Internationalization moderating the relationship between investment and innovation in small businesses in Latin America

Authors

DOI:

10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2407

Keywords:

Internationalization efforts, R&D investment, Innovation outputs, Small Business

Abstract

Objective: This paper's main objective was to examine the extent to which internationalization efforts moderate the relationship between investments in research and development (R&D) and innovation outputs taken by small businesses, that is, small and medium-sized enterprises - SMEs. Methodology: The methodology used consisted of quantitative research with data from 10,621 SMEs, from 17 countries in Latin America. The present study involved factorial and regressive analysis as well. Main results: The results obtained led to the conclusion that internationalization efforts have a positive and statistically significant influence on innovation outputs, allowing SMEs in Latin American countries to increase their competitiveness through constructing or improving products, services, or processes. Theoretical contributions: At the end of the research, it was also concluded that R&D investments positively influence innovation outputs and that companies that invest in R&D and additionally employ internationalization efforts are more likely to present innovation. Relevance and originality: It was the first time that a study jointly and empirically evaluated the moderating effect of internationalization efforts on the relationship between investments in R&D and innovation outputs, totaling a sample of 10,621 SMEs. Managerial and social contributions: This study also contributed to the knowledge of Latin America, therefore, it is expected that a greater understanding of the barriers to the development of SMEs will be achieved, through the advancement of internationalization efforts, investment in R&D and innovation. In this way, the aim is to encourage academics and practitioners to search for solutions to break these barriers.

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Published

2024-05-13

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Santos, A. F. dos, Costa, P. R. da, Arantes, C. N., Pires, A. de C., & Cirani, C. B. S. (2024). Internationalization moderating the relationship between investment and innovation in small businesses in Latin America. REGEPE Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal, 13(2), e2407. https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2407

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Research article (Theoretical-empirical)

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