Building Sustainable Construction Msmes: Evidence on Success Determinants From Nigeria

This study investigates the determinants of success among Construction Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CMSMEs) in Northern Nigeria, a sector critical to employment generation, infrastructure delivery, and economic diversification. While prior research has largely emphasized SME failure factors, this work shifts focus toward success-oriented analysis. Drawing on Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capability Theory, and Stakeholder Theory, the study conceptualizes success as a multidimensional construct encompassing finance al viability, customer satisfaction, workforce wellbeing, innovation capability, operational effectiveness, and sustainability performance. The research identifies key success drivers such as customer orientation, worker satisfaction, product quality, capital adequacy, entrepreneurial commitment, and innovation adoption, particularly in the context of digital transformation and Construction 4.0 technologies. By highlighting the interplay of financial, technological, and strategic capabilities, the study develops a framework for explaining CMSME success in emerging markets. Findings contribute to theory, practice, and policy by offering evidence-based insights for entrepreneurs, managers, and policymakers seeking to enhance competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable development in Nigeria’s construction industry