Search Results (145)

This study investigates the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership skills (ELSs), ethical entrepreneurial leadership (EEL), corporate sustainable development (CSD), and competitive advantage (CA) in SMEs. Drawing on resource-based view theory, we examine whether entrepreneurial capabilities and ethical practices jointly contribute to sustainability and competitive positioning. Data from 312 SME leaders across manufacturing, services, technology, and trading sectors were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results reveal that ELSs foster EEL (β = 0.684, p < 0.001) and enhance CSD (β = 0.453, p < 0.001). EEL significantly affects CSD (β = 0.527, p < 0.001) and partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and sustainability (indirect effect = 0.361). CSD strongly enhances CA (β = 0.612, p < 0.001). The findings demonstrate that integrating entrepreneurial capabilities with ethical leadership creates foundations for sustainable development and CA in resource-constrained environments. This research extends entrepreneurial leadership theory by showing complementarity between entrepreneurial and ethical orientations, advances sustainability theory by revealing ethical leadership’s mediating role, and enriches RBV by demonstrating how intangible leadership capabilities generate CA when traditional resources are scarce. Practical implications include developing integrated leadership programs and sustainability frameworks for emerging economy SMEs. Full article

Organizational performance defines how well an organization achieves its goals and objectives. To fulfill these, the organization should improve its logistical competencies including delivery speed, order accuracy, and returns handling. At the same time, social media plays an important role. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to examine and research the influence of logistical competence on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the moderating effect of the competitive advantages of social media. We used a quantitative, descriptive, cause–effect, and cross-sectional approach to actualize this research. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used as it is cost-effective, practical, easy to access, and time-efficient. The main variables, such as delivery speed, order accuracy, and returns handling, were analyzed to determine their influence on organizational performance. A total of 163 respondents participated, ranging from middle to top management employees in SMEs, specifically in Jordan, who completed a structured Google form. Simple, multiple, and hierarchical regression were used to check the hypotheses in this research. The conclusion shows that logistical competence positively affects organizational performance, with competitive advantages in social media campaigns enhancing this effect significantly; this was evident as social media campaigns emerged as an essential platform for marketing logistical strengths and boosting customer engagement. This study and research give recommendations for SMEs to integrate logistics and E-marketing strategies properly. Regarding the study limitations, we see that the regional focus and the small sample size are acknowledged. In the future, research is highly encouraged which looks into industry-specific dynamics, advancing technologies, and cross-cultural contexts. This research bridges the gap between logistics and marketing, thus showcasing a framework promoting logistical competence to gain a competitive advantage in the SME market. Full article

With the shift of the global innovation model from traditional closed-loop to open ecosystems, knowledge sharing and collaborative cooperation among firms have become key to obtaining sustainable competitive advantages. However, existing studies mostly focus on the static structure, and there is an insufficient exploration of the dynamic evolutionary mechanism and multi-party game strategies. In this paper, a two-dimensional analysis framework integrating the evolutionary game and the Lotka–Volterra model is constructed to explore the behavioral and strategic evolution of core enterprises, SMEs and the government in the innovation ecosystem. Through theoretical modeling and numerical simulation, the effects of different variables on system stability are revealed. It is found that a moderately balanced benefit allocation can stimulate two-way knowledge sharing, while an over- or under-allocation ratio will inhibit the synergy efficiency of the system; a moderate difference in the knowledge stock can promote knowledge complementarity, but an over-concentration will lead to the monopoly and closure of the system; and the government subsidy needs to accurately match the cost of the openness of the enterprises with the potential benefits to the society, so as to avoid the incentive from being unused. Accordingly, it is suggested to optimize the competition structure among enterprises through the dynamic benefit distribution mechanism, knowledge sharing platform construction and classification subsidy policy, promote the evolution of the innovation ecosystem to a balanced state of mutual benefit and symbiosis, and provide theoretical basis and practical inspiration for the governance of the open innovation ecosystem. Full article

The rapid development of e-commerce has brought unprecedented opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those in the retail sector. WeChat e-commerce, which combines the advantages of social media and e-commerce, offers SME retailers an accessible and efficient e-commerce solution. As market competition intensifies, user retention has become crucial for their success in WeChat e-commerce. This study extended the Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) by incorporating perceived quality and privacy calculus to examine users’ continuance intention towards WeChat e-commerce for SME retailers. A total of 694 valid responses were collected from users with prior experience using WeChat e-commerce offered by SME retailers, and the proposed model was validated using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the trade-off between privacy concerns and perceived benefits significantly affected users’ intention to continue using WeChat e-commerce. Moreover, the information quality and service quality dimensions were found to directly or indirectly influence this continuance intention towards WeChat e-commerce via privacy concerns, perceived benefits, and confirmation. In conclusion, this study provides insights for further research on continuance intention in WeChat e-commerce and suggestions for SMEs to formulate e-commerce strategies. Full article

Background: The mediating effect of business resilience in the association between digital logistics strategy and competitive advantage is investigated in emerging markets. Given current global events, digital logistics is more than merely a competitive advantage for firms looking for stability and sustainability. Based on the Resource-Based View (RBV), the research aims to explore how digital strategies promote resilience and performance outcomes, particularly for SMEs in turbulent environments. Methods: They used mixed methods. The quantitative data were obtained from 227 Jordanian SMEs using a structured survey, and the qualitative data were from 10 semi-structured interviews with experts in logistics and marketing. Hypothesized relationships were tested through Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and qualitative validation through Thematic Analysis. Results: The results reveal that business resilience is a potent mediator between digital logistics strategies and competitive advantage. Both content marketing and social media marketing contribute to the enhancement of sustainable performance and to decreasing levels of market volatility. Email also has an impact on the sustainability, but does not directly or indirectly affect the volatility. Sustainable performance is thus confirmed to be a major factor for market stability. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for resilience-based digital logistics strategies for SMEs in developing economies. Well-directed content and social media marketing support both sustainability and competitive advantage. These findings offer managerial implications for the development of adaptive capacities to achieve long-term performance objectives in uncertain environments. Full article

A company’s competitive advantage largely depends on the longevity and quality of its customer relationships, making it essential to understand which tools best support these interactions. In particular, identifying the factors that shape the impact of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems on business performance is crucial. This study examines the influence of CRM on the business performance of Portuguese companies by employing a conceptual model structured around five dimensions: customer-centric management (CCM), CRM organization (CRMO), operational CRM (OCRM), customer service quality (CSQ), and technological turbulence (TT). Data were gathered via a questionnaire completed by employees of Portuguese firms using CRM systems, yielding a total of 228 valid responses. Of the nine hypotheses tested, eight were confirmed. The results indicate that CRM organization (CRMO) exerts the strongest positive influence on business performance (0.457), followed by customer service quality (CSQ), operational CRM (OCRM), and customer-centric management (CCM). The study also confirms that technological turbulence (TT) moderates the relationship between the CRM dimensions and business performance. These findings suggest that the proposed model is well-suited to the context of Portuguese SMEs and provide valuable insights for managers aiming to enhance competitiveness through the strategic use of CRM systems. Additionally, the results offer a relevant contribution to the academic literature on CRM and business performance. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face substantial barriers in accessing reliable and cost-effective IT infrastructure, primarily due to economic constraints and limited technical resources. Hybrid cloud computing solutions, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), offer potential to overcome these barriers by providing scalable, flexible IT services. This study systematically reviews the impact of cloud computing on SME performance, focusing on key performance metrics such as cost-efficiency, operational reliability, and competitive advantage. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 framework. Inclusion criteria included studies published in English from 2014 to 2024, focusing on cloud computing for SMEs and presenting clear analytical frameworks for evaluating performance. Out of an initial pool of 18,570 studies, 90 met the criteria for detailed analysis. Findings show that cloud computing adoption enhances SME performance, with approximately 82% of studies reporting improvements in operational efficiency and 76% noting cost savings. Competitive advantage was identified as a key benefit in 64% of studies, driven by cloud-enabled scalability and access to advanced technology. Key adoption drivers include management support (cited by 68% of studies), service quality (56%), and perceived risks (54%), while barriers such as initial cost concerns and data security risks were also prevalent, affecting 48% and 45% of SMEs, respectively. This review provides strategic insights for SMEs and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of tailored cloud strategies that align with specific operational needs and budget constraints. By addressing key predictors and challenges, this study offers a roadmap for SMEs to leverage cloud computing to improve performance, sustainability, and competitiveness. Full article

This study explores how small family wineries in the Croatian Split-Dalmatia County integrate social media into their marketing and business strategies, focusing on the interplay between tradition, family identity, and digital innovation. Utilising a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with winery owners to explore their use of social media platforms, their sales and distribution strategies, and their perceptions of Croatia’s EU membership. The results show that social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram, serve as highly personalised, low-cost marketing tools, predominantly managed by younger family members and used to convey authenticity, family heritage, and local identity. Despite limited resources and professional marketing expertise, these wineries take an intuitive, do-it-yourself approach and rely on direct customer relationships, storytelling, and experiential offerings to drive loyalty. While EU membership is generally seen as beneficial for tourism and funding opportunities, bureaucratic complexity remains a significant obstacle. This study highlights the importance of leveraging cultural heritage for digital content and emphasises the need for targeted policy support to improve digital competencies and reduce administrative barriers. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how family-run SMEs can gain and sustain competitive advantage by blending tradition with digital marketing practices in a rapidly evolving business environment. Full article

Digitalisation has evolved as a multidimensional phenomenon and impacts the business world. SMEs heavily invest in digital platform capabilities to keep track of digital transformation, enabling them to perform business model experimentation to generate and develop innovation. This paper explores the role of these two crucial growth-promoting variables in the performance of art and craft-based firm’s performance. Through this paper, the researchers contest the argument that, although digital platform capabilities accelerate business model experimentation for firm performance, competitive advantage plays a significant mediating role. Along with these arguments, this study also explores the role of digital platform capability in business model experimentation. It examines the mediating role of business model experimentation in the forming of a competitive advantage. The research model under examination belongs to the explorative school of research; hence, the researchers have used partial least square–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 211 Indian firms belonging to the category of art and craft-based businesses. The hypothesis testing results facilitate exciting insights about the direct and indirect effects of digital platform capabilities, business model experimentation, and competitive advantage on firm performance. In light of the research findings, policymakers, SME consultants, and managers may obtain practical insights in order to develop an intervention mechanism. Researchers working in this area will glean a fresh look at the antecedents of SME performance as this model is explorative; future research may explore the testing of the model in different geographic locations and industry contexts. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges that can be effectively addressed through the adoption of data mining and business intelligence (BI) tools. This systematic literature review scrutinizes the deployment and efficacy of BI and data mining technologies across SME sectors, assessing their impact on operational efficiency, strategic decision-making, and market competitiveness. Therefore, drawing from a methodologically rigorous analysis of 93 scholarly articles published between 2014 and 2024, the review elucidates the evolving landscape of BI tools and techniques that have shaped SME practices. It reveals that advanced analytics such as predictive modeling and machine learning are increasingly being adopted, though significant gaps remain, particularly shaped by economic factors. The utilization of BI and data mining enhances decision-making processes and enables SMEs to adapt effectively to market dynamics. Despite these advancements, SMEs encounter barriers such as technological complexity, high implementation costs, and substantial skills gaps, impeding effective utilization. Our review, grounded in the analysis of business intelligence tools used indicates that dashboards (31.18%) and clustering techniques (10.75%) are predominantly utilized, highlighting their strategic importance in operational settings. However, a considerable number of studies (66.67%) do not specify the BI tools or data mining techniques employed, pointing to a need for more detailed methodological transparency in future research. The predominant focus on the ICT and manufacturing sectors underscores the industrial context sector specific applicability of these technologies, with ICT accounting for 45.16% and manufacturing 22.58% of the studies. We advocate for targeted educational programs, development of user-friendly and cost-effective BI solutions, and strategic partnerships to facilitate knowledge transfer and technological empowerment in SMEs. Empirical research validating the impacts of BI and data mining on SME performance is crucial, providing a directional pathway for future academic inquiries and policy formulation. Full article

The process of transforming service innovation into sustainable competitive advantage in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remained underexplored. Grounded in the resource-based view, this study investigated the roles of intellectual property protection, open innovation, and continuous innovation performance in facilitating this transformation. A survey of 158 representatives from Chinese SMEs was conducted. The results showed that service innovation had a significant positive effect on both intellectual property protection and continuous innovation performance. Furthermore, intellectual property protection significantly influenced continuous innovation performance, which, in turn, had a significant impact on sustainable competitive advantage. Notably, continuous innovation performance was found to partially mediate the relationship between service innovation and sustainable competitive advantage. However, the moderating role of open innovation and the mediating role of intellectual property protection in the relationship between service innovation and sustainable competitive advantage were not supported. This study contributed to the literature by offering a deeper understanding of how service innovation could drive sustainable competitive advantage in small and medium-sized enterprises. The empirical findings provided practical insights to help small and medium-sized enterprises align their innovation efforts with appropriate protective and collaborative strategies to enhance long-term competitiveness and market positioning. Full article

This research examines how sustainability driven innovation and performance factors influence Nepali tourism-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating with limited resources. It investigates the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), network orientation (NO), and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The study positions strategic flexibility (SF) as a moderator between EL and NO in shaping startup performance (SP), with technological innovation capabilities (TIC) acting as a mediator. EO plays a critical role in startup success, helping businesses overcome resource constraints and adopt sustainable practices such as green technologies and energy-saving methods. Through TIC, SMEs convert strategic orientations into competitive advantages, enabling them to address environmental and social sustainability challenges. In Nepal’s fragmented tourism sector, NO and EL do not directly affect organizational performance. However, the findings confirm that SF’s adaptive capability bridges EL and SP, underscoring adaptability as a key driver of sustainable growth. The research provides valuable insights into tourism and entrepreneurship in resource-scarce settings, highlighting adaptive strategies and technological advancement as critical for resilience and long-term sustainability. To explain how tourism SMEs in resource-constrained contexts, such as Nepal, achieve sustainable growth, the study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The findings indicate that strategic flexibility (SF) and technological innovation capabilities (TIC) play significant mediating and moderating roles in linking entrepreneurial strategies to performance within fragile ecosystems. While previous research has primarily focused on advanced economies, this study demonstrates how SF and TIC mediate entrepreneurial strategies in fragile environments, offering practical implications for sustainable development in emerging markets. Full article

In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, businesses must adapt to evolving business models and harness the power of data to thrive. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face significant challenges in aligning IT infrastructure with business objectives while navigating digital transformation. This systematic review, conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines, investigates the role of Enterprise Architecture (EA) and Information Management (IM) in driving IT growth and sustaining competitive performance in SMEs. Through a synthesis of academic research, industry analysis, and case studies from the last decade, this review identifies key frameworks—such as TOGAF, Zachman, and FEAF—that support the alignment of IT capabilities with organizational goals. The integration of IM within EA frameworks is found to enhance decision-making, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are highlighted for their transformative impact, enabling real-time data analysis, improved scalability, and enhanced agility. Our review reports that 43.44% of the studies focused on cloud-based solutions, while 24.59% adopted hybrid models, offering SMEs scalable and flexible IT infrastructures. The findings emphasize the necessity of strong governance frameworks to ensure compliance, adaptability, and long-term sustainability in a dynamic environment. This research contributes to a comprehensive roadmap for SMEs, enabling them to leverage EA and IM for sustained growth and competitive advantage in the digital era. Full article

This study examines how systematically managed innovation routines drive value chain upgrading and competitive performance among Korean manufacturing SMEs. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities view and routines-based perspective, a conceptual model was developed to analyze the relationships among three innovation routines (technological innovation systematization, product development, and manufacturing), two dimensions of upgrading (product and process), and overall competitiveness. Survey data from 131 SMEs reveal that technological innovation systematization routines strongly enhance both product development and manufacturing routines. Product development routines, in turn, significantly boost both product upgrading and process upgrading, whereas manufacturing routines significantly affect only process upgrading. Further, both types of upgrading are shown to improve a firm’s competitive advantage, with process upgrading emerging as particularly impactful in cost-sensitive, subcontracting contexts. These findings highlight the importance of cross-functional integration, open innovation, and balancing product-focused and process-focused strategies. By clarifying how resource-limited SMEs can systematically build and leverage innovation routines, this research offers novel theoretical insights and practical guidelines for firms seeking to ascend global value chains under competitive pressures. Full article

This study identifies critical success factors contributing to the digital transformation of SMEs. Despite their crucial role in the economy, limited research explores how they navigate digitalization challenges. This study addresses this gap by proposing the DASAT framework with four cyclically interrelated elements: Digital Awareness, Digital Strategy and Roadmap, Digital Adoption and Implementation, and Digital Transformation Continuous Improvement. Using a Total Interpretive Structural Modeling (TISM) approach, we construct a hierarchical model analyzing the interconnections among key factors. The findings align with the dynamic capability framework and digital transformation theory, emphasizing digital literacy, digital inclusion, and organizational flexibility for SMEs’ successful digital transformation. This study contributes theoretically by extending the digital transformation literature with a structured capability-building framework. It provides a practical roadmap for SMEs to strengthen their competitive advantage in an increasingly digital business environment. Full article