IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/iburev/v31y2022i5s0969593122000336.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Back-end information technology resources and manufacturing SMEs’ export commitment: An empirical investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Uwizeyemungu, Sylvestre
  • Poba-Nzaou, Placide
  • St-Pierre, Josée

Abstract

The capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to embrace international markets is based on some prerequisites including the acquisition and / or development of specific resources. Drawing on a sample of 202 Canadian manufacturing SMEs, and using the resource-based view as a theoretical lens, this study analyzes the effects of different configurations of the adoption of back-end information technology (IT) resources on the levels of export commitment. The results show that there are four well-separated profiles of SMEs with regard to the adoption levels of back-end IT resources, and that the profiles with higher levels of back-end IT resources adopted are most likely to be exporters, particularly to the nearby international markets. This study contributes to theoretically bridging the gaps in both the information system and international business literature concerning the role of back-end IT resources in sustaining SMEs’ export commitment and has practical implications as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Uwizeyemungu, Sylvestre & Poba-Nzaou, Placide & St-Pierre, Josée, 2022. "Back-end information technology resources and manufacturing SMEs’ export commitment: An empirical investigation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:31:y:2022:i:5:s0969593122000336
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102005
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969593122000336
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102005?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shangqin Hong & Les Oxley & Philip McCann & Trinh Le, 2016. "Why firm size matters: investigating the drivers of innovation and economic performance in New Zealand using the," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(55), pages 5379-5395, November.
    2. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 2009. "The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(9), pages 1411-1431, December.
    3. Marjorie Lecerf & Nessrine Omrani, 2020. "SME Internationalization: the Impact of Information Technology and Innovation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 11(2), pages 805-824, June.
    4. Saarenketo, Sami & Puumalainen, Kaisu & Kuivalainen, Olli & Kylaheiko, Kalevi, 2004. "Dynamic knowledge-related learning processes in internationalizing high-tech SMEs," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(3), pages 363-378, June.
    5. Ruey-Jer (Bryan) Jean & Rudolf R Sinkovics & S Tamer Cavusgil, 2010. "Enhancing international customer–supplier relationships through IT resources: A study of Taiwanese electronics suppliers," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(7), pages 1218-1239, September.
    6. Alan J. Richardson, 2018. "The discovery of cumulative knowledge," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(2), pages 563-585, February.
    7. Movahedi, Mohammad & Shahbazi, Kiumars & Gaussens, Olivier, 2017. "Innovation and willingness to export: Is there an effect of conscious self-selection?," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 11, pages 1-22.
    8. Eva Hagsten & Patricia Kotnik, 2017. "ICT as facilitator of internationalisation in small- and medium-sized firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 431-446, February.
    9. Joachim Wagner, 2015. "A Note on Firm Age and the Margins of Exports: First Evidence from Germany," The International Trade Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 93-102, June.
    10. Spanos, Yiannis E. & Voudouris, Irini, 2009. "Antecedents and trajectories of AMT adoption: The case of Greek manufacturing SMEs," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 144-155, February.
    11. F. Tao & Y. Cheng & L. Zhang & A. Y. C. Nee, 2017. "Advanced manufacturing systems: socialization characteristics and trends," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Springer, vol. 28(5), pages 1079-1094, June.
    12. Michael J. Mol & Otto R. Koppius, 2002. "Information Technology and the Internationalization of the Firm," Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM), IGI Global, vol. 10(4), pages 44-60, October.
    13. Salvatore Esposito De Falco & Michele Simoni, 2014. "The Effect of Public Export Incentives on Italian Textile and Fashion SMEs," International Studies of Management & Organization, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 70-83, January.
    14. Panagiotis Ganotakis & James H Love, 2012. "Export propensity, export intensity and firm performance: The role of the entrepreneurial founding team," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(8), pages 693-718, October.
    15. Louis Raymond & Josée St-Pierre & Sylvestre Uwizeyemungu & Thang Dinh, 2014. "Internationalization capabilities of SMEs: A comparative study of the manufacturing and industrial service sectors," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 230-253, September.
    16. Cirera, Xavier & Marin, Anabel & Markwald, Ricardo, 2015. "Explaining export diversification through firm innovation decisions: The case of Brazil," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(10), pages 1962-1973.
    17. David Córcoles & Carmen Díaz-Mora & Rosario Gandoy, 2015. "Export Survival in Global Production Chains," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(10), pages 1526-1554, October.
    18. Dai, Li & Maksimov, Vladislav & Gilbert, Brett Anitra & Fernhaber, Stephanie A., 2014. "Entrepreneurial orientation and international scope: The differential roles of innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 511-524.
    19. Rachel Bocquet & Patrick Musso, 2010. "Product Innovation and Export Performance," Post-Print halshs-00721783, HAL.
    20. Alain Verbeke & Luciano Ciravegna, 2018. "International entrepreneurship research versus international business research: A false dichotomy?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(4), pages 387-394, May.
    21. Chari, Murali D.R. & Devaraj, Sarv & David, Parthiban, 2007. "International diversification and firm performance: Role of information technology investments," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 184-197, June.
    22. Jeremiás Máté Balogh, 2015. "Investigating the Effect of Geographical Distances and Cultural Proximity on the Hungarian Wine Trade," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 37(4), pages 513-529, December.
    23. Steven J. Simon & Varun Grover, 1993. "Strategic Use of Information Technology in International Business: A Framework for Information Technology Application," Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM), IGI Global, vol. 1(2), pages 21-32, April.
    24. Louis Raymond & Sylvestre Uwizeyemungu & Bruno Fabi & Josée St-Pierre, 2018. "IT capabilities for product innovation in SMEs: a configurational approach," Information Technology and Management, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 75-87, March.
    25. Yun-Seop Hwang & Mun-Ho Hwang & Xiaoxu Dong, 2015. "The Relationships Among Firm Size, Innovation Type, and Export Performance With Regard to Time Spans," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(5), pages 947-962, September.
    26. Love, James H. & Roper, Stephen & Zhou, Ying, 2016. "Experience, age and exporting performance in UK SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 806-819.
    27. Wilkinson, Timothy & Brouthers, Lance Eliot, 2006. "Trade promotion and SME export performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 233-252, June.
    28. Riccardo Lucchetti & Alessandro Sterlacchini, 2004. "The Adoption of ICT among SMEs: Evidence from an Italian Survey," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 151-168, September.
    29. Pierre–André Julien & Charles Ramangalahy, 2003. "Competitive Strategy and Performance of Exporting SMEs: An Empirical Investigation of the Impact of Their Export Information Search and Competencies," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(3), pages 227-245, July.
    30. Anna Giunta & Francesco Trivieri, 2007. "Understanding the determinants of information technology adoption: evidence from Italian manufacturing firms," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(10), pages 1325-1334.
    31. Luke Emeka Okafor & Mita Bhattacharya & Nicholas Apergis, 2020. "Bank credit, public financial incentives, tax financial incentives and export performance during the global financial crisis," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(1), pages 114-145, January.
    32. Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Sciascia, Salvatore & Naldi, Lucia & Mazzola, Pietro, 2019. "Family CEO and board service: Turning the tide for export scope in family SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.
    33. Ernesto Cassetta & Umberto Monarca & Ivano Dileo & Claudio Di Berardino & Marco Pini, 2020. "The relationship between digital technologies and internationalisation. Evidence from Italian SMEs," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(4), pages 311-339, April.
    34. Gaurav Dixit & Prabin Panigrahi, 2014. "Information Technology Impact and Role of Firm Age and Export Activity: An Emerging Economy Context," Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 169-187, July.
    35. Bianchi, Constanza & Wickramasekera, Rumintha, 2016. "Antecedents of SME export intensity in a Latin American Market," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 4368-4376.
    36. Lal, K., 1996. "Information technology, international orientation and performance: A case study of electrical and electronic goods manufacturing firms in India," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 269-280, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Osabutey, Ellis L.C. & Papanastassiou, Marina & Jin, Zhongqi & Navare, Jyoti & Agyapong, Ahmed, 2023. "Revisiting FSAs and CSAs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Ghanaian Firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Stephanie E. Mansion & Andreas Bausch, 2020. "Intangible assets and SMEs’ export behavior: a meta-analytical perspective," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 727-760, October.
    2. Haddoud, Mohamed Yacine & Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Nowiński, Witold & Jones, Paul, 2021. "The determinants of SMEs’ export entry: A systematic review of the literature," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 262-278.
    3. Mohamad D. Revindo & Christopher Gan, 2018. "Factors Affecting Variation in SMES' Export Intensity," LPEM FEBUI Working Papers 201820, LPEM, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia, revised May 2018.
    4. Noémie Dominguez, 2018. "Promotion agencies and SMEs’ internationalization process: A blessing or a curse? [Agences de promotion et processus internationalisation des PME: bénédiction ou malédiction?]," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 58-81, March.
    5. Sinkovics, Rudolf R. & Kurt, Yusuf & Sinkovics, Noemi, 2018. "The effect of matching on perceived export barriers and performance in an era of globalization discontents: Empirical evidence from UK SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(5), pages 1065-1079.
    6. Paul, Justin & Parthasarathy, Sundar & Gupta, Parul, 2017. "Exporting challenges of SMEs: A review and future research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 327-342.
    7. Halima Jibril & Stephen Roper, 2022. "Of chickens and eggs: Exporting, innovation novelty and productivity," Working Papers 027, The Productivity Institute.
    8. Tan, Alvin & Brewer, Paul & Liesch, Peter, 2018. "Rigidity in SME export commencement decisions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 46-55.
    9. Riviere, Monica & Romero-Martínez, Ana M., 2021. "Network embeddedness, headquarters entrepreneurial orientation, and MNE international performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(3).
    10. Ketan Reddy & Subash Sasidharan, 2023. "Digitalization and global value chain participation: firm-level evidence from Indian manufacturing," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 50(3), pages 551-574, September.
    11. Horatio M. Morgan & Sui Sui & Shavin Malhotra, 2021. "No place like home: The effect of exporting to the country of origin on the financial performance of immigrant-owned SMEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(3), pages 504-524, April.
    12. Ciravegna, Luciano & Kuivalainen, Olli & Kundu, Sumit K. & Lopez, Luis E., 2018. "The antecedents of early internationalization: A configurational perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 1200-1212.
    13. Vijay Narayanan, 2015. "Export Barriers for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A Literature Review based on Leonidou’s Model," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 3(2), pages 105-123.
    14. Ramdani, Boumediene & Belaid, Fateh & Boukrami, Elias, 2022. "Profiling exporting SMEs: The role of innovation-orientation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 1-13.
    15. Elia, Stefano & Giuffrida, Maria & Mariani, Marcello M. & Bresciani, Stefano, 2021. "Resources and digital export: An RBV perspective on the role of digital technologies and capabilities in cross-border e-commerce," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 158-169.
    16. Torres de Oliveira, Rui & Nguyen, Tam & Liesch, Peter & Verreynne, Martie-Louise & Indulska, Marta, 2021. "Exporting to escape and learn: Vietnamese manufacturers in global value chains," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    17. Tajeddin, Mahdi & Farashahi, Mehdi & Moghaddam, Kaveh & Simba, Amon & Edwards, Gwyneth, 2023. "Internationalization of Emerging Economy SMEs: A Tripod Approach," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    18. Michele Bernini & Jun Du & James H. Love, 2016. "Explaining intermittent exporting: Exit and conditional re-entry in export markets," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(9), pages 1058-1076, December.
    19. Juan Jung & Gonzalo Gómez-Bengoechea, 2022. "A literature review on firm digitalization: drivers and impacts," Studies on the Spanish Economy eee2022-20, FEDEA.
    20. María Agustí & Olli Kuivalainen & Encarnación Ramos-Hidalgo & Francisco J. Acedo, 2023. "Maturing international new ventures: Short- and medium-term Insights," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 329-353, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:31:y:2022:i:5:s0969593122000336. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/133/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.