Hashem Aghazadeh, Farzad Zandi, Hannan Amoozad Mahdiraji and Razieh Sadraei
This study has two main objectives. First, to examine the indirect effects of digital platform capability and digital resilience on digital transformation (DT) outcomes for small…
Abstract
Purpose
This study has two main objectives. First, to examine the indirect effects of digital platform capability and digital resilience on digital transformation (DT) outcomes for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and second, to investigate how digital business model maturity influences these indirect effects.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a quantitative design and collects data through a self-reporting survey from individuals in the technological industries. The Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and PLS multi-group analysis examine the measurement and structural models and the significance of differences in indirect paths based on the digital business model maturity level, serving as a moderator.
Findings
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the internationalisation of digital SMEs. They indicate that digital platform capability and resilience fully mediate, connecting digital resources to SME growth. The study also confirms the digital business model maturity’s positive and significant moderating effect on these indirect relationships.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the international outcomes of platform ecosystems in developing markets. It explores how digital platform capability and resilience support the digital transformation of SMEs, considering their vulnerability due to their small size. The study also fills a research gap by investigating the relationship between big data, digital leadership and the international growth of digital platforms. Lastly, it explores the role of digital maturity in the relationships between antecedents, determinants and outcomes of digitalisation.
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Hashem Aghazadeh and Farzad Zandi
The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it provides an inclusive categorical framework of internationalisation patterns for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it provides an inclusive categorical framework of internationalisation patterns for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and secondly, it presents unique evidence from a developing country and corroborates the proposed framework.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional convergent mixed-method design was applied to this research. A phenomenological design was used to develop the typology framework, and subsequently, practical evidence was collected through a cross-sectional survey using a self-reporting questionnaire. A two-step hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to test the framework’s robustness, and a set of characteristics was compared between the patterns via a one-way analysis of variance, F-test.
Findings
The robustness of the constructed categorical framework of 32 internationalisation patterns is substantiated, suggesting that this framework produces veracious discrimination between all patterns of internationalisation. Evidence revealed that the majority of firms showed regional and incremental internationalising behaviour. No true born globals were observed; however, several other early or fast patterns such as “born-international”, “global new venture” and “born-again regional” emerged.
Originality/value
This paper presents a categorical framework and provides evidence of the behaviour of internationalising SMEs from a Middle Eastern developing economy. The categorical framework constructed in this paper uses predefined thresholds, and it is of value because it is inclusive, rigid and incisive. This paper also provides essential insights into the sub-patterns of internationalisation, specifically the born-again and regional phenomenon of internationalisation.
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Navid Mohammadi, Asef Karimi, Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene and Hashem Aghazadeh
Science and technology parks (STPs) and areas of innovation (AOIs), among the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s main actors, significantly contribute to economic development derived…
Abstract
Purpose
Science and technology parks (STPs) and areas of innovation (AOIs), among the entrepreneurial ecosystem’s main actors, significantly contribute to economic development derived from technology development and commercialization worldwide. In light of this, the study aims to identify the megatrends in this domain, using bibliometric analysis and co-citation clustering.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, all the relevant documents on the Web of Science, as a citation database, were retrieved and analyzed. The study findings helped provide detailed information about the lead authors, the most influential countries, highly cited institutions and the top-used keywords in this field. Besides, the trend of using the given keywords over time and the megatrends in this line were established.
Findings
Upon clustering the articles, 11 clusters were identified, including 6 dense clusters, STPs, technology business incubators (TBIs), university STPs, university–industry collaboration, innovation and startup services and triple/quadruple helix, which were then completely analyzed to develop a big picture for future research.
Originality/value
Using bibliometric coupling and co-citation clustering in the field of science and technology parks and areas of innovation for making a big picture for directing future research.
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Hashem Aghazadeh and Farzad Zandi
This study aims to investigate the effects of adaptive selling, as a high-level individual-level marketing capability, institutional knowledge, international opportunity…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of adaptive selling, as a high-level individual-level marketing capability, institutional knowledge, international opportunity recognition and general innovation-orientation of managers on the international growth of Iranian small- and medium-sized enterprises. Also, drawing on strands of research into early internationalisation firms, this study attempts to determine the impact of precocity and speed of internationalisation as a moderator of the relationship of antecedents to international growth.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on answers of 748 managers from 186 firms to a self-reporting questionnaire. The partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling approach was used to assess the measurement and construct the model. Furthermore, the study used a PLS multigroup design with four groups of firms to compare the paths with regard to precocity and speed of internationalisation.
Findings
Significant associations for seven out of eight hypotheses were found. The international opportunity recognition was found to mediate the relationship between institutional knowledge and adaptive selling-innovativeness. Additionally, the results of the comparisons found important implications to early and fast internationalisation.
Originality/value
This study shows that international growth stems from individual innovation orientation. It sheds light on the importance of institutional knowledge, adaptive selling and opportunity recognition for early and pacey internationalisation. The findings contribute to the international entrepreneurship literature based on both the early and gradual internationalisation.
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Hashem Aghazadeh, Elham Beheshti Jazan Abadi and Farzad Zandi
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the antecedents of export performance and branding advantage, as a key type of competitive advantage in export markets among…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the antecedents of export performance and branding advantage, as a key type of competitive advantage in export markets among entrepreneurs and managers of agri-food exporters.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of entrepreneurs from 182 exporting firms of the agriculture and food industry participated in a cross-sectional survey. The data were collected by a self-reporting questionnaire and partial least squares were used to analyse the data and assess the path model.
Findings
Results revealed that experiential resources strongly promote communication capabilities. Also, communication, distribution and product development capabilities contribute to the creation of the branding advantage in export markets. In addition, a positive relationship between the branding advantage and export performance of agri-food products is confirmed.
Research limitations/implications
The study targets exporters of agri-food products. Hence, the results should be interpreted regarding the context of low-technology firms. Further, this paper delineates branding advantage considerations that managers need to account for to achieve effective exporting. Practitioners can efficaciously exploit resources to achieve a competitive advantage, considering that they focus on building capabilities, and in particular, communication capabilities.
Originality/value
The present study highlights the role of the branding advantage as an important type of competitive advantage in international entrepreneurship and export markets. It attempts to examine the combined relationships of resources and capabilities with branding advantage and export performance.
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Mehrdad Estiri, Hashem Aghazadeh, Hamzeh Rayej and Tannaz Raoufi
Preparing and presenting proper marketing programs are of paramount importance in establishing and developing sport activities in any country. The reasons behind the apparent lack…
Abstract
Purpose
Preparing and presenting proper marketing programs are of paramount importance in establishing and developing sport activities in any country. The reasons behind the apparent lack of such programs in Iran are not the result of unwillingness of sport institutions to adopt these programs but are mainly because of numerous barriers and problems facing these organizations. This paper aims to clarify and examine these barriers.
Design/methodology/approach
By extensively studying electronic databases of Iran and some other countries, we recognized that there were two kinds of problems: internal problems and external ones. The internal problems were deemed more important and were further categorized into problems and barriers involving: management (five factors), goals and strategies (three factors), marketing policy (six factors), culture structure (three factors), employees (three factors) and finally organizational structure (three factors). After all the 23 obstructive factors were determined, sport and marketing experts were asked for their inputs in order to determine the validity, importance and ranking of these factors. For analyzing the data t‐test was utilized and determination of priorities was done by Freidman test.
Findings
The findings from this study reveal that, 23 internal factors that can act as barriers to hinder the progress of sport marketing were almost unanimously confirmed by the experts. The experts also agreed that removing these barriers will significantly improve both general and championship sport activities in Iran.
Originality/value
The approach and results have significant implications for sport institution managers in Iran.
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Hashem Aghazadeh, Hossein Maleki and Sajedeh Sadat Majidi