Linking Management Capabilities to Sustainable Business Performance of Women-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in Emerging Market: A Moderation and Mediation Analysis

The primary objective of this paper is to explore how management capabilities influence the sustainable business performance of women-owned SMEs in Bangladesh, encompassing the moderating role of technological capabilities and the mediating effect of conceptual competency. This research is necessary to address a gap in understanding how managerial capabilities can drive long-term growth for women-owned SMEs in emerging countries, thereby enhancing the broader discourse on women’s entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. Data were collected from 216 women entrepreneurs across various SMEs in Bangladesh, and Smart PLS version 4 was employed for analysis. The measurement model was evaluated using factor loadings, Cronbach’s Alpha, Composite Reliability (CR), Average Variance Extracted (AVE), the Heterotrait–Monotrait (HTMT) ratio, and the Fornell–Larcker test. Structural model analysis was conducted, examining R2, Q2, f2, beta coefficients, p-values, and t-statistics derived through bootstrapping. The results indicate that management capabilities play a pivotal role in enhancing conceptual competencies, which, in turn, significantly contribute to sustainable business performance. However, technological capabilities were not found to moderate the relationship between conceptual competency and sustainable business performance. Additionally, conceptual competency fully mediates the relationship between management capabilities and sustainable business performance. The findings underscore the importance of fostering skills and competencies among women entrepreneurs in emerging economy to drive long-term business success. The study’s limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.