Reengineering Small-Scale Business Enterprises as Predictors of Youth Employment and Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

The study examines the reengineering of small-scale business enterprises as predictors of youth employment and poverty alleviation. Four objectives and four research questions were posed. The population of the study was two hundred and sixty (260) registered businesses. The study was carried out using a survey research design. A research-created questionnaire titled "Reengineering of Small-Scale Business Enterprises as Predictors of Youth Employment and Poverty Alleviation" was used to collect data (RSCBEPYEPA scale). The instrument was validated by one test and measurement expert and two vocational education experts. A trial/pilot test was conducted on 40 registered businessmen and women in Akwa Ibom State who were not part of the main study population, and the study received an overall reliability coefficient of 0.92 using Cronbach's alpha data analysis. The survey was given to 260 registered businesses. The entire study population was used. To answer the research questions, the data was analyzed using means and standard deviation, and the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) statistic was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that the government provided small-scale businesses in Cross River State with financial support, capacity-building programs, legislative support, and the provision of facilities for youth employment and poverty alleviation. It was recommended, among other things, that small-scale business entrepreneurs should take advantage of the financial support provided by the government to boost their businesses.   Received: 10 January 2023 / Accepted: 26 February 2023 / Published: 6 March 2023