The Impact of Team Learning and Team Cohesion on the Performance of Small and Micro Enterprises: The Mediating Role of Team Performance

Background and Aim: Small and micro enterprises play a vital role in economic and social development, with enterprise performance directly influencing competitiveness and sustainable growth. This study investigates the structural relationships among four key variables: team learning, team cohesion, team performance, and enterprise performance. Materials and Methods: This study used a Likert 5-point scale to collect a sample of 738 candidates, who are categorized as 305 managers and 433 team members in Guangdong. The original questionnaire was in Chinese. Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: The results reveal that 1) Team learning significantly impacts team performance (β=0.39, p<0.001). 2) Team cohesion significantly impacts team performance (β=0.442, p<0.001). 3) Team performance significantly enhances enterprise performance (β=0.579, p<0.001). 4) Team performance fully mediates relationships between team learning/cohesion and enterprise performance. Conclusion: These findings highlight the central mediating role of team performance in SMEs and underscore the indirect value of fostering team learning and cohesion to improve overall organizational outcomes.