Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Digital Skills Acquisition has increasingly attracted the attention of researchers, regulators, and practitioners concerned with business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes). This growing interest reflects the recognition that digital skills acquisition does not operate in isolation, but interacts with a wider set of institutional and market conditions found within Edo State.

Within the context of Edo State, this relationship carries particular significance. Organizations in this setting operate under a distinct combination of economic, regulatory, and market conditions that may amplify or dampen the effect of digital skills acquisition on business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes), making a context-specific inquiry both timely and necessary.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on digital skills acquisition, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes), particularly within Edo State. Many organizations continue to make decisions about digital skills acquisition without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes). This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Digital Skills Acquisition on business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) in Edo State.
2. To assess the extent to which digital skills acquisition influences business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with digital skills acquisition in relation to business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes).
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing digital skills acquisition in order to improve business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes).

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of digital skills acquisition on business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) in Edo State?
2. To what extent does digital skills acquisition influence business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with digital skills acquisition in relation to business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes)?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize digital skills acquisition in order to improve business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes)?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes). For managers and practitioners within Edo State, the study provides practical insight into how digital skills acquisition can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on entrepreneurship by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this study confines itself to Edo State, focusing specifically on how digital skills acquisition relates to business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.