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The Influence of Leadership Commitment on Operational Performance of SMEs: Mediating Roles of Resource Allocation, Supplier Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

Syam Suddin & Sulaeman Miru

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management2026https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219877026400055article
AJG 1
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

This study investigates the impact of leader commitment on operational performance in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), focusing on the mediating roles of resource allocation, continuous improvement, and supplier performance monitoring. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 250 SME leaders and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test direct and indirect effects. Findings – Leader commitment significantly influences operational performance both directly and indirectly through the mediators. Resource allocation provides a foundational link but has a relatively weaker effect. Continuous improvement is the strongest mediator, highlighting the importance of innovation and adaptability. Supplier performance monitoring also exerts a significant direct effect, emphasizing the role of external oversight in supply chain efficiency. Research limitations/implications – The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the findings may not generalize beyond SMEs or different industrial sectors. Longitudinal studies and multigroup analyses are recommended. Practical implications – SMEs can enhance operational performance by fostering integrated leadership strategies that combine effective resource management, continuous improvement, and robust supplier monitoring systems. Originality/value – This study provides a comprehensive model illustrating how leadership, internal processes, and external monitoring interact to drive operational excellence in SMEs, offering actionable insights for leadership-driven strategic planning.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219877026400055

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@article{syam2026,
  title        = {{The Influence of Leadership Commitment on Operational Performance of SMEs: Mediating Roles of Resource Allocation, Supplier Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement}},
  author       = {Syam Suddin & Sulaeman Miru},
  journal      = {International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219877026400055},
}

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The Influence of Leadership Commitment on Operational Performance of SMEs: Mediating Roles of Resource Allocation, Supplier Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.