PurposeThis paper addresses the mediating effect of structural infrastructure capability on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and SMEs performance in emerging economies, focusing on Nigeria. It addresses the need to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are able to overcome the inherent challenges in their external environment actively and, thus, contribute to economic growth through internal management variables.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a survey design, utilising a sample of 377 SMEs covering the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used for data collection, and data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with the aid of SmartPLSv3.FindingsThe study found that innovativeness and proactiveness, as dimensions of EO, have a significant effect on SMEs' performance. Risking-taking, however, showed no significant effect on performance. The study found that structural infrastructure capability significantly mediates the EO–performance relationship.Practical implicationsThe paper provides practical implications for society, as managers and SMEs' support agencies in emerging markets can be encouraged to focus more on internal management activities to support knowledge sharing within the organisation, given its relevance to improving performance, rather than focusing only on EO.Originality/valueThe study further strengthens and validates the resource-based view (RBV) theory and contributes to expanding knowledge on the relevance of internal management variables (knowledge sharing) in managing small and medium-scale enterprises. The study further advances theories regarding knowledge management's role, as a function of internal management system in the EO–performance relationship, thus helping to close the research gap related to these relationships from an emerging-economy perspective.

PURPOSE: The paper focuses on assessing the direct effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention and the indirect effect of the need for independence on the relationship between the constructs. Despite increased efforts towards steering the interest of young graduates towards entrepreneurial venture, the response rate has been rather unimpressive and discouraging, thus demanding the need to account for what factors could drive intention towards venture ownership among graduates in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative approach was adopted and a data set from 235 graduates was used for the study. The data was analyzed using the partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM). FINDINGS: It was found that self-efficacy does not significantly affect intention. It was also found that the need for independence affects entrepreneurial intention. The study found that the need for independence fully mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This paper provides new insight into the behavioral reasoning theory, through its application in explaining the cognitive role of the need for independence in decision-making, using samples from a developing economy. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The study advances a new perspective on the underlining factors that account for an entrepreneur’s intent to start a business venture, most especially among young graduates in Nigeria, through the lens of the behavioral reasoning theory. We further support the application of the theory in entrepreneurship literature, given the paucity of studies that have adopted the theory despite its relevance.

Purpose: This article focuses on the mediating role of innovation orientation and the moderating role of organisational trust (OT) on the relationship between ambidextrous leadership (AL) and export performance (EP). The need to highlight the drivers of AL and its influence on EP necessitated this study.Design/methodology/approach: The authors subjected sample data set from 420 respondents that engage in direct and indirect export activities to inferential analysis using partial least square (SEM).Findings/results: This study reveals that innovation orientation mediates AL and EP, as the direct link was not significant and organisation trust moderates the relationship.Practical implications: Leaders’ ambidexterity should incorporate a clearly defined orientation towards innovation that supports knowledge sharing and guides the need for innovative support while also ensuring that employees have high trust in the organisation.Originality/value: This study validates the leadership complexity theory and adds to EP literature on the relevance of innovation orientation and OT as good predictors of EP.

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Many countries worldwide make efforts to decrease environmental degradation and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engage in such business operations. However, considering the Nigerian context, evidence on their impact is scarce. Therefore, this paper investigates the effect of green entrepreneurship on the performance of SMEs in North-Central Nigeria federal territory. A pre-test was conducted, and a descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire was used. The study examined 1,233 consenting randomly chosen respondents from six states and Abuja City in North-Central Nigeria. Simple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. The findings demonstrated that green entrepreneurship can decrease the negative impacts of business activities on the environment and also ensure profitability. Moreover, green entrepreneurial innovative production and green entrepreneurial inclination significantly impact competitive edge (β = 0.806, t-value= 49.648, P = 0.000 < 0.05) and customer spending (β= 0.976, t-value= 51.315, P = 0.000 < 0.05), respectively. The study offers useful public information and experimental confirmation of environmental sustainability engaged in viable business activities.