Existing studies have predominantly explored the influence of supply chain resilience on the performance of firms in the context of developed economies. This study highlights the need for SMEs to be prepared to tackle uncertainties in business operations. Background: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in every economy, and limited studies have highlighted the significance of resilience in the firms. Therefore, this study aims to determine the impact of supply chain resilience on SMEs’ performance in Saudi Arabia based on three dimensions of resilience, namely agility, robustness, and flexibility. It aims to investigate how they relate to the dimensions of SMEs’ performance, namely production performance and market/sales performance. This study also investigates the overall impact of supply chain resilience as a construct on SMEs’ performance. Methods: This study employed a quantitative research design to answer the research questions. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The study was based on 255 samples of managers in SMEs from Saudi Arabia. The hypothesized model has been tested using the SPSS/Amos 26. Results: Based on the findings, it has been found that supply chain agility and flexibility had a significant positive relationship with SMEs’ production and marketing/sales performances. Supply chain robustness demonstrated a significant positive relationship with SMEs’ production performance but not their marketing/sales performances. Overall, there was a significant positive relationship between supply chain resilience and SMEs’ performance. Conclusions: This study contributes to the body of literature on supply chain resilience by expounding knowledge on aspects such as agility, flexibility, and robustness. The study enhances our understanding of the role of supply chain resilience on SMEs’ performance in an emerging economy context.

PurposeThe study seeks to examine the effectiveness of implementing the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance in Saudi Arabia. It explores ISO 9001 usefulness through the dimensions of continuous improvement, customer satisfaction focus and prevention of nonconformities. The study investigates two dimensions of firm performance's: operational performance and product/service quality.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a quantitative method. A simple random sampling technique is used to collect study samples. A self-administered questionnaire is employed as the data collection tool. The study was based on 263 samples from SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS/AMOS.FindingsPrevention of nonconformities, customer satisfaction focus and continues improvement had a positive significant correlation with operational performance and product/service quality. Moreover, the ISO 9001 QMS effectiveness construct showed a helpful and important correlation with the performance of the company.Originality/valueThe study offers empirical evidence to clarify ambiguous findings from past studies, as well as expounds knowledge on the effect of ISO 9001 on SMEs' performance through the lenses of operational performance and quality/service quality.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance (FP) through the mediating role of absorptive capacity (AC) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as an emerging economy. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a quantitative research design. Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire. The study was based on 366 samples from Saudi Arabian workers at SMEs. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS/AMOS 26. Findings The paper provides empirical insights. It suggests the positively mediating role of AC in the relationship between EO and FP. The authors found a full positive mediating role of AC in the relationship between EO and FP in SMEs in the KSA. Research limitations/implications The study empirically confirms the role of EO through AC in enhancing a firm’s performance. Additionally, the research findings support SME owners and managers in increasing their firms’ performance by implementing AC dimensions (assimilation and acquisition) with existing entrepreneurial characteristics to boost and increase business and performance. Regardless of the implications, this paper has some limitations. For instance, this study was conducted only on SMEs in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, future researchers are encouraged to extend the study to other organization sizes or to extend the study to other industries. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the importance of AC’s mediating role in EO’s impact on FP, extending the previous studies in the area. Moreover, this research investigates the study themes in a relatively new context, specifically SMEs in the KSA.

This paper aims to explore the relationship that exists between the amount of hour's employees in Northern Ireland, work per week, and their social wellbeing represented by the level of happiness and Health status. This study made use of secondary data adapted from the 2009 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (NILT). Also, the study provides an analytic account of factors that determine the number of hours spent at work. The paper indicates that in Northern Ireland, there is no significant correlation between the amount of hours employee spent at work and their social wellbeing. Also, the study found that other factors such as: care for someone at home, sex, employed or self-employed, employment status, thinking about work, and socioeconomic group significantly predicts the amount of time an employee in Northern Ireland spends at work. The study concluded that the relationship between work hour and employee social wellbeing varies across countries and cultures.

Purpose: This project aims to assess and enhance the customer’s journey at a laundry company in Saudi Arabia from when the customer arrives at the parking lot of the laundry store until receiving the services and payment. Design, methodology, approach: A mixed-method approach was employed, in which qualitative data were gathered from focus group interviews and solo interviews, and quantitative data were gathered through the survey. Moreover, Quality Management Tools were used to build the action plan and offer conclusions and recommendations that would enhance the customer’s journey and improve satisfaction. Findings: Services quality issues are categorized into five categories: promotions, human resources; services; detergent products, and facilities. House of Quality represents the highest 15 prioritized solutions. These recommended solutions' relative weights range between 9% to 4%. The use of these tools highlights areas for improvement and the root causes of each issue. The seven quality tools are trustworthy tools to conquer challenges faced by the company and may be effective in improving service quality to positively strengthen organizational performance, customer satisfaction, and success. Originality, value: There are limited studies practically employing the seven Quality Management Tools to enhance customer satisfaction and improve their journey. The Saudi laundry market specifically has a dearth of this type of study. Furthermore, this market has seen rapid growth since it is known as a part of the SME sector in recent few years.