Abstract

This research study focused on the antecedents of path model for competitive advantage and financial performance of SME’s with the key objective to view the level of effect of antecedents together with the mediation role of logistics, operation and marketing performances as the connected link of the entrepreneurship and leadership toward the competitive advantage and financial performance. The study was also extended to include the comparison of competitive advantage and financial performance of various types of organization profile. The analysis was based on 450 responded questionnaires from random sampling of SMEs’ general managers at the northern region of Thailand by applyingthe SEM and comparing the competitive advantage and financial performance through MANOVA technique. The study revealed that the performance of logistics, operation and marketing had direct effect on the competitive advantage and financial performance of SMEs, while leadership and entrepreneurship had indirect effect through these 3 mediators. In addition, the difference among most organization profiles had no effect on the competitive advantage and financial performance with the exception of the employee numbers and the source of funds.

Key words: Entrepreneurship, competitive advantage, financial performance, SMEs.