Journal of Advance Management and Accounting Research Vol.3, No.2, 2016; ISSN (2728 - 4273); p –ISSN 3584 - 5611 www.cardpub.org/jamar: jamar@cardpub.org: PRODUCTIVITY OF ENTERPRISES OWNED BY WOMEN LOAN- BENEFICIARIES AND NON-LOAN BENEFICIARIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS 1 PRODUCTIVITY OF ENTERPRISES OWNED BY WOMEN LOAN- BENEFICIARIES AND NON- LOAN BENEFICIARIES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Oshaji, I.O., Henri-Ukoha, A., Essien, U.A., Ibeagwa, O.B., Uhuegbulem, I.J. and Ejike, O.U Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to investigate the comparative analysis of the productivity of enterprises owned by women loan-beneficiaries and non-loan beneficiaries in Imo State, Nigeria. A representative sample was selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected through the use of two sets of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and total factor productivity. A total of 151 (comprising of 80 loan beneficiaries and 71 non-beneficiaries) respondents were selected for the study. The results showed that the enterprise with the highest total factor productivity is the most productive and that access to credit enables loan beneficiaries in the procurement and purchase of inputs, tools and equipment needed to improve their businesses. Increment in funds invested in the business enterprises of these women entrepreneurs alongside reduced cost of expenses could boost the possible expansion of their enterprises. KEYWORDS: Comparative analysis, women, total factor productivity, Imo State. INTRODUCTION The role of women entrepreneurs in national development is becoming widely recognized in both developing and developed countries (Kuratko and Welsch, 1994). New research on women entrepreneurs showed their indispensable roles as farm managers and workers all over the world (Eze, 2006). Female entrepreneurs have been identified by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, 1997) as a major force for innovation, job creation and economic growth. In Nigeria, financing of entrepreneurial ventures is very important, as sources of finance open to entrepreneurs are many but not efficient due to bureaucracies in application, disbursement, collateral, high and exploitative interest rates needed for credit. Akabueze (2002) stated that it would seem reasonable to expect that small businesses would grow and flourish, but the rate of business failure continues to increase because of the obstacles affecting business performance which include: lack of financial resources, lack of management experience, poor location, laws and regulations, general economic conditions, as well as critical factors such as poor infrastructure, corruption, low demand for