{"title":"Marketing first? The role of marketing capability in SME growth","authors":"Sanna Joensuu-Salo, Anmari Viljamaa, Emilia Kangas","doi":"10.1108/jrme-05-2021-0070","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"\nPurpose\nThis paper aims to examine the growth rates of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over a three-year period, the relationship between firm size and firm growth in the context of SMEs, and the effect of marketing capability (MC) on firm growth and how it relates to firm size. The theoretical framework is based on the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities.\n\n\nDesign/methodology/approach\nData were gathered from Finnish SMEs (n = 214) and analyzed with Latent growth curve modeling (structural equation modeling). Respondents were chief executive officers or company owners.\n\n\nFindings\nResults show that firm size is unrelated to the rate of change, and MC has a significant effect on both the intercept and slope parameters. Smaller SMEs have less MC than larger SMEs.\n\n\nPractical implications\nWhile the overall human resources level of the SME is not linked to the rate of growth, MC is. This is an important point for small business growth studies, for it shows what type of personnel is called for during rapid growth. SMEs could advance significantly and rapidly if they invest in versatile human capital, especially in the marketing area.\n\n\nOriginality/value\nMajority of the MC research involves larger corporations. This study brings new insights from SME perspective. In addition, this study suggests that it is imperative to consider different types of growth separately. This study contributes to this need by demonstrating the connection between employee growth rate and MC in SMEs.\n","PeriodicalId":45322,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2022-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/jrme-05-2021-0070","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"BUSINESS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the growth rates of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over a three-year period, the relationship between firm size and firm growth in the context of SMEs, and the effect of marketing capability (MC) on firm growth and how it relates to firm size. The theoretical framework is based on the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered from Finnish SMEs (n = 214) and analyzed with Latent growth curve modeling (structural equation modeling). Respondents were chief executive officers or company owners.
Findings
Results show that firm size is unrelated to the rate of change, and MC has a significant effect on both the intercept and slope parameters. Smaller SMEs have less MC than larger SMEs.
Practical implications
While the overall human resources level of the SME is not linked to the rate of growth, MC is. This is an important point for small business growth studies, for it shows what type of personnel is called for during rapid growth. SMEs could advance significantly and rapidly if they invest in versatile human capital, especially in the marketing area.
Originality/value
Majority of the MC research involves larger corporations. This study brings new insights from SME perspective. In addition, this study suggests that it is imperative to consider different types of growth separately. This study contributes to this need by demonstrating the connection between employee growth rate and MC in SMEs.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship (JRME) publishes research that contributes to our developing knowledge of entrepreneurial and small business marketing. Even though research into the relationship between marketing and entrepreneurship is still relatively young, the subject has thus far proved exciting and thought provoking, and critical thinking has progressed rapidly.The journal stands at the interface of research in marketing and entrepreneurship. Coverage may include, but is not limited to: -The size and structure of the entrepreneurial enterprise. -SMEs and micro businesses approach marketing -Intrapreneurship -The role of entrepreneurship in marketing -The role of marketing in entrepreneurship -How do successful entrepreneurs market their product and services? -Competencies necessary for the successful entrepreneur -The role of entrepreneurship (and, as appropriate, intrapreneurship) in the development of organizations -Life cycles of organizations: the stages in the growth of firms and the analysis of critical episodes -The influence of external help, support, and personal contact networks -Opportunity recognition -Relationships between SMEs and larger firms: how SMEs interact successfully with larger firms and how these larger firms in turn manage their relationships with SMEs -Strategic and management issues that pertain to marketing -Cultural and sociological perspectives of the entrepreneur -Cross-cultural studies and work on developing economies -Appropriate research methodologies
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