scholarly journals Does team diversity really matter? The connection between networks, access to financial resources, and performance in the context of university spin-offs

Author(s):  
Petra Moog ◽  
Christian Soost

Abstract University spin-offs (USOs) are an important driver for innovation, along with economic and social development. Hence, understanding which factors help them perform successfully is crucial, especially regarding their peculiarities in a scientific environment. This study focuses on essential factors such as team composition and diversity in USOs in the biotech sector in 64 founding teams in Switzerland and Germany. By identifying the team composition, and going beyond the usual team characteristics, along with checking in parallel for network and financing effects, the paper adds empirical evidence to the ongoing debate if and how team diversity in USOs affects the performance of this special group of newly founded firms. We test our hypotheses with the partial least squares method (PLS). Our results from the mediation model show how the diversity of teams is related to networks and financial resources and affects the performance. In addition, our study reveals the direct and indirect effects of team diversity on success in USOs. This way we contribute to the ongoing discussion on performance investigating the sources of team effects more in detail.

Author(s):  
Serghei Musaji ◽  
Julio De Castro

Despite the continuous interest in studying entrepreneurial teams, the relationship between team composition and, particularly, team diversity and performance remains fertile ground for active debate. Taking roots in the knowledge-based view and organizational learning literatures, this chapter argues that performance in entrepreneurial teams is contingent on (a) the overlap between team members’ knowledge/competences and the content of the performed tasks, (b) the duplication of the team members’ knowledge in the areas with that content, (c) the nature of tasks (exploration or exploitation), (d) the team’s flexibility to adapt to changes in the content and nature of those tasks, and (e) the rate of environmental change. Because an important source of ambiguity in the understanding of how team diversity and performance are linked ties to issues of how team diversity is conceptualized and operationalized, the chapter also proposes a new way of looking at diversity in future research.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27
Author(s):  
Savanid Vatanasakdakul ◽  
Chadi Aoun

The old paradigm in technology adoption focuses on the technical implementation and uptake of innovation. A new paradigm has emerged that considers the social, cultural, and political context in which innovation is implemented and addresses the enablers and constraints to its effective diffusion and utilisation. To that end, we apply the institutional theory as a social lens to examine the diffusion of B2B technology in Thailand. This study posits that mimetic, coercive and normative pressures may influence B2B technology utilisation and performance. Data were collected from firms that have adopted B2B technology in the tourism industry. The Partial Least Squares method was used for data analysis. Results show that normative and coercive pressures had a significant influence on firms’ utilisation of B2B technology, while normative pressure had a significant influence on performance. We conclude by hypothesising that only through addressing the social factors can innovation achieve ‘real’ diffusion and effectiveness.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Michalski ◽  
Jose-Luis Montes-Botella ◽  
Ram Narasimhan

Purpose This paper aims to examine the non-linear aspects of the relationship between asymmetry and performance in supply chains (SCs), under varying intensities of collaboration and integration. Design/methodology/approach The paper offers a useful new approach to designing strategic elements of supply chain management (SCM) relationships. Using the partial least squares method, an empirical study of 66 companies in Spain has been conducted to clarify contemporary relationships, suggest new directions and ultimately contribute toward developing SCM theory. Findings The influences of asymmetry on performance in varying collaboration and integration contexts are shown to be unstable and have non-linear paths. It is inappropriate for all firms to collaborate or integrate continually, even for a prescribed period. Furthermore, due to asymmetry, SCM processes are more complex. Research limitations/implications The results’ validity may be limited to contexts specific to Spanish SCs. It would be valuable to investigate the impact of asymmetry on firms’ performance and relationships in other markets. Practical implications Collaborations and integration between partners in a SC might change the role of asymmetry from restraining to improving performance. The best way to improve performance in asymmetric relationships is to collaborate. Certain dimensions of integration and full integration are not necessarily required to improve firms’ performance under asymmetry conditions. Originality/value The study adds a new viewpoint on SCM by suggesting that not all collaboration and integration developments lead directly to improved performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chao ◽  
Zhang Jinxi

Asphalt pavement temperatures greatly influence on the bearing capacity and performance, especially in high-temperature season. The variation rules of pavement temperatures under the high-temperature range affect the design and maintenance management of the asphalt pavement, as well as the accurate prediction for pavement temperatures. However, asphalt pavement temperature is greatly affected by various strongly correlated environmental factors and cannot be measured directly or predicted effectively. In this project, temperature sensors were embedded in the pavement of in-service road to collect temperature data by continuous record measurement, and regression model was conducted by the partial least squares method through comprehensive analysis on the pavement temperature data and synchronously environmental data from local weather station measured in July 2013, July 2014, and July 2015. The quantitative relationships in high-temperature season between environmental factors and pavement temperature were determined, and a model was established to predict the temperature of asphalt pavement based on environmental data. The model was verified by the recorded data from July 1, 2016, to July 31, 2016, and the results indicated that the pavement temperature can be predicted accurately and reliably by the proposed model.


2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472097279
Author(s):  
Alessio Bellato ◽  
Iti Arora ◽  
Puja Kochhar ◽  
Chris Hollis ◽  
Madeleine J. Groom

We investigated autonomic arousal, attention and response conflict, in ADHD and autism. Heart rate variability (HRV), and behavioral/electrophysiological indices of performance, were recorded during a task with low and high levels of response conflict in 78 children/adolescents (7–15 years old) with ADHD, autism, comorbid ADHD+autism, or neurotypical. ANOVA models were used to investigate effects of ADHD and autism, while a mediation model was tested to clarify the relationship between ADHD and slower performance. Slower and less accurate performance characterized ADHD and autism; however, atypical electrophysiological indices differently characterized these conditions. The relationship between ADHD and slower task performance was mediated by reduced HRV in response to the cue stimulus. Autonomic hypo-arousal and difficulties in mobilizing energetic resources in response to sensory information (associated with ADHD), and atypical electrophysiological indices of information processing (associated with autism), might negatively affect cognitive performance in those with ADHD+autism.


Author(s):  
Alexander Kritikos ◽  
Christoph Kneiding ◽  
Claas Christian Germelmann

SummaryIn developing and transition economies, microlending has become an effective instrument for providing micro businesses with the necessary financial resources to launch operations. In industrialized countries, with their highly developed banking systems, however, there has been ongoing debate on the question of whether an uncovered demand for microlending services exists. The present pilot study explores customer preferences formicrolending products in Germany. Among the interviewed business owners, 15 % reported revolving funding needs and an interest in microloans. We find that potential recipients of microloan products are retail business owners, foreign business owners, and persons who had previously received private loans. Furthermore, financial products should feature rapid access to short-term loans.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ned Kock

The author discusses common method bias in the context of structural equation modeling employing the partial least squares method (PLS-SEM). Two datasets were created through a Monte Carlo simulation to illustrate the discussion: one contaminated by common method bias, and the other not contaminated. A practical approach is presented for the identification of common method bias based on variance inflation factors generated via a full collinearity test. The author's discussion builds on an illustrative model in the field of e-collaboration, with outputs generated by the software WarpPLS. They demonstrate that the full collinearity test is successful in the identification of common method bias with a model that nevertheless passes standard convergent and discriminant validity assessment criteria based on a confirmation factor analysis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-294
Author(s):  
Apostolos Giovanis ◽  
Pinelopi Athanasopoulou

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a lovemark measure that can be used to identify how brands of wireless-enabled computing devices are classified based on customers’ respect and love toward them. Design/methodology/approach On evidence drawn from 1,016 consumers of wireless-enabled computing devices (e.g. netbooks and tablets) in Greece, partial least squares method is used to test the validity of the proposed hierarchical model. Findings Results show that a lovemark measure can be conceptualized as a third-order reflective construct having respect and love as its second-order dimensions. In turn, respect reflects on brand performance, trust and reputation, and love reflects on brand commitment, intimacy and passion. The proposed measure presents a very good external validity as it can explain big portions of variance in consumer responses including repurchase intentions, positive WOM and willingness to pay a price premium. Finally, the proposed measure is used to classify eight well-known devices as products, fads, brands and lovemarks and identify the love styles associated with brand relationships. Originality/value This paper provides empirical evidence for measuring and identifying lovemarks using a hierarchical model, which can be further used to develop a more effective strategy for managing the functional and emotional aspects of brands to strengthen consumer-brand relationships.


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