LEARNING ORIENTATIONS AND SME PERFORMANCE: MODERATING ROLE OF TECHNOLOGICAL ORIENTATION

Abstract

Extant empirical research has acknowledged the importance of learning orientation in improving
SME performance. There is also a paucity of research on how technological orientation interacts
with learning orientation to improve SME performance. To address this knowledge gap, the
present study investigates the moderating role of technological orientation on the relationship
between learning orientation and SME performance in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State-Nigeria.
The study employed cross sectional survey design. Primary data collected from sample of 272 out
of a population of 457 SME owners-managers operating within Kaduna Metropolis using simple
random sampling technique. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study
reveals that technological orientation moderates the effect of learning orientation and SME
performance. It recommends that SME owner-managers should encourage combining learning
orientation and technological orientation strategy in their businesses as it can help them identify
more opportunities and take advantage of the customers before their rivals which in turn lead to
higher performance.