This research focused on examining the relationship between industrial clustering
and performance of technology-based SMEs in Nigeria, and to identify the moderating
role of firm age and size on this relationship. A sample size of 65 owners/managers of
technology-based small and medium enterprises were surveyed through the use of
structured questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression were adopted in analysing
the research instrument. Based on the findings from the statistical analysis, this
research concludes that there is a direct relationship between industrial clustering
and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. The study also asserts that firm age is a
critical influencer of the relationship between industrial clustering and performance
of SMEs. Consequently, it is recommended that SME operators in Nigeria should
leverage on industrial clustering as a means of enhancing their performance levels.
More so, owners/managers of SMEs, bearing in mind the age categorization of their
organizations should form industrial clusters in ways that help younger firms share
from the experiences of older firms to enhance their performance.
Key words: Entrepreneurship, Industrial Clustering, Innovation, Firm Age, Firm Size,
Technology-based SMEs performanc