 10(1), 58-73.
RoK, E. K. (2015). Assessing the impact of venture capital financing on growth of SMEs. Texila
International Journal of Management, 3(2), 1-13.



Sanusi, J. O. (2013). Overview of government’s effort in the development of SMEs and the
emergence of small and medium industries equity investment scheme (SMIEIS). Presented
at the National Summit on SMIEIS organised by the Bankers’ Committee and Lagos
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Lagos, Nigeria.
Singh, G. (2015). Relationship between doing business index and foreign direct investment.
International conference on “ease of doing business: contemporary issues, challenges
and future scope. Gujarat Technological University, 9th and 10th, 2015 Ahmadabad,
Gujarat (India).
Suwaiba, S. I., Bruce, F. A., Musa, K. H., & Hudu, G. (2023). an assessment of business
environments and their effects on small and medium enterprises in Kaduna State-Nigeria.
Journal of Global Economics and Business, 4(13), 195-225.
Tambari, J. C., Chioma, A., & Ononogbo, M. C. (2018). Implications of environmental factors on
the productivity of selected small and medium scale enterprises in Rivers-State. Archives
of Business Research, 6(3), 34-45.
Tareg, A. (2015). Institutions and institutional theory. Long Range Planning, 49(6) 723-745.
Wilk, R. (1996) Economics and cultures: Foundations of economic anthropology. Boulder, Co:
Westview.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back