ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTORSHIP ANDSME PERFORMANCE: THE DEVELOPING ECONOMY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Concerned by the growing irreconcilable arguments about the link between entrepreneurial
education (EE) and SME performance, and the moderating role of entrepreneurial
mentorship (EM), the study investigates the relationship between EE and SME performance
and role of EM in this relationship. A survey research design was employed and data was
collected from 78 Managers or Owners of SME who are versed in the operation of their
business through self-reported questionnaire designed in five points Likert scale. The data
collected was descriptively analyzed and hypotheses tested using Hayes Macro Process
Model v1 to test the moderating role of EM on SME performance. The study discovered first,
a significant influence of EE on SME performance, and second, that EM moderates the
relationship between EE and SME performance. The study therefore concludes that EE, EM,
and performance of SME are significantly related, and that giving attention to both EE and
EM is likely to change the narratives of poor performance of SMEs. Based on the findings,
the study recommends that in designing to achieve the best from EE, government should
increase time for learning through EM and reduce theory laden EE to 30:70 in favor of EM.
Secondly, entrepreneurs should be exposed to industrial training where they can marry class
room theory with actual business environment in real time. This will enable entrepreneurs
relate theory with practical demands of managing SMEs.