Systemic managerial innovation and managerial performance in SMEs: Evidence of a global direct effect in an emerging context[Innovation managériale systémique et performance managériale des PME: Mise en évidence d'un effet direct global dans un contexte émergent]

In highly competitive environments characterized by instability and rapid change, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are required to rethink their management practices in order to sustain performance. Although managerial innovation is widely recognized as a key driver of competitiveness, its systemic nature remains underexplored empirically, particularly in emerging contexts. This study examines the direct effect of managerial innovation, conceptualized as a global second-order construct, on the managerial performance of Moroccan SMEs. Based on survey data collected from 103 SMEs in the Souss-Massa region and analyzed using the PLS-SEM approach, the findings reveal a significant positive effect of overall managerial innovation on managerial performance. The lack of significant isolated effects of its dimensions (practices, processes, and structures) empirically confirms its holistic nature. These results suggest that managerial innovation operates as an integrated system rather than a set of independent practices. The study thus contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding of managerial innovation and provides practical implications for SME managers. Keywords: managerial innovation, managerial performance, SMEs, second-order construct, systemic approach