Structural equation modeling of transformational leadership, technological capability, and risk management affecting the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Upper Northern Thailand

Authors

  • Panida Sattayopat Faculty of Management Sciences, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University
  • Atchara Meksuwan Faculty of Management Sciences, Lampang Rajabhat University

Keywords:

transformational leadership, technological capability, risk management, firm performance, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Abstract

This research article aims to 1) examine the goodness-of-fit of a structural equation model explaining the relationships among transformational leadership, technological capability, and risk management affecting the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Upper Northern Thailand, and 2) analyze the direct and indirect effects of these variables on the performance of SMEs. This study employed a quantitative research approach. Data were collected from 400 SME owners or senior executives using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that the proposed model demonstrates an excellent fit with the empirical data, as evidenced by Chi-square = 228.472 (p = .056), Relative Chi-square = 1.166, GFI = .939, CFI = .996, NFI = .975, TLI = .995, and RMSEA = .024. Furthermore, the model exhibits substantial explanatory power for SME performance. Hypothesis testing reveals that transformational leadership has a significant positive effect on both technological capability and risk management. In addition, technological capability and risk management exert significant positive effects on SME performance, with technological capability emerging as the most influential predictor of performance. Furthermore, transformational leadership affects firm performance indirectly through technological capability and risk management. The findings suggest that SME performance is the outcome of a systematic structural mechanism that integrates leadership roles, technological capability, and risk management. This integrated perspective highlights the importance of developing leadership capacity alongside technological and risk management capabilities to enhance organizational performance. The results provide valuable implications for policymakers and practitioners in designing effective strategies for SME development in regional contexts, such as fostering collaboration between SMEs and local governments to create supportive ecosystems that enhance innovation and competitiveness.

References

ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย สำนักงานภาคเหนือ. (2567). แบงค์ชาติภาคเหนือกับการเสริมศักยภาพ SMEs. https://www.bot.or.th/content/dam/bot/documents/th/research-and-publications-pdf/seminars/regional/northern/2567-2023/2567-seminar/nro-enhancing-sme.pdf.

สำนักงานส่งเสริมวิสาหกิจขนาดกลางและขนาดย่อม (สสว.). (2568). PPT สถานการณ์ SME ปี 2568 และแนวโน้มสถานการณ์ ปี 2569. https://www.sme.go.th/knowledge/บทวิเคราะห์สถานการณ์SME.

Akuku, S. O., Nyang’au, A., & Maobe, A. (2023). Effect of leverage on the financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya. International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 3(10), 100–117. https://www.iajournals.org/articles/iajef_v3_i10_100_117.pdf.

Ali, H. M., Ranse, J., Roiko, A., & Desha, C. (2024). Developing a healthcare transformational leadership competency framework for disaster resilience and risk management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 113, 104898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104898.

AlNuaimi, B. K., Singh, S. K., Ren, S., Budhwar, P., & Vorobyev, D. (2022). Mastering digital transformation: The nexus between leadership, agility, and digital strategy. Journal of Business Research, 145, 636–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.038.

Apaloo, S., & Bright, D. (2022). The effect of risk management practices on performance of small and medium scale enterprises. Enterprise Risk Management, 7(1), 1–16. https://ideas.repec.org/a/mth/ermjnl/v7y2022i1p1.html.

Ardi, A., Djati, S. P., Bernarto, I., Sudibjo, N., Yulianeu, A., Nanda, H. A., & Nanda, K. A. (2020). The relationship between digital transformational leadership styles and knowledge-based empowering interaction for increasing organisational innovativeness. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 11(3), 259–277. https://www.ijicc.net/images/vol11iss3/11322_Ardi_2020_E_R.pdf.

Bondinuba, F. K., Bondinuba, C. K., Opoku, A., Owusu-Manu, D., & Mittal, M. (2022). Determinants of small and medium construction firms’ financial performance. In Proceedings of the Second International Conference in Mechanical and Energy Technology (ICMET 2021) (pp. 485–502). Springer Nature Singapore.

Byrne, B. M., Shavelson, R. J., & Muthén, B. (1989). Testing for the equivalence of factor covariance and mean structures: The issue of partial measurement invariance. Psychological Bulletin, 105(3), 456–466. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.105.3.456.

Cuevas-Vargas, H., Lozano-García, J. J., Morales-García, R., & Castaño-Guevara, S. (2023). Transformational leadership and innovation to boost business performance: The case of small Mexican firms Procedia Computer Science. 1139-1146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2023.08.099.

Ganbold, O., Matsui, Y., & Rotaru, K. (2021). Effect of information technology-enabled supply chain integration on firm’s operational performance. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 34(3), 948–989. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEIM-10-2019-0332.

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2006). Multivariate data analysis (6th ed). Pearson Prentice Hall.

Hair, J. F., Jr., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., & Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review, 26(2), 106–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128.

Ivanov, D., & Dolgui, A. (2020). Viability of intertwined supply networks: Extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability—A position paper motivated by COVID-19 outbreak. International Journal of Production Research, 58(10), 2904–2915. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2020.1750727.

Jabbour Al Maalouf, N., El Achi, S., & Balouza, M. (2025). Transformational leadership, innovation, and performance of SMEs in Europe. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2473683.

Jun, K., & Lee, J. (2023). Transformational leadership and followers’ innovative behavior: Roles of commitment to change and organizational support for creativity. Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 320. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040320.

Liu, H., Wu, S., Zhong, C., & Liu, Y. (2020). The sustainable effect of operational performance on financial benefits: Evidence from Chinese quality awards winners. Sustainability, 12(5), 1966. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051966.

Molosiwa, T., & Holland, J. (2025). The impact of financial literacy on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): A review of literature. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 14(3), 320–332. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v14i3.4157.

Omoruyi, O., Antwi, A., Mwanza, A., Mabugu, R., & Dakora, E. A. N. (2025). Logistics information technology and its impact on SME network and distribution performance: A structural equation modelling analysis. Logistics, 9(4), 142. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics9040142.

Yang, J., Zheng, G., Peng, M. Y.-P., Hrdinová, N., & Alasmrai, M. A. (2025). From silence to spark: How transformational leadership empowers employee innovation and voice in SMEs. Acta Psychologica, 261, Article 105761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105761.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Sattayopat, P., & Meksuwan, A. (2026). Structural equation modeling of transformational leadership, technological capability, and risk management affecting the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Upper Northern Thailand. Journal Of Management Science Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University, 6(2), 480–492. retrieved from https://so08.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JMSSNRU/article/view/6319

Issue

Section

Academic Articles