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Title The role of managerial competencies in managing resources for sustainable development strategy in SMEs
ID_Doc 77954
Authors Khattak, MS; Wu, Q; Ahmad, M; Ullah, R
Title The role of managerial competencies in managing resources for sustainable development strategy in SMEs
Year 2024
Published Social Responsibility Journal, 20, 7
DOI 10.1108/SRJ-11-2023-0634
Abstract PurposeGrounded in upper echelon (UE) theory, this study aims to examine the role of managerial competencies (business experience, financial literacy and digital literacy) in sustainable development strategy, with resource management as a mediator.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data collection is conducted through a survey completed by 297 top management teams of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Pakistan. Structural equation modelling in Smart PLS is used to substantiate the hypotheses.FindingsThe findings reveal that financially and digitally literate managers significantly contribute to the sustainable development strategies of SMEs. However, experienced managers do not focus significantly on sustainable development strategies. Resource management partially mediates the nexus between financial literacy and sustainable development strategy, as well as between digital literacy and sustainable development strategy. In contrast, resource management does not mediate the nexus between business experience and sustainable development strategy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study recommends that SMEs should prioritize managers with digital and financial literacy over those with experience. SMEs led by a management team with digital and financial literacy are more effective in resource management for sustainable development practices, whereas experienced managers may not significantly prioritize managing resources for sustainability.Originality/valueWhile research based on the UE theory significantly contributes to the body of knowledge on sustainable development, the role of managerial competencies, particularly business experience, financial literacy and digital literacy, in sustainable development strategy via resource management is neglected. This research fills this gap in the context of UE theory and thereby enriches the literature.
Author Keywords Business experience; Financial literacy; Digital literacy; Resource management; Sustainable development strategy
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)
EID WOS:001219457600001
WoS Category Management
Research Area Business & Economics
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