IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION ON RESILIENCE AMONG NIGERIAN SMES IN THE POST-COVID ERA

Abstract

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria struggle to withstand economic shocks due to limited internal resilience capacities. This study aimed to examine how entrepreneurial orientation, specifically innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, and proactiveness, impacts the resilience of Nigerian SMEs in the post-COVID era. The research adopted a quantitative design, using structured questionnaires administered to 400 SME owners and managers across Lagos, Kano, and Rivers States. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. The findings revealed that all three components of entrepreneurial orientation had significant positive effects on SME resilience. Innovativeness showed the strongest influence, followed by proactiveness and risk-taking. These results suggest that SMEs that actively pursue new ideas, anticipate market shifts, and embrace calculated risks are more likely to maintain operational continuity, adapt to change, and recover effectively from disruptions. The study’s theoretical foundation draws from the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, which explain how internal strategic behaviors contribute to external survival and competitiveness. The study concludes that entrepreneurial orientation is a critical driver of resilience for SMEs operating in uncertain environments. Policymakers and support institutions are encouraged to design capacity-building programs that promote innovation, encourage risk-informed strategies, and develop proactive business cultures. SME leaders are also advised to embed these orientations into their day-to-day decision-making frameworks.