The Impact of Team Learning and Team Cohesion on the Performance of Small and Micro Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Team Performance
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Abstract
Background and Aim: Small and micro enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation, and social development. Enhancing enterprise performance is essential for maintaining competitiveness and achieving sustainable organizational development. This study aims to investigate the structural relationships among four key organizational variables: team learning, team cohesion, team performance, and enterprise performance, with particular emphasis on the mediating role of team performance within SMEs.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a quantitative research design using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Data were collected from 738 respondents in Guangdong Province, China, consisting of 305 managers and 433 team members from small and micro enterprises. The original questionnaire was developed in Chinese and distributed through an online survey platform. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the relationships among the study variables and test the proposed mediation effects.
Results: The findings indicate that team learning has a significant positive effect on team performance (β = 0.390, p < 0.001), while team cohesion also significantly enhances team performance (β = 0.442, p < 0.001). Furthermore, team performance exerts a strong positive influence on enterprise performance (β = 0.579, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that team performance fully mediates the relationships between team learning and enterprise performance as well as between team cohesion and enterprise performance. These results demonstrate that team learning and team cohesion improve enterprise outcomes primarily through their impact on team-level performance.
Conclusion: This study highlights the critical mediating role of team performance in enhancing enterprise performance within small and micro enterprises. The findings suggest that organizations can improve overall performance by fostering collaborative learning environments and strengthening team cohesion. The study provides valuable theoretical and practical implications for SME managers seeking to enhance organizational effectiveness, teamwork quality, and long-term competitiveness through team-based management strategies.
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