THE EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CHARACTERISTICS ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
The study examines the effect of entrepreneurial characteristics on business performance in Jos North. The research questions that guided the study were: What are the characteristics of an entrepreneur? What is the relationship between entrepreneurship traits and business performance? What are the challenges militating against entrepreneurs in the performance of their business? A survey method was used for this study. The population of the entire business entrepreneur in Ahmadu Bello Way Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Out of 1050 persons 180 persons were selected as the sample size. A questionnaire developed in five Likert scale was used to obtain data. Mean scores was used to analyze the data obtained from the field. The result of the analysis indicates that entrepreneurial characteristics in an entrepreneur facilitate effective management and creativity required to survive in the competitive business world today. The characteristics of an entrepreneur are basically risk taking, creativity, goal oriented and need for achievement, strong leadership quality and forecasting in to the future enhances the performance of an entrepreneur. Inspite of this, entrepreneurship in Jos North is constraint with problems arising from inability to access loan, poor infrastructural facilities as well as unconducive environment sequel to political crisis.