ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGES IN COVID-19 ERA: A CASE-STUDY OF NIGERIAN AND CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS

Abstract

This study examines the influence of the Coronavirus pandemic on the entrepreneurial nature of two countries, Nigeria and China. The outbreak of the pandemic has sent rippling effects on the economic activities of most nations like Nigeria and China. This work argues that entrepreneurs can flourish when the environment is conducive for business to thrive. Government response to Covid-19 resulted in the formulation of certain policies such as lockdown, containment, isolation and travel bans to further prevent the spread of the disease. These policies have a catastrophic effect on entrepreneurs who are seen as one of the drivers and innovators of the economy. Data for this work were obtained through homogenous purpose sampling and analysed through content analysis. Resource materials related to coronavirus, entrepreneurship, methods and style were downloaded from the internet and were selected for the study. This work adopts the Psychological and Integrated Models as its theoretical framework. It recognises entrepreneurship skills to include strategic thinking, risk-taking, motivation and efficiency. Others include resilience, concise communication, networking skills and finance management. This study agrees with social scientists who have asserted that government has a responsibility in providing a conducive, safe and healthy environment for people to engage in any form of economic activity. It suggests that a favourable economic or political climate would ensure that the means of production are in adopted by entrepreneurs. This study concludes that coronavirus shocks and effects on entrepreneurs are calamitous and disastrous and as such business procedures, innovation of goods and services have been hindered greatly.