Strategic performance through inter-firm networks: Strategic alignment and moderating role of environmental dynamism
World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2042-5961
Article publication date: 10 October 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine and develop a strategic performance model for small and medium enterprises linking with inter-firm networks, strategic alignment and environmental dynamism.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the live experiences of 757 respondents, including managing directors/owners and CEOs of different SMEs, the authors proposed a theoretical model representing how firms could attain strategic performance through inter-firm networks with a mediating role of strategic alignment.
Findings
The current study demonstrated that SMEs with strong inter-firm networks have the ability to align business activities with strategies and get earlier strategic performance. Strategic performance looks skeptical to ever gain acceptance until strategic alignment is adopted by small and medium enterprises. The findings of this study indicated that environmental dynamism strengthens the relationship between strategic alignment and strategic performance.
Originality/value
This research extended the understanding about the inter-firm networks, strategic alignment and environmental dynamism surrounding strategic performance. This study identified and empirically tested how the inter-firm networks impact on strategic performance through the mediating effect of strategic alignment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: Authors declared no conflict of interest.
The authors thank the Editor Professor Allam Ahmed and reviewers for valuable suggestions and insights that helped to improve this paper.
Citation
Yousaf, Z. and Majid, A. (2016), "Strategic performance through inter-firm networks: Strategic alignment and moderating role of environmental dynamism", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 282-298. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-03-2016-0015
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited