Abstract:
The study examines the direct and indirect effects of gender on
business strategies, firm resources, business owners’ skills, and
performance of small firms in Ghana. Small businesses comprise
about 90% of all enterprises and are recognized as a crucial
and integral component of economic development aimed at
sustained poverty reduction in Ghana. The ability of these firms
to contribute to economic development is influenced by their
business strategies, determined by the firm’s resources and
owner-manager’s business skills. Structured questionnaires from
600 owner-managers of small retail shops in the Accra Metropolitan
area were analyzed. Structural equation modeling using
partial least-squares was used to examine the relationships
between gender, business strategies, firm resources, business
owners’ skills, and performance. Results show that the gender of
the owner-managers has a direct influence on business performance,
resources, and skills; a partial influence on business
strategies; and an indirect influence on performance through
business strategies. The findings suggest that assistance programs
aimed at addressing business performance should target gender
differences to enhance women business owners’ strategies,
resources, and skills.
