EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ALERTNESS ON THE GROWTH OF MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract: This study empirically examined the effect of entrepreneurial alertness on the growth of medium enterprises in North Central Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the impact of sensitivity to asymmetries and risk perception on the growth of medium enterprises in the region. The study adopted a survey research design and relied on primary data collected through structured questionnaires. The population of the study comprised 13,378 medium enterprises across the North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory, from which a sample of 388 owners and managers was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling with the aid of Smart PLS 4 at a 5 percent significance level. The findings revealed that sensitivity to asymmetries has a positive but insignificant relationship with enterprise growth (β = 0.031, t = 1.421, p = 0.342 > 0.05). In addition, risk perception demonstrated a negative and significant effect on the growth of medium enterprises in North Central Nigeria (β = −0.262, t = −3.434, p = 0.021 < 0.05). Based on these findings, the study recommended that policies should focus on improving access to finance, technological support, and risk management education in order to reduce risk aversion and enhance the growth capacity of medium enterprises in North Central Nigeria. The study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the role of entrepreneurial alertness as a key driver of enterprise growth in emerging economies.