Mitja Ruzzier

SME internationalization research: past, present, and future

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the similarities and differences in the internationalization of SMEs and MNEs and the specific factors affecting them.Design/methodology/approach – The relevant literature was reviewed particularly in the context of the major theories of internationalization.Findings – The positive and negative aspects of each theoretical approach to internationalization are present to form the basis of a new model of international entrepreneurship.Research limitations/implications – The newly developed conceptual model has not been empirically tested.Originality/value – A redeveloped theoretical integrative conceptual model of international entrepreneurship is proposed based on four internationalization properties (mode, market, product, and time), internationalization performance, and key antecedents and consequences of the internationalization process.

The internationalization of SMEs: developing and testing a multi-dimensional measure on Slovenian firms

The internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is explored by focusing on a clarification of the internationalization construct. A set of hypotheses is conceptually developed, including the main dimensions of internationalization (operation mode, market, product, time and performance). The proposed multi-dimensional internationalization construct is empirically tested.Questionnaire data were collected from a sample of 161 Slovenian SMEs. Scales were tested for reliability and validity. Key data analysis (confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modelling) was conducted using the EQS structural equation modelling software.The multi-dimensionality of the developed SME internationalization construct is confirmed. The findings support the proposed SME internationalization hypotheses for the product, time and performance dimensions in full, and the operation mode and market dimensions in part. The proposed internationalization construct can be considered to be a valid measure of the internationalization of SMEs by capturing their multi-dimensionality.The new construct advanced in this study is richer than previous research and offers a relatively complete picture that can be used as a research framework in future examinations of internationalization. The developed internationalization construct advances SME internationalization theory and is informative for practitioners in developing SME internationalization programmes.

Strategic utilization of entrepreneur's resource-based social capital and small firm growth

An entrepreneurs social capital can be important for their firms growth. The creation of a network can be largely determined by strategy. This study makes a contribution by developing and testing a model of the firm growth driven by the entrepreneurs social capital that considers the entrepreneurs resource acquisition network ties. In the model a controversial combination of strong and weak tie arguments is proposed. Regression analysis was conducted using structured-questionnaire survey data from small firm entrepreneurs in Slovenia. The findings suggest that firm growth can be influenced by strategic utilization of the entrepreneurs resource-based social capital. In particular, resource network intensity can have a positive influence on firm growth, whereas the central resource ‘network person friendship’ can be negatively related to firm growth.

Developing and testing a multi‐dimensional knowledge management model on Slovenian SMEs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use a structural equation modelling technique to verify a theoretically proposed model of knowledge management (KM).Design/methodology/approach – Existing studies on KM were reviewed and their limitations were identified. Mailed structured questionnaire data for this study were collected from small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovenia (168 usable responses). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with structural equation modelling was used to estimate the model.Findings – The hypothesis on the multidimensionality of KM model were mainly supported.Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to Slovenian SMEs, but can be generalised to other regions. The study offers important contributions for research (KM construct) and for practice (improvements in SME KM).Practical implications – KM can have beneficial effects on the firms growth and profitability. The findings can be used to guide entrepreneur in efficient management of different...

Drivers of and barriers to eco-innovation: a case study

This study seeks to elucidate the drivers of and barriers to eco-innovation deployment. In order to obtain greater insight into the motives for and hindrances to eco-innovation deployment, we employ a case study approach, based on interviews of five Slovenian companies active in eco-innovation. The main insights of this study are threefold. First, companies seem to be influenced by both internal and external drivers in implementing eco-innovation. Among the internal drivers, the most emphasis has been placed on environmental concerns and cost reduction, while the most important external drivers are customer pressure, competition and regulatory pressure. Second, barriers to eco-innovation also derive from external and internal pressures. Costs (upfront investment for eco-innovation implementation) prevail within the internal barriers, while legislation seems to be the most commonly experienced external barrier. Finally, the outcomes of eco-innovation that companies most often expect are reduction in costs and compliance with legislation, which is coherent with reported outcomes.

Is innovation really a determinant of internationalisation? The case of Slovenian internationalised companies

Based on a sample of 108 Slovenian companies, from the 1,000 most internationalised ones, we strived to explore the relationship between two strategic directions - innovation and internationalisation. The relationships between factor of innovation and the dependent variables of internationalisation (scale and scope) have been tested with regression analysis. The results have confirmed that models consisting of innovation and internationalisation scope (as a dependent variable) are statistically significant and can be supported, while models dealing with the relationship between the innovation factor and internationalisation scale as a dependent variable cannot be supported. Therefore, the results lead us to the conclusion that innovations are determinants of internationalisation scope of the Slovenian most internationalised companies, but do not determine the extent of their international activities.

Drivers of eco-innovation: empirical evidence from Slovenia

This paper uses a regression analysis to explore the determinants of eco-innovation, based on a sample of 80 Slovenian companies. The findings of this study are two-fold. First, the determinants of eco-innovation vary depending on the type of eco-innovation (product, process or organisational). The results reveal that customer demand and competitive pressure drive product eco-innovation, while managerial environmental concern, competitive intensity and competitive pressure spur process eco-innovation, and only competitive pressure exerted effect on organisational eco-innovation. Second, the findings indicate that competitive pressure is a common driver of all three eco-innovation types (product, process and organisational). Therefore, the results lead to the conclusion that different factors spur different eco-innovation types, while competitive pressure works as a common driver of all three eco-innovation types. Based on the results, we can infer that implementation of eco-innovations is becoming a relevant strategy for companies to establish a green image and pursue sustainability in this intense competitive environment.

Analyzing the Process of Patent Submission with a Special Emphasis on the Phases of the Research Process – the Case of Slovenia

Analyzing the Process of Patent Submission with a Special Emphasis on the Phases of the Research Process - the Case of Slovenia This article presents some findings about the process of patenting of Slovenian and foreign researchers in scientific research. Based on the reviewed literature and with help of our conceptual model, we establish that the patenting process can be divided into three separate phases: knowledge detection phase, knowledge dissemination phase and knowledge transfer phase. During the process of researching and patenting, a variety of factors affect the results, which can be divided into two groups: internal and external factors. In Slovenia, patents are statistically significant for researchers working and exploring in the fields of natural science and engineering. Research results in the form of a patent largely depend on financial support and work experiences of individual researchers or research groups. The commercialization of a patent means a successful ending of the research process, as many positive benefits are expected.

Chapter 5 A TWO-DIMENSIONAL APPROACH TO BRANDING Integrating Identity and Equity

This chapter integrates brand identity and equity as a two-dimensional approach to destination branding. By incorporating the supply- and demand-side perspectives, the approach enables different destination stakeholders to be included in this process. Drawing on general branding and marketing literature, the study presents a three-part framework for building and implementing a destination brand. It illustrates consumer-based equity as consisting of the four dimensions: awareness, image, perceived quality, and loyalty. The chapter also offers a critical synthesis of destination image studies and recognizes the important research advancement from image to branding.

Startup Branding: Empirical Evidence among Slovenian Startups

Branding seems to be an important issue among all companies, also among newly established and young companies with high growth potential or so-called startups. This was also confirmed in our empirical research, conducted among 195 Slovenian startups. Startup founders/CEOs see branding as the most important business strategy in their companies. Separated startup branding building blocks were evaluated as similarly important, from brand vision and context building blocks to brand development and its implementation. These findings bring important managerial implications not only for startups, but also for other companies that want to treat and maintain their brands as dynamic and evolving entities.