Entrepreneurial Innovation and Competitive Advantage of Selected Manufacturing Firms in Anambra State

Abstract

This study examined the effect of entrepreneurial innovation on the competitive advantage of selected manufacturing firms in Anambra State. The specific objective was to ascertain the extent to which product innovation and process innovation affect competitive advantage. The study adopted a survey research design. The population comprised 320 staff of selected manufacturing firms operating in Anambra State, and a sample size of 178 respondents was selected using a structured sampling approach. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed on a five-point Likert scale. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that product innovation has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (β = 0.411, p = 0.000), and process innovation also exerts a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (β = 0.449, p = 0.000). These results suggest that enhancing both product and process innovation strategies can significantly improve the competitive positioning of manufacturing firms in the region. The study recommends that Product Development Managers in Manufacturing Firms should prioritize continuous investment in product innovation by conducting regular market research to identify evolving customer needs and leveraging creative design teams to develop new or improved products.