Mohammed bin Yousuf Al Zayani, a PhD candidate in the Department of Innovation and Technology Management at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (AGU), presented findings from his research on the relationship between business model innovation (BMI), sustainable competitive advantage (SCA), and sustainable performance (SP) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bahrain. Conducted as part of his PhD in Innovation Management, the study affirms the importance of understanding these dynamics to foster business sustainability and adapt to the growing challenges of global markets.

The findings revealed that strategies for BMI directly enhance SCA and SP, with competitive advantage serving as a mediator in achieving long-term success. Additionally, the study highlighted the role of organisational culture as a motivating factor in promoting SP practices. Al Zayani emphasised the necessity of SMEs aligning innovation initiatives with their development goals and strategic visions.

Employing a mixed-method approach, Al Zayani utilised questionnaires to assess key variables, analysed data through structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), and conducted qualitative analysis using NVivo and Atlas.ti software. The findings offer practical insights for Bahraini companies seeking to adopt innovative business models that bolster their sustainability and competitiveness.

This research contributes significantly to the literature on Innovation Management, illustrating how BMI can serve as a vital tool for achieving sustainable success, paired with strong organisational culture.