The interplay of corporate entrepreneurship, knowledge acquisition, knowledge-based resources and SME performance

Abstract

The role of interorganizational alliances in the linkage between corporate entrepreneurship (CE) and SME performance has been mostly ignored in the literature. This study aims to address this gap by recognizing how interorganizational alliances can contribute to sustaining entrepreneurial activities of companies based on knowledge-based view. The study deployed a sample of SME managers to examine whether acquiring knowledge from alliances among companies shapes the potential for wealth creation by CE activities. Through applying structural equation models (SEMs), the findings show that CE and the acquiring Knowledge generate positive influences on performance. Moreover, the research indicates that acquiring knowledge negatively impacts the connection between CE and performance, and this impact differs depending on the quantity of knowledge-related resources available to the companies. This article also sets out relevant implications for the theory and practice of CE.

Keywords:

• Acquiring knowledge
• Corporate entrepreneurship
• interorganizational alliances
• knowledge-based view
• performance
• SME

Ethical approval

All of the authors list all the sources used based on ethical principles.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is financed by national funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I. P., under the project “UIDB/04630/2020”.

Notes on contributors

João J. Ferreira

João J. Ferreira, is Full Professor in Management at the University of Beira Interior (UBI), Portugal. He holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Spain. He has coordinated the UBI Research Unit for Business Sciences (NECE-UBI), Portugal. He has edited or co-edited several books on innovation and entrepreneurship and published over 300 papers in premier international journals, including Journal of Business History, Regional Studies, Journal of International Management, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Journal of Business Research. He is Co-Editor of Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development and Associate Editor of Management Decision, and Journal of Global Information Management and his research interests include strategy and entrepreneurship.

Francisco Tuma

Francisco Tuma, is a PhD candidate of Management Doctoral Program in University of Beira Interior (UBI) and he has a master’s degree in management from the UBI, Portugal and works in the industry.

Pedro M. Veiga

Pedro Mota Veiga, is Associate Professor at University of Maia, Porto, Portugal and Professor at the University of Beira Interior (UBI). He has a degree in Probability and Statistics from the University of Lisbon. He is currently a Researcher at NECE-Center for Studies in Business Sciences of the University of Beira Interior and member of the Scientific Committee of Diaverum Kidney Care (Sweden). His main research interests are Business Strategy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation. Actively participates in scientific meetings and international conferences on these topics, having been distinguished several times with awards for best article. He has several dozen scientific articles published in international journals. He performs the role of scientific consultant in several entities.

Demetris Vrontis

Demetris Vrontis, Professor Demetris Vrontis is the Vice Rector for Faculty and Research and a Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is the Founding Editor and Editor in Chief of the EuroMed Journal of Business, an Associate Editor of the International Marketing Review, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Business Research, a Consulting Editor of the Journal of International Management, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Strategic Marketing, a Senior Advisor of the International Studies of Management & Organization, a Senior Associate Editor of the FIIB Business Review and an editorial advisory board member in numerous academic and scientific marketing, management and business-related journals. He has a wide editorial experience and has successfully edited over 80 guest editions in top-tier journals. He is the President of the EuroMed Academy of Business and the Managing Director of Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, which serve as important and influential regional hubs in the area of Business and Management.