Perceived value of microfinance and SME performance: The role of exploratory innovation  

作　　者：Christian Sarfo Jing A.Zhang Conor O'Kane Paula O'Kane 

机构地区：[1]Department of Management,University of Lincoln,Brayford Pool,Lincoln LN67TS,United Kingdom [2]Department of Management,Otago Business School,University of Otago,PO Box 56,Dunedin,9054,New Zealand

出　　处：《International Journal of Innovation Studies》2024年第2期172-185,共14页国际创新研究学报（英文）

摘　　要：This study examines how perceived value of microfinance and exploratory innovation affect small and medium-sized enterprises(SME)performance in the context of a developing nation.Drawing on the strategic innovation and microfinance literature,we hypothesize that(1)perceived value of microfinance affects exploratory innovation and SME performance,and(2)exploratory innovation serves as an effective mechanism through which microfinance enhances SME per-formance.We employ partial least squares structural equation modeling(PLS-SEM)to test our hypotheses.Using a sample of 581 Ghanaian SMEs with microfinance,the results of the PLS SEM support our hypotheses.We further conducted a qualitative analysis of comments provided by the SMEs(n=144)to gain a deeper understanding of exploratory innovation in developing econo-mies.Our findings show that SMEs purposefully attempt to strengthen their exploratory inno-vation in microfinance.We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings as well as future research avenues.

关 键 词：Perceived value of microfinance Exploratory innovation SME performance 

分 类 号：F27[经济管理—企业管理]