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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
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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
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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

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    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

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    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

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  • @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}
    }
    

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    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
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    T2  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
    JF  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
    JO  - American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business
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    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
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Author Information
  • Laboratory Research for Economy, Management and Quantitative Finance, Institute of Higher Commercial Studies, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

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