Entrepreneurship for Self-Reliance: Examining the role of Perceived Desirability in the relationship between Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Resilience among small business owners in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of perceived desirability in the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial resilience among small business owners in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Cross-sectional research approach was used and a total of 384 comprising  77 (46.1%) males and 207 (53.9%) females within the age range of 20 – 70 years and mean age of 43.00(SD=9.08) participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique for the study. Perceived Social Capital Scale, perceived Desirability and Entrepreneurial resilience Scales were used for data collection. Results showed that there is a significant indirect effect of family social capital on entrepreneurial resilience through perceived desirability (?=8186; BootSE=.1668; 95%CI (.4932 to 1.1481). The results also revealed that there is a significant indirect effect of community social capital on entrepreneurial resilience through perceived desirability (?=6446; BootSE=.1024; 95%CI (.4520 to .8494). Furthermore, the relationship between perceived peer social capital and entrepreneurial resilience was mediated by perceived desirability (?=.7052; BootSE=.0909; 95%CI (.3361 to .6900). It was concluded that perceived desirability is a significant factor that strengthen the relationship between perceived social capital and entrepreneurial resilience among small business owners in Nasarawa State.  Based on the findings, it was recommended that Family and peer support should be integrated into entrepreneurship development programmes. It was also recommended that boosting of community-based entrepreneurial initiatives is highly recommended to aid knowledge and resources sharing among small business owners for the survival of their businesses. If this is done there will be substantial increase in the number of surviving business especially when these entrepreneurial activities are perceived by the business owners to be worthwhile ventures.