Strategies for SME Internationalization and Agricultural Export

This report presents a comprehensive research methodology for investigating strategies for small and medium enterprise (SME) internationalization, barriers to internationalization, and the export performance of local agricultural businesses in Nigeria. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing a descriptive research design to explore the research objectives, which include analyzing the meaning of internationalization, evaluating SME internationalization, examining strategies for SME internationalization, and investigating barriers and challenges faced by SMEs in Nigeria. The research will adopt an inductive research approach and an interpretivism philosophy. The study will use a sampling technique with agricultural production companies that have already internationalized. Data will be collected through surveys using questionnaires. The report details the data evaluation techniques and ethical considerations, while acknowledging the limitations of the study and providing a timeframe for completion.

STRATEGIES FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE
INTERNATIONALIZATION AND BARRIERS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION
AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES IN
NIGERIA

Contents
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.....................................................................................................3
3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Research Objectives......................................................................................................................3
3.3 Research Question.........................................................................................................................4
3.4 Research Type................................................................................................................................4
3.5 Research Design.............................................................................................................................4
3.6 Research Approach.......................................................................................................................5
3.7 Research Philosophy......................................................................................................................6
3.8 Sampling Technique......................................................................................................................7
3.9 Data Collection Technique............................................................................................................7
3.10 Data Evaluation Technique.........................................................................................................8
3.11 Ethical Consideration..................................................................................................................9
3.12 Validity and reliability................................................................................................................9
3.13 Limitation of study....................................................................................................................10
3.14 Timeframe..................................................................................................................................11
References..........................................................................................................................................13

Chapter 3: Research Methodology
3.1 Introduction
Research is systematic along with the scientific search for the relevant information. It also
includes the careful investigation for exploring the ideas as well as searching new facts about
the knowledge. It is a way to resolve the problem of research in a systematic way and used to
identify, select, process as well as examine the information about the topic. In a dissertation,
the methodology section provides permission to the reader in examining the overall validity
and reliability of the study. The selection of methodology to use will be based on the research
questions, a formulation which is informed by the research perspective (Mackey & Gass,
2015).
Methodology helps in understanding the products of scientific inquiry but the process itself. It
having the aim of describing as well as examining the methods, by offering lights on the
limitations and resources, clarify the presuppositions along with the consequences. Moreover,
they are associated with their potentialities at the frontiers of knowledge (Taylor et al., 2015).
This assist in developing a critical and scientific attitude disciplined thinking as well as
observe the things effectively. The methodology section helps in enriching the practitioner
and his practices which provide chances to effective study. As the consumers of research
output assist in inculcating the capability to examine as well as utilize the results of earlier
research with the reasonable confidence and also help in making the rational decisions (Flick,
2015).
The current chapter describes the research type, research design, approach, philosophy,
sampling technique, collection and analysis of data, validity and reliability and ethical
consideration in the study.
3.2 Research Objectives
 To analyze the meaning of internationalization
 To evaluate the internationalization of SMEs
 To examine the strategies for the SME Internationalization
 To investigate the barriers and challenges that SME local agricultural production in Nigeria
may use to internationalize.

3.3 Research Question
 What are the barriers and possible strategies that SME of local agricultural production in
Nigeria can use to internationalize?
3.4 Research Type
Research method refers to the strategy which is used in implementing and executing the plan.
It is necessary that researcher need to select an appropriate research method which help in
conducting the research effectively and proficiently. Research methods are the strategies
which are utilized in the collection of data in order to uncover the new information (Lewis,
2015).
Qualitative: It is a logical technique for perception in social affair the non-numerical
information. This sort of research portrays the implications, ideas definitions, attributes,
images alongside the depiction of things yet not to their tallies or measures. The three normal
subjective strategies are member perception, inside and out meetings, and center gatherings.
Every technique is explicitly suited for acquiring and gathering an explicit kind of
information (Ary et al., 2018).
Quantitative: This research method is emphasizing on the objective measurements along with
the statistical or numerical examination of a collection of information through a questionnaire
and survey. Some distinctive characteristics of quantitative research include structured tools
and it helps in collecting in-depth along with the actionable data from the survey respondents.
It is affiliated with the ideas from the scientific method that is theories and hypotheses. It is
necessary to include the experimental control and manipulation of variables for measurement
(Bryman, 2017).
The methodology helps in the research process that can be adapted to collect resources that
can help in investigating the strategies that can be used by the SMEs to adopt
internationalization. The researcher will use qualitative research to move forward with the
research.
3.5 Research Design
An examination configuration incorporates the arrangement of techniques and in addition
systems which is utilized in gathering and looking at the proportions of the factors which is

determined in the exploration issue. A research design refers to the arrangement of conditions
and collections that is descriptive, correlational, semi-experimental and experimental. In the
research design methodology, both the variables are included whether it is dependent or
independent. This will help in attaining the goals and objectives (Lewis, 2015).
Descriptive: It is a logical strategy which incorporates the watching and depicting the conduct
of the subject without effect on its way. It is a sort of study which is structured in portraying
the members in a precise way. This examination helps with depicting the general population
who partake in the investigation.
Exploratory: This plan of research is extremely productive. It gives examination so present
deterrent can be inspected in an appropriate way (Meyers et al., 2017). This exploration helps
in doing a successful examination with the goal that advancement or enhancement of pleasing
so compelling choice can be made.
Experimental: This plan is exceptionally powerful and the scientist is utilized based on
enhanced quantitative techniques. In this examination, an in-depth investigation is performed
for quite a while with the goal that objectives can be cultivated. It includes the set of factors
are kept steady while the other arrangement of factors are estimated as the subject of the
examination (Marczyk et al., 2017).
A descriptive design in which a survey process will be used by the researcher to collect the
information on the topic.
3.6 Research Approach
It is a plan along with the procedure which comprises of various strides of expansive
presumptions to the definite technique for accumulation and social occasion of information,
analysis as well as interpretation. The approaches related to research based on the nature of
the research problem which needs to be addressed.
Research approaches should be classified into two parts that are inductive and deductive. The
deductive method works from the more general to the specific as it is said to be a top-down
approach (Marshall et al., 2017). In this, the researcher made the hypothesis from the theory,
then according to the hypothesis, an observation made and at last made the confirmation. The
inductive approach works also an ineffective way by moving from specific observations to

the broader generalizations and theories and said to be a bottom-up approach. In an inductive
approach, first need to make an observation, then according to observation patterns need to
prepare. Then with the patterns, the hypothesis needs to prepare and at last, the theory can be
prepared. Deductive method assists in deriving the new conclusions from the fundamental
assumptions as well as from the truth which is established by the other methods (Sekaran &
Bougie, 2016). It includes the procedure of reasoning from certain laws which are assumed to
be true. Inductive method expecting the economists to be an economic historian which assist
in collecting the materials made the generalizations and verify the conclusions by applying it
into different events.
An inductive research approach will be followed as the researcher will induce the data
directly from the source.
3.7 Research Philosophy
Research philosophy refers to the manner by which data related to marvel should assemble.
In this, data should be established on doubts and that should be considered by the expert.
Research philosophy is the belief which helps in identifying and examining the information.
This assist in conducting the effective research and research can be conducted as per the
assumptions. It ought to be isolated into two sections which incorporate interpretivism and
also positivism.
Interpretivism is a type of subjective system as it depends upon both the prepared specialist
alongside the human subject as the instruments need to quantify each and every phenomenon
and includes both observation and interviews (Hughes & Sharrock, 2016). It prefers the
humanistic qualitative method and includes the researchers to interpret the elements of study
which integrates human interest.
Positivism depends on logical research and dependent on the fund and also factual.
Positivism includes the control of reality with the assortments in only a lone free factor which
help in recognizing regularities and besides need to outline associations between some
constituent components of the social world (Padilla-Díaz, 2015). Positivism has a long and in
addition rich chronicled convention. It is embedded in the overall population that instances of
data are not grounded in positivist by essentially rejected as logical thus it is invalid.

In this research, interpretivism philosophy need to be used as it has a tradition that is no less
glorious than that of positivism, nor it is shorter.
3.8 Sampling Technique
It is a procedure which is utilized in the statistical analysis in which predetermined numbers
of observations need to be taken from the large population. The methodology which is
utilized in sampling from the larger population depends on the type of analysis being
performed but it is categorized into different parts that are random as well as systematic
sampling.
In front of the researcher, there is an alternate kind of research procedure which incorporates
irregular, stratified or deliberate inspecting. In this examination, inquire about receives the
arbitrary inspecting as it characterizes as a subset of the populace which relies upon
measurements and that will offer equivalent likelihood to choose one (Yang et al., 2018). The
goal of this investigation is to identify the strategies for small and medium enterprise
internationalization and barriers of internationalization and export performance of local
agricultural businesses in Nigeria. Sampling helps a lot in conducting the effective research
as it is the important factors which determine the accuracy of the survey result. If the
researcher goes wrong in selecting a correct sample, then it reflects the final result. There are
a lot of techniques which assist in collecting the samples which rely on the needs and
situations (Etikan et al., 2016).
The participants of the survey will the agricultural production companies that have already
internationalized over the years to know the strategies they have used. 10 agricultural
production companies will be surveyed that has taken internationalization and has been
successful.
3.9 Data Collection Technique
Data collection helps in portraying the device alongside the system and that ought to be
utilized to gather data alongside this, they need to distinguish the factors and that should be
estimated. This strategy is isolated into two techniques which incorporate the primary and
secondary sources. The primary source includes a questionnaire, survey or interview but
secondary source involves books, journals or articles.

Primary sources include the original materials on which research is based. Primary sources
are said to be as first-hand testimony along with the direct evidence which assists in
concerning a topic under the consideration (Miksza et al., 2018). In the primary source, they
are presenting the data in its unique shape neither deciphered, consolidated and analyzed by
alternate essayists. Regardless of whether the source if essential as it tends to be dictated by
the viable way which is utilized by the specialist.
Secondary sources assist in offering the interpretation as well as analysis depends on primary
sources. It assists in offering the effective support on the specific thesis as well as argument
and persuade the reader in accepting to the certain the point of view (Townsend, 2016). Such
works are included in the different steps which are removed from the event which assist in
attaining the benefits.
The data collection method used by the research will be the primary method in which a
survey will be conducted through a questionnaire. The survey will be done in an ethical
manner with required confidentiality and bias-free responses.
3.10 Data Evaluation Technique
The information or data which is gathered through research by utilizing a poll or different
systems. Data evaluation and analysis technique refer to the process which assists in
determining the final products which aid in meeting the original objectives of the statistical
activity, in terms of the reliability from a correctness, timeliness and different point of view.
It provides the permission to the users to better the decipher review results alongside the
office which assists in improving the quality of its surveys (Peters et al., 2015). This will help
in making the effective decisions and techniques of examining the data or information in the
absence of collecting the primary information by the diversified patterns.
Qualitative: It incorporates the point which isn't cover and also comprehend the master plan
by embracing the fitting information which portrays the data.
Quantitative: It is a piece of information examination strategy as it is a deliberate
methodology which helps with doing examination amid the numerical gathering of
information and in addition specialist changes that what is gathered and watch the numerical
information (Dotoli et al., 2015).

In this research, the researcher is using the qualitative technique as in this researcher need to
be done thematic analysis which assists in conducting effective research and collect the
appropriate information.
3.11 Ethical Consideration
In ethical considerations the exploration is basic as morals are the standards or gauges for
direct which assist in creating the difference between the right or wrong as well as aid in
determining the difference between the behaviors whether it is acceptable and unacceptable.
The ethical considerations describe to the methodology in which the populace is not hurt and
are not commandingly requested to fill the survey. The ethical consideration of the research
report is demonstrated with the entire morals and standards pursued by analyst while
directing examination and no unlawful action are done in such manner. The ethical
consideration in this examination report is that the exploration is led in the moral route inside
the standards and controls of the school and no individual is hurt or compelled to give their
conclusion on the research questions (Bennett & Panicker, 2016). It is essential or important
that need to identify the effective ways by providing and considering the effective focus
which is identified with the moral as well as targets with the validity with the capable way.
This is principal correspondingly as data is correct and also with no outside effect then degree
for the trustworthiness enough pushed forward. In the research, good morals should be kept
in the exploration which assists in accomplishing the fitting outcome along with the issues
may get unraveled through this.
3.12 Validity and reliability
Reliability said to be a degree to which assessment tool can produce effective results whether
it is stable and consistent. Validity and reliability are the concepts which are important and
essential for defining and measuring the bias as well as distortion. Validity, as well as
reliability, is an effective feature as it needs to take into consideration at the time of
conducting effective research. It is essential for the researcher to gather or assemble solid and
also legitimate information. The information can be gathered through a study by setting up a
survey and that ought to be genuine. The information and data ought to be utilized by the
examination with the goal that objectives and destinations can be set as they are having a
limit (Noble & Smith, 2015). The validity and reliability help in delivering the effective and
appropriate information about the strategies for small and medium enterprise

internationalization and barriers of internationalization and export performance of local
agricultural businesses in Nigeria. According to the objectives or targets, employees need to
examine the potentiality which assists in resolving all the issues and need to identify the
barriers to the improvement as well as development. In this research, the researcher needs to
adopt effective and innovative ideas due to the shortage and loss of diversified things. As
researcher need to adopt both the sources whether it is primary and secondary so that
researcher can conduct effective research.
3.13 Limitation of study
Each examination is led under a few requirements and this exploration isn't an exemption.
Limitations are the impacts that the investigator can't control. They are the shortcomings,
conditions or effects which can't be controlled by the expert that put the repressions on the
framework and closures. Any impediments that may affect on the results.
Research is employed in establishing or confirming the facts reaffirming the outcomes of
research work, solve the issues, support theorems or develop new theories.
Some limitations of the research include:
 Random sampling was selected by the researcher so the individuals from the different classes
that are business, professional, services and so on had offered their own view which contains
educational impact also.
 People were reluctant to go in details because of their busy schedules along with the fear
whether their details would be disclosed.
 Because of the continuous variations in the environment, what is relevant today and may be
irrelevant tomorrow.
 In this research, the lack of training is there.
 In this research, there is the absence of the code of conduct as there is no specific code of
conducts exists for the researchers which assist in rivalry whether it is inter-departmental.
 Another limitation is excessive publishing. Once the research is finished, researchers need to
search for a means to publish it. In the international journals, publishing is very expensive
and this discourages the majority of researchers to conduct effective research work.

3.14 Timeframe
Activities Processes Particulars Start Date End Date Duration
A Identify the
research topic
Identify the
topic which
needs to be
correct.
4.1.2019 5.1.2019 2 Days
B Examination of
project
Findings of
research
6.1.2019 10.1.2019 5 Days
C Research of
sources whether
it is a primary or
secondary
resource
Questionnair
e should
prepare
11.1.2019 15.1.2019 5 Days
D Data collection Gathering of
data by
preparing a
questionnaire
16.1.2019 18.1.2019 3 Days
E Analysis of data Evaluation
needs to be
done on
findings by
research
19.1.2019 22.1.2019 4 Days
F Conclusion as
well as a
recommendation
To provide
opinions or
suggestions
23.1.2019 24.1.2019 2 Days

G Submission - 25.1.2019 25.1.2019 1 Day