Unpacking the relationship between post-entry speed of internationalization and export performance of SMEs: A capability-building perspective

Prior research has acknowledged the merits of firms' post-entry speed of internationalization (PSI) for export performance. However, remarkably little attention has been devoted to the transformational mechanisms that enable firms to convert their PSI into performance outcomes. Drawing on the capability-building perspective, we examine the mediating role of two key firm-specific capabilities, i.e., knowledge capability upgrading (KCU) and adaptive capabilities (ADC), on the relationship between PSI and financial and non-financial export performance. Employing a sample of 208 New Zealand exporting SMEs, we found a positive relationship between PSI and both KCU and ADC and found support that PSI's effect on export performance is conveyed through ADC. We found that although KCU does not directly mediate the PSI-export performance relationship, it acts as a driving factor for ADC, which in turn contributes to export performance. This study contributes to the evolving literature on post-entry dynamics of internationalization and capability-building perspective.     

Entrepreneurial orientation and the business performance of SMEs: a quantitative study from the Netherlands

Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) is often mentioned as an antecedent of growth, competitive advantage and superior performance, and prior empirical research has often shown a positive relationship between EO and performance appears to exist. However, an important question that remains unanswered is what effect EO might have on firm performance during periods of economic crisis, and the severe environmental turbulence that accompany such crises. This research is a first investigation towards the effects of EO on the performance of small and medium sized firms during the current global economic crisis. In this study we use the multidimensional model of EO and test a series of hypotheses pertaining to its performance effects using survey data gathered from 164 Dutch SMEs. The present research shows that proactive firm behavior positively contributes to SME performance during the economic crisis. We further show that innovative SMEs do perform better in turbulent environments, but those innovative SMEs should minimize the level of risk and should take action to avoid projects that are too risky.     

Benefits of adopting lean production on green performance of SMEs: a case study

Abstract

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are widely recommended to strive, not only for their performance in operational side, but they need to integrate the environmental dimension. To do that, the literature widely indicates a positive impact of lean practices on green performance. However, very few studies have been carried out in SMEs context. In this view, this paper aims at providing through a practical case study of lean implementation in a real-life small manufacturing company, the information to confirm this synergy between lean and green performance. To achieve this aim, a proposed framework of lean and green integration has been implemented in a SME producing different types of pumps. The results achieved shows that there is a strong correlation between operational metrics improvement and green metrics improvement. Moreover, the benefits of lean practices such as 5S, Kanban, SMED, AM, cellular manufacturing and quality control on green performance are widely demonstrated. Future work could study other processes and explore other case-specific supporting tools and techniques.     

Performance measurement system contingency factors: a cross analysis of Italian and Indian SMEs

Recent studies have highlighted the presence of a strong relationship between performance measurement systems (PMSs) and corporate governance structures in European firms. Taking into account the growing economic relevance of developing countries, we investigated the role of corporate governance structure as a PMS contingency factor in Italian and Indian SMEs using a multiple case-study approach. The results show that the first development of a PMS was determined by two different factors; in Italian SMEs, the changes in the corporate governance structure promoted the implementation of an advanced PMS, while in Indian SMEs, environmental changes pushed the development of the PMS without affecting any modification in the corporate governance structure. Moreover, after the adoption of an advanced (or almost advanced) performance management system, relevant environmental changes or the positive impacts of the PMS use, were enough to promote further development of the system in both Italian and Indian SMEs, without any change in the corporate governance structure.     

Supplier involvement in integrated product development: evidence from a group of Italian SMEs

Integrated product development (IPD) is gaining increased attention from practitioners and the academic community as a source of innovation and competitive advantage. However undeniable the importance of the issue is as to how the different actors involved in the process interact among themselves and the supporting factors not being well understood even in the SME context, the availability of empirical research and a comprehensive framework to drive this research remains unavailable. This article contributes to these research gaps by providing theoretical and empirical findings. First, a research framework on IPD is identified. The proposed framework represents a conceptualisation of IPD principles as consisting of three groups of integration enablers, which aim to achieve high internal (among departments) and external (with suppliers and customers) integration: (a) organisational enablers, (b) technological enablers and (c) methodologies. Then, a multiple case study approach is used in order to empirically explore external integration with suppliers in product development in 22 SMEs from the machine tool sector.     

Knowledge sharing dynamics in international subcontracting arrangements: The case of Finnish high-tech SMEs

This paper focuses on an under-researched topic of knowledge sharing dynamics in international subcontracting relationships of SMEs. Based on in-depth qualitative analysis of three Finnish high-tech firms, our findings reveal that not only cost and performance expectations motivate SMEs for international subcontracting, but also the factors like lack of in-house alternatives, the volatility of workload, and need for speed in growth-related activities such as deliveries play an important role. We further found that the SMEs try to balance internal risks/uncertainty and external risks/uncertainty throughout international subcontracting. Our paper contributes to the extant literature by being one of the first studies to specifically highlight the range of knowledge sharing and knowledge protection mechanisms used in international subcontracting in SME-SME relationships in which partners come from different institutional settings and physical locations. Moreover, this paper is one of the few studies to specifically highlight the role of time in knowledge sharing from the buyer's point of view as well, specifically by emphasizing the need to balance the internal and external risks during the life-cycle of international subcontracting while balancing short-term challenges and long-term strategic development plans.     

中小企业协同创新网络与创新绩效的实证研究

基于188家中小型制造业企业的问卷调查数据,运用结构方程模型探讨不同的协同创新网络和企业创新绩效的关系.研究结果表明:"企业-企业"、"企业-中介"和"企业-研究组织"等协同创新网络对企业创新绩效有着显着的正向效应,而"企业-政府"协同创新网络对企业创新绩效没有直接效应,但却存在显着的间接效应.研究证实,不同的协同创新网络对企业创新绩效的影响程度存在显着差异,其中 "企业-企业"协同创新网络对提升企业创新绩效的效应最为显著.研究还表明,垂直和水平的协同创新网络对企业创新绩效的作用程度不同,同顾客、供应企业的垂直协同相比水平协同对企业创新绩效的推动作用更为显著.     

Innovation development in biopharmaceutical start-up firms: An Italian case study

The aim of this paper is to analyze the business models and the strategic competences of the new Italian biopharmaceutical firms allowing them to successfully overcome the initial stages of starting up. A multiple case studies methodology was used. In particular, a thorough analysis of four Italian biopharmaceutical firms that have recently started up and shown significant innovative output was carried out. The results of this study revealed that the start-up success factors consist of competencies that are distinct and different depending on the type of business models founded: the excellence in quality, the ability to create and manage relationship networks, the technical and managerial capabilities are the strategical competences emerging from the case studies examined.     

Integrating sustainable supply chain practices with operational performance: an exploratory study of Chinese SMEs

Abstract

With growing regulatory and market pressure to implement green practices, SMEs are facing enormous challenges to simultaneously improve operational and green performances of their supply chains. The paper aims to understand the green practices adopted by Chinese SMEs in the packaging sector in order to assess the impact of these practices in improving the operational performance. Case study-based research methodology is adopted and semi-structured interviews are conducted to collect data from seven SMEs in this study. Both in-case and cross-case analyses are performed to understand the green practices being adopted with the focus on improving the operational performance. The findings of this study indicate that although most SMEs understand the importance of green practices, they have limited knowledge to integrate these practices to improve operational performance. Integration and alignment of green activities with the operational improvement measures are identified as critical factors to develop an efficient green supply chain.     

组织创新提升中小企业创新能力的机制

组织创新对提升中小企业的创新能力具有重要作用.运用案例分析方法,本文首先揭示企业家在组织创新过程的推动作用,然后从信息技术创新、组织结构创新、业务流程创新和管理制度创新四个维度探讨中小企业通过组织创新提升创新能力的机制.     

Internationalization Orientation in SMEs: The Mediating Role of Technological Innovation

This study examines the relationship between internationalization orientation and international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the mediating effect of technological innovation. Prior research suggests that internationalization is a prominent strategic choice for SMEs growth and profitability. However, there is still no explicit agreement on how internationalization affects international performance. Similarly, the role of innovation on performance has long been emphasized, but the implications of technological innovation on international performance are still eluding us. Our investigation of 116 SMEs in the United Kingdom reveals that internationalization orientation has a significant effect on their international performance, with SMEs adopting simultaneously an inward and outward international orientation achieving superior results. We further demonstrate that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between technological innovation and international firm performance among SMEs. Meanwhile, we find that technological innovation positively mediates the effect of internationalization orientation on international firm performance, particularly for the SMEs exhibiting moderate levels of technological innovation activities. The findings of this study suggest that managers can improve international performance by combining inward and outward internationalization orientation with technological innovation activities in their strategic decisions.     

Measuring business performance in the high-tech manufacturing industry: A case study of Taiwan's large-sized TFT-LCD panel companies

The nature of competition in the high-technology manufacturing industry has changed dramatically over the last two decades, and any of the traditional indicators of business performance are insufficient today. We have identified a new set of financial and non-financial performance indicators that can be used by high-tech manufacturing companies and have developed a business performance evaluation model. A data envelopment analysis (DEA), an analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approach are used in the model. Data from large-sized thin-film transistor liquid-crystal display panel companies in Taiwan were collected via a field survey and from various published databases and were fed into the model to determine the relative business performance of the companies. We hope that our findings will help high-tech manufacturing executives determine their companies’ strengths and weaknesses and lead to future improvements in business operations.     

Implementation of S-DBR in four manufacturing SMEs: a research case study

Production planning and control systems (PPCs) are tools that have a major effect on the performance of manufacturing companies. An inappropriate determination of the applicability of PPCs could seriously jeopardise the ability to achieve competitive priorities. This mistake can be expensive for any company, but proper implementation is particularly critical for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are characterised by limited access to financial resources. Simplified Drum–Buffer–Rope (S-DBR) is a PPC control approach that is characterised by minimum detail in the planning stage and a primary emphasis on the control of execution. Therefore, this approach is a suitable choice for the highly variable context of SMEs. This study aims to explore the practical issues related to S-DBR implementation in four Ecuadorian SMEs through case study research. The case analysis within this study first identifies the choices made in the implementation process design within the four companies according to process and product characteristics. We then conduct a cross-case analysis to explore the effects of the S-DBR implementation process designs on a group of performance measures. Our research findings provide new insights into the S-DBR implementation process in the context of SMEs, and the effects of this approach on performance measures.     

Impacts of government high-tech policy: a case study of CAD technology in China

Rapid growth of technology innovations promotes governments world-wide to actively explore the best way to realize its economic benefits. Likewise, Chinese government has positioned advances of high technology a driving-force to continued economic achievements, and launched various high-tech policies. This case study focuses on computer-aided design (CAD), a key field under policy support, discloses policy’s critical role. Interview/survey data from corporate and academic leaders were also collected and synthesized. The emergence of university–industry collaboration, capitalizing university intellectual property, and new modes in CAD innovation and technology diffusion are among those major findings. A Model is also proposed. The study provides new observations for debates to high-tech policy-makers and can benefit scholars and business managers seeking to understand the environment in China, and serve as a foundation for further policy and management research.     

Entrepreneurial orientation dimensions and the performance of high-tech and low-tech firms: A configurational approach

Building on the entrepreneurial orientation (EO)-as-experimentation perspective, we examine how configurations of the EO dimensions (innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness) might lead to high and low firm performance, and how the configurations differ under different firm contexts. We adopted a configurational approach and applied fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to a sample of 110 UK small and medium-sized enterprises. Our findings show that three (four) configurations can result in high (low)-firm performance, demonstrating that the EO dimensions can contribute to as well as hinder firm performance. Moreover, the configurations leading to the same outcome are distinct between high-tech and low-tech firms, indicating that the impacts of the EO dimensions on firm performance depend on the firm context. Our findings offer useful insights for managers on how to configure the portfolio of firms' entrepreneurial activities to achieve superior performance.     

Firm capabilities and export performance of small firms: A meta-analytical review

Despite its importance, there is no clear understanding of the impact of small firms’ capabilities (networking, innovation, and marketing) on their export performance. This article attempts to address this issue with a meta-analysis of 74 recent empirical studies comprising 76 independent samples and covering more than 30 countries. We found that innovation, marketing, and networking capabilities positively influence export performance of small firms. However, the context-dependent nature of these relationships demands a more fine-grained examination. The variations in the ES of these relationships are explained by the role of external business environmental factors prevailing in the country of origin of the firm (developing/developed country and individualism/collectivism culture). We examined the divergent results provided by empirical studies using the moderator analysis. The findings of this article shed light on the role of small firms’ capabilities in enhancing export performance in different contextual settings.     

中小企业全面创新管理实施框架与典型模式

全面创新管理作为创新管理的新范式,通过各种创新要素的有机组合与协同创新来提升企业创新能力;中小企业在规模、管理、技术以及产业等方面的特点,使其在实施全面创新管理方面有自身实际特点.结合实际调研和理论分析,构建中小企业全面创新管理实施框架,并初步分析了有代表性的三种典型实施模式,以更好的指导中小企业创新实践.     

基于多案例研究的拼凑理念、模式双元与替代式创新

异于以往模仿或合作创新等“外源式”研究视角,从“资源内生式”视角探索了资源匮乏下中小企业的创新模式——拼凑.借鉴模式双元学习的观点,表明拼凑理念是一种“创意层的探索”与“资源层的利用”的结合,通过组织学习和平衡机理促进创新.通过对3个典型案例的研究发现:中小企业可通过树立拼凑理念促进新创意探索与手边资源利用的模式双元;模式双元的平衡与失衡将产生不同的创新效果,“高高”双元(资源高利用和创意高探索)可以带来“新颖”创新;“高低”双元(资源高利用和创意低探索)则更容易产生“凑合”创新;拼凑理念更容易形成非标准、快速、低成本的替代式创新.     

中小企业各阶段创新能力分布与分析

本文基于全面创新管理的框架,以中小企业创新能力调查问卷为基础,对回收的问卷数据进行了统计分析.并按照企业的规模、创新绩效、所处的发展阶段对样本数据进行了比较,分析了影响企业规模和绩效的能力差别,以及各发展阶段企业的能力特点.