The effect of strategic orientation on enterprise performance with the mediating role of innovation capabilities: a case of SMEs in Hawassa, Ethiopia.

The primary goal of this research is to examine the relationship between various strategic orientations and the performance of Ethiopian SMEs in Hawassa, with an emphasis on the role that innovative capabilities play as a mediating factor. We used an explanatory sequential research design and multi-stage sampling to gather both primary and secondary data from the study area. We examined the data and research hypotheses of the suggested structural regression model using structural equation modeling (SEM), based on empirical data from 321 Ethiopian SMEs operating in Hawassa city. The SEM results indicate that small and medium-sized enterprises with a higher level of strategic orientation can ensure superior performance. The findings also indicate that innovation capabilities partially mediate the relationship between strategic orientation and SMEs performance. This study contributes to the strategic orientation and innovation framework by showing that strategic orientation creates better value through innovation capabilities and has an indirect effect on the performance of SMEs. The study also makes a valuable theoretical and practical contribution to the application of resource-based and dynamic capabilities theories within the context of SMEs. Furthermore, this study suggests that SMEs can leverage strategic insights to address the real-world challenges of innovation and performance while offering practical solutions. Hence, strategic perspectives that spread acquired knowledge and new ideas throughout internal decision-making processes ultimately enhance SMEs` innovation capabilities and performance.本研究的核心目标为探究埃塞俄比亚阿瓦萨市各类战略导向（strategic orientation）与中小企业（Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs）经营绩效之间的关联，并重点聚焦创新能力作为中介变量所发挥的作用。本研究采用解释性序列研究设计与多阶段抽样方法，从研究区域收集一手数据与二手数据；基于来自阿瓦萨市321家埃塞俄比亚中小企业的实证数据，借助结构方程模型（Structural Equation Modeling, SEM）对所提出的结构回归模型的相关数据与研究假设进行检验。结构方程模型的分析结果表明，战略导向水平更高的中小企业能够获得更优异的经营绩效；研究结果同时显示，创新能力在战略导向与中小企业经营绩效的关系中起到部分中介作用。本研究通过证实战略导向可通过创新能力创造更高价值，并对中小企业经营绩效产生间接影响，丰富了战略导向与创新研究框架。本研究同时为资源基础观与动态能力理论在中小企业场景下的应用提供了兼具理论与实践价值的贡献。此外，本研究提出中小企业可借助战略洞察应对创新与绩效提升面临的现实挑战，并给出切实可行的解决方案。综上，能够在内部决策流程中传播习得知识与新想法的战略视角，最终可增强中小企业的创新能力与经营绩效。