Description and measurement of variables
| Variables | Description | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with government (SCC1) | The connection between the public sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 (Strongly disagree – SD to strongly agree – SA) |
| Relationship with family and close friends (SCC2) | The connection between family and close friends and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Relationship with banks (SCC3) | The connection between the bank sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network density (SCC4) | The extent to which direct ties connect all members in the network (that is, who is directly connected to whom in the social network structure) | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Lack of self-motivation (SCC5) | The extent to which SMEs struggle to cope with the business affects their confidence | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Attitude towards business (SCC6) | State of mind reflecting feelings, beliefs and values of SMEs towards business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Internal communication within my business (SCC7) | Dissemination of information, promotion of collaboration within the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network diversity (SCC8) | Looking at the heterogeneity of the network | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Relationship with microfinance (SCC9) | The connection between the microfinance sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Emotional support (SCC10) | Extend to which SMEs receive care, reassurance/backing, empathy, comfort and acceptance from others | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network size (SCC11) | The number of SMEs inside the network. It is also the number of different SMEs engaging with others on business matters when performing business activities | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Level of trust in public institutions (SCC12) - | The extent to which SMEs have faith or confidence in their public institutions | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to information (SCC13) | Ability to get adequate information for running the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Lack of savings to run this business (FC1) | The extent to which SMEs lack financial investment or money put aside for the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Loans from families and close friends support my business (FC2) | The ability to get funds from families and close friends to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from the government to run this business (FC3) | The ability to get funds from the government to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from banks to run this business (FC4) | The ability to get funds from banks to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from cooperative/microfinance to run this business (FC5) | The ability to get funds from cooperatives/microfinance to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Business Performance in terms of employment (BP1) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate employment | Number of people |
| Performance in terms of profits (BP2) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate profits | In FCFA, monetary value |
| Performance in terms of sales (BP3) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate sales revenues | In FCFA, monetary value |
| Variables | Description | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with government (SCC1) | The connection between the public sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 ( |
| Relationship with family and close friends (SCC2) | The connection between family and close friends and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Relationship with banks (SCC3) | The connection between the bank sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network density (SCC4) | The extent to which direct ties connect all members in the network (that is, who is directly connected to whom in the social network structure) | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Lack of self-motivation (SCC5) | The extent to which SMEs struggle to cope with the business affects their confidence | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Attitude towards business (SCC6) | State of mind reflecting feelings, beliefs and values of SMEs towards business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Internal communication within my business (SCC7) | Dissemination of information, promotion of collaboration within the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network diversity (SCC8) | Looking at the heterogeneity of the network | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Relationship with microfinance (SCC9) | The connection between the microfinance sector and SME | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Emotional support (SCC10) | Extend to which SMEs receive care, reassurance/backing, empathy, comfort and acceptance from others | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Network size (SCC11) | The number of SMEs inside the network. It is also the number of different SMEs engaging with others on business matters when performing business activities | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Level of trust in public institutions (SCC12) - | The extent to which SMEs have faith or confidence in their public institutions | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to information (SCC13) | Ability to get adequate information for running the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Lack of savings to run this business (FC1) | The extent to which SMEs lack financial investment or money put aside for the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Loans from families and close friends support my business (FC2) | The ability to get funds from families and close friends to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from the government to run this business (FC3) | The ability to get funds from the government to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from banks to run this business (FC4) | The ability to get funds from banks to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Access to loans from cooperative/microfinance to run this business (FC5) | The ability to get funds from cooperatives/microfinance to support the business | Likert scale of 7 (SD–SD) |
| Business Performance in terms of employment (BP1) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate employment | Number of people |
| Performance in terms of profits (BP2) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate profits | In FCFA, monetary value |
| Performance in terms of sales (BP3) | The extent to which a firm can use its resources to generate sales revenues | In FCFA, monetary value |