The focus of this research was to present a data article on the contribution of SMEs to economic development in a transiting economy. Descriptive research design was adopted in this study. Data were obtained from 600 respondents in 60 small-scale enterprises located in different parts of the country (20 small-scale enterprises located in Lagos State, 20 in Anambra State and 20 in Kano State of Nigeria respectively). Data analysis was carried out using tables and percentages and the null hypotheses of the study was tested using chi-square (X2) inferential statistical model at 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that there is a significant relationship between the operation of small and medium-scale enterprises and economic growth in developing nations.

SME operators in the informal sector of developing economies have a significant influence on their nation's economies through their involvement in international business relationships. However, the existing deficiency in the literature to show empirical relationships between knowledge transfer, from these SMEs and their international business partners, and innovation performance is a significant gap in the strategic management and international business literature. Therefore, this paper explores the link between knowledge transfer and innovation performance of informal economy SMEs that are involved in international business relationships. The study included a survey of 370 owners-managers and managers of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria's informal electronic market. Using Structural Equation Model (AMOS 22) this study shows that knowledge transfer dimensions, such as R&D and social networking, have varying levels of impact on innovation performance of informal sector SMEs. Knowledge transfer from training showed an inverse and insignificant relationship with innovation performance. The study established implications and recommendations that will be useful for theory and practice.

This study examined entrepreneurial competencies as a viable pathway for improving the innovative performance of SMEs in Nigeria’s informal sector and the contingent roles of the business environment. A survey research design was used to gather data from 296 entrepreneurs who operate informal SMEs in Nigeria. Based on the findings from the SEM-PLS multivariate analysis, the study concluded that entrepreneurial competencies, especially organizing, conceptual, learning, strategic, opportunity, and risk-taking competencies, are essential for achieving higher innovation performance. The study also reveals that entrepreneurial competencies are useful toward mitigating environmental pressures resulting from operational turbulence and erratic policy changes, as the firm drives toward improving innovation outputs. As such, the entrepreneurship environment is becoming more endogenous as entrepreneurs, through their entrepreneurial competencies, have started to gain control over it. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by highlighting the most essential competencies alongside the relevant contingencies. By doing that, this study offers a practical guide on priority competence area that entrepreneurship stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and policymakers, should consider for investment.

Traditional methods of teaching entrepreneurship in universities involves more theoretical approaches which are less effective in motivating considerations for an entrepreneurship career. This owes to the fact that such techniques essentially make students develop a dormant attitude rather than active participation. Expert views suggest that experiential entrepreneurship teaching methods in universities which involve practical activities and active participation can be considered salient to students' development of entrepreneurial interest an business startup potentials. This present study presents data on the extent to which experiential teaching methods in entrepreneurship adopted by Nigerian universities stimulate students' entrepreneurial interest and business startups. Data have been gathered following a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey conducted among university students (N = 600) of four selected institutions in Nigeria offering a degree programme in entrepreneurship. Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis was used in confirming the hypothesis proposed in the study using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.The findings from the analysis showed that the adoption of experiential practical activities considered as best practices in entrepreneurship teaching in Nigerian universities can stimulate students' interest and drive for engaging in business start-up activities even as undergraduates. The field data set is made extensively available to allow for critical investigation.

Digitization of operations and processes and technology adoption by small and medium scale enterprise in the less developed and emerging economies (LDEE) has been slow or non-existent. Technology needs to guide new business creation, sustain competitive advantage, and survive in the post-COVID-19 pandemic and the interconnected global economy. Entrepreneurs need an awakening to the current transformation as the digital era is now, to create business ventures that can compete in the fourth industrial revolution engineered by advanced technologies. This paper doubles as a research note and a call for papers for a special issue to address these urgent needs in the face of current realities.

This study illuminates the linkages between disruptive innovation (DI) and sustainable entrepreneurship (SE) within the context of small and medium firms (SMFs). By adopting a systematic review of the literature, we thematized the possible connections between DI and SE practices to include: (i) contextualization of DI in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem; (ii) a model for linking DI and SE among firms in Nigeria; and (iii) mechanisms and structures that achieve DI and SE. The study elaborates on theoretical and practical implications for the SMFs stakeholders. Among the viable arguments of this research is that disruptive efforts should align with financial expectations and social value, and other expected returns for the customers. Our study extends the theoretical frontiers of the DI literature by demonstrating the interconnectedness of the DI model for SE in a developing economy, specifically Nigerian SMFs, which is seeking a transition from heavy reliance on oil exploration to a much more widespread economic base that taps other natural resources and diverse economic contributors.