0000000000204805
AUTHOR
J. Ferreras-méndez
Depth and breadth of external knowledge search and performance: The mediating role of absorptive capacity
Nowadays it is commonly accepted that exploiting external knowledge sources is important for firms' innovation and performance. However, it is still not clear how this effect takes place and what internal capabilities are involved in the process. We propose to open the black box between external knowledge search strategies, and innovation and performance by proposing absorptive capacity (AC) as the mediating variable. A sample of 102 biotechnology firms from Spain is used to test the proposed theoretical model through structural equation modeling taking the partial least squares approach. Results suggest that AC acts as a full mediator in the relationship between the depth of external knowl…
Entrepreneurial orientation and new product development performance in SMEs: The mediating role of business model innovation
Abstract In the current business context, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has been highlighted as key to improving firm performance. Despite the overall positive evidence on the association between EO and firm performance, scholars have stressed the importance of taking into account and properly managing intermediate capabilities. The present study analyses the link between EO and New Product Development (NPD) performance, considering Business Model Innovation (BMI) as a mediating variable. A sample of 400 Spanish SMEs is used to test the proposed research model through structural equation modelling and partial least squares analyses. Results reveal that EO contributes to BMI and NPD perfo…
A Study into the Integration of ICT into a Business Management Course: Challenges and Achievements
Nowadays, the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) play an increasingly important role in education. Indeed, ICT are considered as very useful pedagogic tools, and multimedia resources are constantly being created, updated and shared by university members worldwide. This paper deals with a case of study exploring the way in which the integration of ICT impacts learning in the context of a business management course at the Universitat de València (UV), in Spain. The results of the study point out the need for academic staff and students to acquire the appropriate knowledge and to develop the skills required for an efficient and effective use of ICT in higher education. Keywords:…
The relationship between knowledge search strategies and absorptive capacity: A deeper look
Abstract The present study analyzes how the breadth and depth of search strategies affect the dimensions of a firm's absorptive capacity: exploration, transformation and exploitation. Results of an analysis of a sample of 467 Spanish manufacturing firms reveal that openness of external knowledge search contributes to firms' exploratory, transformative and exploitative learning processes in different ways. In particular, a strong curvilinear effect of external knowledge search breadth on exploratory and exploitative learning was found. It is also important to establish deep relationships with external agents to achieve transformative and exploitative learning up to a certain point after whic…