Export strategy and firm innovationa knowledge-based view

Resumen

In an increasing globalized economy, export and innovation have become crucial strategies to increase firm's international competitiveness. In this context, knowledge management and learning are considered topics of great relevance for academics and practitioners. However, there are still some gaps in our understanding on how a firm can take advantage of these important capabilities. The objective of this thesis is to further on the study of these relationships between organizational learning capability, innovation and export strategy from the Knowledge-Based View. Starting from an integrated review of the basic literature on knowledge management, innovation and internationalization, we devise a general theoretical framework to develop our research. This thesis is structured throughout three empirical chapters that address these individual relationships in-depth, analyzing the influence of the adoption of knowledge management dynamic capabilities, organizational learning and structural variables on innovation and export strategy. Using primary and secondary data, the statistical analysis was carried out in the ceramic tile industry through structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis, combining moderating and mediating effects in each case. Our general results suggest that export activity depends on the ability to innovate, while the level of innovation is influenced by organizational learning capability and knowledge management dynamic capabilities. These results highlight the role of managers in the development of competitive advantages. Our findings also confirm the moderating role of structural variables in this relationship, indicating that a minimum size and experience threshold are needed so that innovative efforts lead to improve export strategy. Therefore, only some of these companies are able to benefit from these activities. Given the importance of innovation and export strategies to compete successfully in the global environment, our research raises empirical evidence of great interest for academics, managers and policy makers.