scholarly journals Interfirm network structure and firm resources: Towards a unifying concept

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-264
Author(s):  
Jesse Karjalainen ◽  
◽  
Aku Valtakoski ◽  
Ilkka Kauranen ◽  
◽  
...  

PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to propose a concept of network resource distribution that systematically unifies the resource-based and network-based perspectives on interfirm networks and enables integrated analysis of how firm resources and network structure interact to affect firm performance. METHODOLOGY: This conceptual paper first reviews the extant literature on interfirm networks and then develops the unifying concept of network resource distribution. FINDINGS: The literature review indicates that strategy scholars have long sought to integrate the resource-based view and the social network explanations of firm performance but, thus far, only a partial integration has been achieved. In particular, studies on the resource-level heterogeneity of interfirm networks have largely been limited to the analysis of firm dyads. How firm resources and network structure beyond the immediate network partners interact to affect firm performance has not yet been adequately addressed. The proposed unified concept of network resource distribution systematizes prior research and illuminates how network structure and firm resources interact to affect firm performance beyond the immediate network partners. IMPLICATIONS FOR THEORY AND PRACTICE: For theory, this paper highlights gaps in the extant literature on interfirm networks and proposes a unifying concept that can be utilized to address these gaps and to develop further theory in the area. For practice, this paper encourages managers not to limit their analyses of strategic alliances to immediate partnerships; it is also crucial to consider the partners and their resources, and reflect on how they are related to one another outside of the immediate partnership portfolio. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: Network resource distribution is a novel concept that ties together and systematizes various strands of research on interfirm networks, thus providing a foundation for future research in the area. The concept is also amenable to detailed operationalization, facilitating subsequent quantitative testing of theoretical arguments combining firm resources and the structure of a network.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Laurence G. Weinzimmer ◽  
Eric J. Michel ◽  
Jennifer Robin

Abstract Drawing on Wales, Monsen, and McKelvie's (2011, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(5), 895–923) model of entrepreneurial orientation pervasiveness and the strong culture hypothesis (Denison, 1984, Organization Dynamics, 13, 4–22), this study investigates how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) strength, defined as the level of agreement in the shared perceptions of EO, serves as a boundary condition of the EO–firm performance relationship. Four field studies provide evidence for a valid and reliable 10-item multidimensional measure of entrepreneurial orientation, the EO-10, which in turn, may be used to assess EO strength. We establish content and construct validity of the EO-10 (study 1; n = 447 employees), criterion-related validity with revenue growth and sales growth (study 2; n = 412 employees in 43 profit centers), and convergent validity with Covin and Slevin's (1989, Strategic Management Journal, 10, 75–87) 9-item measure (study 3; n = 291 employees). Finally, in study 4 (n = 853 employees nested in 22 organizations), we demonstrate the interactive effects of EO and EO strength on profit growth and revenue growth. In sum, this study provides conceptual and empirical evidence for the importance of EO strength as a moderator of the EO–firm performance relationship.


Author(s):  
Forough Zarea Fazlelahi ◽  
J. Henri Burgers ◽  
Martin Obschonka ◽  
Per Davidsson

Abstract Spinoff firms are a common phenomenon in entrepreneurship where employees leave incumbent parent firms to found their own. Like other types of new firms, such new spinoffs face liabilities of newness and smallness. Previous research has emphasised the role of the initial endowments from their parent firm to overcome such liabilities. In this study, we argue and are the first to show, that, in addition to such endowments, growing an alliance network with firms other than their parents’ is also critical for spinoff performance. Specifically, we investigate the performance effect of alliance network growth in newly founded spinoffs using a longitudinal sample of 248 spinoffs and 3370 strategic alliances in the mining industry. Drawing on theory based on the resource adjustment costs of forming alliances, we posit and find a U-shaped relationship between the alliance network growth and spinoff performance, above and beyond the parent firm’s influence. We further hypothesise and find that performance effects become stronger with increased time lags between alliance network growth and spinoff performance, and when spinoffs delay growing their alliance networks. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-90
Author(s):  
Rebi Fara Handika

Abstract   This paper discussed the company's motive to join a strategic alliance from the institutional theory point of view. The theory views that strategic alliances are considered as the medium to acquire legitimation from the environment. Such legitimation then improves the company’s competitive positions and performance. Further, we propose the framework to discuss the relationship between strategic alliances and a company’s performance. The paper proceeds as follows: in the next section, we discuss the institutional theory, the strategic alliance, and firm performance. Afterward, we develop the propositions and discuss the implications for future empirical research.   Abstrak   Artikel ini membahas motif perusahaan untuk bergabung dengan aliansi strategis dari sudut pandang teori institusional. Teori ini memandang bahwa aliansi strategis dianggap sebagai media untuk memperoleh legitimasi dari lingkungan. Legitimasi tersebut kemudian dipercayai akan meningkatkan posisi kompetitif dan kinerja perusahaan. Selanjutnya, kami mengusulkan framework untuk membahas hubungan antara aliansi strategis dan kinerja perusahaan. Artikel ini akan dilanjutkan sebagai berikut: pada bagian berikutnya, kita membahas teori institusional, aliansi strategis, dan kinerja perusahaan. Setelah itu, kami mengembangkan proposisi dan membahas implikasi untuk penelitian empiris di masa depan.


2020 ◽  
pp. 234094442095733
Author(s):  
Rubén Martínez-Alonso ◽  
María J. Martínez-Romero ◽  
Alfonso A. Rojo-Ramírez

Determining what factors influence firm performance constitutes an essential issue in both the management and the family firm research fields. This article, building on the resource-based view perspective, develops a mediation model that involves a unique intervening mechanism, namely, technological innovation efficiency (TI efficiency), with the potential to explain the inconsistencies found in prior work on the ways through which family involvement in management affects performance outcomes. Regression analyses utilizing a longitudinal sample of 1,118 Spanish private firms largely support the hypothesized mediating relationship, revealing that TI efficiency leads to richer firm performance in family firms with active family involvement in management. Overall, our findings help elucidate the black box of performance outcomes within family firms and make several contributions to theory and practice. JEL CLASSIFICATION L25; M12; O32


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Checkley ◽  
Christian Steglich ◽  
Duncan Angwin ◽  
Richard Endersby

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Earl Yarbrough Jr ◽  
Michael Abebe ◽  
Hazel Dadanlar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the link between board of director composition and firm performance. Specifically, the paper argues that board political experience influences the firm’s internationalization strategy as directors with significant political experience provide guidance, resources, and network access that enhance the firm’s international presence. The authors also posit that board political connections would be more helpful for firms operating in high-regulation industries. Design/methodology/approach The authors tested the predictions using data from 156 large US firms. Data on directors’ background were gathered from SEC proxy filings, while data pertaining to internationalization were obtained from Compustat and Mergent Online databases. Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was employed to empirically test the hypothesized relationships. Findings The findings provide strong support for the positive relationship between board political experience and the degree of firm internationalization. Contrary to the authors’ predictions, the level of industry regulation does not seem to significantly affect this relationship. Research limitations/implications Firms aggressively pursuing international strategy could benefit from having directors on their board with robust political experience. One of the limitations of the study is that the types of international activities for firms is not specified in the study as it might be in the form of joint-venture capacity, strategic alliances or for firms that might be born-global. Originality/value This study makes original contribution to the on-going research on board political activity and firm performance through internationalization strategy. The findings suggest that having directors’ with political experience is an important asset in influencing firm’s corporate strategy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Uri Ben Zion ◽  
Garen Markarian

A large body of research has found conflicting results on the relation between board size and firm performance, where studies indicate that board size is positively, negatively, or is unrelated to firm performance. Using a global sample of 120,000 banks, this study extends the extant literature in a number of important ways: we find that an inverted U-curve characterizes the board size-performance relation, especially for publicly owned non-EU firms. Second, and in contrast, we find that the negative board size-performance correlation is explained by a rational risk-return relation, where small board firms are riskier and follow non-traditional banking strategies. Consequently, we find that banks with small boards performed poorly during the 2008 global credit crisis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-159
Author(s):  
Salim Moussa

Brand love is becoming central to modern marketing theory and practice. In academia, researchers are showing increasing interest in investigating its causes and consequences. In practice, a growing number of consultancies and advertising agencies are currently proposing love scores, love indices, and love rankings for brands. An exacting examination of the extant literature reveals, however, that: (1) brand love's conceptual proprieties have always been entirely elusive; (2) its measurement is still substandard; (3) extant empirical studies are full of methodological flaws and far-fetched findings; and that (4) researchers have ignored one important issue while investigating brand love, that is, culture. This paper tries to draw attention on the aforesaid four deficits with the intent of instigating discussions, debates and, in due course, a deeper understanding of this concept.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes L. DeFranco ◽  
Cristian Morosan ◽  
Nan Hua

The heavily fragmented hotel industry, embracing the changes in their guests’ use of electronic devices, has spent considerable resources to incorporate electronic commerce (e-commerce) practices. The extant literature offers inconclusive findings with regard to the effect of e-commerce on firm performance, especially when firm size is considered. Given the high fragmentation of size in the hotel industry, understanding its role in the deployment of e-commerce could result in substantial benefits for both hotel firms and consumers. Using the financial performance of 689 observations of over 110 hotels during 2007–2012, this study finds that e-commerce expenses positively impact firm performance, and that firm size moderates the relationship between e-commerce expenses and firm performance.


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