Where there is a will there is a way

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
John Dumay ◽  
Carlo Bagnoli

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether strategic intent influences developing intellectual capital (IC) and if IC affects performance measured in terms of product and service diversification within small and medium enterprises over time. Design/methodology/approach – This study discusses if and how structural equation models can be located within the third stage of IC research, and subsequently presents an analysis developed using 1,392 questionnaire responses through a temporal lens. Findings – Empirical results show how relational, human and structural capital strongly connects to support a firm’s performance measured in terms of product and service diversification. Additionally, IC and strategic intent influence each other creating a constraint effect on one side and an ambition effect on the other. Interestingly, the constraint effect is much higher than the ambition effect, and this falls in line with a contingency approach to strategic intent. Practical implications – Several practical implications are developed. First, results show that high regulation where firms can offer mandatory product/services can limit IC development. Therefore the findings contribute to the dialogue between policy makers, managers and businesses. Second, business schools should consider how strategic intent contributes to developing IC in order to design future curricula for accounting and management studies. Third, firms that operate in similar contexts should pay attention to managerial myopia due to low competition where a significant part of firms’ revenues is from mandatory product/services. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the existing literature by investigating how IC affects strategic intent and how strategic intent fosters IC development. Additionally, findings build on existing theory, helping to understand how IC affects performance measured in terms of portfolio diversification.

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 809-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Seiberling ◽  
Simone Kauffeld

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to seek a better understanding of the role of volition in the learning transfer system beyond the well-established concept of motivation to transfer. Design/methodology/approach Participants of a two-day leadership training were asked to complete two online questionnaires (t1 directly after training, t2 eight weeks after training). In total, 891 managers answered the first questionnaire, 465 the second. Findings Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that motivation and volition to transfer are perceived as two different constructs. Hierarchical linear regression shows that additional variance in training transfer can be explained when volition to transfer is taken into account. Structural equation models and bootstrap analysis suggest that both motivation and volition to transfer mediate effects of supervisor support and trainer performance on training transfer. Research limitations/implications The results imply that besides motivation to transfer, volition to transfer may be a relevant construct in the transfer of training. It remains to be tested how far these findings can be generalized to other training settings beside leadership trainings. Practical implications Organizations aiming at improving training transfer should focus on enhancing the participants’ motivation and volition to transfer. Both trainers and supervisors seem to promote transfer of training by influencing a trainee’s motivation to transfer and volition to transfer. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically examine the role of volition in training transfer.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Abbad ◽  
Ibrahim Hussien Musa Magboul ◽  
Kholoud AlQeisi

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shafique Ur Rehman ◽  
Hamzah Elrehail ◽  
Abdallah Alsaad ◽  
Anam Bhatti

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 829-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Alnawas ◽  
Allam Abu Farha

PurposeThis study aims to: first, examine the effect of interaction orientation (IO) and brand orientation (BO) on marketing capabilities and small and medium enterprises' (SMEs') performance, and second, assess the complementarity effect of IO and BO on marketing capabilities and SMEs' performance.Design/methodology/approachA model was developed and tested using a survey methodology. Data were collected from 538 SMEs located in Qatar and analysed by structural equation modelling with AMOS.FindingsFirst, IO affects SMEs' performance only indirectly via marketing capabilities, whereas BO affects SMEs' performance both directly and indirectly. Second, contrary to expectations, the complementarity between IO and BO produced a destructive/suppressive effect, rather than a synergistic effect, on both marketing capabilities and SMEs' performance, reflecting the importance of a trade-off to enhance both marketing capabilities and SMEs' performance.Originality/valueTo the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the complementary effect of BO and IO on marketing capabilities and performance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1616-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho Chea Hooi ◽  
Noor Hazlina Ahmad ◽  
Azlan Amran ◽  
Syed Abidur Rahman

Purpose The purpose of the study is to delve the influencing factors of sustainable entrepreneurship among SMEs in Malaysia. The heightened awareness in sustainable development coupled with globalisation has created immense aspiration, enthusiasm and interest in the trajectory of sustainable entrepreneurship. With this set of circumstances, the objective of the study is to explore the possible predictive factors that enhance sustainable entrepreneurship among Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study examined the relationships between sustainable entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial orientation, sustainability orientation and entrepreneurial bricolage through the lens of a resource-based view, upper echelons theory and corporate social responsibility. A total of 102 responses from a survey instrument from Malaysian SMEs were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling. Findings The results indicated that the entrepreneurial orientation is associated with the degree of sustainable entrepreneurship, and is mediated by the role and degree of entrepreneurial bricolage. Originality/value This study highlights the importance of sustainable entrepreneurship among SMEs with respect to the heightened societal and environmental awareness among consumers and international regulation concerning environmental protection.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Farhan Alshira'h ◽  
Hasan Mahmoud Al-Shatnawi ◽  
Manaf Al-Okaily ◽  
Abdalwali Lutfi ◽  
Malek Hamed Alshirah

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to better understand the issues on tax compliance. This study aims to examine the influence of patriotism and public governance on the sales tax compliance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to examine the interaction between patriotism and public governance on sales tax compliance.Design/methodology/approachThis study was carried out by soliciting the opinions of owner-managers of SMEs in Jordan through a survey that was distributed by self-administered. This paper uses partial least squares structural equation modelling to investigate the influence of patriotism, public governance and the interaction of these two mechanisms on sales tax compliance for a sample of 385 SMEs.FindingsThis paper finds that patriotism and the public governance increase and improve the level of sales tax compliance. The findings also supported the interaction effect of patriotism on the relationship between public governance with sales tax compliance. Thus, all the hypothesised relationships were supported.Practical implicationsTax authorities and policymakers in developing majority societies in developing countries and in other Arab countries, especially in Jordan, may use the results to focus their interest on the formulation of policies founded on the outcomes of the study to strengthen the compliance of eligible SMEs to further boost their sales collections.Originality/valueVery few studies have examined the determinants of sales tax compliance, and there has been an absence of work that examines the influence of the patriotism and public governance on sales tax compliance. This paper, therefore, fills a gap in the literature by providing the first empirical evidence about the influence of patriotism and public governance on sales tax compliance of SMEs in developing countries. This study is the initial paper to examine the interaction between patriotism and public governance on sales tax compliance among SMEs in developing countries


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surjit Kumar Gandhi ◽  
Anish Sachdeva ◽  
Ajay Gupta

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role played by service quality (SQ) in manufacturer–distributor working partnerships in the context of Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and present two models which propose and validate that contributions toward SQ, made by both the manufacturing unit and distribution firm lead to satisfaction which consequently results in business-to-business (B2B) loyalty.Design/methodology/approachThe research design for this study includes a combination of literature review, exploratory interviews with a focus group and a questionnaire survey conducted through interview schedule from 101 information rich and willing respondents working in SMEs of northern India.FindingsThe paper brings out scales foe measuring organizational (internal) and distributor (external) SQ. Further, two models using structural equation modeling are developed. Model-I examines the effect of organizational SQ on distributor SQ. Model-II examines the impact of distributor SQ on satisfaction and loyalty and also tests a set of four propositions related to their working relationship. The models are empirically tested and are found to be fit.Research limitations/implicationsFuture researchers may validate these scales, and empirically test the proposed models in alternate settings. Insights derived from this study may be transferred to other partnerships, which may exist in a manufacturing supply chain including suppliers, employees, retailers and end consumers.Practical implicationsThis study would be of interest to SME practitioners interested in improving SQ with their distributors. The study also finds support for strengthening collaborative relationships with B2B partners to achieve a win-win situation.Originality/valueThere are very few empirical studies that measure SQ w.r.t. distribution function in SMEs and the concept is in nascent stage, especially in Indian setting.


Author(s):  
Alireza Jalali ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
T. Ramayah

Purpose This study aims to explore the direct and indirect effects of organizational stakeholder’s relationship on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study used the cluster sampling method to select the study sample and the questionnaire survey approach to 580 SMEs established in Tehran. A total of 150 completed questionnaires were returned. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 3.0 software. Findings The survey outcomes revealed that organization-stakeholder relationship had an indirect effect on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking. The results indicated positive links for organization-stakeholder relationship and innovativeness, as well as the organization-stakeholder relationship to risk-taking. Practical implications This research is beneficial for entrepreneurs who wish to learn about the specific resources significant for venture growth, to devise effective strategies to expand their relationship with stakeholders and to consider the significance of the correlations established, in this study, through innovativeness and risk-taking. Originality/value This research is one of the few attempts that have addressed the importance of innovativeness and risk-taking as the key mechanisms to transform the advantages of organization-stakeholder relationships to enhance performance.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humberto Nuno Teixeira ◽  
Isabel Lopes ◽  
Sérgio Sousa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a new methodology to be used by small and medium enterprises to characterize their performance in quality, highlighting weaknesses and areas for improvement. The methodology aims to identify the main causes of quality problems and help to prioritize improvement initiatives. This is a methodology that intends to be easy to implement by companies with low maturity level in quality. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature review a methodology for diagnosing and prioritizing quality problems is proposed. Then two longitudinal case studies are performed to refine and validate the proposed methodology. The methodology is organized in six different steps which include gathering information about predetermined processes and sub-processes of quality management, defined based on Juran’s trilogy, and about predetermined results categories. Findings – The application of the methodology was successful in two case studies and a report was produced on the quality state of each industry, including a prioritization of the causes of poor performance. Research limitations/implications – The methodology may have to be adapted to better suit the needs of companies from different sectors, either by reviewing the processes, by integrating new tools or refining the existing ones. Practical implications – This paper presents a new methodology for identifying and prioritizing quality problems. Originality/value – Due to its simplicity and comprehensiveness, it is believed that the developed methodology can be applied periodically by companies as self-diagnostic and prioritization tool, aimed at continuous improvement.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansur Ahmed Kazaure ◽  
Abdul Rashid Abdullah ◽  
Dahlia Binti Zawawi ◽  
Amer Hamzah

Purpose The study aims is to examine the determinant factors of small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) intention to adopt the Islamic crowdfunding model as alternative sources of finance. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey questionnaire, 385 responses were received from owners and managers of SMEs in three states (Kano, Kaduna and Katsina) of northwestern Nigeria and analyses using PLS-SEM 3.0 software. Findings All hypotheses were found to be significant. Research limitations/implications The research focused only on northwestern Nigeria; there is a need for further research to focus on other geographical zones in Nigeria. Practical implications Crowd funders and policymakers can use these findings to enable the adoption of the Islamic crowdfunding model. Originality/value The previous study has not examined the role of technology acceptance model in the adoption of the financial model; these findings contribute to the crowdfunding literature by filling this gap.


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