The influence of training on business performance of women entrepreneurs: the mediating role of innovation

This study examined the effect of Training (TR) on the Business Performance (BP) of women in Nigeria using Innovation (I) as a mediator in order to improve the business performance of women which in the long-run contribute positively towards the increase of the Nigerian GDP. Data required for the study was collected from the Women Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the North-Western States of Nigeria using a survey design and stratified disproportionate sampling. A designed questionnaire has been distributed across the target population of 576 respondents through self-administration. In order to evaluate the proposed data, the study has adopted the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that the mediating effect of Innovation on Training is an important strategic element for the enhancement of business performance among women in the MSMEs in Nigeria. The findings also revealed that the business performance of women in the MSMEs depends on the degree of Training that the women attend. Innovation was found to mediate the effects between Training and Business Performance of women. The findings of this study have provided important insights to women owners/managers of the MSMEs, policy makers and researchers to further understand the effects of Training on Innovation and the Business Performance of women in the MSMEs. Thus, women should also be encouraged to improve their Training on Innovation which may increase their business performance