Impact of Cultural Practices on Entrepreneurship Development in Niger

Abstract

Cultural background of the individual personalities that manage and conduct SMEs operations  significantly influences corporate behaviour and managerial quality and performance in SMEs.  These cultural manifestations that overwhelmingly and unconsciously influences SMEs managerial  behaviour include context social norms, perspective standards, attitudes, religious’ belief and value  systems. It is on this premise that this research investigated the impact of cultural practices on  entrepreneurship growth and socio-economic development in Niger State between 2015 and 2019.  Qualitative survey research design using focus group interview was adopted to conduct across sectional study of indigenous and non-indigenous SMEs in the State. Descriptive method using  tables and simple percentages were used to present the research findings relating to how cultural  practices affect business success attributes. Barney, (2001) and Hofstedes, (1994) cultural  dimensions were used as framework of analysis to assess the cultural practices in SMEs  environment. It was found that cultural practices of the two groups of SMEs significantly influence  and determined the performance of the SMEs in the Niger State. The study recommends among  other things for business education to improve the perception and value system of indigenous SMEs  owners, behaviour and competence of indigenous SMEs as well as government support to improve  funding and modern technology application for corporate competence and performance