Firm Resources Research Articles

Intellectual property protection and M&A performance

This investigation delves into the connection between the safeguarding of intellectual property and the outcomes of corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The research uses yearly data from 2009 to 2022, encompassing A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen, and empirically examines how intellectual property protection influences corporate M&A performance. Furthermore, it delves into the intermediary functions of accessing financial, information, and policy resources within this context. The findings reveal that bolstering intellectual property rights (IPR) protection notably enhances M&A performance. This enhancement is particularly pronounced in state-owned enterprises and those with a stronger resource foundation. Additionally, IPR protection indirectly augments M&A performance by facilitating improved access to financial, information, and policy resources for firms. These discoveries offer valuable insights for policymakers and corporate practitioners, aiding in a deeper comprehension of the pivotal role that IPR protection plays in the realm of mergers and acquisitions.

An Inspiration Analysis of Digital Illustration Used in Augmented Reality

The study investigates the use of digital illustrations in augmented reality (AR) experiences. Augmented reality merges digital content with the actual environment, creating new interaction opportunities. With its visual appeal and engaging properties, digital illustration has the ability to enrich AR experiences and create immersive narratives. By conducting an inspiration analysis, the study examines the applications of digital illustration in augmented reality, with a special emphasis on encouraging its use in Malaysia. The research identifies distinct goals and types of digital illustration in AR through a thorough literature review, inspiration analysis, and qualitative data collecting through research on nine samples of digital illustration in augmented reality. The findings emphasize the usefulness and potential of digital illustration in transmitting engaging visual communication and stimulating new augmented reality paths of inquiry. This research is a helpful resource for firms and practitioners particularly in Malaysia looking for ideas for incorporating artwork into their augmented reality projects in a variety of sectors.

Entrepreneurial marketing strategies, resources and social disadvantage: exploring the role of resources and minority status among US agrofood enterprises

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate associations between firm resources and reliance on entrepreneurial marketing (EM) channels among agrofood ventures. It accounts for agropreneur gender and racial/ethnic status in the context of marketing channel portfolio composition. The authors examine the established assumption that resource limitations drive EM and whether socially disadvantaged status of agropreneurs is associated with marketing strategy beyond standard resourcing measures.Design/methodology/approachUsing 2015 Local Foods Marketing Practices Survey data, the authors apply linear regression to investigate differences in the use of EM channels, accounting for resources, social status and other factors.FindingsLimited-resource ventures rely more on consumer-oriented channels that require EM practices. Socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs favor these channels, even when accounting for resources. Notably, ventures headed by men of color rely more on the most customer-centric local foods marketing channel.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should investigate how social and human capital influences the use of EM.Practical implicationsEntrepreneurial support policy and practice for agropreneurs should be cautious about the “double-burden” folk theorem of intersectional disadvantage and review how to best direct resources on EM to groups most likely to benefit.Originality/valueThis paper uses a unique, restricted, nation-wide, federal data set to examine relationships between resource endowments, social status and the composition of agrofood enterprises’ marketing channel portfolios. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to include racial- and ethnic-minority status of agropreneurs and to account for intersectionality with gender.

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Plant Optimization Study for the California Power Market (CalCSP)

In the United States, many states are implementing goals to achieve 100% carbon free power generation by 2050 or sooner. California has one of the more aggressive goals to achieve 100% carbon free generation of its retail power sales by 2045. California has excellent solar resources, but to accomplish this goal, California’s power utilities will need new zero carbon resources that can replace the natural gas units that they currently rely on for suppling power at night. Appropriately configured concentrating solar power plants with thermal energy storage are an option to serve this nighttime load. These plants would be designed to take advantage of CSP’s low-cost thermal energy storage and collect and store energy during the day and then be dispatched to produce power at night. The U.S. Department of Energy has funded a study to identify the design of a CSP plant that optimally meets the evolving CA grid needs. This will be done by taking a fresh look at how CSP technologies can best be designed to meet the emerging nighttime market for carbon free power generation or zero-carbon firm resources. The paper provides an overview of the study and present preliminary findings on the California power market requirements, CSP configurations, technoeconomic analysis, siting opportunities, and key issues for CSP deployment in this market.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECO-EFFICIENCY AND FIRM VALUE: A LITERATURE REVIEW

This paper investigates the intricate relationship between eco-efficiency and firm value, exploring how eco-efficient practices contribute to firm value. Drawing from a comprehensive review of literature, the study delves into theoretical frameworks such as the natural-resource-based view and stakeholder theory, elucidating their relevance in understanding this relationship. Findings reveal a nuanced interplay between eco-efficiency and firm value, with moderating factors like profitability and leverage shaping the outcome. Additionally, eco-innovation emerges as a key mediator, influencing the relationship between firm resources, competitive advantages, and environmental impacts. While some studies report a positive association between eco-efficiency and firm value, others highlight complexities and variations across industries and contexts. Overall, this research underscores the importance of considering contextual factors and industry dynamics in comprehensively understanding the eco-efficiency-firm value nexus. KEY WORDS: Eco-Efficiency, Firm Value, Eco-Innovation

Optimizing Resource Usage in Cagayan de Oro City Institutions, Philippines

Aside from the Human Resources, the most valuable resources of the company are the assets comprising the current assets and fixed assets. Currently, many companies require better management of their assets but the misuse of company resources is a serious issue that many firm employees see as “no big deal.” However, the principle remains the same that firm resource is a lasting resource and it is for the use of firm and nothing else. This study examined the misuse of firm resources in government and non-government sectors in Cagayan de Oro City. The objectives were: determining the commonly misuse firm resources, awareness and involvement of employees in misusing the resources, and management report on misusing the resources. This study used descriptive research design with the aid of survey questionnaire in gathering the primary data supported by interview. Findings revealed that the commonly misused resources of the firms were office supplies with 40%, followed by internet usage with 30%, and telephone usage with 15%. In awareness and involvement of employees on the commonly misused resources, first in the rank was aware but involved with 30% followed by aware and not involved with 25% of the employee respondents. In the category of reporting of employees of the misused resources to the management, the employee witnesses but does not report with 40% followed by witnesses and does the report to the management with 30%. Interview revealed that misused of resources happened due to lack of proper orientation on mission and goals of the firm, over supply of resources, and absence of guidelines. The researchers concluded that intentional insider misuse of institution resources represents a significant threat to the organizations and whether government or non-government institutions, the presence of misuse of resources committed by the employees based on the results of this study still exists. Recommendations are: there should be a proper inventory system, policies and guidelines in using the resources, and close monitoring of firm resources.

Social Capital and Entrepreneurial Performance of SMEs: The Mediating Role of Access to Entrepreneurial Resources

Abstract This study is conducted to explain entrepreneurial support resources of firms based on social network theory in developing countries, the case of Vietnam. Partial Least Squares Structural Modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted with a sample size of 220 entrepreneurs in SMEs. The results supported the positive link between formal and informal networks and entrepreneurial firm performance. Second, the study explored the partial mediating role of access to entrepreneurial resources between formal networks, informal networks, and entrepreneurial firm performance. In addition, the results also provide practical value to entrepreneurs in actively building relationship networking in the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Finally, the study proposed some implications for entrepreneurs, limitations, and further research.

An Optimizing Business Process: A Comprehensive Analysis of Amazon Inc.’s Information Architecture

This analysis studies Amazon Inc.’s information system design in detail using context, use cases, test cases, class, and sequence diagrams. Our research aims to improve business processes by better understanding the system’s interactions, functionality, and data structure. The representation of data structure and entity relationships in class diagrams provides insights into the system’s component organization. Sequence diagrams also provide a clear picture of the sequential interactions between system elements, showing potential bottlenecks and optimization opportunities. It provides unique insights into Amazon’s approaches to keeping a competitive edge in the e-commerce industry, and it may be used as a resource for firms looking to improve their own information systems and procedures.

Strategic Change in Family Firms: A Review From an Institutional Environment and Firm Size Perspective

Using a framework that intersects strategic management and institutional economics, we show how differences in institutional environments and firm resources influence different types of strategic change (i.e., internationalization, innovation, and diversification) in family firms. We review 193 quantitative and qualitative articles to identify differences in strategic change and their performance consequences among family firms and between family and nonfamily firms. We conclude that institutional environments and firm resources impact not only the extent family firms engage in different types of strategic change but also their performance and long-term survival.

Understanding employee branding capability and country-of-origin image impacts for internationalised firms

This article focuses on understanding the role of employee branding capability (EmpBCap) in leveraging country-of-origin image (COI) as a firm resource. Drawing from the resource-based theory and signalling theory, we identify that EmpBCap enhances COI as a country-specific advantage (COI-CSA). Three sets of data were gathered, with 1,060 observations of executives working within internationalised Portuguese and Brazilian firms. Using psychometric procedures and SEM, the findings show that EmpBCap capability is an antecedent of COI-CSA and exerts an indirect effect on firm performance. The article extends previous research on COI from the supplier perspective by addressing calls for COI management research and provides further knowledge on internal brand management

Contradiction or Consistency: The “Double-Edged Sword” Effect of Asset Specificity on Organizational Resilience

In a turbulent environment, organizational resilience is critical to a firm's survival and long-term development. Specific assets, as a strategic resource for firms seeking a competitive advantage, have a “double-edged sword” effect on organizational resilience. There is less literature on the relationship between asset specificity and organizational resilience, and their perspectives differ. On the one hand, as the firm's “nuclear resource,” specific assets have “unique competitiveness” and assist the firm in resisting competitors and disruption. Specific assets, on the other hand, are “high locking,” making them unsuitable for the volatile environment. Its impact on resilience is contradictory, and it merits further investigation. This article investigates the impact of diverse types of asset specificity on organizational resilience and analyzes data from 302 Chinese firms. The findings show that “hard” asset specificity has a negative impact on organizational resilience, whereas “soft” asset specificity has a positive impact. As a dynamic capability, strategic flexibility mediates between specific assets and organizational resilience. Furthermore, organizational memory has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between strategic flexibility and organizational resilience. While organizational memory is useful for daily decision-making, it is ineffective for developing organizational resilience in turbulent environments. The article provides strategies for firms to invest in specific assets for the sake of developing organizational resilience.

Competence Challenges and Strategies in Swedish Family SMEs – The Role of Industry Affiliation and Location

In recent decades, it has become increasingly difficult for rural firms to attract workers with specialised skills, and employment rates have decreased. A majority of rural firms are family SMEs. Family SMEs are, therefore, important contributors to employment in rural areas. In spite of this, little attention has been given to rural family SMEs in terms of competence management, geographical location and comparative industry affiliation. Thus, the aim of this qualitative multiple case study of two labour-intensive industries in Sweden is to explore how industry affiliation and geographical location affect competence management in rural family SMEs using the resource-based view. The findings show that irrespective of industry affiliation, rural family SMEs face similar competence challenges as a consequence of their rural setting, and the examined industries employ similar yet different strategies to moderate the negative effects of these competence challenges. Due to the scarcity of internal competencies, rural family SMEs rely on coopetition, local networks, and mutual industry-specific recruitment to make ends meet. The finding that rural family SMEs gain a competitive advantage by cooperating with competitors contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the resource-based view, where competitive firm resources are mainly managed internally in the firm.

The Influence Of Market Orientation, Product Innovation And Competitive Prices On Competitive Advantage And Marketing Performance Of Eco-Friendly Household Product Processing In The DKI Jakarta Area

More and more people are turning to environmentally friendly products and services in Indonesia. DKI Jakarta has a large population and demand for eco-friendly household products is increasing. Katadata Insight Center survey shows food is the most purchased environmentally friendly item. Research method is an approach used to obtain scientific data with a specific purpose. In the context of this study, this research is included in the category of quantitative research. Quantitative research is a type of research that uses statistical procedures or other measurement methods to achieve research findings or results. By using quantitative methods, we can obtain the significance of group differences or relationships between the variables under study. Researchers are interested in the influence of market orientation, innovation and competitive prices on eco-Friendly household products. Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage.

Corporate social responsibility performance and social reputation via corporate social responsibility awarding: is there a threshold effect?

PurposeThis study aims to examine the potential threshold effect in the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and social reputation.Design/methodology/approachThis study includes an international and cross-sector sample covering 41 countries, nine sectors and 45,395 firm-year observations. It applies a parabolic relationship, rather than linear regressions, between CSR engagement and social reputation via CSR awarding. This implies that CSR performance should increase until a certain point to gain a social reputation but then should decrease after reaching that threshold point considering limited financial resources.FindingsThe findings of country-industry-year fixed-effects logistic regressions confirm the threshold effect with an inverted U-shaped relationship between CSR and CSR awarding. More specifically, firms increase their environmental and social engagement until a certain point, and then they reduce it after reaching a social reputation. This finding is confirmed by three dimensions of the environmental pillar (i.e. resource use, emissions and eco-innovation) as well as four dimensions of the social pillar (i.e. workforce, human rights, community and product responsibility). The findings are robust to alternative samples, alternative methodology and endogeneity concerns.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study have implications for firms about the better allocation of available funds between CSR and operations. The findings could be particularly useful for CSR teams/committees of the firms who formulate CSR policies and how to mobilize firm resources for better social enhancement via environmental and social reputation.Originality/valueThis study examines deeper the nature of the association between CSR engagement and social reputation and considers the possibility of an inverted U-shaped relationship between them. The determination of a threshold effect suggests that CSR engagement increases social reputation, but once it reaches a certain point, social reputation will decrease owing to financial resource constraints.

Perspectives on dynamic capabilities and ambidexterity in born-global companies: Theoretical framing, review and research agenda

While research on born-global firms has been subject to broad review, little is known about their dynamic capabilities and the connection of these firms with ambidexterity. To fill this void, we critically examine the extant dynamic capabilities and ambidexterity in born-global firms research from 1996 to 2022. We systematically review 74 articles interconnected with the accumulated but fragmented knowledge on this theme and chart important shortcomings in the existing research. To focus future academic debate and discussion, we therefore propose an integrated conceptual framework that merges this dispersed body of literature, which comprises four core and interconnected themes – knowledge and internationalisation, entrepreneurial orientation, strategy and performance, web resources, and innovation, capabilities and ambidexterity. In doing so, we uncover the role played by dynamic capabilities and the importance of ambidexterity in the adoption, modification or reconfiguration of born-global firm resources. Our review also reveals future research paths hereby identified to support and guide academics and researchers seeking new fields of study and correspondingly demonstrates the need to deepen studies approaching the dynamic capabilities and ambidexterity in these companies.

Strategic transition

AbstractThere are few theories explaining how firms can persist through large‐scale changes. Extending Penrose's maxim that the firm can continue to grow or exist by exiting unprofitable markets and entering higher‐growth areas, we explicate a theory of how firm resources affect the success of this transformational phenomenon, which we call strategic transition. We propose that resource redeployability, relatedness of industries, and slack resources enable firms to transform themselves such that they operate in an entirely new domain. Furthermore, we point to the equifinality of strategic transition and produce a typology of the paths firms may take to achieve it.Key Points We extend Penrose's maxim that the firm can continue to grow or exist by exiting unprofitable markets and entering higher‐growth areas. We explicate a theory of how firm resources affect this transformational phenomenon, which we call strategic transition. We propose that resource redeployability, the relatedness between the old and new industry, and slack resources affect the ability of firms to transform themselves such that they operate in an entirely new domain. We also illustrate to the equifinality of strategic transition and produce a typology of the paths firms may take to achieve it.

Interactive effects of organizational resources on sustainable product design practices: a resource orchestration perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the interactive effects of a firm’s strategic sustainability orientation (SSO) and customer relationship capital (CRC) on sustainable product design practices (SPDP).Design/methodology/approachThe authors examine the interactive effects of two firm resources, namely, SSO and CRC, as they relate to SPDP, using survey data from 132 manufacturers in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings show that the effect of SSO on SPDP is stronger when CRC is low, than otherwise. The authors also find that the interactive effects of the firm-level resources stated above are stronger when customer pressures (CPs) are higher than when they are low.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors contribute to the literature by studying the effects of firm-level strategic resources and their interactions as they relate to SPDP. An important limitation of this research is the usage of single-source data and single-period data.Practical implicationsManagerially, this research provides new insights into how organizations should respond to CPs while understanding the counterintuitive but disabling effects of customer relationship assets.Social implicationsThe findings are important to society because most of the environmental impact arising from the production, consumption and disposal of products is a direct consequence of decisions made at the product design stage and an unintended consequence of the marketing decision-making processes that underlie marketing strategy formulation that fails to recognize ecosystems impact as a standard decision influence.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to study the effects of firm-level strategic resources and their interactions as they relate to SPDP.

The influence of internal factors on micro and small enterprises performance: evidence from Tanzanian agri-food processors

Abstract Building upon resource-based view (RBV) theory, this cross-sectional study employed binary logistic regression to examine the influence of firm-level factors on the performance of 435 Tanzanian micro and small agri-food processing firms. The results of the study show that intangible resources, age (enterprise, manager), and management practices (target setting, working capital management, and performance monitoring) have a significant influence on firm performance. Firm size, tangible resources, and managers’ education level were not significant predictors of firm performance. The findings confirmed the RBV argument that intangible resources contribute more to the variation in firm performance compared to tangible resources. This study adds to the limited research on the combined effect of firm-specific characteristics, firm resources, managerial characteristics, and selected management practices on the performance of micro and small firms in emerging economies. The findings will help managers to identify success factors that are significant for better performance and will support policymakers to design strategies that can effectively contribute to the development of micro and small enterprises in the agri-food subsector.

Human Resources Perspective: Audit Fee, Internal Control, and Audit Materiality Affect Auditor Switching

Auditor switching is a topic that has garnered significant attention from researchers in the field of accounting and auditing. Auditor Switching has important implications for audit quality and auditor independence. Auditor switching is often considered a strategy or approach used by companies to promote transparency, independence, and accountability in financial reports. Hence, this study aims to analyze factors that influence auditor switching such as audit fees, internal controls, and audit materiality. 175 in-person surveys were conducted with public accounting firm auditors from Jakarta Region, Indonesia. The study revealed that auditors related to auditor switching and indicated that audit fees, internal control, and audit materiality have a significant influence on auditors switching. Auditor switching seen from the perspective of human resources has a significant impact on the human resources of public accounting firms. The ability of public accounting firms to recruit and retain talented professionals, and public accounting firms need to attract and retain skilled auditors to provide quality services to their clients. Public accounting firms invest significant resources in training and developing their auditors to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

Orchestrating resources with suppliers for product innovation

AbstractHow orchestrating external, supplier‐provided resources affects product innovation is an important question. While product innovation is essential to achieve a competitive advantage, it is costly as it requires significant investments. It thus puts a severe strain on firm resources, which is particularly critical for resource‐scarce small–medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, these firms must combine their own resources with those of external parties, particularly suppliers, to enhance their product innovation. However, knowledge about how orchestrating these resources affects product innovation is limited, because empirical studies on resource orchestration have largely focused on firm‐internal resources; furthermore, there is ambiguity regarding the extent to which drawing on external resources is beneficial. In addition, the conditions that affect the resource orchestration–product innovation relationship remain unexplored. Therefore, we focus on supplier logistics integration (SLI), an important resource orchestration action referring to the orchestration of external, supplier‐provided resources; we draw on the resource orchestration framework and the related work on organizational rigidity to theorize that there is an inverted U‐shaped relationship between SLI and product innovation. Additionally, we suggest that learning orientation and environmental dynamism mitigate rigidities associated with high levels of SLI and thus facilitate the translation of SLI into product innovation. Testing our hypotheses with data from Swedish SMEs supports our theorizing and provides important contributions. Most importantly, we extend the resource orchestration framework to include the focus on external, supplier‐provided resources, thereby advancing our knowledge and understanding of resource orchestration for product innovation in SMEs.