Title: Growth drivers in low technology micro firms

Authors: Casper Claudi Rasmussen; Erlend Nybakk

Addresses: Kristiania University College, Kirkegata 24, 0153 Oslo, Norway ' Kristiania University College, Kirkegata 24, 0153 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: This study examines the relationship among customer orientation, innovativeness, tenacity, risk taking, growth willingness and growth in low-technology micro firms. A survey was sent to 3,000 CEOs in the Norwegian firewood industry, and 514 usable responses were received. The findings indicate that micro firms differ in how they configure and exploit their strategic resources. Furthermore, the results show that customer orientation, innovativeness and tenacity have a significant effect on growth in micro firms. In contrast with earlier studies, we find no support for interaction effects among innovativeness, tenacity, risk taking and customer orientation. Managers should increase their focus on customer needs with regard to the manner in which goods are delivered.

Keywords: micro firms; risk taking; tenacity; innovativeness; customer orientation; entrepreneurial orientation; low technology; low tech firms; growth drivers; Norway; firewood industry; micro enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2016.077964

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2016 Vol.20 No.3/4, pp.258 - 277

Accepted: 14 Apr 2016
Published online: 26 Jul 2016 *

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