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1 – 10 of over 1000Luca Giraldi, Sofia Coacci and Elena Cedrola
The present article aims to investigate the quality of the relationships in a business partnership for a project in Medtech field and the components that most influence them, with…
Abstract
Purpose
The present article aims to investigate the quality of the relationships in a business partnership for a project in Medtech field and the components that most influence them, with special attention to relational capabilities (RCs). Dyadic relationships and mainly RCs are considered critical factors for the success of a partnership.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study was used to evaluate the influence of RC on the progress of an alliance between a start-up and a small and medium scale enterprise (SME). The evaluation is performed using a questionnaire. To highlight such progress, the same questions were asked at the start of the partnership and one year later. The results were compared to analyse the improvement of RC and draw conclusions on the correlation between RC and alliance performance.
Findings
The method adopted allowed for a clear identification of the criticalities of the partnership. The authors found evidence that poor RCs lead to confusion, a sense of exclusion and a lack of collaboration amongst members. Results confirmed that increased RC and aligning the allies' capabilities positively affect the alliance's performance.
Research limitations/implications
Exogenous variables influencing the partnership's progress were not included in the present study. Future research may consider them.
Originality/value
Limited prior research is available on collaboration between SME and start-ups. The present authors aim to investigate the topic further, investigating RCs between firms. The article is also a starting point for future case study comparisons.
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Beatriz Lopes Cancela, Arnaldo Coelho and Maria Elisabete Neves
This study aims to investigate the role of green strategic alliances (GSAs) in fostering a green shared vision (GSVis) and green shared value (GSV) and their impact on green…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the role of green strategic alliances (GSAs) in fostering a green shared vision (GSVis) and green shared value (GSV) and their impact on green organizational identity (GOI) and sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employed structural equation modeling to analyze data collected through a 60-item questionnaire administered in Portugal and China, allowing the authors to test their theoretical model.
Findings
The findings of the authors' study indicate that green strategic alliances have a positive influence on the development of a GSVis and GSV in both countries. This, in turn, contributes to improved sustainability and the establishment of a GOI. Furthermore, the authors' results demonstrate that these alliances enhance GSV, resulting in enhanced sustainability performance and a stronger green identity, with a notable increase in awareness of environmental and social practices.
Originality/value
This article is innovative as it applies organizational learning and value creation theories to gain a deeper understanding of how alliances can shape the green identity of companies and contribute to their overall sustainability.
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Farooq Ali and Harri Haapasalo
This article aims to address the confusion related to the meanings of interorganisational cooperation, control, coordination and collaboration in collaborative projects by…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to address the confusion related to the meanings of interorganisational cooperation, control, coordination and collaboration in collaborative projects by developing a conceptual framework. From this, the authors aim to describe the links among these concepts in terms of development levels of stakeholder relationships. In addition, the authors aim to identify challenges and preconditions in relation to developing relationships at different levels.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have adopted the directed approach of qualitative content analysis method to validate and extend the conceptual framework of this study. The context of this study is a large hospital construction project located in northern Finland.
Findings
The findings of this study suggest that collaboration is a multilevel process of active engagement of multiple stakeholders. These stakeholders must have a high degree of shared understanding in terms of cooperation, control and coordination to achieve the mutually desired outcomes. This study also identifies the challenges that project stakeholders could face in developing collaborative relationships and propose preconditions for the same.
Practical implications
This study provides a better understanding for project managers to manage interorganisational collaborative construction projects successfully. The outcome of this research would be beneficial to project management team to deliver dispute-free construction projects.
Originality/value
Existing practical research on the development of relationships at different levels in collaborative construction projects is limited. This study offers a framework for the same which is validated in a real-life project.
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Fabrício Oliveira Leitão, Ely Laureano Paiva and Karim Marini Thomé
The literature has suggested that capabilities have been used to generate performance and competitive advantage, especially in industries with higher technological dynamism in…
Abstract
Purpose
The literature has suggested that capabilities have been used to generate performance and competitive advantage, especially in industries with higher technological dynamism in developed economies. However, knowledge of the topic still needs to be systematically analyzed in agribusiness. Thus, this article fills this gap because it systematically reviews the literature on agribusiness capabilities and performance, classifies and codifies its characteristics, and determines what is known and what gaps there are in the knowledge regarding these subjects.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review of agribusiness capabilities and performance was conducted based on Cronin et al. (2008) protocol. Thirty-six articles from the WoS and Scopus databases were identified and analyzed.
Findings
This article identified, classified and coded 12 capabilities agribusiness firms employ to improve performance. This article reveals several gaps regarding capabilities and performance in agribusiness, especially emphasizing commodity products, in addition to studies with fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, agricultural inputs and biofuels. It was also found that higher-order capabilities are more strongly related to performance than lower-order capabilities, that the performance benefits conferred by capabilities are more evident in developing economies, and that the relationship between capabilities and performance is more robust in agribusinesses with lower levels of technological dynamism.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the debate about agribusiness capabilities and performance in three aspects. First, it systematically reviews the literature on these subjects; second, it classifies and codifies agribusiness capabilities and performance characteristics; third, it provides a research agenda on the theme.
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Hazem Aldabbas and Niël Oberholzer
This study provides theoretical and empirical insights into how firms can enhance their performance strategically and financially by integrating learning and transformational…
Abstract
Purpose
This study provides theoretical and empirical insights into how firms can enhance their performance strategically and financially by integrating learning and transformational capabilities into research and development (R&D) activities based on the dynamic capabilities approach. To achieve this, the authors propose that transformational capabilities in R&D mediate the relationship between learning capabilities in R&D and competitive advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a purposive sampling technique and standardized questionnaires, data were collected from 118 R&D and senior managers. To analyze the data, multiple regression analysis, along with SPSS PROCESS macro (Model 4), was used.
Findings
The results support the theoretical assumption that there are direct and indirect positive and significant effects between learning capabilities in R&D and competitive advantage as mediated by transformational R&D capabilities.
Originality/value
This study explores R&D from a dynamic capabilities perspective and suggests that learning capabilities should come first to enhance businesses’ competitive advantage. Furthermore, transformational R&D capabilities can explain the relationship between learning capabilities in R&D and competitive advantage. The authors recommend that researchers should investigate the contributions of R&D to promote competitive advantage.
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Baofeng Huo, Xu Liu and Siyu Li
With more demand-driven innovation activities, manufacturers must proactively engage in information sharing activities with their customers for better innovation performance. This…
Abstract
Purpose
With more demand-driven innovation activities, manufacturers must proactively engage in information sharing activities with their customers for better innovation performance. This study aims to inquire into the impacts of information sharing activities between manufacturers and customers (including information system usage and information content sharing) on manufacturers’ innovation performance and considers interfirm justice (including distributive justice, procedural justice and interactional justice) as information sharing antecedents.
Design/methodology/approach
The social exchange theory is applied to develop the conceptual model. The authors examine the conceptual model with the structural equation modeling approach using data collected from 213 Chinese manufacturers.
Findings
Interactional justice promotes information system usage. Both interactional justice and procedural justice increase information content sharing, while distributive justice decreases it. Information content sharing directly improves innovation performance and fully mediates the relationship between information system usage and innovation performance.
Originality/value
This research enriches empirical studies on justice-information sharing relationships by systematically investigating the impacts of three types of justice on different information sharing activities. It also adds to the application of social exchange theory in the practices of interfirm justice and information sharing. Besides, it probes into influencing mechanisms of different information sharing activities, information system usage and information content sharing, on innovation performance. The findings can guide firms to implement interfirm justice and information sharing practices for superior innovation performance.
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The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of restorative supply chain practices on sustainability performance in a circular economy (CE). The moderating effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of restorative supply chain practices on sustainability performance in a circular economy (CE). The moderating effect of supply chain managers' perceived professional status on restorative supply chain practices and stakeholder collaboration is also examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical model was developed via the practice-based view, and the model was tested using a sample comprising 142 respondents. WarpPLS 8.0 software was utilized to run the structural equation model.
Findings
The analysis shows that restorative supply chain practices result in an intermediate outcome (i.e. stakeholder collaboration), which ultimately improves the sustainability performance of the restorative supply chain. Interestingly, the perceived professional status of supply chain managers acts as a moderate-level mediator in the relationship between restorative supply chain practices in a CE and the sustainability performance of the restorative supply chain in a CE.
Practical implications
Collaboration with stakeholders fosters enhanced communication, cooperation and shared responsibility, thereby creating a socially inclusive and cooperative environment within the restorative supply chain. Improving supply chain sustainability performance supports broader environmental goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste and conserving natural resources. Recognizing the perceived professional status of supply chain managers underscores the need to empower them and acknowledge their strategic role in driving sustainability within the organization. Companies can contribute to a more sustainable business environment by adopting restorative practices in the supply chain and addressing the social impacts.
Originality/value
The unique contribution of the findings of this study lies in the examination of the relationship between restorative supply chain practices, stakeholder collaboration, perceived status of supply chain managers and sustainability performance in the context of the CE. The findings imply that restorative supply chain practices positively impact stakeholder collaboration, which in turn improves supply chain sustainability performance. In addition, the study highlights the moderating role of the perceived status of supply chain managers and underscores their influence on strengthening restorative practices and stakeholder collaboration. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamics and mechanisms driving sustainability performance in the context of restorative supply chains operating within a CE.
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Within the context of an open innovation business environment, the frequent interaction and coordination activities among heterogeneous partners have a significant impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
Within the context of an open innovation business environment, the frequent interaction and coordination activities among heterogeneous partners have a significant impact on enterprises' business model. Nevertheless, fewer empirical research has been made to explore how to match external partners and update organizational dynamic capabilities at an ecosystem level. Therefore, this paper attempts not only to investigate the direct impact of partner match on different business model innovation (BMI) themes (efficiency-centered BMI and novelty-centered BMI) but only to shed light on the pivotal mediating role of interfirm dynamic capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilized the methodology of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to investigate the impact of diverse partner selection criteria and interfirm dynamic capabilities on two distinctive themes of BMI. More than 20 industry clusters with multiple industries were selected as representatives of the creative ecosystem, predominantly from the Yangtze River Delta region. Valid data were collected from 254 managers by both online questionnaires and offline interviews.
Findings
The findings of the study show that different partner match criteria have distinct direct impacts on BMI themes. Partner complementary and partner synergy, deriving from the “task-related criteria”, are significantly correlated with both EBMI and NBMI. Conversely, partner compatibility, deriving from “Partnering-related Criteria”, shows a positive correlation with EBMI but not NBMI. Furthermore, compare the indirect effect on EBMI, the paper’ results demonstrate interfirm dynamic capabilities as mediator can more maximize external benefits to promote NBMI.
Practical implications
The study findings effectively help enterprises implement different BMI themes. From a management perspective, whether pursuing EBMI or NBMI, enterprises should consciously seek partners who can provide complementary support or share mutual goals across diverse industries. This strategic approach can significantly enhance the opportunities for sustainable and innovative business development. Furthermore, to successfully accomplish NBMI, enterprises must cultivate interfirm dynamic capabilities encompassing a comprehensive range of cross-organizational innovation capacities, such as bolstering organizational learning capability, establishing interactive network platforms to enhance coordination capabilities and engaging in integrative activities to foster a collective mindset.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the match theory by introducing three critical matching criteria, enabling enterprises to discern partners based on diverse organizational characteristics. Additionally, this paper broadens the scope of the dynamic capability literature by adopting a network perspective to strengthen interaction and relationship mechanisms. The authors primarily elucidate the concept of interfirm dynamic capabilities as a formative higher-order model formed by three sub-capabilities (absorptive capacity, coordination capability and collective mind). Finally, this paper combines matching theory with dynamic capacity theory to the field of BMI, which adds depth and complexity to the existing ecosystem innovation research.
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This study aims to reveal the contribution mechanism of various types of intrafirm networks formed among inventors to firms’ searching for new knowledge. This study also intends…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reveal the contribution mechanism of various types of intrafirm networks formed among inventors to firms’ searching for new knowledge. This study also intends to show how this mechanism is influenced by the geographic dispersion of inventors and the external alliance of firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops an analytical framework building on social network theory to explain the collective search among inventors within the firm. The authors validate the hypotheses using the data from 316 publicly traded biotechnology firms in the USA.
Findings
As demonstrated by the findings, intrafirm network clustering facilitates the search for new knowledge. The geographic dispersion of inventors’ location has a negative moderating effect on this relation, whereas the number of alliance partners has a positive moderating effect on this relation. By contrast, the search for new knowledge is hampered by the intrafirm network average path length. The geographic dispersion of inventors positively moderates this relation, whereas a firm’s alliance partner number negatively moderates this relation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the joint effect of intrafirm networks, inventors’ geographic locations and external alliances on the new knowledge-searching process. This study points out that new knowledge acquired through inventors’ geographic locations and alliance partners is internalized efficiently according to different types of internal networks.
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Silvia Massa, Maria Carmela Annosi, Lucia Marchegiani and Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli
This study aims to focus on a key unanswered question about how digitalization and the knowledge processes it enables affect firms’ strategies in the international arena.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to focus on a key unanswered question about how digitalization and the knowledge processes it enables affect firms’ strategies in the international arena.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct a systematic literature review of relevant theoretical and empirical studies covering over 20 years of research (from 2000 to 2023) and including 73 journal papers.
Findings
This review allows us to highlight a relationship between firms’ international strategies and the knowledge processes enabled by applying digital technologies. Specifically, the authors discuss the characteristics of patterns of knowledge flows and knowledge processes (their origin, the type of knowledge they carry on and their directionality) as determinants for the emergence of diverse international strategies embraced by single firms or by populations of firms within ecosystems, networks, global value chains or alliances.
Originality/value
Despite digital technologies constituting important antecedents and critical factors for the internationalization process, and international businesses in general, and operating cross borders implies the enactment of highly knowledge-intensive processes, current literature still fails to provide a holistic picture of how firms strategically use what they know and seek out what they do not know in the international environment, using the affordances of digital technologies.
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