Exploring Resilience Capabilities of Micro and Small Businesses during Crisis in Nigeria
| dc.contributor.author | Ariyo, Bisola | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-07-19T13:19:11Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-07-19T13:19:11Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-03 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This research explores resilience capabilities in micro and small businesses (MSBs) within Nigeria's agriculture, manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors during crises. Despite existing studies highlighting the importance of resilience in business survival during crises, there is a gap in understanding how MSBs in these specific sectors adapt and sustain themselves amidst diverse challenges. The study aims to identify the types of crises affecting MSBs and discuss their resilience capabilities by evaluating their dynamic capabilities (adaptive, absorptive and innovative capabilities) and propose resilience-building strategies. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, incorporating focus group discussions and individual interviews with MSB owners and managers across Southwest Nigeria. This approach allows for an in-depth exploration of resilience practices and perceptions within these specific business sectors. Findings reveal that MSBs face both man-made crises (kidnapping, herders-farmers conflicts, banditry, and armed robbery) and natural crises (COVID-19 pandemic, flooding), each with distinct impacts on operations and sustainability. MSBs demonstrate various resilience capabilities, including rapid environmental scanning, information assimilation, innovative product and service adaptation and resource reallocation strategies from the three dynamic capabilities evaluated. Sector-specific differences are also evident in how these capabilities are applied. This research contributes theoretically to the dynamic capabilities framework, particularly in its application to MSBs in a Sub-Saharan context such as Nigeria during crises. It extends the framework by Wang and Ahmed (2007), demonstrating how MSBs in volatile environments employ dynamic capabilities for resilience. The study also provides empirical insights into the unique challenges and strategies of MSBs in different sectors during crises, thereby contributing to the academic discourse on business resilience and crisis management. Methodologically, this study determined the value of qualitative research in capturing the different experiences of MSB owners and managers. The use of focus groups and individual interviews offers a comprehensive understanding of resilience strategies and provides the practical realities of operating a business in challenging environments. Practically, this research provides actionable insights for MSB managers in Nigeria and similar contexts. By understanding the nature of crises and the required resilience capabilities, MSBs can better prepare and adapt to survive and thrive. Policymakers can leverage the findings to develop more effective support mechanisms and policies tailored to the distinct needs of MSBs across different sectors. Overall, this research makes significant contributions to the understanding of MSB resilience in the face of crises, offering a framework for further exploration in similar developing economy contexts. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/2086/24031 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | De Montfort University | |
| dc.publisher.department | Faculty of Business and Law | |
| dc.title | Exploring Resilience Capabilities of Micro and Small Businesses during Crisis in Nigeria | |
| dc.type | Thesis or dissertation | |
| dc.type.qualificationlevel | Doctoral | |
| dc.type.qualificationname | PhD |