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Strategic agility, dynamic relational capability and trust among SMEs in transitional economies

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  • Nyamrunda, Frank Charles
  • Freeman, Susan

Abstract

Rapid growth and urbanizing populations are transforming Africa, despite environmental turbulence, uncertainty and relational complexity. Research highlights how small firms rely upon trust-based buyer-supplier relationships in such contexts. Our study adopts a micro-foundational perspective and builds on dynamic capabilities literature and psychological trust theory. Our conceptual model shows how relational dimensions (i.e. communication, social bonds, and knowledge), influenced by meta-capabilities (strategic sensitivity, resource fluidity and leadership unity) embedded in micro-foundational activities build trust in small business cross-border buyer-seller relationships to support dynamic relational capability and enhance strategic agility in transitional economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Nyamrunda, Frank Charles & Freeman, Susan, 2021. "Strategic agility, dynamic relational capability and trust among SMEs in transitional economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worbus:v:56:y:2021:i:3:s1090951620301036
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2020.101175
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    4. Ong, Xander & Freeman, Susan & Goxe, François & Guercini, Simone & Cooper, Brian, 2022. "Outsidership, network positions and cooperation among internationalizing SMEs: An industry evolutionary perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    5. Christopher Pryor & Shaker A. Zahra & Garry D. Bruton, 2023. "Trusting without a Safety Net: The Peril of Trust in Base of the Pyramid Economies," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 767-799, June.
    6. Yina Zhang & Jiancheng Long & Wu Zhao, 2021. "Relational Embeddedness and BOP-Oriented Dynamic Capability—A Multi-Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, May.
    7. Nadia Zahoor & Francis Donbesuur & Arinze Christian Nwoba & Huda Khan, 2023. "Regional expansion of emerging market SMEs: the roles of domestic market environmental uncertainty and international alliance partner diversity," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 613-643, June.
    8. Ferraris, Alberto & Degbey, William Y. & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Bresciani, Stefano & Castellano, Sylvaine & Fiano, Fabio & Couturier, Jerome, 2022. "Microfoundations of Strategic Agility in Emerging Markets: Empirical Evidence of Italian MNEs in India," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    9. Zahoor, Nadia & Khan, Zaheer & Wu, Jie & Tarba, Shlomo Y. & Donbesuur, Francis & Khan, Huda, 2023. "Vertical alliances and innovation: A systematic review of the literature and a future research agenda," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    10. Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid & Amoozad Mahdiraji, Hannan & Busso, Donatella & Yahiaoui, Dorra, 2022. "Towards agility in international high-tech SMEs: Exploring key drivers and main outcomes of dynamic capabilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    11. Malik, Ashish & Sharma, Piyush & Kingshott, Russel & Laker, Benjamin, 2022. "Leveraging cultural and relational capabilities for business model innovation: The case of a digital media EMMNE," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 270-282.
    12. Weber, Clarissa E. & Maurer, Indre, 2023. "Knowledge acquisition from host-country partners: The interplay of trust and legal safeguards," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).

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