Abstract:

This article is on resource-based approach to analysing critical link between availability of internal resources and competitiveness of firms based on four dimensions namely; physical, human, financial, intangible resources on one hand and competitiveness of firm on the other. Cross-sectional survey across manufacturing, commerce, pharmaceutical, agricultural and service firms was conducted in the three geopolitical zones in Northern region of Nigeria. A sample of 300 top-level staff was targeted based on a multi-stage sampling technique of Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling; from which data was collected using structured, close-ended instrument. Parametric procedures of analyses using separate and composite indicators were applied to measure Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression causal effects. The results have shown that availability of internal resources are critical in promoting competitiveness among firms in northern Nigeria, especially intangible ones because of their benefits in enhancing firms’ ability to generate, spawn and sustain high level of competitiveness