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IT‐enabled Knowledge Management for the Competitive Performance of Manufacturing SMEs: An Absorptive Capacity‐based View
Author(s) -
Raymond Louis,
Bergeron François,
Croteau AnneMarie,
StPierre Josée
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
knowledge and process management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.341
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-1441
pISSN - 1092-4604
DOI - 10.1002/kpm.1503
Subject(s) - absorptive capacity , business , internationalization , entrepreneurial orientation , competitive advantage , industrial organization , knowledge management , dynamic capabilities , small and medium sized enterprises , outcome (game theory) , marketing , entrepreneurship , computer science , mathematics , mathematical economics , finance , international trade
Manufacturing small‐sized and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) now evolve in a globalized business environment that is characterized by the need for global competitiveness based on knowledge and innovation. This research uses the concept of absorptive capacity as a theoretical lens to study the effect of e‐business and strategic capabilities upon the performance of the SMEs in implementing their innovation and international strategies. It addresses the following three research questions: To what extent does the SME's entrepreneurial orientation influence its development of e‐business capabilities? To what extent does the SME's entrepreneurial orientation and development of e‐business capabilities influence the development of its strategic capabilities and, in so doing, help build its absorptive capacity? To what extent does this influence contribute to the firm's competitive performance, that is, to the successful outcome of its innovation and internationalization processes? The results of a survey study of 588 manufacturing SMEs indicate that e‐business capabilities have a significant impact on competitive performance to the extent that these capabilities are developed as a result of a more entrepreneurial orientation and are realized through the development of strategic capabilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.