ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTORSHIP AND SOCIAL CAPITAL AS DRIVERS OFPERFORMANCE IN WOMEN-OWNED ENTERPRISES: EXAMINING THEMEDIATING EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCY

Abstract

Women-owned enterprises play a critical role in economic development, yet many continue to
face performance challenges arising from limited access to support systems and capability
gaps. This study examines the effects of entrepreneurial mentorship and social capital on the
performance of women-owned enterprises, with particular attention to the mediating role of
entrepreneurial competency in Kogi State, Nigeria. Adopting a quantitative research design,
data were collected from women entrepreneurs using a structured questionnaire and analyzed
using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). the study population
comprised an estimated 1,480 registered women- owned micro and small enterprises in Kogi
state, Nigeria, from which 312 women entrepreneurs were selected using a purposive sampling
technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire adapted from validated
prior studies. ’The findings reveal that entrepreneurial mentorship and social capital both
have significant positive effects on enterprise performance. Furthermore, entrepreneurial
competency significantly mediates the relationships between entrepreneurial mentorship and
performance, as well as between social capital and performance. The model demonstrates
substantial explanatory power, indicating that these factors jointly account for a considerable
proportion of variance in entrepreneurial competency and enterprise performance. The study
contributes to entrepreneurship literature by highlighting entrepreneurial competency as a
critical mechanism through which mentorship and social capital enhance women-owned
enterprise performance. Practically, the findings highlight the need for integrated policy and
support interventions that combine mentorship, networking, and competency development to
promote sustainable growth of women-owned enterprises in emerging economies. Is conclude
that entrepreneurial mentorship and social capital are critical drivers of performance in
women-, both directly and indirectly through the development of entrepreneurial competency.
The empirical findings demonstrate that women entrepreneurs who benefit from structured
mentorship and strong social networks are better positioned to build relevant skills, improve
strategic decision-making, and achieve superior business performance.