Purpose

As sustainable performance has a central role in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance literature, this study aims to examine the influence of networking capabilities in enhancing sustainable performance through knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation. It also examines the sequential mediating role of knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation on networking capabilities and SMEs’ sustainable performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 308 knowledge workers in the information technology sector and analyzed using the Hayes Process Macro bootstrapping method to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate that knowledge workers’ productivity and digital innovation individually and sequentially mediate the relationship between networking capabilities and SME’s sustainable (economic and environmental) performance, surprisingly, they do not act as a mediator between networking capability and SME’s social performance. SMEs should prioritize investments in the professional development of their knowledge workers through training and skill enhancement programs. This investment equips knowledge workers with the tools to effectively use the knowledge and resources acquired through networking. Thus, knowledge workers may improve performance by using these resources to tackle challenges.

Research limitations/implications

Although this research focused on this specific context, it is prudent to acknowledge that additional factors may also exert influence on sustainable performance within SMEs, factors that managers may consider when making decisions. Methodologically, the cross-sectional design of this research poses a potential limitation, as it does not allow for the complete elimination of endogeneity concerns. However, it is worth noting that scholars have endorsed the use of cross-sectional data in cases where management researchers aim to expand beyond well-documented and longitudinal data sets.

Practical implications

This research offers practical recommendations for SMEs to improve their sustainable performance through networking. SMEs should seek partnerships with complementary knowledge to improve operations and for other performance-oriented benefits.

Originality/value

This study adds significantly to the literature on sustainable SME performance by studying the interdependent effects of networking capabilities. It also represents the individual and sequential mediation mechanism that links networking capabilities to SME success through knowledge worker productivity and digital innovation.

中文翻译：

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将网络能力、知识工作者生产力和数字创新相互联系：中小企业可持续绩效的关键纽带

 目的

由于可持续绩效在中小型企业 (SME) 绩效文献中发挥着核心作用，因此本研究旨在探讨网络能力对通过知识工作者的生产力和数字创新提高可持续绩效的影响。它还研究了知识工作者的生产力和数字创新对网络能力和中小企业可持续绩效关系的连续中介作用。

设计/方法论/途径

从信息技术领域的 308 名知识工作者收集数据，并使用 Hayes Process Macro bootstrapping 方法进行分析，以检验所提出的假设。

 发现

结果表明，知识工作者的生产力和数字创新单独且顺序地调节了网络能力和中小企业可持续（经济和环境）绩效之间的关系，令人惊讶的是，它们并没有充当网络能力和中小企业社会绩效之间的中介。中小企业应通过培训和技能提升计划优先投资知识员工的专业发展。这项投资为知识工作者提供了有效利用通过网络获得的知识和资源的工具。因此，知识工作者可以通过使用这些资源来应对挑战来提高绩效。

研究局限性/影响

尽管这项研究侧重于这一特定背景，但我们应该谨慎地承认，其他因素也可能对中小企业的可持续绩效产生影响，这些因素是管理者在做出决策时可能考虑的因素。从方法论上来说，这项研究的横截面设计存在潜在的局限性，因为它无法完全消除内生性问题。然而，值得注意的是，在管理研究人员旨在扩展到有据可查的纵向数据集之外的情况下，学者们已经认可使用横截面数据。

 实际影响

这项研究为中小企业通过网络提高可持续绩效提供了实用建议。中小企业应寻求具有互补知识的合作伙伴关系，以改善运营并获得其他以绩效为导向的利益。

 原创性/价值

这项研究通过研究网络能力的相互依存效应，极大地丰富了有关可持续中小企业绩效的文献。它还代表了个体和顺序的中介机制，通过知识工作者的生产力和数字创新将网络能力与中小企业的成功联系起来。