The effect of adaptive thinking on operational efficiency: Evidence from Nigeria’s sugar manufacturing sector
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Nigeria’s manufacturing sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological advancement and the global transition toward Industry 4.0. However, empirical evidence regarding the role of adaptive thinking in improving operational efficiency, particularly within Nigeria’s sugar manufacturing sector, remains limited. This study examined the effects of strategic flexibility, resource agility, and learning from experience on operational efficiency. A descriptive survey design was employed, with a population of 388 employees from selected sugar manufacturing companies in Nigeria. A sample of 195 employees was targeted, of whom 174 provided valid responses for analysis. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that learning from experience had the strongest positive effect on operational efficiency (β = 0.306, t = 3.275, p = .001), followed by resource agility (β = 0.259, t = 3.648, p < .001) and strategic flexibility (β = 0.247, t = 2.933, p = .004). These findings indicate that adaptive thinking contributes significantly to operational efficiency in Nigeria’s sugar manufacturing sector. The study highlights the importance of strengthening organizational learning, resource agility, and strategic flexibility to support continuous process improvement and operational performance.
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