The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: from liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership

Crafting a strategy

Sustainable development, intellectual capital and technology policies: A structured literature review and future research agenda

In addition to causing dramatic damage to people's health, the coronavirus has affected also the financial health of companies worldwide Among them, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) tend to be more vulnerable Characteristics such as scarcity of financial resources and lack of specialized knowledge make their situation even harder This pandemic has resulted in increased digital transformation, changes in customer behavior and the managerial and technological knowledge gap to address them Therefore, this article discusses the general weaknesses, strengths, challenges and opportunities for SMEs to face this pandemic, and how the field of knowledge management (KM) can help Based on the concepts of organizational resilience, we drafted a conceptual model to illustrate how their first responses were and how they could become more adapted First, we conducted a literature search to investigate how SMEs responded to this scenario We found responses to the financial impacts in the form of mass layoffs, temporary and permanent closures, bootstrapping of digitalization and strategic alliances In the discussions section, we raise some key questions to demonstrate how knowledge can improve the role of digital transformation We approach how a KM strategy could start from organizational resilience concepts to assist SMEs to seize digital transformation opportunities As practical implications, our research raises awareness of digital transformation's role as a set of tools to adapt during and after the pandemic, along with resilience engineering and knowledge management principles Future researchers can use this report as a conceptual guide to start their own response and adaptation plans

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/kpm.1660

COVID-19 crisis and SMEs responses: The role of digital transformation

Before and after the outbreak of Covid-19: Linking fashion companies' corporate social responsibility approach to consumers’ demand for sustainable products

In the context of resource scarcity, the affiliation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to strategic networks has emerged as a fruitful path towards knowledge sharing as a reaction to fierce competition and with a view to enhance their innovative performance. In this framework, this paper aims to investigate the influence exerted by a specific relational design (i.e. types of strategic networks) and methodology (i.e. channels and content) of knowledge sharing on SMEs innovative performance.,A questionnaire-based survey with 102 top managers of European SMEs in the industrial field was conducted from June to August 2019 and a partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was used. The database was initially filtered to ensure the adequacy of the sample and data was analysed using the statistics software package SmartPLS 3.0.,The results concluded that the structural model explains 38.5% of the variance in SMEs innovative performance, indicating the positive effects exerted by offline and online and by competitive knowledge sharing on the dependent variable.,The study has both theoretical and practical implications in that it sets out a reference point for the key performance indicators for strategic networks structure, formation and development and, implicitly, for the selection of the most efficient relational design and methodology.,The pivotal originality elements reside in the advancement of a more comprehensive conceptual and structural model combining a two-fold operationalization of SMEs strategic networks (founded on business abilities or on the personality of the partner) and in the investigation of knowledge transfer processes at the inter-organizational levels within a context-centric approach.

SMEs strategic networks and innovative performance: a relational design and methodology for knowledge sharing

This paper aims to categorise the approaches to knowledge management (KM) by companies. In the literature, there is no consensus on a universal or “best” approach to KM. Especially, this paper singles out and discusses the variegated features that characterise the implementation of KM by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) having different characteristics.,A cluster analysis was used to detect the possible distinct traits of companies that have different approaches to KM. The unit of analysis is represented by small- and medium-sized knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) firms. Data were collected by means of an extensive survey of 223 companies in different European countries and sectors.,Three clusters were identified: Companies showing a relative “unconscious” attention to KM and implementing KM practices without particular awareness; Companies adopting a more conscious approach and using a significant number of KM practices; and companies with a marginal propensity towards KM.,This study considers only KIBS, and future research should include other economic sectors. In addition, a convenience sample was used.,This paper improves awareness of managers of small companies concerning different KM approaches that can be adopted. It highlights that a conscious adoption of a KM strategy involves the introduction of a set of consistent practices.,The topic of KM approaches by small companies is still underdeveloped in the literature. Also, the paper proposes a multi-contextual investigation that makes it possible to highlight the transversality of KM approaches across different countries or sectors.

/pdf/knowledge-management-approaches-of-small-and-medium-sized-at7ev0a4e5.pdf

Knowledge management approaches of small and medium-sized firms: a cluster analysis

From the deliberate managerial strategy towards international business performance: A psychic distance vs. global mindset approach

The present paper aims to address a demand-side perspective of bioeconomy by laying emphasis on the digitalization of markets and, subsequently, on the consumption patterns at the macroeconomic scale. The imperative for a sustainable economic model corroborated with the advances in digital technologies usage have reconfigured consumers’ approaches and expectations and availed new forms of consumer behavior. Among these, the development of consumer-based online communities and of the online intellectual capital have often come forth as an undertaking of empowered consumers pursuing knowledge-based consumption patterns. The quest for sustainable, bio-labeled products on the digital markets has cemented the formation of new social aggregations built on the similarity of interests, goals, values, expectations, preferences, etc., giving way to consistent communication and interaction flows among their members and engendering profound transformations in today’s society. Acknowledging all these facts, the study investigates the influences of the online intellectual capital on the consumption patterns through the lens of bioeconomy. The focus is set on the bio products consumption in two European countries (i.e., Romania and Italy), relying on a sample of over 700 active online consumers. Processed via a structural equation modeling technique, the data indicated the existence of significant influences among the considered variables.

/pdf/a-demand-side-perspective-of-bioeconomy-the-influence-of-hyph9qemjc.pdf

A Demand-Side Perspective of Bioeconomy: The Influence of Online Intellectual Capital on Consumption

Purpose




The purpose of the present study is intended to fill a research gap, by advancing a conceptual model which brings novel insights on the relationships between socially responsible consumption and consumer’s need for uniqueness.




Design/methodology/approach




Relying on a questionnaire-based survey for data collection, the proposed model was tested using the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm for structural equation modeling (SEM), which allows the assessment of the models containing both formative and reflective constructs.




Findings




The research found that 73.7 per cent of the variance in the consumer’s belief in the importance of personal power to make a difference through socially responsible choices is explained by the proposed model. Moreover, four of the five factors of socially responsible consumption fully mediate the positive effect of the consumer’s need for uniqueness on the importance attached to personal socially responsible choices in driving positive change.




Research limitations/implications




The study avails a phenomenological perspective by offering novel insights from a Romanian sample. The limitation associated with a country-centric vision is compensated through the contextual analysis and integration of a new point of reference in the overall framework of socially responsible consumption.




Practical implications




The evidence is indicative of new consumption insights and should be closely considered by companies.




Originality/value




The study draws upon a conceptual model integrating the relationships between socially responsible consumption and a psychological characteristic – the consumer’s need for uniqueness – which has been never tested as such before.

Vlad-Andrei Alexandru

Papers

SMEs strategic networks and innovative performance: a relational design and methodology for knowledge sharing

Knowledge management approaches of small and medium-sized firms: a cluster analysis

From the deliberate managerial strategy towards international business performance: A psychic distance vs. global mindset approach

A Demand-Side Perspective of Bioeconomy: The Influence of Online Intellectual Capital on Consumption

Modeling socially responsible consumption and the need for uniqueness: a PLS-SEM approach