Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model

The study examines the effect of business model innovation on SME firm performance in its direct and indirect relationship with entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used an analytical research design with a positivist philosophy. Structured...

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Main Authors: Prakash Kumar Gautam, Dhruba Kumar Gautam, Prem Prasad Silwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251342148
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author Prakash Kumar Gautam
Dhruba Kumar Gautam
Prem Prasad Silwal
author_facet Prakash Kumar Gautam
Dhruba Kumar Gautam
Prem Prasad Silwal
author_sort Prakash Kumar Gautam
collection DOAJ
description The study examines the effect of business model innovation on SME firm performance in its direct and indirect relationship with entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used an analytical research design with a positivist philosophy. Structured equation modeling was used to analyze the survey-based structured data collected from 396 SME managers and owners after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed a significant positive association between business model innovation and SME performance. Further, the study established a serial mediation model incorporating entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage. The research findings add value in theoretical implications incorporating the serial mediation model. Further, the findings suggest practical implications for SMEs to focus on business model innovation to orient mindset of entrepreneurs and develop competitive advantages. This study also proposes recommendations to policymakers in developing business-friendly assistance to cope with crises. This paper is among the few empirical studies examining serial mediation models to predict firm performance in the SME sector, incorporating business model innovation, entrepreneurial orientation, and competitive advantages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study fulfills the research gap and contributes to business model innovation.
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spelling doaj-art-e3aa50b09fa74107adb5ed38e2e1011d2025-08-20T03:22:18ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402025-05-011510.1177/21582440251342148Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation ModelPrakash Kumar Gautam0Dhruba Kumar Gautam1Prem Prasad Silwal2Tribhuvan University, NepalTribhuvan University, NepalKathmandu University, Dhulikhel, NepalThe study examines the effect of business model innovation on SME firm performance in its direct and indirect relationship with entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used an analytical research design with a positivist philosophy. Structured equation modeling was used to analyze the survey-based structured data collected from 396 SME managers and owners after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed a significant positive association between business model innovation and SME performance. Further, the study established a serial mediation model incorporating entrepreneurial orientation and competitive advantage. The research findings add value in theoretical implications incorporating the serial mediation model. Further, the findings suggest practical implications for SMEs to focus on business model innovation to orient mindset of entrepreneurs and develop competitive advantages. This study also proposes recommendations to policymakers in developing business-friendly assistance to cope with crises. This paper is among the few empirical studies examining serial mediation models to predict firm performance in the SME sector, incorporating business model innovation, entrepreneurial orientation, and competitive advantages during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study fulfills the research gap and contributes to business model innovation.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251342148
spellingShingle Prakash Kumar Gautam
Dhruba Kumar Gautam
Prem Prasad Silwal
Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
SAGE Open
title Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
title_full Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
title_fullStr Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
title_full_unstemmed Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
title_short Business Model Innovation and Firm Performance of SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Test of Serial Mediation Model
title_sort business model innovation and firm performance of smes during the covid 19 pandemic test of serial mediation model
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251342148
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