RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANISATIONAL MEMORY, LEARNING ORIENTATION AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

According to literatures, only very few studies have examined the impact of organisational memory on SME performance, as well as learning orientation as a mediating mechanism on the relationship between organisational memory and SME performance in an environment that is highly complex and turbulent. Therefore, this study examined the mediating role of learning orientation in the relationship between dimension of organisational memory and SME performance in Kaduna state. Data were collected from owner/managers of SMEs in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 202 returned questionnaires were analysed. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse data processed on Smartpls2. Findings reveal that declarative memory does not have any significant impact on SME performance, whereas procedural memory has significant impact on SME performance. Also, learning orientation has significant impact on SME performance and also learning orientation mediates the relationship between declarative memory, procedural memory and SME performance. The study therefore recommends that all firms have to be a competent learner, especially in an environment that is highly complex and turbulent.