Effect of Managerial Skills on the Performance of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Case Study in Pakistan

The study aims to investigate the mediating effect of strategic planning on the relationship between managerial skills and the performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Punjab, Pakistan. Stratified proportionate probability sample method was used to select the 265 SMEs. The study applied a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the proposed research hypotheses by using PLS-SEM. This research examines the direct and indirect effects of strategic planning on the performance of SMEs using the SEM test. The results indicate the positive effect of managerial skills on SMEs’ performance and also suggested that strategic planning mediates the relationship between managerial skills and SMEs’ performance. In addition, the role of managerial skills on the usage of the company’s resources is highly influential through strategic planning. Strategic planning has been found to impact significantly and positively on the relationship between managerial skills and performance of SMEs in Punjab, Pakistan. The findings suggested that, in devising appropriate strategies for SMEs, the effect of managerial skills on the utilization of the firm’s resources can be more effective to the firm’s performance. In short, the utilization of a firm’s resources through a proper planning is more essential for the sustainability of SMEs.