IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/mgtdec/v46y2025i2p1315-1329.html

Strengthened Through Collaborations: Convergence of Interfirm and Intrafirm Knowledge Exchange for Improving Informal Economy SMEs' Sustainability Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni
  • Obaloluwa Obed Oyewo
  • Ranti Falana
  • Edwin Okoro

Abstract

The role of knowledge exchange (KE) between and across firms has been widely studied. However, KE dimensions that reflect a sequence of interfirm and intrafirm KE among SMEs in emerging economies remain scantily examined in the literature. We fill this gap by investigating the direct and direct effects of KE dimensions on the SMEs sustainable performance (SP). Our analysis of 264 SME owner/owner‐managers, using the PLS‐SEM, showed that although there is no direct relationship between knowledge exchange from business collaboration (KEBC) and knowledge exchange during training (KET), KEBC and KET impact on the SP dimensions. Also, KET mediates the relationship between KEBC and SP. Our study arises among the few investigations that have given credence to developing economy informal SMEs' role in the sustainability discourse.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni & Obaloluwa Obed Oyewo & Ranti Falana & Edwin Okoro, 2025. "Strengthened Through Collaborations: Convergence of Interfirm and Intrafirm Knowledge Exchange for Improving Informal Economy SMEs' Sustainability Performance," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(2), pages 1315-1329, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:46:y:2025:i:2:p:1315-1329
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.4435
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.4435
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/mde.4435?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
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Romain Gandia & Elodie Gardet, 2019. "Sources of Dependence and Strategies to Innovate: Evidence from Video Game SMEs," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(3), pages 1136-1156, July.
    2. Wei Guan & Wenhong Ding & Bobo Zhang & Jerome Verny, 2023. "The role of supply chain alignment in coping with resource dependency in blockchain adoption: empirical evidence from China," Post-Print hal-03935256, HAL.
    3. Jolanda Hessels & Siri Terjesen, 2010. "Resource dependency and institutional theory perspectives on direct and indirect export choices," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 203-220, February.
    4. Bruce A. Heiman & Jack A. Nickerson, 2004. "Empirical evidence regarding the tension between knowledge sharing and knowledge expropriation in collaborations," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(6-7), pages 401-420.
    5. Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni & Adebanji William Adejuwon Ayeni & Oyedele Martins Ogundana & Bisayo Otokiti & Lerato Mohalajeng, 2022. "Survival during Times of Disruptions: Rethinking Strategies for Enabling Business Viability in the Developing Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Ekaterina Albats & Daria Podmetina & Wim Vanhaverbeke, 2023. "Open innovation in SMEs: A process view towards business model innovation," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(6), pages 2519-2560, November.
    7. Michele O’Dwyer & Raffaele Filieri & Lisa O’Malley, 2023. "Establishing successful university–industry collaborations: barriers and enablers deconstructed," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 900-931, June.
    8. Oguzhan Ozturk, 2021. "Bibliometric review of resource dependence theory literature: an overview," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(3), pages 525-552, July.
    9. Adaugo Trinitas Isaac & Oluwasoye Mafimisebi & Kutoma Wakunuma & Natasha Mwila, 2024. "Knowledge exchange mechanisms: a bibliometric analysis of knowledge exchange literature," Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(6), pages 646-661, November.
    10. Chauhan, Chetna & Kaur, Puneet & Arrawatia, Rakesh & Ractham, Peter & Dhir, Amandeep, 2022. "Supply chain collaboration and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Teamwork makes achieving SDGs dream work," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 290-307.
    11. M. O'Dwyer & R. Filieri & L. O'Malley, 2023. "Establishing successful university–industry collaborations: barriers and enablers deconstructed," Post-Print hal-04779125, HAL.
    12. Adomako, Samuel & Ahsan, Mujtaba, 2022. "Entrepreneurial passion and SMEs’ performance: Moderating effects of financial resource availability and resource flexibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 122-135.
    13. Andrew C. Inkpen & Wang Pien, 2006. "An Examination of Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer: China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(4), pages 779-811, June.
    14. Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni & Oyedele Martins Ogundana & Arinze Okonkwo, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Competencies and the Performance of Informal SMEs: The Contingent Role of Business Environment," Journal of African Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 468-490, October.
    15. Romain Gandia & Elodie Gardet, 2019. "Sources of Dependence and Strategies to Innovate: Evidence from Video Game SMEs," Post-Print hal-01696250, HAL.
    16. Jeffrey M Wooldridge, 2010. "Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 2, volume 1, number 0262232588, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Hanna Ahlström & Amanda Williams & Emmy Wassénius & Andrea S. Downing, 2025. "Deepening the Conversation on Systemic Sustainability Risks: A Social-Ecological Systems Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 199(3), pages 495-506, July.
    2. Xiaoxu Zhang & Xiaolin Yue, 2025. "Government-Supported Alliances, Knowledge Networks, and Exploratory Innovation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(5), pages 16502-16524, November.
    3. Aaron Kaegi & Cornelia Storz & Tobias ten Brink & Na Zou, 2025. "Web mining science–industry linkages: extending typologies and rethinking knowledge transfer," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(12), pages 6909-6948, December.
    4. Aralica, Zoran & Anić, Ivan-Damir & Škrinjarić, Bruno & Harmina, Anita & Vlačić, Ernest, 2025. "Critical factors driving innovations and patenting in academia in S3 area “Energy and Sustainable Environment”," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    5. Annette Schminke & Johannes Van Biesebroeck, 2013. "Using export market performance to evaluate regional preferential policies in China," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 149(2), pages 343-367, June.
    6. Samuel Adomako & Mai Dong Tran, 2025. "Intellectual property rights protection and sustainable innovation performance: The mediating role of technology spillover," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1879-1891, April.
    7. Yancy Vaillant & Esteban Lafuente, 2025. "Higher education institutions as co-innovation partners: compensating, complementing, and facilitating firms’ co-innovation to their optimum possibility frontier," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 2725-2751, December.
    8. Xi Tang & Junwen Feng & Xiangyu Mao & Bo Feng & Junmin Wu, 2024. "Will technological innovation uncertainty affect the distribution of benefits from low‐carbon innovation activities in industrial clusters?—A study based on gray Shapley values," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(4), pages 1743-1755, June.
    9. Wei Yang & Fenglei Han & Yin Zhou & Yu Gao, 2025. "More relational or more digital? The synchronous and ambivalent influences of firm capabilities on value co-creation," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 446-468, April.
    10. Min Zhang & Jingjing Zeng, 2025. "Which governance structures are conducive to the performance of TTOs? Evidence from Taiwan," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 50(1), pages 271-303, February.
    11. Shanwu Tian & Xiurui Xu & Yan Yan & Conghui Han & Wei Chen, 2025. "Network variance of scientific team and knowledge creation: a network embeddedness perspective," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 2697-2724, December.
    12. Schneider, K. Florian, 2024. "Intermediaries (not) in action: Impediments to initiating the utilization of public research," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    13. Leopoldo Gutierrez & Ivan Montiel & Jordi A. Surroca & Josep A. Tribo, 2022. "Rainbow Wash or Rainbow Revolution? Dynamic Stakeholder Engagement for SDG-Driven Responsible Innovation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(4), pages 1113-1136, November.
    14. Verreynne, Martie-Louise & de Oliveira, Rui Torres & Cao, Zhe & Nguyen, Tam & Feast, George, 2025. "University–business collaboration: A collaboration readiness index and scale," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(8).
    15. Beatrice Orlando & Veronica Scuotto & Valentina Cillo & Manlio Del Giudice, 2026. "University-business R&D collaborations and innovation in light of Artificial Intelligence: a new AI-based open innovation paradigm," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 452-480, February.
    16. Farouk Umar Kofar Naisa & Enjun Xia & Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim & Adams Adeiza & Abdul Gaffar Khan, 2024. "The Effect of the Global Health Crisis on Organizational Marketing and Culture of Innovation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 15218-15242, September.
    17. Haoyang Wu & Jing Liu & Biming Liang, 2025. "AI-Driven Supply Chain Transformation in Industry 5.0: Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 3826-3868, March.
    18. Petrit Gashi & Albian Krasniqi, 2025. "Foreign networks and export capabilities: insights from small manufacturing firms," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 95(8), pages 1043-1077, November.
    19. Irina Ervits, 2024. "Developing indicators for the social benefits of university-industry collaborations," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, December.
    20. Assefa Tesfaye Hailu, 2024. "The role of university–industry linkages in promoting technology transfer: implementation of triple helix model relations," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:wly:mgtdec:v:46:y:2025:i:2:p:1315-1329. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/7976 .

    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.