<b>An Investigation of Factors Affecting Australian Small and Medium Enterprise Performance</b>

<b>Abstract</b><i>: </i><i>According to government reports, thousands of Australian-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle to survive. This research investigated the role of three constructs (ambidextrous leadership, entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and organisational innovation) on SME performance. Survey data from owners and managers of 344 Australian SMEs was analysed using structural equation modelling. The results partially validated the connection between opening leadership behaviours of ambidextrous leadership with firm performance (measured through customer satisfaction and financial performance). The research also indicated a substantial and positive influence of closing ambidextrous leadership behaviours on customer satisfaction and financial performance in firm performance. Contrary to expectations, results showed a significant negative association between EO and customer satisfaction and a weak correlation between EO and financial performance. Finally, organisational innovation was identified as an antecedent for customer satisfaction and financial performance, confirming existing research in this area.</i>**摘要**：据政府报告显示，数千家总部位于澳大利亚的中小企业（Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs）经营举步维艰。本研究探讨了双元领导（ambidextrous leadership）、创业导向（entrepreneurial orientation, EO）以及组织创新这三大构念对中小企业绩效的作用机制。本研究采用结构方程模型，对344家澳大利亚中小企业的所有者与管理者的调研数据展开分析。研究结果部分验证了双元领导的开放式领导行为与企业绩效（以客户满意度和财务绩效作为衡量指标）之间的关联。本研究同时发现，双元领导的封闭式领导行为对企业绩效中的客户满意度与财务绩效均具有显著正向影响。与预期相悖的是，研究结果显示创业导向与客户满意度之间存在显著负相关关系，而创业导向与财务绩效的相关性则较弱。最后，本研究证实组织创新可作为客户满意度与财务绩效的前因变量，这一结论与该领域已有研究成果相符。