Interface between strategic orientations, organizational learning and growth small, medium-sized enterprises (SMES) in Syria

ABSTRACT: Despite the high number of studies that investigate effects of the market and entrepreneurial orientation on business performance, still, there is a lack of investigating effects of the technology orientations, organizational learning and market conditions on the growth of Small, Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study is built on a research that investigates the interface between entrepreneurial orientation and SME growth in the Syrian market. It discusses the effect of strategic orientation (market, entrepreneurial and technology) on organizational learning and growth of the SMEs in Syria. Also, it discusses whether the influences of the three strategic orientations on the SME growth would be varying due to the change of market conditions. Data of this study is collected from SMEs operating in hospitality industry in the Syrian market by distributing a questionnaire in hand; the questionnaire has many questions varying 1 to 7, where 1 corresponds to strongly disagree and 7 to strongly agree, respectively. The research model of this study is tested via Structural Equation Modeling. This study provides recommendations to the SME owners on how to gain a competitive edge and sustain it through enhancing their learning capacity and strategic orientations under different market conditions. The study also offers insights for those who formulate, deliver and evaluate small, medium business policy by identifying the support needs of entrepreneurs in those areas which have not yet been adequately covered by existing national measures such as training for the development of certain skills and education of the entrepreneurs. Keywords: Small, Medium-Sized Enterprises, Strategic Orientation, Organizational Performance, Structural Equation Modeling, Syrian Markets. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………