Organizational learning and global value chains: evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises
EVIDENCE FROM SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70678/rpad.v6i1.1934Keywords:
global value chains; organizational learning; absorptive capacity; small and medium-sized enterprises; agribusiness.Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: The growing presence of multinational companies (MNCs) in developing countries increases the dissemination of knowledge in global value chains (GVCs). In agribusiness, this can promote organizational learning in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), although the effects vary according to the quality of interactions and prior absorption capacities. Thus, it is important to understand whether and how supply relationships with MNEs contribute to the organizational learning of SMEs, both academically and managerially.
Purpose: To analyze whether local SMEs that supply MNEs have higher levels of organizational learning compared to those that do not have such a relationship.
Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional study was conducted with 115 SMEs in the agro-industrial chain. Organizational learning was measured by a composite indicator based on internal and interorganizational dimensions. To test differences between suppliers and non-suppliers, the t-test for independent samples was applied after verifying normality and homoscedasticity.
Results: The results show that a significant portion of SMEs maintain supply links with MNEs and that, among them, organizational learning is higher. Statistical analyses confirmed that this difference did not occur by chance, indicating that the relationship with MNEs is associated with a higher level of organizational learning.
Conclusions: Organizational learning is present in all SMEs analyzed, but it is more intense among those that maintain supply relationships with MNEs. Interactions in GVCs act as vectors for knowledge transfer and technological capacity development. The results reinforce the importance of practical and experiential learning for innovative performance and indicate the need to strengthen the quality of interactions between SMEs and MNEs through collaborative and institutionally structured learning environments.
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