Transformational Leadership Style and Interpersonal Communication Skills as Correlates of Entrepreneurial Success: A Study of SMEs in Nigeria – INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCHOLARLY RESOURCES

Ahmed Olakunle Ogungbade^{^a}* , Godsent Osimokha Achief ^{^b}, Alhassan Huminet ^{^c}, Ifeanyi Alvin Uyanna^{^d}

^aDepartment of Library and Information Science, Tai Solaris university of Education

^bDepartment of Public Administration, Faculty of Management, University of Abuja, Nigeria

^C Department of Modern Languages and Communication, National University of Sciences and Technology, Moscow, Russia

^dDepartment of Business Administration, Faculty of management science, Nile University

Publication History

Received 20.03.2025
Accepted 25.05.2025
Published online 05.06.2025

Cite as:

Ogungbade, A. O., Achief, G. O., Alhassan, H., & Uyanna, I. A. (2025). Transformational leadership style and interpersonal communication skills as correlates of entrepreneurial success: A study of SMEs in Nigeria. International Journal of Scholarly Resources, 18(1), 30–48.

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between transformational leadership, interpersonal communication skills, and entrepreneurial success among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 170 SME owners and managers across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The findings reveal that transformational leadership (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and interpersonal communication skills (r = 0.58, p < 0.01) significantly correlate with entrepreneurial success, influencing key performance areas such as innovation, customer retention, and business growth. Multiple regression analysis confirmed both variables as strong predictors, explaining 48.5% of the variance in entrepreneurial success, with transformational leadership having a slightly stronger influence (β = 0.41) than communication skills (β = 0.33). The study underscores the critical role of leadership and communication competencies in enhancing SME performance in Nigeria, recommending targeted training and development for SME leaders to achieve sustainable growth.

Keyword

Transformational leadership, Interpersonal communication skills, Entrepreneurial success, SMEs, Nigeria, Business growth.

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