Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Entrepreneurial Internationalization and Survival of Selected Micro Enterprises in Nigeria

Okechukwu Ferdinand Cyril-Nwuche, PhD

Abstract

This study examined the effect of entrepreneurial internationalization on the survival of selected micro enterprises in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to gather data from business operators engaged in international activities. The population comprised over 41 million micro enterprises, from which a sample of 400 was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using linear regression to test the stated hypothesis. The finding revealed that entrepreneurial internationalization positively influences firm survival (β = 0.746; p = 0.000). In conclusion, survival in the modern business domain is tied to the ability of entrepreneurs to look outward, embrace global opportunities, and integrate international strategies into their core business models, making internationalization an essential driver of continuity in an interconnected world. The study recommended that entrepreneurs and business owners of SMEs should actively pursue opportunities to expand their operations into foreign markets through exports, strategic alliances, or digital platforms that allow cross-border trade.

Keywords

Entrepreneurial InternationalizationFirm SurvivalMicro Enterprises

References

Akaeze, N. S., &Akaeze, C. (2017). Exploring the survival strategies for small business ownership in Nigeria. Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, 5(7), 35-48. Akenbor, C., &Aigbepue, R. (2022). Regulatory Dynamics and Sustainability of MSMEs Growth in Nigeria. FUO Journal of Management Sciences, 6(2). Autio, E. (2017). Strategic entrepreneurial internationalization: A normative framework. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 11(3), 211-227. Baena-Luna, P., Martínez-Román, J. A., Romero-García, J. E., &Liñán, F. (2025). The influence of corporate entrepreneurship strategy on SMEs’ internationalization: proposing and testing a model. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 17(1), 118-141. Cavusgil, S. T., & Knight, G. (2015). The born global firm: An entrepreneurial and capabilities perspective on early and rapid internationalization. Journal of international business studies, 46(1), 3-16. Ehis, O. F. (2025). The Role of Digital Platforms and E-commerce in Accelerating SME Internationalisation: Evidence from Nigerian SMEs. Econova, 1(01), 1-13. Elo, M. (2005). SME internationalisation from a network perspective: an empirical study on a Finnish-Greek business network (Doctoral dissertation, ÅboAkademisförlag- ÅboAkademi University Press). Fernandez Olmos, M., & Díez-Vial, I. (2015). Internationalization pathways and the performance of SMEs. European Journal of Marketing, 49(3/4), 420-443. Geremewe, Y. T. (2018). The role of micro and small enterprises for poverty alleviation. International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences, 4(12), 1-10. Kalu, U. K. (2022). The Short Business Life Span Among Entrepreneurs in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). Kim, S. (2017). Factors affecting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises in South Korea: entrepreneurial orientation, human capital and technological capabilities. International journal of economics and financial issues, 7(5), 371. Li, Z., Shu, K., Cheng, M., & Nian, J. (2025). Exploring the nexus between international perspective, innovation resources, and entrepreneurial internationalization: A resource-based and behavioral perspective. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(1), 2391-2424. Manotas, E. C., & Gonzalez-Perez, M. A. (2020). Internationalization and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises from emerging economies: Using hazards methodology for competitiveness study. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 30(5), 635-663. Muojekwu, H. O., Ochuka, C. E., & Nworie, G. O. (2025). Value Creation in Nigerian Listed Consumer Goods Firms through Entrepreneurial Cash Management. Quantitative Economics and Management Studies, 6(3), 350-361. Nguyen, N. M., Nguyen, H. T. L., Mai, C. T., Pham, N. T. K., & Nguyen, H. T. (2025). Effects of internationalization on supply chain agility and business performance of manufacturing firms in Vietnam. Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing. Nworie, G. O., Odah, U., & Nworie, F. N. (2024). Managing the challenges of digitisation and a contemporary business issue at Coca-Cola. International Journal of Academic Accounting, Finance & Management Research (IJAAFMR), 8(11), 129-133. Nworie, G. O., Onochie, C. C., &Nwakoby, N. P. (2025). Strengthening firm sustenance through entrepreneurial innovation: Evidence from the Nigerian industrial goods sector. Annals of Management and Organization Research , 6(4), 405-418. Odunukan, K., Akter, M., Hack‐Polay, D., Rahman, M., & Igwe, P. (2022). Internationalisation of rural small‐and‐medium enterprises from Nigeria: Examining social and organisational impact. Business Strategy & Development, 5(1), 80-93. Onwe, J. C., Agada, E. E., Onwe, O. C., Williams, O., & Ogba, R. C. (2024). Factors influencing business and entrepreneurial survival in Africa: A systematic review. African Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 7(2), 101-113. Rahman, M., Hack-Polay, D., Shafique, S., & Igwe, P. A. (2023). Dynamic capability of the firm: analysis of the impact of internationalisation on SME performance in an emerging economy. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 18(9), 2383-2401. Ratajczak-Mrozek, M. (2017). The network theory of companies’ internationalization—the importance of relationships for international expansion. Network embeddedness: Examining the effect on business performance and internationalization, 153-189. Rehman, S. U. (2025). SMEs internationalization! Market intelligence and entrepreneurial orientation influence on international performance: a moderation model. Business Process Management Journal, 31(1), 54-73. Sanjo, O. M., & Ibrahim, M. O. (2017). The effect of international business on SMEs growth in Nigeria. Journal of competitiveness, 9(3), 67-80. Sedziniauskiene, R., Sekliuckiene, J., &Zucchella, A. (2019). Networks’ impact on the entrepreneurial internationalization: A literature review and research agenda. Management International Review, 59(5), 779-823. Sui, S., & Baum, M. (2014). Internationalization strategy, firm resources and the survival of SMEs in the export market. Journal of International Business Studies, 45(7), 821-841.

More Articles from JOURNAL OF BUSINESS AND AFRICAN ECONOMY

Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism and Economic Growth in the West African Monetary Zone, 2000-2025

Author: i, Okolie, Romanus Onyeisi, ii, Emeter Patrick Okechukwu, iii, Aduba Paul Nnamdi, iv, Eneaniofu Daniel Mmaduakonam, v, Okwor Emmanuel Ejimnkonye

Inventory Management and Organisational Performance of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Southwest, Nigeria

Author: Akande, Folashade Adebisi, Ibojo, Bolanle O. PhD, Akinruwa, Temitope E. PhD

Monetary Policy and Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Author: Egbuho, Chika Anthonia, Njoku, Kevin Chinaka. Isukul, Araniyar. Chinedu.