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Analysis of the Contribution of Insurance Companies to the Growth of SMEsProject / Seminar Material Reference ID: PS-504-TM |
DEDICATION
This research work titled "Analysis of the Contribution of Insurance Companies to the Growth of SMEs" is dedicated to God for his enabling grace and to all computer enthusiasts who help to make life a pleasant experience.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I owe my indebtedness to my Supervisor (Name of your Supervisor), the Head of Department (Name of your HOD), the Lecturers in the department of Commerce, Book Authors and Profound Scholars of existing/related research work for your moral support that facilitated the successful completion of my (Tertiary Institution level). I am grateful to God Almighty and my parent for their financial support in my career. I really appreciate you all for everything, Thank you very much.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY PAGES
INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Background …
- …
LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Introduction
- …
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 3.1 Introduction
- …
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Introduction
- …
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Summary
- 5.3 Conclusion
- 5.4 Recommendation
REFERENCES
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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the contributions of insurance companies and the growth of SMEs in NIC basing on the following objectives; to examine major factors that affects the growth of SMEs; to assess the contribution of insurance companies to the growth of SMEs; to investigate the factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover by SME operators and to determine the strength of the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs.
The research was descriptive in nature involving quantitative methods which was administered through questionnaires. The total sample comprised of 65 respondents of all the managers and employees of NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION. Simple random sampling was used whereby the researcher went to NIC and administered questionnaire to the sampled or selected employees. Primary data was obtained from the library materials, textbooks, NIC brochures, internet and journals. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS and frequency distribution tables. Findings revealed that innovation is a strong empirical evidence for fast growing SMEs, competition has a great effect on SMEs industry and credit remains a great challenge to the growth of SMEs. Besides that insurance companies mitigate risks and enhance loan acceptability by SMEs sector with banks.
However low income earned by SMEs, high premium cost and paperwork and experience and beliefs inhibit the purchase of insurance cover by SMEs. Nevertheless, there is a strong positive relationship between insurance companies and the growth of SMEs at Spearman Correlation Coefficient. It was concluded that improvement in business skills increases the performance of SMEs. However insurance companies do not lowers insurance rates and offer protection to SMEs income statements.
In addition SMEs being small in size and their inability to fully understand the document limits them to get insurance cover. It was recommended that management of NIC need to build a great relationship with SMEs as their customers in orders to develop and grow them in trust and also lower the premium rates to SMEs in order to improve on their performance. Also NIC need to have a fresh look at the scope and spectrum of services provided to SMEs and has a better understanding on the scale of enterprise sector.
The research was descriptive in nature involving quantitative methods which was administered through questionnaires. The total sample comprised of 65 respondents of all the managers and employees of NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION. Simple random sampling was used whereby the researcher went to NIC and administered questionnaire to the sampled or selected employees. Primary data was obtained from the library materials, textbooks, NIC brochures, internet and journals. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS and frequency distribution tables. Findings revealed that innovation is a strong empirical evidence for fast growing SMEs, competition has a great effect on SMEs industry and credit remains a great challenge to the growth of SMEs. Besides that insurance companies mitigate risks and enhance loan acceptability by SMEs sector with banks.
However low income earned by SMEs, high premium cost and paperwork and experience and beliefs inhibit the purchase of insurance cover by SMEs. Nevertheless, there is a strong positive relationship between insurance companies and the growth of SMEs at Spearman Correlation Coefficient. It was concluded that improvement in business skills increases the performance of SMEs. However insurance companies do not lowers insurance rates and offer protection to SMEs income statements.
In addition SMEs being small in size and their inability to fully understand the document limits them to get insurance cover. It was recommended that management of NIC need to build a great relationship with SMEs as their customers in orders to develop and grow them in trust and also lower the premium rates to SMEs in order to improve on their performance. Also NIC need to have a fresh look at the scope and spectrum of services provided to SMEs and has a better understanding on the scale of enterprise sector.
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Analysis of the Contribution of Insurance Companies to the Growth of SMEs
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
The substantial growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) activity clearly marks SME as one of the most remarkable economic phenomena. SME is a business that is privately owned and operated with a small number of employees and relatively moderate volume of sales. The definition of SMEs varies from country to country depending on the level of development and the strength of the economy.
The lower limit for small scale enterprises is set at between five and ten workers and the upper limit is set at between fifty and one hundred workers. The upper limit for medium scale enterprises is set between one hundred and two hundred and fifty workers (Hallberg, 2000). In Nigeria there are approximately 1,069,848 SMEs currently in operation and they comprise over 90% of the private sector. They contribute to employment, provision of basic goods and services, and generation of export and tax revenues for national socio-economic development. Their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to the economy is 75% and they employ about 2,500,000 nationals. The location of these SMEs is mostly in urban areas with 80% located therein. They operate business like restaurants, accountants, hairdressers, conveniences stores and guesthouses (Hatega, 2007).
On the other hand insurance is a contract by which one party undertakes in consideration of a payment called premium to secure the other against pecuniary loss by payment of a sum of money in the event of destruction or damage to property, fire, accidents or death of a person. Economy, investment and finance reports (2010) defines insurance as a policy from a large financial institution that offers a person, company, or other entity reimbursement or financial protection against possible future losses or damages. An insurance contract is an agreement by which the insurer promises, from a premium or assessment, to make a payment to a policy holder or a third person if an event that is the object of a risk occurs. SMEs often face a variety of problems related to their size. Frequent causes are bankruptcy, theft, fire, death, automobile accidents and workers injuries.
1.1 Statement of the problem
Despite the contribution of insurance corporations to the growth of SMEs in economic development, failure and slow growth still exists and the public doubts its management (Ocici, 2007). Research suggest that 80% of the businesses affected by major incident close down within 18 month, and 90% of those who lose data close down within 2 years. This is due to the failure of small businesses to have adequate insurance cover and proper business continuity plans (cover sure, 2007). However literature has shown that insurance companies are not willing to insure SMEs and it was the aim of this research to establish whether a relationship between these two variables exists.
1.2 Objective of the study
The main objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of insurance companies in the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The study also sought:
a) To examine major factors that affects the growth of SMEs.
b) To assess the contribution of insurance companies to the growth of SMEs.
c) To investigate the factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover by SME operators.
d) To determine the strength of the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs.
1.3 Research questions
What are the major factors affecting the growth of SMEs?
What contributions do insurance companies responsible for the growth of SMEs?
What factors inhibit SME operators from purchasing insurance cover?
How strong is the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs?
1.4 Purpose of the study
The study established the contribution of insurance companies and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria.
1.5 Scope of the study
Geographical scope
The study focused on Insurance companies in Nigeria- NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION Limited (NIC) which is an insurance company in Nigeria. The company is a leading provider of insurance and risk management services with 19 branches spread throughout the country (Robinson, 2009).
Content scope
The study focused on the efforts that are made by National insurance company to raise the growth of SMEs. Contribution that insurance companies play in the growth and development of SMEs and the relationship between insurance companies and SMEs was also studied. The study targeted the employers and employees of NIC.
1.6 Significance of the study
It's through only research that ideas and approaches will be developed and tested. This research will generate information to be used as basis for further research in to the contribution of insurance in other business segments.
The study will increase public awareness on the operations of NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION hence making it convenient for the public when dealing with the corporation.
This research will provide data to policy makers that will assist towards formulating for appropriate policy for policy makers operation. This will permit specific plans and policies geared towards promoting SMEs.
1.1 Background of the Study
The substantial growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) activity clearly marks SME as one of the most remarkable economic phenomena. SME is a business that is privately owned and operated with a small number of employees and relatively moderate volume of sales. The definition of SMEs varies from country to country depending on the level of development and the strength of the economy.
The lower limit for small scale enterprises is set at between five and ten workers and the upper limit is set at between fifty and one hundred workers. The upper limit for medium scale enterprises is set between one hundred and two hundred and fifty workers (Hallberg, 2000). In Nigeria there are approximately 1,069,848 SMEs currently in operation and they comprise over 90% of the private sector. They contribute to employment, provision of basic goods and services, and generation of export and tax revenues for national socio-economic development. Their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to the economy is 75% and they employ about 2,500,000 nationals. The location of these SMEs is mostly in urban areas with 80% located therein. They operate business like restaurants, accountants, hairdressers, conveniences stores and guesthouses (Hatega, 2007).
On the other hand insurance is a contract by which one party undertakes in consideration of a payment called premium to secure the other against pecuniary loss by payment of a sum of money in the event of destruction or damage to property, fire, accidents or death of a person. Economy, investment and finance reports (2010) defines insurance as a policy from a large financial institution that offers a person, company, or other entity reimbursement or financial protection against possible future losses or damages. An insurance contract is an agreement by which the insurer promises, from a premium or assessment, to make a payment to a policy holder or a third person if an event that is the object of a risk occurs. SMEs often face a variety of problems related to their size. Frequent causes are bankruptcy, theft, fire, death, automobile accidents and workers injuries.
1.1 Statement of the problem
Despite the contribution of insurance corporations to the growth of SMEs in economic development, failure and slow growth still exists and the public doubts its management (Ocici, 2007). Research suggest that 80% of the businesses affected by major incident close down within 18 month, and 90% of those who lose data close down within 2 years. This is due to the failure of small businesses to have adequate insurance cover and proper business continuity plans (cover sure, 2007). However literature has shown that insurance companies are not willing to insure SMEs and it was the aim of this research to establish whether a relationship between these two variables exists.
1.2 Objective of the study
The main objective of the study was to investigate the contribution of insurance companies in the growth of SMEs in Nigeria. The study also sought:
a) To examine major factors that affects the growth of SMEs.
b) To assess the contribution of insurance companies to the growth of SMEs.
c) To investigate the factors inhibiting the purchase of insurance cover by SME operators.
d) To determine the strength of the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs.
1.3 Research questions
What are the major factors affecting the growth of SMEs?
What contributions do insurance companies responsible for the growth of SMEs?
What factors inhibit SME operators from purchasing insurance cover?
How strong is the relationship between insurance companies and growth of SMEs?
1.4 Purpose of the study
The study established the contribution of insurance companies and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria.
1.5 Scope of the study
Geographical scope
The study focused on Insurance companies in Nigeria- NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION Limited (NIC) which is an insurance company in Nigeria. The company is a leading provider of insurance and risk management services with 19 branches spread throughout the country (Robinson, 2009).
Content scope
The study focused on the efforts that are made by National insurance company to raise the growth of SMEs. Contribution that insurance companies play in the growth and development of SMEs and the relationship between insurance companies and SMEs was also studied. The study targeted the employers and employees of NIC.
1.6 Significance of the study
It's through only research that ideas and approaches will be developed and tested. This research will generate information to be used as basis for further research in to the contribution of insurance in other business segments.
The study will increase public awareness on the operations of NIGER INSURANCE CORPORATION hence making it convenient for the public when dealing with the corporation.
This research will provide data to policy makers that will assist towards formulating for appropriate policy for policy makers operation. This will permit specific plans and policies geared towards promoting SMEs.
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …
