Title:
THE ROLE OF INNOVATION IN SME PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA

Authors:
Kamal Imran Mohd Sharif, Zulkifli Mohamed Udin and Arbi Abdul Palak

Abstract:
The study investigates the intricate correlation between innovation and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Malaysian context. A substantial body of literature underscores the pivotal role of innovation in driving growth and bolstering the competitive advantage of SMEs. Our research delves deeper into this relationship, with a primary focus on how innovation practices impact crucial SME performance metrics, including revenue growth, profitability, and market share. The analysis adopts a comprehensive approach, examining the effects of various forms of innovation, namely product innovation, process innovation, and organizational innovation. To execute this investigation, we employ a robust research methodology that encompasses data collection from a diverse sample of SMEs spanning across various industries in Malaysia. We utilize statistical techniques, such as regression analysis, to evaluate the significance of the connection between innovation and SME performance. Furthermore, our research takes into account potential moderating factors that could influence the strength of this relationship, such as firm size, industry sector, and market dynamics.

Keywords:
Innovation, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Performance, Malaysia, Revenue Growth, Profitability, Market Share, Product Innovation, Process Innovation, Organizational Innovation.