DIGITALIZING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN THE POST COVID- 19 PANDEMIC ERA FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The study x-rayed the process of digitalizing small and medium scale enterprises in the Post Covid-19 pandemic era for sustainable national development in Imo State. The researchers raised two research questions in line with the two specific objectives to guide the study. The descriptive survey was adopted as design used for the study. The population of the study comprised 2,600 Small and medium scale enterprises owners in Imo State. The sample of the study was 752 Small and medium scale enterprises owners arrived at using stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire structured by the researchers. The instrument was validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability of the instrument was determined through a trial test. The application of the Cronbach Alpha reliability method for the two clusters yielded coefficient values of 0.82 and 0.88 for the two clusters with an overall reliability co-efficient of 0.85. Data for the study was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that workers require some skills like ability to work with technology, good communication skills, ability to work in a team, taking responsibility for action and being proactive in decision making. Specific skills knowledgeable about trends in the business and ability to manage the business online environment etc, for digitalization of SMSEs in the post Covid-19 pandemic era in Imo State. For effective digitalization in the Covid-pandemic era employees need to be willing to work and apply creativity and initiative in the discharge of their duties. The researchers recommended among others that Small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) should go into partnership with local Information technology companies to provide digital services that would help to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on their business enterprises for profitability.

Digitalizing, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Post Covid-19 Era, Sustainable National Development, SMSEs Owners,

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