This study aims to quantify and prioritize the financial performance (FP) determinants in Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).,Analytic hierarchy process, a multi-criteria decision-making tool, was used. Experts were allowed to express the opinion regarding the relative importance of each factor and sub-factors by making pairwise comparisons through a structured questionnaire based on a nine-point scale.,Market orientation (0.4529) was perceived as the most important FP determinant followed by the entrepreneurial orientation (0.3382) and corporate social responsibility (0.2089) in SMEs.,This study can be considered as a pilot study because it is confined to Indian SMEs. Future research studies can incorporate the opinion or insights of other stakeholders and may target the SMEs situated in different geographical areas.,The inferences drawn in this study would clarify the conceptual and contextual applicability of competitive strategies in SMEs. Indeed, proposed hierarchy and developed framework would guide the SMEs in strategic planning. Moreover, it would help in repositioning and alignment of core strategies duly with business objectives.,The study represents the foremost step and a unique effort in the area of development of hypothetical model (a hierarchal model) with the framework considered to prioritize the FP determinants in SMEs.

中文翻译：

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优先考虑印度中小企业的财务绩效决定因素

这项研究旨在量化和优先考虑印度中小企业（SME）的财务绩效（FP）决定因素。使用层次分析法（一种多准则决策工具）。通过基于九点量表的结构化问卷进行成对比较，允许专家表达关于每个因素和子因素的相对重要性的意见。市场取向（0.4529）被认为是最重要的FP决定因素，其次是中小企业的企业家导向（0.3382）和企业社会责任（0.2089）。由于该研究仅限于印度中小企业，因此可以视为试点研究。未来的研究可以吸收其他利益相关者的意见或见解，并且可以针对位于不同地理区域的中小企业。这项研究得出的推论将阐明中小企业竞争战略的概念和背景适用性。确实，提议的层次结构和发达的框架将指导中小企业进行战略规划。此外，这将有助于适当地调整核心战略并使其与业务目标保持一致。该研究代表了假设模型（分层模型）开发领域的首要步骤和独特的工作，并考虑了优先考虑FP确定因素的框架在中小企业。