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Impact of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovative performance in SMEs: mediating effect of cluster environment

Brou Ettien Fulgence (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China)
Xuhua Hu (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China)
Otu Larbi-Siaw (School of Finance and Economics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, PR China) (Department of Economics, Faculty of IT Business, Ghana Communication Technology University, Accra North, Ghana)
Siele Jean Tuo (School of Accounting, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China)
Franck Edouard Gnahe (School of Finance, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanchang, China)

Kybernetes

ISSN: 0368-492X

Article publication date: 23 August 2022

Issue publication date: 28 November 2023

481

Abstract

Purpose

This study builds on knowledge-based view (KBV) research and the natural resource-based view of the firm (NRBV) to examine the effect of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovative performance. It also investigates the mediating role of three dimensions of the cluster environment: degree of network, institutional environment and access to factors of production.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of partial least squares-based structural equation modelling method, the study validated and analysed the responses of 503 owners and managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the wood industrial cluster of Cote d'Ivoire, a developing economy.

Findings

The analysis and results reveal that knowledge absorptive capacity strongly predicts cluster environment and innovation performance. Moreover, the cluster environment emerged as a powerful determinant of innovation performance and a mediator of the effect of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovation performance. Unequivocally, institutional support has no significant impact on knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) and innovative performance mediation relationship and is not a key determinant of innovative performance.

Originality/value

This study offers a key departure from past studies by linking knowledge absorptive capacity to innovative performance and the cluster environment in SMEs. It also extends knowledge concerning the role of KBV, NRBV and relational theory in innovation performance.

Keywords

Citation

Fulgence, B.E., Hu, X., Larbi-Siaw, O., Tuo, S.J. and Gnahe, F.E. (2023), "Impact of knowledge absorptive capacity on innovative performance in SMEs: mediating effect of cluster environment", Kybernetes, Vol. 52 No. 12, pp. 6001-6024. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-03-2022-0373

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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