Author(s): Cosmas Anayochukwu Nwankwo, Uchechukwu Solomon Eze, MacDonald Isaac Kanyangale
The entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of agro-processing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is vital in influencing performance. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness on the performance of agro-processing SMEs in Anambra State. The study used a descriptive research design and structured questionnaires to collect data from owner-managers of 400 agroprocessing SMEs registered with Corporate Affair Commission (CAC). Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness and performance of SMEs. The EO of agro-processing SMEs is constitutive of not only risky-taking, innovativeness, and proactiveness but also competitive aggressiveness in response to the ever-changing customer demands. The aggressive pursuit of competitive target market is a critical element of the redefined EO which enhances organizational performance of agro-processing SMEs in Nigeria.