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Article
Publication date: 7 January 2025

Hossein S. Jalali

This paper seeks to explore how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of government support initiatives in enhancing the international performance (IP) of small and…

17

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of government support initiatives in enhancing the international performance (IP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Addressing the fragmented nature of international business literature regarding institutional context, this study adopts an institution-based view (IBV) to examine how specific components of institutional context act as moderators in the relationship between government support and SME performance in international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is grounded in empirical research, utilizing data collected from 257 exporting SMEs in the Caucasus region through a random sampling method, achieving a response rate of 57.1%, comparable to similar studies in international business. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess both direct effects and moderating relationships.

Findings

The results confirm that government support, whether informational or experiential, significantly enhances SMEs’ performance in international markets. However, the relationship between government support and IP is moderated by the stability and specificity of the institutional environment. Institutional enforceability does not exhibit a significant moderating effect. Notably, institutional predictability moderates only the relationship between informational support and SMEs’ IP, highlighting the nuanced role of institutional context.

Originality/value

This research contributes to international business literature by applying an IBV, emphasizing the critical role of context in interactions among market stakeholders. It provides novel insights into how institutional context shapes the effectiveness of government support initiatives in fostering international success for SMEs, particularly in emerging economies. These findings advance the understanding of institutional context influences on SME internationalization and highlight the importance of tailoring government support in accordance with institutional context.

Details

Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-4323

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Article
Publication date: 28 August 2024

Hossein S. Jalali

This paper aims to understand how government support initiatives can enhance the international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address the gap of…

118

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how government support initiatives can enhance the international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address the gap of literature, this paper employed three theoretical lenses to examine both of direct and indirect relationships between two main constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study is based on data collected from Armenian exporter SMEs. The data collection utilized a random sampling approach, resulting in 138 fully completed questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 28.4%, comparable to previous studies in international business research. This sample includes firms from three main sectors: agriculture, manufacturing and services, reflecting the structure of Armenia's international trade. Relationships were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results of this study indicate that government support initiatives lack a direct impact on international performance, while positing instead an indirect connection between the two constructs through strategic capability and institutional pressures.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to the international business literature in several ways. First, it surpasses the conventional examination of government support on firm performance by delving into both the direct and indirect relationships between these constructs. Second, it reveals that not all theoretical viewpoints hold equal strategic importance in explaining the internationalization of SMEs. From the practical point of view, findings help policymakers to maximize a country's export capacity by implementing tailored initiatives, considering the unique requirements of SMEs.

Details

Review of International Business and Strategy, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-6014

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Article
Publication date: 3 December 2024

Kwame Ntim Sekyere and Hossein S. Jalali

This study aims to examine the relationship between a founder’s knowledge of international markets and the firm’s ability to acquire and orchestrate resources for its…

19

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between a founder’s knowledge of international markets and the firm’s ability to acquire and orchestrate resources for its international operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This investigation uses an empirical methodology using data obtained from SMEs engaged in exporting activities in the Middle East. The data collection used a random sampling approach, reaching 284 samples from SMEs that are privately held and engaged in international ventures within the past five years, deriving more than 35% of export sales directly. The relationships within the data were scrutinized through partial least squares-structural equation modeling.

Findings

The examination recognizes a positive and direct correlation between founders’ knowledge of international markets and SMEs resource orchestration ability. The results find support for both of mediated and moderated paths and uncover the mediated role of SMEs resource acquisition ability in relationship between founders’ knowledge and SMEs resources orchestration ability. Level of SME internationalization and degree of innovation initiatives positively moderate this relationship as well.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s results contribute to the theory and practice of international entrepreneurship and cognitive psychology, but there are a few limitations to be conscious of. For example, the relationship between founders’ knowledge, resource acquisition and resource orchestration is strengthened by SMEs’ levels of internationalization and their degree of innovativeness. However, to anticipate resource acquisition, future studies might model a direct link between SMEs level of internationalization and degree of innovativeness.

Practical implications

This research offers practical recommendations for owner–managers of SMEs in the field of international entrepreneurship in emerging market environments, particularly regarding the use of founders’ knowledge in resource orchestration and when it is most useful. To be more precise, entrepreneurs should prioritize the transfer of their knowledge of international markets as a knowledge base to obtain resources for their international operations. This includes both the acquisition of resources and the orchestration of these resources concerning the utilization of product–market opportunities to create economic value.

Originality/value

This research provides unique perspectives on the interaction between founders’ knowledge of international markets and firms’ resource orchestration ability. The findings have significant implications for the advancement of theory and managerial implications in the fields of cognitive psychology, international business and entrepreneurship.

Details

Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1059-5422

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Article
Publication date: 28 October 2021

Wenqiang Guo, Guoxiang Hou, Yin Guan and Senyun Liu

This paper aims to explore the mechanism of the slip phenomenon at macro/micro scales, and analyze the effect of slip on fluid flow and heat transfer, to reduce drag and enhance…

183

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the mechanism of the slip phenomenon at macro/micro scales, and analyze the effect of slip on fluid flow and heat transfer, to reduce drag and enhance heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

The improved tangential momentum accommodation coefficient scheme incorporated with Navier’s slip model is introduced to the discrete unified gas kinetic scheme as a slip boundary condition. Numerical tests are simulated using the D2Q9 model with a code written in C++.

Findings

Velocity contour with slip at high Re is similar to that without slip at low Re. For flow around a square cylinder, the drag is reduced effectively and the vortex shedding frequency is reduced. For flow around a delta wing, drag is reduced and lift is increased significantly. For Cu/water nanofluid in a channel with surface mounted blocks, drag can be reduced greatly by slip and the highest value of drag reduction (DR) (67.63%) can be obtained. The highest value of the increase in averaged Nu (11.78%) is obtained by slip at Re = 40 with volume fraction φ=0.01, which shows that super-hydrophobic surface can enhance heat transfer by slip.

Originality/value

The present study introduces and proposes an effective and superior method for the numerical simulation of fluid/nanofluid slip flow, which has active guidance meaning and applied value to the engineering practice of DR, heat transfer, flow control and performance improvement.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 32 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 10 December 2019

Yeping Peng, Ghasem Bahrami, Hossein Khodadadi, Alireza Karimi, Ahmad Soleimani, Arash Karimipour and Sara Rostami

The purpose of this study is simulation of of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are promising power sources for use in power plants and…

228

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is simulation of of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are promising power sources for use in power plants and vehicles. These fuel cells provide a high level of energy efficiency at low temperature without any pollution. The convection inside the cell plays a key role in the electrochemical reactions and the performance of the cell. Accordingly, the transport processes in these cells have been investigated thoroughly in previous studies that also carried out functional modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-phase model was used to study the limitations of the reactions and their impact on the performance of the cell. The governing equations (conservation of mass, momentum and particle transport) were solved by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) (ANSYS fluent) using appropriate source terms. The two-phase flow in the fuel cell was simulated three-dimensionally under steady-state conditions. The flow of water inside the cell was also simulated at high-current density.

Findings

The simulation results suggested that the porosity of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the most important design parameters with a significant impact on the current density limitation and, consequently, on the cell performance.

Originality/value

This study was mainly focused on the two-phase analysis of the steady flow in the fuel cell and on investigating the impacts of a two-phase flow on the performance of the cell and also on the flow in the GDL, the membrane and the catalyst layer using the CFD.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 26 September 2019

Zhe Tian, Ali Abdollahi, Mahmoud Shariati, Atefeh Amindoust, Hossein Arasteh, Arash Karimipour, Marjan Goodarzi and Quang-Vu Bach

This paper aims to study the fluid flow and heat transfer through a spiral double-pipe heat exchanger. Nowadays using spiral double-pipe heat exchangers has become popular in…

555

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the fluid flow and heat transfer through a spiral double-pipe heat exchanger. Nowadays using spiral double-pipe heat exchangers has become popular in different industrial segments due to its complex and spiral structure, which causes an enhancement in heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

In these heat exchangers, by converting the fluid motion to the secondary motion, the heat transfer coefficient is greater than that of the straight double-pipe heat exchangers and cause increased heat transfer between fluids.

Findings

The present study, by using the Fluent software and nanofluid heat transfer simulation in a spiral double-tube heat exchanger, investigates the effects of operating parameters including fluid inlet velocity, volume fraction of nanoparticles, type of nanoparticles and fluid inlet temperature on heat transfer efficiency.

Originality/value

After presenting the results derived from the fluid numerical simulation and finding the optimal performance conditions using a genetic algorithm, it was found that water–Al2O3 and water–SiO2 nanofluids are the best choices for the Reynolds numbers ranging from 10,551 to 17,220 and 17,220 to 31,910, respectively.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 8 August 2018

Gholamreza Jalali Farahani, Reza Hosnavi, Mohamad Hasan Ataee, Ali Ghanbary Nasab and Mohammad Ali Ataee

The purpose of this paper is to determine and prioritize man-made threats that have the probability of occurring in civilian airports, as an important part of critical…

215

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine and prioritize man-made threats that have the probability of occurring in civilian airports, as an important part of critical infrastructures in each country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is practical-developmental in terms of research type and its approach is descriptive. Desktop research methods and interviews (qualitative) have been used in identifying deliberate man-made threats that are faced by the civilian airports. Moreover, a questionnaire (quantitative) has been utilized to assess the civilian airports’ assets that are targets likely to be threatened and assess threats by determining and prioritizing.

Findings

The results of the paper show that the main threat faced by civilian airports is “Air and missile strikes.” An additional 15 threats endangering civilian airports that have been extracted and presented through integrating specialized literature were prioritized in the main components of civilian airports. This prioritization has been performed on the basis of the following five indicators: “Damage Severity,” “Threat Precedent,” “Target Attractiveness,” “Negative Consequences for the Enemy” and “Enemy Ability.”

Originality/value

This paper is extracted from master’s thesis that identifies and assesses the threats to civil airport, and prioritizes them, and the results were confirmed by the experts.

Details

Property Management, vol. 37 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

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Expert briefing
Publication date: 27 February 2023

As women push the boundaries of the dress code, the government is adopting a two-pronged strategy. It is shifting responsibility for hijab (Islamic dress) compliance onto the…

Details

DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB276319

ISSN: 2633-304X

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Geographic
Topical
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Article
Publication date: 28 December 2023

Seyed Hossein Razavi Hajiagha, Saeed Alaei, Arian Sadraee and Paria Nazmi

Despite the wide research and discussion on international performance, innovation and digital resilience dimensions of enterprises, the investigation and understanding of their…

401

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the wide research and discussion on international performance, innovation and digital resilience dimensions of enterprises, the investigation and understanding of their interrelations seem to be limited. The purpose of this study is to identify the influential factors affecting the mentioned dimensions, determine the causal relationships among these identified factors and finally evaluate their importance in an aggregated framework from the viewpoint of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid methodology is used to achieve the objectives. First, the main factors of international performance, innovation and digital resilience are extracted by an in-depth review of the literature. These factors are then screened by expert opinions to localize them in accordance with the conditions of an emerging economy. Finally, the relationship and the importance of the factors are determined using an uncertain multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach.

Findings

The findings reveal that there is a correlation between digital resilience and innovation, and both factors have an impact on the international performance of SMEs. The cause-or-effect nature of the factors belonging to each dimension is also determined. Among the effect factors, business model innovation (BMI), agility, product and organizational innovation are known as the most important factors. International knowledge, personal drivers and digital transformation are also determined to be the most important cause factors.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature both in methodological and practical directions. Practically, the study aggregates the factors in the mentioned dimensions and provides insights into their cause-and-effect interrelations. Methodologically, the study proposes an uncertain MCDM approach that has been rarely used in previous studies in this field.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

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Article
Publication date: 12 October 2021

Seyed Hossein Razavi Hajiagha, Saeed Alaei, Hannan Amoozad Mahdiraji and Fatemeh Yaftiyan

International collaboration is a crucial requirement of entrepreneurship, particularly in developing emerging economies. This collaboration seems so necessary in the food industry…

357

Abstract

Purpose

International collaboration is a crucial requirement of entrepreneurship, particularly in developing emerging economies. This collaboration seems so necessary in the food industry as a major contributor to environmental, social and economic problems. This paper aims to identify, analyse the influential network relationship and prioritise the key success factors (KSFs) of international collaboration formation in the entrepreneurial food industry with a case study on Iran's emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify a list of KSFs, a qualitative method, literature review, is initially used. A quantitative method, fuzzy-Delphi, then is employed to finalise the main KSFs based on the entrepreneurial food industry experts' opinion. To analyse the causal relationship, and prioritise the KSFs, a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-analytic network process (ANP) methodology, i.e. FDANP, is applied. At the first stage, the cause–effect diagram of KSFs is extracted using fuzzy DEMATEL and then, the KSFs weights and priorities are evaluated using a fuzzy ANP.

Findings

The results illustrate that the characteristics of effective development workers are the leading dimension of a successful international collaboration that directly affects other dimensions. On the other hand, increased marketing and trading is the most important KSF that is directly related to international entrepreneurial collaboration team capabilities and professionalism. The leading and casual role of team members also plays a vital role in strategic and communication issues affecting the collaboration success, e.g. market research and new product development. Availability of financial resources and the ability of partners in continuous financing is also a crucial and required factor for a successful collaboration.

Originality/value

Using an extensive review of the literature to extract the KSFs of international entrepreneurial collaboration and finalising them using a fuzzy-Delphi method and examining the cause-effect relations between them, as well as prioritising the KSFs are the main contributions of this paper.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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