Investigating The Moderating Role of Underlying Factors of Lack of Growth and Development in The Impact of Interactional/Identity Conditions and Generation Gap on The Consequences of Business Collapse with Emphasis on The Contexts of Lack of Economic Development
Keywords:
lack of growth and development, interactive/identity conditions, generational gap conditions,, bases of economic lack of developmentAbstract
The objective of this study is to examine the moderating role of underlying factors of lack of growth and development in the relationship between interactional/identity conditions, generational gap, and the consequences of business collapse in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).This applied and descriptive–survey research was conducted based on a deductive approach within the positivist paradigm. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire administered to 144 managers and experts of SMEs in Arak with more than 42 months of activity. Content validity was assessed using the Lawshe index and reliability with Cronbach’s alpha. Structural equation modeling was performed using Smart PLS software to analyze the hypotheses. The results demonstrated that interactional/identity conditions and generational gap significantly influenced cultural capital weakness and lack of competitiveness. Furthermore, these two deficiencies had positive effects on strategies of lack of growth and development, which in turn increased the persistence of underdevelopment and the likelihood of business collapse. Out of 15 tested hypotheses, 12 were supported, while the moderating role of contextual factors was not significant in some pathways. The findings highlight that contextual factors of lack of growth and development amplify the impact of interactional/identity conditions and generational gap on business collapse outcomes. Thus, strengthening cultural capital, fostering competitiveness, and reducing generational conflicts in SMEs are essential to mitigate the adverse consequences of underdevelopment and prevent business collapse.
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