Alfonso J. Gil and Mara Mataveli
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between learning processes (LP) – group learning (GL) and training processes – and job satisfaction (JS), by taking into…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between learning processes (LP) – group learning (GL) and training processes – and job satisfaction (JS), by taking into consideration the mediating role of organizational size (OZ) and employees’ educational level (EEL).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the Spanish wine sector. The survey was addressed to the workers, and 230 valid questionnaires were obtained. The authors have proven their model of research through a model of structural equations, that is, by means of the partial least squares technique.
Findings
This paper proposes that LP play a significant role in determining the effects on JS, and OZ and EEL mediate the relationship between GL and JS.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to certain features of the sample and the use of measurement scales, the final results should be considered with caution. Further research in other contexts using qualitative methods is needed to validate these findings.
Practical implications
When seeking to improve employee JS, practitioners should take into account the link between LP and JS. It is especially necessary to consider the diversity in learning groups.
Originality/value
This paper provides an empirical analysis of the relationship between LP and JS and checks the mediation of OZ and worker education of workers between group learning and JS.
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Barbara Santana Gonzaga, Paulo Soares Figueiredo, Elisabeth Loiola Regina da Cruz Souza and Francisco Uchoa Passos
This empirical and exploratory study analyzed the role of interaction with the innovation environment and of the organizational learning capacity (OLC) development stage in…
Abstract
Purpose
This empirical and exploratory study analyzed the role of interaction with the innovation environment and of the organizational learning capacity (OLC) development stage in startups in Northeast Brazil based on the perception of managers of these companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This was a quantitative study. Questionnaires were sent electronically to the managers of startups in the nine states of Northeast Brazil. A total of 54 managers participated, composing a non-probabilistic sample. The data collected were analyzed by multiple linear regressions.
Findings
The results obtained seek to evidence whether the interaction of startups in Northeast Brazil with the startup ecosystem and the development stage in which these companies are found are associated with OLC. The results confirmed the hypothesis that higher startup development stages are positively associated with higher levels of OLC in the sample. A negative association was identified between the manufacturing startup type and the OLC level, and the level of interaction with the innovation environment was still infrequent.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature on the determinants of organizational learning and to startup managers who wish to more effectively promote this learning. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the literature on the determinants of organizational learning and to startup managers who wish to more effectively promote this learning. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Originality/value
Studies on Brazilian startups are still relatively scarce, especially studies that focus on learning capacity. No other studies addressing the hypotheses tested here were found.
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Cristina Villar and José Pla-Barber
The aim of this chapter is to examine the profile of high-performing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Traditional Manufacturing Sectors (TMSs). The authors main…
Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to examine the profile of high-performing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Traditional Manufacturing Sectors (TMSs). The authors main contribution is to provide recommendations and benchmarks for prescribing a more robust model of internationalisation in these industries by specifying the types of internationalisation and innovation that better reinforce competitiveness. Our results, based on a sample of 132 SMEs, show that high-performing SMEs make more intense use of advanced operation modes that imply a closer interaction with the host country to access knowledge diversity, skills and work available in those markets. Moreover, compared to low-performing SMEs, and independently of their size and experience, these firms use a wide set of networking and marketing capabilities and develop innovations based on organisational changes that help to create new business models. After a number of years of forced adjustment and adaptation to a globalised context, the new model of high-performing SME in TMS could help to improve the global positioning of these firms in the long term.
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Nilay Bıçakcıoğlu-Peynirci, Ayça Kubra Hizarci-Payne, Özge Özgen and Canan Madran
Since an accumulated body of research has examined the link between innovation and export performance and little attention has been paid to consolidate the existent fragmented…
Abstract
Purpose
Since an accumulated body of research has examined the link between innovation and export performance and little attention has been paid to consolidate the existent fragmented findings in the pertinent literature, the purpose of this paper is to systematically integrate empirical findings based on a meta-analysis of relevant research investigating the association between innovation and export performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In this research, correlations within individual studies were examined through performing a meta-analysis, which assists to synthesize the entire findings among past individual studies and helps to quantify the aggregated results. In total, 38 articles surveyed 554,227 exporting manufacturing companies were analyzed through a meta-analysis of 145 total effects.
Findings
This study demonstrates that innovation is a strategic source to achieve competitive advantage with intent to achieve superior performance in export markets. In this sense, the results reveal that while there is a significant relationship between innovation activities of companies and their export performance, export strategic performance dimension captures important facets in this relationship. Moreover, the results indicate that conceptualization of innovation and the development level of countries moderate the link between innovation and export performance. While output-oriented innovation is more influential on innovation-financial export performance association, the input-oriented innovation is more influential on strategic and market performance.
Originality/value
This present study attempted to synthesize fragmented results examining innovation–export performance link via revealing potential moderators on the association between innovation and export performance and providing important insights for both practitioners and scholars.
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Mahmoud Abdelaziz Ahmed Abdelaziz, Jiani Wu, Changwei Yuan and Mohamed Ahmed Ghonim
In light of the current challenges in the business environment, firms, particularly those involved in supply chains, must foster innovation. In this context, the current study…
Abstract
Purpose
In light of the current challenges in the business environment, firms, particularly those involved in supply chains, must foster innovation. In this context, the current study employs the theory of dynamic organizational capabilities (DOCs) to track supply chain learning capabilities (SCLCs) and independently uncover their relationship to innovation at both the product and process levels. Similarly, the study intends to investigate the influence of technological turbulence (TT) on these relationships as a moderating variable.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were gathered using in-person interviews with 189 CEOs with some supply chain management proficiency from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial zones of eastern Egypt. The study used a survey approach to collect data, and the SEM-PLS technique was utilized to analyze the data.
Findings
Study findings revealed that SCLCs positively affect product and process innovation. In addition, TT positively moderates the relationship between SCLCs and product and process innovation, except for risk-taking capability. Further theoretical and practical implications are derived from the study findings.
Originality/value
This research adds to the knowledge of the dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), which affects how firms interact with their external environment. Studying learning capabilities are employed as essential competencies to counterbalance high levels of TT in the external environment in terms of innovative performance and vice versa if firms do not attempt to strengthen their dynamic learning capabilities in supply chains. In addition, this study contributes to the literature by studying learning capabilities from the external perspective, where SCLCs are being developed as a new variable to improve innovation.
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Jacob Guinot, Ricardo Chiva and Fermín Mallén
This paper aims to, prompted by a recent paradigm shift in the organizational sciences, to explore some antecedents of organizational learning capability, focusing on altruism and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to, prompted by a recent paradigm shift in the organizational sciences, to explore some antecedents of organizational learning capability, focusing on altruism and relationship conflict.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the hypotheses, the structural equation technique was applied to data from a survey of Spanish firms with recognized excellence in human resource management.
Findings
The results of this research show that, in these firms, altruism facilitates learning capacity both directly and indirectly (through relationship conflict). Relationship conflict is posited as a mediating variable that explains how altruism improves organizational learning.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study include excessive heterogeneity of the sample size and industrial sector and the type of firm included in the sample. Due to the potential benefits that altruism seems to have for organizations, future research could continue to investigate the consequences of altruism in organizations.
Practical implications
Altruism provides organizations with a value that can facilitate organizational learning capability not only directly, but also by reducing relationship conflict. Altruism may offer organizations a tool they can use to improve their success in dealing with the challenges of today’s uncertain and constantly changing economic environment.
Originality/value
This study proposes a common altruistic approach that is far removed from traditional self-interested models in organizational literature. This study identifies altruism and relationship conflict as antecedents of organizational learning capability.
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Kwaku Appietu-Ankrah, Ahmed Agyapong, Henry Kofi Mensah and Felicity Asiedu-Appiah
This study underscores the critical importance of knowledge management (KM) in the context of small and medium entrepreneurial firms (SMEFs) that aim to leverage their…
Abstract
Purpose
This study underscores the critical importance of knowledge management (KM) in the context of small and medium entrepreneurial firms (SMEFs) that aim to leverage their organisational learning capability (OLC) to enhance their product innovation performance (PIP). Drawing on the foundations of resource-based and contingency theories, this study delves into the impact of OLC on SMEFs' PIP through the intermediary role of KM, focussing on an emerging economy perspective. Additionally, this investigation explores how market dynamism (MDY) moderates the indirect connection between OLC and PIP via KM.
Design/methodology/approach
The study involved 262 SMEFs in Ghana, with data analysis conducted using PROCESS macros in SPSS 23.0 and LISREL 8.50.
Findings
This study's findings underscore the mediating role of KM in shaping the relationship between OLC and PIP. Furthermore, they reveal that, particularly in high MDY environments, the link between KM and PIP through KM is significantly strengthened.
Practical implications
The study clarifies that responding to MDY's demands is a complementary managerial capability enabling firms to channel their KM activities to improve PIP. Effectively, understanding the relationship between MDY and KM could substantially influence the policies and strategies managers adopt to improve PIP for organisational growth and survival.
Originality/value
This study extends the OLC–PIP research and contributes to the growing literature by offering a strong account of how OLC influences PIP and the prevailing boundary conditions that impact the KM-PIP relationship.
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José Arias-Pérez, Joaquín Alegre and Cristina Villar
Competitor orientation (CO) has been considered as a traditional driver of innovation performance (IP), being an important source of innovative ideas. Nevertheless, the slowness…
Abstract
Purpose
Competitor orientation (CO) has been considered as a traditional driver of innovation performance (IP), being an important source of innovative ideas. Nevertheless, the slowness of the analytical information processing implicit in CO has been recently questioned in the literature, given the internal resistance in firms to use knowledge coming from rivals. Hence, the purpose of this study is to analyze the mediating effect of emotional capability (EC), which is believed to help overcome this barrier by improving the use of knowledge from such innovation source.
Design/methodology/approach
Structural equation modeling through the partial least squares method was used to test the research model with survey data from a sample of 123 firms.
Findings
Contrary to what was assumed, EC mediation is partial and CO has a very significant and direct influence on IP. Nonetheless, the fact that EC mediation accounts for 28% of the total effect of CO on IP indicates that EC plays a complementary role in terms of making the information processing on rivals more agile and intuitive, as well as reducing internal resistance.
Practical implications
When competitor information is analyzed and used to improve innovation outcomes, a culture where first impressions or hunches expressed by employees must be encouraged and legitimized.
Originality/value
The development of EC is an alternative way of maximizing the exploitation of the competition as source of innovation. Ignoring its role implies wasting a representative percentage of the benefits of information coming from this external actor, thereby missing the opportunity to capitalize on innovation results.