Dominant logics and cognitive inflection points: towards a cognitive and dynamic approach to the strong growth of gazelle SMEs

Abstract

The field of business growth, though important for management science researchers, remains relatively modest in its contribution due to the fragmentation of the literature that characterizes it (Davidsson & Delmar, 2000; Davidsson & Wiklund, 2006; El Hakioui & Louitri, 2018). To transcend this fragmentation, this work proposes to explore a cognitive approach to the study of the high growth SMEs in an integrative and dynamic manner. The emphasis is placed on the analysis of the owner-manager’s cognition, as an omnipresent and omnipotent actor, to understand the decision-making process within these firms. This paper highlights the need for in-depth analysis to delineate the capabilities of this approach and determine its potential for the integrative study of SMEs' high growth. The conceptual contribution is based on cognitive science, emphasizing managerial and entrepreneurial cognition, which focuses on the thinking of the manager/entrepreneur and their perception of the action environment. Two key concepts of cognition, dominant logics, and cognitive inflection points, are highlighted in the context of high growth, providing a dynamic and integrative perspective to understand this complex phenomenon.

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Keywords: High-growth SMEs, Owner-manager, Cognition, Dominant logic, Cognitive inflection point.

JEL Classification: M13

Paper type: Theoretical Research