RESEARCH-RELATED INFORMATION

1. Research objectives
1.1 To develop a new framework of SME export performance from the perspective of
dynamic capability and institutional environment;
1.2 To reconstruct the relationship pattern between dynamic capabilities and export
performance among SMEs; and
1.3 To develop a model of strategic innovation ambidexterity for SMEs in emerging
markets.

2. Scope of research
SME exporters in the manufacturing sector.

3. Timeline of research
The overall timeline is 3 years. The results are expected to be released in about 2 to 2
and a half years.

4. How can SMEs benefit from this research topic?

The results of the research are expected to help SMEs in two ways.
4.1 It guides SMEs toward innovation adoption and factors that lead to adopting
various types of innovation adoption, specifically exploitative innovation,
explorative innovation, and innovation ambidexterity.
4.2 The results are expected to help the SMEs in resource allocation in terms of
which internal capability should receive more allocation of resources to
enhance the capability that significantly helps the firm to develop the specific
innovation.

5. How can SME Corp. Malaysia contribute to this project?

The SME Corp. plays a significant role in developing SMEs in Malaysia, including
those active in exporting. Therefore, SME Corp can play significant role in this
research in terms of:
5.1 Providing samples of SME exporters
5.2 Support the research and encourage relevant SMEs to participate in the research.
5.3 Meetings between researchers, sample (SMEs) and SME Corp.

6. Can Malaysia benefit from the project (access to research publications &
databases, research extraction for our publications, citations/confessions,
conference entries, etc.)?
6.1 The project will be under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
provided by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia. The research outcome
will mainly benefit Malaysia at large in terms of academics, SMEs and
policymakers/government institutions.
6.2 The output will be in the form of journal publication (academic), book (academic
and practitioner), conference (academic), workshop and symposium (academic,

1
 practitioner and institutions), data (academic and institutions), and research report
(academic, practitioner and institutions).

7. Are there any stakeholders/partners/joint venture partners/others for this

research?
The official partner will be SME Corp. Other stakeholders include Ministry of Higher
Education, Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)