Driving SMEs’ Performance in South Africa: Investigating the Role of Performance Appraisal Practices and Managerial Competencies

Nhamo Mashavira, Sevias Guvuriro and Crispen Chipunza
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Nhamo Mashavira: Julius Nyerere School of Social Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo 1235, Zimbabwe
Sevias Guvuriro: Department of Economics and Finance, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Crispen Chipunza: Department of Business Management, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

JRFM, 2022, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Managerial competencies and performance appraisal practices are often ignored when considering the performance of Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Yet, these competencies and practices are fundamental for the survival of the SMEs. SMEs are critical for economic growth and job creation in many economies. The current study sought to establish whether managerial competencies and performance appraisal practices correlate with SMEs’ performance in South Africa. Firm performance was measured using two variables: innovation and return on investment (ROI). The study adopted a structural equation modelling analytical approach. Interpersonal competencies were found to be a significant factor of managerial competencies, but conceptual and political competencies were not. The study also found that managerial competencies, and not performance appraisal practices, significantly correlated with both innovation and ROI. The study recommends that performance appraisal practices be tailored to suit SMEs in the developing countries context.

Keywords: SMEs; managerial competencies; performance appraisal; business performance; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C E F2 F3 G (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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