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Does age matter? The impact of SMEs age on the relationship between knowledge sourcing strategy and internationalization

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  • Santoro, Gabriele
  • Mazzoleni, Alberto
  • Quaglia, Roberto
  • Solima, Ludovico

Abstract

The use of external knowledge has received substantial attention in the literature of innovation management and open innovation as well. However, despite the interest in understanding the impact of knowledge sourcing strategy on financial and innovative performance, there is still a lack of studies assessing the impact of openness on internationalization. Drawing on the inbound open innovation perspective, we theorize that searching widely and deeply is related to internationalization performance and that firm age contributes to enhance this relationship. Based on data gathered from 135 SMEs, we found support for the positive relationship between knowledge sourcing strategy and internationalization, but not for the moderating role of firm age. These findings offer several implications to managers and scholars alike.

Suggested Citation

  • Santoro, Gabriele & Mazzoleni, Alberto & Quaglia, Roberto & Solima, Ludovico, 2021. "Does age matter? The impact of SMEs age on the relationship between knowledge sourcing strategy and internationalization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 779-787.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:128:y:2021:i:c:p:779-787
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.05.021
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    2. Tsai, Fu-Sheng & Cabrilo, Sladjana & Chou, Hsin-Hui & Hu, Feng & Tang, Au Due, 2022. "Open innovation and SME performance: The roles of reverse knowledge sharing and stakeholder relationships," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 433-443.
    3. Jeffrey A. Chandler & Tsutomu Doiguchi & Oleg V. Petrenko, 2022. "Revisiting the Effect of Internationalization on Firm Governance: A Replication and Extension Study," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(3), pages 351-391, June.
    4. Elena D. Vaisman & Maria V. Podshivalova & Andrew Adewale Alola, 2022. "Examining the interaction of sustainable innovation activity and the life cycle of small high‐tech enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1018-1029, March.

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