Abraha Tuem Gebre, Gebre Haftom Teshale
Department of Statistics, College of natural and computational sciences, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia.
Department of Geography and Environmental Science, College of Social Science and Humanities, Adigrat University, Adigrat, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2025 Apr 8;20(4):e0320681. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320681. eCollection 2025.
Micro and small enterprises are crucial drivers of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction in developing countries. Recognizing this, Ethiopia has implemented measures to enhance the operation of micro and small enterprises. However, many micro and small enterprises in the country face significant challenges and exhibit deteriorating performance, with limited progression from one enterprise level to the next. This study aims to assess the performance and challenges of micro and small enterprises in Fireweyni town. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates both qualitative and quantitative research. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A probability sampling technique, combining convenience and stratified random sampling, was applied to a sample of 373 micro and small enterprises in Fireweyni town. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional, focusing on the performance of MSEs and the obstacles they encounter. Data collection included responses from 5483 micro and small enterprise operators, distributed across service (853), manufacturing (341), urban agriculture (1073), construction (155), and trade (3061) sectors. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and STATA version 16. Results of the study revealed that, every variable (factor) incorporated in this study was statistically significant, impacting the performance of SMEs and businesses within the study area. The Pearson correlation coefficient test results showed that all independent variables have a significant relationship with MSE business performance. The study's conclusions indicate that financial control, marketing strategy, managerial expertise, government regulations, and business information services significantly affect the performance of small and micro businesses in Fireweyni town.
微型和小型企业是发展中国家经济增长、创造就业和减贫的关键驱动力。认识到这一点，埃塞俄比亚已采取措施加强微型和小型企业的运营。然而，该国许多微型和小型企业面临重大挑战，业绩不断恶化，从一个企业级别提升到下一个级别的进展有限。本研究旨在评估菲雷韦尼镇微型和小型企业的业绩及挑战。该研究采用混合方法，将定性研究和定量研究相结合。通过结构化问卷收集原始数据。采用便利抽样和分层随机抽样相结合的概率抽样技术，对菲雷韦尼镇的373家微型和小型企业进行了抽样。该研究是描述性的横断面研究，重点关注微型和小型企业的业绩以及它们遇到的障碍。数据收集包括来自5483名微型和小型企业经营者的回复，这些经营者分布在服务（853名）、制造业（341名）、都市农业（1073名）、建筑业（155名）和贸易（3061名）部门。借助社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）20版和STATA 16版，使用描述性和推断性统计方法对数据进行了分析。研究结果表明，本研究纳入的每个变量（因素）在统计上都具有显著性，对研究区域内的中小企业和企业业绩产生影响。皮尔逊相关系数检验结果表明，所有自变量与微型和小型企业的经营业绩都存在显著关系。该研究的结论表明，财务控制、营销策略、管理专业知识、政府法规和商业信息服务对菲雷韦尼镇的小型和微型企业业绩有重大影响。
