| 1. |
- Malmström, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Competence acquisition in small firms
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 105-132
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper models competence acquisition in a sample of 842 small firms. The findings indicate how competence is acquired and determines firm performance. The modeling procedures reports better adequacy in sub-samples having high complexity and high uncertainty. A firm's competence base is a relevant predictor for how competence is acquired in all model tests. Implications for how small firms acquire competence are put forward.
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| 2. |
- Parida, Vinit, et al.
(författare)
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ICT use for innovation in Swedish industrial service SMEs
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 167-180
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the era of technology, SMEs are operating in a dynamic and turbulent business environment. In this era, innovation is the main driver for competitiveness, and use of ICT is the basic requirement to conduct business. Therefore, better understanding of the relationship between use of ICT and innovation has emerged as an important research topic. In this qualitative study, we therefore investigate how SMEs from the industrial service sector can use ICT for innovation. The results suggest that ICT is used in very different ways. While some uses clearly are linked to increased innovation, other uses do not affect innovation much. The link between ICT and innovation seem to vary between firms. While some firms see ICT as a major tool for innovation, others see it just as a (poor) tool for communication.
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| 3. |
- Roininen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
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The relation between network competence, network structure, strategy and new venture performance
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 187-201
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper develops a model to explain new venture performance using network theory. The model suggests that a new venture's performance - both directly and indirectly through strategy - can be explained by its network competence and network structure. Further, venture complexity is hypothesized to moderate the relationship where those ventures having higher task complexity will benefit more from their network competence and structure. In the paper, we also briefly outline how this model can be put to test.
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| 4. |
- Thorgren, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Benefits of holding on to partners for innovation
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 215-225
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research has for a long time suggested a facilitating role of interorganizational relations for innovation performance. Although implicitly advocating for switching partners based on the evidence of having variety, diversity, and nonredundancy of information accessed in relations, practise suggests otherwise. Firms have found to be interlinked over time and some do not even search for alternative partners. This study adds to prior research by examining how and why some organizations stick to the same partners in innovation processes. We report a qualitative study of organizations that have an agenda of sticking to partners in the development of innovations. We find using existing relationships had several important benefits for innovative performance possible to categorize as 1) effective use of indirect linkages, 2) better prerequisites for unspecified exchanges, 3) providing a fast lane to essentialities by known values and firm characteristics, 4) improved dialogue and surprises, and 5) enhanced enthusiasm guided by altruism. Our contributions are related to prior work on management of interorganizational relationships for innovation.
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| 5. |
- Örtqvist, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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The influence of coping strategies on new venture performance
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 227-240
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study analyzes entrepreneurs' coping strategies to manage stakeholders' expectations. We develop and test four coping strategies (structural role redefinition, personal role redefinition, reactive role behavior and passive role behavior) to assess influence on new venture performance. The analysis considers potential moderating effects of entrepreneurs' perceived role-related stress. We draw from the general management, role theory, and entrepreneurship literature to develop hypotheses, tested using hierarchical regression based on responses from 183 Slovenian entrepreneurs. Results reveal that coping strategies focused on reducing expectations and/or working harder to meet expectations positively affect new venture performance. However, entrepreneurs' focus on suppressing perceived expectations negatively influences new venture performance. Furthermore, entrepreneur's role-related stress moderates the relationship between reactive role behavior and new venture performance. This study provides a better understanding of types of coping strategies available to entrepreneurs and practical consequences for new venture performance. It also explores why some entrepreneurs perform well and why some quit early while others remain and prosper in their role. We acknowledge possible limitations due to sample characteristics and measurement. The study provides practicing and nascent entrepreneurs, support organizations, and policy makers with evidence for use in the design of entrepreneurs' training and competency-building programs.
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| 6. |
- Örtqvist, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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The role of motive congruence in strategic networks
- 2007
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Ingår i: The first Nordic innovation research conference - Finnkampen. - Oulu : University of Oulu. - 9789514283536 ; , s. 242-251
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Based on thoughts from literature on organizational fit, this study focuses on understanding why some firms gain more from network participation than others. We hypothesize that firms performance from participating in networks is dependent on network motive congruence and that this relationship is moderated by entrepreneurial orientation. Analysis of 55 organizations from two networks supports the role of network motive congruence for internally oriented motives, such as concerning economies of scales and joint research and development motives. However, motive congruence appears not as important in matters of externally oriented motives, such as entering new markets or sustaining existing market positions. Findings indicate that entrepreneurial orientation can moderate the relationship between network motive congruence and networking performance.
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