Search results

1 – 10 of 23
Article
Publication date: 5 January 2024

Augusto Bargoni, Alberto Ferraris, Šárka Vilamová and Wan Mohd Hirwani Wan Hussain

The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative picture of the state of the art of the literature on digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrative picture of the state of the art of the literature on digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as an enabler for their internationalisation process and as a comprehensive view of the specific domains impacted by digital technologies as well as their repercussions on the international outreach.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review which leverages a descriptive analysis of extant literature and an axial coding technique has been conducted to shed light on the current knowledge and to identify primary research areas and future research lines.

Findings

The research indicates that digitalisation impacts the internationalisation of SMEs in three specific domains: (1) internationalisation through the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) technologies and e-commerce platforms; (2) international expansion through the digitalisation of value chain activities and (3) international outreach through knowledge acquisition on digital platforms.

Originality/value

The value of this study is threefold. First, the authors attempt to systematically review the literature on SMEs digitalisation and internationalisation and provide a holistic perspective on the intertwining of these two research streams. Second, the authors propose a novel conceptualisation on the dimensions of SMEs digitalisation as enablers to internationalisation. Third, the authors put forward promising future lines of research.

Highlights

 

  1. Digitalisation represents a pivotal strategy that allows companies to build new strategic capabilities and is a propeller for SMEs internationalisation.

  2. Through e-commerce, SMEs could compete at the same level of multinational companies but enduring lower costs of expansion.

  3. Digital platforms allow SMEs to enhance the learning processes about international markets through an immediate access to relevant information.

  4. Digital entrepreneurship has enabled SMEs to develop new configurations of value chain activities, evolving their business model or reaching new markets.

  5. SMEs are changing the “business as usual” paradigm offering digital tools to build modular architectures that are scalable and agile in their evolution ability.

Digitalisation represents a pivotal strategy that allows companies to build new strategic capabilities and is a propeller for SMEs internationalisation.

Through e-commerce, SMEs could compete at the same level of multinational companies but enduring lower costs of expansion.

Digital platforms allow SMEs to enhance the learning processes about international markets through an immediate access to relevant information.

Digital entrepreneurship has enabled SMEs to develop new configurations of value chain activities, evolving their business model or reaching new markets.

SMEs are changing the “business as usual” paradigm offering digital tools to build modular architectures that are scalable and agile in their evolution ability.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 January 2024

Francesco Antonio Perotti, Zoltan Rozsa, Michal Kuděj and Alberto Ferraris

Drawing on the microfoundations theory and rational choice sociology, this study aims to investigate knowledge-sharing microfoundations through knowledge sabotage behaviours in…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing on the microfoundations theory and rational choice sociology, this study aims to investigate knowledge-sharing microfoundations through knowledge sabotage behaviours in the workplace. As such, it aims to shed light on the adverse impact of knowledge sabotage on a knowledge-sharing climate.

Design/methodology/approach

As a quantitative deductive study, it is based on information collected from 329 employees of European companies by self-administered online surveys. Data validity and reliability has been assessed through a confirmatory factor analysis, and data analysis was carried out by using a covariance-based structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The findings from the empirical investigation supported the baseline hypotheses of the multilevel conceptual model, which is the positive relationship between organizational trust and environmental knowledge sharing. Then, recurring to a microfoundational exploration, this study supports the mediating indirect effect of job satisfaction and knowledge sabotage in affecting knowledge sharing as a social outcome.

Research limitations/implications

This study concurs to broaden knowledge-sharing awareness among scholars and practitioners, by focusing on knowledge sabotage as its most pernicious counterproductive behaviour. Furthermore, this research provides valuable guidance for the future development of research based on multilevel investigations.

Originality/value

This study builds on the need to explore the numerous factors that affect knowledge sharing in economic organizations, specifically focusing on knowledge sabotage. Adapting Coleman’s bathtub, the authors advance the first multilevel conceptual model used to unveil the knowledge-sharing microfoundations from the perspective of a counterproductive knowledge behaviour.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 July 2023

Emerson Ramos Cordeiro, Fernando Henrique Lermen, Cleverson Molinari Mello, Alberto Ferraris and Katarina Valaskova

Knowledge management effects on business performances are of great importance for companies. Yet, they are still overlooked by current literature. Moreover, the use of methods for…

Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge management effects on business performances are of great importance for companies. Yet, they are still overlooked by current literature. Moreover, the use of methods for bibliometric reviews and content analysis reinforces the need for relevant work on the current state of knowledge management application. To this end, this study aims to identify the main barriers for the application of knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises. A research agenda is then proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was performed using data collection, bibliometric analysis and content analysis' steps. The sample used in this study contained 45 papers. For the bibliometric analysis, the authors used the bibliometrix (in RStudio). The content analysis was then performed to infer barriers, factors of relevance and an agenda of questions for future research.

Findings

The authors found that using knowledge management techniques to optimize business performance results in competitive advantages for small and medium-sized companies. This study contributes to both practitioners and academics by providing a list of 19 barriers, 12 factors and 36 research questions related to knowledge management in small and medium-sized companies to develop future theoretical and practical studies.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the propensity and interest of small and medium-sized companies in using knowledge management. However, some barriers might make it difficult to implement this approach.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 November 2022

Augusto Bargoni, Alberto Ferraris, Stefano Bresciani and Mark Anthony Camilleri

This article aims to investigate the status of and the trends in the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation literature by identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to investigate the status of and the trends in the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation literature by identifying, evaluating and synthesizing the findings from previous research. This paper provides a bibliometric meta-analysis of the already substantial and growing literature on innovation and crowdfunding research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric approach, this research scrutinizes all articles that include terms related to “crowdfunding” and “innovation” (in their title, abstract or keywords) in Elsevier’s Scopus database. VosViewer and Bibliometrix package in R have been used to analyse 150 articles.

Findings

The results suggest that there are three main research clusters in the innovation and crowdfunding literature. The first cluster highlights the role of crowdfunding in fostering radical and incremental innovation. The second cluster focuses on the concept of openness and its effect on innovation in crowdfunding campaigns, while the third cluster explains the role of platforms’ innovation in crowdfunding success.

Originality/value

Taking a holistic perspective, this contribution advances new knowledge on the intertwining of crowdfunding and innovation research fields. It implies that crowdfunding is facilitating the flow of knowledge between different stakeholders, including project initiators and crowd investors, among others, as they all benefit from open innovation platforms.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2023

Christian Di Prima, Anna Kotaskova, Hélène Yildiz and Alberto Ferraris

Despite the growing interest regarding companies' sustainability, its social dimension has mostly been neglected by academics and practitioners. Consequently, this study aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the growing interest regarding companies' sustainability, its social dimension has mostly been neglected by academics and practitioners. Consequently, this study aims to address this issue by investigating if the adoption of human resource (HR) analytics can positively influence the impact of social sustainable operations practices (SSOP) on employees' motivation and engagement and the effect of these lasts on organizational retention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through online questionnaires addressed to 281 HR managers of heterogeneous companies from Europe and analyzed through a structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.

Findings

The findings confirmed the positive effect of SSOP on employees’ motivation and engagement, and of these last on employees’ retention. Furthermore, they confirmed that the usage of HR analytics positively moderates the relationship between SSOP and employees’ motivation and engagement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to both sustainable operations management and HR management literature streams. First, it adopts a multidisciplinary perspective which also considers evidence from HR management literature, allowing the authors to concentrate on the social dimension of sustainability. Second, it provided further insight regarding the adoption of a data-driven approach in relation to social sustainable operations management. Finally, it contributes to HR analytics-related literature by demonstrating its impact also on organizational aspects that are not directly controlled by the HR department.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 November 2023

It Nguyen Van, Anna Kotaskova, Alberto Ferraris and Thanh Tiep Le

This study investigates the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the digitalization process and improving the firm performance. It also studies the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This article aims to develop an empirical study using a random sampling technique and survey data collected from 368 managers and owners of different food enterprises in Vietnam. The study adopted a methodological approach quantitatively. Analysis of the relationships and confirmatory factors was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM), a technique to evaluate the proposed relationships.

Findings

In line with expectations, the findings emphasize the impact of human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) for accelerating the digitalization process and the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and improving the firm performance, in the context of emerging markets.

Originality/value

This is an important investigation, according to the authors' knowledge, regarding the role of developing human capital (managers' capital, employees' capital) and orientation (market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation) as a key strategy for accelerating the digitalization process and improving the firm performance. Further, the study's novelty reinforces the role of supply chains as both direct and indirect mediators of the correlation between digitalization and business performance in the Vietnamese food companies, where a market economy is emerging.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 February 2023

Muhammad Saleem Sumbal, Aleksandr Ključnikov, Susanne Durst, Alberto Ferraris and Labeeqa Saeed

Retaining critical knowledge is relevant for all organizations, knowledge-intensive ones in particular. Failure to do so can, in the worst case, lead to an organization being…

Abstract

Purpose

Retaining critical knowledge is relevant for all organizations, knowledge-intensive ones in particular. Failure to do so can, in the worst case, lead to an organization being unable to act. Acknowledging the role of context in this regard, the purpose of this paper is to examine knowledge retention (KR) in the banking sector of a developing country. A particular focus is placed on exploring various contextual factors that influence the retention of critical knowledge taking into consideration the setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers from private and public banks in Pakistan. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings suggest that the existence of a collectivist society, gender differences, few job opportunities, power distance and the late IT Boom are vital factors to be considered regarding KR in the setting studied. The findings are summarized in a conceptual framework that highlights critical factors of KR to be studied in a broader context and which are viewed as relevant for informing future research in this underdeveloped area of knowledge management (KM).

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from a small number of individuals working in different banks in only one country. Future studies should consider research designs across multiple organizations involving more people representing different roles, functions and age groups.

Originality/value

Existing KM research has emphasized the role of context while research on KR is underdeveloped in this regard. By exploring different contextual factors this study advances current understanding in the KM domain.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 27 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2024

Adil Riaz, Martin Cepel, Alberto Ferraris, Khurram Ashfaq and Shafique Ur Rehman

Sustainability issues are crucial in today’s competitive environment. The integration of technology plays a vital role in the attainment of sustainability objectives. The study…

Abstract

Purpose

Sustainability issues are crucial in today’s competitive environment. The integration of technology plays a vital role in the attainment of sustainability objectives. The study aims to investigate the relationship between green intellectual capital (IC), green information systems (IS), green management initiatives (GMI) and green technology adoption in light of natural resource-orchestration theory (ROT). Moreover, digital technology adoption mediates between green IC, green IS, GMI and sustainable performance. Finally, digital transformation strategy is used as a moderator between green technology adoption and sustainable performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 484 managers from automobile manufacturing companies was used in this study to evaluate the proposed relationships using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology.

Findings

Findings reveal that green IC, green IS and GMI significantly influence green technology adoption. Besides, green technology adoption plays a crucial role in improving sustainable performance. Moreover, green technology adoption significantly mediates between green IC, green IS, GMI and sustainable performance. Finally, a digital transformation strategy significantly strengthens the relationship between green technology adoption and sustainable performance.

Practical implications

The organizations need green technology adoption to address environmental concerns, respond to consumer demand, achieve cost savings and comply with government regulations. Besides, in decision-making, organizations must focus on green IC, green IS, GMI, green technology adoption and digital transformation strategy to boost sustainable performance.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its use of the natural ROT as a framework to examine the impact of multiple green resources on green technology adoption, leading to sustainable performance. Digital transformation strategy is used as a moderator between green technology adoption and sustainable performance. This study provides a comprehensive and integrated perspective on the subject with empirical evidence and relevant insights, contributing to the advancement of the field.

Details

Journal of Intellectual Capital, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1469-1930

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 April 2023

Augusto Bargoni, Fauzia Jabeen, Gabriele Santoro and Alberto Ferraris

Few studies have conceptualized how companies can build and nurture international dynamic marketing capabilities (IDMCs) by implementing growth hacking strategies. This paper…

1048

Abstract

Purpose

Few studies have conceptualized how companies can build and nurture international dynamic marketing capabilities (IDMCs) by implementing growth hacking strategies. This paper conceptualizes growth hacking, a managerial-born process to embed a data-driven mind-set in marketing decision-making that combines big-data analysis and continuous learning, allowing companies to adapt their dynamic capabilities to the ever-shifting international competitive arenas.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the scarcity of studies on growth hacking, this paper conceptualizes this managerial-born concept through the double theoretical lenses of IDMCs and information technology (IT) literature.

Findings

The authors put forward research propositions concerning the four phases of growth hacking and the related capabilities and routines developed by companies to deal with international markets. Additional novel propositions are also developed based on the three critical dimensions of growth hacking: big data analytics, digital marketing and coding and automation.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of prior conceptualization as well as the scant literature makes this study liable to some limitations. However, the propositions developed should encourage researchers to develop both empirical and theoretical studies on this managerial-born concept.

Practical implications

This study develops a detailed compendium for managers who want to implement growth hacking within their companies but have failed to identify the necessary capabilities and resources.

Originality/value

The study presents a theoretical approach and develops a set of propositions on a novel phenomenon, observed mainly in managerial practice. Hence, this study could stimulate researchers to deepen the phenomenon and empirically validate the propositions.

Article
Publication date: 26 September 2023

Chiara Bregoli, Jacopo Fiocchi, Carlo Alberto Biffi and Ausonio Tuissi

The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded…

Abstract

Purpose

The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded screw and two groups containing differently arranged sectors made of lattice-based Voronoi (LBV) structure in a longitudinal and transversal position, respectively. This study aims to explore the potentialities related to the introduction of LBV structure and assess its impact on the implant’s primary stability and mechanical performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimized bone screw designs were realized using the LPBF process. The quality and integrity of the specimens were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. Primary stability was experimentally verified by the insertion and removal of the screws in standard polyurethane foam blocks. Finally, torsional tests were carried out to compare and assess the mechanical strength of the different designs.

Findings

The introduction of the LBV structure decreases the elastic modulus of the implant. Longitudinal LBV type screws demonstrated the lowest insertion torque (associated with lower bone damage) while still displaying promising torsional strength and removal force compared with full-thread screws. The use of LBV structure can promote improved functional performances with respect to the reference thread, enabling the use of lattice structures in the biomedical sector.

Originality/value

The paper fulfils an identified interest in designing customized implants with improved primary stability and promising features for secondary stability.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

1 – 10 of 23