Abstract

There have been inconsistent with regard to the different entrepreneurial factors that influence firm performance particularly in the normal time. However, during economic downturn or turbulent, it is believed and expected that the three major characters (entrepreneur, environment and firm) in the economic that are actively involved in entrepreneurial activities would be badly and negatively affected. Despite this, an empirical study substantiating these arguments seems to be lacking particularly in the small business and entrepreneurship domain. This therefore suggests that some of the major influential factors such as; of individual determinant, external factor and firm characteristics in entrepreneurial development and small business should be re-investigated in line with the current situation in order to see if they remain significant during economic downturn. Based on this, a cross-sectional study of questionnaire survey research design was conducted and data was generated from 182 entrepreneurs or owner-managers of small firms in both manufacturing and service industries. The questionnaires were distributed through drop-off and pick procedure of data collection. The findings indicate that the relationship between individual determinants, external factor and firm characteristics, and firm performance remain significant during economic turbulent.

Key words: Entrepreneurship determinants, entrepreneurship development, performance.