Programa del congreso

Objective: To explore the role of official development aid channeled through multilateral financial organizations as an opportunity for international business growth and how to overcome the difficulties SMEs face to participate in projects financed by these organizations.

Methodology: Qualitative methods through an in depth case study. In addition to using secondary sources of information, semi-structured interviews have been carried out with the different agents involved in a single project.

Results/implications: Reflections on the role of different mechanisms that can be used by SMEs to overcome the difficulties to get access to these projects: institutional support, strategic surveillance, experience and track record, networking and business cooperation, and contact with final clients.

The main objective of this study is to identify and generate a typology of business actions related to global health to assist Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in their efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Good Health and Well-Being”. The importance of SDG 3 rests on its aim to ensure the well-being of all the members of society across the globe, including defeating international health disparities among countries. To fulfill such an objective, we perform an empirical analysis of 250 MNEs standing out in sustainability practices according to the S&P Yearbook of 2023. We compile and analyze their annual sustainability reports to identify health-related business practices. Finally, we integrate the theoretical and empirical analysis to generate a comprehensive typology of business actions related to global health that help businesses to contribute to the SDG 3.

• Objectives: In recent times, SMEs have increasingly engaged in international alliances for eco-innovation, as these collaborations provide access to richer and more diverse knowledge sources that SMEs often lack due to resource constraints. The objective of this extended abstract is to open a space for debate on the opportunities and challenges SMEs face in eco-innovation activities nowadays, while fostering discussion on how current trends (political, technological, so on) influence SMEs' eco-innovation decisions, and how international alliances help SMEs overcome challenges.

• Theoretical framework: Knowledge-Based View of the firm, intern-organizational collaborations for eco-innovation, institutional theory

• Methodology: Conceptual paper (extended abstract)

• Results/implications: This study provides a better theoretical and practical understanding of how inter-organizational collaboration and eco-innovation theories intersect in the context of SMEs, exploring how SMEs can capitalize on the benefits of international collaborations to navigate global challenges such as technological changes and legal fragmentation, among others.

El necesario intercambio de recursos y capacidades en la empresa conjunta, la mayoría internacionales, hace que la cultura juegue un papel determinante y, especialmente los procesos de aculturación entre socios. Pocas investigaciones se han centrado en estudiar la relación entre cultura y rendimiento y las conclusiones resultan confusas. Dando respuesta a la escasez o controversia de la literatura, se pretende ahondar en esta relación respecto a las joint venture internacionales, aportando una sistemática útil para testear y gestionar las diferencias culturales a través de la aculturación tras la previa y adecuada elección de los socios. Basándose en las investigaciones principalmente enfocadas en las dimensiones culturales de las empresas y los procesos de aculturación, se lleva a cabo un estudio de caso ejemplar. Se concluye que las diferencias existentes entre la cultura nacional y organizativa afectan negativamente al rendimiento de la empresa conjunta si no se gestiona adecuadamente su integración, a pesar de tratarse de culturas similares. No se puede inferir que una de las facetas culturales tenga mayor influencia que la otra, sí que la aplicación de una estrategia de aculturación resulta clave. Se propone una forma práctica de llevarlo a cabo y provechosa para la toma de decisiones estratégicas.

Innovation and internationalization are two interconnected strategies essential for sustaining SMEs’ growth and competitive advantage. The literature highlights two key mechanisms shaping SMEs’ international behavior: (1) innovative SMEs possess superior resources and competencies, enhancing their export success, and (2) international exposure fosters learning by exporting (LBE), enabling firms to acquire external knowledge and develop market-adapted innovations. However, these mechanisms do not operate automatically, making it crucial to understand the internal processes that enable firms to harness the benefits of both strategies. This study examines how an innovative climate and business model innovation (BMI) influence SMEs’ ability to leverage international markets for growth. Using a sample of 112 Spanish manufacturing firms, our findings suggest that a strong innovative climate enhances SMEs’ capacity to recognize and integrate external knowledge, while effective BMI ensures that this knowledge translates into successful international expansion. These insights have managerial implications, emphasizing the need for SMEs to cultivate an innovative-driven culture and strategically adapt their business models to

maximize export opportunities.

• Objetivos

Este estudio examina el cumplimiento de las obligaciones de publicidad activa establecidas en la Ley 19/2013 de Transparencia de las empresas españolas que recibieron fondos europeos del Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia. Se busca evaluar si se está ejerciendo una adecuada fiscalización y control del uso de los fondos.

• Marco teórico

La publicidad activa en la gestión de recursos públicos es un pilar fundamental para la democracia y la prevención de irregularidades. Los fondos Next Generation EU han supuesto una inversión sin precedentes, lo que refuerza la necesidad de examinar cómo las empresas beneficiarias cumplen con sus obligaciones informativas.

• Metodología

Se han desarrollado una serie de índices de contenidos basados en los criterios de publicidad activa de la Ley de Transparencia. Posteriormente, se analizan los niveles de publicidad activa en diferentes circunstancias.

• Resultados/implicaciones

Los hallazgos evidencian un bajo nivel de publicidad activa en las empresas analizadas, lo que dificulta la supervisión del uso de los fondos europeos. Se identifican patrones como la predominancia de la calidad de la información sobre la cantidad. Estos resultados subrayan la necesidad de reforzar los mecanismos de control y fomentar prácticas de rendición de cuentas más rigurosas.