Organisational learning as a mediator in the host-home country similarity–international firm performance link: the role of exploration and exploitation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Unai Arzubiaga ◽  
Julen Castillo-Apraiz ◽  
Jesús Manuel Palma-Ruiz

Purpose This study aims to shed light on the lack of understanding and previous mixed results regarding why and how some internationalised firms take advantage of host-home country similarity (HHS) while others do not. Design/methodology/approach Direct and mediating hypotheses are examined through an empirical investigation of 156 CEOs in internationalised Spanish companies, using structural equation modelling validated by factor analysis. Findings The results suggest that exploitation (EI) and exploration (ER) constitute important learning mechanisms that impact on the liability of foreignness when internationalising a business. In particular, the positive influence that HHS has in international firm performance (IP) depends on both exploitative and exploratory learning. Practical implications This research adds insights into the importance of two of the main components of organisational learning (i.e. ER and EI) as mediators of the HHS and IP relationship, which can help senior managers or business owners make consistent decisions by matching potential international market locations with firm learning factors. Originality/value This study clarifies contradictory theoretical assertions and mixed empirical results about how HHS impacts on international performance. In particular, by responding to recent calls for research, this study has shown that organisational learning is a key component in the aforementioned link where ER and EI positively mediate this relevant relationship.

Kybernetes ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arzu Karaman Akgul ◽  
Sitki Gozlu ◽  
Ekrem Tatoglu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the causal links among operations strategy (OS), environmental dynamism (ED) and firm performance (FP) within the context of a key emerging economy, Turkey. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on a structured questionnaire, data for the study was collected from a sample of 211 firms that are listed in the database of the Turkey’s largest 1,000 manufacturing firms. The research framework was tested using partial least squares method, which is a variance-based structural equation modeling approach. Findings – The results indicate that ED is positively and significantly related to OS dimensions. ED is also found to have a strong and positive influence on FP. Some strong support has also been found regarding the effect of OS on FP. Research limitations/implications – The study’s narrow focus on Turkish companies precludes the generalization of findings to other emerging countries as well as other sectors that may benefit from OS. Also, the collection of data from a single respondent in each firm might be a cause for possible response bias. Practical implications – This study provides managers with a useful tool for evaluating the efficiency of their OS relative to their competitors in dynamic business environments. Moreover, the findings of this study are envisaged to aid company managers in their endeavors to craft and execute successful strategies where appropriate environmental considerations and new operations capabilities should be incorporated to their broader strategic plans. Originality/value – The main contribution of this study stems from its examination of the causal links among OS, ED and FP within the context of a key emerging economy, Turkey.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Torre ◽  
Aurelio Tommasetti ◽  
Gennaro Maione

PurposeThe paper proposes a conceptual integration between two variables, both considered as capable of affecting public firm performance: technology and intellectual capital.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is performed by testing a structural equation model (SEM) which allows to measure simultaneously a plurality of variables, highlighting all the possible connections. Data is collected by administering more than 500 paper questionnaires to accountants working within Local Health Firms of Naples and Salerno.FindingsThe study seems to align with the considerations according to which intellectual capital expressed through its three dimensions – relational capital, human capital and organizational capital – exert a positive influence on perceived performance of healthcare firms, ultimately impacting on the Employees' Satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe study acts as a useful guide from a managerial point of view, because it may support firm decision-making. In fact, public sector managers can leverage an instrument capable of activating functional mechanisms to improve firm performance.Originality/valueThe work allows overcoming the literature gap due to the fact that, although there is a wide recognition of the potential of technology and intellectual capital, there are no studies that synergistically integrate both the aspects in the attempt to understand their value in terms of influence on the performance of public firms, on the one hand, and on employees' satisfaction, on the other. In this vein, the work, in an attempt to provide further scientific support to the link between technology and intellectual capital, is a tool capable of highlighting how this link positively impacts on company performance and employee satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Fonyee Nutsugah ◽  
Thomas Anning-Dorson ◽  
Stephen Mahama Braimah ◽  
Ernest Yaw Tweneboah-Koduah

PurposeThis study answers the question: “does the communication of environmental performance transmit positive overall firm performance?” The authors examine the influence of a company's environmental performance (EP) on its overall firm performance (FP) and the mediating role of integrated marketing communication (IMC) on the EP-FP relationship.Design/methodology/approachA survey of firms from the extractive, manufacturing and hospitality sectors of an emerging economy was used in testing our hypothesized relationships. Partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used in analysing the data from 194 firms.FindingsThe study found that EP negatively and significantly influences FP directly. However, the introduction of IMC into the direct relationship changes this effect. IMC was, therefore, found to have a partial and complementary mediation effect on the relationship between EP and FP.Practical implicationsThe negative influence of EP on FP found explains the reluctance of companies towards environmental protection. However, if companies can utilize their communication capacity well enough in creating the necessary awareness among their stakeholder audiences, a positive relationship is created between EP and FP.Originality/valueThe benefits of EP to companies and how companies can turn their EP into gains were not clearly established in the literature. The current study has explained one of the boundary conditions that convert EP, which appears to be a cost to the firm, into a positive influence on FP. This study has, therefore, established the mechanism through which EP affects FP.


Author(s):  
Irem Dikmen ◽  
M. Talat Birgonul ◽  
Tunca Ataoglu

In this chapter, the impact of organisational learning competency on the performance of construction companies is investigated. A conceptual model is proposed for the measurement of organisational learning competency. The main components of the model are learning sources, learning mechanisms, and the organisational setting. Organisational learning competency is assumed to be high only if an appropriate organisational setting exists, as well as the mechanisms used for management of knowledge acquired from various sources. A questionnaire is designed to collect data about organisational learning factors and performance. Findings of the questionnaire answered by 85 Turkish contractors demonstrate that there are statistically significant differences between the performances of contractors grouped according to their learning ability. It is empirically proved that as the organisational learning ability increases, firm performance also increases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benhong Peng ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Sardar Zahid ◽  
Guo Wei ◽  
Ehsan Elahi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of value co-creation in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises to guide the transformation and development of cold chain logistics industry. Design/methodology/approach This paper establishes a conceptual framework for the research on the platform ecological circle in cold chain logistics, utilizes a structural equation model to investigate the influencing factors of the value co-creation of the platform ecological circle in the cold chain logistics enterprises and elaborates the internal relations between different influencing factors regarding the value co-creation and enterprises’ performance. Findings Results show that resource sharing in logistics platform ecological circle can stimulate the interaction among enterprises and this produces a positive influence on their dynamic capabilities, which, in turn, affects the they to work together to plan, implement and solve problems, so as to achieve the goal of improving enterprise performance. Practical implications The shared resources and value co-creation activities in the platform ecological circle are very important for the transformation and development of cold chain logistics enterprises. Therefore, enterprises should promote value co-creation through realizing resource sharing and creating a win-win cooperation mechanism. Originality/value This paper targets at incorporating the resource sharing in platform ecological circle for cold chain logistics enterprises, explores from an empirical perspective the role of the resource sharing in cold chain logistics enterprises in enhancing the dynamic capabilities of enterprises, thereby encouraging the value co-creation behavior, and ultimately boosts enterprise performance and stimulates business development.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils M. Høgevold ◽  
Gøran Svensson ◽  
Mercy Mpinganjira

PurposeSeen from the seller's point of view, this study examines economic and non-economic satisfaction as distinct conceptual variables, and tests how the constructs relate to each other and to the business transactional cost variables of formalisation, specific investments and dependence.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 213 key informants from Norwegian companies involved in business-to-business marketing. Structural equation modelling was used to test the posited hypotheses.FindingsThe findings show that sellers' economic satisfaction exerts a positive influence on non-economic satisfaction and on formalisation, while its posited influence on specific investments was not found to be significant. Formalisation was, however, not significantly influenced by seller non-economic satisfaction. Specific investment was positively influenced by seller non-economic satisfaction. The influence of formalisation on specific investments and dependence was significant. Specific investments were also found to be positively influenced by dependence.Research limitations/implicationsThe study reveals the importance of assessing both economic and non-economic satisfaction in trying to understand sellers' behaviour in business-to-business markets.Practical implicationsThe findings show the need for managers to ensure economic satisfaction, as its affects non-economic satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a better understanding of satisfaction in business-to-business exchange relationships and its relationship with transactional cost constructs based on a seller's perspective.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apostolos Ampountolas

PurposeThe online travel environment continues to expand as the numerous peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces that comprise the “sharing economy” have also multiplied and expanded, resulting in a move from the traditional hospitality industry to a new digital ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of different antecedents and the relationships between benefit factors. It does so by simulating the behavior that leads to consumer loyalty and repurchase intentions within a P2P marketplace transaction.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on survey data from 456 respondents located in different regions, collected via a web-based survey questionnaire. A two-step approach employing confirmatory factor analysis, followed by structural equation modeling, was conducted to evaluate the measurement and structural models, as recommended by Anderson and Gerbing.FindingsThe findings of this study partially confirm the relationship between benefit factors (monetary, hedonic and location benefits) and consumer repurchase intentions. The benefit factors display a positive influence on consumer satisfaction, which mediates the relationship between loyalty and repurchase intentions. Hence, the study contributes to scholarly efforts to better understand why consumers choose to purchase through P2P platforms.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can provide P2P intermediaries and hosts with the empirical evidence of consumer behavioral changes. Nowadays, in practice, consumers have the ability to compare products and offers. As such, for a consumer to remain loyal to a particular supplier, the offer must satisfy the service and experience that the consumer has in mind, as many alternative offers exist.Originality/valueThis study seeks to identify the behavioral factors that cause even loyal consumers to move from the traditional hospitality industries to P2P platforms, despite the probability of losing any loyalty benefits gained in the traditional industries.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amiram Markovich ◽  
Kalanit Efrat ◽  
Daphne R. Raban

PurposeThis study aims to augment the understanding of dynamic capabilities (DCs) by exploring the interrelations among the DC categories (sensing, seizing, reconfiguring) and the distinct impact of each DC on firm performance under low and high levels of competitive intensity.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on a cross-sectional survey of 139 managers in Israel. The data were collected through Web-based questionnaires using the Qualtrics software. A two-stage data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe findings indicate that DCs follow a sequence in which sensing drives seizing, which, in turn, enhances reconfiguring. The effects of sensing are mainly manifested through its direct impact on seizing, with no evidence for an impact of sensing on company performance. Moreover, under low competitive intensity, only seizing appears to impact performance, while under high competitive intensity, reconfiguring joins seizing in improving firm performance.Originality/valueThe study's findings advance the debate on the direct vs sequential nature of DCs by indicating an internal DC sequence. Our research also advocates for a crucial role of sensing in enhancing DCs, regardless of the level of competitive intensity. Furthermore, this research expands the understanding of the consequences of DCs and enables the prioritization of DC categories under low and high competitive intensity.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Mendonça Silva ◽  
Victor Ferreira Moutinho ◽  
Vera Teixeira Vale

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between product innovation and network and their export performance, particularly in trade fair context. Moreover, this paper conducts a comparative study among services/industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and considers the home-country context. Innovation and internationalization are stagnant themes in the recent literature on trade fairs, so they require to be renewed. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study includes a survey with 341 SMEs’ respondents separated into both industrial/producer and service/other. A conceptual model was developed and examined from three different perspectives: Model A encompasses all surveyed SMEs, Model B includes only industrial/producer SMEs and Model C comprises service/other SMEs. Data analysis happened in two steps. The first step included the structural equation model (SEM) and the assessment of hypotheses (from three different perspectives). Thus, it was possible to make a comparative analysis between the models. In the second step, the ordered logit model (OLM) is used to study relationships between control variables and the criteria variable export performance. Findings The SEM’s results confirm a conceptual model about a dynamic trajectory that SMEs, mainly industrial/producer, can take advantage of: innovate to networking and networking to export. The results allowed to verify when comparing services/industrial SMEs that the tangibility which characterizes the innovation of industrial SMEs' products contributed significantly to the performance of business networks and exports. The study also reveals, through the OLM, two catalysts for the success of the SME’s export performance: export experience and continued participation in trade fairs. The OLM results also reveal that the size of the companies is not relevant, so trade fairs are marketing tools accessible to any company, regardless of their size. Finally, the study considered home-country context of the surveyed SMEs, which allowed additional interpretations to be drawn. Research limitations/implications The study does not reflect the individual's personality in his network capacity and the export performance was measured based on the level of satisfaction and not on real sales results. However, the study provides relevant practical implications and can support future studies. Practical implications The study offers important implications for SME. The results reveal that presenting product innovations at trade fairs is a useful tool for SMEs to create networks, which facilitates their export performance, especially for industrial SMEs residing in small economies such as Portugal. This study is also relevant for business associations of industrial SMEs and/or public or semi-public SME promotion agencies. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on trade fairs, suggesting a new innovation, networking, export (INE) framework to reflect on the participation in international trade fairs. So, this research especially combines product INE performance in a particular context – international trade fairs for SME. It also considers the home-country context of the SMEs, which adds depth to the study. Finally, the comparative study also provides insightful implications for industrial SMEs on how to improve the export performance from trade fairs by leveraging innovation and networking.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaista Wasiuzzaman ◽  
Lee Lee Chong ◽  
Hway Boon Ong

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of various risk factors, specifically investment risk, legal risk and technology risk, on the decision of investors to invest in equity crowdfunding ventures in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A total of 169 valid responses out of a total of 195 questionnaires were distributed to individuals with prior knowledge of equity crowdfunding. The data from the responses are used to test the relationships using structural equation modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS). Findings Investigation into the influence of risk factors on the willingness to support equity crowdfunding shows that investment risk and legal risk significantly influence the decision to support equity crowdfunding ventures, but technology risk does not. However, while the influence of investment risk is negative, legal risk is found to have a positive influence. Originality/value This study is important as, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically test the relationship between the various risks inherent in equity crowdfunding investments and the decision to invest. The study is also important to entrepreneurs and start-ups as it provides evidence that while the equity crowdfunding investment community follows the norms of investment, i.e. lower risk is preferred, stricter laws and regulations governing equity crowdfunding may not be needed or may only be relevant in countries where there are more retail, unsophisticated investors.


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