Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between digital skills acquisition and business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Borno State where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Borno State presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

While digital skills acquisition is widely discussed in policy and industry circles, empirical evidence on its actual effect on business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) within Borno State remains sparse and, in places, contradictory. This lack of localized, rigorous evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers to know with confidence whether current approaches to digital skills acquisition are helping or hindering business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) — a gap this study sets out to close.

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 Borno 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 Borno 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 Borno 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

The study is limited to an examination of Digital Skills Acquisition and its relationship with business survival rate of small and medium enterprises (smes) within the context of Borno State. It reflects a clearly defined scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.