Internal and External Drivers That Foster Sustainability—Integrated Innovation Management of Micro and SME Suppliers: A Focus on Corporate Entrepreneurship

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This work’s topic is highly significant, the article uses simple language and is well organized, however, the article is required to carefully study the relevant content and make any necessary adjustments in the aspects of methodological description, content interpretation, and conclusion refinement.

1.Measurement Model: The dual-dimensional (external/internal) framework based on system theory is logically sound. However, the justification for hypotheses could be strengthened, particularly why corporate entrepreneurship serves as a moderator. Moreover, the relationship between sustainable innovation management and operational performance in the model has not been confirmed, but the theoretical part has not fully explained the possible reasons for this contradiction.

2.Empirical Research: The use of hierarchical regression is generally appropriate. However, key information and diagnostics are missing: Firstly, the sample size was not clearly stated, and the time span of data collection was not specified either. Secondly, no further detailed theoretical test of multicollinearity has been conducted to ensure stability of coefficient estimates. 

3.Research Conclusions: The conclusion is consistent with the results of the data analysis. However, the explanation for the insignificant impact of government participation is insufficient, and the possible reasons have not been analyzed in combination with the policy environment of the South Korean automotive industry. Meanwhile, the sample was limited to MSMEs in the South Korean automotive industry, but the discussion did not fully emphasize the impact of the sample's limitations on the generalization of the conclusion.

Author Response

Please see the attachment. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thanks for the opportunity to review this article. This is a fascinating topic. Discussing aspects of the micro and small, and medium enterprises sector is very important. Please note the following comments:

1. In the introduction section, please try to be more elaborative, explain more clearly, so that readers understand that you are talking about a system adapted with large companies, but it targets MSMEs, not otherwise. Please revisit the paragraph starting from line 41-48. It isn't very clear. I know you are trying to tell us that there is limited research about this topic among MSMEs, but you must go systematically.
2. In lines 61 and 62, please elaborate after reference 62 that these figures are most likely to include micro enterprises and constitute a significant part of the economy. Micro enterprises contribute significantly to job creation and the reduction of poverty. Please look at this article, it would be beneficial to you: “ Purpose-Driven Resilience: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth in Micro- and Small Enterprises in Turbulent Contexts (2025).
3. It would be good to see a brief explanation of the study's main constructs before linking them to other concepts. I mean, try to briefly describe them before discussing their inclusion and relationship to other studies and concepts. This will allow readers to understand how they interact together.
4. Still, the research gap and problem of the study are not clear to me. I would appreciate it if the authors could clearly highlight them and link them to the motives for conducting this research.
5. While this research collects data from South Korea, I don’t find enough reasons for conducting it. In other words, authors are encouraged to elaborate more on the context of the study or develop a separate section to improve the article's readability.
6. Authors are encouraged to develop a separate section titled “theory of the study” and ground this research to support the developed model. One suitable mode will be the conservation of research theory (2001) developed by Dr. Stevan E. Hobfoll, or any other theory to support the study. Please look at this research. “Crisis Management and Customer Adaptation: Pathways to Adaptive Capacity and Resilience in Micro- and Small-Sized Enterprises (2025).
7. Kindly develop a separate section and show the operational definition for the concepts of the study.
8. I thank the authors for attaching the questionnaires as an appendix, to allow other researchers to replicate it.
9. Draw the model of the study in a better way, show the moderation from up side no as you have done it.
10. Please indicate the type of sample you have used. I think it was convenience sampling, so mention that. Also, state that your study is exploratory, quantitative, and deductive.
11. Please add one column in the results to show which hypotheses were accepted and rejected.
12. Please indicate that convenience sampling might generate bias, and the sample size might not allow for the generalizability of the findings. Also, indicate that a cross-sectional study might have some limitations and encourage future researchers to follow longitudinal studies.
13. Please show VIF, CMB and other vital tests for discriminant validity.
14. The article does not cover cross-loading values for items used to measure the concepts. Please provide.
15. All the best

Author Response

Please see the attachment. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a relevant and well-structured paper. The role of MSMEs in innovation and sustainable value chain development is an important issue that is of interest for various audiences, particularly in countries that have an economy strongly dependent on the MSME sector, often developing countries.  The five research questions/hypotheses are valid, and the research model is well-articulated, although five variables within the one study with such a small sample raises some risk of methodological validity.

The background literature is solid, linking contemporary literature of different sources. However, the assertion made several times that this is the only work that links MSMEs, innovation and sustainability is stretching the extent of originality. There are other important contributors in the existing literature plus others have explored tangential work[1].  It would give the work stronger credibility to position its work within the context of the literature and its valuable but incremental contribution to literature rather than setting itself as a separate line of study. 

The conclusion outlines limitations but it would be helpful to add a short paragraph outlining the study limitations in the methodology. These include the small sample, the focus on a single industry with particular contexts that may not be transferable to other industries and locations as mentioned in the discussion and the inherent bias in the survey instrument, particularly using a self-assessment comparison with industry competitors.  The last point may have influenced the apparent lack of significance related to performance, rather than using secondary, verifiable data. By including the limitations as part of the methodology, it would allow the conclusion to be more focussed on the significance of findings and areas for future research rather than taking the reader back to methodological issues.

The data itself is comprehensive and well explained. The language used is clear and technically valid. The presentation of data and graphics and the discussion are clear and well substantiated, apart from the points noted above.

Overall, this paper is interesting and a solid contribution to relevant literature.

 

[1] E.g. Dambiski Gomes de Carvalho, G., Resende, L. M. M. de, Pontes, J., Gomes de Carvalho, H., & Mendes Betim, L. (2021). Innovation and Management in MSMEs: A Literature Review of Highly Cited Papers. SAGE Open, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211052555 (Original work published 2021)

Martins, A.; Branco, M.C.;Melo, P.N.; Machado, C.Sustainability in Small andMedium-Sized Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda. Sustainability 2022,14, 649

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article has been revised quite thoroughly; it is recommended to further refine the interpretation of results and the language.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Well done.