The Relationship between Market Orientation and Business Performance of Nigerian SMEs: The Role of Organizational Culture
Aliyu Mukhtar Shehu, Rosli Mahmood

Abstract
This study is aimed at examining the association between market orientation and business performance of Nigerian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Even though their associations have received substantial scholarly interest, few studies have been conducted among Nigerian SMEs. However, this study seeks also to examine the mediating role of organizational culture between market orientation and business performance relationship. SME is essential to economic growth of Nigeria, and they are considered as a major source of job creation, poverty reduction and significantly contributes to the gross domestic products. Based on theoretical consideration, a framework was developed to investigate these relationships. The model was tested on a sample of 640 firms through self-administration of a questionnaire survey. The result from correlation analysis established a good relationship between market orientations, organizational culture and business performance. However, regression results established no relationship between market orientation and SME performance, whereas, the mediation test was not supported. The study’s implications also discussed.

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