The relationship between the small business owner's personal attributes and small business success in Uganda. The case of Nakawa Market.

Abstract

This study was an examination of the influence of the small business owner’s personal attributes on small business success. Specifically, the study reviewed the relationship between the small business owner’s demographic characteristics, individual specific traits and religious beliefs on the success of their small business. Previous work done in this area did not specifically consider the individual personal attributes of the small business owner and most used only the survey method in their studies.Our study used a mixed methods design on a sample of 331 respondents and 5 interviewees. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and an interview guide and it was analyzed both qualitatively using the content analysis approach and quantitatively using descriptive statistics of frequencies, and inferential statistics of Pearson chi-square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis.The study established that the demographic characteristics and the religious beliefs of the small business owner had a significant positive relationship with the success of their small business while the individual specific traits of the small business owner had a weak positive relationship with the success of their small business. It was therefore, concluded that the personal attributes of the small business owner affect the success of their small business. Following these findings and the conclusions, the study thus recommended that government and policy makers aggressively encourage self-development and business education targeted at children in primary schools to inculcate the business culture at an early age. Formal social structures, programs and clubs be instituted in schools and in the work places to promote strong cultural and religious values. An educational curriculum that focuses on creativity, interpersonal and social skills should be incorporated in the school curriculum from primary level in order to encourage individual personal attributes that bring about small business success.