Browsing by Author "Mitan, Andreea"

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A preliminary framework linking the managerial global mindset and the degree of internationalization of Romanian SMEs
(Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Faculty of Management, 2022) Mitan, Andreea; Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina; Stratone, Mădălina Elena
The present paper aims to explore the relationship among two main constructs, namely the degree of internationalization and the managerial global mindset, a three-dimension factor covering the Global Social Capital, Global Intellectual Capital and Global Psychological Capital. The analysis in performed in the contextual framework of CEE countries, namely Romania, starting from the premise that this region has explicit idiosyncrasies and is worth investigating. In its current form, the empirical undertaking is intended as a preliminary study, with an exploratory nature, the questionnaire-based survey relying on a small sample of 30 managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Romania. The findings point to the fact that only one out of the three dimensions of the managerial global mindset, that is, the Global Psychological Capital, has a significant influence on the degree of internationalization of the studied SMEs.
Connecting the dots : exploring the knowledge-based antecedents of SMEs’ profitability and development via international ventures
(Sciendo, 2021-09) Andrei, Andreia Gabriela; Dincă, Violeta Mihaela; Mitan, Andreea; Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina
As shifts occur on the global market and business models adapt to a dynamic environment, the process of business internationalization, as performed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), maintains its relevance for academics, professionals, international organizations, and authorities. Studies in the field have emphasized the strategic component of internationalization, linking it to cultivating (sustainable) competitive advantages, to stimulating strategic innovation, to the pursuit of profitability, and to an overall improved performance, taking into account the activities conducted on foreign markets. Based on a survey carried out with over 100 European SMEs in the steel field, this study examines the influences of strategic collaborators (from international business networks), intermediaries (as organizational links to the target stakeholders), and strategic innovation on SMEs’ profitability resulted from international operations, and on the level of business development on foreign markets. The results have shown positive influences among most of the considered factors (i.e., direct collaborators, strategic innovation, international profitability and development), whereas intermediaries have a significant influence only on international profitability and not on SMEs’ development on foreign markets.
Exploring the mediating role of knowledge sharing between informal business networks and organizational performance : an insight into SMEs internationalization in CEE
(MDPI, 2022) Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina; Mitan, Andreea; Cotîrleț, Paul Claudiu; Andrei, Andreia Gabriela
The current study aims to explore the mediating role of knowledge-sharing between international informal business networks and organizational performance. Emphasis is laid on a context-driven perspective, namely the internationalization of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central and East Europe (CEE). To that end, an online questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 111 managers of CEE SMEs operating in different trade branches. The findings have shown that 46.6% of the variance in organizational performance is explained by the proposed model while 38.9% of the variance in the knowledge sharing process is explained by the affiliation of CEE SMEs to international informal business networks. The results have both theoretical and practical implications, supporting the imperative to further study the phenomena apposite to CEE region as a compelling research laboratory for multidimensional organizational idiosyncrasies.
From the deliberate managerial strategy towards international business performance : a psychic distance vs. global mindset approach
(Wiley, 2020) Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina; Alexandru, Vlad Andrei; Mitan, Andreea; Dabija, Dan Cristian
The current paper aims to address, within a comprehensive framework, two different facets of the internationalization strategies of small and medium sized enterprises, that is, the roles of psychic distance and global mindset within managerial dyadic collaborations. By considering cross-border ventures as outcomes of deliberate managerial strategies in the quest for achieving international business performance, the study lays emphasis on several dimensions apposite to each of the two constructs, namely, geographic distance and intercultural compatibility for the psychic distance and trust-based relationships and network-based connectivity for the global mindset. A questionnaire based survey with top managers from 112 European industrial small and medium-sized enterprises was conducted, the data being processed by means of a structural equation modelling technique. The findings showed that the structural model accounts for 63.9% of the variance in international business performance, whereas the dimensions of psychic distance exert significant positive influences on the endogenous variable.
Internaționalizarea IMM-urilor din România în perioada pandemiei : insight-uri din sectorul IT&C
(Tritonic, 2021) Mitan, Andreea
Osatura lumii, așa cum a început ea să se definească odată cu Prima Revoluție Industrială, acum aproape trei sute de ani, se transformă în ultimele decenii sub influența noilor tehnologii. Ne aflăm la începutul celei de-a Patra Revoluții Industriale, care pare în acest moment că va conduce la ștergerea liniilor de demarcație dintre sfera biologicului, sfera fizică și sfera digitală (Schwab, 2016) și care pare că va da ocazia muritorilor să trăiască într-un Multivers man-made, în care realitatea augmentată (augmented reality, AR), realitatea virtuală (virtual reality, VR) și realitatea fizică se vor împleti într-o manieră sperăm mai puțin înspăimântătoare decât cea înfățișată în seria de filme Matrix. Cele mai recente declarații ale lui Mark Zuckerberg (2021) referitoare la planurile de dezvoltare ale Meta (noul brand care cuprinde Facebook, Instagram și WhatsApp) ne arată că evoluțiile în acest domeniu vor fi disruptive și vor genera schimbări potențial majore în multe arii ale experienței umane.
Linking coopetition benefits and innovative performance within small and medium-sized enterprises networks: a strategic approach on knowledge sharing and direct collaboration
(Emerald Group Publishing LTD, 2022-05) Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina; Mitan, Andreea; Andrei, Andreia Gabriela; Ghigiu, Alexandru Mihai
Purpose The present study aims to tackle SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) managers' awareness of coopetition benefits underpinning the process of knowledge sharing with a view to achieve innovative performance. The scrutiny of coopetition is placed within the context of SMEs strategic networks, which foster a fertile ground for competitive knowledge sharing and direct collaboration among members. Design/methodology/approach In total, 102 top managers and business owners of European steel SMEs were questioned regarding various issues related to coopetition, knowledge, collaboration and innovative performance strategies. The collected data were analyzed via the technique of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The obtained values confirm that intense competition in the field stimulates SMEs to become aware of the benefits of coopetition. This awareness directly influences the innovative performance of the SMEs, as well as their interest in competitive knowledge sharing and their willingness to engage in direct collaboration. Direct collaboration catalyzes more intense competitive knowledge sharing at the inter-unit level whereas both direct collaboration and competitive knowledge sharing lead to better innovative performance in the case of the studied steel SMEs. Research limitations/implications A key theoretical contribution resides in revealing the influence of manifold factors in the overall equation of innovative performance, integrating competition, coopetition and knowledge sharing as antecedents. Originality/value The research advances a phenomenological view on SMEs networks in their strategy to leverage competitive knowledge and enhance system-driven innovation.
Managing intellectual capital during the COVID-19 pandemic : normative approaches, technological evolutions and competitive advantage
(Lambert Academic Publishing, 2022) Dinu, Elena; Mitan, Andreea; Stratone, Mădălina Elena; Stoica, Valentin
This book merges a number of research topics developed by several researchers during their doctoral studies in Management. The convergence point for all the studies here is represented by the role of various intangible organisational resources in achieving competitive advantage and growth in a context of global uncertainty, fed by economic, social, political, cultural and environmental changes, that has been further affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The texts are primarily concerned with the importance of intellectual capital management for enabling technological innovation, a prerequisite for performance and success in the digital economy. Despite the many socioeconomic effects associated with the pandemic, one of its unintended developments was accelerating the digital transformation of companies and public services, which offers the canvas for future growth and development.
Romanian SMEs internationalization in the light of internal capabilities and external conditions : a secondary data analysis
(Faculty of Management (SNSPA) & Sciendo, 2019) Mitan, Andreea; Vătămănescu, Elena Mădălina
The topic of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the framework of the internationalization phenomena has often hewed the paths for many conceptual and empirical analyses all the more so as the global environment has pushed smaller actors out of their regular habitat. Issues such as the support of SMEs innovative capabilities, of knowledge sharing mechanisms and collaborative networks via cross-border operations or as the thorough adjustment to the new market conditions have sprung as pivotal concerns for both academics and practitioners interested in business development, performance, innovation and effectiveness from a myriad of perspectives. Giving credit to these research and real-life priorities, the current paper aims to discuss different facets of the SMEs internationalization process, laying emphasis on their internal capabilities and external conditions. The empirical undertaking relies on a secondary data analysis which covers the facts and figures comprised by European official reports. The focus is on the Romanian SMEs internationalization variables which are descriptive of the current state of cross-border dynamics. The findings advance that Romanian entrepreneurs and SMEs have been supported in the recent years by a series of European and national governmental initiatives, yet many additional measures and facilitation instruments are needed to properly improve their overall performance on international markets.
Value-based management : a case study of visegrad four countries
(University of Zilina, 2021) Mitan, Andreea; Siekelova, Anna; Rusu, Mihaela; Rovnak, Martin
Research background: As companies evolve over time, so do their goals. In the past, the main goals of companies were profit and goals (as market share), are no longer relevant or effective. These goals are outdated, and companies have replaced them with goals that are consistent with the current changing times of competition. Worldwide, most large companies are using, or planning to use, a new approach called value-based management that focuses on value creation. Therefore, the main goal of companies using a value-based management approach is value creation. Purpose: This study aims to validate the existence of a statistically significant relationship between the economic value added (EVA) indicator, which represents the successful implementation of the value creation process in companies, and selected value generators. Method: For this study, information about 14,313 companies operating in the Visegrad Four countries were collected from their respective financial statements. The research period was 2019–2020. Twenty value generators were selected for this study. The hypotheses were tested using the correlation coefficient. The strength of the relationship between the observed variables is described by using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Findings and value added: A trivial or small dependence was observed between the EVA indicator and non-current assets, current financial assets, and income tax. A moderate dependence was observed between the EVA indicator and stocks, receivables, interest expenses, and other liabilities. A large dependence was observed between the EVA indicator and bank loans, profit and loss (P/L) statement, and the cost of capital. The survey results can be a useful tool for businesses in their efforts to focus on a suitable value generator in the process of value-based management implementation, focusing on the process of value creation.
What managers of SMEs in the CEE region should know about challenges of artificial intelligence’s adoption? : an introductive discussion
(Military University of Technology, Warsaw, 2022) Vidu, Cristian Mihai; Pînzaru, Florina; Mitan, Andreea
The next step of the digital transformation is to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), even if the technology itself is still evolving. Nevertheless, discussions on AI pros and cons are vivid: managers are in the frontline of the decision-making on the best ways for such transitions. If corporations are already familiar with AI, at least partially for some processes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face a double pressure: their inequal degree of digital maturity, as well as the everyday constraints on how to increase competitiveness. CEE SMEs, in particular, find themselves in a complex framework, and the adoption of AI, even if challenging, could be one of the solutions to advance in terms of efficiency. Nevertheless, risks in such an approach must be carefully considered. Based on a semi-structured literature review, this opinion paper discusses the main risks that managers of SMEs in the CEE region should understand regarding AI and the consequent challenges of adopting it in business. Final considerations and future research discussions conclude the paper.