Innovation Sustainability Management in Startups: Best Practices and Challenges in Biscuit Production Companies in South East, Nigeria

Ibietela Victor BobManuel PhD; Ibiba Ambie Georgewill PhD

doi:10.56201/wjeds.v10.no6.2025.pg121.134

📄 Download Paper

Innovation Sustainability Management in Startups: Best Practices and Challenges in Biscuit Production Companies in South East, Nigeria

Ibietela Victor BobManuel PhD, Ibiba Ambie Georgewill PhD

Abstract

This study investigates innovation sustainability management in startups, with a focus on best practices and challenges among biscuit production companies in South East Nigeria. Innovation sustainability management refers to how startups integrate sustainable product design, eco- friendly processes, and responsible leadership to achieve long-term growth while addressing social and environmental concerns. Guided by the Triple Bottom Line Theory, the Resource-Based View, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study examined how sustainable product and process development, agility and adaptability, and innovation culture and leadership influence operational outcomes. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from selected biscuit startups across the region. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including Pearson's correlation and regression analysis, were employed to analyze the data. Findings revealed a strong and statistically significant relationship between sustainable product and process development and effective operational practices. Innovation culture and leadership also showed a moderate positive influence, while agility and adaptability revealed a weaker but still significant relationship with best practices and challenge management. However, regression analysis indicated that individual innovation components, when tested independently, did not significantly predict operational outcomes, suggesting that a combined, integrated approach is more effective. The study concludes that for startups in biscuit production, embedding sustainability at the heart of innovation— supported by strong leadership and adaptability—is essential for long-term viability. It recommends that startup founders adopt eco-conscious product strategies, cultivate leadership that drives innovation, and implement integrated sustainability frameworks to overcome sector- specific challenges.

Keywords

Innovation Sustainability ManagementStartupsBest PracticesChallengesBiscuit

References

Ahmad, I., Umar, F., & Bello, M. (2024). Innovation management in tech start-ups: A review of strategies for growth and sustainability. Journal of African Innovation and Development, 12(1), 45–60. Akinlosotu, T. (2020). Sustainable innovation strategies in food processing SMEs: A case study of Lagos State. Nigerian Journal of Business and Environmental Research, 8(2), 23–34. Ambrosini, V., & Bowman, C. (2009). What are dynamic capabilities and are they a useful construct in strategic management? International Journal of Management Reviews, 11(1), 29–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2008.00251.x Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108 BusinessDay. (2024). Leadership vacuum and startup survival in Nigeria. BusinessDay Nigeria. https://businessday.ng (Use actual URL or remove if unavailable) Denning, S. (2021). How agile innovation drives startup growth. Journal of Strategy and Management, 14(3), 222–235. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-11-2020-0234 Emeh, I., Ibe-Enwo, G., & Monanu, A. (2024). Green innovation adoption among Nigerian food and beverage companies. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 26(1), 70–82. Eze, C., & Nwankwo, I. (2023). Sustainable innovation and competitive advantage in emerging market startups: Evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 24(2), 150–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503231123456 Fay, D., & Flöther, M. (2024). Embedding sustainability in startup innovation culture: A strategic imperative. Journal of Organizational Change and Innovation, 19(2), 101–118. Ibrahim, A., Bello, R., Musa, A., & Yakubu, L. (2024). Integrated innovation-sustainability strategies and performance of Nigerian manufacturing startups. Journal of African Business Studies, 18(1), 35–52. Jesuleye, O. A., Adepoju, A. O., & Akinlosotu, T. N. (2020). Green innovation strategies and firm performance: Evidence from food and beverage firms in Lagos State. Journal of Sustainable Business and Management, 5(2), 22–35. JCSR (Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility). (2025). Sustainability practices in Nigerian SMEs: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 13(1), 55–71. Lins, K. V., & Vorhies, D. (2022). Sustainability-oriented innovation and firm valuation: Evidence from global startups. Journal of Business Ethics, 176, 233–251. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04689-3 López Gómez, C., Martín-de Castro, G., Delgado-Verde, M., & Navas-López, J. E. (2021). Leveraging internal capabilities for sustainable innovation: A resource-based approach. Journal of Knowledge Management, 25(4), 895–915. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-11- 2019-0621 Neumann, K., Krems, J. F., & Gruber, H. (2024). Organizational culture and the barriers to agile innovation. Journal of Business Psychology, 39(1), 87–104. Okafor, A. C., & Ogu, J. K. (2022). Agility and adaptability as mediators in the innovation- performance link: A study of Nigerian startups in volatile sectors. African Journal of Management Science, 10(3), 65–80. Otokiti, S. O., Adeyemi, A., & Onifade, K. (2024). Sustainable process innovation and resilience among Nigerian manufacturers. Journal of Production and Operations Research, 11(1), 44–59. Ployhart, R. E., & Hale, D. (2022). Dynamic capabilities in emerging market firms: A multilevel perspective. Academy of Management Perspectives, 36(3), 415–432. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2020.0123 Serio, L., Russo, M., & Lisi, G. (2020). Green entrepreneurship and startup performance: Evidence from European incubators. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(6), 1277–1295. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-09-2019-0548 Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097- 0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z Udoyiu, P. C., & Okonkwo, L. J. (2024). Impact of innovation and leadership culture on entrepreneurial sustainability: A study of selected SMEs in South-South Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Business Innovation, 9(2), 83–97.

Innovation Sustainability Management in Startups: Best Practices and Challenges in Biscuit Production Companies in South East, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from WORLD JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES