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.