Innovation capability in geographically dispersed R&D teams: The role of social capital and IT support

The internationalization of R&D activities has become crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to create sources of competitive advantage. This research aims to analyze the role of social capital and information technology (IT) in enhancing knowledge sharing and innovation capabilities in the particular context of SMEs with geographically dispersed R&D teams. The study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (FsQCA) to investigate data from an online survey of 265 R&D managers in Italian manufacturing SMEs with responsibility for at least one international R&D team. The results reveal the critical role of structural social capital and IT in enhancing knowledge sharing and innovation capabilities. The research contributes to existing knowledge and provides useful insights for marketers by highlighting how social capital, also in combination with IT, strengthens SMEs' competitiveness even when they operate in a mature industry.