Following the current debate on the importance of external sources of knowledge as predictors of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) performance, this chapter aims to open the black box of the innovation process. Since it is still unclear how and what internal capabilities are involved in that process, this chapter demonstrates the relevant mediating role of knowledge integration mechanisms (KIMs) as facilitators of firms’ innovation. A sample containing 98 Italian SMEs operating in different industries is analyzed to test the proposed theoretical model through a regression analysis. The results suggest that KIMs operate as a full mediator in the relationship between the depth of external knowledge sources and opportunity exploitation. In conclusion, theoretical and managerial implications of this study are presented.

External knowledge sources and knowledge integration mechanisms for organizational performance: evidence from Italian SMEs / Sarti, Daria. - STAMPA. - (2017), pp. 255-274.

External knowledge sources and knowledge integration mechanisms for organizational performance: evidence from Italian SMEs

SARTI, DARIA
2017

Abstract

Following the current debate on the importance of external sources of knowledge as predictors of small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) performance, this chapter aims to open the black box of the innovation process. Since it is still unclear how and what internal capabilities are involved in that process, this chapter demonstrates the relevant mediating role of knowledge integration mechanisms (KIMs) as facilitators of firms’ innovation. A sample containing 98 Italian SMEs operating in different industries is analyzed to test the proposed theoretical model through a regression analysis. The results suggest that KIMs operate as a full mediator in the relationship between the depth of external knowledge sources and opportunity exploitation. In conclusion, theoretical and managerial implications of this study are presented.
2017
9781787145023
Global Opportunities for Entrepreneurial Growth: Coopetition and Knowledge Dynamics within and across Firms
255
274
Sarti, Daria
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in FLORE sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1099624
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact