Purpose

Global presence pursuit by Nigerian firms has increased the inquiry into internationalization. While a few implement regional presence, the pros and cons of full internationalization are evaluated. Giving the scarce empirical research, this paper aims to add to scholarly works and knowledge on internationalization and establish regional internationalization as the feasible option for Nigerian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Random and stratified sampling techniques were used. Data collection was conducted with questionnaire copies and analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model.

Findings

Internationalization strategy enhances small and medium enterprises (SME’s) competitive advantage, and full internationalization seems unrealistic for Nigerian firms; however, regional internationalization is the bedrock for full internationalization. Finally, the nature of the Nigerian business environment developed an increased value creation process in SMEs through increased flexibility and problem-solving abilities.

Practical implications

SMEs should internationalize partially, and critically evaluate socio-cultural and institutional environmental challenges in this study, to enable them to strategize for full internationalization.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that the only way to fast track the internationalization drive of SME’s in Nigeria is first to embrace regional internationalization because it is difficult to achieve full internationalization at a go. Then, apply appropriate strategies to embrace full internationalization in the nearest future.

中文翻译：

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企业家国际化对中小企业竞争力的前景与挑战

目的

尼日利亚公司追求全球存在增加了对国际化的需求。尽管有一些实施区域存在，但评估了全面国际化的利弊。鉴于缺乏实证研究，本文旨在增加有关国际化的学术著作和知识，并建立区域国际化作为尼日利亚公司的可行选择。

设计/方法/方法

使用了随机和分层抽样技术。使用问卷副本进行数据收集，并使用确认性因子分析和结构方程模型进行分析。

发现

国际化战略增强了中小型企业（SME）的竞争优势，而全面的国际化对尼日利亚公司而言似乎不现实。但是，区域国际化是全面国际化的基础。最后，尼日利亚商业环境的本质通过增强的灵活性和解决问题的能力，在中小型企业中增加了价值创造过程。

实际影响

中小企业应部分进行国际化，并在本研究中批判性地评估社会文化和制度环境方面的挑战，以使其能够为全面国际化制定战略。

创意/价值

该研究表明，在尼日利亚快速跟踪中小企业国际化进程的唯一方法是首先拥抱区域国际化，因为很难一目了然地实现全面国际化。然后，应用适当的策略在不久的将来实现全面的国际化。