The Relationship between Strategic Planning, Strategic Flexibility and Firm Performance in SMES of Saudi Arabia: Mediating Role of Strategic Flexibility

Abstract

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector plays a significant role in any economy, particularly in a competitive global business environment. However, the SMEs sector could achieve its targets only if it embraced proven strategic management practices. Therefore, this study investigates the mediating role of strategic flexibility on the relationship between strategic planning and firm performance within the context of SMEs in Saudi Arabia. The resource-based view and contingency theories support the study's framework and conclusions. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect the primary data from a sample of 400 owners and managers of medium-sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia. Hypotheses were tested using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method. The study tested the correlation and mediation analysis using PLS-SEM. The study found a significant relationship between strategic planning and firm performance. Also, there is a relationship between strategic planning and strategic flexibility. The association between strategic flexibility and firm performance is also significant for medium enterprises in Saudi Arabia. The results also revealed that strategic flexibility mediates the relationship between strategic planning and firm performance. The study’s finding contributes to the planning-performance literature. The study provides helpful recommendations for SMEs that they can use to improve the overall systems of their organizations.