OPPORTUNITY RECOGNITION AND BUSINESS SCALABILITY OF INDIGENOUS STARTUPS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Henry Sonna Ojukwu

doi:10.19166/derema.v21i2.11271

Auteurs

Henry Sonna Ojukwu NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2708-7304

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19166/derema.v21i2.11271

Trefwoorden:

Opportunity Recognition, Business Scalability, Environmental Scanning Capability, Prior Entrepreneurial Knowledge, Indigenous Startups, nigeria

Samenvatting

This study examined the effect of opportunity recognition on business scalability among indigenous startups in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study specifically investigated the influence of environmental scanning capability and prior entrepreneurial knowledge on business scalability. A descriptive survey research design based on a quantitative approach was adopted. Data were collected from 268 indigenous startups operating within their first five years across Enugu, Nsukka, Oji River, and Awgu using structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis, and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis in SPSS. The findings revealed that environmental scanning capability and prior entrepreneurial knowledge both exert significant positive effects on business scalability, with environmental scanning capability emerging as the stronger predictor. The study concludes that opportunity recognition is a critical determinant of startup scalability in dynamic and resource-constrained entrepreneurial environments. The study recommends strengthening environmental scanning practices, entrepreneurial learning systems, and market intelligence support mechanisms to improve startup growth and sustainability.

Abstrak dalam Bahasa Indonesia :

Penelitian ini mengkaji pengaruh pengenalan peluang terhadap skalabilitas bisnis pada startup lokal di Negara Bagian Enugu, Nigeria. Secara khusus, penelitian ini menganalisis pengaruh kemampuan pemindaian lingkungan dan pengetahuan kewirausahaan sebelumnya terhadap skalabilitas bisnis. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain survei deskriptif dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Data dikumpulkan dari 268 startup lokal yang beroperasi dalam lima tahun pertama di wilayah Enugu, Nsukka, Oji River, dan Awgu dengan menggunakan kuesioner terstruktur. Analisis data dilakukan dengan statistik deskriptif dan inferensial, sedangkan pengujian hipotesis menggunakan analisis regresi berganda melalui SPSS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan pemindaian lingkungan dan pengetahuan kewirausahaan sebelumnya sama-sama memiliki pengaruh positif yang signifikan terhadap skalabilitas bisnis, dengan kemampuan pemindaian lingkungan sebagai prediktor yang lebih kuat. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa pengenalan peluang merupakan determinan penting bagi skalabilitas startup dalam lingkungan kewirausahaan yang dinamis dan memiliki keterbatasan sumber daya. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan penguatan praktik pemindaian lingkungan, sistem pembelajaran kewirausahaan, serta mekanisme dukungan intelijen pasar untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan keberlanjutan startup.

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