Network Ties, Social Capital, and Knowledge Management

Lee, Dong-mei; Fu, Yuxia; Wang, Lee-Yuan; Nie, Tao

doi:10.24018/ejbmr.2021.6.5.1090

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Therefore, network ties drive customer knowledge management strategy and activities. This provides a strategic direction to a business organization's customer-focus (Lee et al ., 2021). The creation of network ties involving SMEs, customers and other stakeholders (i.e.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of customer-focus on the performance of business organizations: evidence from SMEs in an emerging West African economy

Abrokwah-Larbi

2023

AJEMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of customer-focus on small medium enterprise (SME) performance from the perspective of a resource-based view (RBV).Design/methodology/approachThis research study implemented a survey strategy to gather data from 255 respondents on the registered list of Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) in the eastern region of Ghana. Scales used to gather data were operationalized from previous research studies. A structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis was used to estimate the impact of customer-focus on the performance of SMEs.FindingsThe outcomes of this study indicate that customer-focus has a significant positive impact on SME performance, hence backing the current demand for investigating the distinct influence of customer-focus on SME performance. The results show that customer-focus has a positive and significant relationship with financial performance, customer performance, internal business process performance and learning and growth performance, thus supporting the literature on the positive impact of customer-focus on SME performance. Therefore, customer-focus determinants used in this study, including co-creation, networking ties, customer insight and artificial intelligence marketing (AIM), are critical to the optimization of SME performance.Research limitations/implicationsNotwithstanding the importance of this research study mentioned earlier, the study has limitations. Notably, the sample size of this study can be increased to capture SME respondents in other geographical zones that were not included in this study. Future research studies may address how business environment conditions moderate the relationship between customer focus and performance, and also the cause-effect of the relationship between customer focus and business environment conditions on SME performance.Practical implicationsThe practical implications consist of two main items. First, this study empowers SME owners and managers to develop a customer focus technique as a central strategic goal in their quest for SME performance optimization. Second, SME owners and managers should progressively exploit the four determinants of customer focus which include co-creation, networking ties, customer insight and (AIM in order to accrue important resources for effective utilization of their customer focus competences as a way to enhance their performance.Social implicationsThis study is targeted at the sound development of SMEs to bring about poverty alleviation and employment. Poverty, unemployment and poor living standards are recognized as vital social challenges in most emerging economies. The establishment of customer focus as an important strategic capability provides opportunities for SME survival, profitability and growth.Originality/valueGenerally, the findings of this research study provide a strong backing to RBV perspective and the proposition that customer-focus and its determinants (i.e. co-creation, networking ties, customer insight and AIM) should be acknowledged as a vital strategic resource for optimizing the performance of SMEs. This research study also provides new knowledge contribution to the present body of knowledge on customer-focus orientation and management literature, particularly in the context of an emerging economy.

show abstract

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of customer-focus on the performance of business organizations: evidence from SMEs in an emerging West African economy

Abrokwah-Larbi

2023

AJEMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, a study focused on integrating the knowledge-based view (KBV) with social capital theory provides the ability to examine the roles of social interaction and network ties in acquiring and absorbing knowledge. Discerning connections between social capital and knowledge commercialization is not a new to knowledge management research (Lee et al, 2021). The contribution this study offers is an exploration of theorized antecedents and connections impacting innovation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Social Capital and Knowledge on Small US Firm New Product Development Innovations

Miller

Engel-Enright

Brown

2022

jim

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies have highlighted the benefits of external knowledge building as a means of heightening a firm’s innovation activities. Simultaneously supply chain scholars have highlighted the lack of focus on social facets at the micro behavioral level, as well as the limited endeavors to build upon existing theories for new perspectives. Taking an exploratory approach to addressing literature gaps, the objectives of this research involve integrating constructs from social capital theory and the knowledge-based view of the firm to examine associations and interactions among network ties, social interactions, knowledge absorptive capacity, and knowledge acquisition in the development of new product innovations by US apparel and sewn products manufacturers (N=125). Quantitative data were collected via an online survey of both a national and state sample of small sized manufacturers. Findings regarding new product development indicated: positive associations for network ties, social interactions, knowledge absorptive capacity, and knowledge acquisition; network ties and knowledge acquisition; mediated relationships with social interaction and absorptive capacity; and moderated social interaction relationships with absorptive capacity and network ties. These empirical insights highlight the importance of building external relationships for generating knowledge in amplifying innovation. Theoretical contributions, managerial implications, limitations and suggestions for future research are presented.

show abstract

Network Ties, Social Capital, and Knowledge Management

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

The impact of customer-focus on the performance of business organizations: evidence from SMEs in an emerging West African economy

The impact of customer-focus on the performance of business organizations: evidence from SMEs in an emerging West African economy

Effects of Social Capital and Knowledge on Small US Firm New Product Development Innovations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About