Title: Risk(ing) sophistication: towards a structural equation model for risk management in small and medium-sized enterprises

Authors: Ilka Heinze; Thomas Henschel

Addresses: School of Management and Organizational Science, Kaposvár University, H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor u. 40., P.O. Box 16, Hungary ' Business School, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Treskowallee 8, 10318 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to highlight critical success factors for establishing sound and effective risk management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, our research tests the effect of personal risk propensity and financial planning sophistication. Based on a survey among 270 SMEs, we apply a structural equation model (SEM). Our results show that personal risk propensity and sophistication of financial planning have a significant effect on the quality of risk management. SME managers with a higher risk propensity show better risk management sophistication in risk management organisation and in the risk management process. Additionally, the formalisation of the financial planning in SMEs is positively associated with risk management sophistication. Furthermore, the study explores the link of risk management sophistication and business performance. In that way, we propose a new theoretical research framework which can be used to study risk management sophistication in a comprehensive manner.

Keywords: risk perception; performance; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; risk management; structural equation modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2021.119730

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2021 Vol.44 No.4, pp.386 - 412

Received: 28 Jan 2019
Accepted: 02 Apr 2019
Published online: 17 Dec 2021 *

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