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The goal of this paper is to investigate the antecedent of employee performance (EP) through perceived organizational support (POS), as well as the moderating role of job satisfaction (JS) on the connection between POS and EP among employees of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Northwest Nigeria, using social exchange theory (SET) and organizational support theory (OST).

This research employed a survey design, using SMEs employees in Northwest Nigeria as the research unit of analysis. Purposive sampling was used in this research, with standardized questionnaires used to obtain data from 1750 employees of the targeted SMEs within the region. This study’s hypotheses were tested using partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The findings of this research stated that POS has a substantial effect on EP, while JS moderates the association between POS and EP.

The study offers practical insights for SMEs in Northwest Nigeria, aiding in resolving employee issues and providing actionable strategies for management. Understanding the dynamics of perceived organizational support, job satisfaction and employee performance enables proactive measures to improve organizational effectiveness, fostering a positive work environment and enhancing competitive edge.

This study innovates existing literature by exploring how perceived organizational support affects employee performance in small and medium-sized enterprises in an emerging economy. It introduces PLS-SEM, emphasizing job satisfaction’s pivotal role as a moderator. This provides valuable guidance for SMEs to boost employee performance and formulate effective HR strategies, advancing organizational behavior and management research.