Search

Due to the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Pharmaceutical industry, the current study investigates the moderation role of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) on the influence of innovation on Pharmaceutical SMEs performance in Jordan. The current research was conducted on Jordanian pharmaceutical SMEs including manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies with employee numbers of less than 100. The research design was quantitative, descriptive, causal, and cross-sectional held by an online questionnaire tool targeted all employees, managers, and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in pharmaceutical SMEs. Using the AMOS software, the Structural Equation Model (SEM) was adopted to analyze a sample of 162 surveys and examine the hypotheses. The outcome of this study indicated that the research model variables can explain 69.4 % of the variance of SMEs' performance. Additionally, it confirmed that innovation has a significant positive impact on pharmaceutical SMEs, and Entrepreneurial Orientation moderates the influence of innovation on pharmaceutical SMEs' Performance. Furthermore, current research findings contribute to extending existing relevant knowledge about the innovation impact and moderating role of Entrepreneurial Orientation on pharmaceutical SMEs' performance in Jordan and understanding the relationship between these variables to be of significant guidance to managing entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Further, the results show SMEs' methods and directions to follow during crises, such as COVID-19, to maintain business performance and sustainability. The current research paper contributes to the present literature since very limited studies investigated the innovation impact on SMEs' performance. Moreover, previous studies did not sufficiently analyze the impact of management, product, and process dimensions of innovation on SMEs' performance with the contribution of EO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small businesses are more susceptible to cash flow problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic putting them in jeopardy of survival. This research utilized a case study methodology that focused on small businesses in the trucking industry to assess the impact of this pandemic on the supply chain. Power imbalances can occur in the supply chain when certain parties act opportunistically. These imbalances are analyzed through theories of Resource Dependence, Resource Orchestration, and Entrepreneurial Orientation and embellished through the business failure and crisis management literature. Using actual data, the study shows the power shifts in the supply chain. Using qualitative data, the responses taken by these small businesses to survive the crisis were reviewed. The sales data of these small businesses were then compared to a national transportation index. The results of the comparison show more volatility among these businesses than the index. Both small businesses utilized their entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by taking forward-looking actions to reduce their risk exposure and avoid failure. They also utilized resource orchestration theory by restructuring their resource portfolio to lower their cost structures via selected layoffs. Finally, they took advantage of market opportunities by obtaining PPP loans and pursuing new customer opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]