SMEs internationalization: The role of product innovation, market intelligence, pricing and marketing communication capabilities as drivers of SMEs’ international performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 119908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Falahat ◽  
T. Ramayah ◽  
Pedro Soto-Acosta ◽  
Yan-Yin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
International Performance ◽  
Market Intelligence

The Incentives to, and Constraints upon, Product Innovation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Stoneman ◽  
Eleonora Bartoloni ◽  
Maurizio Baussola
Keyword(s):  
Survey Data ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Product Space ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Decision Uncertainty ◽  
Market Structures ◽  
Product Innovations

This chapter explores the factors that affect the firm’s decision to undertake product innovation. The discussion encompasses the driving forces that encourage product innovation, for example innovation by others or the ageing of an existing product line; however, the basic rationale is the search for profits. The chapter also addresses decisions about: the extent of innovation in general; horizontal and vertical product innovations separately; and the location of innovations in product space. The role of market structures in the product innovation decision, uncertainty in the innovating environment, and issues relating to emulation and copying are also addressed. Constraints to product innovation that survey data indicate are most important—innovation costs, risk and finance, and the availability of qualified labour—are also addressed.

scholarly journals The Effect of Using Social Media in the Modern Marketing Communication on the Shaping an External Employer’s Image

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4177
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Izabela Baruk ◽  
Grzegorz Wesołowski
Keyword(s):  
World Literature ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this article was to determine the significance of modern marketing communication channels used in the process of shaping the external image of an enterprise as an employer. An analysis of the world literature on marketing, management, marketing communication and human resource management was used to prepare the theoretical part. The results of the analysis indicate a cognitive and research gap regarding the use of modern communication channels for building the external image of an enterprise in the role of an employer. In order to reduce the gap, empirical studies were conducted among young Polish potential employees, in which the survey method was used to gather primary data. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis, during which the following methods and statistical tests were applied: the analysis of average values, exploratory factor analysis, Kruskal–Wallis test (KW), Pearson chi-square independence test and V-Cramer coefficient analysis. The results of the analyses conducted indicate, inter alia, that statistically significant diversity was identified in the case of non-professional media in terms of respondents’ opinions on whether the employer’s image created by modern media is better than the employer’s image created on the basis of classical marketing communication channels. In the case of professional and non-professional media, the age of the respondents was not a differentiating feature. Moreover, neither for professional media nor for non-professional media were statistically significant dependencies identified between respondents’ opinions on the impact of actions undertaken by enterprises on shaping their positive external image as an employer and respondents’ opinions on whether the employer’s image created on the basis of modern marketing communication channels is more beneficial than the employer’s image created on the basis of classical marketing communication channels. The results obtained on the basis of the research have a cognitive and applicability value, characterized by originality. Until now, the importance of using modern marketing communication channels in shaping the employer’s external image has not been analysed. This also applies to enterprises operating on the energy market.

Innovation in SMEs: the role of employee training in German SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irem Demirkan ◽  
Ravi Srinivasan ◽  
Alka Nand
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Employee Training ◽  
Lower Proportion ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper explores the role of effective resource and knowledge management capabilities on product innovation capabilities of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, the authors research the role of the human resource investments in the form of employee training in developing firm's innovation capabilities and how SMEs manage these investments when we account for the boundary conditions such as the level of employee education, SME size and the frequency of investments in research and development (R&D).Design/methodology/approachThe authors use survey data conducted by The Centre for European Economic Research (Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung – ZEW). The final sample for analysis includes 983 SMEs from Germany that belong to 13 different industries. The authors use hierarchical OLS regression to test the hypotheses presented in this paper.FindingsThe authors find a positive association between increased investments in employee training and product innovation capabilities in the context of SMEs. More specifically, the authors’ findings support that (1) the relationship between employee training and innovation capabilities is weaker in industries with greater proportion of employees with university degrees, (2) the effectiveness of investments in employee training is lower among larger SMEs than smaller SMEs, and (3) continuous R&D weakens the relationship between training expenditure and innovation capabilities. While on the one hand the authors’ findings contribute to the debate of whether employee training is necessary for SMEs by affirming this notion, on the other hand the authors show that investments in employee training have differing implications for small and large SMEs within boundary conditions. Moreover, these findings have practical implications for the managers of all SMEs in terms of management of their knowledge resources.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors’ research makes important contributions to the study of innovation in SMEs. First, the authors contribute evidence to the debate whether employee training is necessary for SMEs by showing that employee training is particularly important for SMEs that are smaller in size, have lower proportion of employees with university degrees and when they invest in research and development in a targeted manner. The authors also demonstrate that investments in employee training is not a waste, rather such investments can increase the likelihood of survival for many of these firms through its positive impact on product innovation.Practical implicationsFor managers of SMEs, the authors’ findings suggest that while investments in employee training are important, the managers of particular SMEs with above-mentioned qualities should be persistent in such investments and must make deliberate efforts to reap the benefits in terms of innovative capabilities. Unlike large firms, who have the financial means to carry out investments in an abundant manner, SMEs appear to be more enterprising with their scarce resources when we also consider the role of investments in human resources.Originality/valueThe authors’ research makes important contributions to the study of innovation in SMEs. First, the authors contribute evidence to the debate whether employee training is necessary for SMEs by finding that employee training is particularly important for SMEs that are smaller in size, have lower proportion of employees with university degrees and when they do not invest in R&D continuously. The authors also demonstrate that investments in employee training is not a waste, but such investments can increase the likelihood of survival for many of these firms.

Institutional effect on born global firms in China: the role of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War strategies

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Zhang ◽  
Qian Gao ◽  
Jane V. Wheeler ◽  
Jungsook Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Born Global ◽  
Internationalization Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Born Global Firms

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the role of Sun Tzu’s significant strategies on the relationship between the institutional environment and international performance of Chinese born global firms, a type of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) characterized by the company’s limited resources and its early efforts to internationalize. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on a multi-case analysis of interviews conducted with four chosen born global firms, coupled with public database and Web site searches. Through the use of qualitative methods, propositions were developed. Findings – This paper provides insights regarding how the institutional environment, both formal and informal, has a strong positive relationship with born global firm’s international performance. Moreover, Sun Tzu’s significant strategies play a critical role in the internationalization process of born global firms in emerging markets. Originality/value – Although existing studies discuss the application of Eastern philosophical strategies adopted by firms in emerging markets, to the best of our knowledge, this is one of the earliest studies which evaluates the moderation effect of Sun Tzu’s significant strategies on the relationship between institutional environment and business performance. The paper contributes to scholarly discourse on the influencing factors of born global firm’s internationalization process. It also has practical relevance to international entrepreneurs and SMEs from emerging markets.

scholarly journals Plered Ceramic Production by Innovation in Products

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Yuliarni Yuliarni ◽  
Rustopo Rustopo ◽  
Guntur Guntur ◽  
Timbul Raharjo
Keyword(s):  
Product Innovation ◽  
Ceramic Production ◽  
Innovation Development ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Type Form ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
And Function ◽  
Process Product

This article explores the production, in particular innovation, of Plered ceramics. Innovation development seeks to recognize innovations and improvements, as well as the role of institutions in the ceramic industry at Plered. The analysis approach used is qualitative, through observation, interviews, literature review data sources are collected.The results showed that the development of Plered ceramics was carried out in terms of product and process. Product innovation occurs in aspects of type, form and function, while process innovation occurs in aspects of ideas, materials and production techniques. The roles of government, academics, entrepreneurs and consumers who work together are very supportive of the development of Plered ceramics.

scholarly journals Information Technology, Marketing Database and the Process of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC): A Resource-Capability Nexus

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayaz Ahmad ◽  
Salniza Md. Salleh ◽  
Selvan a/l Perumal
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Marketing Communications ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
Integrated Marketing Communications ◽  
Integrated Marketing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technology Marketing ◽  
Industry Professionals ◽  
Research Avenue

This study aims at identifying and conceptually linking Information Technology, Marketing Database and the IMC process in a resource paradigm. It also conceptually posits the mediated role of Marketing Database to further transmit the absorbed effect to the IMC process. Review of the past studies has been done to conceptually connect these resources and/or capabilities. This paper establishes different relationships to be further tested empirically for both the academia and industry professionals. The main contribution is to conceptually theorize all the three concept and linking them conceivably that were either missing or vague in the marketing communication literature. Further, it also provides a research avenue to seek the complementarity of such resources by utilizing the extended RBV theory. The theoretical framework proposed is based on past literature from the RBV and marketing communications literature positing some new structural paths beside certain previous linkage (s) if any.

scholarly journals Role of Information Technology Capabilities on Product Innovation Performance: Mediating Role of Corporate Entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
pp. 94-121
Author(s):  
Abdul Wahab .
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Product Innovation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Despite the surplus studies demonstrating the significance of information technology capabilities in business growth with innovation, the knowledge of the approaches through which such benefits can be attained and their connections, expertise, and influence to other organizational and managerial aspects are yet limited. Purpose: To fill the research gap by studying the relationship between Information technology capabilities and business innovation within corporate entrepreneurial activities and also examining the mediating effect of Corporate Entrepreneurship, its sustainable approach at managerial level and contribution in market research towards emerging demands of IT. This study is also focusing on the skills, processes, and modifications to achieve such goals; also the implications for the managers dealing with product innovations in dynamic organizations. Design: Selected design for this study is descriptive in nature following a quantitative approach with stratified random sampling technique. The data is collected from 315 IT executive and managers from the population of 50 manufacturing firms in Karachi, Pakistan. Findings: Using data collected from the concerned population in the dynamic business environment, Researcher found the corporate entrepreneurship partially mediating the correlation between product innovation performance and information technology capabilities in an organization. These variables being studied are the observed elements of organizational progress and success; and their impacts on innovation, growth, and success are recognized and attested with the help of hypothesis testing in this research. Significance: This study is providing guide and support to organizations and policymakers incorporate entrepreneurial activities at different firms and managerial levels. Furthermore, this research study fills the existing gap by incorporating corporate entrepreneurship (CE) at the organizational level and contributes to the more robust development, understanding and involvement of IT to improve the overall business value.

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