Abstract
In the era of digitalisation, agility is considered a crucial factor for the successful operations of small and medium businesses in the intricate international markets. That is, this research aims to explore and evaluate the drivers that foster agility in international high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In this regard, building on dynamic capabilities, a total of nine capabilities have been identified that assist high-tech SMEs to become agile in their cross-border activities. Taking advantage of an expert-based method, we relied on Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach to synthesise the opinion of six Italian international entrepreneurs (experts). In doing so, Grey DEcision-MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (G-DEMATEL) method has been employed to investigate the cause-effect relationship between capabilities and propose conceptual frameworks for agility in international high-tech SMEs. This is followed by the DEMATEL based Analytical Network Process (DANP) to assess the importance and ranking of explored factors. Consequently, the research proposes several theoretical and practical contributions.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 121272 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Technological Forecasting and Social Change |
Volume | 174 |
Early online date | 13 Oct 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords
- Agility
- DANP
- Dynamic capabilities
- Entrepreneurial internationalisation
- G-DEMATEL
- High-tech SMEs
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business and International Management
- Applied Psychology
- Management of Technology and Innovation