Managerial Innovation and the Resilience of Agri-Food SMEs in Africa: An Analysis of the Role of Entrepreneurial Culture in Cameroon
Keywords:
Managerial innovation; Entrepreneurial culture; Organizational resilience; Agri-food SMEs; Cameroon.Abstract
This study examines the influence of managerial innovation on the organizational resilience of agri-food small and medium-sized enterprises in Cameroon, with particular attention to the mediating role of entrepreneurial culture. Anchored in a context characterized by institutional instability, recurrent economic shocks, and heightened environmental uncertainty, the research develops and empirically tests an integrative conceptual model. Using survey data collected from 154 SME owner-managers, the study adopts a quantitative methodology and applies partial least squares structural equation modeling to assess both direct and indirect relationships among the constructs. The findings demonstrate that managerial innovation exerts a positive and significant effect on organizational resilience, enabling firms to better absorb, adapt to, and recover from systemic disruptions. Moreover, this relationship is partially mediated by entrepreneurial culture, suggesting that innovative managerial practices yield stronger resilience outcomes when embedded within organizational values that promote creativity, initiative, cooperation, and risk tolerance. By highlighting the interplay between managerial practices and culturally embedded resources, this study advances the literature on SME resilience in emerging economies, particularly within underexplored African contexts. From a practical standpoint, the results offer actionable insights for SME managers and policymakers seeking to design strategies that enhance adaptive capacity and long-term sustainability in volatile environments.
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