IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL SCALE FOOD VENDORS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
Small Scale Enterprises (SSEs) are vital in developing the Nigerian economy because of their role in local employment creation, balanced resources utilization, income generation, utilization of local technology and raw materials. However, the entrepreneurial characteristics affecting the performance of SSEs especially small scale food vendors have not been adequately researched. This study is an attempt to examine the effects of the characteristics of food vendors on the performance of the enterprise. This study used descriptive research design and survey approach to gather data. Therefore, using a logistic regression model, this study found out that there is a statistically significant relationship between entrepreneurial characteristics and the performance of small scale food vendors in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Equally, this study found that business location is the single major contributor to the performance of small scale food vendors in Kaduna State, Nigeria. In addition, this study found out that petty theft is single major challenge facing small scale food vendors in Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study recommends that small scale food vendors should take into consideration the issue of business location when attempting to site their business enterprise, and small scale food vendors should as matter of priority ensure that they employ only trust worthy employees in order to guard against petty theft.