Not a single path to success: alternative HRM configurations for well-performing small and medium-sized hotels

Purpose: Previous literature has identified human resources as a key source of competitive advantage in organizations of all sizes. However, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face difficulty in comprehensively implementing all recommended Human Resource Management (HRM) functions. In this study, we shed light on the field of HRM in...

Blockchain adoption factors for SMEs in supply chain management

Blockchain-based applications can enhance the sharing of information in processes involving multiple types of stakeholders, as in Supply Chain Management (SCM). A supply chain network can benefit from the visibility of the flow of goods, money, and information enabled by blockchain technology. So far, only limited evidence is available on the...

Business model experimentation in SMEs: the application of a dual scaling technique

Business model experimentation is an essential step for developing new business models. While the benefits of business model experimentation are increasingly studied, it is still poorly understood why companies engage in business model experimentation. This paper examines, starting from environmental turbulence reasoning, which external and...

Business model innovation and firm performance: Exploring causal mechanisms in SMEs

Although research has shown that business model innovation (BMI) can create a firm's competitive advantage and enhance its performance, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fail to obtain the expected outcomes when innovating their business model. Business Model Innovation (BMI) leads to irreversible fundamental changes in key...

Concept Cars as Vehicles for Change in SMEs

Gender differences and business model experimentation in European SMEs

Purpose: By drawing on various theoretical approaches and a gender perspective, this paper aims to examine business model (BM) experimentation as a step towards BM experimentation capabilities as an outcome and, as such, a key antecedent to firm performance. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, using a unique data set of 444 European...

Digitalization, business models, and SMEs: How do business model innovation practices improve performance of digitalizing SMEs?

Digital transformation is requiring companies to rethink and innovate their business models (BMs). However, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)have scarce time and resources for experimenting with their BMs and implementing new strategies. This paper examines whether SMEs that undergo digital transformation perform better if they...

Evaluating firms’ R&D performance using best worst method

Since research and development (R&D) is the most critical determinant of the productivity, growth and competitive advantage of firms, measuring R&D performance has become the core of attention of R&D managers, and an extensive body of literature has examined and identified different R&D measurements and determinants of R&D...

Supply chain drivers, partnerships and performance of high-tech SMEs: An empirical study using SEM

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine high-tech small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supply chain partnerships. Partnerships are considered at the level of business function rather than the entire organisation. Second, the drivers of SMEs to engage in partnerships are assessed to see whether functions engage in partnerships for...

Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: the mediating role of functional performances

Purpose: Earlier studies have generally shown a positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and the overall performance of the firm. The purpose of this paper is to understand in more detail how EO influences firm performance. It adds to the literature by distinguishing performances of different functions in a firm and by...

From strategic goals to business model innovation paths: an exploratory study

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse how different strategic goals of (micro-, small- and medium-sized firms=SMEs) relate to the business model innovation (BMI) paths that SMEs take when improving their business. Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted 11 in-depth case studies involving SMEs innovating their business...

Design for Behaviour Change as a Driver for Sustainable Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities for Implementation in the Private and Public Sectors

Over the last decade, design for behaviour change has become increasingly recognised as a strategy for enabling social change. Despite<br/>this, we are far from understanding its implementation, especially through the private and public sectors. This study has surveyed private<br/>and public sector stakeholders with regard to their current...

Ele Agbe in search of a new light in Ghana's shea sector

Ele Agbe is a Ghanaian phrase meaning “God is alive.” Founded as a small and medium enterprise (SME), in Ghana in 1996, Ele Agbe Company is currently a dynamic business operating in the downstream shea export sector. Demand for shea is increasing for skin and hair products on the foreign market. Ele Agbe’s artisans use traditional Ghanaian tools...

Sustainable venture capital – catalyst for sustainable start-up success?

To address global sustainability challenges, major investments are required in sustainable businesses that deliver triple bottom line results. Although interest in sustainable businesses is on the rise, these businesses are not yet widespread. Venture capital investment has a key role to play in the development of sustainable start-ups. The...