Mainly this study was aimed at demonstrating the challenges of small businesses during the corona virus pandemic in developing countries, specifically in Ethiopia. Methodologically, the study deployed secondary data analysis following a descriptive research design. Furthermore, this study was conducted through both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The secondary data analysis result shows that many small and large businesses are suffering challenges and this unprecedented coronavirus crisis has caused destruction for many businesses in the globe and it is challenging to survive with reduced revenue, jobs lost and life slowing down and weak marketing performance even difficult to keep a calm head and their business alive. To support these businesses, the government should use different mechanisms by cooperating with wealthy peoples and other non-governmental organizations. Besides, small business owners should manage expectations and communicate with staff, suppliers, banks, and customers throughout this coronavirus frightening. Reduce expenses be open to their employees about their finances and keep marketing, use different alternatives to deliver their product, and recover from the crisis.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on employee engagement in public sectors. To meet this purpose, a quantitative and qualitative study survey was conducted and the researcher used an explanatory survey research design. The study was used both primary and secondary sources of data. The target population for this study was selected four city administrative office employees including all kebeles office employees and as a sample size, 349 questionnaires were filled and collected from these employees. The study used proportionately stratified with simple random sampling because to collect the relevant data and to give equal chance for all employees. Later on, statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used to the required test of inferential statistics; including reliability analysis, bivariate correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, and multiple regression analysis. The finding of the study revealed that extrinsic motivation was considered more significant than intrinsic and there was a positive significant relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations with employee engagement. From the results, it was also concluded that the relationship and effect of extrinsic motivation were stronger on employee engagement as compared to intrinsic motivation. As a recommendation, the organizations should find which ways are able to motivate employees, what drives them, then making sure they utilize appropriate motivational techniques with each employee. Managers should also endeavor to communicate the organization’s purpose to employees. Finally, the organizations should take steps to incorporate the vision of employees for the organization with its own vision.

The purpose of this study was to explore entrepreneurial intention and its determinants: in the case of Woldia University graduating students. To achieve its objectives, the study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design, and in the study, a cross-sectional study was conducted through a mixed research approach. The target population of the study was 223 regular first-degree 2018 graduating students of Woldia University, Management Department, and their instructors in the study area. The sample size was 143 respondents. The study result showed that majority of the respondents did not plan to start their own knowledge-based business. This was essentially due to the lack of competence in transforming ideas in to practice and commercializing it to create their own business. Correspondingly, prodigious attention should be given to have an entrepreneurial orientation in the contents and methods of teaching at all levels of education systems primary, secondary, and higher educational institutions and use different awareness-raising mechanisms in the country.

Mainly, the study is aimed at exploring the internal business factors and their impact on firm performance in micro- and small-scale enterprises. The study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design and used a quantitative research approach. The study is conducted on Amhara region, North Wollo zone, Lalibela city administration micro- and small-scale enterprise operators, and in this study, the dependent variable is the performance of SMEs while independent variables are managerial factors, workplace factors, and entrepreneurial factors. To achieve the objectives of the study, 199 sample micro and small enterprises are selected from the 395 target populations. It used an explanatory design with stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study employed descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis methods. The finding shows that the independent variables managerial factors and workplace-related factors have a positive and significant effect on small business performance in the study area. Also, there is an insignificant relationship between entrepreneurial factors and the dependent variable.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of external factors on industry performance: in micro and small-scale enterprises. To achieve its objectives, the study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design and used quantitative research approach. The target population of the study was 395 MSEs owners working in manufacturing, trade, and service sectors. It used stratified and simple random sampling techniques and the required data have been collected from a sample size of 199 MSEs through standardized 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire. The study used both primary and secondary sources of data. For data analysis purpose, it employed descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis methods like correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. The finding of the study discovered the agreement of respondents to the positively significant relationship between external factors and industry performance in the study area. Specifically, marketing factors, financial factors, infrastructure, work premises factors, trade fair factors, and political-legal factors all have a positive effect on enterprises’ performance in the study area. In addition, the study result shows that financial factors, marketing factors, infrastructure, work premises factors, and trade fair factors have a positive significant effect on industry performance but political-legal factors do not significantly affect the dependent variable industry performance. From the predicting variables, infrastructure has more effect on industry performance than the rest of variables in the study area. The study recommends that the government/micro and small enterprises development offices should maintain different supportive trainings, decrease infrastructural problems, facilitate credit services, and create attractive environment to entice or create productive MSEs. In addition, the MSEs owners should design adoptive plans and programs with the external as well as internal environment to increase their performance.