Stefano Bresciani, Daniele Giordino and Ciro Troise
Although a growing number of companies are using growth hacking (GH) to grow their businesses, scholars know little about its operationalization, namely through growth hacking…
Abstract
Purpose
Although a growing number of companies are using growth hacking (GH) to grow their businesses, scholars know little about its operationalization, namely through growth hacking capability (GHC), its antecedents and its effectiveness in improving their performance. Indeed, there are no studies that have examined the role of intellectual capital (IC) in this sense. The aim of this study is to fill these gaps and explore the effects of IC (composed of human, relational and structural capital) in influencing GHC and – in turn – whether GHC influences companies’ financial and market performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical research was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the validity of the proposed hypotheses and research model. Quantitative data were collected from 38 SMEs in the Italian context through a specifically designed questionnaire.
Findings
The results of the analysis show that IC has a positive and significant impact on SMEs’ GHC, thus confirming its role as a relevant antecedent; at the same time, the empirical results underscore the positive effect GHC has on SMEs’ financial and market performance.
Originality/value
First, the present body of work operationalizes GH, thereby, following previous work on lean startup and explores for the first time in literature the effect of IC on it. Second, from a contextual standpoint, the article deepens scholars' understanding of GHC by focusing on SMEs. Lastly, the adopted method represents a novel approach to investigating GHC, as scholarly literature has primarily focused on qualitative and theoretical dimensions.
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Francesca Culasso, Laura Broccardo, Daniele Giordino and Edoardo Crocco
Performance management systems (PMSs) must remain dynamic and maintain the ability to withstand the high degrees of complexity brought about by digital technologies (DTs)…
Abstract
Purpose
Performance management systems (PMSs) must remain dynamic and maintain the ability to withstand the high degrees of complexity brought about by digital technologies (DTs). Academics and practitioners have explored DTs and PMSs separately. This study aims to bridge the academic and practitioner discourse surrounding PMSs and DTs to promote knowledge diffusion and collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis, which were validated through semi-structured interviews with academics and practitioners. The authors first conducted a content analysis of the academic literature contained in the Scopus database and the practitioners' literature featured in the Nexis Uni database.
Findings
The combined academic-practitioners’ body of knowledge underscores the risk and environmental dimension, as well as the theoretical frameworks employed to explore digitally empowered PMSs. These findings were corroborated by 17 confirmatory interviews conducted with scholars and practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
Due to its scope, the research is limited to publications listed on Scopus and Nexis Uni. Additionally, its qualitative and interpretative nature presents some generalizability issues.
Originality/value
This study connects the intentions of scholars and practitioners concerning PMSs and DTs to promote collaborative efforts and knowledge diffusion. Moreover, considering the broader spectrum of insights, this manuscript postulates new avenues of research that address the key issues and concerns of both academics and practitioners. Finally, this article showcases PMs- and DT-appropriate theoretical frameworks that can inform practitioners’ discourse and work.
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Daniele Giordino, Ciro Troise, Francesca Culasso and Laura Cutrì
The present article draws from the behavioral theory of the firm, and it explores whether various dimensions of organization slack can be employed as variables to measure…
Abstract
Purpose
The present article draws from the behavioral theory of the firm, and it explores whether various dimensions of organization slack can be employed as variables to measure organizations’ antifragility during times of uncertainty such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, considering the limitations and regulations put into place during the most recent pandemic, the present study seeks to explore the moderating effect that collaborative networks might have on the relationship between various dimensions of organizational slack and firms performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study retrieves data from Thomson Reuters Data Stream, and it gathers observations from manufacturing companies located in Europe. The dataset is composed of observations spanning from the fiscal year 2019–2022. Consequently, through the use of a balanced panel data, the authors conduct multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The obtained empirical findings reveal that high discretion slack has a positive effect on companies performance whereas low discretion slack has a negative effect on their performance. Additionally, the obtained findings indicate that low levels of reliance on collaborative networks positively moderates the relationship between organizational slack and firms’ performance. On the other hand, high levels of reliance on collaborative networks negatively moderate the relationship between organizational slack and firms performance.
Originality/value
This manuscript carries several original contributions. It expands the literature stream concerning antifragility and collaborative networks. Additionally, it postulates an operational measure which can be used to indicate firms’ antifragility.
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Jacopo Ballerini, Daniele Giordino, Luboš Smrčka and Francesca Culasso
Food and beverage (F&B) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must diversify their markets and obtain predictable sources of revenues to withstand difficult and volatile…
Abstract
Purpose
Food and beverage (F&B) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must diversify their markets and obtain predictable sources of revenues to withstand difficult and volatile periods such as the post-pandemic geopolitical scenario, recently burdened by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. On the other hand, another strand of the literature suggests that public procurement could be considered a great source of income, enabling solid contracts, revenues and cash-flow stability. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the role of public procurement, the adoption of e-commerce platforms and their interactions in affecting the exporting performances of SMEs operating in the F&B sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The study retrieves data from 2,186 Italian F&B manufacturing SMEs relying on Margò by Cribis database. Therefore, it conducts a structured equational model (SEM) to test the developed hypotheses empirically.
Findings
The findings reveal that digital selling platforms positively affect exports, whereas public procurement negatively affects F&B SMEs exports. Nonetheless, findings underline that the interaction between public procurement and the adoption of digital selling platforms dampens public procurement's negative effects on exports.
Originality/value
This study brings an original contribution to the F&B literature by conducting empirical research on an extensive sample of firms from one of the most influential countries in the F&B vertical, Italy, with officially registered data. More importantly, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this study pioneers the investigation of the relationship between public procurement and e-commerce platforms in affecting F&B SMEs' export performances.
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Madher E. Hamdallah, Manaf Al-Okaily, Anan F. Srouji and Aws Al-Okaily
The purpose of the article is to shed light on how COVID-19 affects employee involvement in environmental responsibility and innovative performance in the banking industry, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the article is to shed light on how COVID-19 affects employee involvement in environmental responsibility and innovative performance in the banking industry, and whether employee engagement mediates the relationship between the variables. Thus, this study tries to understand bank employees’ perspectives in relation to the variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was collected during Time lag (1) and Time lag (2) from 156 to 216 bank employees, respectively. The study applied two types of analysis, to comprehend the impact of COVID-19 on employees, descriptive analysis and the partial least squares (PLS) are used.
Findings
The study's findings focused mainly on the influence of COVID-19 in Jordanian banks on employee innovative performance (EIP) due to pandemic, in addition to its effect on environmental responsibility engagement (ERE). The findings indicated a positive significant relationship between the variables. Meanwhile, employee engagement (EE) mediated the effect between the exogenous and endogenous variables.
Originality/value
The current research provide light on the value of employees' innovative performance and banks' commitment to environmental responsibility for those working in the banking industry, particularly during a pandemic. The findings have significant ramifications for the banking industry and in raising employee engagement.