IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i9p2510-d227155.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Bridging Intellectual Capital and SMEs Internationalization through the Lens of Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu

    (Faculty of Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 012104 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Elena-Alexandra Gorgos

    (Center for Research in Management, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 012104 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Alexandru Mihai Ghigiu

    (The Department of International Relations and European Integration, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, 012104 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Monica Pătruț

    (Faculty of Letters, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, 600114 Bacău, Romania)

Abstract

The aim of the current paper is advance a comprehensive framework meant to bridge three major concepts, namely intellectual capital (IC), the internationalization process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. The paper stresses upon a managerial perspective within the internationalization context, investigating the human, structural and relational capital apposite to managers or entrepreneurs. By directly addressing the relationships among the constructs, the endeavor is complementary to previous systematic reviews on similar topics which tangentially discuss the conceptual triad and thus proposes an integrative research agenda for future interdisciplinary studies straddling the fields of management, business, entrepreneurship and sustainability. In terms of methodology, a systematic literature review was envisaged, by applying a stepwise approach and multifold criteria. Over 100 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals were scrutinized and considered in the analysis. The literature review revealed that conceptual papers in the field are scarce despite the variety of their aims and approaches. The quantitative-based empirical studies prevail over the qualitative ones, while mixed methods research designs are scant. In terms of content, the extant studies fall short to advance research and structural models testing and assessing the specific relations among constructs and avail new research avenues focused on the underlying processes of SMEs internationalization by means of intellectual capital harnessing and sustainable competitive advantage achievement.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Elena-Alexandra Gorgos & Alexandru Mihai Ghigiu & Monica Pătruț, 2019. "Bridging Intellectual Capital and SMEs Internationalization through the Lens of Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2510-:d:227155
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2510/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2510/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martina Musteen & Deepak K. Datta & Marcus M. Butts, 2014. "Do International Networks and Foreign Market Knowledge Facilitate SME Internationalization? Evidence from the Czech Republic," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(4), pages 749-774, July.
    2. Gilberto Antonelli & Roberto Antonietti & Giovanni Guidetti, 2010. "Organizational Change, Skill Formation, Human Capital Measurement: Evidence From Italian Manufacturing Firms," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 206-247, April.
    3. Yli-Renko, H. & Autio, E. & Tontti, V., 2002. "Social capital, knowledge, and the international growth of technology-based new firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 279-304, June.
    4. Jian Xu & Binghan Wang, 2018. "Intellectual Capital, Financial Performance and Companies’ Sustainable Growth: Evidence from the Korean Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Nowinski, Witold & Rialp, Alex, 2013. "Drivers and strategies of international new ventures from a Central European transition economy," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 18(2), pages 191-231.
    6. Evert Meijers & Martijn Burger & Masahisa Fujita & Nobuaki Hamaguchi, 2016. "Supply chain internationalization in East Asia: Inclusiveness and risks," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(1), pages 81-100, March.
    7. Busayo Ajayi, 2016. "The Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Networking Capabilities on the Export Performance of Nigerian Agricultural SMEs," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 2(1), pages 1-23, January.
    8. Giorgia Giovannetti & Enrico Marvasi & Marco Sanfilippo, 2013. "Supply Chains and the Internalization of SMEs: Evidence from Italy," Working Papers - Economics wp2013_30.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    9. Sami Basly, 2007. "The internationalization of family SME," Post-Print hal-00465863, HAL.
    10. Pacheco, Luís, 2016. "Capital structure and internationalization: The case of Portuguese industrial SMEs," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 531-545.
    11. Daniele Cerrato & Mariacristina Piva, 2012. "The internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises: the effect of family management, human capital and foreign ownership," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 16(4), pages 617-644, November.
    12. Gittins, Tim & Fink, Matthias, 2015. "Return migration, informal learning, human capital development and SME internationalization in the CEE region: A systematic literature review," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 20(3), pages 279-303.
    13. Jan Henrik Gruenhagen & Sukanlaya Sawang & Scott R. Gordon & Per Davidsson, 2018. "International experience, growth aspirations, and the internationalisation of new ventures," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 421-440, September.
    14. Abu Ayob & Shamshubaridah Ramlee & Aisyah Abdul Rahman, 2015. "Financial factors and export behavior of small and medium-sized enterprises in an emerging economy," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 49-66, March.
    15. Keith D. Brouthers & George Nakos & Pavlos Dimitratos, 2015. "SME Entrepreneurial Orientation, International Performance, and the Moderating Role of Strategic Alliances," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(5), pages 1161-1187, September.
    16. Suzana Braga Rodrigues & John Child, 2012. "Building social capital for internationalization," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 16(1), pages 23-38.
    17. Lianxi Zhou & Wei-ping Wu & Xueming Luo, 2007. "Internationalization and the performance of born-global SMEs: the mediating role of social networks," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(4), pages 673-690, July.
    18. García-García, Raquel & García-Canal, Esteban & Guillén, Mauro F., 2017. "Rapid internationalization and long-term performance: The knowledge link," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 97-110.
    19. Doornich, June Borge, 2018. "Managerial learning from social capital during internationalization," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 877-892.
    20. Vlatka Bilas & Sanja Franc & Iskra Kvaternjak, 2013. "Internationalization Of Micro And Small Enterprises In The Information Technology Industry Of The Republic Of Croatia," Economic Review: Journal of Economics and Business, University of Tuzla, Faculty of Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 45-59.
    21. D’Angelo, Alfredo & Majocchi, Antonio & Buck, Trevor, 2016. "External managers, family ownership and the scope of SME internationalization," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 534-547.
    22. Thomas Thurner & Mikhail Gershman & Vitaly Roud, 2015. "Partnerships as internationalization strategy: Russian entrepreneurs between local restrictions and global opportunities," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 118-137, June.
    23. Oparaocha, Gospel Onyema, 2015. "SMEs and international entrepreneurship: An institutional network perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 861-873.
    24. Pérez-López, M. Carmen & Gómez-Miranda, M. Elena & Argente-Linares, Eva & López-Sánchez, Lina, 2018. "The internationalisation of Spanish family firms through business groups: Factors affecting the profitability, and the moderating effect of the family nature of the Spanish business," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 82-90.
    25. Solano Acosta, Alexandra & Herrero Crespo, Ángel & Collado Agudo, Jesús, 2018. "Effect of market orientation, network capability and entrepreneurial orientation on international performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 1128-1140.
    26. Sui Sui & Matthias Baum, 2014. "Internationalization strategy, firm resources and the survival of SMEs in the export market," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(7), pages 821-841, September.
    27. Youn Kue Na & Sungmin Kang & Hye Yeon Jeong, 2019. "The Effect of Market Orientation on Performance of Sharing Economy Business: Focusing on Marketing Innovation and Sustainable Competitive Advantage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, January.
    28. Kai Li & Jason Rollins & Erjia Yan, 2018. "Web of Science use in published research and review papers 1997–2017: a selective, dynamic, cross-domain, content-based analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(1), pages 1-20, April.
    29. Antonino Galati & Maria Crescimanno & Matteo Rossi & Domenico Farruggia & Salvatore Tinervia, 2014. "The determinants affecting the internationalisation of the Italian SMEs producing sparkling wines: an empirical study on the RBV of the firms," International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(2), pages 100-118.
    30. Jonas Gabrielsson & Henrik Winlund, 2000. "Boards of directors in small and medium-sized industrial firms: examining the effects of the board's working style on board task performance," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(4), pages 311-330, October.
    31. Gittins, Tim & Fink, Matthias, 2015. "Return migration, informal learning, human capital development and SME internationalization in the CEE region: A systematic literature review," Journal of East European Management Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 20(3), pages 279-303.
    32. Cano-Rubio, Myriam & Fuentes-Lombardo, Guadalupe & Vallejo-Martos, Manuel Carlos, 2017. "Influence Of The Lack Of A Standard Definition Of “Family Business” On Research Into Their International Strategies," European Research on Management and Business Economics (ERMBE), Academia Europea de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa (AEDEM), vol. 23(3), pages 132-146.
    33. Nordman, Emilia Rovira & Tolstoy, Daniel, 2014. "Does relationship psychic distance matter for the learning processes of internationalizing SMEs?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 30-37.
    34. Qianwei Ying & Hazrat Hassan & Habib Ahmad, 2019. "The Role of a Manager’s Intangible Capabilities in Resource Acquisition and Sustainable Competitive Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    35. Dimitratos, Pavlos & Johnson, Jeffrey E. & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella & Young, Stephen, 2016. "SME internationalization: How does the opportunity-based international entrepreneurial culture matter?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(6), pages 1211-1222.
    36. Andrea Calabrò & Donata Mussolino, 2013. "How do boards of directors contribute to family SME export intensity? The role of formal and informal governance mechanisms," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 17(2), pages 363-403, May.
    37. Jardon, Carlos & Molodchik, Mariia, 2017. "What types of intangible resources are important for emerging market firms when going international?," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 22(4), pages 579-595.
    38. Zucchella, Antonella & Palamara, G. & Denicolai, S., 2007. "The drivers of the early internationalization of the firm," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 268-280, September.
    39. Hsu, Wen-Tsung & Chen, Hsiang-Lan & Cheng, Chia-Yi, 2013. "Internationalization and firm performance of SMEs: The moderating effects of CEO attributes," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 1-12.
    40. Al-Laham, Andreas & Souitaris, Vangelis, 2008. "Network embeddedness and new-venture internationalization: Analyzing international linkages in the German biotech industry," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 567-586, September.
    41. Louis Raymond & Josée St-Pierre & Sylvestre Uwizeyemungu & Thang Dinh, 2014. "Internationalization capabilities of SMEs: A comparative study of the manufacturing and industrial service sectors," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 230-253, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jerdea Loredana, 2023. "A Bibliometric Analysis of four Constructs Interconnections: Innovation, Competitive Advantage, Agility and Performance," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 1213-1226, July.
    2. Sultan Alaswad Alenazi & Tawfeeq Mohammed Alanazi, 2023. "The Mediating Role of Sustainable Dynamic Capabilities in the Effect of Social Customer Relationship Management on Sustainable Competitive Advantage: A Study on SMEs in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Thich Nguyen & Chi Huu Lu, 2024. "Financial intermediation in banks and the key role of intellectual capital: new analysis from an emerging market," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(2), pages 508-522, June.
    4. María del Pilar Casado-Belmonte & María de las Mercedes Capobianco-Uriarte & Rubén Martínez-Alonso & María J. Martínez-Romero, 2021. "Delineating the Path of Family Firm Innovation: Mapping the Scientific Structure," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2455-2499, November.
    5. Bratianu Constantin, 2020. "Toward understanding the complexity of the COVID-19 crisis: a grounded theory approach," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 15(s1), pages 410-423, October.
    6. Florina Pînzaru & Paul Dobrescu & Alexandra Vițelar & Ion Moldoveanu & Adina Săniuță, 2023. "Linking Sustainability-Driven Factors and Online Knowledge Sharing in Business: A PLS-SEM Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Aleksandra Kuzior & Olena Arefieva & Alona Kovalchuk & Paulina Brożek & Volodymyr Tytykalo, 2022. "Strategic Guidelines for the Intellectualization of Human Capital in the Context of Innovative Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-17, September.
    8. Elena Dinu & Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Roxana-Maria Stăneiu & Mihaela Rusu, 2023. "An Exploratory Study Linking Intellectual Capital and Technology Management towards Innovative Performance in KIBS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, January.
    9. Cristian-Mihai Vidu & Florina Pinzaru & Andreea Mitan, 2022. "What managers of SMEs in the CEE region should know about challenges of artificial intelligence’s adoption? – an introductive discussion," Nowoczesne Systemy Zarządzania. Modern Management Systems, Military University of Technology, Faculty of Security, Logistics and Management, Institute of Organization and Management, issue 1, pages 63-76.
    10. Monica Violeta Achim & Alexandra Ioana Daniela Rus & Nawazish Mirza, 2024. "How does intellectual capital spur innovation in economy? A cross-country survey," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 3125-3154, December.
    11. Elena-Mădălina Vătămănescu & Andreea Mitan & Paul Claudiu Cotîrleț & Andreia Gabriela Andrei, 2022. "Exploring the Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing between Informal Business Networks and Organizational Performance: An Insight into SMEs Internationalization in CEE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, March.
    12. Andrei Andreia Gabriela & Dincă Violeta-Mihaela & Mitan Andreea & Vătămănescu Elena-Mădălina, 2021. "Connecting the Dots: Exploring the Knowledge-based Antecedents of SMEs’ Profitability and Development via International Ventures," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 16(3), pages 167-186, September.
    13. Mostafa A. Ali & Nazimah Hussin & Hossam Haddad & Dina Alkhodary & Ahmad Marei, 2021. "Dynamic Capabilities and Their Impact on Intellectual Capital and Innovation Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-32, September.
    14. Monika Barak & Rakesh Kumar Sharma, 2023. "Investigating the Impact of Intellectual Capital on the Sustainable Financial Performance of Private Sector Banks in India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, January.
    15. Mihaela Curea & Marilena Mironiuc & Maria Carmen Huian, 2022. "Intangibles, Firm Performance, and CEO Characteristics: Spotlight on the EU Electricity and Gas Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    16. Mostafa A. Ali & Nazimah Hussin & Hossam Haddad & Reem Al-Araj & Ibtihal A. Abed, 2021. "Intellectual Capital and Innovation Performance: Systematic Literature Review," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.

    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. Stephanie E. Mansion & Andreas Bausch, 2020. "Intangible assets and SMEs’ export behavior: a meta-analytical perspective," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 727-760, October.
    2. Rubina Romanello & Maria Chiarvesio, 2019. "Early internationalizing firms: 2004–2018," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 172-219, June.
    3. Morais, Flávio & Ferreira, João J., 2020. "SME internationalisation process: Key issues and contributions, existing gaps and the future research agenda," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 62-77.
    4. D’Angelo, Alfredo & Buck, Trevor, 2019. "The earliness of exporting and creeping sclerosis? The moderating effects of firm age, size and centralization," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 428-437.
    5. Vivian Peuker Sardon Steinhäuser & Fábio de Oliveira Paula & Teresia Diana Lewe van Aduard Macedo-Soares, 2021. "Internationalization of SMEs: a systematic review of 20 years of research," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 164-195, June.
    6. Casprini, Elena & Dabic, Marina & Kotlar, Josip & Pucci, Tommaso, 2020. "A bibliometric analysis of family firm internationalization research: Current themes, theoretical roots, and ways forward," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    7. Rimante Sedziniauskiene & Jurgita Sekliuckiene & Antonella Zucchella, 2019. "Networks’ Impact on the Entrepreneurial Internationalization: A Literature Review and Research Agenda," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 59(5), pages 779-823, October.
    8. Jean-François Hennart & Antonio Majocchi & Birgit Hagen, 2021. "What’s so special about born globals, their entrepreneurs or their business model?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(9), pages 1665-1694, December.
    9. Child, John & Hsieh, Linda & Elbanna, Said & Karmowska, Joanna & Marinova, Svetla & Puthusserry, Pushyarag & Tsai, Terence & Narooz, Rose & Zhang, Yunlu, 2017. "SME international business models: The role of context and experience," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(5), pages 664-679.
    10. Dzikowski, Piotr, 2018. "A bibliometric analysis of born global firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 281-294.
    11. Farhad Uddin Ahmed & Louis Brennan, 2019. "The impact of Founder’s human capital on firms’ extent of early internationalisation: Evidence from a least-developed country," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 615-659, September.
    12. Presutti, Manuela & Boari, Cristina & Fratocchi, Luciano, 2016. "The evolution of inter-organisational social capital with foreign customers: Its direct and interactive effects on SMEs’ foreign performance," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(5), pages 760-773.
    13. Do, Hoa & Nguyen, Bach & Shipton, Helen, 2023. "Innovation and internationalization in an emerging market context: Moderating effects of interpersonal and organizational social networks," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(2).
    14. Zahoor, Nadia & Al-Tabbaa, Omar, 2021. "Post-entry internationalization speed of SMEs: The role of relational mechanisms and foreign market knowledge," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    15. Jones, Marian V. & Coviello, Nicole & Tang, Yee Kwan, 2011. "International Entrepreneurship research (1989–2009): A domain ontology and thematic analysis," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 632-659.
    16. Tajeddin, Mahdi & Farashahi, Mehdi & Moghaddam, Kaveh & Simba, Amon & Edwards, Gwyneth, 2023. "Internationalization of Emerging Economy SMEs: A Tripod Approach," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(1).
    17. Alayo, Mikel & Maseda, Amaia & Iturralde, Txomin & Arzubiaga, Unai, 2019. "Internationalization and entrepreneurial orientation of family SMEs: The influence of the family character," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 48-59.
    18. Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Sciascia, Salvatore & Naldi, Lucia & Mazzola, Pietro, 2019. "Family CEO and board service: Turning the tide for export scope in family SMEs," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.
    19. Stoian, Maria-Cristina & Dimitratos, Pavlos & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella, 2018. "SME internationalization beyond exporting: A knowledge-based perspective across managers and advisers," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(5), pages 768-779.
    20. Kano, Hirokazu, 2023. "Early internationalization and subsequent geographic expansion: An extended Penrosean perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).

    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:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:9:p:2510-:d:227155. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.