Browsing by Author "Samuel, Ananya"

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    The Moderating Role of Firm Age in the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation and SME Performance
    (A.A.U, 2021-06) Samuel, Ananya; Alemu, Lakew (PhD)
    The aim of the study was to analyze the Moderating Role of Firm Age in the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation and SME Performance. To undertake this research Descriptive and Explanatory research design was implemented. The total population was divided into strata and a simple random sampling was employed. A total of 209 standard questionnaires were distributed, collected and analyzed from the SME Owners/Managers (i.e. 92 % of response rate). Descriptive statistics, Correlation and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were used to analyze both the study variables and the moderating variable using the data by applying SPSS version 26. In addition, Hayes process model version 3.5 was used for computing and describing the moderation analysis. Evidence from the study showed that all the study variables (Innovativeness, risk-taking and proactive-ness) significantly influenced the level of SME Performance. Firm age is found to have a moderating role in the relationship between the three Entrepreneurial Orientation dimensions (Innovativeness, risk-taking and proactive-ness) and SME Performance. The study shows that younger firms are more Entrepreneurial than older firms. Based on the findings, it is recommended that older firms should practice Entrepreneurship in their businesses. However further research is necessary to consider the impact of other factors and the moderating effect of other factors in predicting SME performance. Findings in the form of tables are recorded and relevant recommendations have been provided. The study recommends the introduction of strategies by SME owners/managers that will help in improving their businesses, increase the degree of entrepreneurial orientation, to have a deep organizational dedication in investing in innovative ideas and promoting them.