Strategies for Sourcing Funds and Improving the Financial Management Practices of Small Scale Business Operators in Cross River State of Nigeria
Okoli, B. E; M .O. Binuomote

Abstract
The study identified the strategies for sourcing funds and improving the financial management practices of small scale business operators in Cross River State of Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. It was guided by three research questions. The population for the study consisted of 644 small scale business operators who registered with Cross River State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Two hundred and thirteen small scale business operators were used as sample of the study. 33 item structured questionnaire was used for data collection, the instrument was validated and tested for internal consistency using the Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficient. The instrument yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings showed that the respondents rated all the 15 strategies as ways for improving their financial management and the 8 control measures identified were also needed. It was recommended that the Federal/State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and NASME should encourage small scale business operators to gain relevant knowledge in financial management by organizing workshops, conference and training programs as financial resources management.

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