Knowledge Capability and Corporate Agility among SMEs in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between knowledge capability and corporate agility among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the South-South region of Nigeria. The study was motivated by the increasing volatility and competitive pressures faced by SMEs, which have limited their ability to respond swiftly to environmental changes due to inadequate knowledge management practices and weak adaptive capacities. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, the study investigated how learning culture, knowledge sharing, digital capability, and innovation climate influenced corporate agility. A quantitative research design was adopted. The study population comprised SME owners and managers operating within the retail, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors in the South-South region of Nigeria. Using a stratified random sampling technique, a sample size of 350 respondents was selected from the target population of 10,000. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered using a survey method. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 385 were successfully retrieved, representing a response rate of 82%. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. The findings revealed that learning culture, knowledge sharing, digital capability, and innovation climate each had a positive and statistically significant influence on corporate agility, while interaction effects demonstrated the complementary benefits of integrating these knowledge capabilities. The study concluded that SMEs enhanced corporate agility by fostering supportive learning environments, encouraging knowledge exchange, leveraging digital technologies, and promoting innovation-oriented organizational climates. The study recommended the institutionalization of structured knowledge management practices, increased investment in digital infrastructure, and the promotion of continuous learning and innovation to improve organizational responsiveness and long-term sustainability.