Quantitative Modeling of Financial Resources in Knowledge-Based Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Keywords:
Knowledge-based small and medium-sized enterprises , financing, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equations, sustainable developmentAbstract
Knowledge-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in economic development, job creation, and innovation, yet they often face financial constraints and limited access to optimal resources. The present study was conducted with the aim of designing and validating a quantitative financing model for these enterprises. This research employed a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 senior managers and financial experts of knowledge-based ICT companies, and analyzed based on grounded theory to extract key indicators and components. In the quantitative phase, 384 managers of knowledge-based companies with more than five years of work experience were studied as the statistical population, and data were gathered using a questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the constructs were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the relationships among variables were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings indicated that the set of indicators demonstrated high validity and reliability, and that their structural relationships could be modeled predictably. Results also revealed that the selection of appropriate financing methods, access to financial resources, innovation capacity, and technical infrastructure all play key roles in the success and sustainable development of knowledge-based SMEs. This model can assist managers and policymakers in designing optimal financing strategies and enhancing innovation, growth, and competitiveness of knowledge-based SMEs.
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