Title: The Effects of Strategic Leadership, Organizational Learning, and Innovation Capability on Organizational Performance in Selected Manufacturing Firms in Delta State, Nigeria.
Authors: Ofune Kelvin
Ubogu
Efedirin Oghenekevwe
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 241-250
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
Manufacturing firms in emerging economies continue to face challenges in achieving optimal organizational performance despite investments in leadership development, learning initiatives, and innovation programs. Existing studies have largely examined strategic leadership, organizational learning, and innovation capability separately, creating a gap in understanding their combined influence on organizational performance, particularly within the Nigerian manufacturing sector. This study investigates the effects of strategic leadership, organizational learning, and innovation capability on organizational performance in selected manufacturing firms in Delta State, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The target population comprised 312 mid-level managers across 78 manufacturing firms, from which 175 respondents were selected using Yamane's formula and proportionate stratified sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression in SPSS (v26). The findings revealed significant positive relationships between strategic leadership and organizational performance (r = 0.624, p < 0.001), organizational learning and organizational performance (r = 0.658, p < 0.001), and innovation capability and organizational performance (r = 0.701, p < 0.001). Regression results showed that the three predictors jointly explained 58% of the variance in organizational performance (Rē = 0.580). The study concludes that strategic leadership, organizational learning, and innovation capability are key drivers of organizational performance. It recommends strengthening leadership development, institutionalizing organizational learning, and enhancing innovation capability to improve performance and competitiveness.