SME growth : the role of collectively competence-based resources

Abstract

High-growth firms contribute disproportionately to job and value creation. Previous research on high-growth firms has shown that high-growth firms are characterized by innovative qualities, have important spillover effects, and are, in general, smaller and younger than other firms. To experience growth, a firm must have a competitive advantage. By applying a resource-based framework, this thesis analyzes high-growth firms from a management perspective and aims to understand how small and medium-sized enterprises configure and exploit their collectively competence-based resources to achieve high growth. In so doing, this thesis contributes to the literature in three ways: first by examining the direct effects of collectively competence-based resources on company growth; second, by applying mediation and moderation effects to examine how high-growth firms exploit and configure their resources; and, third, by applying different growth indicators and contributing to the ongoing discussion regarding problems with the measurement and conceptualization of firm growth. Paper I was based on a questionnaire for high-growth firms in Norway and shows that innovativeness is a factor in whether firms become high-growth firms and that innovativeness acts as a full mediator for learning and a creative climate. Paper II was based on a questionnaire for firewood producers in Norway and shows that customer orientation and innovativeness are important drivers in the growth of microfirms. Papers III and IV were based on a questionnaire administered to high-growth firms in Norway. Paper III shows that board composition is likely to differ between high-growth firms and other types of firms. Paper IV shows that the mode of growth affects the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on growth.