Developing Absorptive Capacity through e‐Business: The Case of International SMEs. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raymond, Louis; Bergeron, François; Croteau, Anne‐Marie; St‐Pierre, Josée
• Is Part Of: Journal of small business management. Volume 53:(2015:Oct.) Supplement S1
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Small business -- Management -- Periodicals; 658.022
• DOI: 10.1111/jsbm.12192
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2778

Abstract

Abstract : This research uses the absorptive capacity concept as a theoretical lens to study the effect of e‐business upon the internationalization performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), addressing the following research issue: To what extent are manufacturing SMEs successful in developing their potential and realized absorptive capacity in response to the environmental uncertainty brought about by their internationalization? Results of a survey study of 588 manufacturing SMEs indicate that e‐business capabilities have a significant impact on internationalization performance to the extent that these capabilities are developed as a response to increased environmental uncertainty. Moreover, these capabilities are realized through the development of networking, advanced manufacturing, and marketing capabilities that also respond to environmental uncertainty.