Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity

Abstract Enhancing enterprise performance (EP) and enterprise sustainability (ES) is necessary for firms’ survival in the markets. The present study attempts to explore the prediction of EP through entrepreneurial leadership (EL), technological innovation capabilities (TIC), team creativity (TC) and...

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Main Author: Sager Alharthi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-08-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01699-4
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author Sager Alharthi
author_facet Sager Alharthi
author_sort Sager Alharthi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Enhancing enterprise performance (EP) and enterprise sustainability (ES) is necessary for firms’ survival in the markets. The present study attempts to explore the prediction of EP through entrepreneurial leadership (EL), technological innovation capabilities (TIC), team creativity (TC) and analytical thinking (AT) as well as the relationship between EP and ES in manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. In the present study, the researcher employed a deductive approach by collecting cross-sectional data from Saudi Arabian manufacturing firms. The researcher targeted senior managers/department heads using online survey methods. Finally, the researcher used 362 usable cases to conclude the study. A path analysis unveiled a positive effect of EL on TIC, EP, TC and AT. TIC and TC positively affected EP. Conversely, AT was found to be a negative enabler of EP. Finally, EP was positively and significantly connected to ES in manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. The outcomes of this study contribute to SME leaders adopting technological innovations with effective leadership to create space in the markets. Furthermore, the findings support national goals, such as Saudi Vision 2030, by endorsing industrial growth through responsible leadership and innovation. Finally, the study’s outcomes enrich the literature in this domain with empirical confirmation from a developing context. This study deals with extensive theoretical insights by connecting EL with innovation, AT and creativity to predict EP and ES in SMEs. This integrated framework also provides behavioural and strategic capabilities in manufacturing contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-90be3d7a8e9c4de89d630128c66a594e2025-08-20T03:42:39ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-08-016112310.1007/s43621-025-01699-4Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativitySager Alharthi0Business Administration Department, College of Administrative and Financial Sciences, Saudi Electronic UniversityAbstract Enhancing enterprise performance (EP) and enterprise sustainability (ES) is necessary for firms’ survival in the markets. The present study attempts to explore the prediction of EP through entrepreneurial leadership (EL), technological innovation capabilities (TIC), team creativity (TC) and analytical thinking (AT) as well as the relationship between EP and ES in manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. In the present study, the researcher employed a deductive approach by collecting cross-sectional data from Saudi Arabian manufacturing firms. The researcher targeted senior managers/department heads using online survey methods. Finally, the researcher used 362 usable cases to conclude the study. A path analysis unveiled a positive effect of EL on TIC, EP, TC and AT. TIC and TC positively affected EP. Conversely, AT was found to be a negative enabler of EP. Finally, EP was positively and significantly connected to ES in manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. The outcomes of this study contribute to SME leaders adopting technological innovations with effective leadership to create space in the markets. Furthermore, the findings support national goals, such as Saudi Vision 2030, by endorsing industrial growth through responsible leadership and innovation. Finally, the study’s outcomes enrich the literature in this domain with empirical confirmation from a developing context. This study deals with extensive theoretical insights by connecting EL with innovation, AT and creativity to predict EP and ES in SMEs. This integrated framework also provides behavioural and strategic capabilities in manufacturing contexts.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01699-4Enterprise performanceEntrepreneurship leadershipTechnological innovation capabilitiesTeam creativityAnalytical thinkingEnterprise sustainability
spellingShingle Sager Alharthi
Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
Discover Sustainability
Enterprise performance
Entrepreneurship leadership
Technological innovation capabilities
Team creativity
Analytical thinking
Enterprise sustainability
title Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
title_full Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
title_fullStr Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
title_full_unstemmed Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
title_short Developing enterprise performance and sustainability in SMEs through entrepreneurship leadership, innovation, analytical thinking and creativity
title_sort developing enterprise performance and sustainability in smes through entrepreneurship leadership innovation analytical thinking and creativity
topic Enterprise performance
Entrepreneurship leadership
Technological innovation capabilities
Team creativity
Analytical thinking
Enterprise sustainability
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01699-4
work_keys_str_mv AT sageralharthi developingenterpriseperformanceandsustainabilityinsmesthroughentrepreneurshipleadershipinnovationanalyticalthinkingandcreativity