Confirmation of Candidature - Candidate : Bisi Shittu

Many emerging markets and developing countries have seen a decline in entrepreneurial activity. This is especially concerning because entrepreneurs employed a large portion of the Nigerian labour force. Therefore, the struggle for economic survival has added pressure on the Nigerian government, and entrepreneurs can play a significant role in reviving the economy. As a result, in order for entrepreneurship activities to take place, opportunity identification must first take place. To gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities. This study aims to examine the potential effects of entrepreneurial social networks and prior knowledge on opportunity identification. The study will employ exploratory research design and both qualitative and quantitative methods will be adopted. The population of the study is the total number of registered nascent entrepreneurs in South-Western Nigeria. A murti-stage sampling technique will be used and the study targets 300 entrepreneurs while primary data will be collected directly from all the respondents through the administration of questionnaires. The study will employ both statistical package for social science (SPSS) and the structural equation model-partial least squares (Smart-PLS) to test the hypotheses and analyse the data in this study in order to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the outcome of the results. In conclusion, the results of this present study will guide governments in providing enabling environment where entrepreneurs, most especially nascent ones, can undertake entrepreneurial activities which will enhance opportunity identification.

Keywords: Agricultural Businesses, Nascent Entrepreneurs, Social Network, Prior Knowledge, Opportunity Identification

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 31 1088.