ANALYSIS OF OWNERSHIP,GOVERNANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED FAMILY FIRMS. A STUDY SCENARIO OF NIGERIA

This dissertation deals with the analysis of ownership, governance and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in small and medium sized family firms. More closely, it examines how the coordination of ownership, governance and EO can improve the performance of small firms. SMEs make an important contribution to economic and social development of any country. In all economies they constitute vast majority of business establishment, are usually responsible for the majority of jobs created and accounts for two third of the turnover of the private sector. In many countries they have been the major engine of growth in employment and output. In a developing country like Nigeria, they are seen as a major self-help instrument for poverty eradication. This study will concentrate more on the changes in ownership, governance , business culture and entrepreneurial orientation. Nigeria’s ownership and governance structure is not well developed. Small businesses die when the owner dies. This study tries to answer the question on how can the private sector be more competitive and profitable to its owners while the government provides the environment conducive for business operation.