The impact of social information system governance, utilization, and capabilities on absorptive capacity and innovation: A case of Austrian SMEs

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the influence of social information systems (SIS) on absorptive capacity (AC) and innovation in Austrian SMEs. For this purpose, a framework was developed and empirically tested using a nationwide, mixed-mode survey on a random sample of 138 SMEs of knowledge-intensive industries. The results show that the backbone of SIS utilization is SIS governance. SIS capabilities mediate the positive effects of SIS utilization on AC components, which build on each other and mediate the positive effects of SIS capabilities on innovation. Our findings provide a number of useful implications for research and industry.

How Information Technology Assimilation Promotes Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation in the Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Firm Context: The Role of Contextual Ambidexterity and Knowledge Base

“…Finally, this study extends the studies of the IT competency-innovation relationship in the SME context (Limaj et al, 2016;Soto-Acosta et al, 2018). This study builds and tests a framework from the SME perspective.…”

“…In terms of the empirical context, previous studies have attempted to explore the direct relationship between IT competency and innovation (e.g., Soto‐Acosta et al, ), a few of which studies take a step further to investigate the shape of such a relationship in the SME context (e.g., Limaj et al, ). This study aims to enrich this indirect aspect of the IT competency–innovation relationship.…”

“…Prior studies tend to investigate the impact of IT competency on either exploratory innovation (e.g., Cui et al, 2015) or exploitative innovation (e.g., Banker, Bardhan, and Asdemir, 2006). Few studies assess the impact of IT competency on both types of innovation in a single study (e.g., Limaj et al, 2016;Soto-Acosta et al, 2018). This study includes both types of innovation in the model to offer a more comprehensive view of how IT competency promotes innovation.…”

“…Third, previous research often investigates the IT competency-innovation relationship in a general context (e.g., Tarafdar and Gordon, 2007), while few studies specifically adopt the perspective of small-and medium-sized firms (SMEs). Although it may be possible to transfer these findings to some degree to the SME context, SMEs with limited resources will have different priorities and challenges when embracing IT and implement innovation (Limaj, Bernroider, and Choudrie, 2016;Soto-Acosta et al, 2018).…”

A Taxonomy of SME E-Commerce Platforms Derived from a Market-Level Analysis

“…Research on the use of social media by SMEs that focuses on consumer-focused platforms has addressed SME performance [39], social media competency [13], adoption [34], and innovation [73].…”