TRADE FAIRS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRENEURIAL CENTRE, OBIO AKPA CAMPUS
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Trade fair plays a significant role in fostering entrepreneurial development by providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products. Based on this, this study examined the relationship between trade fair and entrepreneurial development in Akwa Ibom State University entrepreneurial centre. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the relationship between marketing promotion and entrepreneurial development in Akwa Ibom State University Entrepreneurial Centre. Examine the relationship between Business Strategies and entrepreneurial development in Akwa Ibom State University Entrepreneurial Centre. Examine the relationship between Industry trends and entrepreneurial development in Akwa Ibom State University Entrepreneurial Centre, Obio Akpa Campus. The study employed a survey research design with a study population of 1108 students of Akwa Ibom state university who participated in the last trade fair exercise organized by the university a sample of 294 employees was however considered for this study. The study utilized descriptive and inferential statistics in analyzing the data. The study findings revealed that marketing promotion with (Coeff. =0.194 {0.001}), business strategies with (Coeff. =0.140 {0.016}) and industry trends with (Coeff. =0.160 {0.006}) all poses a positive significant relationships with entrepreneurial development in Akwa Ibom state university entrepreneurial centre. The analysis of variance (F-cal=10.413, p = 0.000) revealed that marketing promotion, business strategies and industry trends have a combined significant effect on entrepreneurial development at 5% significance level. In view of this, it was however, it was concluded that Trade fairs play a vital role in fostering entrepreneurial development by providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services The study recommended, amongst others, that the university management conduct a comprehensive evaluation of current marketing promotion strategies employed by entrepreneurs within the center to identify areas of strength and weakness.
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