Author/s:
Eniola, Anthony Abiodun*
Landmark University, Kwara State, Nigeria (tony42003@yahoo.co.uk)
Ojo, Olubunmi Raphael
Millennium College of Health Technology, Ondo State, Nigeria (Olubunmiojo14@gmail.com)
Ajala, Abosede Bamidele
Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria (abosedebamidele55@gmail.com)
Abstract:
The study investigates the effects of cultural identity on entrepreneurial performance of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Delta State, Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study drew on the family orientation theory and education incubation theory as foundation for examining this relationship. The study applied a cross-sectional survey approach using 300 SMEs in Delta State who responded to a structured questionnaire. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used in analyzing the hypotheses. The analyses indicate that family structure and communal spirit have a positive and significant relationship with entrepreneurial performance. However, individualism orientation has a weak but positive relationship with profitability and survival. The study concluded that entrepreneurs’ cultural identities enhance entrepreneurial performance-especially SMEs in Delta State. It is recommended that SMEs could raise entrepreneurial performance by adopting key antecedents of cultural identity – family structure, communal spirit and individualism orientation – from successful cultural groups.
Keywords: SMEs; entrepreneurial performance; cultural orientation; cultural identity; Nigeria
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsm.2019.4003
*Corresponding Author