Abstract:
This study was designed to determine the management practices required for effective
operation of small and medium scale enterprises in Gombe State. The study adopted a
survey research design. The study was guided by five research questions which were
answered and five hypotheses tested at .05 level of significance, guided the study. The
population of the study consisted of 115 Managers of all the registered small and medium
enterprises and 115 Accountants of the same enterprises in Gombe State. No sampling
was carried out since the population was sizeable enough for the study. The instrument
used for gathering data was a questionnaire and the items were numbered 72 items
excluding one open-ended question which sought information about the personal data of
the respondents. The items of the questionnaire were given to three validators who
embellished them in term of face validation. The items were later trial-tested on a sample
30 accountants and 30 managers of small and medium enterprises in the neighbouring
Bauchi State and the reliability Coefficient of the instrument was calculated to be .88
using the Cronbach Alpha formula for determining internal consistency. The instrument
was finally administered to 230 respondents out of which 193 were duly filled by the
respondents and were returned. Hence, the rate of return was 83.91%. The data collected
were analyzed using Mean and t-test statistic at .05 level of significance. The study
determined the planning, organizing staffing and controlling practices required for
effective operation of small and medium scale enterprises in Gombe State. Consequently,
it was recommended that (1) Managers of Small and Medium enterprises should ensure
that feasibility studies of intended undertakings are carried out in order to reveal the
window of opportunities ahead, as well as the challenges accompanying the business. (2)
Managers should ensure accurate and up to date record keeping of all transactions of the
business. (3) Managers should put more interest and attention into their work. They
should constantly plan, organize and review the performance of the organization. (4)
Gombe State government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and
Solid minerals development, should constantly organize workshops to sensitize managers
of SMEs in the state on those practices required for effective operation of their businesses
(5) Government should also provide fund for the management of Industrial Training
Centres to constantly organize training for managers of SMEs in the State.
