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Article
Publication date: 30 August 2021

Arsalan Safari, Ali Salman Saleh and Vanesa Balicevac Al Ismail

This study aims to examine a conceptual integrated framework for small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) export performance that comprises all potential export determinants…

797

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine a conceptual integrated framework for small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) export performance that comprises all potential export determinants and inhibitors. This study also incorporates and examines the potential mediators of proactiveness (business strategy), innovativeness (innovation strategy) and export marketing strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

His research is based on the contingency theory, resource-based and market-based view, and it provides an integrated model about the research problem. The primary data are collected through direct survey amongst active SME exporters, and three main approaches of descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling are applied for data analysis.

Findings

The results show significant effects of various internal and external firms’ determinants on their export performance in Qatar. Two mediators, proactiveness (business strategy) and innovativeness (innovation strategy), have key roles in enhancing SMEs’ export as well. The final research findings have significant implications for understanding all key drivers of SME export in Qatar, and it helps policymakers, regulators and service providers to improve the current SME ecosystem and their services to SMEs. Finally, the results of this study can be extended to other emerging markets with similar economic and legal structures.

Originality/value

Many obstacles discourage SMEs to move internationally, especially in emerging markets. This study focuses on the capacity building to enhance SME export activities in an emerging market. Even though the latest literature in the area of export performance has focused on firms from emerging economies, studies in this area are still limited. Earlier research in this area has mostly focused solely on the determinants of export performance from either internal factors, external factors or both without using adequately potential mediating factors, which could affect export performance.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 21 February 2020

Arsalan Safari and Ali Salman Saleh

Various barriers discourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from entering or expanding their export activities in the international markets, especially SMEs in emerging…

22179

Abstract

Purpose

Various barriers discourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from entering or expanding their export activities in the international markets, especially SMEs in emerging markets. The purpose of this study is to look at capacity building to accelerate SMEs’ export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on contingency theory and takes a resource-based and market-based view to provide a holistic understanding of the issue. This study uses primary data collected via extensive surveys from active SMEs in three main industrial regions in Vietnam to undertake confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling for quantitative analysis.

Findings

The results confirm and show the significant effects of various determinants on firms’ export performance. These research findings have scientific contribution and significant implications by understanding the effective internal and external export drivers and mediators in an emerging market and enhancing SMEs’ export performance.

Practical implications

This study helps SMEs to improve their export performance by systemizing their decision-making in export activities, improving main export drivers highlighted in this study and developing required training programs for their teams. The outcomes also helps policymakers and regulators to improve the current SME ecosystem in Vietnam through training programs, improving policies, facilitating trades, providing more government assistance etc. The results of this study can be extended to other emerging markets with a similar economic structure and legal system.

Originality/value

Given the need for more work on export performance, this paper develops and tests a holistic conceptual framework that accounts for all aspects of export drivers, and provides a more comprehensive model for examining SMEs’ export drivers. This theoretical framework also incorporates three potential mediators (i.e. innovation strategy, export marketing strategy and business strategy) to investigate the effect of internal and external factors on export performance, highlighting the importance of the mediating effects on SMEs in achieving growth and competing in the international arena.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 27 June 2023

Arsalan Safari, Vanesa Balicevac Al Ismail, Mahour Parast, Ismail Gölgeci and Shaligram Pokharel

This systematic literature review analyzes the academic literature to understand SC risk and resilience across different organizational sizes and industries. The academic…

1596

Abstract

Purpose

This systematic literature review analyzes the academic literature to understand SC risk and resilience across different organizational sizes and industries. The academic literature has well discussed the causes of supply chain (SC) risk events, the impact of SC disruptions, and associated plans for SC resilience. However, the literature remains fragmented on the role of two fundamental elements in achieving SC resilience: the firm's size and the firm's industry as firms' contingent factors. Therefore, it is important to investigate and highlight SC resilience differences by size and industry type to establish more resilient firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon the contingent resource-based view of the firm, the authors posit that organizational factors such as size and industry sector have important roles in developing organizational resilience capabilities. This systematic literature review and analysis is based on the structural and systematic analysis of high-ranked peer-reviewed journal papers from January 2000 to June 2021 collected through three global scientific databases (i.e. ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords.

Findings

This systematic literature review of 230 high-quality articles shows that SC risk events can be categorized into demand, supply, organizational, operational, environmental, and network/control risk events. This study suggests that the SC resilience plans developed by startups, small and mdium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large organizations are not necessarily the same as those of large enterprises. While collaboration and networking and risk management are the most crucial resilience capabilities for all firms, applying lean and quality management principles and utilizing information technology are more crucial for SMEs. For large firms, knowledge management and contingency planning are more important.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive review of the literature on SC resilience plans across different organizational sizes and industries, offering new insights into the nature and dynamics of startups', SMEs', and large enterprises' SC resilience in different industries. The study highlights the need for further investigation of SC risk and resilience for startups, SMEs, and different industries on a more detailed level using empirical data. This study’s findings have important implications for researchers and practitioners and guide the development of effective SC resilience strategies for different types of firms.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 5 July 2022

Osama Sam Al-Kwifi, Ilijana Petrovska, Mahour Parast and Arsalan Safari

This study aims to investigate the effects of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial managerial skills (EMS) on…

525

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial managerial skills (EMS) on project performance at both the individual and team levels using a holistic framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 308 university students involved in two different types of projects (entrepreneurship and nonentrepreneurship) in Qatar.

Findings

The confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling showed that both IEO and EMS positively and almost equally influenced project performance. However, ESE’s impact on project performance was significantly mediated by both IEO and EMS and, in practice, it should be considered a motivational factor for increasing the impact of IEO and EMS on project performance.

Practical implications

Project managers should recognize the value of the management and leadership skills examined in this study and their implications for project outcomes.

Originality/value

This study provides novel insights into the role these factors play in effective project management, thus allowing organizations to make effective decisions to reinforce these factors and gain a competitive advantage.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 13 October 2021

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

89

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

SMEs within emerging markets are increasingly engaging in export activities. Identification of factors with potential to aid or impede efforts can help such firms to take appropriate actions to develop strategies which can enhance their export performance.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 37 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 4 July 2024

Zeerak Waryam Sajid, Shayan Ali Khan, Fazal Hussain, Fahim Ullah, Rao Arsalan Khushnood and Nancy Soliman

Infill materials play a pivotal role in determining buildings’ life cycle costing (LCC) and environmental impacts. International standards prescribe LCC and life cycle assessments…

202

Abstract

Purpose

Infill materials play a pivotal role in determining buildings’ life cycle costing (LCC) and environmental impacts. International standards prescribe LCC and life cycle assessments (LCA) to assess materials’ economic and environmental sustainability. The existing methods of LCC and LCA are tedious and time-consuming, reducing their practical application. This study sought to integrate LCC and LCA with building information modeling (BIM) to develop a swift and efficient approach for evaluating the life cycle performance of infill materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The BIM model for a case study was prepared using Autodesk Revit®, and the study included four infill materials (lightweight aggregate concrete block (LECA), autoclaved cellular concrete (AAC), concrete masonry and bricks). LCC was conducted using Revit® and Autodesk Insight 360® to estimate costs incurred across different project phases. LCA was conducted using “One Click LCA®,” a BIM-based platform featuring a comprehensive material inventory. Carbon emissions, acidification, and eutrophication were chosen as environmental impact factors for LCA.

Findings

LECA was the preferred choice due to its lower cost and environmental impact. Its lifetime cost of $440,618 was 5.4% lower than bricks’, with 2.8% lower CO2 emissions than AAC’s, which were second-place options, respectively. LECA had 6.4 and 27% lower costs than concrete blocks, and AAC’s carbon emissions were 32 and 58% lower than concrete blocks and bricks, respectively.

Originality/value

BIM has been employed for life cycle analysis in existing literature, but its efficacy in evaluating the lifetime costs and environmental impacts of infill materials remains unexplored. The current study presents a BIM-based approach for conducting LCC and LCA of infill materials, facilitating informed decision-making during the planning phase and promoting sustainable construction practices.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 24 November 2021

Hannan Amoozad Mahdiraji, Moein Beheshti, Vahid Jafari-Sadeghi and Alexeis Garcia-Perez

Knowledge management seeks collaborative practices among organisations to generate technical, adapt and share knowledge to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage in…

1195

Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge management seeks collaborative practices among organisations to generate technical, adapt and share knowledge to obtain a sustainable competitive advantage in cross-border business activities. This paper aims to disentangle the crucial determinants of knowledge management in inter-organisational arrangements settings.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage, after an in-depth literature review, the main knowledge management drivers are identified. In the second stage, based on the identified drivers, the importance and relationship between the drivers are evaluated by expert opinions from academic and executive activists. Eventually, in the last stage, a multi-layer decision-making approach has been proposed and used to determine the relationship and the importance of the drivers.

Findings

The findings of this paper assess the ranking of the different elements from experts’ opinions and discuss important theoretical and managerial implications. The influential factors were identified through an extensive literature review, which combined with the views of experts from academia and industry (international firms). Furthermore, the ranking of factors based on the experts’ overall opinion was used to discuss theoretical and managerial contributions.

Originality/value

This research provides a better understanding of the interrelationships between the key drivers of knowledge management, which helps management draw more effective strategies to address the cultural differences between firms. Moreover, understanding of the importance of the systems and structures that define the nature of the collaboration in inter-organisational settings, as well as the risks related to those are presented in this research.

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