SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW (SLR): THE IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBILITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE FOR SMES TO SURVIVE IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET
Main Article Content
Auliya Az Zahra
Yani Dwi Restanti
A. Faiz Fadl.Lulloh
Operational flexibility is a critical factor enabling SMEs to adapt to market changes. This study aims to analyze how operational flexibility supports SMEs in navigating market dynamics while enhancing business efficiency, as well as to examine how the synergy between an adaptive organizational culture and operational flexibility can create a competitive advantage for SMEs. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 18 sources selected based on quality and relevance criteria. The results show that operational flexibility enables SMEs to respond quickly to market changes through resource optimization and strategic decision-making, while improving efficiency through the application of innovative technologies and the adjustment of business strategies to market needs. Furthermore, the synergy between operational flexibility and an adaptive organizational culture characterized by the values of collaboration, innovation, and learning forms dynamic capabilities that strengthen SMEs’ competitiveness. This study contributes by broadening our understanding of the strategic role of operational flexibility and an adaptive organizational culture in enhancing SME performance, and recommends integrating both as a comprehensive approach to strengthening competitive advantage amid increasingly complex market competition.
Adomako, S., Amankwah-Amoah, J., Donbesuur, F., Ahsan, M., Danso, A., & Uddin, M. (2022). Strategic agility of SMEs in emerging economies: Antecedents, consequences and boundary conditions. International Business Review, 31(6), 102032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102032
Al Azzani, H. A., Mat Jusoh, N., & Abbas, A. (2024). Market and Supply Chain Orientation; Dynamic Capabilities Leading to Innovation and Operational Capabilities. SAGE Open, 14(2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241248895
Arsawan, I. W. E., Hariyanti, N. K. D., Atmaja, I. M. A. D. S., Suhartanto, D., & Koval, V. (2022). Developing Organizational Agility in SMEs: An Investigation of Innovation’s Roles and Strategic Flexibility. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8030149
Azeem, M., Ahmed, M., Haider, S., & Sajjad, M. (2021). Expanding competitive advantage through organizational culture, knowledge sharing and organizational innovation. Technology in Society, 66(January), 101635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101635
Boccardelli, P., & Magnusson, M. G. (2006). Dynamic Capabilities in Early-Phase Entrepreneurship. 13(3), 162–174. https://doi.org/10.1002/kpm
BUKU 2 The benefits of publishing systematic quantitative literature reviews for PhD candidates and other early-career researchers.pdf. (n.d.).
Cardoni, A., Zanin, F., Corazza, G., & Paradisi, A. (2020). Knowledge management and performance measurement systems for SMEs’ economic sustainability. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072594
Chan, C. M. L., Teoh, S. Y., Yeow, A., & Pan, G. (2019). Agility in responding to disruptive digital innovation: Case study of an SME. Information Systems Journal, 29(2), 436–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12215
Gaganis, C., Pasiouras, F., & Voulgari, F. (2019). Culture, business environment and SMEs’ profitability: Evidence from European Countries. Economic Modelling, 78(October 2018), 275–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2018.09.023
Haddaway, N. R., Page, M. J., Pritchard, C. C., & McGuinness, L. A. (2022). PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(2), e1230. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230
Liu, H. M. (2021). Effect of partnership quality on SMEs success: Mediating role of coordination capability and organisational agility. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 32(15–16), 1786–1802. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2020.1773782
Ma, T., Liu, Y., & Jia, R. (2023). Multiple Driving Paths of High-Tech SME Resilience from a “Resource–Capability–Environment” Perspective: An fsQCA Approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108215
Malewska, K., Cyfert, S., Chwiłkowska-Kubala, A., Mierzejewska, K., & Szumowski, W. (2024). The missing link between digital transformation and business model innovation in energy SMEs: The role of digital organisational culture. Energy Policy, 192(June). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114254
Marek, S., Tervo-Clemmens, B., Calabro, F. J., Montez, D. F., Kay, B. P., & Hatoum, A. S. (2009). Prisma Group Reprint—preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Phys. Ther, 89, 873–880.
Onngam, W., & Charoensukmongkol, P. (2023). Effect of social media agility on performance of small and medium enterprises: moderating roles of firm size and environmental dynamism. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 16(6), 1611–1633. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-11-2022-0331
Pahlevan-Sharif, S., Mura, P., & Wijesinghe, S. N. R. (2019). A systematic review of systematic reviews in tourism. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 39, 158–165.
Samuel Omokhafe Yusuf, Remilekun Lilian Durodola, Godbless Ocran, Justina Eweala Abubakar, Amarachi Zita Echere, & Adedamola Hadassah Paul-Adeleye. (2024). Challenges and opportunities in AI and digital transformation for SMEs: A cross-continental perspective. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 23(3), 668–678. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.23.3.2511
Sánchez-Báez, E. A., Fernández-Serrano, J., & Romero, I. (2020). Organizational culture and innovation in small businesses in Paraguay. Regional Science Policy and Practice, 12(2), 233–247. https://doi.org/10.1111/rsp3.12203
Shaik, A. S., Jain, M., Mendiratta, A., Alarifi, G., & Arrigo, E. (2024). Role of strategic knowledge management practices in enhancing strategic perspectives of an organisation to improve entrepreneurial performance. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28(6), 1648–1675. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-04-2023-0300
Xia, Q., Xie, Y., Hu, S., & Song, J. (2024). Exploring how entrepreneurial orientation improve firm resilience in digital era: findings from sequential mediation and FsQCA. European Journal of Innovation Management, 27(1), 96–122. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-12-2021-0593
Yang, E. C. L., Khoo-Lattimore, C., & Arcodia, C. (2017a). A systematic literature review of risk and gender research in tourism. Tourism Management, 58, 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.10.011
Yang, E. C. L., Khoo-Lattimore, C., & Arcodia, C. (2017b). A systematic literature review of risk and gender research in tourism. Tourism Management, 58, 89–100.
Yang, Y., Shi, S., & Wu, J. (2022). Digital Financial Inclusion to Corporation Value: The Mediating Effect of Ambidextrous Innovation. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(24), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416621
Auliya Az Zahra, Universitias Brawijaya
Faculty of Vocational Business Administration
Yani Dwi Restanti, Universitas Pawyatan Daha
Faculty of Administrative Sciences
A. Faiz Fadl.Lulloh, Universitas Pawyatan Daha
Faculty of Administrative Sciences









