SME Owners Research Articles

Impact of Accounting Record-Keeping on the Sustainability of Small-Scale Enterprises in Kano Metropolis

This study examined the impact of accounting record keeping on sustainability of small-scale enterprises (SSEs) in Kano metropolis. The population of this study comprised of all SSEs operating in the eight local government areas that constitute Kano metropolis. Four hundred and thirty-nine (439) questionnaires, using 5-point Likert scale, were administered on the sampled owners of SSEs across the eight local government areas in Kano metropolis. Out of this, four hundred and thirty-seven (437) questionnaires were completed and returned, while two respondents did not return their questionnaires. The statement on the questionnaire covers accounting record keeping, business performance, environmental attitude and community attitude. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis using Partial Least Square (PLS) was employed to analyze the data generated for the study. The finding of study shows that record keeping has a significant positive relationship with sustainability. This indicates that an increase in the record keeping behavior will lead to an increase in the sustainability of a business entity. The study, therefore, recommends that SMEs owners should learn basic record keeping knowledge or engage the service of bookkeepers to enable them to keep proper books of accounts which will in turn increase the sustainability of their businesses.

The Role of Situational Leadership in the Management of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Among Durban Trucking Companies

The present research study is focused on the analysis of the role of situational leadership in the context of small and medium-sized enterprise management. The main purpose of this research is to examine and to critically evaluate the use of different situational leadership styles in the management of SMEs. This study has sought to review leader obligations and the evolution of these leadership styles in SME management. The study has intended to provide the fundamental empirical evaluation of the role played by situational leadership in SME management. The sample for the present research has been identified from the population of registered trucking companies in Durban. A sample has been drawn from the SMEs within the registered trucking companies, using convenient sampling techniques and methods.The findings of this research have shown the positive impact that situational leadership theory has in SME management. In fact, SME owners and managers will be inspired to understand the managerial role of the appropriateness behavioural style in the contextual business situations. Also, the study recommended that owners and leaders of SMEs should ameliorate leader sovereignty and follower skills, as these often interact in predicting poor follower performance and attitudinal responses. In addition, the present study has provided the tools necessary for SME owners and managers, to guide the improvement and effectiveness of personal leadership.

The Effect of Relation Between Digital Leadership and Learning Organization on the Individual Performance of SMEs

Objective: This research aims to analyze the relationship between digital leadership variables and individual performance of SMEs, to analyze the relationship between learning organization variables and individual performance of SMEs. Method: This research method is a quantitative survey, data analysis using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 3.0 software tools. Data was obtained by distributing online questionnaires via social media. The questionnaire was designed using statements with a Likert scale of 1 to 7. The respondents of this study were 350 SMEs owners in Indonesia who were determined through simple random sampling. The analysis stages are validity test, reliability test and significance test. The independent variables of this research are digital leadership and learning organization variables. The dependent variable is the individual performance of SMEs. Results: The results of this research are that digital leadership has a positive and significant relationship to individual performance. Learning organizations have a positive and significant relationship to individual performance of SMEs. Research implications: Such findings contribute to our better understanding of the relationship between digital leadership and learning organization on the individual performance of SMEs. Also, it can have implications for stakeholders in developing performance of SMEs. Originality/value: This study addresses the gap in the body of digital leadership and learning organization on the individual performance of SMEs, creating a new correlation model of the relationship between digital leadership and learning organization on the individual performance of SMEs.

Are we Resilient Enough? A Post-Pandemic Case Study Approach Among Leaders of SMEs in Malaysia

Purpose: The present study has adopted a case study approach to gain insight into the phenomenon of persistent success in business organisations from the perspective of leaders who have achieved it and proposes a new model of resilient leadership. Design/Methodology/Approach: Three case studies were conducted, providing an in-depth analysis of the factors contributing to SME owners’ leadership orientation across diverse industries. The data analysis was conducted using a two-stage approach. First, by using thematic analysis, eight themes were identified. Second, expert reviews were consulted to obtain feedback on these eight themes, and subsequent modifications were made. Findings: The importance of leadership effectiveness extends beyond the operational functioning of a business, encompassing the crucial task of maintaining employee morale amidst grievances and volatile economic and social conditions. These leaders promptly demonstrated responsiveness and adaptability to the prevailing economic situation. A model of resilient leadership has been proposed, comprising six dimensions that include adaptability, emotional intelligence, vision, spiritual intelligence, a growth mindset, and an internal ecosystem. Research implication: The novelty of this newly proposed leadership model primarily lies in its application within the Malaysian context, as many of the previous leadership theories have been developed in a western context, and some of the elements might not be relevant to an eastern culture. Practical implication: The newly proposed model could be embedded into the entreperenerial development in Malaysia and also be extended to other neighbouring countries that share similar cultures. Originality/Value: Research on leadership is vast, with the majority of it conducted quantitatively. Thus, conducting a leadership study through qualitative analysis poses different insights and implications than the existing literature.

Knowledge Transfer as a Driver of Innovative Performance of SMEs in Lagos State

Purpose: The ability to disseminate knowledge in the presence of innovation and capability in businesses creates an advantage over other businesses. Most SMEs do not implement formal tools to protect and share needed knowledge, which makes knowledge transfer difficult.
 Design/Method/Approach: Quantitative research was adopted. With over eleven (11) thousand registered SMEs in Lagos State and using Yamane’s formula, a total of 386 respondents formed the sample size for this study.
 Findings: The study established a positive significance of social networking, mentorship and research and development for innovation performance. However, training revealed no impact on innovation performance which further established that most SMEs operators in Nigeria usually improve business skills through apprenticeship instead of an organized training to transfer knowledge.
 Theoretical Implications: The absorptive capacity theory was adopted to explain the importance of enriching organizational learning by the acquisition of diverse knowledge from different sources to enhance capabilities. It also depicts the impact of technological innovation performance through general abilities of an individual.
 Practical Implications: The study emphasized that the survival and competitiveness of any business entity in an evolving global environment is dependent on its implementation of continuous innovative improvements through knowledge transfer, but of all knowledge transfer methods, training is the least used method by business owners.
 Originality/Value: This paper assesses the significance of knowledge transfer as a driver of innovation performance in Nigerian SMEs using such methods as training, mentorship, research and development and social networking employed by SMEs.
 Research Limitations/Future Research: One major limitation to the study was the inability and unwillingness of SMEs owners and managers to fill in a questionnaire.
 Paper Type: Empirical
 JEL Classification: M10, M13

Understanding the Perception of Young SME Owners in Indonesia: QRIS Usage by Age and Gender

One of the payment methods in our contemporary digital era is a non-cash transaction. Because electronic money is now more and more available, users can now make transactions both online and offline thanks to e-wallet applications and banks that accept cashless payments. QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard), a QR-based non-contact payment transaction tool introduced by Bank Indonesia in collaboration with the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI), is one of the technologies that is often used by the people of Indonesia. QRIS has developed into a catalyst for facilitating the payment process between suppliers and consumers of products and services, especially among SMEs. The recent financial crisis was most likely triggered by these faster digital transactions. However, with a target of having financial inclusion by 90% in 2024 set by the government of Indonesia, while still being at 74.19%, it can be a challenge for Indonesia since its level of financial literacy is still very low which is at 38%. As a result, an essential question arises; How does age play a part in the perception of SMEs regarding the ease of use, frequency of usage, and impact of QRIS in Indonesia? How does gender partake in shaping the opinion of SMEs towards the ease of use, frequency of usage, and impact of QRIS in Indonesia? This research aims to investigate and understand how Indonesian SMEs perceive the ease of QRIS usage, the frequency of QRIS usage, and the impact of QRIS based on the differences in gender and group age. The research investigates the above topic based on questionnaires using Google form distributed to people with relative business experience. The data will be analyzed using crosstabulation with the use of JASP (Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program).

Casino Royale: A Comparative Analysis of Financial Literacy and Locus of Control on SMEs’ Financial Behavior

Knowledge is considered as the vital factor for firms in improving their capability and stability of SMEs, especially a financial literacy knowledge. Based on the literature, this study finds that due to lack of finance literacy knowledge, most of firms in Indonesia are not able to survive inside the business world that is full of competition and the dynamics of changing within particular periods. Unfortunately, lack of financial literacy knowledge also ultimately affects firms in Indonesia, particularly their financial behavior at both the organizational and individual levels, as well a locus of control of SME owners in controlling their business’s financial management. However, effective and efficient financial management behavior based on financial literacy knowledge and locus of control skills that are proportional to the context of firms tends to be something that is often overlooked by business people. Thus, a lot of literature indicates that almost all SMEs in Indonesia do not have adequate business financial performance reports as a condition for obtaining business loans from financial institutions. Therefore, with the support of the above issues, this study then aims to conduct a comparative study, through the approach of quantitative research method, from two major cities in Indonesia to explore and identify how much financial literacy and locus of control influence financial management behavior in 130 firms, which are small and medium-sized enterprises as sample size of this study. The findings of this study theoretically discover that financial literacy affects firm’s financial management behavior in both major cities of Indonesia, which are Makassar and Surabaya. The findings of this study are also expected to contribute positively to the managerial aspects, especially in providing detailed explanations and guidelines related to financial literacy, locus of control, and financial management behavior for policy makers as well as business owners. A detail recommendation for future research is also explained in the particular section of this paper.

INSURANCE MARKETING STRATEGIES AND RISK PROTECTION AWARENESS AMONG SME OWNERS IN NORTHERN MALAYSIA

The study examines the effect of 7Ps of service marketing strategies and attitude towards risks on insurance purchase behaviour of SMEs as their risk mitigation and management. Despite the failure risks among SMEs, insurance penetration rates among SMEs are low, showing low risk protection awareness. Insurers need to understand the effectiveness of service marketing strategies in influencing SME owners’ purchase behaviour. The study uses paper-based surveys among 123 SMEs in Northern Malaysia. A set of survey questionnaire was developed based on adoption and adaptation items from existing studies. Data was analysed using PLS-SEM via SmartPLS 3.0. Findings indicated that only five of the service marketing strategies, namely price, promotion, place, process, and physical evidence have significant influence on the insurance purchase behaviour. In addition, attitude towards risks fully mediates all the direct effect of the five Ps, meaning that the SMEs attitude towards risks weakens the effect of all the marketing strategies on the SMEs insurance purchase behaviour. This study makes both theoretical and practical contributions, especially in identifying the roles of external stimuli and internal process in influencing insurance purchase behaviour among SMEs. The findings of the study will provide help to agencies tasked with developing SMEs in enhancing their risks management plan to protect the SMEs in facing the highly uncertain nature of the business; as well as insurers in increasing the penetration rates of insurance among SMEs.

The Nexus of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Knowledge Management on Business Performance of SMEs in West Java: Role of Competitive Advantage

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the nexus of entrepreneurial orientation and knowledge management on the Business performance of SMEs mediated by competitive advantage.
 
 Theoretical framework: The conceptual model for this study was developed based on previous research and resource-based theory as grand theory. The conceptual model has three factors that affect the Business performance of SMEs in West Java, Indonesia.
 
 Design/methodology/approach: This study used verification methods with a number of samples of 200 respondents by using random sampling. The Structural Equation Models (SEM) analyzed the data using Lisrel.
 
 Findings: The results show that entrepreneurial orientation and Knowledge Management have a significant effect on the competitive advantage and Business performance of SMEs and competitive advantage can be mediated by the nexus of Knowledge Management and entrepreneurial orientation on Business performance of SMEs in West Java.
 
 Research, Practical & Social implications: The implications drawn from this research help owners or managers of human resources in existing SMEs to focus their performance by considering entrepreneurial orientation, Knowledge Management, and competitive advantage.
 
 Originality/value: This study is important for owners of SMEs and the government because it confirms business owners' need to increase entrepreneurial orientation and Knowledge Management in order to boost a competitive advantage and business performance of SMEs in the marketplace.

Investigation of the Effect of Organizational Ambidexterity and Innovation Capability on Supply Chain Performance: An Empirical Study of Indonesian MSMEs

Objective: There is no research on organizational ambidexterity and innovation capability on supply chain performance in Indonesia. The purpose of this research is to analyze the relationship between Organizational Ambidexterity on supply chain performance, Organizational Ambidexterity on innovation capability, Innovation capability on supply chain performance in SMEs in Indonesia. Method: This research method is quantitative causality, data analysis uses structural equation modeling (SEM) partial least squares (PLS) with the data processing tool SmartPLS 3.0. The respondents of this research were 350 SMEs owners in Indonesia who were determined by simple random sampling method. The research data was obtained by distributing online questionnaires through social media. The questionnaire was designed using questions with a Likert scale of 1 to 7. The stages of data analysis were the outer model test, namely convergent validity, discriminant validity and composite reliability and the inner model test, namely the determination test and hypothesis testing or significance test. The independent variable in this study is organizational ambidexterity, the mediating variable is innovation capability and the dependent variable is supply chain performance. Result: The results of the data analysis show that organizational ambidexterity has a positive and significant effect on supply chain performance, organizational ambidexterity has a positive and significant effect on innovation capability, innovation capability has a positive and significant effect on supply chain performance. Conclusion: This research only focuses on MSME businesses. The results of this study can complement existing theories. The results of this study can be used as reference material for MSME business owners. Then the results of this research can also be used as a reference for MSMEs in improving marketing performance by increasing product innovation and market orientation directly or through organizational ambidexterity. Based on this, there is an influence of Organizational Ambidexterity and Innovation Capability on SMEs Performance. So it is necessary to analyze whether or not there is an influence exerted by Organizational Ambidexterity Innovation Capability and on SMEs Performance. This research is expected to provide theoretical benefits, namely increasing the contribution of knowledge, especially regarding Organizational Ambidexterity and innovation capability to MSME performance, while practical benefits can be used as input for SMEs in carrying out Organizational Ambidexterity and Innovation Capability in order to improve SMEs performance.

A Competitive Strategy Quality System of SME’s Handicraft Products in a Development Country (Study in Central Java Province, Indonesia)

SMEs in developing countries often face the problem of the policy determining the competitive strategy quality system to develop business performance. Analyzing how to improve the performance of handicraft SMEs within the context of the effect of the competitive strategy and quality system of SMEs is required to address the issues raised above. Thus, a research model was developed using four research variables: strategic asset quality, adaptability, the entrepreneurial orientation of SME owners, and competitive strategy quality. Data regarding the variables studied used a structured questionnaire so that the structured statements in the questionnaire were able to answer the research variables, which 110 handicraft owners then answered in Central Java Province, Indonesia. Following the collection of the data, the structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used to analyze it. The model created for this study is a fit, according to the findings of the model testing. The competitive strategy quality system is positively and significantly impacted by the analytical findings about the role of strategic asset quality, environmental adaptability, and entrepreneurial orientation. According to the results of the hypothesis, enhancing the capability of asset quality indicators and the company's environmental adaptability may be used to improve the competitive strategy quality system of the Handicraft Product Small Business Group in Central Java Province, Indonesia.

Digitalization of customer service in small and medium-sized enterprises: drivers for the development and improvement

PurposeSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to the socioeconomic development of a country or region. They directly contribute to increasing employment generation and improving income distribution. Despite the importance of SMEs, there are still opportunities for developing works that support and guide SMEs to use digital technologies, especially to digitalize their customer service. Therefore, this work aims to propose drivers containing recommendations for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThis work uses a qualitative approach to systematize the main SMEs' characteristics and identify the boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service in the scientific literature. To this end, the authors conducted a content analysis of the most influential empirical and theoretical articles on the theme published from 2016 to 2021 in the Scopus database.FindingsThis work identified 38 boosting elements of the digitalization of customer service based on the scientific literature. These elements were grouped into six drivers for developing and improving the digitalization of customer service. The drivers contain recommendations that were adapted for SMEs according to their characteristics and based on the experience of the authors of this work.Originality/valueThis work contributes to promoting socioeconomic development, providing important solutions for managers and owners of SMEs to improve their customer service. The proposed drivers support and encourage the use of digital technologies for developing and improving customer service, overcoming the challenges of digitalization in these companies. Thus, SMEs will be able to increase the satisfaction of their customers and improve their competitiveness.

Twin Green and Digital Innovation by SMEs in the Construction Sector

The Twin green and digital innovation is a fundamental element of the European SME Strategy and European Green Deal. While larger corporations have initiated a transition towards more sustainable and data-driven business, only a limited part of SMEs in Europe are actively investing in Twin innovation. Most SMEs presume elevated costs of Twin innovation and are unaware of the potential impact on their business performance. The study describes a usable generic framework to analyse the Twin innovation options, the impact on business performance and a roadmap for implementation by SMEs in the construction sector. The paper offers practical tools for SME owners and directors seeking to engage in Twin innovation. The findings are also relevant for other researchers in this field interested to gain a better understanding of twin innovation, as well as policy makers who seek to steer support programs towards innovation in SMEs.

Perceived Attitudes & Disquiets on the Adoption of Enterprise Application Architecture for Supply Chain Management in SMEs

Background: Throughout the history of information systems, perceived attitudes and concerns (PADs) have been seen as a key factor in actual adoption (AA) of Enterprise Application Architecture (EAA), in this case for supply chain management. Systems development life cycle by John Zachman, who explains seven steps for systems development by Hay (1997), which include: strategy, analysis, reactance theory, design, construction, documentation, transition and production. Objectives: This research aims to determine whether PADs affect the AA of EAA for SCM. In addition, the impact of the systems development life cycle is determined by the following factors: communication and common language, commitment, governance, scope and purpose, business-oriented and approach. Methodology: To provide statistical analysis of diagnostic tests and data analysis, a quantitative research design was adopted. A stratified random sample was considered for two parameters: information technology users, resource optimizers, risk takers, customer-centric approaches, and malleability. The sample was compressed to 310. For the first estimation, the linear regression model using IBM SPSS software version 26 was used. Results: The results showed that PADs have a negative impact on the AA of EAA as indicated by the negative-slope linear regression. However, personal perspectives such as techie, determinism, romanticism, and scepticism result in a negative bias. Findings: These results cannot be extrapolated to all SME owners and managers as they act on the basis of different characteristics such as: Information system components, internet connectivity and contextual information technology. Nonetheless, the modus operandi for mitigating negativity includes: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, social factors, system complexity, and social factors. Keywords: perceived attitudes and disquiets, enterprise application architecture, supply chain management, actual adoption, small and medium enterprises.

Pelatihan Etika Bisnis dan Penyusunan Pembukuan Sederhana bagi UMKM Kecamatan Tambaksari Kota Surabaya

The STIESIA Surabaya community service team provided business ethics and simple bookkeeping records to 15 Tambaksari Village, Surabaya City SMEs owners. The main reason for conducting community service is because the identification of problem that previously done shows that SMEs owners have difficulty in compiling simple bookkeeping for their business. This activity was carried out with four sessions: delivery of business ethics material, presentation of simple bookkeeping material, simple bookkeeping training, and discussion sessions. The result of community service is the increased awareness of SMEs owners of the importance of simple bookkeeping discipline for the sustainability of SMEs businesses.

Investigating Personality Traits, E-Market Orientation and Firm Performance of Tourism Entrepreneurs in J & K

This study, based on Jammu and Kashmir Tourism SMEs, examines the big five personality factors that impact business success. Further, E-marketing orientation has been taken as a mediator variable of the study. Data was collected from SME owners (hoteliers) in Jammu and Kashmir. Hotel owners were selected randomly and worked in the hospitality industry. The ultimate assemblage of SMEs to whom the questionnaires were distributed includes 386 people. PLS-SEM was utilised to investigate the associations between the study's variables. The study revealed a direct positive influence of Extraversion and Openness to experience on Firm performance. Further, Agreeableness has shown a negative and significant influence on firm performance. However, Conscientiousness and Neuroticism have shown insignificant results. In the context of e-marketing orientation, extraversion Agreeableness and Conscientiousness have also shown positive and Significant influence on e-marketing Orientation. While as e-marketing orientation has shown negative but significant results on firm performance. Further, e-marketing orientation has negatively mediated the relationship between extraversion and firm performance and Agreeableness and firm performance. Thus shows partial competitive mediation between the variables of interest. Conversely, e-marketing orientation does not show any mediating effects between firm performance and Conscientiousness, Openness to experiences and Neuroticism. The research adds to an enhanced understanding of the essential success factors and issues that entrepreneurs encounter. It can also aid in better understanding the personality qualities and e-market orientation required by entrepreneurs.

Can location factors moderate the effects of the demographic composition of SME's owner managers on the rate of mobile marketing technology (MMT) adoption?

Extant scholarly inquiries focused predominantly on the influence of demographic physiognomies of SMEs' owner-managers on MMT adoption, with dearth recourse to how the proxies of location factors such as workforce diversity and knowledge centres moderate and describe such relationship. To bridge that void, opinions of 345 SMEs' owner-managers in five industries situated in the state capital and commercial nerve cities of three Geo-political zones of Nigeria were purposively sampled. The analysis involved hierarchical regression and its outcome showed that diversified workforce and enhanced knowledge centres critically moderated the extant relationship between the demographic composition (age, gender, education and experience) of owner-managers and MMT adoption. Hence, location factors are moderators of the relationship between owner/managers' demographic composition and MMT adoption. Implicit is that understanding the demographic composition of owner-managers provides industry players with strong basis for competitive advantage, as well as opportunity to proactively and tactically make decisions that relate to MMT adoption.

Antecedent Energizing Profesional Networks And Marketing Performance Fashion Industry: Conceptual Framworks And Research Proposition

Many studies on the connection between an entrepreneurial mindset and business performance were conducted in the preceding year. As a result, this study puts forth a fresh notion that sets it apart from the competition: the necessity of professional networks for reviving the link between entrepreneurial orientation and marketing efficiency. This study seeks to understand the relationships between three dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation—being proactive, taking risks, and being innovative and the marketing success and thriving professional networks of Indonesian fashion SMEs. The process's output is the energization of professional networks based on a synthesis of the theories of dynamic marketing capabilities and achievement goals. A single informant survey of Fashion SMEs owners in the relevant domain using structural equation modeling (SEM) and a moderator test is the suggested methodology for testing the proposed model. While the study's statistical population including all business owners of Indonesian fashion SMEs. Purposive sampling was employed in this investigation, with a sample size of 250 respondents. All respondents received questionnaires, which were then used as the primary data collection tool. The paper finishes with recommendations and lines of inquiry for additional study.

Re-Examining The Financial Literacy – SME Growth Nexus: Fresh Evidence from Causal Mediation Analysis

The importance of SMEs to the growth of emerging economies cannot be overemphasized. SMEs remain an important source of employment and economic growth for most developing economies. However, it has been found that, most SMEs in developing countries are unable to survive even up to their fifth year of operation due to a multiplicity of factors including the level of financial literacy and risk attitude of SME owners. The current study aims to examine the effect of financial literacy on SME growth mediated by the risk attitude of SME owners. The study’s data was collected from SME owners/managers in Ghana. 500 questionnaires were administered and out of the 432 retrieved, 400 were deemed useful for analysis using causal mediation. The study found a significantly positive association between financial literacy and SME growth in the main outcome model. Also, risk attitude was found to be positively related to financial literacy in the mediation model, whereas risk attitude further mediated the relationship between financial literacy and SME growth which demonstrates that risk attitude plays an intermediary role in the association between financial literacy and SME growth. Our results support the dual process theory of reasoning, according to which decisions made by entrepreneurs to improve the growth and sustainability of their businesses are influenced by two different systems of thought: the automatic unconscious system, which is based on their risk tolerance, and the intentional conscious system, which weighs numerous factors and models in light of their financial literacy.

How do entrepreneurial firms behave in the face of environmental turbulence and uncertainty? Evidence from the manufacturing sector

PurposeIn a context of greater environmental uncertainty, understanding the practices and strategies adopted by the SME owner-manager to deal with it is an important topic.Design/methodology/approachBased on a questionnaire survey of 583 SME owner-managers, a cluster analysis based on the degree of perceived uncertainty was conducted.FindingsA statistical differences across a continuum with regard to entrepreneurial orientation, information gathering, management and absorption practices, innovation and internationalization was observed. These results show that the behaviors, and strategies deployed by SME owner managers are adapted to the degree of uncertainty these individuals perceive. Moreover, these results are not linked to their individual profiles nor to those of their companies.Practical implicationsThe results show how SME owner-managers can increase their capacity to face uncertainty by collecting different types of information from different sources, by traveling abroad, by hiring personal with diverse profiles and by dealing with situations outside their norms. Public authorities in economic development interested to promote entrepreneurial decisions are invited to produce and diffuse valuable information to reduce uncertainty perceived by owner managers to support SMEs.Originality/valueThis research is original in that no study has holistically examined the link between uncertainty and the strategic and organizational practices of SMEs. It also responds to political and managerial concerns to effectively support SMEs under conditions of uncertainty – contexts that are increasingly important these days.