Purpose

Although the significance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in influencing economic growth is recognized, the performance of SMEs all over the world including Nigeria is unanticipated. Thus, this research aims to investigate the effect of strategic flexibility by moderating the effects of sustainability strategy on the SMEs' performance in Nigeria from a business strategy perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses of the study were tested using personally administered survey questionnaires; the study obtained 486 valid questionnaires, which were evaluated using SmartPLS algorithm and bootstrapping functions.

Findings

The research findings were established using SmartPLS algorithm and bootstrapping functions. According to the results, the research constructs have a satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Equally, the overall model has a very high predictive relevance. The study established a strong positive influence of strategic flexibility on the SMEs’ performance. In addition, the study also established the moderating influence of sustainability strategy on the constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The research is explorative and designed to yield results and to be generalizable. Future research is thus encouraged to confirm or contradict the results of this study in a different context.

Practical implications

The research findings may be beneficial to policymakers and academics. It can particularly be useful in understanding strategic flexibility, its influence on the performance of SMEs and whether it can fit between the sustainability and strategic direction of a business enterprise.

Originality/value

This study fulfils an identified need to study strategic flexibility and its influence on the performance of SMEs using a dynamic perspective specifically in the context of emerging economies such as Nigeria.

中文翻译：

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推动中小型企业绩效的可持续性：战略灵活性的影响

目的

尽管人们认识到中小型企业（SME）在影响经济增长中的重要作用，但包括尼日利亚在内的世界各地的SME的表现却是出乎意料的。因此，本研究旨在通过从业务战略的角度，研究可持续性战略对尼日利亚中小企业绩效的影响，从而研究战略灵活性的影响。

设计/方法/方法

使用个人调查问卷检验了该研究的假设；该研究获得了486份有效问卷，并使用SmartPLS算法和自举函数对其进行了评估。

发现

使用SmartPLS算法和自举函数建立了研究成果。根据结果​​，研究结构具有令人满意的收敛性和判别力。同样，总体模型具有很高的预测相关性。该研究建立了战略灵活性对中小企业绩效的强烈积极影响。此外，研究还建立了可持续性策略对结构的适度影响。

研究局限/意义

该研究是探索性的，旨在产生结果并具有普遍性。因此，鼓励未来的研究在不同的背景下证实或矛盾该研究的结果。

实际影响

研究结果可能对决策者和学术界都是有益的。它在理解战略灵活性，它对中小企业绩效的影响以及它是否可以适应企业的可持续性和战略方向方面特别有用。

创意/价值

这项研究满足了已确定的需要，特别是在尼日利亚等新兴经济体的背景下，使用动态观点来研究战略灵活性及其对中小企业绩效的影响。