Open Workshop by Prof. Maaja Vadi: What enables low-capacity SMEs to innovate in collaboration with academic partners?

In this paper, we examine how multiple learning pathways manifest in acquisitions. Drawing from organizational theory, we suggest that firms adopt a portfolio of learning mechanisms. Making use of acquisition experience, codification and routines to foster acquisition performance. Furthermore, deploying codification and routines in parallel increasing learning to task effectiveness along the integration process. Our theoretical framework was tested empirically across a sample of 116 transactions in the German-speaking part of Central Europe. The result of our study supports the demand for a portfolio perspective of learning pathways in rare strategic situation. 

Maaja Vadi is Professor of Management at the University of Tartu, Estonia.  She has published articles in journals (Technovation, Management International Review, International Journal of Manpower, International Journal of Cross Cultural Management,  Journal of Health Organization and Management, Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal etc. ), edited books (i.e. by Emerald (Dis)honesty in Management: Manifestations and Consequences) and special issues of journals. Maaja Vadi is a member of editorial board of several international academic journals and is the elected president of ISSWOV. She has supervised 15 doctoral dissertations and more than 150 master thesis. She has lead and work on various international projects financed by European Commission, and several Estonian institutions and the consultant for many companies and governmental organizations in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and Finland. Maaja Vadi delivers academic courses in Estonia.  She has also conducted academic lectures in the USA, Japan, Iceland, France, Slovenia, and Sweden. Her administrative positions were related to leading of chair, institute, and faculty.