Female Entrepreneurial Grit and Social Capital in South East 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. 

Keywords: female entrepreneurship, Igbo apprenticeship system, 
entrepreneurial grit, social capital, South-east Nigeria