The Relationship between Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management in Small Scale Businesses: An Empirical Assessment of Developing Competitiveness
Azzam A. Abou-Moghli

Abstract
The success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is dependent on many factors, some of which are the dominant and prevailing character traits of entrepreneurs. The aim of the study is to examine the five attributes of entrepreneurs, namely; risk-taking, proactiveness, innovativeness, aggressiveness, and autonomy with regard to the success of the business and in particular with the development of competitiveness in the marketplace. The empirical study consisted of 70 small and medium-sized businesses and their owners in Jordan. A questionnaire was formulated and distributed to analyze the opinions of the entrepreneurs in relation to the importance of strategic management pursued by the entrepreneurs. The findings reveal significant relationship between innovative and collaborative entrepreneurs and the success of business. In a similar way, a significant and positive correlation has been found between business success and innovative and proactive entrepreneurs. In contrast, it has been revealed that the contribution of innovative and risk-taking entrepreneurs is not important in the success of business. Similarly, there was an insignificant and negative correlation between business success and a competitively aggressive and proactive entrepreneur. Although, this research revelation would help entrepreneurs to attain success; it is recommended that other studies shouldbe conducted taking the attributes examined in the study and other traits of the entrepreneurs into consideration.

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