ENTREPRENEURIAL INNOVATIVENESS AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF MANUFACTURING STARTUPS IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurial innovativeness on the competitive advantage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Rivers State. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, with management staff of SMEs serving as respondents. The study population consisted of 23 registered food product manufacturing SMEs in Rivers State. The collected data were analyzed using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation technique, and the three formulated hypotheses were tested using SPSS version 24.0. The results of the analyses indicate that entrepreneurial innovativeness significantly influences the attainment of competitive advantages, specifically in terms of cost advantage, quality advantage, and differentiation advantage. The significant relationship observed between entrepreneurial innovativeness and competitive advantages suggests that manufacturers who prioritize innovation are better positioned to reduce costs, enhance product quality, and differentiate their offerings from those of competitors.