Collaboration with Triple Helix: The Mediating Effect of Mass Media in Expanding SMEs' Information Access

Sunday Noya, Stefanus Yufra M. Taneo, Melany Melany, Santi Widyaningrum

Abstract

Purpose: The study explores how collaboration among SMEs with the Triple Helix innovation ecosystem impacts their information access and performance. It also examines the mediating role of mass media.


Methodology/Approach: Data were collected from 545 SME managers and owners in Malang, Indonesia. SEM-PLS was used to analyse the data to examine the relationship of four latent variables: SME collaboration (COL), information access (IA), SME performance (SP), and collaboration with mass media (MM).


Findings: The study proves the pivotal role of SME collaboration with the triple helix ecosystem to improve SME information access and performance. It is also underscoring the considerable significance of mass media mediating roles.


Research Limitation/implication: The study demonstrates that SMEs can improve information acquisition through collaborations with the government, universities, and major corporations. It proposes expanding the 'triple helix' model to include mass media, thus enhancing SME development by augmenting information access capabilities alongside government, universities, and industry.


Originality/Value of paper: The study adds to the existing research on the triple helix innovation ecosystem by exploring how additional elements, beyond government, universities, and industries, collaborate to support SME development, suggesting the inclusion of mass media to create a quadruple helix ecosystem.

References

Adam, N.A. and Alarifi, G., 2021. Innovation practices for survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the COVID-19 times: the role of external support. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 10(1), p.15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-021-00156-6.
Adner, R. and Kapoor, R., 2010. Value creation in innovation ecosystems: How the structure of technological interdependence affects firm performance in new technology generations. Strategic Management Journal, 31(3), pp.306-333. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.821.
Afonso, O., Monteiro, S. and Thompson, M., 2012. A growth model for the quadruple helix. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 13(5), pp. 849-865. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2011.626438.
Ahuja, G., 2000. Collaboration networks, structural holes, and innovation: A longitudinal study. Administrative Science Quarterly, 45(3), pp.425-455. https://doi.org/10.2307/2667105.
Autio, E., Dahlander, L. and Frederiksen, L., 2013. Information exposure, opportunity evaluation, and entrepreneurial action: An investigation of an online user community. Academy of Management Journal, 56(5), pp.1348-1371. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.0328.
Avram, E. and Priescu, I., 2012. Access to information and empowerment perspectives in health services. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences, 33, pp. 949-953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.01.262.
Bandura, A., 2009. Social cognitive theory of mass communication. In: Bryant, J., Oliver, M.B., ed. 2009. Media Effects (pp.110-140). New York: Routledge.
Bendoly, E. and Swink, M., 2007. Moderating effects of information access on project management behavior, performance and perceptions. Journal of Operations Management, 25(3), pp. 604-622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2006.02.009.
Bullinger, H.J., Auernhammer, K. and Gomeringer*, A., 2004. Managing innovation networks in the knowledge-driven economy. International Journal of Production Research, 42(17), pp.3337-3353. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540410001695970.
Carayannis, E.G. and Campbell, D.F., 2022. Towards an Emerging Unified Theory of Helix Architectures (EUTOHA): focus on the Quintuple innovation helix framework as the integrative device. Triple Helix, 9(1), p.75. https://doi.org/10.1163/21971927-bja10028.
Carayannis, E.G., Grigoroudis, E., Campbell, D.F., Meissner, D. and Stamati, D., 2018. The ecosystem as helix: an exploratory theory‐building study of regional co‐opetitive entrepreneurial ecosystems as quadruple/quintuple helix innovation models. R&D Management, 48(1), pp.148-162. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12300.
Carayannis, E.G. and Campbell, D.F., 2009. 'Mode 3'and'Quadruple Helix': toward a 21st century fractal innovation ecosystem. International Journal of Technology Management, 46(3-4), pp.201-234. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTM.2009.023374.
Chege, S.M. and Wang, D., 2020. The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya. Technology in Society, 60, p.101210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101210.
Chen, M.H., Chang, Y.Y. and Lee, C.Y., 2015a. Creative entrepreneurs' guanxi networks and success: Information and resource. Journal of Business Research, 68(4), pp.900-905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.11.049.
Chen, Y., Wang, Y., Nevo, S., Benitez-Amado, J. and Kou, G., 2015b. IT capabilities and product innovation performance: The roles of corporate entrepreneurship and competitive intensity. Information & Management, 52(6), pp.643-657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2015.05.003.
Chiu, M., Lin, H.W., Nagalingam, S.V. and Lin, G.C., 2006. Inter-operability framework towards virtual integration of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 9(3-4), pp.328-349. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMTM.2006.010061.
Chrisman, J.J. and McMullan, W.E., 2004. Outsider assistance as a knowledge resource for new venture survival. Journal of Small Business Management, 42(3), pp. 229-244. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2004.00109.x.
Christopher, M. and Lee, H., 2004. Mitigating supply chain risk through improved confidence. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 34(5), pp.388-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/09600030410545436.
Cooper, A.C., Folta, T.B. and Woo, C., 1995. Entrepreneurial Information Search. Journal of Business Venturing, 10(2), pp.107-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9026(94)00022-M.
De Zubielqui, G.C., Jones, J. and Lester, L., 2016. Knowledge inflows from market-and science-based actors, absorptive capacity, innovation and performance—a study of SMEs. International Journal of Innovation Management, 20(06), p.1650055. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919616500559.
Edelman, L. and Yli–Renko, H., 2010. The impact of environment and entrepreneurial perceptions on venture-creation efforts: Bridging the discovery and creation views of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 34(5), pp.833-856. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00395.x.
El Samra, A., Anastasakis, L., Albores, P. and Uren, V., 2018. Big data big impact: How firms are using social media for innovation and better performance. International Conference on Advances in Business, Management and Law (ICABML), 2 (1), pp.32 - 42. Dubai: University of Dubai.
Elvekrok, I., Veflen, N., Nilsen, E.R. and Gausdal, A.H., 2018. Firm innovation benefits from regional triple-helix networks. Regional Studies, 52(9), pp.1214-1224. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2017.1370086.
Etzkowitz, H. and Leydesdorff, L., 1995. The Triple Helix--University-industry-government relations: A laboratory for knowledge based economic development. EASST Review, 14(1), pp.14-19.
Ferreras-Méndez, J.L., Fernández-Mesa, A. and Alegre, J., 2016. The relationship between knowledge search strategies and absorptive capacity: A deeper look. Technovation, 54, pp.48-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2016.03.001.
Franco, M., Haase, H. and Pereira, A., 2016. Empirical study about the role of social networks in SME performance. Journal of Systems and Information Technology, 18(4), pp.383-403. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSIT-06-2016-0036.
Gerschewski, S., Evers, N., Nguyen, A.T. and Froese, F.J., 2020. Trade shows and SME internationalisation: Networking for performance. Management International Review, 60, pp.573-595.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-020-00421-y.
Greco, M., Grimaldi, M. and Cricelli, L., 2016. An analysis of the open innovation effect on firm performance. European Management Journal, 34(5), pp.501-516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2016.02.008.
Gronum, S., Verreynne, M.L. and Kastelle, T., 2012. The role of networks in small and medium‐sized enterprise innovation and firm performance. Journal of Small Business Management, 50(2), pp.257-282. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2012.00353.x.
Guerrero, M. and Urbano, D., 2017. The impact of Triple Helix agents on entrepreneurial innovations' performance: An inside look at enterprises located in an emerging economy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 119, pp.294-309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2016.06.015.
Hair Jr, J.F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L. and Kuppelwieser, V.G., 2014. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review, 26(2), pp.106-121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128.
Harwiki, W. and Malet, C., 2020. Quintuple helix and innovation on performance of SMEs within ability of SMEs as a mediator variable: A comparative study of creative industry in Indonesia and Spain. Management Science Letters, 10(6), pp.1389-1400. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2019.11.018.
Hirsch, P.M., 1977. Occupational, organisational, and institutional models in mass media research: Toward an integrated framework. Sage Annual Reviews of Communications Research, 6, p.13.
Imran, M., Salisu, I., Aslam, H.D., Iqbal, J. and Hameed, I., 2019. Resource and information access for SME sustainability in the era of IR 4.0: The mediating and moderating roles of innovation capability and management commitment. Processes, 7(4), p.211. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7040211.
Inkpen, A.C. and Tsang, E.W., 2005. Social capital, networks, and knowledge transfer. Academy of Management Review, 30(1), pp.146-165. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2005.15281445.
Jenssen, J.I. and Koenig, H.F., 2002. The effect of social networks on resource access and business start-ups. European Planning Studies, 10(8), pp.1039-1046. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965431022000031301.
Jha, P.P. and Cottam, E., 2021. Embeddedness of Inter‐firm Ties and Knowledge Creation. European Management Review, 18(3), pp.215-227. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12455.
Kallmuenzer, A. and Scholl-Grissemann, U., 2017. Disentangling antecedents and performance effects of family SME innovation: A knowledge-based perspective. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 13(4), pp.1117-1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-017-0443-x.
Kao, J., 2009. Big Picture –Tapping the World's Innovation Hot Spots. Harvard Business Review, p.109, [online] Available at: http:// https://hbr.org/2009/03/tapping-the-worlds-innovation-hot-spots [Accessed 20 October 2023].
Karjalainen, J., Valtakoski, A. and Kauranen, I., 2021. Interfirm network structure and firm resources: Towards a unifying concept. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Innovation, 17(3), pp.227-264. https://doi.org/10.7341/20211737.
Khoshnodifar, Z., Ghonji, M., Mazloumzadeh, S.M. and Abdollahi, V., 2016. Effect of communication channels on success rate of entrepreneurial SMEs in the agricultural sector (a case study). Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 15(1), pp.83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2014.04.001.
Kock, N., 2017. WarpPLS User Manual: Version 6.0. ScriptWarp Systems: Laredo, TX, USA, 141, p.60. Available at: https://www.scriptwarp.com/warppls/UserManual_v_7_0.pdf [Accessed 20 September 2023].
Kovach, B. and Rosenstiel, T., 2021. The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know And The Public Should Expect. 4th ed. New York: Crown.
Kotane, I. and Kuzmina-Merlino, I., 2017. Analysis of small and medium sized enterprises’ business performance evaluation practice at transportation and storage services sector in Latvia. Procedia Engineering, 178, pp.182-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.01.093.
Laužikas, M. and Dailydaitė, S., 2015. Impacts of social capital on transformation from efficiency to innovation-driven business. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 16(1), pp. 37-51. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2012.754374.
Lee, S., Park, G., Yoon, B. and Park, J., 2010. Open innovation in SMEs—An intermediated network model. Research Policy, 39(2), pp. 290-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2009.12.009.
Lew, Y.K. and Park, J.Y., 2021. The evolution of N‐helix of the regional innovation system: Implications for sustainability. Sustainable Development, 29(2), pp.453-464. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2143.
Manolova, T.S., Manev, I.M. and Gyoshev, B.S., 2010. In good company: The role of personal and inter-firm networks for new-venture internationalisation in a transition economy. Journal of World Business, 45(3), pp.257-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2009.09.004.
Martynovich, M. 2011. On the Way to Developing the Triple Helix Indicator. Lund: Lund University.
Maziriri, E.T., Mapuranga, M. and Lose, T., 2021. Are triple helix agents the answer for promoting SME development? Invigorating innovation and enhancing performance of SMEs in South Africa. Journal of Critical Review. 8(01), pp.880-901. https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.08.01.100.
McAdam, M. and Debackere, K., 2018. Beyond ‘triple helix’toward ‘quadruple helix’models in regional innovation systems: Implications for theory and practice. R&D Management, 48(1), pp.3-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12309
McNab, A.L. and Ladd, D.A., 2014. Information quality: the importance of context and trade-offs. In: 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (pp.3525-3532). Waikoloa, 06-09 January 2014, Waikoloa: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2014.439.
Milagres, R., and Burcharth, A. 2018. Knowledge transfer in interorganizational partnerships: what do we know? Business Process Management Journal, 25(1), pp.27-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-06-2017-0175.
Miller, K., McAdam, R. and McAdam, M., 2018. A systematic literature review of university technology transfer from a quadruple helix perspective: toward a research agenda. R&D Management, 48(1), pp.7-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12228.
Muzzi, C. and Albertini, S., 2015. Communities and managerial competencies supporting SME's innovation networking: a longitudinal case study. R&D Management, 45(2), pp.196-211. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12060.
Noya, S., Taneo, S.Y.M, and Melany, 2023. Triple Helix Innovation Ecosystem: The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises Community in Enhancing Performance. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 27(1), pp.44-61. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v27i1.1759.
O’Keeffe, J.M., Gilmour, D. and Simpson, E., 2016. A network approach to overcoming barriers to market engagement for SMEs in energy efficiency initiatives such as the Green Deal. Energy Policy, 97, pp.582-590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.08.006.
Park, H.W., 2014. Transition from the triple helix to N-tuple helices? An interview with Elias G. Carayannis and David FJ Campbell. Scientometrics, 99(1), pp.203-207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-013-1124-3.
Pfeffer, J., 1987. A resource dependence perspective on intercorporate relations. Intercorporate relations: The structural analysis of business, In: Mizruchi, M.S., Schwartz, M. ed. 1987. Intercorporate Relations, 1(1), pp.25-55. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511570841.002.
Potnis, D.D., 2015. Beyond access to information: Understanding the use of information by poor female mobile users in rural India. The Information Society, 31(1), pp.83-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2014.976687
Primo, N., and Khan, A. W. 2003. Gender issues in the information society (pp.81-85). Paris: UNESCO.
Radicic, D., Pugh, G. and Douglas, D., 2020. Promoting cooperation in innovation ecosystems: evidence from European traditional manufacturing SMEs. Small Business Economics, 54, pp.257-283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-0088-3.
Ribeiro, S.X. and Nagano, M.S., 2022. Benefits of New University-Business-Government Arrangements for the Performance of Organisations: A Triple Helix Approach. In: Faghih, N., Forouharfar, A., eds. Contextual Strategic Entrepreneurship. Contributions to Management Science.pp. 173-190. Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86028-8_10.
Ropega, J., 2011. The reasons and symptoms of failure in SME. International Advances in Economic Research, 17, pp.476-483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11294-011-9316-1.
Roundy, P.T., Bradshaw, M. and Brockman, B.K., 2018. The emergence of entrepreneurial ecosystems: A complex adaptive systems approach. Journal of Business Research, 86, pp.1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.01.032.
Saragih, M.Y., 2019. Media Massa dan Jurnalisme: Kajian Pemaknaan antara Media Massa Cetak dan Jurnalistik. Journal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 6(1), p.12. http://dx.doi.org/10.37064/jpm.v6i1.4988.
Saunila, M., 2016. Performance measurement approach for innovation capability in SMEs. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 65(2), pp.162-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-08-2014-0123.
Schramm, W. 1964. Mass Media and National Development: The role of information in the developing countries (Vol. 65). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Schocair, M. M., Dias, A. A., Galina, S. V. R., and Amaral, M. 2023. The Evolution of the Triple Helix Thematic: a Social Networks Analysis. Triple Helix, 9(3), pp.325-368. https://doi.org/10.1163/21971927-bja10037.
Seo, Y.W. and Lee, Y.H., 2019. Effects of internal and external factors on business performance of start-ups in South Korea: The engine of new market dynamics. International Journal of Engineering Business Management, 11, p.1847979018824231. https://doi.org/10.1177/1847979018824231
Shiferaw, B., Kebede, T., Kassie, M. and Fisher, M., 2015. Market imperfections, access to information and technology adoption in Uganda: Challenges of overcoming multiple constraints. Agricultural Economics, 46(4), pp.475-488. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12175.
Shi, H., Peng, S.Z., Liu, Y. and Zhong, P., 2008. Barriers to the implementation of cleaner production in Chinese SMEs: government, industry and expert stakeholders' perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(7), pp.842-852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2007.05.002.
Sparks, B.H. and McCann, J.T., 2015. Factors influencing business intelligence system use in decision making and organisational performance. International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management., 5(1), pp.31-54. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJSSM.2015.074604.
Sütőová, A., 2018. Improving information flow for decision making on product quality in the automotive industry. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 22(1), pp.73-80. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v22i1.1082.
Ueasangkomsate, P. and Jangkot, A., 2019. Enhancing the innovation of small and medium enterprises in food manufacturing through Triple Helix Agents. Kasetsart Journal of Social Sciences, 40(2), pp.380-388. Available at: https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/kjss/article/view/242165 [Accessed 15 October 2023]..
Ulhøi, J.P., 2005. The social dimensions of entrepreneurship. Technovation, 25(8), pp.939-946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2004.02.003.
Valacich, J. and Schneider, C., 2015. Information Systems Today: Managing in a Digital World, 7th Ed. London: Pearson.
Van de Vrande, V., De Jong, J.P., Vanhaverbeke, W. and De Rochemont, M., 2009. Open innovation in SMEs: Trends, motives and management challenges. Technovation, 29(6-7), pp.423-437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2008.10.001
Vrgovic, P., Vidicki, P., Glassman, B. and Walton, A., 2012. Open innovation for SMEs in developing countries–An intermediated communication network model for collaboration beyond obstacles. Innovation, 14(3), pp.290-302. https://doi.org/10.5172/impp.2012.14.3.290.
Wang, Y., 2015. Formal cognitive models of data, information, knowledge, and intelligence. WSEAS Transactions on Computers, 14(3), pp.770-781.
Wetzels, M., Odekerken-Schröder, G. and Van Oppen, C., 2009. Using PLS path modeling for assessing hierarchical construct models: Guidelines and empirical illustration. MIS Quarterly, pp. 177-195. https://doi.org/10.2307/20650284.
Wijaya, P.Y. and Suasih, N.N.R., 2020. The effect of knowledge management on competitive advantage and business performance: A study of silver craft SMEs. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 8(4), pp.105-121.
Wood, E.H., 2006. The internal predictors of business performance in small firms: A logistic regression analysis. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(3), pp.441-453. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626000610680299.
Yıldız, S., Baştürk, F. and Boz, İ.T., 2014. The effect of leadership and innovativeness on business performance. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 150, pp.785-793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.064.
Zerfass, A., Verčič, D. and Wiesenberg, M., 2016. The dawn of a new golden age for media relations?: How PR professionals interact with the mass media and use new collaboration practices. Public Relations Review, 42(4), pp.499-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2016.03.005.
Zulu-Chisanga, S., Chabala, M. and Mandawa-Bray, B., 2021. The differential effects of government support, inter-firm collaboration and firm resources on SME performance in a developing economy. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 13(2), pp.175-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-07-2019-0105.

Authors

Sunday Noya
sunday.alexander@machung.ac.id (Primary Contact)
Stefanus Yufra M. Taneo
Melany Melany
Santi Widyaningrum
Author Biographies

Stefanus Yufra M. Taneo, Universitas Ma Chung

Innovation Management Department. Universitas Ma Chung, Villa Puncak Tidar – N01, Malang, Indonesia

Melany Melany, Universitas Ma Chung

English Literature Department. Universitas Ma Chung, Villa Puncak Tidar – N01, Malang, Indonesia.

Santi Widyaningrum, Universitas Ma Chung

Management Department. Universitas Ma Chung, Villa Puncak Tidar – N01, Malang, Indonesia.

Noya, S., Taneo, S. Y. M., Melany, M., & Widyaningrum, S. (2024). Collaboration with Triple Helix: The Mediating Effect of Mass Media in Expanding SMEs’ Information Access. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 28(1), 67–87. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v28i1.1940

Article Details