| Peer-Reviewed

Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity

Received: 18 February 2023     Accepted: 16 March 2023     Published: 25 May 2023
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

This paper investigates the role of personal network resources in promoting innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Innovation is a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, and SMEs are widely recognized as important sources of innovation. However, SMEs often face resource constraints that limit their ability to innovate. Personal networks are one potential source of accessible and cost-effective resources that entrepreneurs can use to overcome these constraints. Using a sample of 94 Tunisian entrepreneurs, we estimated a structural equation model (SEM) to test the relationship between personal network resources, creativity, and innovation. Our study aimed to provide insights into the complex interplay between personal networks, creativity, and innovation in the context of SMEs. Contrary to expectations, our study did not find a significant effect of personal network resources on innovation. Additionally, creativity did not mediate the relationship between resources and innovation. These findings suggest that personal network resources may not be as important for promoting innovation in SMEs as previously thought. Despite the lack of significant results, our study makes important contributions to the literature on innovation in SMEs. In the full paper, we will discuss the implications of our findings in more detail and provide recommendations for future research.

Published in American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11
Page(s) 21-29
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Entrepreneur, Personal Network, Innovation, Creativity, Small and Medium Enterprise

References
[1] Akgün A, Keskin H and Byrne J (2009) Organizational emotional capability, product and process innovation, and firm performance: An empirical analysis. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management 26 (3): 103-130.
[2] Alves J, Marques MJ, Saur I et al. (2007) Creativity and Innovation through Multidisciplinary and Multi-sectoral Cooperation. Journal compilation 16 (1): 27-34.
[3] Amabile T, Schatzela E, Monetaa G et al. (2004) Leader behaviors and the work environment for creativity: Perceived leader support. The Leadership Quarterly 15 (1): 5-32.
[4] Antončič B and Bratkovič T (2009) Resource Network Factors and Small Firm Growth. In: 4th European Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, The university of Antwerp, Belgium, 10-11 September 2009, pp 1-10. UK: Academic Publishing Limited Reading.
[5] Baron R and Kenny DA (1986) The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 51 (6): 1173–1182.
[6] Baron R and Tang J (2011) The role of entrepreneurs in firm-level innovation: Joint effects of positive affect, creativity, and environmental dynamism. Journal of Business Venturing 26 (1): 49–60.
[7] Birley S (1985) The role of networks in the entrepreneurial process. Journal of Business Venturing 1 (1): 107-117.
[8] Bohn JG and Grafton D (2002) The relationship of perceived leadership behaviors to organizational efficacy. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies 9 (2): 65-79.
[9] Bratkovič T, Antoncic B and Ruzzier M (2009) The Personal Network of the Owner-Manager of a Small Family Firm: The Crucial Role of the Spouse. Managing Global Transitions 7 (2): 171-190.
[10] Dobni B (2008) Measuring innovation culture in organizations: The development of a generalized innovation culture constructs using exploratory factor analysis. European Journal of Innovation Management 11 (4): 539-559.
[11] Bryant A (2009) Two Paths for Innovation: Parvenu or Pariah. In: IFIP WG 8.2 International conference creativeSME 2009, Guimarães, Portugal, 21-24 June 2009, pp. 73-92. Springer.
[12] Butler J, Brown B and Chamornmarn W (2003) Informational networks, entrepreneurial action and performance. Asia Pacific Journal of Management 20 (2): 151-174.
[13] Byrne C, Mumford M, Barrett J et al. (2009) Examining the Leaders of Creative Efforts: What Do They Do, and What Do They Think About?. Creativity and Innovation Management 18 (4): 256-268.
[14] Chen MH (2009) Guanxi Networks and Creativity in Taiwanese Project Teams. Creativity and Innovation Management 18 (4): 269-277.
[15] Chiffoleau Y (2005) Learning about innovation through networks: the development of environment-friendly viticulture. Technovation 25 (10): 1193–1204.
[16] Chollet B (2005) Le rôle du réseau personnel de l’ingénieur en r&d: le cas du secteur des micro et nanotechnologies. Thèse de doctorat, Université Grenoble 2, France.
[17] Ciez-Volz KA (2008) Charting a course to creativity in developmental education. PhD Thesis, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
[18] Crespell PJ (2007) Organizational Climate and Innovativeness in the Forest Products Industry. PhD Thesis, Oregon State University, USA.
[19] Fischer G, Giaccardi E, Eden H, et al. (2005) Beyond binary choices: Integrating individual and social creativity. The International Journal of Human-Computer Studies 63 (4-5): 482–512.
[20] Ford CM (1996) A theory of individual creative action in multiple social domains. Academy of Management Review 21 (4): 1112-1142.
[21] Greve A (2004) Creativity in social networks: combining knowledge in innovations. In: INSNA SUNBELT 24th conference, Portoroz, Slovenija, 12-16 May 2004.
[22] Gumusluoglu L and Ilsev A (2009) Transformational leadership, creativity, and organizational innovation. Journal of Business Research 62 (4): 461–473.
[23] Hussain J, Millman C and Matlay H (2006) SME financing in the UK and in China: a comparative perspective. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development 13 (4): 584-599.
[24] Jenssen JI and Koenig HF (2002) The Effect of Social Networks on Resource Access and Business Start-ups. European Planning Studies 10 (8): 1039-1046.
[25] Johannisson B (1988) Business formation-a network approach. Scandinavian Journal of Management 4 (3/4): 83-99.
[26] Bagwell S (2008) Transnational family networks and ethnic minority business development. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research 14 (6): 377-394.
[27] Kaufmann A and Tödtling F (2002) How effective is innovation support for SMEs? An analysis of the region of Upper Austria. Technovation 22 (3): 147–159.
[28] Ko S and Butler JE (2007) Creativity: A key link to entrepreneurial behavior. Business Horizons 50 (5): 365–372.
[29] Kratzer J, Leenders RAJ and Engelen JMV (2008) The social structure of leadership and creativity in engineering design teams: An empirical analysis. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management 25 (4): 269-286.
[30] Lee K, Rho R, Kim S, et al. (2007) Creativity-Innovation Cycle for Organisational Exploration and Exploitation: Lessons from Neowiz-a Korean Internet Company. Long Range Planning 40 (4-5): 505-523.
[31] Liao SH and Wu CC (2010) System perspective of knowledge management, organizational learning, and organizational innovation. Expert Systems with Applications 37 (2): 1096–1103.
[32] Manssour AB (2003) Interpersonal communication and creativity in journalistic telework. Cyberpsychology and Behavior 6 (1): 41-48.
[33] Makri, M., & Scandura, T. A. (2010). Exploring the effects of creative CEO leadership on innovation in high-technology firms. The Leadership Quarterly, 21 (1), 75–88.
[34] Mcadam R and Mcclelland J (2002) Sources of new product ideas and creativity practices in the UK textile industry. Technovation 22 (2): 113–121.
[35] Mercklé P (2004) Sociologie des réseaux sociaux. Éditions la découverte & syros, Paris.
[36] Miller D and Friesen PH (1983) Strategy-making and environment: the third link. Strategic Management Journal 4 (3): 221-235.
[37] Morales AVG, Montes FJL and Jover AV (2007) Influence of personal mastery on organizational performance through organizational learning and innovation in large firms and SMEs. Technovation 27 (9): 547–568.
[38] Mu J, Tang F and Maclachlan DL (2010) Absorptive and disseminative capacity: Knowledge transfer in intra-organization networks. Expert Systems With Applications 37 (1): 31–38.
[39] Mumford MD, Scott GM, Gaddis B et al. (2002) Leading creative people: Orchestrating expertise and relationships. The Leadership Quarterly 13 (6): 705–750.
[40] Panuwatwanich K, Stewart RA and Mohamed S (2008) The role of climate for innovation in enhancing business performance: The case of design firms. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 15 (5): 407-422.
[41] Paturel R (2007) Grandeurs and servitudes de l’entrepreneuriat. Revue internationale de Psychosociologie 13 (31): 27-43.
[42] Premaratne SP (2002) Entrepreneurial Networks and Small Business Development: The Case of Small Enterprises in Sri Lanka. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven.
[43] Rametsteine E and Weiss G (2006) Innovation and innovation policy in forestry: Linking innovation process with systems models. Forest Policy and Economics 8 (7): 691-703.
[44] Rejeb N, Mezghani L and Quélin B (2008) Réseau personnel et transfert de connaissances dans les réseaux inter-organisationnels. In: 17ème Conférence Internationale de Management Stratégique, AIMS, Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France, 28-31 mai 2008.
[45] Roussel, P., Durrieu, F., Campoy, E. and El Akremi, A. (2002) Méthodes d’équations structurelles: Recherches et applications en gestion. Edition Economica, Paris.
[46] Schepers P and Van Den Berg PT (2007) Social factors of work environment creativity. Journal of Business and Psychology 21 (3): 407 – 427.
[47] Scott SG and Bruce RA (1994) Determinants of innovative behavior: a path model of individual innovation in the workplace. Academy of Management Journal 37 (3): 580-607.
[48] Shalley CE and Gilson LL (2004) What leaders need to know: A review of social and contextual factors that can foster or hinder creativity. The Leadership Quarterly 15 (1): 33–53.
[49] Singer JF and Adkins RD (1984) Managing for creativity in consulting engineering. Engineering Management International 2 (4): 251-270.
[50] Udwadia FE (1990) Creativity and Innovation in organizations: Two Models and Managerial Implications. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 38 (1): 65-80.
[51] Woodman RW, Sawyer JE and Griffin RW (1993) Toward a theory of organizational creativity. Academy of Management Review 18 (2): 293-321.
[52] Yusuf S (2009) From creativity to innovation. Technology In Society 31 (1): 1-8.
[53] Zhou J and George JM (2001) When job dissatisfaction leads to creativity: encouraging the expression of voice. Academy of Management Journal 44 (4): 682-696.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Faten Fekih Ahmed. (2023). Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business, 9(2), 21-29. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Faten Fekih Ahmed. Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity. Am. J. Theor. Appl. Bus. 2023, 9(2), 21-29. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Faten Fekih Ahmed. Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity. Am J Theor Appl Bus. 2023;9(2):21-29. doi: 10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11,
      author = {Faten Fekih Ahmed},
      title = {Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity},
      journal = {American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business},
      volume = {9},
      number = {2},
      pages = {21-29},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajtab.20230902.11},
      abstract = {This paper investigates the role of personal network resources in promoting innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Innovation is a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, and SMEs are widely recognized as important sources of innovation. However, SMEs often face resource constraints that limit their ability to innovate. Personal networks are one potential source of accessible and cost-effective resources that entrepreneurs can use to overcome these constraints. Using a sample of 94 Tunisian entrepreneurs, we estimated a structural equation model (SEM) to test the relationship between personal network resources, creativity, and innovation. Our study aimed to provide insights into the complex interplay between personal networks, creativity, and innovation in the context of SMEs. Contrary to expectations, our study did not find a significant effect of personal network resources on innovation. Additionally, creativity did not mediate the relationship between resources and innovation. These findings suggest that personal network resources may not be as important for promoting innovation in SMEs as previously thought. Despite the lack of significant results, our study makes important contributions to the literature on innovation in SMEs. In the full paper, we will discuss the implications of our findings in more detail and provide recommendations for future research.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Overcoming Network Resource Limitations for Innovation in Tunisian Hotels: A Study on the Role of Creativity
    AU  - Faten Fekih Ahmed
    Y1  - 2023/05/25
    PY  - 2023
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11
    T2  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
    JF  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
    JO  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
    SP  - 21
    EP  - 29
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-7842
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtab.20230902.11
    AB  - This paper investigates the role of personal network resources in promoting innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Innovation is a key driver of economic growth and competitiveness, and SMEs are widely recognized as important sources of innovation. However, SMEs often face resource constraints that limit their ability to innovate. Personal networks are one potential source of accessible and cost-effective resources that entrepreneurs can use to overcome these constraints. Using a sample of 94 Tunisian entrepreneurs, we estimated a structural equation model (SEM) to test the relationship between personal network resources, creativity, and innovation. Our study aimed to provide insights into the complex interplay between personal networks, creativity, and innovation in the context of SMEs. Contrary to expectations, our study did not find a significant effect of personal network resources on innovation. Additionally, creativity did not mediate the relationship between resources and innovation. These findings suggest that personal network resources may not be as important for promoting innovation in SMEs as previously thought. Despite the lack of significant results, our study makes important contributions to the literature on innovation in SMEs. In the full paper, we will discuss the implications of our findings in more detail and provide recommendations for future research.
    VL  - 9
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Laboratory Research for Economy, Management and Quantitative Finance, Institute of Higher Commercial Studies, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

  • Sections