The influence of entrepreneurship training on SMEs export performance in Tanzania

The Tanzanian government has developed different strategies and promotion programs aimed at supporting SME sector. Entrepreneurship training has been cited as one of the most important element for small and medium enterprises operating export business. This study aimed at assessing the influence of entrepreneurship training on SMEs export performance in Tanzania. Specifically, the study tests whether there is a relationship between entrepreneurship training and SMEs export performance. A sample of 60 SMEs owners/ managers based in Dar es Salaam was used in this study. Descriptive research was adopted and Quantitative data were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Various tools of analysis were used including the percentages of frequencies, regression analysis and ANOVA. The key skills perceived to be the most important by SMEs include marketing skills, financial skills, product design skills, export promotion skills, human resource management skills, customer care skills and communication skills. The study revealed that, there is a positive relationship between entrepreneurship training and SMEs export performance. Based on these findings the study recommends that different stakeholders in SME sector to think on diversifying their services by providing entrepreneurship training to entrepreneurs as a strategy to enable SMEs to gain competitive advantages in an effort to improve export performance. Also further studies need to be made on other factors which contribute to SMEs export performance since this study restricted itself on entrepreneurship training only.