Strategic Planning and Performance of Nigerian SMEs: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Characteristics

Studies that considered the moderating effect of entrepreneurial characteristics on the relationship between strategic planning and performance of SMEs are few. This research is aimed at investigating the relationship between strategic planning and SME performance while also considering the moderating effect of entrepreneurial characteristics on the relationship between these two variables. The study employed the use of survey research design using the owners/managers of 4,535 SMEs registered with SMEDAN as the target population.  Correlation analysis was used to establish the extent of the relationship between strategic planning and performance of SMEs while hierarchical regression analysis was used to establish the moderating effect of entrepreneur characteristics on the relationship. Findings showed that there exist a statistically significant positive relationship between strategic planning and performance of SMEs in Lagos State, the study also indicated that entrepreneurial characteristics significantly moderates the relationship between strategic planning and performance of SMEs. The study concluded that entrepreneurial characteristics being exhibited influenced the performance of the business. Policy implications and recommendations were made.&nbsp

Strategic Marketing and Competitive Advantage of Selected Petroleum Products Marketing Companies in Nigeria: The Moderating Role of Resource Capabilities

This study investigated the effect of strategic marketing on competitive advantage and how resource capabilities moderated the effect. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Based on population of 1568 managerial staff of selected petroleum products marketing firms in Lagos State, Nigeria, Cochran’s formula was applied to determine a sample size of 564. Response rate of 497 respondents was achieved in the study. Data collected were analysed using multiple regression analysis. The findings established that strategic marketing has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (R = 0.594, Adj. R2 = 0.627, F (4, 491) = 208.685, p = 0.000 < 0.05) and that resource capability has no significant moderation on the effect of strategic marketing on competitive advantage (ΔR2= 0.000, ΔF (1, 493) = 0.0305, p > 0.05) of the selected petroleum marketing companies in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study recommended that the management of petroleum products marketing companies should be committed to adopting strategic marketing in order to improve competitive advantage