Performance drivers in knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial firms: a multidimensional perspective

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive perspective on different facets of knowledge management and their effects on the performance of knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial ventures. Design/methodology/approach The empirical setting involves small and medium-sized enterprises located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Primary data for 223 knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship (KIE) firms was obtained through questionnaires applied to ventures which applied to the innovative research in small business program, a small business innovation research-like initiative run by the São Paulo Research Foundation. Econometric results assessed the drivers of competitiveness in terms of firm growth, research and development intensification and technology transfer. Findings Results highlight the complexity involved in establishing effective knowledge management processes in terms of driving KIE performance. Notwithstanding, some interesting insights on the moderation effects of strategic knowledge management (SKM) systems over technical skills could be identified with particular emphasis for the case of academic spin-offs. Ecosystem drivers present a good explanation power for technology transfer practices but fall short in providing answers for firm-level growth dynamics. It is also noteworthy that public and private investments in KIE firms are similarly associated with positive impacts – contrary to the view that private investors perform better than governmental sources in picking promising small ventures. Originality/value The assessment has provided novel evidence for a sample of KIE ventures concerning the appraisal of performance drivers associated with three dimensions of knowledge management, namely, technical knowledge, SKM and ecosystem features. Firms’ outcomes were addressed from a multidimensional perspective, thus providing a comprehensive perspective of the events under scrutiny.

“Social media technologies: a waste of time or a good way to learn and improve technological competences?”

“…We argue that this study strengthens the creation of coevolutionary adaptive business ecosystems (Fischer et al, 2022;Gnyawali et al, 2010;Jonsson et al, 2018;McKelvey, 2016), as well as and social collaborative networks. The results reveal mechanisms to implement firms' performance through TKCs and their interrelation, strengthening firms' strategic positioning.…”

“…Although the variables will be explained in the following section, we would highlight that TKCs are a first firm-level issue of interest, as levels of technological knowledge are embedded in routines and operations – i.e. intangible assets that provide the foundations for these organizations to develop novel technologies that enable firm growth (Fischer et al , 2022).…”

Performance of spin-offs and Brazilian startups: A study on technological evolution based on entrepreneurship and networks

“…A importância do comportamento empreendedor para as spin-offs e as startups O EIC tem sido destaque nos estudos relacionados ao empreendedorismo e à inovação Malerba & McKelvey, 2020), sobretudo devido ao grande potencial de desenvolvimento tecnológico no ambiente em que atuam (Bercovitz & Feldman, 2006;Civera et al, 2020). Os fatores que levam à criação, às práticas e aos processos internos geradores do sucesso dessas empresas são, desse modo, objetos de estudo de pesquisas recentes (Audretsch & Belitski, 2021;Fischer et al, 2021;Malerba & McKelvey, 2020;Protogerou & Caloghirou, 2015), com a finalidade de lançar luz sobre essa dinâmica.…”

“…O empreendedorismo intensivo em conhecimento (EIC) vem ganhando destaque na literatura como representação de novas firmas inovadoras, que geram impactos em nível sistêmico sobre as capacidades e a agregação de valor dos agentes (Audretsch et al, 2020;Fischer et al, 2021;Malerba & Mckelvey, 2020).…”

“…Não obstante, ainda que avanços tenham sido alcançados, permanecem lacunas na compreensão dos mecanismos gerenciais que afetam o desempenho no âmbito de novos EIC (Audretsch et al, 2020). Isso ocorre em função da complexidade na operação desse tipo de empresa, tendo em vista a inerente incerteza associada à atividade inovativa e, concomitantemente, ao estágio incipiente de DO (Fischer et al, 2021).…”