The Role of Innovative Work Behavior as a Mediator of the Effect of Hard Skill Training on the Sustainable Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises

Authors

  • Sri Wartini Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang
  • Nury Ariani Wulansari Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47747/snfmi.v3i1.3131

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of hard skill training on the performance of sustainable SMEs through the role of innovative work behavior. The population of this study was craft SME actors in Semarang Regency, with a saturated sample of 132 SME actors. Statistical data analysis was performed using the SPSS program. The results show that the hypothesis that hard skill training directly affects performance is rejected, but hard skill training affects innovative work behavior, which in turn affects performance. Based on the mediation test, it is proven that innovative work behavior can fully mediate the effect of innovative work behavior on SME performance. In other words, technical training effectively improves SME performance only through the formation of adaptive and creative innovative behavior. These results support SDG 4 (Quality education through technical skills training programs), SDG 9 (Innovation & Industry can encourage innovative behavior among MSME workers), and SDG 12, which is related to sustainable production and consumption. Future research should modify or add soft skills training variables as an effort to improve innovative behavior and sustainable MSME performance.

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Published

2025-11-09