Camilo J. Vázquez

Typology and strategic analysis of intangible resources A resource-based approach

Abstract This work focuses on the contribution of intangible resources towards the competitive success of the firm. First, four categories of intangible resources are classified and studied: human capital, organisational capital, relational capital and technological capital. Then, those properties that explain their strategic value are analysed in detail.

Analysis of manufacturing strategy as an explanatory factor of competitiveness in the large Spanish industrial firm

Abstract This work focuses on analysing the growing importance of manufacturing strategies for the competitiveness of firms. It is considered that the emphasis on certain manufacturing competitive priorities (or capabilities) and decisions or practices (on the key decision areas) and their internal coherence can be the base for achieving sustainable or lasting advantages over competitors, thus originating superior business performance. The aim of this research work is to analyse whether or not there exists a correlation between the manufacturing strategy and the competitive success or business performance of a sample of large Spanish industrial firms. The database used is mainly made up of the information from a mail survey, aimed at the industrial firms set up in Spain which in 1994 (study reference date) employed over 200 workers. The results obtained, with the proposed methodology, reveal that it is not possible to identify a direct relationship between the manufacturing strategy and business performance of the sample of firms analysed. In this sense, the chosen manufacturing strategy, that is to say, the emphasis on certain manufacturing competitive priorities and decision areas (or practices) and their coherence, does not enable us to distinguish between best and worst performers, and so does not allow us to explain the level of competitiveness of the sample of large Spanish industrial firms analysed in this work.

ISO 9000 certification and quality management in Spain: results of a national survey

The increasing demand of mechanisms making easier the choice of a provider, both in the domestic and global markets, has contributed to ISO 9000 certification possession becoming a requisite for the development of commercial relations. The present article is based upon the results of an empirical research in which the effectiveness and reach of ISO 9000 certification is studied at a multi‐sector level in Spain. Mail surveys were carried out on 3,864 certificated organizations, and 749 (19.4 per cent) responded. Results indicated that certification helps in terms of being a management tool, a source of competitive advantages and its potential to stimulate the company transition towards total quality management.

Linking Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management: Evidence from Spanish Smes

The relationship between degree of corporate entrepreneurship and strategic management is considered. Examined the impact on entrepreneurial behavior and intensity of five management practices: analysis, flexibility, horizon of planning, locus of planning within the firm, and control systems (strategic controls and financial controls). Also considers relationship of competitive strategy (cost leadership, marketing differentiation, and innovative differentiation). The empirical data is based on a survey of 233 Spanish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial sector. The data analysis indicates that a firms entrepreneurial intensity is positively correlated with innovation-based differentiation, analysis, flexibility, locus of planning, horizon, and strategic controls. Competitive strategy had a greater impact as compared to strategic practices; those firms competing by means of innovation-based differentiation were more entrepreneurial. The results suggest that entrepreneurial firms should institutionalize flexibility in their planning systems and allow a high level of employee involvement in planning. Control systems should reward creativity and opportunity through creativity. Differentiation is a better competitive strategy than cost leadership. (TNM)

Influence of ISO 9000 certification on the progress of Spanish industry towards TQM

ISO 9000 certification adds to the fact of being a management tool, source of competitive advantages, its potential to stimulate the advance of industry towards TQM. Many studies have been published that seem to confirm this, but a close review of available publications has allowed us to detect the absence of such an investigation in Spain. That is why an empirical work has been planned, its main goal being to analyse how relevant certification may be in the progress of Spanish companies towards TQM. Mail surveys were carried out on 3,864 certified organizations; 749 (19.4 per cent) responded. The answers of participating companies reflect that although certification leads to a basic quality level, it is also true that it generates a degree of steadiness and a constant demands for updatinh and adaptation of the system it is based on, transforming it into a perfect foundation for more advanced quality practices.

Characteristics of Managers as Determinants of Entrepreneurial Orientation: Some Spanish Evidence

Despite extensive research in recent years, very little is known to date about the features which account for the entrepreneurial orientation in the firm, although previous studies have shown that managers exhibiting entrepreneurial orientation can be distinguished from other managers in their objectives. This work, on a sample of 233 firms, studies the relationship between the psychological characteristics of the manager of a SME and its entrepreneurial orientation. In particular, the following characteristics are analysed: locus of control, need for achievement and tolerance of ambiguity. The results indicate that the most entrepreneurial firms are managed by individuals with a greater locus of control, a higher need for achievement and a greater tolerance of ambiguity.

Psychological characteristics and process: the role of entrepreneurship in Spanish SMEs

This research work uses data from 233 Spanish SMEs in order to test three alternative models regarding how psychological characteristics and strategic process affect organisational success: first, the individual model according to which the manager’s psychological characteristics entirely account for company performance; second, the process model, whereby strategic process directly contributes towards explaining organisational success; and third, the mediating model where the manager’s characteristics affect company success through their influence on strategic process. From the study it is concluded that the manager’s traits indirectly affect success through process and that this process has a direct influence on success, although we also observed the direct influence of manager’s characteristics on company success.

The Effect of the Organizational Context on SME's Entrepreneurship: Some Spanish Evidence

The research reported in this article examines the influence of the organizational context of firm on their entrepreneurship. Specifically, this study examines how the organizational context variables of age, size, resources and competitive strategy affect entrepreneurship and in particular, innovation, proactiveness and risk-taking. Results from a sample of 233 firms showed, as hypothesized, the significant influence of resources and competitive strategy on entrepreneurship. However, size and age were not significant.

Environmental managers and departments as driving forces of TQEM in Spanish industrial companies

The integration of environmental responsibility in the organisational structure of companies means granting an increasing relevance to this area. They have a manager in charge of the area or a department dedicated exclusively to it, which should redound to the achievement of increasingly higher effectiveness of the environmental programs. The objective of this paper is to judge the level of development of environmental management systems and their relation to the importance companies attach to the environmental area in their organisational chart. We show that as companies advance in their environmental behaviour they attach more importance to this area in their organisational structure.

Government support for R&D: The Spanish case

Abstract The aim of this study is to identify managerial and sectorial characteristics which determine the range of government support received by Spanish industrial companies for their R&D activities. A multiple regression model is suggested in order to analyse the dependence of government support for Spanish industrial companies in relation to a group of variables which are characteristic of the companies and the sectors where they compete. The results of the study show us that sectorial differences are minimal as regards the importance of government support already mentioned. Therefore, the rate of foreign capital and firm size influence the dependent variable, although not significantly. The research effort is the only dependent variable which shows a significant correlation with government support received by companies for these activities