Technological Innovation and International Competitiveness for Business Growth

Challenges and Opportunities

João J. M. Ferreira, Sérgio J. Teixeira, Hussain G. Rammal, João J. M. Ferreira, Sérgio J. Teixeira, Hussain G. Rammal

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9783030519940
• eBook ISBN: 9783030519957
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: International Business
• Index: Business

This book explores howcompanies combine technological innovation and competitive actions that create new opportunities for business growth in the international market.The complexity of designing today's technology platforms requires profound knowledge in multiple areas. Technology development and commercialization as an ongoing competitive process involves enabling and inhibiting mechanisms, which govern the speed and acceleration of technological innovation. To compete more effectively, potential competitors are using coopetition and pooling their resources for shared gain in areas where they do not compete directly. Thus, a thorough examination of the current paradigms, theories, and frameworks is needed to increase our understanding of the technology-innovation-competitiveness linkages of business growth. This book brings together recent developments and methodological contributions within technological innovation, international competitiveness, and business growth that bridge the existing gaps and simultaneously advances the debate on this research topic.

© The Author(s) 2021

J. J. M. Ferreira et al. (eds.)Technological Innovation and International Competitiveness for Business GrowthPalgrave Studies in Democracy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Growthhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51995-7_1

Begin Abstract

1. Introduction: Technological Innovation and International Competitiveness for Business Growth—State-of-the-Art

João J. M. Ferreira¹ , Sérgio J. Teixeira^{2, 3} and Hussain G. Rammal⁴

(1)

Department of Management and Economics & NECE Research Unit in Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

(2)

Higher Institute of Administration and Languages, Research Centre—ISAL, Funchal, Portugal

(3)

NECE—Research Unit in Business Sciences, Funchal, Portugal

(4)

UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia

João J. M. Ferreira (Corresponding author)

Email: [email protected]

Sérgio J. Teixeira

Email: [email protected]

Hussain G. Rammal

Email: [email protected]

Keywords

BibliometricsBusiness growthInternational competitivenessState-of-the-artTechnological innovation

End Abstract

1.1 Introduction

Technological innovation is a critical driver for the development of international competitiveness and for determining ways to improve business efficiency, performance, and competitiveness on a global scale (Antonio et al., 2020; Ferreira, Fayolle, Fernandes, & Raposo, 2017; Klímová, Žítek, & Viturka, 2017; Kurtishi-kastrati, 2016). The relationship between technological innovation and international competitiveness is one of the most intensively researched topics in the literature on corporate growth (Coad & Rao, 2008; Hussain & Ismail, 2015; Jianmin & Li, 2020). Penrose’s growth theory (1959, 1965) explains how innovation activities act as a source of knowledge resources that, in turn, enhances the growth and competitiveness of companies.

Some contemporary studies argue that having natural resources appears not to be an essential element when analyzing the factors of competitiveness and power of countries in the international arena (Amorós, Fernández, & Tapia, 2012; Chen, Yin, & Mei, 2018; Jung, Lee, Hwang, & Yeo, 2017; Zaichenko, 2018). Innovation and internationalization are now more interconnected. The knowledge acquisition and learning by organizations across national boundaries is considered to be critical for sustained innovation and growth (Cantwell, 2017). Bagheri, Mitchelmore, Bamiatzi, and Nikolopoulos (2019) found an inverted U-shaped relationship between technological innovation and international firm performance among small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs). Technological innovation was found to positively mediate the effect of internationalization orientation on international firm performance, and managers can improve international performance by incorporating technological innovation activities in their strategic decisions (Bagheri et al., 2019).

The search for understanding technological innovation and international competitiveness has led to different approaches in the context of business growth influenced by innovation factors and practices (Chabowski & Mena, 2017; Kurtishi-kastrati, 2016; Neutzling, dos Santos, de Barcellos, & Land, 2015), and technology (Efrat, Hughes, Nemkova, Souchon, & Sy-Changco, 2018; Kim & Kim, 2013; Neutzling et al., 2015; Oelze & Habisch, 2018; Wilde, Cox, Kelly, & Harrison, 2017). In response to increased competition resulting from globalization, companies are seeking to leverage their innovation and technology practices by developing international partnerships (Bakhru, Behera, & Sharma, 2018; Ketelhöhn, Artavia, Arce, & Umaña, 2015; Prange & Verdier, 2011; Ye, Xiao, & Zhou, 2019).

Innovation activities increase opportunities for company growth. Thus, endogenous growth models (Aghion & Howitt, 1992; Geroski, 1999; Hausman, Hall, & Griliches, 1984; Howitt & Aghion, 1998; Klette, Møen, & Griliches, 2000; Lucas, 1978) show that an irregular pattern of innovation and R&D spending leads to an ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Front Matter
• 1. Introduction: Technological Innovation and International Competitiveness for Business Growth—State-of-the-Art
• Part I. Bridging Technological Innovation Domains
• Part II. Dynamics of International Business Competitiveness
• Part III. Refining the Technological Innovation and Business Growth Link
• Part IV. Empirical Case Studies
• Back Matter