An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic
Abstract Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many countries but suffer low survival and growth rates. This research investigated the role of ambidextrous leadership (AL), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and organisational innovation (OI) on SME firm performance (FP) (customer s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00532-6 |
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| author | Ali Gungor Catherine Jill Bamforth John Dalrymple |
| author_facet | Ali Gungor Catherine Jill Bamforth John Dalrymple |
| author_sort | Ali Gungor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many countries but suffer low survival and growth rates. This research investigated the role of ambidextrous leadership (AL), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and organisational innovation (OI) on SME firm performance (FP) (customer satisfaction and financial performance) in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data from 344 SME owners/managers was collected and analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed partial validation between AL opening behaviour and both FP outcomes and substantial and positive influence between closing AL behaviour and both FP outcomes. Contrary to expectations, results showed a significant negative association between EO and customer satisfaction and a weak correlation between EO and financial performance. OI was identified as an antecedent for both FP outcomes confirming existing research in this area. The findings called for post-pandemic cash-strapped governments to set up a dedicated department in their Productivity Commission (or similar body) to keep abreast of emerging SME research outcomes to inform more effective and efficient SME policy. Managers are advised to undertake low level experimentation to identify optimum alignment between FP goals and environmental context, choice of innovation type and leadership approach (AL & EO) to achieve desired FP outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1645d2aad0243ff8a4835fccc8d969b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2192-5372 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1645d2aad0243ff8a4835fccc8d969b2025-08-20T03:45:39ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship2192-53722025-07-0114114010.1186/s13731-025-00532-6An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The PandemicAli Gungor0Catherine Jill Bamforth1John Dalrymple2Department of Management, Monash Business School, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash UniversityDepartment of Management & Marketing, School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of TechnologyDepartment of Management & Marketing, School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of TechnologyAbstract Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of many countries but suffer low survival and growth rates. This research investigated the role of ambidextrous leadership (AL), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and organisational innovation (OI) on SME firm performance (FP) (customer satisfaction and financial performance) in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data from 344 SME owners/managers was collected and analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed partial validation between AL opening behaviour and both FP outcomes and substantial and positive influence between closing AL behaviour and both FP outcomes. Contrary to expectations, results showed a significant negative association between EO and customer satisfaction and a weak correlation between EO and financial performance. OI was identified as an antecedent for both FP outcomes confirming existing research in this area. The findings called for post-pandemic cash-strapped governments to set up a dedicated department in their Productivity Commission (or similar body) to keep abreast of emerging SME research outcomes to inform more effective and efficient SME policy. Managers are advised to undertake low level experimentation to identify optimum alignment between FP goals and environmental context, choice of innovation type and leadership approach (AL & EO) to achieve desired FP outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00532-6SMEsAmbidextrous leadershipEntrepreneurial orientationOrganisational innovationFirm performanceAustralia |
| spellingShingle | Ali Gungor Catherine Jill Bamforth John Dalrymple An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship SMEs Ambidextrous leadership Entrepreneurial orientation Organisational innovation Firm performance Australia |
| title | An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic |
| title_full | An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic |
| title_short | An investigation of factors affecting Australian small and medium enterprise performance during The Pandemic |
| title_sort | investigation of factors affecting australian small and medium enterprise performance during the pandemic |
| topic | SMEs Ambidextrous leadership Entrepreneurial orientation Organisational innovation Firm performance Australia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00532-6 |
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