Evaluating incentive mechanisms of cultural and creative SMEs in Yunnan Province based on the CIPP Model
Keywords:
SMEs, Incentive Mechanisms, Employee Performance, CIPP ModelAbstract
This study applied the CIPP model to examine how economic, non-economic, and developmental incentives influence employee performance in SMEs in China’s cultural and creative industries. A survey of 470 employees was analyzed using SEM with CFA validation. Results showed that economic and developmental incentives significantly improved perceptions of incentive implementation, whereas non-economic incentives had weaker effects. Perceived implementation mediated the relationship between incentives and performance, with high-quality implementation—characterized by transparency, fairness, and participation—enhancing engagement, innovation, and job satisfaction. The SEM model demonstrated good fit (χ²/df = 1.98, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.051). The study underscores the importance of combining financial and career development incentives with transparent processes, offering evidence-based guidance for SMEs in creative industries.
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