Information needs and seeking behaviour of selected SME owners in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in Port Harcourt metropolis

The study investigated information needs and seeking behaviour of Selected SME owners in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in Port Harcourt metropolis. Descriptive research survey was adopted. The population of the study comprised small and medium businesses which are generally classified under, service providers, manufacturing and traders, Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the SMEs then simple random technique was employed to select the respondents. A total of 58 SMEs were selected for the study. Interview was used 58 SМЕ owner responses were used for the study. The data was analyzed using mean scores and simple percentages. The study ascertained that SME owners demanded information on loan grant business opportunities, sales, goods and services on high demand, current issues environment, suppliers, innovation technology, customer preference digital marketing government policies and exchange rate Social media internet radio, colleagues and customers were consulted by SME owners during the COVID 19 lockdown. SME owners used information sought it make decision, enhance their business, invest, outsmart competitors, obtain loan/grants and personal development. The challenges SME, owners faced when seeking for their information nest are information overload, inadequate information attitude of information providers and inadequate information searching skills. It is, therefore, recommended that A "Business Solution Centre” be established for SMEs to support reliable market information, better access to information about their rights and entitlements, as well as about best practice models for them in causing their businesses.



Journal Title: Information Managers: A Journal of Nigerian Library Association Rivers State Chapter

Category: Library and Information Science

ISSN: 2735-9239

Year of Establishment: 2011

Section: Library and Information Science

Volume: 6

Issue: 1

Total Download: 0

Albert O. Elejene and Clever H. K. Nwiedoo. 2024 Information needs and seeking behaviour of selected SME owners in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in Port Harcourt metropolis. Information Managers: A Journal of Nigerian Library Association Rivers State Chapter . 6 (1). 21. https://doi.org/10.61955/DWCXSO

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