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Influence of organizational learning capability on the competitive advantage of entrepreneurial firms: a resource-based perspective

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Listed:
  • Theoneste Manishimwe

    (American University of Nigeria)

  • Fahad Abdulrahman

    (National Open University of Nigeria)

  • Ahmed Umar Alkali

    (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)

  • Lukman Raimi

    (Universiti Brunei Darussalam)

Abstract

Research on the impact of organizational learning capabilities (OLC) on competitive advantage (CA) in developing economies is still a growing area of study. This study draws on the OLC-CA framework and the resource-based perspective to investigate the influence of OLC on the competitive advantage of entrepreneurial firms in Adamawa state, Nigeria. For this purpose, a cross-sectional research design was employed, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 255 respondents, including owners, managers, and directors of 393 entrepreneurial firms operating in the food and beverage industry. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, regression analysis, factor analysis, and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that OLC significantly impacts CA, with knowledge acquisition and information dissemination collectively improving the CA of entrepreneurial firms by leveraging market opportunities, neutralizing competitive threats, and reducing costs. The study concludes that increasing OLCs can lead to improved CA for managers of entrepreneurial firms. This research offers valuable insights into the application of the understudied Knowledge-Based Theory (KBT) and Resource-Based Theory (RBT) in explaining the impact of OLC dimensions on the dimensions of competitive advantage in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Theoneste Manishimwe & Fahad Abdulrahman & Ahmed Umar Alkali & Lukman Raimi, 2025. "Influence of organizational learning capability on the competitive advantage of entrepreneurial firms: a resource-based perspective," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(7), pages 1-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:7:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00854-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00854-3
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