ifkad articles

Exploring the Role of Entrepreneurial Capital and Leadership in Innovation Performance in High-Tech SMEs in Argentina

Marlen Ricci, Guillermo Antonio Dávila, Klaus North

This paper explores the relationship between Entrepreneurial capital (EC), Leadership and Innovation performance (IP) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the high-tech sector in Argentina. For this study survey data were collected in small and medium sized high-tech firms in Argentina using scales previously validated internationally. The data were collected from November 2020 to March 2021 (excluding the analysis of COVID-19 influence, and referring to year 2019) by mailing to the companies’ CEOs. The final sample comprises 200 companies from the technology-based sector located in Argentina. Hypothesis were tested using structural equation modelling in ADANCO. There is scarce research carried on how Entrepreneurial capital and leadership influence innovation performance as a key factor for survival in crisis times, for small and medium sized high-tech firms. This study aims to fill the literature gap by exploring the relationship between the Entrepreneurial capital (EC), the CEO leadership and the Innovation performance of technology-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on an emerging economy. This study brings useful and valuable information to managers of small and medium sized enterprises of the high-tech sector, by identifying the importance of entrepreneurial capital (EC) and leadership impact on innovation performance.

IN: Proceedings IFKAD 2021 – Managing Knowledge in Uncertain Times
PP: 357-372