Does entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior improve firm performance in time of crisis?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol

Purpose This paper examines the effect of improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs on firm performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand during the economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also explores external factors in terms of competitive intensity and internal factors in terms of financial and human resources possessed by firms that could enhance the impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered online questionnaire survey was used to collect the data from the random sample of 312 SMEs in Thailand. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings The analysis supports the positive relationship between the improvisational behavior of entrepreneurs and firm performance. Moreover, the moderating effect analysis shows that the positive impact of improvisational behavior on firm performance tends to be stronger for firms that encountered a higher level of competitive intensity and for firms that possessed a higher level of financial and human resources. Originality/value This research extends the knowledge from prior research by confirming some moderating factors that could strengthen the benefit of improvisational behavior during the crisis.

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minkyun Kim ◽  
Nallan C Suresh ◽  
Canan Kocabasoglu-Hillmer

Purpose – The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships among strategic sourcing, e-procurement and firm performance, along with the moderating effects of business characteristics and environmental factors on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical investigation relies on structured survey responses from 137 managers of US manufacturing firms. The partial least squares-based structural equation modeling approach is used for data analysis. Findings – The research results confirm that both strategic sourcing and e-procurement have a positive effect on firm performance. In addition, e-procurement is also found to have a positive impact on strategic sourcing. In addition, the research results suggest that business characteristics and the environment, especially the degree of competition, market turbulence, firm size and stage in product life cycle moderate these relationships significantly. The positive effects of strategic sourcing and e-procurement on firm performance are particularly enhanced under the right conditions. Originality/value – This research is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to provide insights into the joint effects of strategic sourcing and e-procurement, and how business characteristics and the environment affect their roles on firm performance. In addition, firm performance is evaluated as a multi-dimensional construct involving financial, operational and supply chain aspects, with the measurements consisting of several second-order constructs. The study makes both theoretical and practical contributions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erlinda N. Yunus

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between supply chain collaboration and innovation. It particularly investigates the effect of collaboration on radical innovation and highlights the positive impact of innovation, both radical and incremental, on business performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 230 Indonesian firms was conducted and the instrument was tested for reliability and validity to warrant its psychometric properties. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThis study reveals that collaboration with suppliers brings radical innovation, while collaboration with customers brings incremental innovation. Contrary to this study’s conjecture, albeit interesting, collaboration with customers negatively affects radical innovation. Both radical and incremental innovations further exert a positive influence over firm performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the relationships between supply chain collaboration, innovation and firm performance. The results enhance our understanding of types of innovation that are promoted by each dimension of collaboration. Further studies could extend the research by using a more elaborate measure of innovation or perform a longitudinal examination.Practical implicationsManagers are encouraged to pursue innovation as it improves firm performance. They could exploit their current partnership with customers to generate incremental innovation or leverage their supplier network to develop radical innovation.Originality/valueStudies that specifically investigate the impact of firms’ collaboration with their supply chain partners on radical innovation are quite scarce. This empirical study is among the very few to fill this void by providing an integrative assessment of customer, supplier and internal collaborations and their impact on both radical and incremental innovation.


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.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 3465-3483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uttam Chakraborty

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the vitality of source, receiver and message factors on credibility assessment of online hotel reviews. Further, the current study determines the effects of perceived credibility of online reviews (PCOR) on hotel booking intentions (HBI). Design/methodology/approach The current study performs reliability analysis to determine the internal consistency of the measurement scales and to ensure the uni-dimensionality of the measurement scales the present study performs exploratory factor analysis. Further, the present study performs structural equation modeling to identify the relationships between the variables. Findings Two-sided online reviews have a more significant positive impact on PCOR as compared to the effects of receiver, review quality, review consistency and negative-sided online reviews. Originality/value This is one of the first study that analyses the impact of source, receiver and message on PCOR. Moreover, the present study offered theoretical justification behind the factors that affect the authenticity of online hotel reviews and its effects on HBI.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghreed Al Dari ◽  
Fauzia Jabeen ◽  
Matloub Hussain ◽  
Dana Al Khawaja

Purpose This study aims to develop a theoretical framework of the impact of clan and hierarchy cultures and knowledge technological capabilities on organizational learning. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 693 employees working in knowledge management centers in various law and enforcement units in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the variables. Findings The findings show that the clan culture had a significant negative effect on organizational learning. However, hierarchy culture and knowledge technological capabilities had a significant positive impact in predicting organizational learning behavior. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on a specific type of public organization only, which somewhat limits the generalizability of the research results. Second, as the study was cross-sectional, the causal relationships could not be inferred directly. The study results will help policymakers create a learning organization by examining the impact of organizational culture and knowledge of technological capabilities. Originality/value This paper has added knowledge about the relationship between culture types, knowledge technological capabilities and organizational learning, particularly in the UAE. This study helps to bridge the gap in research on culture and knowledge technological capabilities and organizational learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
D. R. G. Perera ◽  
W. M. C. Bandara Wanninayake

Management of Hemostasis is an integral role for any Intensivist in assurance of recovery of a hemorrhage patient who is often treated in an ICU, and building trust of a product segment related to such vital treatment will undoubtedly hold an utmost importance. Yet in researches and articles in current Medical Marketing setup it is found to be very limited, and in the case of Biological and Bio-Similar Marketing its almost non-existence. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and prove the significant positive impact of Brand Trust on Physicians Prescription Decision and Moderation impact powered by the synergy of Relationship Marketing. The research consists of data which was collected via online questionnaire and captured the data required from the target sample cohort which is distributed via respective specialized academic colleges of their representation through email and filed online by the participants of quantitative research. Moreover, two of the main key opinion leaders (KOLs) were interviewed and qualitative data were summarized. The collected data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) procedures to reach meaningful conclusions. Thereby the study proves the significant positive impact of Brand Trust on Physicians Prescription Decision and Moderation impact which synergized by Relationship Marketing. The study is an original contribution to the field of Marketing in Biological and Pharmaceutical Industry. The proposed relationships are based on Brand Trust, Physician’s Prescription Decision and Relationship Marketing. Furthermore, the Moderating effect of Relationship Marketing on the relationship between Brand Trust and Physician’s Prescription Decision is unique to this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 843-853
Author(s):  
Linh Nguyen ◽  

This study aims to investigate the impact of innovation capability on cross-channel capability and the effect of cross-channel capability on firm performance of an organization. On the base of literature review, this study suggests a research hypothesis model, and uses quantitative research method to examine. Research data is collected from 201 Vietnamese retail enterprises. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by Smart-PLS is used for data analysis. The research result indicates that there is a significant and positive impact of innovation capability on cross-channel capability. Besides that, the finding shows that cross-channel capability plays an important role in improving firm performance. Based on the findings, some recommendations are suggested to enhance firm performance by generating cross-channel capability and innovation capability of Vietnamese retailers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ikram ◽  
Robert Sroufe ◽  
Muhammad Mohsin ◽  
Yasir Ahmed Solangi ◽  
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities influence firm performance based on a longitudinal survey for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Empirical studies suggest that the SME sector plays an essential role in the economic development of Pakistan and can be considered the backbone of the economy. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected from SMEs located in the cities of Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad in Pakistan. A well-designed questionnaire was administrated over 240 entrepreneurs to analyze and measure the impact of CSR on financial performance for a 12-month period. The authors used econometric analysis of the data using structural equation modeling. Findings Results reveal significant relationships between CSR and two determinants of firm performance, namely, employee commitment and corporate reputation. Research limitations/implications Findings of the study are important for policymakers, entrepreneurs and other professionals in SMEs sectors both in under-developed and, with further application and exploration, in developing countries. Originality/value There is no single longitudinal study prior to this has been carried out on the relationships of CSR and firm performance in the SME sector in the context of the Pakistani economy. Hence, this study significantly fills an important gap in the research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 714-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulqurnain Ali ◽  
Bi Gongbing ◽  
Aqsa Mehreen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how a supply chain (SC) network helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to obtain liquidity and working capital for enhancing their performance while developing the relationships among SC members through information sharing. Moreover, this study also investigates whether a strong tie or bridge tie improves the availability of SMEs’ credit and performance. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey approach, data were collected from textile SMEs, located in Pakistan. Structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression model were run to validate the proposed model and the relationships. Findings Findings highlighted that strong tie and bridge tie of SMEs positively and significantly enhance the credit quality and SMEs’ performance. Furthermore, information sharing significantly moderates the relationship between SC network ties and SMEs’ credit quality. Credit quality significantly explains the indirect (mediation) association between the strong tie and the firm performance. Practical implications This study will help the SMEs’ entrepreneurs and SC executives to strengthen the liquidity position of SME and improve SMEs’ performance by developing the bridge ties. SMEs should share more information in their SC network while performing business transactions so that financers or lenders can easily access their operational capabilities and individual characteristics to offer them quality credit such as supply chain finance (SCF). Originality/value SMEs always face the issue of risk-free financing which adversely affects the firm performance. This study covered the hidden gap in SCM and SMEs’ financing literature by identifying the crucial role of SCF as quality credit in the development of SMEs. Moreover, SMEs can get benefits (e.g. quality credit=SCF) for better embedding in an SC network through information sharing.


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