Risk-Taking Propensity and Export Performance of Manufacturing SMEs in Kano, Nigeria

This study examined the influence of risk-taking as one important dimension of entrepreneurial orientation on export performance of SMEs in Kano, Nigeria. A survey design was conducted and structured questionnaire was used in the data collection. A total of 110 usable responses were received from the owners /managers of exporting manufacturing SMEs in Kano. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed in the data analysis. The result of the analysis showed that risk-taking has significant effect on export performance of manufacturing SMEs. The managerial implication of this study indicated that risk-taking is a significant internal determinant of export performance. Thus, the study recommends that management of SMEs should take calculated risk by always investigating the result of various prospective investments and predicts scenario of likely outcome and thus, recognize key risk factors and their causal sources and then tries to manage or reduce these factors in international arena. While the extreme risk that involves reckless decision making that management identified should be avoided.