In Good Company: When Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises Acquire Multiplex Knowledge from Key Commercial Partners. (1st September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bojica, Ana Maria; Estrada, Isabel; del Mar Fuentes‐Fuentes, María
• Is Part Of: Journal of small business management. Volume 56:Number 2(2018:Apr.)
• Page Start: 294
• Page End: 311
• Publication Date: 2016-09-01
• Subjects: Small business -- Management -- Periodicals; 658.022
• DOI: 10.1111/jsbm.12258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2778

Abstract

Abstract : This study explores the specific conditions under which key strategic alliances of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with commercial partners can become multiplex in knowledge exchange. Using survey data from a sample of 150 Spanish SMEs in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry, we find that trust creates an appropriate context for the concurrent acquisition of technological, market, and managerial knowledge. When the SME and its key commercial partner exhibit significant strategic, technological, and market differences, however, the SME's ability to acquire different types of knowledge diminishes considerably, reducing the positive impact of trust on knowledge multiplexity.