scholarly journals Innovation Practices for Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ (SMEs) Performance and Survival during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic Crisis: The Moderating Role of External Support

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawal Abdalla Adam ◽  
Ghadah Abdulrahman Alarifi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
External Support ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Innovation Practices

Abstract Global epidemic crises, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19), usually put the lives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in danger. However, studies have demonstrated the vital role of innovation in improving enterprises’ performance and increasing the likelihood of their viability. This study aims to develop a theoretical model to provide insights about the association between innovation practices and the SMEs’ performance and survival while underlining the auxiliary role of external support in such a relationship. Online questionnaire has been used to collect the data from 259 randomly selected SME managers in Saudi Arabia, and the data was analyzed using SmartPLS3 software. The structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) bootstrap results indicated that external support aids strengthen the positive impact of SMEs’ innovation practices on business survival. These findings have significant implications for policy makers and SME managers.

scholarly journals Innovation practices for survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the COVID-19 times: the role of external support

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nawal Abdalla Adam ◽  
Ghadah Alarifi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
External Support ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Business Survival ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Practices

AbstractGlobal epidemic crises, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19), usually expose small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to various kinds of challenges and may put their lives at risk. This study aims to develop a theoretical model to provide insights about the association between innovation practices and the SMEs’ performance and survival while underlining the auxiliary role of external support in such a relationship. Online questionnaire has been used to collect the data from 259 randomly selected SME managers in Saudi Arabia, and the data was analyzed using the SmartPLS3 software. The structural equation modeling results showed that the innovation practices adopted by SMEs to face the repercussions of COVID-19 had a positive impact on the performance and likelihood of business survival. PLS-SEM bootstrap results indicated that external support aids strengthen the positive impact of SMEs’ innovation practices on business survival rather than its performance. The study has several significant practical implications for SME managers, governments, and policy makers that have been stated.

Does entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior improve firm performance in time of crisis?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Competitive Intensity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper examines the effect of improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs on firm performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand during the economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also explores external factors in terms of competitive intensity and internal factors in terms of financial and human resources possessed by firms that could enhance the impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered online questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from the random sample of 312 SMEs in Thailand. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings The analysis supports the positive relationship between the improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs and firm performance. Moreover, the moderating effect analysis shows that the positive impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance tends to be stronger for firms that encountered a higher level of competitive intensity and for firms that possessed a higher level of financial and human resources. Originality/value This research extends the knowledge from prior research by confirming some moderating factors that could strengthen the benefit of improvisational behavior during the crisis.

The nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and performance: enabling roles of absorptive capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail Raisal ◽  
Arun Kumar Tarofder ◽  
Aboobucker Ilmudeen
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeDeveloping countries’ economic growth very much depend on the successful performance of entrepreneurial-oriented firms. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is a valuable conjecturer of firm success. This study mainly focuses on analyzing the effect of EO on the firm performance (FP) with the mediating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypothetical model, we collected 226 valid responses from senior managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The structural equation modeling technique is performed and research hypotheses are validated.FindingsThe findings show that the strong causal relations exit between EO, ACAP and FP. In brief, EO was found to be a predictor of ACAP, and ACAP has a strong positive impact on FP. Moreover, ACAP substantiated to be a mediator between EO and FP.Research limitations/implicationsA notable ramification of this finding is that for SMEs to enhance their performance via EO, the presence of ACAP as a mediator is essential.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be used as a basis to consider EO to increase firms' level of ACAP and to enhance FP. As a whole, the findings offer pragmatic insights for SMEs and pertinent stakeholders.Originality/valueSo far, little is known about the interrelationship between EO, ACAP and FP. Importantly, the mediating role of ACAP between EO and FP has remained unexplored. This study fills this gap in the existing literature.

scholarly journals Examining the Factors Affecting SME Performance: The Mediating Role of Social Media Adoption

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Sikandar Ali Qalati ◽  
Wenyuan Li ◽  
Naveed Ahmed ◽  
Manzoor Ali Mirani ◽  
Asadullah Khan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Productivity And Competitiveness

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become a vibrant and dynamic sector of the world economy. Information technology plays a vital role in improving the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs. The dynamic business environment has brought fierce competition among SMEs and, therefore, requires the owners to interact with internal and external members actively. Hence, this study aims to investigate the impact of technology, organization, and environment as important factors in the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises. It also examines the mediating role of social media adoption. Items were developed to measure the various purposes of social media use in organizations, which contribute to increasing the measurement of social media usage. For the empirical investigation, this paper used a closed-ended questionnaire. Using a quantitative method, we observed 423 responses through structural equation modeling. The findings of the study indicate that technology, organization, and the environment play effective roles for SME performance. More importantly, social media adoption positively mediates the relationship between technology, organization, environment, and SME performance. The study also helps organizations realize the advantages of using social media and specifies the rationale behind an organization’s investment in social media.

scholarly journals The Diffusion Mechanism of Megaproject Citizenship Behavior: The Role of Institutional Isomorphism

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8123
Author(s):  
Delei Yang ◽  
Jun Zhu ◽  
Qingbin Cui ◽  
Qinghua He ◽  
Xian Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Diffusion Mechanism ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Diffusion Limited ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mimetic Isomorphism

Megaproject citizenship behavior (MCB) has been confirmed to a play vital role on megaproject performance. Although current research has argued that institution elements have had an impact on MCB diffusion, limited studies have empirically investigated the distinct effectiveness of various institution elements on driving MCB’s widespread diffusion in construction megaprojects. Based on institution theory, this study proposes a theoretical model comprising institutional elements (i.e., normative and mimetic isomorphism), owner’s support, relationship-based trust, and their effect or impact on MCB’s diffusion. Based on 171 industrial questionnaires collected from managers of contractors and designers in megaprojects. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to validate the established model. The results indicated that both normative and mimetic isomorphism have positive effects on facilitating MCB diffusion, and owner’s support has shown partial mediation in promoting MCB diffusion through normative isomorphism, as well as full mediation in the promoting of MCB diffusion through mimetic isomorphism. Meanwhile, relationship-based trust exerts a positive moderating effect on the relationship between mimetic isomorphism and MCB. This study extends current literature on driving MCB diffusion from the perspective of institutional theory, contributing by providing four implications for megaprojects managers to “buy in” more extensive MCB.

Individual differences and emotional labor: the effects of core self-evaluations on depersonalization

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Lucas Pujol-Cols ◽  
Guillermo E. Dabos ◽  
Mariana Lazzaro-Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Labor ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Emotional Dissonance ◽  
Modeling Analysis ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Emotional Demands ◽  
Core Self

Abstract This paper examines the role of core self-evaluations (CSEs) in the relationships among emotional demands, emotional dissonance, and depersonalization. Data were collected from a non-random sample of 423 teachers who worked in primary, secondary, and higher education institutions. Results from structural equation modeling analysis showed that CSEs displayed both direct and indirect effects on depersonalization through employees' perceptions and reactions to emotional labor. Specifically, those individuals with more positive CSEs tended to perceive the emotional aspects of their job as less demanding, thus being less likely to experience emotional dissonance and, in turn, depersonalization. This research demonstrated that CSEs play a vital role in explaining employees' reactions to emotional labor and, therefore, their effects should be properly accounted for in future studies. Implications for practice and future lines of research are discussed in this paper.

scholarly journals The role played by supply chain strategies and supply chain integration in financial performance. An empirical study in Peru

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Alejandro Pérez Gilabert ◽  
Jorge Luis Pena Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Supply Chain Design ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Supply Chain Strategy ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The objective of this study is to develop and test a framework for the role that supply chain strategy (SCS) and supply chain integration have in a firm’s financial performance and to increase the understanding of the role that these factors play in supply chain design. Structural equation modeling was used to test these relationships based on data obtained from small and medium exporting enterprises in Peru. This study responds to a gap in understanding the role of supply chains in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and how firms in Latin America, especially in Peru, apply supply chain concepts. Findings indicate that companies should prioritize their integration efforts depending on the type of supply chain strategy. Likewise, results show that customer integration is directly related to a firm’s financial performance. This study responds to the need to understand the development of supply chain strategies and the generation of competitive advantage in Peruvian export-manufacturing SMEs.

scholarly journals The Impact of Project Manager Soft Competences on Project Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 6537
Author(s):  
Jian Xue ◽  
Zeeshan Rasool ◽  
Aqsa Gillani ◽  
Ahmad Imran Khan
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Manager ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Project Sustainability ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Given

The current study suggests a different and innovative view by testing a unique combination of variables, which are unproven in a single model for the purpose of increasing the ratio of sustainable projects. The project manager can use the model to look their projects and can compose necessary changes for better outcomes. The study objects to postulate the competence breach of project managers with regard to sustainability, and to deliver direction that how to fulfill the research gap. The given work is centered on the result of project supervisor soft capabilities on project sustainability mediated by innovation. To achieve this aim, deductive approach was adopted. The sample size of the study was 242 respondents, and data were collected from software houses. The collected data were then analyzed by doing the structural equation modeling in PLS-SEM in order to examine the relationships. The outcomes demonstrate positive impact of project manager soft competences on project sustainability and mediating impact of innovation among the relationship of project manager soft competences and project sustainability. Innovation is directly linked to project sustainable development, and was accepted, which aligns with the previous studies. This research reflects the role of project manager soft competences on innovation and project sustainability. The study is unique in its scope and implications as the focus is upon empirical investigation of the project manager soft competences and project sustainability in the context of Pakistan.

scholarly journals Corporate Social Responsibility Activities that Influence Customer Loyalty of SMEs

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter K. Turyakira
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Corporate Social

Businesses are increasingly required to address the demands of key stakeholders, in addition to those of shareholders. There is an increasing role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to large businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) alike. However, research to support the degree of the application of CSR activities to SMEs with respect to customer loyalty is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the selected CSR activities that impact the customer loyalty of SMEs. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to selected SMEs in Kampala District, while Structural Equation Modeling was utilised to determine the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. The study findings revealed that the selected CSR activities (Society-oriented CSR activities, Market-oriented CSR activities and Environmental-oriented CSR activities) positively influence the Customer loyalty of SMEs.

scholarly journals The Impact of Brand Trust on Physician’s Prescription Decision Towards Prothrombin Complex Concentrate with a Special Reference to Octaplex®

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
D. R. G. Perera ◽  
W. M. C. Bandara Wanninayake
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Management of Hemostasis is an integral role for any Intensivist in assurance of recovery of a hemorrhage patient who is often treated in an ICU, and building trust of a product segment related to such vital treatment will undoubtedly hold an utmost importance. Yet in researches and articles in current Medical Marketing setup it is found to be very limited, and in the case of Biological and Bio-Similar Marketing its almost non-existence. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and prove the significant positive impact of Brand Trust on Physicians Prescription Decision and Moderation impact powered by the synergy of Relationship Marketing. The research consists of data which was collected via online questionnaire and captured the data required from the target sample cohort which is distributed via respective specialized academic colleges of their representation through email and filed online by the participants of quantitative research. Moreover, two of the main key opinion leaders (KOLs) were interviewed and qualitative data were summarized. The collected data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) procedures to reach meaningful conclusions. Thereby the study proves the significant positive impact of Brand Trust on Physicians Prescription Decision and Moderation impact which synergized by Relationship Marketing. The study is an original contribution to the field of Marketing in Biological and Pharmaceutical Industry. The proposed relationships are based on Brand Trust, Physician’s Prescription Decision and Relationship Marketing. Furthermore, the Moderating effect of Relationship Marketing on the relationship between Brand Trust and Physician’s Prescription Decision is unique to this study.

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