Surviving an economic downturn: Dynamic capabilities of SMEs
Article
Article Title | Surviving an economic downturn: Dynamic capabilities of SMEs |
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ERA Journal ID | 36355 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Weaven, Scott, Quach, Sara, Thaichon, Park, Frazer, Lorelle, Billot, Ken and Grace, Debra |
Journal Title | Journal of Business Research |
Journal Citation | 128, pp. 109-123 |
Number of Pages | 15 |
Year | May 2021 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0148-2963 |
1873-7978 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.02.009 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296321000862 |
Abstract | This study examines dynamic capabilities contributing to SME survival and growth during an economic downturn. Adopting a qualitative approach using the collective, instrumental case-based method, we conducted forty interviews with both successful and unsuccessful franchisees and independent SMEs, business and franchising experts, and franchisors in Australia. A framework of SMEs’ success was developed. Under survival mechanisms, it confirms the importance of business owner characteristics and firm resources. Three dimensions of dynamic capabilities are sensing (business assessment and information acquisition), seizing (product portfolio decisions, and investment in technologies and human resources) and reconfiguring (innovation, decentralization and knowledge management). It was found that performative routine aspects were more dominant, demonstrating the flexibility and context-dependence in the deployment of dynamic capabilities among SMEs. The research fills a gap in the entrepreneurship literature by investigating SMEs’ dynamic capabilities in a turbulent market with a special focus on unravelling salient ostensive and performative routine aspects. |
Keywords | SMEs; Survival; Dynamic capabilities; Franchisees; Independent businesses; Economic downturn; Resources |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 350605. Marketing management (incl. strategy and customer relations) |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Griffith University |
School of Business | |
University of the Sunshine Coast |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/xx0y2/surviving-an-economic-downturn-dynamic-capabilities-of-smes
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