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PurposeThis study contributes to answering the question, can critical success factors of small businesses in emerging markets advance United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Specifically, this study aims to explore the critical factors contributing to the success of small businesses and ultimately the UN SDGs in the emerging market of Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe design is survey research testing the Lussier success vs failure prediction model for small businesses in Nigeria. The methodology includes a logistic regression model to better understand and predict the factors that contribute to success or failure using a data set of 201 small businesses in Nigeria.FindingsThe findings support the validity of the Lussier model (p = 0.000) in Nigeria as the model accurately predicted 84.4% of the small businesses as successful or failed with a high R-square value (R = 0.540). The most significant factors (t-values < 0.05) that predict the success or failure of businesses support the findings that business owners that start with adequate capital, keep records and financial controls, use professional advice, have better product/service timing, and have parents who own businesses can increase the probability of success.Practical implicationsThe study provides a list of critical success factors contributing to the growth of small business in Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa. The findings can help entrepreneurs avoid failure and advance UN SDGs 1, 2, 8 and 10. Implications for current and future entrepreneurs, public agencies, consultants, educators, policymakers, suppliers and investors are discussed.Originality/valueThis is the first study to determine the factors that contribute to the success or failure of small businesses in Nigeria using the Lussier model. It also discusses how to advance four of the UN sustainability goals. Results support the Lussier model's global validity that can be used in both emerging and developed markets, and it contributes to the development of theory.

Small businesses play significant role to the economic stability and development of emerging economies, and access to financial services is crucial to their growth and performance. This study seeks to ascertain whether microfinance products such as loans, savings, insurance, and education effects small business growth in Ghana. The study uses descriptive and inferential statistics on responses of 248 small business owners for data analysis. Using a multiple linear regression analysis, the study found that all the microfinance product or services positively affects small business growth, and the greatest influence is micro loans. This study contributes massively to exact literature to the growth of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small businesses in emerging economy, Ghana. The study can assist MFIs to assess the effectiveness of their product or services, and can also serves as a guide to an effective utilization of available scarce resources leading to growth of small businesses in emerging economies.

Small businesses in rural communities play a key role in achieving global sustainable economic development because they are the driving force of poverty reduction, job creation, resiliency, and economic development. This study examines the factors that drive the success or failure of small businesses in rural communities in an emerging market. The methodology is survey interview research using a logistic regression model to test the Lussier success vs failure prediction model with a sample of 230 businesses (successful n = 120, failed n = 110) from the rural communities in an emerging market. This study supports the Lussier model validity (p < 0.01) with a high overall accuracy of 71% in predicting a venture as successful or failed. Capital, industry experience, staffing, and marketing skills are the most significant (t-values < .05) factors that distinguish successful from failed rural businesses in an emerging market. The findings can help future, and nascent rural entrepreneurs avoid failure and successfully contribute to economic development. Implications for government agencies, public regulatory bodies, financial institutions, investors, suppliers, educators, professional institutions, and society, as well as limitations and future research, are presented. This study also contributes to the international validity of the Lussier model that can be used in both advanced and developing economies, and it contributes to the development of theory.

The study assesses the financial literacy level among tertiary students in Sub-Saharan Africa country, Ghana. The study uses primary data through self-administered questionnaires, and employs purposive sampling to select four hundred and eighty (480) students across tertiary institutions in Ghana for data analysis. The study reaffirms that on the average, students lack ISSN 2162-3082 2018 http://ijafr.macrothink.org 77 financial knowledge especially on insurance (mean = 40.54 percent). However, students portray the highest level of financial literacy in savings and borrowing (mean = 52.88 percent). Also, information technology positively influences 95 percent of student's financial literacy. We recommend that tertiary institutions should inculcate educational program on financial literacy to broaden understanding of financial issues among students. Policy makers should redesign curriculum to include financial literacy courses especially for non-business students. Finally, financial seminars and talks should be focused on teaching relevant financial concepts and the youth should be educated and encouraged to utilize digital or technological platforms to enable them gain more knowledge in finance. International Journal of Accounting and Financial Reporting