Dr. WOKOCHA Kelechi Da-Kaladokubo, Dr. Moses, Z.O.P & JOSHUA Jennifer Asuquo
Digital Skills Required by Business Education Graduates for Management of Small-Scale Businesses in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State
Abstract
This study examined the digital skills required by Business Education graduates for the management of small-scale businesses in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State. The study was guided by three research questions and three null hypotheses tested at the 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population was estimated at 155 Business Education graduates managing small-scale businesses in Port Harcourt City, while a sample of 105 graduates was selected using the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Digital Skills Required for Management of Small-Scale Businesses Questionnaire (DSRMSSBQ), which was face- and content-validated by the three experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using the test-retest method, which yielded a coefficient index of 0.78. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while the t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that basic computer skills digital communication skills and digital data management skills were highly required for the management of small-scale businesses. The three null hypotheses were accepted, indicating that there were no significant differences between the mean ratings of male and female Business Education graduates on the three categories of digital skills. The study concluded that digital skills were essential competencies for the effective management of small-scale businesses by Business Education graduates. It was recommended that Business Education programmes should place greater emphasis on practical digital-skills training, while small-scale businesses and relevant institutions should provide opportunities for continuous ICT training and access to appropriate digital facilities.
