Business Research Unit - BRU-IUL

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Organizational Unit

Publications

Dynamic capabilities: antecedents and implications for firms' performance

Publication . Correia, Ricardo Jorge; Teixeira, Mário Sérgio; Dias, José G.

Purpose – This paper aims to explore a new causal link between learning, market and entrepreneurial orientations and firms’ performance by introducing dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages as mediator variables. Design/methodology/approach – The mediating role of dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages is tested using a sample of 1,190 Portuguese firms, and structural equation models. Findings – It is shown that dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between the three orientations– learning, market and entrepreneurial–and competitive advantages of differentiation and cost leadership, and both competitive advantages lead to firm’s performance. It is also shown that learning orientation is an antecedent of market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation. Practical implications – This research shows that firm’s performance depends on the capacity of firms to learn, innovate, be proactive, take risks and collect the best market data. Indeed, by optimizing the internal management and knowledge dissemination, firms will develop a set of capabilities and competitive advantages that lead to an appropriate response to market challenges. Originality/value – This study tests the relationship between strategic orientations and firm’s performance by taking the mediating effects of dynamic capabilities and competitive advantages into account. This research was conducted in Portugal.

2021Journal article

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Building competitive advantages and business success: the role of learning orientation, reward systems and entrepreneurial orientation

Publication . Correia, Ricardo Jorge; Dias, José G.; Teixeira, Mário Sérgio; Campos, Susana

Purpose – The complexity of the firm’s external environment, with its constant changes, forces managers to develop novel strategies that can meet new strategic needs. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of reward systems (RSs) in strategic management, as well as their relationship to learning and entrepreneurial orientation (EO), commonly referred to as the driving force behind growth, competitive advantages (CAs) and improved performance. It also focuses on the study of the relationship between EO and business performance (BP), the introduction and testing of the possible antecedents of this relationship and potential mediating factors. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model was tested on a sample of 1,190 Portuguese firms using a structural equation model. Findings – It is shown for the first time that learning orientation (LO) is an antecedent of the RSs and, subsequently, of EO. Additionally, the CAs of differentiation and cost leadership play a mediating role in the relationship between EO and BP. Furthermore, RSs are also a driving force behind both CAs. Originality/value – This study makes several empirical and theoretical contributions, addressing the gap in the literature about the role of RSs in strategic management. It tests the relationship between LO and the firm’s performance by taking the mediating effects of RSs, EO and CAs into account. Additionally, we discuss LO as an antecedent strategic variable of human resources practices, in particular, RSs. Finally, we broaden the scope of our research by examining these issues in the context of Portuguese SMEs fromdifferent industries.

2023Journal article

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The link between intellectual capital and business performance: a mediation chain approach

Publication . Campos, Susana; Dias, José G.; Teixeira, Mário Sérgio; Correia, Ricardo Jorge

Purpose – This study focuses on intellectual capital (IC) as a driver of better business performance. Recent studies suggest that a set of variables may mediate this relationship. This research discusses the mediating role of dynamic capabilities, network competence, technological capabilities, absorptive capabilities and innovation performance between intellectual capital and business performance. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual model is tested using a sample of 533 Portuguese firms by means of a structural equation model. Findings – It confirms that intellectual capital impacts business performance. Moreover, this only happens indirectly through the mediating chain defined by the variables dynamic capabilities, network competence, technological capabilities, absorptive capabilities and innovation performance. Originality/value – This study analyzes new mediator variables between the dimensions of the intellectual capital and Portuguese business performance.

2022Journal article

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