EFFECTS OF BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN YOLA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT This project work titled “Effects of Business Environment on the Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yola Metropolis” the study had four objectives, research questions and hypothesis. The study adopted descriptive survey research design to control the collection, measurement and analysis of data which was conducted in Yola metropolis. The population consist of 10 bakeries and 10 pure water industry consisting of 600 workers in the study area. The sample size of the study was 240. The purposive sampling technique was used. The study used questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The data collected were statistically using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. This study established that Social environment has a significant effect on performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yola Metropolis, null hypothesis rejected and accept alternate since the calculated value is less than 0.005 significance level, Political environment has a significant effect on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yola Metropolis, null hypothesis rejected and accept alternate since the calculated value is less than 0.005 significance level and Technological environment has a significant effect on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yola Metropolis, null hypothesis rejected and accept alternate since the calculated value is less than 0.005 significance level. This study concluded that the findings of the study significant to management and policy maker’s attention to the urgent need for specific management practice to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of Small Scale Businesses in Yola, Adamawa state. The study recommended that The analysis conclusively shows that these three factors have a significant positive effect on SME performance. Therefore, fostering a supportive community network, ensuring political stability and supportive policies, and enhancing access to modern technology should be at the core of any regional development strategy aimed at empowering small and medium-sized businesses and a critical recommendation is for SME owners themselves to proactively invest in their technological adoption. The significant effect of the technological environment underscores the necessity for businesses to integrate digital tools, online marketing, and efficient production technologies to remain competitive. Owners should seek