Strategic Management Determinants of Business Performance Among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Evidence from a Quantitative Survey
Keywords:
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Strategic Management, Business Performance, Quantitative Survey, academic performance, SME PerformanceAbstract
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute substantially to employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development, but their performance is often constrained by limited resources, market volatility, financial pressure, and managerial challenges. This study examined the strategic management determinants of business performance among SMEs using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Secondary survey data consisting of 197 complete observations and 14 Likert-scale items were analyzed. Three construct groups were treated as independent strategic management determinants, while one construct group represented SME business performance. Data were screened for missing values, invalid responses, and duplicate patterns. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha reliability testing, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were conducted. The dataset showed no missing or invalid values, and all constructs demonstrated acceptable internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.811 to 0.870. All three strategic management determinants were positively correlated with business performance, with the strongest association observed for Strategic Management Determinant 3. The regression model was statistically significant and explained 61.7% of the variance in business performance. Strategic Management Determinant 3 was the strongest predictor, followed by Determinant 1 and Determinant 2. The findings indicate that coordinated strategic management practices significantly contribute to SME business performance and provide evidence for strengthening managerial decision-making, performance monitoring, and strategic planning among SMEs.
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