THE CONTRIBUTION OF INSURANCE COMPANIES TO THE GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE BUSINESSES IN UYO (A CASES STUDY OF NICON)
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the contributions of insurance companies and the growth of SMEs in NICON basing on the following objectives; to examine major factors that affects the growth of SMEs; to assess the contribution of insurance companies to the growth of SMEs; to investigate the factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover by SME operators and to determine the strength of the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs. The research was descriptive in nature involving quantitative methods which was administered through questionnaires. The total sample comprised of 65 respondents of all the managers and employees of National Insurance Corporation. Simple random sampling was used whereby the researcher went to NICON and administered questionnaire to the sampled or selected employees. Primary data was obtained from the library materials, textbooks, NICON brochures, internet and journals. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS and frequency distribution tables. Findings revealed that innovation is a strong empirical evidence for fast growing SMEs, competition has a great effect on SMEs industry and credit remains a great challenge to the growth of SMEs. Besides that insurance companies mitigate risks and enhance loan acceptability by SMEs sector with banks. However low income earned by SMEs, high premium cost and paperwork and experience and beliefs inhibit the purchase of insurance cover by SMEs. Nevertheless, there is a strong positive relationship between insurance companies and the growth of SMEs at Spearman Correlation Coefficient.
It was concluded that improvement in business skills increases the performance of SMEs. However insurance companies do not lowers insurance rates and offer protection to SMEs income statements. In addition SMEs being small in size and their inability to fully understand the document limits them to get insurance cover. It was recommended that management of NICON need to build a great relationship with SMEs as their customers in orders to develop and grow them in trust and also lower the premium rates to SMEs in order to improve on their performance. Also NICON need to have a fresh look at the scope and spectrum of services provided to SMEs and has a better understanding on the scale of enterprise sector.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover …………………………………………………..…………….……page…i… Declaration………………………………………………………………………………..
Approval………………………………………………………………………………....i
Dedication………………………………………..………………………………………iv
Acknowledgement……………………….………………………………………………. Table of contents……………………………………………………………………… List of tables………………………………………………………………….………..ix
Acronyms ………………………………………………………………………………...x Abstract………………………………………………………………………..…………xi
CHAPTER ONE………………………………………………………………………...1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.0 Background of the study 1
1.1 Statement of the problem……………………………………………………………...2
1.2 Research objectives 3
1.3 Research questions 3
1.4 Purpose of the study 3
1.5 Scope of the study 3
1.6 Significance of the study 4
CHAPTER TWO 5
LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.0 Introduction 5
2.1 Meaning of SMEs.
2.2 Factors affecting the growth of SMEs……………………...……………
2.2.1 Performance indicators of SMEs …………………………………………..….......13
2.3 Meaning of insurance…………………………………………...15
2.4 Contribution of insurance companies16 to t
2.5 Factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance19 by SME
2.6 Relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs…………
2.7 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...23
CHAPTER THREE 25
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 25
3.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..25
3.1 Research design 25
3.2 Survey Population……………………..………………………………………….….25
3.2.1 Sample size 25
3.2.2 Sample design 26
3.3 Data Sources 26
3.4 Data collection 26
3.5 Measurement of Variables 27
3.6 Validity and Reliability of instruments………………………………………………27
3.7 Data analysis 28
3.8 limitation of the study………………………………………………………………..28
CHAPTER FOUR……………………………………………………………………...29
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION…...………….29
4.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………29
4.1 Response rate……………………………...…………29…
4.2 Personal data………………………………………………………………………....29
4.3 Findings on factors affecting SMEs growth……………………………………….
4.4 Findings on contributions of insurance companies to the growth of SME
4.5 Findings on factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover……………
4.6 Findings on relationship between insurance companies and the growth of
CHAPTER FIVE……………………………………………………………………….38
DISCUSSION & SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS....38
5.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………38
5.1 Discussion of the findings……………..…………………………………38
5.2 Conclusion………………………………………………………………..………….41
5.3 Recommendation………………………………………………………………….....42
5.4 Areas for further……….….………………………research……..………………42
REFERENCES 43
APPENDIX I. .…….………………………………………………………………..48
APPENDIX II…………………………………………………………………………..52
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background
The substantial growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) activity clearly marks SME as one of the most remarkable economic phenomena. SME is a business that is privately owned and operated with a small number of employees and relatively moderate volume of sales. The definition of SMEs varies from country to country depending on the level of development and the strength of the economy. The lower limit for small scale enterprises is set at between five and ten workers and the upper limit is set at between fifty and one hundred workers. The upper limit for medium scale enterprises is set between one hundred and two hundred and fifty workers (Hallberg, 2000).
In Nigeria there are approximately 1,069,848 SMEs currently in operation and they comprise over 90% of the private sector. They contribute to employment, provision of basic goods and services, and generation of export and tax revenues for national socio-economic development. Their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to the economy is 75% and they employ about 2,500,000 nationals. The location of these SMEs is mostly in urban areas with 80% located therein. They operate business like restaurants, accountants, hairdressers, conveniences stores and guesthouses (Hatega, 2007).
On the other hand insurance is a contract by which one party undertakes in consideration of a payment called premium to secure the other against pecuniary loss by payment of a sum of money in the event of destruction or damage to property, fire, accidents or death of a person. Economy, investment and finance reports (2010) defines insurance as a policy from a large financial institution that offers a person, company, or other entity reimbursement or financial protection against possible future losses or damages. An insurance contract is an agreement by which the insurer promises, from a premium or assessment, to make a payment to a policy holder or a third person if an event that is the object of a risk occurs. SMEs often face a variety of problems related to their size. Frequent causes are bankruptcy, theft, fire, death, automobile accidents and workers injuries.
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1.1 Statement of the problem
Despite the contribution of insurance corporations to the growth of SMEs in economic development, failure and slow growth still exists and the public doubts its management (Ocici, 2007). Research suggest that 80% of the businesses affected by major incident close down within 18 month, and 90% of those who lose data close down within 2 years. This is due to the failure of small businesses to have adequate insurance cover and proper business continuity plans (cover sure, 2007). However literature has shown that insurance companies are not willing to insure SMEs and it was the aim of this research to establish whether a relationship between these two variables exists.
1.2 Objective of the study
The main objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of insurance companies in the growth of SMEs in Nigeria.
The study also sought:
1. To examine major factors that affects the growth of SMEs.
2. To assess the contribution of insurance companies to the growth of SMEs.
3. To investigate the factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover by SME operators.
4. To determine the strength of the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs.
1.3 Research question
1. What are the major factors affecting the growth of SMEs?
2. What contributions do insurance companies responsible for the growth of SMEs?
3. What factors inhibit SME operators from purchasing insurance cover?
4. How strong is the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs?
1.4 Purpose of the study
The study established the contribution of insurance companies and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria.
1.5 Scope of the study
Geographical scope
The study focused on Insurance companies in Nigeria- NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION Limited (NIC) which is an insurance company in Nigeria. The company is a leading provider of insurance and risk management services with 19 branches spread throughout the country (Robinson, 2009).
Content scope
The study focused on the efforts that are made by National insurance company to raise the growth of SMEs. Contribution that insurance companies play in the growth and development of SMEs and the relationship between insurance companies and SMEs was also studied. The study targeted the employers and employees of NIC.
1.6 Significance of the study.
It‟s through only research that ideas and approaches will be developed and tested. This research will generate information to be used as basis for further research in to the contribution of insurance in other business segments.
The study will increase public awareness on the operations of NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION hence making it convenient for the public when dealing with the corporation.
This research will provide data to policy makers that will assist towards formulating for appropriate policy for policy makers operation. This will permit specific plans and policies geared towards promoting SMEs.
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