Linking entrepreneural orientation to export performance: the role of intangible resources and dynamic capabilities

Understanding the determinants of international performance, and in particular, export performance is key for the success of international companies. Research in this area focuses mainly on how resources and capabilities allow companies to gain competitive advantage and superior performance in external markets. Building on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Dynamic Capabilities Approach (DCA), this study aims at analysing the effect of intangible resources and capabilities on export performance. Specifically, this study focuses on the proposition that entrepreneurial orientation potentiates the attraction of intangible resources, namely relational and informational resources. Moreover, we propose that these resources impact export performance both directly and indirectly through dynamic capabilities.

Intangible resources and organization capital: measurement and economic evaluation

Intangible resources have raised the interests of scholars from different research areas due to their importance as crucial factors for firm performance; yet, contributions to this field still lack a theoretical framework. This research analyses the state-of-the-art results reached in the literature concerning intangibles, their main features and evaluation problems and models. In search for a possible theoretical framework, the research draws a kind of indirect analysis of intangibles through the theories of the firm, their critic and developments. The heterodox approaches of the evolutionary theory and resource-based view are indicated as possible frameworks. Based on this theoretical analysis, organization capital (OC) is identified, for its features, as the most important intangible for firm performance. Empirical studies on the relationship intangibles-firm performance have been sporadic and have failed to reach firm conclusions with respect to OC; in the attempt to fill this gap, the effect of OC is tested on a large sample of European firms using the Compustat Global database. OC is proxied by capitalizing an income statement item (Selling, General and Administrative expenses) that includes expenses linked to information technology, business process design, reputation enhancement and employee training. This measure of OC is employed in a cross-sectional estimation of a firm level production function - modeled with different functional specifications (Cobb-Douglas and Translog) - that measures OC contribution to firm output and profitability. Results are robust and confirm the importance of OC for firm performance.

Intangible resources, competencies and business results: Evidences for Basque and Spanish companies

307 p. El contenido de los capítulos 4º y 5º está sujeto a confidencialidad.

Managerial cognition and reputation : does communication about firms’ intangibles affect performance?

Corporate reputation is viewed as fundamental to firm performance, growth and survival and the maintenance and enhancement of that reputation is a key responsibility of senior executives. However, relatively little is known about the main dimensions of corporate reputation and the amount of attention given to them by senior executives. Based on the corporate reputation and intangible resources literatures, thirteen reputational elements were identified and the amount of attention given to those elements in a large, longitudinal sample of annual reports from Australian firms was measured using computer aided text analysis. This identified five, main reputational dimensions that were both stable over time and related to firms’ future financial performance.

Corporate reputation and financial performance : underlying dimensions of corporate reputation and their relation to sustained financial performance

This thesis examined the relationship between firms' corporate reputation and their future financial performance. Corporate reputation was represented by measuring the level of senior executives' attention to a number of intangible firm' resources (e.g. financial reputation, service culture) within firms' annual reports over a 17 year period. Initial findings suggested there was only a small relationship between reputation and future performance which lead to a reformulation of the problem. Reputation was posited to be a source of corporate resilience that helped firms with stronger reputations to sustain superior financial performance in times of difficulty, as well as allowing them to rebound more quickly from performance decline. Results suggest this interpretation of corporate reputation as well as indicating that industry sectors operate in different reputational 'domains' in which the relative importance of financial versus stakeholder aspects of corporate reputation varies.

The success of the diversified farm : resource-based view

Farms and rural areas have many specific valuable resources that can be used to create non-agricultural products and services. Most of the research regarding on-farm diversification has hitherto concentrated on business start-up or farm survival strategies. Resource allocation and also financial success have not been the primary focus of investigations as yet. In this study these specific topics were investigated i.e. resource allocation and also the financial success of diversified farms from a farm management perspective. The key question addressed in this dissertation, is how tangible and intangible resources of the diversified farm affect the financial success. This study’s theoretical background deals with resource-based theory, and also certain themes of the theory of learning organisation and other decision-making theories. Two datasets were utilised in this study. First, data were collected by postal survey in 2001 (n = 663). Second, data were collected in a follow-up survey in 2006 (n = 439). Data were analysed using multivariate data analyses and path analyses. The study results reveal that, diversified farms performed differently. Success and resources were linked. Professional and management skills affected other resources, and hence directly or indirectly influenced success per se. In the light of empirical analyses of this study, tangible and intangible resources owned by the diversified farm impacted on its financial success. The findings of this study underline the importance of skills and networks for entrepreneur(s). Practically speaking all respondents of this study used either agricultural resources for non-farm businesses or non-farm resources for agricultural enterprises. To share resources in this way was seen as a pragmatic opportunity recognised by farmers. One of the downsides of diversification might be the phenomenon of over-diversification, which can be defined as the situation in which a farm diversifies beyond its optimal limit. The empirical findings of this study reveal that capital and labour resource constrains did have adverse effects on financial success. The evidence indicates that farms that were capital and labour resource constrained in 2001 were still less profitable than their ‘no problems’ counterparts five years later.

Increasing Knowledge Focus - a Means for Entrepreneurs to Remain on a Growth Path: Essays on the Role and Nature of Knowledge Management in Finnish SMEs (summary section only)

This study explores the role and nature of knowledge management (KM) in small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). Even though the role of knowledge as a competitive advantage is commonly recognized in the SME sector, almost no attention has been paid to the managing and developing of knowledge in SMEs. This thesis consists of three different sub-studies that were reported in four individual essays. The results of the questionnaire study indicate that nearly all companies that responded to the questionnaire (N = 108) found intangible assets, i.e. knowledge resources to be their main source of competitive advantage. However, only less than a third of the companies actively deal with knowledge management. The results also indicate a significant correlation between activity in knowledge management and sustainable organic growth of the company. The interview study (N = 10) explored the context and motives of the SMEs for managing their intangible assets, and the concrete practices of knowledge management. It turned out that KM facilitated change management, clarification of the vision and new strategy formulation. All the interviewed companies were aiming at improved innovation process, new ways of doing business and attaining an increased “knowledge focus” in their business. Nearly all also aspired to grow significantly. Thus, KM provides a strategy for these SMEs to guarantee their survival and sustainability in the turbulent markets. The action research was a process to assess and develop intangible resources in three companies. The experienced benefits were the clarification of future focus and strategy, creation of a common language to discuss strategic issues within the company, as well as improved balance of different categories of intangible assets. After the process all the case companies had developed in the chosen key areas. Thus, by systematic knowledge management the implementation of new strategic orientation (knowledge focusing) was facilitated. The findings can be summarized in two main points. First, knowledge management seems to serve the purpose of change, renewal and new strategic orientation in the SMEs. It also seems to be closely related to organic growth and innovation. All of these factors can be considered dimensions of entrepreneurship. Second, the conscious development of intangible assets can increase the balance of different categories of intangible assets and the overall knowledge focusing of business. In the case companies, this in turn facilitated the path to the improved overall performance.

Multidimensionality of Actors in Business Networks: The Influence of Social Action in Pharmacy Networks in Finland

In the markets-as-networks approach business networks are conceived as dynamic actor structures, giving focus to exchange relationships and actors’ capabilities to control and co-ordinate activities and resources. Researchers have shared an understanding that actors’ actions are crucial for the development of business networks and for network dynamics. However, researchers have mainly studied firms as business actors and excluded individuals, although both firms and individuals can be seen as business actors. This focus on firms as business actors has resulted in a paucity of research on human action and the exchange of intangible resources in business networks, e.g. social exchange between individuals in social networks. Consequently, the current conception of business networks fails to appreciate the richness of business actors, the human character of business action and the import of social action in business networks. The central assumption in this study is that business actors are multidimensional and that their specific constitution in any given situation is determined by human interaction in social networks. Multidimensionality is presented as a concept for exploring how business actors act in different situations and how actors simultaneously manage multiple identities: individual, organisational, professional, business and network identities. The study presents a model that describes the multidimensionality of actors in business networks and conceptualises the connection between social exchange and human action in business networks. Empirically the study explores the change that has taken place in pharmaceutical retailing in Finland during recent years. The phenomenon of emerging pharmacy networks is highly contemporary in the Nordic countries, where the traditional license-based pharmacy business is changing. The study analyses the development of two Finnish pharmacy chains, one integrated and one voluntary chain, and the network structures and dynamics in them. Social Network Analysis is applied to explore the social structures within the pharmacy networks. The study shows that emerging pharmacy networks are multifaceted phenomena where political, economic, social, cultural, and historical elements together contribute to the observed changes. Individuals have always been strongly present in the pharmacy business and the development of pharmacy networks provides an interesting example of human actors’ influence in the development of business networks. The dynamics or forces driving the network development can be linked to actors’ own economic and social motives for developing the business. The study highlights the central role of individuals and social networks in the development of the two studied pharmacy networks. The relation between individuals and social networks is reciprocal. The social context of every individual enables multidimensional business actors. The mix of various identities, both individual and collective identities, is an important part of network dynamics. Social networks in pharmacy networks create a platform for exchange and social action, and social networks enable and support business network development.

Información del Capital Humano: la generación de intangibles y la responsabilidad social

[ES] Los recursos de naturaleza intangible se han convertido en los bienes más importantes que poseen las empresas para generar riqueza de manera sostenible, en concreto el Capital Humano. Sin embargo, el éxito y supervivencia de la empresa se encuentra sometida a la aprobación de sus grupos de interés (stakeholders). Por ello, las empresas deben adoptar medidas para garantizar que sus actuaciones sean percibidas por sus stakeholders como legítimas; una manera para legitimarse es mediante el suministro de información voluntaria. Por tanto, bajo el marco de la Teoría de la Legitimidad y de los Stakeholders, nuestro objetivo es analizar cómo las empresas españolas están informando de manera voluntaria sobre su Capital Humano en los informes anuales, desde una doble perspectiva informativa: la generación de intangibles (conocimiento) y la responsabilidad social. Así, usando la metodología del análisis de contenido, la evidencia empírica muestra que las empresas españolas suministran escasa información acerca de su Capital Humano, siendo los temas relacionados con la formación y el desarrollo de los empleados los más divulgados. No obstante, y con respecto a la responsabilidad social, hay que destacar la tendencia alcista por parte de las empresas a suministrar información relativa a la política de igualdad y diversidad, la prevención de riesgos laborales y las relaciones entre empleadores y empleados.

Risorse intangibili e imprese familiari: principali contributi sul tema e nuove prospettive di ricerca

Intangible resources are the distinctive factors for the success of businesses (Barney, 1991) and for this reason the literature has paid particular attention to this issue (Barney, 1991; Hall, 1992,1993; Carmeli, 2004; Galbreath, 2005; Hayton, 2005; Norman, Butler, Ranft, 2013). With this thesis I will analyze existing studies on the subject with particular reference to family businesses - ideal forum for the spread of specific intangibles (Ward, 1988; Habbershon, Williams, 1999; Sirmon & Hitt, 2003; Huybrechts et al., 2011; Rose, Howorth & Discua Cruz, 2014), in order to identify the main areas of research and new research perspectives. Through a narrative review on the general theme of intangible resources, bibliometric analysis of the contributions that jointly address the intangibles and family businesses and co-citation analysis for the definition of the intellectual structure of the studies on the intangible resources in family firms is reached an in-depth study of the issue with relevant academic and practical implications.

Interprétation du patrimoine culturel immatériel au musée du quai Branly : la (re)découverte de l’«autre» dans l’exposition «Kanak. L’art est une parole»

L’objectif de ce mémoire est de porter un regard critique sur l’exposition du patrimoine culturel immatériel kanak, dernièrement proposée au musée du quai Branly. Ayant pour objet de corriger l’élitisme de l’eurocentrisme, le postcolonialisme est un courant de pensée qui vise à repositionner les acteurs et enjeux marginaux. Interdisciplinaire, le discours postcolonial suscite une pluralité de perspectives pour inclure la voix des « autres ». Dans notre étude, nous choisissons de traiter du propos dans un cadre singulier. Notre approche se consacrera à l’interprétation de l’ « autre » par le musée du quai Branly, de manière à comprendre comment, aujourd’hui, la particularité du patrimoine culturel kanak y est exposée. Ce mémoire se propose d’effectuer un retour sur la venue du quai Branly dans le cadre de quelques problèmes récurrents concernant la perception et le traitement de l’objet nonoccidental, retour qui semble nécessaire à l’établissement d’un bilan sur les pratiques expositionnelles du patrimoine culturel immatériel dans l’exposition « Kanak. L’art est une parole ». Pour ce faire, les enjeux soulevés seront abordés dans les perspectives de l’histoire de l’art, de l’anthropologie et de la muséologie. Par la muséographie qu’il met en place, le musée fait part au public de son parti-pris quant au discours didactique qu’il souhaite lui transmettre. Les choix effectués pour la mise en exposition et sa contextualisation expriment la définition que le musée donne aux objets qu’il contient. Le musée du quai Branly est un cas particulier. Promu au rang de musée d’ « art premier » à son ouverture, il expose des objets ethnographiques venus d’Afrique, d’Océanie, des Amériques ou encore d’Asie pour leurs qualités esthétiques. Loin de nos préceptes occidentaux, la difficulté de ce musée est de rendre compte de l’histoire de ces objets. L’exemple de l’expression artistique kanak soulève le fond du problème dans la mesure où elle prend forme à travers des ressources orales.

El Soft Power para la construccion y el posicionamiento hegemonico de Venezuela a traves de la Alianza Bolivariana de las Americas (ALBA), 2005-2008

Este documento muestra la posibilidad del resurgimiento de la teoria del Soft Power en el siglo XXI en Latinoamerica, especificamente en Venezuela. Se desarrolla la idea de la construccion y el posicionamiento hegemonico de Venezuela a traves de la Naturaleza cambiante del poder y sus recursos intangibles. Todo esto aplicado a traves del ALBA en el periodo de 2005 a 2008.

Modelo de gestión del conocimiento para una empresa del sector de insumos químicos para la industria farmacéutica, cosmética y de alimentos: caso Disaromas S.A.

La creación de conocimiento al interior de las organizaciones es visible mediante la dirección adecuada del conocimiento de los individuos, sin embargo, cada individuo debe interactuar de tal manera que forme una red o sistema de conocimiento organizacional que consolide a largo plazo las empresas en el entorno en el que se desenvuelven. Este documento revisa elementos centrales acerca de la gestión de conocimiento visto desde varios autores y perspectivas e identifica puntos clave para diseñar un modelo de gestión de conocimiento para una empresa del sector de insumos químicos para la industria farmacéutica, cosmética y de alimentos de la ciudad de Bogotá.

Caracterización del talento humano profesional en los laboratorios de salud pública de Colombia, 2014

Las reformas del sector salud y la falta de lineamientos sobre el talento humano han generado una disminución de tan importante recurso. Los laboratorios de salud pública -LSP son la fuente primaria de información para la toma de decisiones en Vigilancia en Salud Pública. Este estudio presenta las características del talento humano de los LSP y su directa relación con el desarrollo de sus funciones misionales. Éste es un estudio descriptivo transversal con encuesta auto-diligenciada aplicado a los 33 LSP del país en el año 2014. En los 33 LSP hay 433 profesionales para la vigilancia en salud pública, en el año 2014, con 143 (33%) de planta y 293 (67%) de contrato y 24% (102) hombres y 76% (331) mujeres. El 94% de los LSP cuenta con coordinador de planta, 52% tiene funciones exclusivas. El 51% (17) de los LSP cumplen con el 92% los lineamientos dados. 7 LSP tiene 1 o menos funcionarios de planta. El talento humano es un factor clave para cumplir con la misión de los LSP y Colombia cuenta con 433 profesionales en los 33 LSP. Se cuenta con epidemiólogo (a) en el 82% y líder de calidad en el 76% de los LSP. El 49% (16) de los LSP no cumplen con la Guía para la organización físico – funcional de los LSP. 23 LSP cuentan con cuatro (4) o menos funcionarios de planta, siendo esto una vulnerabilidad para la capacidad de respuesta del país frente a riesgos en salud pública y emergencias sanitarias.

Relación entre el desarrollo de sistemas de control de gestión y los recursos y capacidades caso : Teleperformance Colombia

Siguiendo un marco teórico integrado por varios autores entorno a los sistemas de control de gestión a lo largo de varias décadas, este trabajo pretende estudiar y contrastar la relación entre el desarrollo de dichos sistemas y los recursos y capacidades. Para tal fin, se desarrolló un estudio de caso en Teleperformance Colombia (TC), una empresa dedicada a prestación de servicio de tercerización de procesos o business process outsourcing. En el estudio se establecieron dos variables para evaluar el desarrollo de sistema de control de gestión: el diseño y el uso. A su vez, para cada uno de ellos, se definieron los indicadores y preguntas que permitieran realizar la observación y posterior análisis. De igual manera, se seleccionaron los recursos y capacidades más importantes para el desarrollo del negocio: innovación, aprendizaje organizacional y capital humano. Sobre estos se validó la existencia de relación con el SCG implementado en TC. La información obtenida fue analizada y contrastada a través de pruebas estadísticas ampliamente utilizadas en este tipo de estudios en las ciencias sociales. Finalmente, se analizaron seis posibles relaciones de las cuales, solamente se ratificó el relacionamiento positivo entre uso de sistema de control gestión y el recurso y capacidad capital humano. El resto de relacionamientos, refutaron los planteamientos teóricos que establecían cierta influencia de los sistemas de control de gestión sobre recursos y capacidades de innovación y aprendizaje organizacional.