Strategic Environmental Scanning and Performance of SMES in Oyo State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Strategic Agility

Nelson A.O. Samuel

doi:10.56201/jbae.vol.12.no9.2026.pg27.35

📄 Download Paper

Strategic Environmental Scanning and Performance of SMES in Oyo State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Strategic Agility

Nelson A.O. Samuel

Abstract

This paper examined the relationship between strategic environmental scanning and performance of SMES in Oyo state Nigeria, with strategic agility acting as the moderating variable. It notes that despite the obvious growth in size and numbers of SMEs in Nigeria, little or none empirical evidence exists on how SMEs relies on strategic environmental scanning to achieve performance, and mechanism through which it occurs. The study adopted quantitative survey design. Data were collected from 576 SME owners/Management in Oyo State using a structured questionnaire. Partial Least Squares-SEM was used for analysis. Results reveal that technological scanning [β=0.31, p<0.01] and competitive scanning [β=0.28, p<0.01] significantly influence SME performance. Strategic agility significantly mediates the relationship between environmental scanning and SME performance [β=0.19, p<0.01]. The study extended the Resource-Based View by positioning strategic agility as the key dynamic machinery capability that converts external information into competitive advantage for SMEs in a developing economy context. Small Medium Entrepreneur pioneers should institutionalize consistent scanning of technology and competitor environments and affirm organizational agility that must efficiently translate information into performance.

Keywords

Strategic EnvironmentalStrategic AgilitySME Performance

References

Aina, S. A., & Egbuta, O. U. (2021). Environmental scanning and market share of selected small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.31695/IJASRE.2021.34006 Aina, S. A., & Egbuta, O. U. (2021). Environmental scanning and market share of selected small and medium scale enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering, 7(4), 84–91. https://doi.org/10.31695/IJASRE.2021.34006 Choo, C. W. (2023). The knowing organization. Oxford University Press. Costa, J., Santos, M., & Machado, C. (2022). Sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. Sustainability, 14(11), Dörr, U.-S., Schönhofer, G., & Schwarz, J. O. (2024). The state of foresight in small and medium enterprises: Literature review and research agenda. European Journal of Futures Research, 12, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40309-024-00237-1 Harris, B., & Brooker, J. (2025). Environmental scanning: A look to the future. New Directions for Evaluation, 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.20633 Ikeh, E. J. (2026). Strategic management practices and organizational performance of SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria: A structural equation modeling approach. International Journal of Applied Review, 2(2), 5–13. Joy-Camacho, W., & Thornhill, I. (2024). Opportunities and limitations to environmental management system implementation in UK small and medium enterprises : A systematic review. Journal of Environmental Management, 367, 121749. Oduro, S., & Haylemariam, L. G. (2025). Effect of social and environmental sustainability on SME competitiveness: A meta-analytic review. Management Review Quarterly. Teece, D. J. (2017). Explicating dynamic capabilities. Strategic Management Journal, 28, 1319– 1350.

Strategic Environmental Scanning and Performance of SMES in Oyo State, Nigeria: The Mediating Role of Strategic Agility

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from JOURNAL OF BUSINESS AND AFRICAN ECONOMY