ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SME PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOUR AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF LEARNING ORIENTATION
Keywords:
SME, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Innovation, Behaviour, LearningAbstract
Purpose
The study will examine the relationship between entrepreneurial leadership (EL) and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (SP), and the mediating impact of innovative work behaviour (IWB) and moderating impact of organizational learning orientation (OL). It bridges gaps in the known information concerning the influence of innovation, leadership, and a learning orientation on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs )' performance in emerging economies.
Approach, Methodology and Design.
The data was gathered using a structured questionnaire that employed validated measurement scales applied to 303 employees who work in manufacturing SMEs in Punjab, Pakistan. The validity and reliability of proposed correlations, mediation, and moderation effects were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).
Finding
The findings suggest that organizational learning orientation is an antecedent of better innovation performance and a determinant of performance, and leadership fosters the creativity of employees, therefore, increasing SME performance.
Practical Implications
The analysis demonstrates that small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) should pay attention to developing high organization learning orientation and applying entrepreneurial leadership styles. This plan will motivate the employees to become creative and ensure that their ideas are implemented, resulting in performance changes in the long run.
Value and Originality
This paper is an empirical confirmation of a moderated mediation model, as it helps to understand the phenomenon of entrepreneurship and innovation by clarifying how learning orientation and entrepreneurial leadership work together to promote innovation-based SME performance in developing nations. Keywords: Entrepreneurship, SME, Organizational Learning, Innovative Work Behaviour, Entrepreneurial Leadership
