Social capital, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial success of businesses during COVID 19 pandemic
Abstract
During the COVID -19 pandemic, many businesses were closed and lockdowns were
implemented which affected the way people interact due to the fear of catching COVID 19.
This affected the social capital of entrepreneurs which was bonding (family) and binding social
capital (race and class). The negative effect on social capital had an impact on entrepreneurial
alertness, were by it was difficult to obtain information required for businesses from their social
networks, this hence affecting entrepreneurial success. The study therefore investigated
whether the entrepreneur’s social capital affected their entrepreneurial alertness during COVID
19 pandemic and the extent to which entrepreneurial success was affected. The study was
conducted among entrepreneurs in Wakiso district. The objectives of the study were to examine
the relationships between social capital and entrepreneurial alertness, the relationships between
entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial success, the relationships between social capital
and entrepreneurial success. The study used a quantitative approach and data was collected
using a standardized questionnaire and was analyzed in statically package for social sciences
(SPSS) and was be tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient
(PPMCC).The findings aimed at helping the government on formulation of policies, aimed to
help entrepreneurs know what to do in times of uncertain circumstances, it would also be useful
to future researchers. The findings of the study showed that there was a positive significant
relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial alertness, a positive significant
relationship between entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial success and a positive
significant relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial success.