Examining the impact of entrepreneurial psychology on agribusiness sustainability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25299/kiat.2026.27323Keywords:
Entrepreneurial Psychology, Entrepreneurial Innovation Capability, Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy, Entrepreneurial Cognition, Agribusiness SustainabilityAbstract
Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurial Cognition (EC), entrepreneurial subjective norms (ESN), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), and entrepreneurial Innovation Capability (EIC) on agribusiness sustainability (AS) in North-Central Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a cross-sectional survey of 340 agro-processing firms, collected data were analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).
Findings: Results revealed that EC and ESN exerted significant positive effects on agribusiness sustainability, while EIC served as a partial mediator between the constructs and AS. Furthermore, EC, ESE, and ESN significantly predicted EIC, indicating that innovation capability is largely shaped by entrepreneurs’ networks and competencies. Indirect effect analysis confirmed that EIC significantly mediates the relationships between EC, ESE, ESN, and AS.
Limitations and Research implications: This study only examines the impact of entrepreneurial psychology on agribusiness sustainability in North Central Nigeria, caution should be exercised when generalizing the findings.
Practical Implications: The study findings practically imply that enhancing entrepreneurial psychology strengthens agribusiness sustainability outcomes, hence recommends that targeted agribusiness capacity programs should be aimed at boosting entrepreneurial innovation capability to increase the sustainability of agribusinesses in North Central Nigeria.
Originality/value: The findings from the PLS-SEM analysis demonstrate a statistically significant and positive relationship between entrepreneurial factors and agribusiness sustainability in North Central Nigeria.
Downloads
References
Adeyeye, M. M., Aliu, M. M., Oni, O. O., & Onimisi, R. O. (2019). Entrepreneurial motivations and micro-small businesses growth: Opportunity-driven and necessity-driven entrepreneurship perspectives. Lapai International Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 11(2), 358–375. http://repository.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/5355
Ahimbisibwe, G. M., Ecel, A., Nuwagaba, D., Nakigudde, R., Mpiriirwe, R. F., & Kiplangat, L. (2025). Innovation capabilities and international competitiveness of agro-processing firms in Uganda. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 35(5), 837–857. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-04-2024-0079
Ahmad, A. Y. (2022). Unlocking the potentials of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in building local technological capabilities in agro-processing industry. Innovation and Development, 12(2), 279–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2020.1836460
Aliu, M. M., Oni, E., Dauda, A., & Dauda, C. (2025). Unpacking the Ambiguities: A Critical Review of Social Entrepreneurship Definitions and Perspectives. POLAC Journal of Social and Management Sciences (PJSMS), 3(1), 51–68. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16275505
Aliu, M. M., & Oni, E. O. (2020). A Review on Marketing Strategies and Sustainable Competitive Advantage of SMEs in the Manufacturing Sector. Covenant Journal of Entrepreneurship, 4(2). https://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cjoe/article/view/2386
Aliu, M. M., Oni, E. O., Dauda, A., Dauda, C. K., & Ijaiya, M. A. (2025). Mediating Effect of Organisational Capability on Commercial Activities of Social Enterprise and Sustainable Development in South-Western Nigeria. NDA Journal of Management Sciences Research, 5(2), 1–12. https://ndajmsr.org.ng/ojs33/index.php/home/article/view/31
Aliu, M. M., Oni, E. O., Dauda, A., Dauda, C. K., & Ijaiya, M. A. (2025). Examining the impact of social entrepreneurship on sustainable community development in South West Nigeria. Impressive Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 1(2), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.33003/ijmass-2025v1i2.33.179-190
Aliu, M. M., Oni, E. O., Dauda, A., Dauda, C. K., Ijaiya, M. A., & Bello, I. E. (2025). The Need for Sustainable Solutions to Social Problems through Social Entrepreneurship in South West Nigeria. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/19420676.2025.2549869
Aliu, M. M., Oni, E. O., & Umar, M. Z. (2021). Impact of Marketing Strategies on Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Manufacturing Firms in Minna Metropolis. African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (AJENTS), 1(2), 165–190. http://repository.futminna.edu.ng:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/19898
Asikhia, O., & Naidoo, V. (2020). Assessment of the moderating effects of Nigerian market environment on the relationship between management success determinants and SMEs’ performance. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 18(4), 388–401. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.18(4).2020.31
Bandura, A. (2002). Social cognitive theory in cultural context. Applied psychology, 51(2), 269-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2003.08.008
Begimkulov, E., & Darr, D. (2023). Scaling strategies and mechanisms in small and medium enterprises in the agri-food sector: a systematic literature review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1169948
Bekata, A. T., & Kero, C. A. (2024). Customer orientation, open innovation and enterprise performance, evidence from Ethiopian SMEs. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2320462
Bharatkumar, D. P., Khatun, P., Kumar, C., & Yadav, A. K. (2023). Role of agriculture processing in export growth of agricultural products. Journal of Current Research in Food Science, 4(1), 49–56. https://www.doi.org/10.22271/foodsci.2023.v4.i1a.91
Cai, Y., & Shi, W. (2022). The influence of the community climate on users’ knowledge-sharing intention: the social cognitive theory perspective. Behaviour & information technology, 41(2), 307-323. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2020.1808704
Chi, K., Wang, S., & Ahmad, M. (2023). Entrepreneurs’ Cognitive Schemas and New Venture Business Model Innovativeness: The Mediating Effect of Environmental Scanning. Sustainability, 15(4), 3299. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043299
Chin, J. W., Mustafa, M. J., & Nungsari, M. (2024). Subjective norms towards entrepreneurship and Malaysian students’ entrepreneurial intentions: Does gender matter? Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 18(2), 195-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJIE-09-2023-0180
Clark, D., & Robinson, P. (2021). Exporting raw commodities and the challenge of value addition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review, 39(6), 902–920. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12571
Dong, H., Wang, B., Zhang, P., Chen, X., & Han, J. (2022). Research on the Influence Mechanism of Agricultural Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Five Provinces in Western China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.864226
Elnadi, M., & Gheith, M. H. (2021). Entrepreneurial ecosystem, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention in higher education: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. The International Journal of Management Education, 19(1), 100458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2021.100458
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2021). FAOSTAT: Employment in agrifood systems. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/faostat-afs-employment-data/en
Gutiérrez Cano, L. F., Zartha Sossa, J. W., Orozco Mendoza, G. L., Suárez Guzmán, L. M., Agudelo Tapasco, D. A., & Quintero Saavedra, J. I. (2023). Agricultural innovation system: analysis from the subsystems of R&D, training, extension, and sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1176366
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Hidayati, D. R., Garnevska, E., & Childerhouse, P. (2021). Sustainable Agrifood Value Chain—Transformation in Developing Countries. Sustainability, 13(22), 12358. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212358
Huang, M., Popaitoon, S., & Mumi, A. (2025). Thinking beyond challenges: How entrepreneurial metacognition shapes entrepreneurial resilience—Insights from Chinese entrepreneurs. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 14(1), 101. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00585-7
Ikuemonisan, E. S. (2024). Challenges and strategies in Nigerian agribusiness entrepreneurship for sustainable development. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-024-00303-5
Jiang, H., Xiong, W., & Cao, Y. (2017). Research on the Mechanism of Entrepreneurial Education Quality, Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy and Entrepreneurial Intention in Social Sciences, Engineering and Science Education. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(7). https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00754a
Jimoh, A., Aliu, M. M., Ayorinde, A. A., Halidu, S., & Bello, A. M. (2026). Financial Accessibility and Growth of Female Entrepreneurs in North Central Nigeria: A Theoretical Review. International Journal of Intellectual Discourse, 9(1). https://www.ijidjournal.org/index.php/ijid/article/view/1100
Jimoh, A., Aliu, M. M., Otohinoyi, K. D., Bello, M. A., & Salihu, A. (2025). Impact of Performance Appraisal on Employees Productivity among Commercial Banks in Minna Metropolis. Journal of Management Science and Career Development, 9(7). https://doi.org/10.70382/sjmscd.v9i7.046
Jimoh, A., Aliu, M. M., Salihu, A., & Bello, A. M. (2025). Investigating the impact of socio-economic infrastructures on sustainability of manufacturing firms in Minna Metropolis. International Journal of Financial Research and Management Science, 8(7). https://doi.org/10.70382/tijfrms.v08i7.005
Karami, M., Araujo, C. F., Tang, J., & Roldan, L. B. (2025). Creativity, alertness, and entrepreneurship: A multilevel meta-analysis. Journal of Small Business Management, 63(5), 2079–2116. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2024.2418030
Mohammadrezaei, M., Meredith, D., & McNamara, J. (2022). Subjective norms influence advisors’ reluctance to discuss farm health and safety. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 29(5), 627-651. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2022.2125410
Mohammed, M., Umar, M., & Mohammed, S. (2022). Agricultural programme and national development in Nigeria: Assessing the impact of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP). Journal of Governance and Development, 18(1), 87–104. https://e-journal.uum.edu.my/index.php/jgd/article/view/22743
Mthombeni, D. L., Antwi, M. A., & Oduniyi, O. S. (2022). Factors influencing access to agro-processing training for small-scale crop farmers in Gauteng province of South Africa. Agriculture & Food Security, 11(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-022-00370-9
Mustapha, I. (2025). Innovation capability in agribusiness clusters: Implications for socioeconomic development in North Central Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology. https://doi.org/10.70382/caijaat.v8i1.006
NBS & SMEDAN (2021). 2021 MSME Survey Report. https://www.scribd.com/document/910373837/2021-MSME-Survey-Report-1
Ochepa, A. A., Jimoh, A., Aliu, M. M., Halidu, S., & Ayorinde, A. A. (2026). Examining the Effect of Organisational Capability on Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Community Development in South Western Nigeria. Journal of Research Administration, 9(1), 567–584. https://journal-administration.com/assets/uploads/doc/af929-567-584.240323.pdf
Olaleye, B. R., Lekunze, J. N., Sekhampu, T. J., Khumalo, N., & Ayeni, A. A. W. (2024). Leveraging Innovation Capability and Organizational Resilience for Business Sustainability among Small and Medium Enterprises: A PLS-SEM Approach. Sustainability, 16(21), 9201. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219201
Otache, I. (2024). Innovation capability, strategic flexibility and SME performance: the roles of competitive advantage and competitive intensity. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 15(2), 248–262. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-06-2023-0221
PwC (2024). PwC's MSME Survey Reports. https://www.pwc.com/ng/en/assets/pdf/2024-pwc-msme-survey-report.pdf
PwC (2020). Current state of Nigeria agriculture and agribusiness sector. In PricewaterhouseCoopers Nigeria. https://www.pwc.com/ng/en/assets/pdf/afcfta-agribusiness-current-state-nigeria-agriculture-sector.pdf
Sanchez-Garcia, V. E., Gallego, C., Marquez, J. A., & Peribáñez, E. (2024). The Green Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy as an Innovation Factor That Enables the Creation of New Sustainable Business. Sustainability, 16(16), 7197. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167197
Senbet, L. W., & Simbanegavi, W. (2017). Agriculture and Structural Transformation in Africa: An Overview. Journal of African Economies, 26(suppl_1), i3–i10. https://doi.org/10.1093/jae/ejx012
Shahriar, M. S., Hassan, M. S., Islam, M. A., Sobhani, F. A., & Islam, M. T. (2024). Entrepreneurial intention among university students of a developing economy: the mediating role of access to finance and entrepreneurship program. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2322021
Sharma, H. K., & Kumar, N. (2022). Agro Processing: Scope and Importance. In Agro-Processing and Food Engineering (pp. 1–22). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7289-7_1
Somwethee, P., Aujirapongpan, S., & Ru-Zhue, J. (2023). The influence of entrepreneurial capability and innovation capability on sustainable organization performance: Evidence of community enterprise in Thailand. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 9(2), 100082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2023.100082
Teece, D. J. (2016). Dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial management in large organizations: Toward a theory of the (entrepreneurial) firm. European Economic Review, 86, 202–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2015.11.006
Thakur, N., Sharma, R., Thakur, P., Shilpa, Chaturvedi, A., Khushwaha, R., Pani, S. K., Yadav, V. K., Singh, A. G., Sharma, A., & Sharma, P. (2025). Exploring the entrepreneurial behavior of vegetable growers: influential factors and implications for agricultural development. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1512414
Thapa, Y. B., & Shrestha, R. B. (2019). Agricultural policy in South Asia: pathways for 2020-30. In Agricultural Policy and Program Framework: Priority Areas for Research & Development in South Asia (Vol. 99). https://www.sac.org.bd/archives/publications/Agricultural%20Policy%20and%20Program.pdf#page=212
Wang, S., Cheah, J. H., Wong, C. Y., & Ramayah, T. (2024). Progress in partial least squares structural equation modeling use in logistics and supply chain management in the last decade: a structured literature review. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 54(7-8), 673-704. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-06-2023-0200
Zhang, Y., Cui, L., Zhang, G., Sarasvathy, S., & Anusha, R. (2019). An Exploratory Study of Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Logics: The Role of Self-Efficacy, Optimism, and Perspective Taking. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 55(4), 781–794. https://doi.org/10.1080/1540496X.2018.1478283
