Internationalisation of rural small‐and‐medium enterprises from Nigeria: Examining social and organisational impact

Abstract

AbstractDrawing on behavioural theory of the firm, this study examines internationalisation of rural small‐and‐medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria and its impacts on social and organisational development. To examine how SME internationalisation affects societal and organisational development, the study collects cross‐sectional data using a structured questionnaire from 304 rural SMEs drawn from several sectors in Nigeria. Applying a partial least square based structural equation modelling, we tested the social and organisational impact of rural SMEs internationalisation. The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between societal and organisational performances and internationalisation of SMEs. Both scores were significantly positively correlated with the internationalisation of SMEs in rural Nigeria. The study argues that internationalisation of rural SMEs' reflects on organisational progress and societal progress in terms of improving rural people's life. The findings of the study will act as the reference point to academicians and policymakers by which they could assess how internationalisation of rural SMEs matters for rural people's life and can strive to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.