Level of Management Practices of Micro and Small Businesses in Ilocos Norte

This research work determined the similarities and differences of the management practices and entrepreneurial competencies of micro business and small business owners in Ilocos Norte.
This study focused on the similarities and differences of the management practices of micro business and small business owners in the Province of Ilocos Norte. It looked into the entrepreneur profile such as personal characteristics, entrepreneurs’ competencies and on the organizational profile and management practices. The respondents consisted of two groups; a sample of business owners coming from the different municipalities namely Badoc, Burgos, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Bangui, Pinili, Piddig, Solsona, Currimao, Batac, Banna, Marcos, Paoay, Sarrat, Pagudpod, Dingras, San Nicolas and Laoag City and sample of employees of these business owners. The respondent businesses were limited to those who have been existing for five years and more because they are already established and successful businesses considering their number of years of existence.
Questionnaires were constructed by the researcher to determine the level of management practices and for the level of skills and competencies, questionnaire was adapted to the PECs Questionnaire of McClleland and Mcber.
The micro-businesses and small business owners in Ilocos Norte is relatively young dominated by college graduate and married women. Most of them have not attended seminars and trainings and are not members of professional organizations. The small business owners, on the other hand, are also relatively young, dominated by college graduate and married men. They have attended seminars and trainings and are members of professional organizations. Majority of the micro-businesses in Ilocos Norte have existed for less than 5 years engaged in retailing and are sole proprietor. Majority of the micro-businesses in Ilocos Norte started with less than P 500,000.00 as initial capital from their savings and hired 1-2 employees who are usually family members. Lastly, they are averaging below P 150,000 annual sales. On the other hand, small businesses in Ilocos Norte have existed for at least five years and are engaged in retailing and are sole proprietors. Majority of them have at least 10 employees. Micro business and small business owners have the capability to handle and manage businesses as revealed by their level in the personal entrepreneurial competencies survey. Micro-entrepreneurs of Ilocos Norte observe moderate level of management practices while small business owners observe high level of management practices.