FEMALE ENTREPRENEURIAL GRIT AND SOCIAL CAPITAL IN SOUTHEAST NIGERIA:

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ADAPTED IGBO APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM

Abstract

This study investigated the nexus between female entrepreneurial grit and social capital
within the adapted framework of the "Igbo Apprenticeship System" in South-East
Nigeria. While the traditional apprenticeship model is historically patriarchal, this
research explored how women utilize internal psychological resources, specifically
extraversion, perseverance of effort, and leadership autonomy, to cultivate the social
networks and "trust currency" necessary for business success in a male-dominated trade
ecosystem. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Targeting the
population of female traders, a sample size of 384 was determined, resulting in 284
valid responses from major commercial hubs in Onitsha, Aba, and Nnewi. Data were
analyzed using Descriptive Statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation
Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that all three dimensions of grit
significantly and positively influence social capital accumulation. Perseverance of
Effort emerged as the strongest predictor, indicating that long-term tenacity is the
primary driver of trust and credit access. Extraversion facilitated "social bridging,"
while Leadership Autonomy empowered women to bypass traditional hierarchies. The
study suggests that for female entrepreneurs in the South-East, personality traits are
strategic business assets. Policymakers and NGOs should shift focus from purely
technical training to "soft power" development, such as networking resilience and
psychological grit. Recognizing these informal trust-based networks could provide a
more effective pathway for integrating female-led enterprises into formal credit systems
and regional economic development frameworks.