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Purpose Using online channels is an opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry to reach new markets and reduce the dependency on distributors. The challenge remains that of integrating new online channels into existing networks effectively. This paper aims to identify to what extent multichannel integration is enhanced by the innovation capability of manufacturing SMEs and the subsequent influence on their performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected by means of a survey aimed at managers of small manufacturing firms in Mexico and were analysed through an advanced partial least squares (PLS) approach via SmartPLS. Findings Manufacturing SMEs with more advanced innovation capability achieve higher levels of multichannel integration. In turn, when multichannel integration is more advanced, manufacturing SMEs enjoy better results with respect to sales, fulfilling marketing objectives and improving relationships with customers. Research limitations/implications The model could be extended to accommodate other variables that may affect the effective integration of multiple channels. Practical implications Manufacturing SMEs can improve their results by integrating online channels with existing offline channels with a commitment to innovating in the market. Originality/value Analysing multichannel integration from the perspective of manufacturing firms, examining not only the positive consequences but also the underlying capabilities needed.

Purpose This study aims to extend the existing base of knowledge of proactive and reactive market orientation and innovation capability by testing their impact on the export performance of emerging-market small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a Latin American context. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a replication study, and its data were collected through a survey answered by general, marketing, sales or export managers at 155 Mexican SMEs. The research model was tested using partial least squares. Findings The study results indicate that innovation capability and reactive market orientation are drivers of export performance in Latin American SMEs. Moreover, proactive market orientation has been found to have an indirect effect on export results. Practical implications This study highlights to managers of Latin American SMEs the importance of capability development and deployment to improve export performance. Social implications SMEs enabled by strategic and technological innovation based on current and latent customer needs can advantageously perform in foreign markets and can drive economic growth and social and human development in Latin America. Originality/value Recent studies have focused on emerging-market enterprises and the necessity of developing dynamic capabilities to achieve internationalisation. This study extends previous research by assessing the robustness and generalizability of drivers in export performance for manufacturing SMEs in Latin America. In particular, it provides empirical insights on the capabilities to develop by Latin American SMEs to achieve better export performance.

Previously, signalling status had been primarily studied from the conspicuousness of luxury brands, including high prices and prominent designs. However, less attention has been directed toward other elements of brands that could be strategically managed in order to enable consumers signalling status. This study synthesizes the literature using a framework based on four intangible attributes of luxury brands: user profile, purchase usage, personality and values and heritage. The topics studied under each of the four intangible attributes were analysed using a systematic approach. Based on the interconnectedness of the topics studied, this review proposes that the intangible attributes used as a framework may have a synergistic interaction, in contrast with the current perspective that considers them as independently and equally relevant for consumers signalling status. It also reports the psychological function of these intangible attributes and supports the notion that consumers use luxury brands either to routinely affirm their status within a group or to enhance that status. This review contributes to the literature on luxury and signalling by considering luxury consumption as a social process. A functional perspective on the intangible attributes of luxury brands provides the basis for some insightful directions to advance this field of research.

Agradecimientos: los autores agradecen los comentarios realizados por los revisores de la revista. El presente artículo se ha desarrollado en el marco del proyecto de I+D del Plan Nacional ECO2014--55881 del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia.Dirigir correspondencia a: Haydee Calderón García. E-mail: haydee.calderon@uv.es.Recibido en enero de 2016. Aceptado en mayo de 2016. RESUMEN:El sector agroalimentario se enfrenta a importantes barreras internas y externas que dificultan su internacionalización y que podrían superarse a través del desarrollo de capacidades dinámicas. Las capacidades genéricas generan capacidades específicas al sector que son las que van a contribuir a superar las barreas a la internacionalización. Nuestra aportación está en determinar qué capacidades específicas de las empresas de distribución de productos agroalimentarios colaboran a una mejora del resultado internacional. Se realiza un estudio cualitativo cuyos resultados permiten detectar las capacidades dinámicas específicas que ayudan a resolver en gran parte las barreras internas que dificultan el proceso de internacionalización; ello se traduce en un mejor resultado exportador. PALABRAS CLAVE:Capacidades dinámicas, distribución agroalimentaria, éxito exportador, intermediarios. Dynamic capabilities in the internationalization process of companies distributing products of the agribusiness sector ABSTRACT:The agri-food sector faces important internal and external barriers to internationalization that could be overcome by the development of dynamic capabilities. Generic dynamic capabilities generate sector and environment specific dynamic capabilities that directly contribute to overcome the barriers of internationalization. Our contribution is to determine which specific dynamic capabilities of the distribution companies collaborate to overcome these barriers and as a consequence to improve international results. A qualitative study with directors and managers of the sector was carried out. The results give rise to confirm that the specific dynamic capabilities largely help to resolve the internal barriers that hinder the internationalization process; this translates into a better export performance.