Innovativeness, environment and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing sector in Malaysia

• Main Author: Mok, Kim Man
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: unimas 2016
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/20921/6/mok%20kim%20man.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/20921/

This study examines innovativeness and environmental factors that can influence the performance of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. The general objective is to examine the practice of innovation in SME that contribute to the SME performance. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to (a) to identify the innovativeness (in process) and their dimensions that influence SMEs performance; (b) to examine the relationship between the independent variables (innovativeness) and the impact on the SMEs financial and non-financial performance; (c) to investigate the moderating effect of the environment on the relationship between innovativeness and SMEs performance. A theoretical framework is developed based on innovativeness, environment and SMEs performance. Previous research had only focused mainly on technological innovation and other aspects were under explored. Hence, this study examines the innovativeness from four dimensions. The present quantitative study includes a new indicator in the measurement model, that is the role of the government. 380 survey questionnaires were collected from managers and/or owners of SMEs in Malaysia using systematic sampling technique. Total 380 usable sets of data proceeded for data analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS to assess the model.