Title: 'Collectivism' and 'assertiveness' as determinants of innovation in small and medium enterprises in Egypt

Authors: Tarek A. El Badawy; Ravi Chinta; Mariam M. Magdy

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, College of Business, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA ' Department of Management, Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33324, USA ' Department of Management and Organization, German University in Cairo, Main Entrance of Tagamoa El-Khames, New Cairo City, Egypt

Abstract: Hofstede's metrics of national culture have been extensively studied in a wide variety of organisational settings since his seminal work in 1983. However, there is a paucity of research on the effects of Hofstede's culture metrics on firm innovation in small and medium enterprises in Egypt. This study empirically investigates the main and interaction effects of two of Hofstede's cultural metrics on firm innovation in small and medium enterprises in Egypt. The results from a survey of 326 respondents in small and medium enterprises in Egypt reveal that though the main effects of collectivism and assertiveness are not statistically significant as expected from extant literature, the interaction effect between the two is strong and statistically significant. Results are justified through the resonance effect that stems from two weak forces. Further implications of the findings are discussed. The study is concluded with practical implications for managers, policy makers and for future research endeavours.

Keywords: Hofstede; collectivism; assertiveness; innovation; small and medium enterprises; SME; Egypt.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBE.2017.085350

International Journal of Business Environment, 2017 Vol.9 No.2, pp.138 - 151

Received: 24 Mar 2017
Accepted: 24 Mar 2017

Published online: 23 Jul 2017 *

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