Analysis of Determinants of Employment Growth of Small and Medium Ent.

The research study analyzed the determinants of employment growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kwara State. These include growth determinants subsumed in entrepreneurs’ profile, firm specific characteristics, and external factors. Primary data through structured questionnaire were collected from 200 SMEs registered with National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASMES) in Kwara State Central Senatorial District. The scope was limited to the participants in both real and service sectors that have been in operation for the past five years (2009-2014) Cronbach Alpha reliability test was performed on the instrument and all scales were found to be in excess of 0.7, hence reliable . Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of strata 11 software statistical package. Descriptive statistics included mean, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics consisted of correlation, multiple regression analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The assumptions of normality of error term, no multicollinearity among independent variables and homoscedasticity were satisfactorily met.