Female directors and firm performance in Italian and Spanish listed firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-436
Author(s):  
Juan Francisco Martín-Ugedo ◽  
Antonio Mínguez-Vera ◽  
Fabrizio Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Thinking Styles ◽  
Method Of Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between women on the board of directors and firm performance in a comparative analysis between Italy and Spain. Design/methodology/approach The generalized method of moment is employed to examine this relationship in a sample of 1,393 firm-year observations. Findings The results show that the presence of women on the board has a positive impact on the performance of Italian and Spanish firms. However, when the whole sample is divided into Italy and Spain, some results are remarkable. For Spain, the presence of women on the board has a positive influence on firm performance, whereas for Italy the authors find a negative and significant effect on firm performance. This study also finds that the “masculinity” dimension has a negative impact on firm performance. Practical implications The results of this study have several practical implications. First, masculinity differences within the countries can have a large impact on firm performance and can explain some differences between similar countries. Second, the legal system of countries might not explain adequately some differences in the decision-making process. Third, cultural values and thinking styles, in terms of masculinity, might better explain why the results on the relationship between female directors and firm performance are mixed. Fourth, the findings suggest that it is very important to promote gender equality, not only by passing laws but also taking action about the educational system. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the relationship between female directors and firm performance between Italy and Spain considering the cultural differences in term of “masculinity.”

Entrepreneurship in regions: differentiated impacts of the socio cultural and gender types

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Mancilla ◽  
José Ernesto Amorós
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Fear Of Failure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Models ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Secondary City

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the differentiated impact of factors that influence the propensity to entrepreneur in a sample of people in Chile. A distinction is made between individuals that live in primary cities and secondary cities. The differentiating factors are socio‐cultural aspects (reference models – positive examples of entrepreneurs – and perception of social fear of failure) and the gender of the individual. Design/methodology/approach For the research data from the survey used in Chile by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for the years 2010 and 2011 were used. A logit model was used to determine the differentiated impact of the analysed factors and interactions were done using the method proposed by Corneliâen and Sonderhof (2009). Findings These showed that the fact that an individual lives in a secondary city decreases his entrepreneurship probability. The positive impact that the reference models have is weaker in women. Contrary to what was expected, the negative impact of the fear of failure perception is weaker in women. Practical implications These results have the implications to suggest focused public policies and differentiations that consider the socio‐cultural, territorial (focused in cities) and gender aspects. Originality/value The research contributes by giving empirical evidence of the existence of the negative impact of living in a secondary city and of differentiated effects of socio‐cultural factors from the gender perspective.

Corporate governance and performance of medium-sized firms in Nigeria: does sustainability initiative matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-427
Author(s):  
Babatunji Samuel Adedeji ◽  
Tze San Ong ◽  
Md Uzir Hossain Uzir ◽  
Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The non-existence of the corporate governance (CG) concept for practices by non-financial medium-sized firms (MSFs) in Nigeria informed. This study aims to determine whether CG practices influence firms’ performance and whether sustainability initiative (SI) mediates the relationship between CG and MSFs’ performance in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A total of 300 firms were selected on convenience sampling basis from South Western Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. The authors used Statistical Package for Social Sciences for exploratory data analysis and hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modelling. Findings The results show that CG has a significant positive effect on performance [financial performance (FNP) and non-financial performance (NFP)] and SI. SI has a mixed impact on performance, e.g. a significant positive impact on NFP but insignificant negative impact on FNP. Similarly, SI has a combined mediating effect in the relationship between CG and performance, e.g. fully mediates CG → NFP and does not mediate CG → FNP. Firms are to invest in social and environmental initiatives substantially. CG codes will complement the International Financial Reporting Standards for MSFs. Research limitations/implications This study supports the assumptions of theories (institutional, stakeholder and agency) as the basis for the usage of multiple approaches to determine the outcome of hypotheses, especially in developing climes. Practical implications The study contributes to CG and performance literature by examining the mediating effects of SI. The paper also shows the necessity to emphasise NFP aspect. Policymakers should evolve CG codes to encourage stakeholders to believe more in the corporate existence of MSFs for strengthening capital-base and quality personnel engagement. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical attempts showing the evidence on the relationship between CG and NFP in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Religion, national culture and cross-country differences in the use of trade credit

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-370
Author(s):  
Markus Mättö ◽  
Mervi Niskanen
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Trade Credit ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether religion or national culture can explain previously observed cross-country variation in trade credit. Design/methodology/approach Using the firm-level SME data from 35 European countries, religion and cultural factors of Hofstede and Schwartz, the authors provide new evidence on the determinants of the cross-country variation in trade credit. Findings The results indicate that religion and national culture are associated with trade credit. The authors find that the levels of trade credit are higher in Catholic countries than in Protestant ones and that peoples’ religiousness has an impact on trade credit only in Catholic countries. The authors also find that Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, such as power distance and uncertainty avoidance, are positively associated with trade credit. Practical implications Overall, authors’ findings indicate that religion and national culture are important determinants of trade credit management, and that the association between commonly used cultural values and trade credit depends on the religious, legal, and financial environment. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to research the relationship between national culture and trade credit.

How to build a business

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 33-36
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to deconstruct entrepreneurial orientation (EO) using a business model framework. Design/methodology/approach – Develops a conceptual approach supported by illustrative case studies that show how five Swedish small-to-medium-sized enterprises identified entrepreneurial opportunities and how they then modified their business model to exploit them. Findings – What makes an enterprise enterprising? What distinguishes these firms from the conservative, steady-as-she-goes, take-no-risks company quietly supplying its chosen market and expecting to do so for many more? Intuitively you might expect that entrepreneurial activities would be better rewarded – but researchers evaluating the link between EO and firm performance have found ambiguous results. So are we asking the right questions? And are we measuring the right things? Practical implications – Shows that companies can be entrepreneurial in some parts of their business model and more cautious in their approach to other activities. Social implications – Draws attention to the way that differences in entrepreneurs’ background, skills and growth ambitions affect their firm’s activities. Originality/value – Highlights opportunities for further research clarifying the relationship between EO and firm performance.

The impact of service innovation on firm performance: a meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Changli Feng ◽  
Ruize Ma ◽  
Lin Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quantitative Review ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeWith the rise of service economy, many companies are attempting to gain a competitive advantage through service innovation. However, the existing research has not drawn consistent conclusions about the relationship between service innovation and firm performance. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative review on the service innovation-performance relationship based on research findings reported in the extant literature.Design/methodology/approachStudies from 46 peer-reviewed articles were sampled and analyzed. A meta-analytic approach was adopted to conduct a quantitative review on the relationship between service innovation and firm performance, and the effects of any potential moderators were further explored.FindingsThe results found that service innovation has a significant positive impact on firm performance. Additionally, the relationship between service innovation and firm performance is influenced by measurement moderators (economic region and performance measurement), and contextual moderators (firm type, innovation type, customer factors and attitudes toward risk).Originality/valueThe meta-analysis has been used to explore the relationship between service innovation and firm performance, and the findings have contributed to the literature on service innovation, as well as providing future research directions.

The influence of national cultural values on the use of rewards alignment to improve sales collaboration

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Magnusson ◽  
Robert Peterson ◽  
Stanford A. Westjohn
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Reward Structure ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sales Organizations ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how national cultural values affect sales collaboration directly and how it interacts with the firm's reward structure. The results are linked with firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual framework is tested on a large sample of sales organizations across 26 countries. Due to the nested nature of the data, hierarchical linear modeling is used to test the hypothesized framework. Findings – Sales collaboration is positively related to firm performance, while individualism and masculinity are negatively related to sales collaboration. Rewards alignment leads to greater sales collaboration and is particularly important in highly individualistic and masculine societies. Practical implications – The study identifies rewards alignment as an actionable management tool to foster greater sales collaboration and, in turn, enhanced firm performance. The study suggests that this is particularly important in cultures associated with high individualism and masculinity. These two values can hinder sales collaboration within the firm, but firm practices (rewards alignment) can counter societal tendencies. Originality/value – The effects of cultural values have been neglected in prior research on sales collaboration and firm performance. The findings in this study suggest that culture is important and, at times, it can be beneficial for the organizational culture to counter the dominant national cultural values.

scholarly journals The Impact of Financial Structure Towards Performance of Non-Financial Companies Listed on Amman Stock Exchange

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-83
Author(s):  
Laith Fouad Alshouha ◽  
◽  
Wan Nur Syahida Wan Ismail ◽  
Mohd Zulkifli Mokhtar ◽  
Nik Mohd Norfadzilah Nik Mohd Rashid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Financial Structure ◽  
Managerial Ownership ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Amman Stock Exchange ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between financial structure towards the financial performance of companies listed on Amman stock exchange (ASE) as one of the emerging economies. This paper adopted a panel data set of 88 non-financial companies listed on the ASE over a period of 10 years from 2009 to 2018. According to empirical results that there is significant evidence to support the fact that debt repaying ability (DRAB), managerial ownership (MANOW), and foreign ownership (FOROW) are positively related to firm performance. Otherwise, the findings revealed no evidence to support the impact of the financial structure ability (FSA) towards firm performance. Moreover, the findings support the fact that firm size (SIZ) has a positive impact on firm performance of companies listed on the ASE. On the other hand, (AGE) has a negative impact on firm performance, while (GROWTH) has no impact on firm performance. The current study encourages managers to maintain a good percentage of debt repaying ability and owners to grant shares as managers’ incentives, and also to attract foreign investors. Future studies, should try applying the current study on the financial sector.

scholarly journals The role of personality traits in promoting customer citizenship behaviour: special reference to the homestay tourism context in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanika Lakmali ◽  
Kanagasabai Kajendra
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to explore customer personality traits as an antecedent of customer citizenship behaviour which positively facilitates service providers.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows the positivism research paradigm. Hence, primary data were collected from 250 homestay visitors who stayed at five selected homestays located at Mirissa homestay zone, Sri Lanka.FindingsThe present study's findings reveal that “agreeableness,” “extraversion” and “conscientiousness” personality traits promote customer citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, the openness to “experience” trait identified to have a statistically insignificant relationship with CCB and neuroticism recorded a positive impact on the relationship between CCB and personality, contrary to the existing literature.Practical implicationsThis study comprehensively explains how service providers should arrange their service facilities to increase customer willingness to perform citizenship behaviour, which helps develop their services.Originality/valuePrevious research has investigated that customer personality in terms of prosocial and proactive nature impacts CCBs. In contrast, the effect of Big Five personality traits on CCB is highlighted in this study.

scholarly journals Women on boards and monitoring tasks: an empirical application of Kanter's theory

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara De Masi ◽  
Agnieszka Słomka-Gołębiowska ◽  
Andrea Paci
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Directors ◽  
Women On Boards ◽  
Board Monitoring ◽  
Women On Corporate Boards ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper examines the relationship between women on boards and board monitoring tasks depending on group categories identified in the Kanter's theory.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of the largest listed companies in Spain, Italy and France during the period 2007–2017, this study tests the effect of women's presence based on the following board categories: (1) skewed boards with a percentage of women that is less than 20%; (2) tilted boards with a percentage of women that ranges from 20% to 33%; (3) tilted boards with a percentage of women that is more than 33%; and (4) balanced boards with an equal or quasi-equal gender distribution. The authors use the case of the gender board quota regulation in different European Union countries.FindingsThe results suggest that tilted boards engage in stronger firm monitoring and that the effect of women on board monitoring tasks is positive and statistically significant when the percentage of female directors reaches the threshold of 33%.Practical implicationsThe outcomes of this study help policymakers identify the minimum threshold that quota regulations should mandate in order for boards to be effective.Originality/valueThis paper moves forward the ongoing debate about the effect of women on corporate boards, shifting the focus from the ratio or presence of female directors to the size of the group they form within the board. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to test Kanter's theory by investigating the relationship between women on boards and board monitoring.

Impact of a retailer’s CSR activities on consumers’ loyalty

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 793-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Louis ◽  
Cindy Lombart ◽  
Fabien Durif
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multidimensional Construct ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of the main dimensions of a retailer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities (philanthropic activities, respect for the environment, respect for the consumers and respect for the workers) (e.g. Maignan, 2001; Brunk, 2010a; Öberseder et al., 2014) on consumers’ loyalty towards this retailer. Mediation (through consumers’ trust in this retailer and/or retailer’s perceived brand equity) and moderation effects (depending on the groups of consumers considered) are also studied. Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted on 547 consumers, representative of the Quebec population. These consumers were asked to select a retailer of their choice that they were familiar with (notably with its CSR activities) and to complete a questionnaire with regard to that retailer. Findings This research highlights that: the impact of a retailer’s CSR activities on consumers’ loyalty differs according to the dimensions considered (philanthropic activities, respect for the environment, the consumers and the workers), is fully or partially mediates by consumers’ trust in this retailer and/or retailer’s perceived brand equity and depends on the groups of consumers considered (the very responsible consumers, the local sceptical recyclers and the least responsible consumers). Research limitations/implications This research indicates that when CSR is considered not as an aggregate construct, but in terms of its dimensions, their impacts on consumers’ loyalty towards the retailer may differ or appear under certain conditions. Moreover, this research points out that consumers’ trust in the retailer is a partial mediator (for the philanthropic activities dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities for the very responsible consumers and the local sceptical recyclers) of the relationship between the dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities considered and consumers’ loyalty towards this retailer. Consumers’ trust in the retailer is also a full mediator (for the respect for environment dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities for the very responsible consumers) of the relationship between the dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities considered and consumers’ loyalty towards this retailer. Lastly, retailer’s perceived brand equity is a full mediator (for the respect for environment dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities for the three groups of consumers considered) of the relationship between the dimension of a retailer’s CSR activities considered and consumers’ loyalty towards this retailer. Practical implications This paper indicates to retailers that the dimensions respect for the consumers and the workers of their CSR activities do not have an impact on consumers’ loyalty. By contrast, for a retailer to be perceived by consumers as engaged in philanthropic activities or being environmentally friendly has a positive impact on consumers’ loyalty. Originality/value In this research, CSR is conceptualised as a multidimensional construct and the impacts of its main dimensions (philanthropic activities, respect for the environment, respect for consumers and respect for workers) on an important and strategic variables for retailers, loyalty, are highlighted. Moreover, this research also indicates that the impacts of a retailer’s CRS dimensions on consumers’ loyalty depend on individuals and may follow different paths (through consumers’ trust in the retailer and/or retailer’s perceived brand equity).

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