Intellectual capital and resilience in torn societies

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Daou ◽  
Jay Joseph ◽  
Dalia Sabah Yousif ◽  
Ramzi Fathallah ◽  
Gerald Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Entrepreneurial Success ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Conflict Zones ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
The Face ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between intellectual capital (IC) and resilience in torn societies while proposing an integrative framework. Due to adversities faced by entrepreneurs in such contexts, an understanding of the role of resilience along with IC has become crucial for businesses to succeed and survive. Design/methodology/approach This study takes an in-depth look at the three components of IC – human, organizational and external capital and their association with resilience. In order to do so, a qualitative study on 17 Iraqi micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) was conducted using data collected through semi-structured interviews with the founders. The interviews were translated and coded by native speakers. Findings The results suggest that IC and resilience are interrelated concepts where IC components contribute to the resilience capabilities of entrepreneurs to survive and continue their businesses during turbulent times. Practical implications Implications for managers and policymakers are presented; in brief, strategies and policies are required to support entrepreneurial success in the Iraqi context. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature on IC for entrepreneurs. So far, few studies have dealt with the association between IC and resilience, and less so in torn societies. This paper contributes to research on enterprise development and survival under conflict zones; it highlights some of the factors that could form resilience of a MSME in the face of uncertainty; and it contributes to the literature on IC as it helps us understand certain capacities that build up and/or support MSME resilience in such a context.

A critical examination of implementing government sponsored intellectual capital management and reporting programs for small and medium enterprises

VINE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Tee Jeok Inn ◽  
John Dumay ◽  
Katsuhiko Kokubu
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This study aims to examine the impact of implementation of government-sponsored intellectual capital (IC) management and reporting (ICMR) programmes in Hong Kong and Japan for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the purpose of issuing an IC statement (ICS). Design/methodology/approach – The authors present a critical analysis using semi-structured interviews with employees and owners of Hong Kong and Japanese SMEs who participated in their respective government’s ICMR programmes and who published an ICS. Findings – The authors conclude that many enterprises did not achieve the full benefit of participating in the ICMR programme because consultants funded by the government prepared the ICS. Instead, consultants should take on more of a “missionary” role, educating enterprises about IC, rather than doing the work for them. Research limitations/implications – This research is restricted to enterprises that published one or more ICS. Future research should include enterprises participating in the ICMR programme that failed to publish an ICS. Practical implications – Enterprises that are able to utilise IC in their daily business routine will think IC is useful and continue using it. Conversely, those enterprises that relied on consultants to prepare the ICS will not understand its benefits. Originality/value – Policymakers should not solely concentrate on creating new IC reporting frameworks or guidelines for enterprises to follow because this focus limits the understanding of how enterprises can utilise IC concepts with the consequence that they may eventually give up on IC reporting.

Determinants and outcomes ofe-business adoption among manufacturing SMEs: Insights from a developing country

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Abbad ◽  
Ibrahim Hussien Musa Magboul ◽  
Kholoud AlQeisi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Practitioners ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose In response to a turbulent industrial environment, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), organizations have widely adopted e-business to improve their processes. This study aims to propose a model that encapsulates the determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption. Design/methodology/approach The determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption were tested using data gathered from 282 managers and analysed using structural equation modelling techniques. Findings The results indicated that owner support, perceived ease of use and government support were important determinants that influence e-business adoption. Attitude, competitive pressureand relative advantage were not significant. Regarding outcomes, e-business adoption had a major impact on SME functioning and operational progress; however, it had no influence on competitive advantage. Originality/value By ascertaining the determinants and outcomes of e-business adoption, the findings provide e-business practitioners and managers with guidelines that can encourage more efficient and effective e-business adoption within their organizations. The results also provide a basis for more precise e-business studies to be conducted in developing countries.

scholarly journals The nature of crowdfunding in China: initial evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaiyu Huang ◽  
Candy Lim Chiu ◽  
Sha Mo ◽  
Rob Marjerison
Keyword(s):  
Risk Sharing ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
New Ventures ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Frameworks ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop initial evidence about the nature and features of crowdfunding in China, given it is largely unregulated regulatory frameworks. Design/methodology/approach The paper used extensive desk research using data collected from the public and private sectors, after which the data was analyzed parallel to existing academic literature, that is, institutional context by Bruton et al. (2014). This paper uncovered patterns of development, profiling crowdfunding platforms, examining the regulatory landscape and providing antecedents of successful crowdfunding projects in China. Findings When the traditional financial markets are hard to reach, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were starved for capital. Crowdfunding can play a major role in funding and risk sharing. It is an innovative and dynamic vehicle for MSMEs as well as enthusiastic investors in China. Since its initial introduction to China in 2009, crowdfunding has gained substantial popularity in a relatively short period. Currently, there is still not an identifiable guideline on how to delineate the significance of the crowdfunding platform. The development of crowdfunding in China faces a few unresolved key issues. As researchers exploring this phenomenon in new ways, crowdfunding platforms can be enhanced in a manner that benefits the capital seeker, investors and society as a whole. Originality/value There is a dearth of information on start-up crowdfunding in Asia. With little data available to analyze, so this paper hopes to contribute to knowledge and provide valuable information to researchers and industry representations. Crowdfunding represents a potentially disruptive change in the way that new ventures are funded. This paper represents an initial analysis in the study of new ventures in China. Finally, the authors provide recommendations for entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers as well as researchers and practitioners with suggestions about yet unexplored avenues of research.

Intellectual capital and innovative performance: a mediation-moderation perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shafique Ur Rehman ◽  
Hamzah Elrehail ◽  
Abdallah Alsaad ◽  
Anam Bhatti
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Performance ◽  
Innovative Capabilities ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeThis study explores central questions related to the connection between intellectual capital (IC) and the innovative performance of organizations through the mediating role of management control systems (MCS) and business strategies, as well as the moderating role of innovation capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected from the managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a structured questionnaire. Out of 1,152 questionnaires distributed, only 415 were used for analysis purposes. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsIntellectual capital significantly influences MCS, business strategies and innovative performance. Moreover, MCS, business strategies and innovative capabilities significantly improve innovative performance. MCS and business strategies significantly mediate the relationship between intellectual capital and innovative performance. Finally, innovative capabilities significantly moderate that between intellectual capital and innovative performance.Practical implicationsThe current research examines how management should use MCS, business strategies, and innovative capabilities to take maximum benefit from intellectual capital in order to improve innovative performance.Originality/valueThis is pioneering research that develops a theoretical model to incorporate intellectual capital, MCS, business strategies, innovative capabilities and innovative performance. Even though the influence of various kinds of intangible assets/resources on innovative performance has been widely examined in the literature, scant attention has been paid to the role of MCS, business strategies, and innovative capabilities in leveraging the firm's intellectual capital.

Inter-organizational knowledge transfer in Omani SMEs: influencing factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himyar Al-Jabri ◽  
Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Organizational Knowledge ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Capabilities ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose Inter-organizational knowledge transfer (IOKT) is important especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Organizations need external knowledge to improve learning capabilities and their own competitiveness. SMEs are important for every nation’s economy. IOKT can enable SMEs’ learning and innovation and consequently its contribution to the national economy. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the IOKT process in Omani SMEs. Design/methodology/approach This study uses qualitative methodology. Participants were ten Omani SMEs from the information and communications technology sector, a knowledge-intensive sector. The study is based on face-to-face semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Findings The results confirmed that inter-organizational knowledge is considered to be important to SMEs. This research also showed that IOKT is affected by many factors related to the donor organization, recipient organization, nature of the knowledge and inter-organizational dynamics. The core factor to IOKT in SMEs is risk and trust. Originality/value Literature shows that there is an emphasis on the importance of studying knowledge management in SMEs; however, there is little work that has been done. Such study is even more important for Omani SMEs to improve their learning, innovation and contribution to a national diversified economy. This study provides valuable insights to establish an effective foundation for IOKT in Omani SMEs.

Towards a better understanding of intellectual capital in Mexican SMEs

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Daou ◽  
Egide Karuranga ◽  
Zhan Su
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
External Capital ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the characteristics of intellectual capital (IC) in Mexican small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Due to the shift from traditional factors of production to knowledge-based economy, an understanding of the role of IC has become crucial for SMEs to develop a competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – This study takes an in depth look at the three components of IC: human, organizational, and external capital. In order to do so, a quantitative study on 445 SMEs was conducted based on data collected through an online survey. A structural equation model is proposed that is a fit with the reality of Mexican SMEs. Regional differences are highlighted by means of multigroup analysis. Findings – The results suggest that the features of human and organizational capital are consistent with previous studies on SMEs in emerging economies. However, external capital shows some distinctive characteristics unique to Mexican context. Practical implications – Implications for managers and policymakers are discussed, whereby an adaptation of programs and policies are required to fit the Mexican context at the national and regional levels. Originality/value – To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study that observes the components of IC in Mexican SMEs.

Investigating entrepreneurial success factors of women-owned SMEs in UAE

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namrata Gupta ◽  
Anita Mirchandani
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Entrepreneurial Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors affecting the success of women entrepreneurs who own and manage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in UAE. The extant literature on the relationship between determinants of entrepreneurial success points to a lack of clarification of the link between success factors (Personal, environmental and other) and performance of women-owned SMEs particularly in UAE. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire, through mail survey, is used to collect the data. Cronbach’s α test and factor analysis have been carried out to test the reliability of data and validate the hypothesis. Findings The results suggested that the personal, environmental factors and government support affect positively and significantly to the success of women-owned SMEs in UAE. Research limitations/implications The study has some limits as to its potential for generalization owing to the sample size, wide geographic spread of respondents and time limitations with the respondents. Practical implications The results indicate that several factors including personal, environmental and government support are linked with the success of women entrepreneurs of UAE. The results of this study will provide some insights to policymakers and business practitioners to formulate the strategies intended to promote unveiled potential among women entrepreneurs in UAE. Originality/value Most of the studies focused on women entrepreneurship have taken either their motives or the hurdles faced by them into consideration. Moreover, only a few studies have been carried out in Arab world particularly in UAE. Therefore, this study is an attempt to fill the gap and contribute to a better understanding of UAE’s women-owned SMEs.

A Daoist perspective on leadership: reputation-building in Chinese SMEs

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 279-300
Author(s):  
Hongqin Li ◽  
Oswald Jones ◽  
William S. Harvey ◽  
Jie Yang
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Letting Go ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Cross Fertilization ◽  
Reputation Building

PurposeThis article examines the influence of Daoist nothingness on leadership in growing Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Daoism is based on a “letting-go” approach through maintaining inherent openness, which challenges goal-oriented and hierarchical approaches typical of Western and Confucian leadership theories. This facilitates the cross-fertilization of ideas related to the effective management of smaller firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on SME leaders in a group of 12 growing SMEs in the Shanghai logistics industry in China. Narrative and semi-structured interviews explored emerging aspects beyond the established model of leadership associated with reputation-building. This led to in-depth, thick descriptions, broadening our understanding of leadership and reputation-building.FindingsSME leaders follow nothingness by continuously adopting a letting-go approach which spontaneously fosters reputation-building. By maintaining inherent openness, nothingness functions as an enabling principle that mobilizes multi-beings leading to reputation-building in unintended ways.Research limitations/implicationsA greater plurality of empirical and methodological contexts in Western and non-Western countries helps to understand the dynamics and intersection of Daoist nothingness, leadership and reputation-building.Practical implicationsSME leaders recounted how they discursively practised nothingness for extended periods in their everyday practice. The study shows the significance of nothingness for SME leaders who aspire to grow their businesses by reputation-building among salient stakeholders.Social implicationsDaoist nothingness provides insights into the distinctive approach of Chinese SME leaders and their relationships with local and distant stakeholders. By engaging in active non-action they relax pre-determined intentions and immerse themselves in the process of leading, where the connections between goals and processes are automatically animated. Such an approach differs from the top-down and goal-oriented approach to leadership adopted in many Western SMEs.Originality/valueThis paper makes two theoretical contributions. First, it indicates the powerful influence of Daoist nothingness on leadership by drawing on the broader context of entrepreneurship in Chinese SMEs. Secondly, it enriches existing concepts such as reputation by endowment and reputation borrowing by demonstrating how Daoist nothingness silently fosters both local reputation and generalized reputation.

Does supply chain finance improve SMEs performance? The moderating role of trade digitization

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulqurnain Ali ◽  
Bi Gongbing ◽  
Aqsa Mehreen
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Finance ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose A growing need for financing in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has become a significant obstacle to the development of firms. To remove this barrier, the purpose of this paper is to examine how supply chain finance (SCF) assists the firms to improve their performance by utilizing the resource-based view (RBV). Furthermore, the present study also pursues to test the effect of trade digitization as a moderating variable in the relationship between SC finance and the firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the textile sector, the authors run confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS 24 and hierarchical linear regression model in SPSS 23 to measure the proposed model and hypotheses, respectively. Findings The study suggests that SCF significantly improves the SMEs performance. Moreover, trade digitization strengthens the relationship between SCF and SMEs performance. Thus, the current study significantly describes the firm RBV through SCF and trade digitization to predict the SMEs performance. Practical implications SMEs entrepreneurs or executives can optimize the working capital through SCF and enhance the visibility of transactions through digitization for improving SMEs performance. Moreover, SCF protects the SMEs due to its nature of risk mitigation strategy. Originality/value This study covered the unexplored gap in the previous literature of supply chain management by establishing the relationship between SCF and the firm performance empirically while identifying the role of trade digitization as moderating variable in the context of textile SMEs by employing RBV theory.

scholarly journals Knowledge sharing, intellectual capital and organizational results in SMES: are they related?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 893-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mírian Oliveira ◽  
Carla Curado ◽  
Andrea Raymundo Balle ◽  
Aino Kianto
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Structural Capital ◽  
Organizational Results ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relations among knowledge sharing (KS), intellectual capital (IC), absorptive capacity (AC), innovation (IN) and organizational performance (OP).Design/methodology/approachThis paper empirically tests a model that uses structural equation modeling (SEM) based on a partial least squares (PLS). The sample is composed of 351 Brazilian and 135 Portuguese enterprises. They are micro, small and medium enterprises.FindingsThe results show that: the relation between KS and AC is partially mediated by IC; the relation between IC and IN is partially mediated by AC and the relation between KS and IN is mediated by AC and IC or both. There are relations among KS, IC, AC, IN and OP.Research limitations/implicationsThe study does not control for industry effects and technological differences among the firms.Practical implicationsThe use of KS mitigates the loss of knowledge associated to employees' retirement or job changes. The knowledge appropriation by the organization (turning human capital (HC) into structural capital (SC)), the knowledge achieved from connections (relational capital, RC) and the trust embedded in an organization's relation with employees are important for AC and IN. Moreover, KS can positively influence all elements of IC. OP depends directly on IN and indirectly on the others constructs.Originality/valueThis study is relevant because it explores the relations among KS, IC, AC, IN and OP in one model. Moreover, it focuses on small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) with data from two countries.

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