BADAMASI Mustapha
mustaphabadamasi@gmail.com
Department of Business Management,
Federal University Dutsin-Ma
MORENIKEJI Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq
aabdulrahaman@fudutsinma.edu.ng
Department of Business Management,
Federal University Dutsin-Ma
KABIRU Tsoho
Kabirutsohoguga@gmail.com
Department of Business Administration,
Federal University Dutse
ABSTRACT
Research has shown that entrepreneurial orientation is important for organisational success. But literature has indicates that research on entrepreneurial orientation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the Nigeria is scanty, and the few existing studies report conflicting result. Using Resource-Based View as a theoretical foundation, this research investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance of SMEs and the mediating role of entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) on the relationship between EO and performance of SMEs. The study employed a survey research design, while its population consists 1,013 SMEs in Katsina State. 281 SMEs owner/mangers were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM with the aid of Smart-PLS 3.2.8. The study found that EO (in terms
of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking) has significant positive relationships with performance of SMEs in Katsina State. The results also indicates EE mediated the relationship between EO and performance of SMEs. This study recommends that business owners and managers should maintain commitment to fostering creativity and innovation and be proactive and taking well-considered risks.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurial ecosystem, SMEs performance, Nigeria