Linking Dynamic Capabilities to Export Performance in Africa: The Moderating Roles of Institutional Support, Sociopolitical Context, and Perceived Corruption

Abstract

While the literature on internationalization in Africa is growing, much of it has traditionally emphasized the role of multinational corporations operating on the continent. In contrast, fewer studies have focused on the international entrepreneurial activities of indigenous African firms, particularly, in relation to how internal capabilities interact with external institutional environments. This study addresses this gap by drawing on dynamic capabilities theory and the institutional perspective to examine how firm-level capabilities influence export performance under varying conditions of institutional support and perceived corruption. Based on survey data from 192 exporting firms across nine African countries, the results show that the effects of vigilant market capability and open marketing capability on export performance are significantly moderated by institutional and environmental factors. These findings contribute to the literature on international firm performance in emerging markets and offer practical insights for strategy and policy development in the African context.