Thesis:

Assessment of government policies, finance accessibility, managerial competency and market information on the progress of small and medium enterprises in Bulawayo province in Zimbabwe

The study assessed progress of SMEs in Bulawayo Province in Zimbabwe through an in-depth evaluation of the influence of government policies, financial accessibility, managerial skills, and market information on business. The study determined the influence of government policies on the progress of SMEs. It established the influence of financial accessibility on the progress of SMEs. It assessed the influence of managerial capacity on the progress of SMEs. It also explored the influence of market information on the progress of SMEs. The study adopted a descriptive design. The study population involved the entrepreneurs and managers operating SMEs in Bulawayo Province. The sample size for the study was 229 participants who were purposively chosen. Data was collected through a self-developed closed-structured questionnaire that was provided to the participants though a drop-pick method. Data was keyed into SPSS program to derive statistical measures. Data was displayed in frequencies, means and standard deviations. On Pearson’s correlation coefficients the findings on government policies were: taxation r(227) = -0.593, p = 0.000, licensing r(227 = -0.733, p = 0.000 and bank rate policy r(227) = -0735, p =0.000. The results gave a negative correlation between government policies and SMEs progress to infer that an increase of government policies unfavorably affects the progress of SMEs. The findings on financial accessibility were: interest rates r(227) = - 0.896, p = 0.000, collateral security r(227) = -0.775, p = 0.000 and credit worthiness r(227) = - 0.869, p = 0.000. The results gave a negative correlation between financial accessibility and progress of SMEs. Therefore, an increase of the financial accessibility requirements had an unfavorable influence on the growth of SMEs. The results on managerial competency skills were: financial management skills r(227) = 0.690, p = 0.000, general management skills r(227) = 0.800, p = 0.000 and strategic management skills r(227) = 0.815, p = 0.000. The managerial competency skills depicted a significant positive correlation with the progress of SMEs. Therefore, an increase of managerial competency skills depicted a favorable positive influence on the progress of SMEs. The findings on the correlation between marketing information and the progress of SMEs were: customer needs r(227) = 0.847, p = 0.000, quality of products r(227) = 0.859, p = 0.000 and technological information r(227) = 0.724, p = 0.000. The results deduced that an increase of marketing information had a significant positive influence on the progress of SMEs. The study recommended formulation of sustainable policies by the government and financial institutions to enhance progress of SMEs. Periodic staff training and development is necessary for acquisition of managerial competency skills. Entrepreneurs of SMEs should also acquire knowledge of the market to know the needs of their audience.