Gaviria-Marin M, Matute-Vallejo J, Baier-Fuentes H. The effect of ICT and higher-order capabilities on the performance of Ibero-American SMEs.
COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL ORGANIZATION THEORY 2021;
27:414-450. [PMID:
34127907 PMCID:
PMC8190521 DOI:
10.1007/s10588-021-09333-0]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Information and communication technologies (ICT) has the ability to create value by enabling other firm capabilities. Based on the ICT-enabled capabilities perspective, this study explores the direct and indirect effects between lower- and higher-order capabilities, such as ICT, knowledge management capability (KM) and product innovation flexibility (PIF), on the performance of Ibero-American small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This paper uses second-order structural equation models to test the research hypotheses with a sample of 130 Ibero-American SMEs. The results contribute to filling the gap in the SME-focused literature on empirical studies examining ICT-enabled capabilities and firm performance. The results show an enabling effect of ICT on higher-order capabilities, such as KM and PIF, which, by acting as mediating variables, create value and improve performance through innovation in firms.
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