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The Internet as a Complementary Resource for SMEs: The Interaction Effect of Strategic Assets and the Internet

The Internet as a Complementary Resource for SMEs: The Interaction Effect of Strategic Assets and the Internet

Frank Schlemmer, Brian Webb
Copyright: © 2011 |Pages: 24
ISBN13: 9781609601324|ISBN10: 1609601327|EISBN13: 9781609601348
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-132-4.ch001
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MLA

Schlemmer, Frank, and Brian Webb. "The Internet as a Complementary Resource for SMEs: The Interaction Effect of Strategic Assets and the Internet." E-Business Applications for Product Development and Competitive Growth: Emerging Technologies, edited by In Lee, IGI Global, 2011, pp. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60960-132-4.ch001

APA

Schlemmer, F. & Webb, B. (2011). The Internet as a Complementary Resource for SMEs: The Interaction Effect of Strategic Assets and the Internet. In I. Lee (Ed.), E-Business Applications for Product Development and Competitive Growth: Emerging Technologies (pp. 1-24). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60960-132-4.ch001

Chicago

Schlemmer, Frank, and Brian Webb. "The Internet as a Complementary Resource for SMEs: The Interaction Effect of Strategic Assets and the Internet." In E-Business Applications for Product Development and Competitive Growth: Emerging Technologies, edited by In Lee, 1-24. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2011. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-60960-132-4.ch001

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Abstract

It has been suggested that the Internet can be used to leverage a firm’s strategic assets. However, empirical research on complementarity is still rare and frequently inconclusive, especially in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises. We propose a theoretical framework with the independent variables business resources, dynamic capabilities and IT assets. Survey data of 146 small firms suggest that the Internet is complementary with business resources and dynamic capabilities but not with IT assets. Therefore, the framework may enable small firm managers to create competitive advantage by identifying strategic assets that are complementary with the Internet. Furthermore, our research our research highlights the threat of an over-investment in IT assets.

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