A Critical Discourse of EI and CA in Emerging Economies: The Place of Nigeria Within the Global Innovation Ecosystems

Abstract

This study explores the levels of and barriers to entrepreneurial innovation (EI) and competitive advantage (CA) in emerging economies, and situates the findings within the Nigeria’s global innovation ecosystems. A qualitative research approach is preferred relying on the secondary data extracted from the reports of Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and enriched by scholarly works including insights from the reports of Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI). The extracted data from the afore-mentioned sources were critically reviewed and analysed using content analysis to understand the connection between EI and CA. At the end of the analysis, the study found that for 10 years (2008–2017), Nigeria manifested low EI and CA on the GCI ranking, whereas other African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa, with lesser economic resources, did comparatively better. Second, it was found that, the key barriers to EI and CA are infrastructural neglect, lack of strong regulatory institutions, weak macroeconomic environment, weak technological readiness, poor business sophistication and low innovation among others. The study improves understanding of theoretical, managerial and policy implications of EI and CA. It also provides appropriate strategic suggestions for stimulating EI and enhancing CA at both national and industry levels in Nigeria. The study contributes to the raging debates on EI and CA in emerging economies. It also supports the Schumpeter’s creative discovery theory and resource-based view of CA.