Strategic Agility and SME Performance for Sustainable Development: The Mediating Role of Technological Innovation

Firms globally encounter challenges in maintaining superior business performance over the long term. Most business managers in today's modern age find it difficult to constantly achieve targeted performance due to poor strategic insight and agility in managing uncertainty. This study examines how strategic agility, technological innovation, and the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Kwara State are interconnected. Employing a quantitative research approach, the study systematically collected numerical data to analyze the relationships between strategic agility, technological innovation, and SME performance. The results confirm that strategic response and collective capabilities lead to better SME performance, as reflected in high-quality product, service, and market-oriented strategies. Importantly, technological innovation acts as a critical mediator in the relationship between strategic agility and SME performance, reinforcing their interdependence. Based on these insights, the study recommends that SMEs integrate innovative technological processes, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen collective capabilities to convert agile strategies into sustainable superior performance in dynamic business environments. The study further recommends prioritizing strategic response and collective capability through innovation-driven strategies to advance sustainable economic growth in developing economies such as Nigeria, thereby supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.