Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Baft Higher Education Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of accounting, Baft Higher Education Center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
3 PhD in Business Management, Department of Business Management, Baft Higher Education Complex, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
Abstract
Purpose: In the current business environment, social capital improves cross-border knowledge search, increases knowledge absorption capacity, and these three variables can play an essential role in innovative performance. The aim of the current research is to investigate the effect of social capital on innovative performance with regard to the mediating role of cross-border knowledge search and knowledge absorption capacity in SMEs.
Methodlogy: The research is applied in terms of purpose and survey method. The statistical population of the research is 460 SMEs in Kerman province, of which 210 companies were selected as a statistical sample based on Morgan's table. Finally, 420 questionnaires were distributed among managers and vice presidents of companies. Data were analyzed with SPSS 26 and SmartPLS 3 software.
Findlings: Structural, communicative and cognitive social capitals affect the innovative performance of companies. Social capital has an effect on innovative performance due to the mediating role of cross-border technical knowledge search and cross-border market knowledge search. Social capital has an effect on innovative performance due to the mediating role of knowledge absorption capacity.
Conclusion: SMEs consider innovative performance very important in order to survive in a competitive environment. Therefore, it is necessary to use social capital, search for cross-border knowledge and the capacity to absorb knowledge to improve innovative performance and develop new products and remain in the market of these companies.
Keywords
- Social capital
- innovative performance
- cross-border knowledge search
- knowledge absorption capacity
- SMEs of Kerman province
Main Subjects
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