Exploring the role of individual level and firm level dynamic capabilities in SMEs’ internationalization

This paper presents a multi-level model that examines the impact of dynamic capabilities on the internationalization of SMEs while taking into account the interactions among them. The purpose of the research is to understand the applicability of dynamic capabilities at the individual and the firm level to the SME internationalization process in developing country context and to assess to what extent a firm’s asset position and individual level dynamic capabilities influence the generation of firm level dynamic capabilities in SMEs. First, the dynamic capabilities theory was theoretically linked to the internationalization phenomenon. The relationships among firm-level dynamic capabilities, individual-level dynamic capabilities (owner specific dynamic capabilities), and internationalization were identified. The research framework and hypotheses were developed and empirically tested with 197 SMEs. The findings established that owner-specific dynamic capabilities have a positive influence on both firm dynamic capabilities and internationalization, and firm dynamic capabilities positively influence internationalization. It was also found that the market assets position measured as perceptual environmental dynamism positively influenced firm dynamic capabilities but structural and reputational asset positions of SMEs did not influence generation of firm dynamic capabilities. Moreover, firm dynamic capabilities had a mediation effect in the relationship between owner-specific dynamic capabilities and internationalization. Theoretically, this confirms the relevance of dynamic capability theory to internationalization and the possibility of integrating existing internationalization theories. Entrepreneurs, SME managers, and policy-makers could gain valuable insights on how entrepreneur and firm capabilities lead to better international prospects from this outcome

Industry 4.0 and its influence on the sustainable development

Індустрія 4.0 революціонізує спосіб, у який компанії виробляють, покращують і розповсюджують свою продукцію. Виробники інтегрують нові технології, зокрема Інтернет речей (IoT), хмарні обчислення та аналітику, а також штучний інтелект і машинне навчання у свої виробничі потужності та всю свою діяльність. Ці цифрові технології призводять до підвищеної автоматизації, прогнозованого обслуговування, самостійної оптимізації вдосконалення процесів і, перш за все, нового рівень ефективності та чутливості до клієнтів, які раніше не були можливими.Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute their products. Manufacturers are integrating new technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into their production facilities and throughout their operations. This digital technologies lead to increased automation, predictive maintenance, self-optimization of process improvements and, above all, a new level of efficiencies and responsiveness to customers not previously possible

Evaluating retail banking quality service and convenience with MCDA techniques: a case study at the bank branch level

The intangibility of banking services makes the evaluation of service quality and customer convenience difficult to measure. This paper aims to construct an integrated evaluation system for retail banking service quality and convenience at the bank branch level by combining cognitive mapping with measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique. We strive to introduce transparency in the decision making process and add to the performance literature in retail banking. Strengths, weaknesses and practical applications of our multiple criteria evaluation system are also discussed

Integrated Approach to Risk Management for Public Administrations: The Healthcare System

The systemic risk represents the risk of a deep transformation of the structure of an economic and / or financial system that occurs, through a chain reaction, after the manifestation of a triggering event (Bandt and Hartmann, 2000; Hunter and Marshall, 1999) related to the dynamics of company crises, particularly the pathological company crises. By translating the concept of systemic risk to company dynamics, it is possible to approach it to the dynamics affecting the company crises. In the economic-business sciences, it is possible to identify the risk of the business crises through predictive models, such as the Z-Score (Altman, 1968, 2000), defined using a multivariate approach based on the consideration and the analysis of several factors deemed significant in determining the healthcare of a company. The objective of the paper is to create a function that has a predictive character in the definition of the company crises. This function will be defined starting from the identification, the mapping and the coverage of the risk