Assessing Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Relation with Intellectual Capital, Knowledge Management and Innovativeness in Women-Owned SMEs in Malaysia

Abstract

Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in contributing the economic growth of most nations. As the global economy slows down, entrepreneurship role becomes increasingly important to drive the pecuniary and societal well-being. In 2012, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), reported an estimation of 126 million women have started or running new businesses in around 67 countries around the world. In addition, about 98 million women are operating established businesses. Study showed that women seem to face difficulties in moving from one phase to another to withstand the entrepreneurship process thus; they are rated lower in terms of starting venture comparing to men. This paper provides a conceptual discussion on the role of intellectual capital, knowledge management, and innovativeness in sustaining competitive advantage of women owners of SMEs. The variables investigated eventually attempts to establish and test an integrated framework for intellectual capital.

Effect of intellectual capital and entrepreneurial orientation on innovation performance of manufacturing SMEs: mediating role of knowledge sharing

“…Empirical studies are investigating the relationship between intellectual capital and innovation performance (Allameh, 2018; Campos et al , 2020; Osman and Ngah, 2016), however, very few research considered the specific effect of structural, human, external and internal relational capital on knowledge sharing in one integrated model. Consistent with the previous study by Allameh (2018), our findings about the effect of human capital suggest that the age group between 30 and 39 has the largest contribution of 32.3%, which may support the hypotheses on human capital.…”

Financial Management Practices: Challenges for SMEs in Malaysia

“…The majority of SMEs have been described as dynamic, innovative, and efficient, and their small size provides for greater flexibility, immediate feedback, a shorter decision-making chain, and a better understanding of and response to client needs . In Malaysia, the last few decades also saw a tremendous increased in participation of SMEs which are seen to be playing a major role for the nation's economic development Osman & Ngah, 2016;. At the same time, as Malaysia becomes more integrated into the global economy, SMEs confront significant challenges.…”

“…At the same time, as Malaysia becomes more integrated into the global economy, SMEs confront significant challenges. Globalization, technical innovation, demographic and sociological change, as well as the amount of technology deployed, innovative capacity, financial support, and entrepreneurship, all have an impact on the business environment as both external and internal elements Osman & Ngah, 2016). In order to be able to seize the opportunities that this dynamic environment opens up, women owned SMEs have to refigure their existing strategies.…”