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The indirect effect of online marketing capabilities on the international performance of e-commerce SMEs

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  • Tolstoy, Daniel
  • Nordman, Emilia Rovira
  • Vu, Uyen

Abstract

International e-commerce is a strong global trend pushed by a tail wind of bolstering economic policies, changing customer behaviors, and improved logistics and technologies. This study investigates the reasons for performance variations among international e-commerce SMEs. Building on the capabilities perspective and market orientation literature, a research model is developed and tested with linear regression and mediation analysis on an effective sample of 99 Swedish SMEs which use e-commerce as an international sales channel. Our study shows that online marketing capabilities are necessary but not sufficient to increase performance among these companies. Our results show that marketing ambidexterity, reflected by both market-driven and market-driving approaches, is instrumental to leverage the effect of online marketing capabilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Tolstoy, Daniel & Nordman, Emilia Rovira & Vu, Uyen, 2022. "The indirect effect of online marketing capabilities on the international performance of e-commerce SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:31:y:2022:i:3:s0969593121001645
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101946
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    2. Daniela Roxana Vuță & Eliza Nichifor & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Gabriel Brătucu, 2022. "Digital Transformation—Top Priority in Difficult Times: The Case Study of Romanian Micro-Enterprises and SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Cristina Burlacioiu, 2022. "Online Commerce Pattern in European Union Countries between 2019 and 2020," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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