The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of innovative organizational culture on innovativeness through human resource management and the innovative skills of personnel. The population of this study comprised small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand from both the manufacturing and service sectors. Purposive sampling was employed to gather information from entrepreneurs, executives, or department managers of SMEs through an online questionnaire distributed via email, obtaining a total of 440 responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation models (SEM) for hypothesis testing. The results indicated that SMEs in this context had a moderate level of innovative organizational culture, human resource management, innovative skills, and innovativeness. Moreover, the structural equation model was consistent with the empirical data, revealing that innovative organizational culture has a direct influence on innovativeness. Furthermore, human resource management and the innovative skills of personnel were found to be partial mediators in the relationship between innovative organizational culture and innovativeness. The indirect effect through these two variables was greater than the direct effect. These findings confirmed the relationship between innovative organizational culture, human resource management, innovative skills, and innovativeness among SMEs in Thailand, leading to guidelines for businesses to improve their innovativeness.

Adelekan, S. A. (2016). The impact of organizational culture on innovation capability of SMEs. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 4(9), 158-181.

Al-Khatib, A. W., Al-Fawaeer, M. A., Alajlouni, M. I., et al. (2021). Conservative culture, innovative culture, and innovative performance: a multi-group analysis of the moderating role of the job type. International Journal of Innovation Science, 14(3/4), 675–692. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijis-10-2020-0224

Alsabbah, M. Y. A., & Ibrahim, H. (2014). HRM practices and employee competence: A general system perspective. International Journal of Business, Economics and Law, 4(1), 11-17.

Amin, M., Ismail, W. K. W., Rasid, S. Z. A., et al. (2014). The impact of human resource management practices on performance evidence from a public university. The TQM Journal, 26(2), 125-142.

Aminuddin, M. (2018). Human resource management: Principles and practices, 4th ed. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford University Press.

Apsalone, M. (2018). Effects of Organizational Culture on Organizational Innovation in Small Businesses. International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance, 9(1), 41–45. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijtef.2018.9.1.586

Arenhardt, D. L., Simonetto, E. de O., & Rodrigues, G. O. (2018). Importance of Innovation for European SMEs: Perception of Experts. Dimensión Empresarial, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.15665/dem.v16i2.1450

Armstrong, J. S., & Terry, S. O. (1977). Estimating Nonresponse Bias in Mail Surveys. Journal of Marketing Research, 14(3), 396-402. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224377701400320

Armstrong, M. (2006). A handbook of human resource management practice, 10th ed. Kogan Page Publishing.

Asif, M., & Sajjad, W. (2018). Organizational Culture and Performance: An Empirical Study of SMEs in Pakistan. Journal of Management and Research, 5(2), 64-89.

Berber, N., & Lekovic, B. (2018). The impact of HR development on innovative performances in central and eastern European countries. Employee Relations, 40(5), 762–786. https://doi.org/10.1108/er-08-2017-0188

Birdi, K., Leach, D., & Magadley, W. (2014). The Relationship of Individual Capabilities and Environmental Support with Different Facets of Designers’ Innovative Behavior. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 33(1), 19–35. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12250

Botelho, C. (2020). The influence of organizational culture and HRM on building innovative capability. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 69(7), 1373–1393. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm-05-2019-0228

Cameron, K. S, & Quinn, R. E (2011). Diagnosing and changing organizational culture: Based on the competing values framework. John Wiley & Sons.

Cao, T. T., Le, P. B., & Nguyen, N. T. M. (2021). Impacts of high-involvement HRM practices on organizational innovation capability: the mediating mechanism of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing. International Journal of Innovation Science, 14(5), 733–749. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijis-05-2021-0091

Capelleras, J.-L., Domi, S., & Belletti, G. (2021). Skill-enhancing human resource practices and firm performance: the mediating role of innovativeness. Tourism Review, 76(6), 1279–1296. https://doi.org/10.1108/tr-10-2019-0429

Chan, L. L. M., Shaffer, M. A., & Snape, E. (2004). In search of sustained competitive advantage: the impact of organizational culture, competitive strategy and human resource management practices on firm performance. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 15(1), 17-35.

Chen, S. (2017). Research on the Characteristics of Innovation in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Comparative Analysis of Large Enterprises. Advances in Computer Science Research. 82, 264-268.

Chioma, N. J. (2021). The impact of organisational culture on human resource management practices. A case study of Dangote group (Delta state branch, Nigeria) [Master’s Thesis]. National College of Ireland.

Ciarli, T., Kenney, M., Massini, S., et al. (2021). Digital technologies, innovation, and skills: Emerging trajectories and challenges. Research Policy, 50(7), 104289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2021.104289

Cimatti, B. (2016). Definition, development, assessment of soft skills and their role for the quality of organizations and enterprises. International Journal for Quality Research, 10(1), 97-130.

Cooper‐Thomas, H. D., & Anderson, N. (2006). Organizational socialization. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 21(5), 492–516. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940610673997

De Clercq, D., Dimov, D., & Belausteguigoitia, I. (2016). Perceptions of Adverse Work Conditions and Innovative Behavior: The Buffering Roles of Relational Resources. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 40(3), 515–542. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12121

Dobni, C. B. (2008). Measuring innovation culture in organizations the development of a generalized innovation culture construct using exploratory factor analysis. European Journal of Innovation Management, 11(4), 539-559.

Dobni, C. B., Wilson, G. A., & Klassen, M. (2022). Business practices of highly innovative Japanese firms. Asia Pacific Management Review, 27(3), 155–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2021.06.005

Donate, M. J., Peña, I., & de Pablo, J. D. S. (2015). HRM practices for human and social capital development: effects on innovation capabilities. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(9), 928-953

Dostie, B. (2017). The Impact of Training on Innovation. ILR Review, 71(1), 64–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019793917701116

du Plessis, M. (2007). The role of knowledge management in innovation. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(4), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270710762684

Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104

Frese, M., Garst, H., & Fay, D. (2007). Making things happen: Reciprocal relationships between work characteristics and personal initiative in a four-wave longitudinal structural equation model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 1084–1102. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.4.1084

Gittell, J. H. (2000). Organizing work to support relational co-ordination. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 11(3), 517–539. https://doi.org/10.1080/095851900339747

Gutman, S. A., Raphael-Greenfield, E. I., Kerr, L., et al. (2014). Using Motor-Based Role-Play to Enhance Social Skills in a Nonverbal Adolescent With High Functioning Autism: A Case Report. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 30(1), 12–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212x.2014.878235

Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., & Black, W. C. (2010). Multivariate data analysis. Prentice Hall Inc.

Hartnell, C., Ou, A. Y., Kinicki, A. J., et al. (2019). A meta-analytic test of organizational culture’s association with elements of an organization’s system and its relative predictive validity on organizational outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 104(6), 832–850.

Hecklaua, F., Galeitzkea, M., Flachsa, S., et al. (2016). Holistic approach for human resource management in Industry 4.0. Procedia CIRP, 54, 1-6

Heiden, B., Hartlieb, E., Foro, I. N., et al. (2023). Open Innovation System Theory Approach.In: International Conference on Decision Aid Sciences and Applications (DASA); Annaba, Algeria.

Hendarman, A. F., & Cantner, U. (2018). Soft skills, hard skills, and individual innovativeness. Eurasian Business Review, 8(2), 139–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40821-017-0076-6

Hero, L.-M., Lindfors, E., & Taatila, V. (2017). Individual Innovation Competence: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda. International Journal of Higher Education, 6(5), 103. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v6n5p103

Hult, G. T. M., Hurley, R. F., & Knight, G. A. (2004). Innovativeness: Its antecedents and impact on business performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 33(5), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2003.08.015

Hung, Y. T., Cant, M. C., & Wiid, J. A (2016). The importance of human resources management for small businesses in South Africa. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 14(3), 232-238.

Hurt, H. T., Joseph, K., & Cook, C. D. (1977). Scales for the measurement of innovativeness. Human communication research, 4(1), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1977.tb00597.x

Indrawati, C. D. S. (2021). The Effectiveness of Archiving Videos and Online Learning on Student’s Learning and Innovation Skills. International Journal of Instruction, 14(4), 135–154. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2021.1449a

Kelly, T. R., Knowles, J. G., Han, J., et al. (2019). Creating a 21st century skills survey instrument for high school students. American Journal of Educational Research, 70(8), 583-590.

Kunkeaw, L., Wongadisai, W., & Limpsurapong, C. (2022). The factors affecting implementation of green human resource practices of business organizations in Thailand. Journal of Arts Management, 6(3), 1233-1249.

Leonard-Barton, D., & Deschamps, I. (1988). Managerial influence in the implementation of new technology. Management Science, 34(10), 1252-1265.

Lertpiromsuk, S., Ueasangkomsate, P., & Sudharatna, Y. (2022). Skills and human resource management for Industry 4.0 of small and medium enterprises. In Proceedings of Sixth International Congress on Information and Communication Technology. 613-621.

Letonja, M., Jeraj, M., & Marič, M. (2016). An Empirical Study of the Relationship between Entrepreneurial Competences and Innovativeness of Successors in Family SMEs. Organizacija, 49(4), 225–239. https://doi.org/10.1515/orga-2016-0020

Linh Huynh, Q., Thuy Nguyen Thi, T., Khuong Huynh, T., et al. (2020). The Effects of Organizational Culture on Human Resources Management: A Study on Vietnamese Publicly Listed Enterprises. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 10(7), 885–894. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2020.107.885.894

Maduko, C., & Puche, P. V. (2020). The impact of hard and soft skills on managers’ innovativeness [Master’s thesis]. Blekinge Institute of Technology.

Manae, N., & Pitchayadol, P. (2020). Factors affecting the innovativeness of entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces. Journal of Yala Rajabhat University, 15(3), 273-281.

Martínez-Román, J. A., & Romero, I. (2016). Determinants of innovativeness in SMEs: disentangling core innovation and technology adoption capabilities. Review of Managerial Science, 11(3), 543–569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-016-0196-x

Martins-Pacheco, L., Degering, L., Mioto, F., et al. (2020). Improvements in bASES21: 21st-Century Skills Assessment Model to K12. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Computer Supported Education. https://doi.org/10.5220/0009581702970307

Mondy, R. W., Noe, R. M., & Premeaux, S. R. (1999). Human resource management, 7th ed. Prentice-Hall International.

Mora-Esquivel, R., Varela-Jiménez, D., & Leiva, J. C. (2018). SME innovation process: comparison of service and manufacturing firms. AD-Minister, 33, 39–64. https://doi.org/10.17230/ad-minister.33.3

Nazarian, A., Atkinson, P., & Foroudi, P. (2017). Influence of national culture and balanced organizational culture on the hotel industry’s performance. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 63, 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2017.01.003

Ngoo, Y. T., Tiong, K. M., & Pok, W. F. (2015). Bridging the gap of perceived skills between employers and accounting graduates in Malaysia. American Journal of Economics, 5(2), 98-104.

Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerhart, B., et al. (2013). Human resource management, 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Nunnally, J. C. (1978). Psychometric theory. New York: McGraw-Hill Book.

Office of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion. (2022). Re: 2022’s MSME situation report. Available online: https://old.sme.go.th/upload/mod_download/download-20220930104334.pdf (accessed on 8 March 2024).

Okatan, K., & Alankus, O. (2017). Effect of organizational culture on internal innovation capacity. Journal of Organisational Studies and Innovation. 43(3), 18-50.

Okay-Somerville, B., & Scholarios, D. (2018). A multilevel examination of skills-oriented human resource management and perceived skill utilization during recession: Implications for the well-being of all workers. Hum Resour Manage, 1-16.

Otoo, F. N. K. (2019). Human resource management (HRM) practices and organizational performance. Employee Relations: The International Journal, 41(5), 949–970. https://doi.org/10.1108/er-02-2018-0053

Pandey, D. L. (2020). Impact of organizational culture on HR practices in Nepalese insurance industry. International Research Journal of Human Resource and Social Sciences, 7(4), 22-31.

Park, J., Ok, C., & Ryu, S. (2023). The two faces of HPWS in employee perceptions and organizational performance. Asia Pacific Management Review, 28(4), 519–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2023.03.001

Park, S., & Doo, M. Y. (2020). The effect of organizational culture and HR practices on female managers’ commitment and job satisfaction. European Journal of Training and Development, 44(2/3), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejtd-03-2019-0045

Popa, S., Soto-Acosta, P., & Conesa, I. M. (2017). Antecedents, moderators, and outcomes of innovation climate and open innovation: An empirical study in SMEs. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 118, 134-142.

Rainsbury, E., Hodges, D., Burchell, N., et al. (2002). Ranking workplace competencies: Student and graduate perceptions. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 3(2), 8-18.

Raj, R., & Srivastava, K. B. L. (2014). The mediating role of organizational learning on the relationship among organizational culture. HRM Practices and Innovativeness. Management and Labour Studies, 38(3), 201-223.

Rillo, A. D., & Ali, Z. (2018). Toward an innovative approach of financing infrastructure in Asia. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 2(1), 87-96.

Robles, M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today’s workplace. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453-465.

Rodzalan, S. A., & Saat, M. M. (2013). The influence of organizational culture on engineering students’ team working skill development. In the Proceedings of the Research in Engineering Education Symposium, 2013, 1-8.

Rutherford, M. W., & Holt, D. T. (2007). Corporate entrepreneurship: An empirical look at the innovativeness dimension and its antecedents. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 20(3), 429-446.

Sabri, P. S. U., Ilyas, M., & Amjad, Z. (2015). Organizational learning culture and its effects on critical thinking skills on female teachers of public sector higher education institutions. Bulletin of Education and Research, 37(2), 69-90.

Saifalislam, K. M., Osman, A., & AlQudah, M. K. (2014). Human resource management practices: Influence of recruitment and selection, and training and development on the organizational performance of the Jordanian Public University. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 16(5), 43-46.

Saunila, M. (2020). Innovation capability in SMEs: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 5(4), 260-265.

Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership, 5th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Schermerhorn, J. R. J., Hunt, J. G., & Osbon, R. N. (2002). Basic organizational behavior, 7th ed. New Jersey: John Whiley and Sons.

Shayah, M. H., & Sun, Z. (2019). Organizational culture and innovation: A literature review. In the Proceedings of the 2019 3rd International Conference on Education, Culture and Social Development (ICECSD 2019). Atlantis Press

Sopa, A., Asbari, M., Purwanto, A., et al. (2020). Hard skills versus soft skills: Which are more important for Indonesian employees’ innovation capability. International Journal of Control and Automation, 13(2), 156-175.

Sulistyo, H., & Siyamtinah. (2016). Innovation capability of SMEs through entrepreneurship, marketing capability, relational capital and empowerment. Asia Pacific Management Review, 21(4), 196–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2016.02.002

Tidd, J., Bessant, J., & Pavitt, K. (2005). Managing innovation: Integrating technological, market and organizational change, 3rd ed. New Jersey: John Whiley and Sons.

Tomongkhon, J. (2022). A study on the influence of organizational culture on innovative management: A case of Apple INC [Master’s thesis]. Siam University.

Van den Broek, A. (2023). Human resource management (HRM) and performance: Balancing between optimization of organizational performance and well-being of (healthcare) employees. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i1.2812

Vanhala, M., & Ritala, P. (2016). HRM practices, impersonal trust and organizational innovativeness. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 31(1), 95–109. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmp-03-2013-0084

Wahyono, & Hutahayan, B. (2021). The relationships between market orientation, learning orientation, financial literacy, on the knowledge competence, innovation, and performance of small and medium textile industries in Java and Bali. Asia Pacific Management Review, 26(1), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2020.07.001

Weber, M., Crawford, A., & Dennison, D. (2012). North Carolina human resource professionals’ perceptions of soft skill competencies. Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 11(3), 225-238.

Xie, X., Wu, Y., & Zeng, S. (2016). A theory of multi-dimensional organizational innovation cultures and innovation performance in transitional economies. Chinese Management Studies, 10(3), 458–479. https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-01-2016-0023

Yu, P.-L. (2017). Innovative culture and professional skills. International Journal of Manpower, 38(2), 198–214. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijm-10-2014-0214

Yuan, F., & Woodman, R. W. (2010). Innovative Behavior in the Workplace: The Role of Performance and Image Outcome Expectations. Academy of Management Journal, 53(2), 323–342. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.49388995

Zeller, R. A., & Carmines, E. G. (1980) Measurement in the social sciences: The link between theory and data. Cambridge University Press.

Zhang, X., & Li, B. (2016). Organizational culture and organizational performance: a brief review. Journal of Advances in Social Science and Humanities, 2(5), 16-21.

Zheng, J., Wu, G., Xie, H., et al. (2019). Leadership, organizational culture, and innovative behavior in construction projects. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 12(4), 888–918. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijmpb-04-2018-0068