Innovation performance of Italian manufacturing firms

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio de Oliveira Paula ◽  
Jorge Ferreira da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Italian Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Internal Knowledge

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain how internal and external sources of knowledge influence the innovation performance (IP) in Italian manufacturing firms and how different these relationships are for low-technology (LT) and high-technology (HT) firms. Design/methodology/approach The study proposed a model relating external knowledge, internal knowledge and IP that was tested using Bayesian structural equation modeling with a sample of Italian manufacturing firms of Community Innovation Survey 2010. It was run separately for high-tech firms (including HT and medium-HT aggregations of manufacturing industries of NACE Rev. 2) and low-tech firms (including LT and medium-LT aggregations). Findings The results showed a difference between high-tech and low-tech manufacturing firms in Italy. The investments to leverage internal knowledge sources are important for high-techs and not significant for low-techs. On the other hand, the level of external KS improves significantly the IP of low-techs and has a negative effect for high-techs. The level of absorptive capacity is central to improve the positive effect of the external knowledge on the IP for all firms, but it is still underdeveloped. Originality/value The effects of 2008 economic crisis hit the Italian manufacturing industry specifically hard and are still felt. Innovation is a solution for firms’ growth and Italy is considered a below-average innovator country in Europe. The study could identify important gaps in Italian manufacturing firms that hinder their innovative performance improvement.

Network embeddedness and innovation performance: a mediation moderation analysis using PLS-SEM

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyun Tian ◽  
Shuja Iqbal ◽  
Farooq Anwar ◽  
Shamim Akhtar ◽  
Muhammad Aamir Shafique Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Embeddedness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator and openness as moderator.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 209 employees of SMEs using a convenient sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS was used to analyze the various constructs.FindingsThe results exhibit a positive and significant relationship in NE and absorptive capacity. Also, this study found a positive and significant relationship in absorptive capacity and innovation performance. Moreover, absorptive capacity has a positive and significant mediation role in the relationship between NE and innovation performance. Also, openness positively moderated the relationship of NE and absorptive capacity.Practical implicationsSMEs should try to implement the functions of NE, such as interaction with other firms in higher frequency, developing trust among all parties, clear alliance among the partners to enhance innovation performance. Similarly, SMEs should focus on absorptive capacity and openness to enrich innovation performance.Originality/valueThis study adds in the current literature of the chosen constructs and empirically contributes the effects in the manufacturing industry of Jiangsu Province, China.

scholarly journals Learning orientation and innovation performance: the mediating role of operations strategy and supply chain integration

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Younis Jabarzadeh ◽  
Paria Jeihouni ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Supply Chain Integration ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Learning Orientation ◽  
Operations Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategy Types

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of operations strategy (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) and supply chain integration on innovation performance under influence of learning orientation. Design/methodology/approach Taking a quantitative and deductive approach, a conceptual framework was developed and tested by analyzing data gathered through survey questionnaire from 243 UK manufacturing firms using structural equation modeling. Findings The findings show that learning orientation influences operations strategy and supply chain integration, but it does not have a direct impact on innovation performance. Additionally, quality and flexibility strategies affect innovation performance and supply chain integration positively, while cost and delivery strategies do not have a significant effect on these variables. Research limitations/implications Operations strategy types (cost, quality, flexibility and delivery) were studied as distinct variables, whereas supply chain integration also has several dimensions but that has not been investigated separately in the present research. The findings are also based on limited 243 responses from UK manufacturing firms. Practical implications Innovation performance of manufacturing firms can be improved through a more integrated supply chain if managers embody flexibility and quality capabilities in their operations and become learning oriented. Originality/value The effect of supply chain integration on innovation performance and learning orientation on supply chain integration and operations strategy types have not been fully explored in literature. Also, having all four operations strategy types in a direct relation to supply chain integration and innovation performance is another original aspect of the current study.

Comprehending a knowledge framework as a source of dynamic capabilities in IJVs through PLS-SEM

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhavi Kapoor ◽  
Vijita Aggarwal
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
International Joint Ventures ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship among knowledge transfer enablers, knowledge transfer process, absorptive capacity and innovation performance in the context of Indian international joint ventures (IJVs). These elements are woven with the thread of dynamic capabilities theory (DCT) into an integrated framework. Design/methodology/approach Data analysis is conducted on a quantitative survey of 196 IJVs with partial least squares structural equation modeling as the statistical technique. Findings Co-learning strategy, collaborative trust culture, information technology-based resources and systems and organizational structural design are found to be significant knowledge transfer enablers. Absorptive capacity has a complementary partial mediation effect on the positive relationship between knowledge transfer and innovation performance of Indian IJVs. Research limitations/implications The study has pioneered in explicating the criticality of IJV’s internal dynamics to cope with the global market dynamism in a much needed Indian context. Practitioners must focus on building dynamic capabilities in IJVs to make them sustainably competitive, as proposed and evaluated by this study. Further, IJV managers need to strategize their resources, routines and structure dynamically to foster knowledge transfer and innovativeness. Originality/value The comprehensive model on DCT offered by this study is rare to match in literature with a completely new context, which is the need of the hour.

Job meaningfulness, employee engagement, supervisory support and job performance: a moderated-mediation analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abinash Panda ◽  
Subhashis Sinha ◽  
Nikunj Kumar Jain
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Supervisory Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Meaningfulness

PurposeGuided by social exchange, broaden and build and conservation of resources theoretical perspectives, this study explores the moderated mediating role of supervisory support (SS) on the relationship between job meaningfulness (JM) on job performance (JP) through employee engagement (EE).Design/methodology/approachField data were collected from two hundred and nineteen executives and their thirty-eight supervisors of a large paint manufacturing industry through a time-lagged research design and was analyzed with partial least squares based structural equation modeling.FindingsFindings of this study indicate that JM mediated by EE contributes to JP, which means if an employee finds one's job meaningful, she/he is likely to be more engaged emotionally, psychologically and cognitively to deliver better JP. SS is also found to be salient as it moderates both direct and indirect relationships between JM and JP through EE.Research limitations/implicationsGeneralizability of the findings of this study should be done with caution. Though the study has time-laggard data from two different sources but missing longitudinal data restricts causality of relationships/findings.Practical implicationsThese findings are relevant for organizations given that organizational leaders can create a context, by appropriate job design and engaging work context that motivates employees to perform better in their jobs. Insights of this study will be useful for organizations to curate meaningful jobs for their employees and also groom leaders with requisite skills and competencies to help subordinates perform up to their potential.Originality/valueThis study is an attempt toward a better understanding of the interplay of JM, work engagement and SS on JP in a manufacturing set-up in India, which has not been hitherto examined in Indian context.

The effect of supplier development initiatives on purchasing performance: a structural model

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristóbal Sánchez‐Rodríguez ◽  
David Hemsworth ◽  
Ángel R. Martínez‐Lorente
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Supplier Development ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Levels

PurposeSupply chain management is an increasingly important organizational concern, and proper management of supplier relationships constitutes one essential element of supply chain success. However, there is little empirical research that has tested the effect of supplier development on performance. The main objective is to analyze the effect of supplier development practices with different levels of implementation complexity on the firm's purchasing performance.Design/methodology/approachThree supplier development constructs were defined: basic supplier development, moderate supplier development, and advanced supplier development. Three structural models were hypothesized and tested using structural equation modeling through field research on a sample of 306 manufacturing companies in Spain.FindingsIdentified important interrelationships among the various supplier development practices, basic, moderate, and advanced. Also indicated that the implementation of supplier development practices significantly contributes to the prediction of purchasing performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of a single key informant could be seen as a potential limitation of the study. The study was a cross‐sectional and descriptive sample of the manufacturing industry at a given point in time. A more stringent test of the relationships between the different levels of supplier development and performance requires a longitudinal study, or field experiment.Practical implicationsThis study focused on supplier development practices and revealed how involving suppliers in supplier development activities is important and may help buyers to increase their purchasing performance. The findings from the structural analysis should provide practicing managers with insights on how these practices and their benefits are related in terms of purchasing performance, thus affecting their ability to make better sourcing decisions.Originality/valueFills an important gap in the purchasing literature with respect to the area of supplier development. While there is much written about supplier development based on conceptual and case study research, this study is unique in that it is the first attempt to empirically model the relationships between different levels of supplier development and their impact on purchasing performance using a comprehensive set of practices.

Identifying the factors determining cooperative innovation effect in emerging economies

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuemei Xie ◽  
Saixing Zeng ◽  
Zhipeng Zang ◽  
Hailiang Zou
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Internal Capabilities ◽  
Collaborative Innovation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the factors determining collaborative innovation effect of manufacturing firms in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach Based on a survey of 1,206 Chinese manufacturing firms and using structural equation modelling, this study explores the factors determining the effect of collaborative innovation among manufacturing firms (namely, internal capabilities, government policies, collaboration mechanisms and social networks) and examines the relationship between collaborative innovation effect and innovation performance. Findings The study finds that there are significantly positive relationships between firms’ internal capabilities, government policies, collaboration mechanisms and social networks and collaborative innovation effect among firms. Practical implications These findings reveal that policymakers should create an effective institutional culture and market environment to facilitate firms’ collaborative innovation. Originality/value This paper draws on the resource-based view of firms and contributes to understanding of how the development of factors determining firms’ collaborative innovation effect can improve innovation performance. This study extends established frameworks on collaborative innovation in relation to four dimensions, namely, firms’ internal capabilities, government policies, collaboration mechanisms and social networks, uniquely identifying the limits of specific dimensions. Moreover, this study addresses government policies and “Guanxi culture” specific to China that provide new insights into how firms’ collaborative innovation is improved from the perspectives of business–governmental relations and social networks.

Organizational structure and innovation performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisher Tohirovich Dedahanov ◽  
Changjoon Rhee ◽  
Junghyun Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Republic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of innovative behavior on the relationships between organizational structure, such as centralization, formalization, integration, and organizational innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data from 140 functional managers of manufacturing organizations in the Republic of Korea. The authors used structural equation modeling procedure to evaluate the validity of proposed hypotheses. Findings The results suggest that innovative behavior mediates the links among centralization, formalization, and organizational innovation performance. However, the findings indicate that innovative behavior does not mediate the relationship between integration and organizational innovation performance. Originality/value This work is the first to examine the mediating role of innovative behavior on the associations among centralization, integration, and organizational innovation performance.

Investigate the role of distributed leadership and strategic flexibility in fostering business model innovation

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suqin Liao ◽  
Zhiying Liu ◽  
Lihua Fu ◽  
Peichi Ye
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Distributed Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Strategic Flexibility ◽  
Environmental Dynamism ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the new distributed leadership patterns is an important driver for innovating business model. By synthesizing insights from the dynamic capabilities perspective, it also explores how and when distributed leadership enhances the business model innovation (BMI) by involving strategic flexibility as a mediator and environmental dynamism as important contingency.Design/methodology/approachA survey via questionnaire was conducted with 262 CEOs and 262 senior managers from Chinese high-tech companies that provided the research data. Structural equation modeling and linear regression analyses were used to test the time-lagged data, and then the main research questions were responded to.FindingsThe analysis reveals that distributed leadership has a significant direct influence on BMI, and that distributed leadership also indirectly affects BMI by enhancing strategic flexibility. Environmental dynamism strengthens the positive effect of distributed leadership on BMI under strategic flexibility.Originality/valueThis paper advances and enriches the emerging stream of BMI research. It presents an innovative conceptual analysis of the antecedents of BMI, and it shows a possible solution for BMI that complements extant research that considers which and how the leadership style of the organizations affects the business model change.

Halal food standard implementation: are Malaysian firms proactive or reactive?

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1330-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib ◽  
Thoo Ai Chin
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Reasons ◽  
Food Standard ◽  
Operational Improvement ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
External Reasons

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons behind halal food standard (HFS) implementation among food manufacturers in Malaysia. Additionally, it examines whether firms in the Malaysian food manufacturing industry are proactive or reactive in implementing HFS. Design/methodology/approach A field survey was conducted in 210 halal-certified food manufacturers. A partial least squares structural equation modeling technique was used to examine the relationships between the reasons and implementation of HFS. Findings The empirical assessments revealed that organization’s commitment, operational improvement and marketing functions are the internal reasons. Meanwhile, government intervention and consumer pressure are the external reasons to implement HFS. Findings also indicated that Malaysian food manufacturers are proactive in implementing HFS. Practical implications The knowledge from this research could encourage non-certified firms to implement HFS and entices halal-certified firms to remain certified. It guides managers toward adopting a better strategy, particularly in prioritizing the internal factors and resources for a more sustainable and positive implication. Originality/value This research is among the few studies that scrutinized the rationale behind the rapid growth of halal food industry. It argues that the pursuit of HFS is not solely a religious obligation, but it is also driven by safety, quality and marketing motives.

scholarly journals The effect of IC components on innovation performance in Serbian companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sladjana Cabrilo ◽  
Aino Kianto ◽  
Bojana Milic
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Performance ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Innovation Potential ◽  
Structural Capital

Purpose In investigating the linkage between intellectual capital (IC) and innovation, it is important not only to explore how IC as a whole is associated with organizations’ innovative performance but also to gain a deep understanding of the role of different IC components (groups of intangibles) in companies’ innovation performance, which is the purpose of this paper in the context of Serbian companies. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on survey data collected from 100 Serbian companies with at least 100 employees during 2014/2015. Six IC components were analyzed (human, structural, internal relational, external relational, renewal and entrepreneurial) in terms of their effect on innovation performance. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling and correlation analysis. Findings Findings demonstrate that renewal capital, internal relational capital and structural capital have statistically significant positive effects on overall innovative performance in Serbian companies. Practical implications The outcomes reveal potential and barriers within IC that are crucial to innovation performance in Serbian companies. In this way, this study enables a deeper understanding of intangible drivers of innovation and highlights possibilities to foster intangible innovation potential in Serbian companies. Originality/value As context (economic and cultural) has emerged as a relevant factor in researching IC, this study is original in investigating IC effect on innovation within the Serbian business environment. Additionally, the broad sexpartite taxonomy of IC contributes to a wider understanding of knowledge and its linkages to innovation.

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