ASSESSING THE PROFITABILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED WOOD FURNITURE BUSINESSES IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study focuses on the issue of profitability within the small and medium wood industries in Ethiopia. Profitability stands as a cornerstone for the advancement of contemporary industries and is a pressing concern for policymakers. The primary aim of this study is to determine the level of profitability and the factors influencing it in small and medium-scale wood enterprises. To conduct the study, four key cities - Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, and Jima - were purposively selected. Data were gathered from 170 industries across these cities and subjected to analysis, yielding pertinent results. As expected, the wood industries in Ethiopia lacking profitability and among the 170 surveyed, 59.4% industries were not profitable. This is because majority of workers in Ethiopia's wood industry lack formal or on-the-job training both prior to and during employment. Moreover, the machinery and equipment they operate are outdated, and they lack the necessary skills for their proper utilization. Additionally, challenges such as insufficient raw materials, limited capital, and poor market connections were identified as significant obstacles to profitability. To tackle these challenges and bolster profitability, continuous technical and managerial training for workers, financial assistance for acquiring modern machinery, enhancements in production processes, sales strategies, and market linkage facilitation are recommended.