Abstract:
This study assessed the role and effectiveness of Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs) on the performance, growth, and sustainability of MSMEs in Nigeria. Specifically, the study was aimed at identifying the specific roles that ESOs play in supporting the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in Nigeria, assessing the extent to which ESO interventions contribute to job creation, revenue growth, operational efficiency, and survival rates of MSMEs across different sectors and geographical regions in Nigeria, examining the key barriers and enablers influencing MSMEs’ access to and utilization of ESO support services in Nigeria and developing evidence-based policy and institutional recommendations for strengthening Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs).This study adopted a quantitative research design, and in this design, quantitative data are collected, analyzed and then interpreted. The study adopts a multiple case study approach, focusing on four prominent enterprise support organizations in Nigeria. The quantitative analysis was based on 371 valid responses obtained from MSME owners and managers who had received support from the selected ESOs. Separate questionnaires were also administered to selected ESO staff and management personnel and industry experts to obtain supplementary contextual perspectives; however, these responses were not included in the statistical analysis. The study found that ESO support has a significant positive relationship with the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in Nigeria. It also found that technical support, advisory services and networking support have significant positive relationships with MSME growth, productivity and survival. The study further found that ESO interventions are significantly and positively associated with job creation, revenue growth, operational efficiency and survival rates among the MSMEs studied. Another conclusion from the study is that contextual factors significantly moderate the relationship between ESO support and MSME outcomes in Nigeria. Such contextual factors may include the accessibility of information, application procedures, eligibility requirements, market conditions, location and other characteristics of the operating environment. Overall, the study concludes that ESOs are important instruments for strengthening MSME development in Nigeria. However, the greatest benefits are likely to be achieved when support is relevant to the specific needs of businesses, easily accessible, technically appropriate and accompanied by an enabling business environment.
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