Kanyangale, MacDonald.Kule, Julius Warren.2025-12-032025-12-0320242024https://hdl.handle.net/10413/24196Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Disruptions in the micro and business environments have highlighted the need to develop resilient capabilities to optimise the performance of SMEs. However, existing research findings on resilience remain inconclusive. This quantitative study investigated the strategic impact of resilience on the performance optimisation of SMEs in Eswatini. A gate keeper’s letter was obtained granting permission to collect data. Using a cross-sectional design, census sampling and self-administered questionnaires, data was collected from 206 owners/managers of SMEs in the Manzini region of Eswatini. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test reliability while confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the findings. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Before the analysis, the study conducted fit indices to determine the appropriateness of the data with the selected analysis method. All fit indices showed positive results, thus allowing the analysis to proceed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Data on gender, age, highest level of education, role in the SME, number of years in role, age of the business, and whether the company is involved in planning were descriptively analysed. Five hypotheses were tested for significance in inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis and (SEM) via lavan package syntax from R-studio in JASP 0.18.2. Results of the study revealed a significant relationship between resilience and performance optimisation of SMEs in the Manzini region, Eswatini. The tested, integrated model showed that strategic foresight and absorptive capacity have a direct and significant relationship with performance optimisation of SMEs, while strategic orientation was determined to predict the resilience of owners/managers of SMEs. However, defender and reactor orientations were dropped for linear regression analysis because of poor factor loading. The study developed an integrated resilience model with a multi-dimensional perspective to optimise the performance of SMEs, incorporating strategic orientation, strategic foresight and absorptive capacity.The study contributes knowledge on SME resilience and performance by developing an integrative model of SME resilience. The model is useful to future researchers, policy makers, owner-managers and is recommended for adoption in Eswatini and similar contexts because of its holistic nature in understanding and creating resilience in SMEs. Future areas for research are highlighted.enCC0 1.0 Universalhttp://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/Absorptive capacity.performance.resilience.strategic foresight,strategic orientation.Thesis