Does ICT use as a strategic response to globalization matter for SME performance in Nigeria? Mediating roles of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic agility, and organizational resilience

Uzoma H. Ononye, Dennis Osadebay UniversityFollow

Abstract

This study examined the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) use on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance with a focus on the mediating roles of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic agility, and organizational resilience. Cross-sectional data were collected from 298 SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria, using a questionnaire based on previously validated measurement scales. Partial least squares modelling was applied to test the hypothesized five-factor model. The results demonstrate that ICT use, in response to globalization, exerts a significant and positive effect on SME performance. However, this effect is fully mediated by entrepreneurial orientation, strategic agility, and organizational resilience. The analysis further revealed that the positive effect of ICT use on SME performance is sequentially mediated by strategic agility and organizational resilience. In contrast, the sequential mediation involving entrepreneurial orientation and organizational resilience was positive but not statistically significant. These findings suggest that ICT use alone may be insufficient to enhance SME performance; instead, the development and maintenance of distinctive or dynamic capabilities are essential to achieve optimal and consistent effects.

Keywords

entrepreneurial orientation, globalization, ICT, organizational resilience, SME performance, strategic agility

Chinese Abstract

信息通信技术应用能否作为应对全球化的战略手段提升尼日利亚中小企业绩效？创业导向、战略敏捷性与组织韧性的中介作用

本研究探讨了信息通信技术（ICT）应用对中小企业绩效的影响，重点关注创业导向、战略敏捷性与组织韧性的中介作用。研究采用基于既有成熟量表的问卷，收集了尼日利亚拉各斯市298家中小企业的横截面数据，并运用偏最小二乘法模型对假设的五因子模型进行检验。结果表明，作为对全球化挑战的回应，ICT应用对中小企业绩效具有显著正向影响，但这一影响完全通过创业导向、战略敏捷性与组织韧性产生中介效应。分析进一步显示，ICT应用对中小企业绩效的积极效应，经由战略敏捷性与组织韧性形成链式中介路径；而创业导向与组织韧性构成的序列中介路径虽呈正向关系，但未达到统计显著性。上述发现表明，单纯应用ICT可能不足以提升中小企业绩效；相反，培育并维持独特或动态的组织能力，对于实现持续且最优的绩效效果至关重要。

创业导向、全球化、信息通信技术（ICT）、组织韧性、中小企业绩效、战略敏捷性

ORCID Identifiers

Uzoma Heman Ononye: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6261-9640

DOI

10.5038/2640-6489.11.1.1361

Recommended Citation

Ononye, U. H. (2026). Does ICT use as a strategic response to globalization matter for SME performance in Nigeria? Mediating roles of entrepreneurial orientation, strategic agility, and organizational resilience. Journal of Global Business Insights, 11(1), 30-48. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.11.1.1361