Study identifies factors impeding entrepreneurial growth in Oman

It also states there is an opportunity to expand businesses into international markets. The study conducted by a group of researchers from the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) investigated the entrepreneurial behaviour and performance of SME owners in their business in order to gain insight into any barriers impeding growth.

The researchers from the Department of Natural Resource Economics of the College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences at SQU selected this topic for their study as promotion of entrepreneurship through small and medium enterprise development is given top priority in government’s policy agenda, stated a press release.

The principal investigators Dr Hemesiri Kotagama and Dr Sarath Kodithuwakku, carried out this project with the support of Dr Houcine Boughanmi, Said al Maqbali and Aaisha Saleh al Maamari from the same academic department.

The findings of the study shed light on the entrepreneurial behaviour and performance of SME owners regarding their business and entrepreneurial characteristics, entrepreneurial motivations, entrepreneurial activities, and entrepreneurial growth. Data for the study was collected using a structured questionnaire on a random sample of 90 ‘Entrepreneurship Card Holders’ registered with the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada) that are operating in the Muscat governorate.

Personality traits of an effective entrepreneur were measured under five traits namely: Proactiveness, risk-taking, autonomy, creativity and locus of control. Findings revealed, based on an index measuring degree of entrepreneurship, that majority (79 per cent) of the respondents lack entrepreneurial orientation in terms of proactiveness.

These findings show that there are possibilities for the government to enhance its facilitating role in SME development.