Entrepreneurial orientation, total quality management, and performance: The moderating role of government support among SMEs in Pakistan

This study aims to investigate the relationships between Total Quality Management (TQM), Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), and Performance (P) with the moderating role of Government Support (GS). GS is found to be an important moderating factor in performance. The inconsistencies and gaps in previous research on the linkages between TQM, EO, and performance are primary inspirations for this investigation. First, there were mixed findings between TQM and performance and then between EO and performance relationships. Second, the two strategies, TQM and EO, are not investigated within the context of Pakistan’s surgical instrument manufacturing sector in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Third, in the relevant literature, many theories have emphasised establishing the fit between government support and intended strategies as the critical success factor. Therefore, this study integrated government support as an essential moderating variable for strategy implementation. A quantitative approach is used to collect data from surgical instrument manufacturing SMEs operating in the Punjab Province, Pakistan, using a questionnaire survey. Random sampling is used for sample selection. A total of 400 questionnaires were sent out to SMEs' and managers. However, 312 out of 400 surveys are returned, giving us a response rate of 78 per cent. Out of the 312, 234 questionnaires are useable for the analysis. The high response rate is achieved due to the survey instrument being personally distributed, called, and emailed by the researcher to the targeted SMEs. The findings revealed that TQM and EO are significant predictors of performance. The results show that government support moderates the relationship between TQM, EO, and performance. The findings also provided significant insights for managers and researchers to further investigate the effects of implemented strategies on performance. Finally, it is recommended that the mixed methods in future research confirm the findings and better understand the problem. Various stakeholders and other areas of Pakistan’s Small and Medium Enterprises should also be studied for a clear understanding and direction.