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

Abstract

The study examined the effect of entrepreneurial strategy on the competitive advantage of selected manufacturing firms in Anambra State. Specifically, it examined the effect of entrepreneurial adaptability and calculated risk-taking on competitive advantage. The research adopted a survey research design, which was considered appropriate for obtaining quantifiable data directly from employees. The population comprised 320 staff drawn from key departments of five manufacturing firms, out of which a sample size of 178 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula and proportionately distributed with Bowley’s allocation method. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, with hypotheses tested at a 5% level of significance. The study found that: entrepreneurial adaptability has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (β = 0.413, p = 0.000); calculated risk-taking has a positive and significant effect on competitive advantage (β = 0.448, p = 0.000). In conclusion, competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector is deeply contingent on a firm’s capacity to integrate strategic foresight with operational decisiveness, reflecting a dynamic interplay between human capital, strategic decision-making, and environmental responsiveness. The study recommends that organizational boards and senior executives of manufacturing firms in Anambra State institute structured risk assessment frameworks to guide informed decision-making and strategically pursue growth opportunities while minimizing potential losses.