IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/mgtdec/v46y2025i2p1315-1329.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Romain Gandia & Elodie Gardet, 2019. "Sources of Dependence and Strategies to Innovate: Evidence from Video Game SMEs," Post-Print hal-01696250, HAL.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    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. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. Oguzhan Ozturk, 2021. "Bibliometric review of resource dependence theory literature: an overview," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(3), pages 525-552, July.
    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. Schneider, K. Florian, 2024. "Intermediaries (not) in action: Impediments to initiating the utilization of public research," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Nicolai J. Foss & Kenneth Husted & Snejina Michailova, 2010. "Governing Knowledge Sharing in Organizations: Levels of Analysis, Governance Mechanisms, and Research Directions," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3), pages 455-482, May.
    9. 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.
    10. Peng Huang & Marco Ceccagnoli & Chris Forman & D.J. Wu, 2009. "Participation in a Platform Ecosystem: Appropriability, Competition, and Access to the Installed Base," Working Papers 09-14, NET Institute, revised Sep 2009.
    11. Mengyuan Zhou, 2022. "Does the Source of Inheritance Matter in Bequest Attitudes? Evidence from Japan," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 867-887, December.
    12. Campbell, Randall C. & Nagel, Gregory L., 2016. "Private information and limitations of Heckman's estimator in banking and corporate finance research," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 186-195.
    13. Giuliani, Elisa & Martinelli, Arianna & Rabellotti, Roberta, 2016. "Is Co-Invention Expediting Technological Catch Up? A Study of Collaboration between Emerging Country Firms and EU Inventors," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 192-205.
    14. Ilona Babenko & Benjamin Bennett & John M Bizjak & Jeffrey L Coles & Jason J Sandvik, 2023. "Clawback Provisions and Firm Risk," The Review of Corporate Finance Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 12(2), pages 191-239.
    15. Şahan, Duygu & Tuna, Okan, 2018. "Environmental innovation of transportation sector in OECD countries," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Kersten, Wolfgang & Blecker, Thorsten & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), The Road to a Digitalized Supply Chain Management: Smart and Digital Solutions for Supply Chain Management. Proceedings of the Hamburg International C, volume 25, pages 157-170, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    16. Eric Fesselmeyer & Kiat Ying Seah, 2018. "Individual Payoffs and the Effect of Homeownership on Social Capital Investment," Journal of Housing Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 59-78, January.
    17. Ruomeng Cui & Dennis J. Zhang & Achal Bassamboo, 2019. "Learning from Inventory Availability Information: Evidence from Field Experiments on Amazon," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 65(3), pages 1216-1235, March.
    18. Witold Nowiński & Wanda Nowara, 2011. "Stopień i uwarunkowania internacjonalizacji polskich małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 3, pages 29-45.
    19. Luiz Paulo Fávero & Joseph F. Hair & Rafael de Freitas Souza & Matheus Albergaria & Talles V. Brugni, 2021. "Zero-Inflated Generalized Linear Mixed Models: A Better Way to Understand Data Relationships," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-28, May.
    20. Shaikh M. S. U. Eskander & Sam Fankhauser, 2022. "Income Diversification and Income Inequality: Household Responses to the 2013 Floods in Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.

    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.