“Ambidexterity”: trump card for farm's innovativeness and competitiveness

2021 ◽  
Vol 124 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yari Vecchio ◽  
Martina Francescone ◽  
Felice Adinolfi ◽  
Marcello De Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Multifunctional Agriculture ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agricultural Knowledge ◽  
Sustainable Innovation

PurposeThe paper aims to analyze the relevance of networking and social capital in promoting the adoption of sustainable innovation, then reinforcing trajectories of multifunctional agriculture. It puts forwards a systemic perspective by focusing on agricultural knowledge and innovation systems. More precisely, we share the idea of “micro agricultural knowledge and innovation systems”, by addressing ambidexterity as engine for boosting sustainable innovation.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical analysis is focused on sustainable innovation adopted by young farmers in Italy and on the mediation effect of ambidextrous relations in performing innovation adoption. Ambidextrous relations are analyzed within at the micro-AKIS level, through the lens of social capital. Relationships between social capital and innovation adoption are statistically measured.FindingsThe analysis shows how ambidexterity develops a mediation effect, with a strong impact on the farm's innovative capacity. Actually, our results confirm that ambidextrous relations reveal good performance and stimulate innovation and, consequently, farms' competitiveness, alongside the path of multifunctional agriculture. As a consequence, the relevance of networking activity in adoption of sustainable innovation may address possible policy action with the aim to strengthen ambidexterity and farm's innovativeness.Originality/valueThe paper tries to fill a gap in literature, by focusing on micro-AKIS which are explored through the lens of social capital.

scholarly journals Normative and systems integration in human resource management in Japanese multinational companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masayuki Furusawa ◽  
Chris Brewster ◽  
Toshinori Takashina
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Systems Integration ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Integration Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Hrm

Purpose This paper aims to conceptualise a framework of “transnational human resource management” (HRM) and to demonstrate the validity of the model. Design/methodology/approach Evidence is drawn from survey of 93 large Japanese multinational companies (MNCs). Data are analysed through descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression analyses and mediation effect analyses. Findings The analysis reveals that the practices for normative and systems integration are associated with increasing levels of social capital and geocentric staffing, respectively, and the social capital and geocentric staffing fully mediate the relationship between normative and systems integration and transnationality. Originality/value The research extends the integration theory in international HRM and demonstrates the validity of our framework for transnational HRM. The authors also shed light on the reality of the integration aspects of international HRM in Japanese MNCs.

Social capital and export performance within exporter-intermediary relationships

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Carlos Pinho
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper draw insights from social capital theory and examines the synergistic effect of several constructs on export performance within the context of exporter–intermediary relationships. Specifically, it assumes that social capital and the set of resources embedded therein strongly influence the extent to which both commitment and cooperation occur, and how these, in turn, impact on export performance. Design/methodology/approach Following a quantitative methodological approach, a survey is applied to a sample of small and medium-sized enterprise exporters, to empirically test the proposed conceptual model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is used to test the empirical model. Findings The findings reveal that there is a positive and direct impact of social capital on export performance. Results also confirm that the presence of high social capital between exporters and intermediaries affects both high commitment and high cooperation. The study also confirms the mediation effect of cooperation in the relationship between social capital and export performance. Practical implications One possible shortfall of this research relates to the fact that this analysis only incorporates the view of one actor, the view of exporter firms. This limitation could open a rewarding direction for future research, which would be to analyze the view of both sides in a dyadic relationship. Originality/value This paper presents the original approach of looking at the relational antecedents of export performance.

Building members' trust in a producer company through social capital

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Chamola ◽  
Ajoy Kumar Dey ◽  
Arunaditya Sahay ◽  
Rahul Singh
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe paper contributes to the long-standing interest in studying the relationship of social capital and trust. It examines the relationship between social capital and trust in a producer company and the role of perceived benefits as a mediating variable.Design/methodology/approachA multistage sampling was done to collect data from 395 farmer members from five producer companies spread over three states of India. Through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) latent constructs were mapped, and composite reliability and construct validity were established. PROCESS macro of Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) was used to probe relationship between social capital and member's trust and mediation effect of perceived benefit.FindingsThe authors’ research findings establish that the social capital has a positive and significant relationship with members' trust in a producer company and perceived benefit mediates this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contributes to reduce complexity of social capital theory by differentiating sources and benefits of social capital. It opens up the avenues of testing theoretically valid mediation effects of many other constructs.Originality/valueThe role of member's perceived benefits as a mediator between social capital and members' trust is a new knowledge to the literature of social capital.

scholarly journals Sustainable innovation adoption barriers: water sustainability, food production and drip irrigation in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 727-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Greenland ◽  
Elizabeth Levin ◽  
John F. Dalrymple ◽  
Barry O’Mahony
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Irrigation Methods ◽  
Sustainable Innovation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Purpose This paper aims to examine impediments to the adoption of sustainable water-efficient technological innovation in agriculture. Farming is the largest water consumer and food production expansion in response to global population growth, combined with increasing droughts from climate change, threatens water and food insecurity for many countries. Yet, climate smart agriculture (CSA) innovation adoption has been slow, and in this regard, governments and the agricultural sector are not fulfilling their social responsibility and sustainability obligations. Design/methodology/approach Barriers to water-efficient drip irrigation (DI) adoption in Australia were investigated via 46 depth interviews with agricultural stakeholders and a survey of 148 farmers. Findings While DI water efficiency is recognised, this is not the key determinant of farmers’ irrigation method selection. Complex interrelationships between internal and external barriers impede DI adoption are identified. These include costs, satisfaction with alternative irrigation methods, farmer characteristics that determine the suitability of the innovation and the extent it is incremental or radical, plus various multidimensional risks. Government support of alternative, less water-efficient irrigation methods is also a critical barrier. Originality/value A conceptual framework for understanding barriers to sustainability oriented innovation adoption is presented. Its insights should be applicable to researchers and practitioners concerned with understanding and improving the adoption of socially responsible and sustainable innovation in a wide range of contexts. Recommendations for overcoming such adoption barriers are discussed in relation to the research focus of water-efficient agriculture and encouraging uptake of DI.

The impact of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mir Dost ◽  
Yuosre F. Badir ◽  
Zeeshan Ali ◽  
Adeel Tariq
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Human Capital ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Organizational Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Generation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure the separate and interrelated effects of three aspects of intellectual capital (human, social and organizational capital) on innovation generation and adoption. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 318 respondents’ of chemical firms. This study used multiple regression analysis to analyze the influence of human, organizational and social capital on innovation generation and adoption. Findings Results suggest that organizational capital exerts significantly positive impact on innovation adoption. In the same vein, social capital exerts significantly positive impact on both innovation generation and adoption. Moreover, interaction of social capital further strengthens the influence of organizational capital on innovation adoption. Contrary to hypotheses, human capital does not exert significant influence on innovation generation. However, interaction of social capital further strengthens the impact of human capital on innovation generation. Practical implications Findings offer implications for modern managers to utilize the knowledge that resides in firm’s different locations. It also enhances managerial ability to identify and apply these knowledge resources to expedite innovation generation and adoption. Originality/value Innovation generation and adoption plays a critical role in firm’s acquiring success and competitive advantage, yet the influence of intellectual capital on innovation generation and adoption mostly remains as unexplained puzzle. This study contributes to knowledge-innovation literature by examining the missing link between different types of knowledge and innovation generation and adoption. It also helps to comprehend the enabling factors through which firms capitalize upon, and obtain, a sustainable competitive advantage.

Knowledge productivity for sustainable innovation: social capital as HRD target

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 54-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corry Ehlen ◽  
Marcel van der Klink ◽  
Uta Roentgen ◽  
Emile Curfs ◽  
Henny Boshuizen
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organisational Innovation ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Sustainable Innovation ◽  
Being There ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the feasibility of a conceptual model on relations between organisational innovation, knowledge productivity and social capital. It explores processes of knowledge productivity for sustainable innovation and associated HRD implications in knowledge intensive organisations, taking the perspective that social capital is a key influencing condition. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative case-study concerned a large-scale innovation project between knowledge-intensive organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from six innovation groups as well as with the project management. Findings – Findings showed that four dimensions of social capital influence knowledge productivity, each requiring a minimum quality to create a rich innovation environment for sustainable results. The relational and cognitive dimensions seem most important, while the action dimension makes them productive. Knowledge productivity appears twofold, i.e. organisational innovation, and professional ability for future innovation. Found are 18 new indicators. Research limitations/implications – Only one large-scale inter-organisational case was conducted. Practical implications – It is suggested that project management, group leaders and HRD officers target social capital as condition for knowledge productivity that should be stimulated, not just by planned interventions, but by “being” there as supporter, coach and mediator. Originality/value – The article contributes to our knowledge about innovations in knowledge-rich organisations, broadens the concept of knowledge productivity, and provides a new framework of social capital as intervention model for HRD. In addition, not often dealt with in literature, the dynamic of innovation is shown.

scholarly journals The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Supporting Second-Order Social Capital and Sustainable Innovation Ambidexterity

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 6994
Author(s):  
Asif Khan ◽  
Li-Ru Chen ◽  
Chao-Yang Hung
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Legal Responsibility ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Sustainable Innovation

This research contributes to the developing literature on CSR, second-order social capital, and sustainable innovation ambidexterity by (1) offering a complete theoretical framework grounded on related theories by clarifying the associations between the four components of CSR proposed by Carroll, because this model suggests a company to be a responsible member of the society by following the required laws while generating profits and conducting philanthropic initiatives, SSC, and sustainable innovation ambidexterity, and (2) testing this framework in a new setting and with a new target population. This study focuses on the top-level management of different manufacturing companies located in Pakistan. A total of 34 manufacturing industries were selected using a cluster sampling technique based on their proximity in the selected cluster. Geographical location and industry type were selected as the criteria to group the industries in clusters. The data collected from 220 top and middle-level managers were analyzed using a partial least square method while the moderation analysis was conducted by using variance analysis. According to the findings of this study, economic, ethical, legal, and philanthropical responsibilities of CSR were all found to have a positive influence on second-order social capital. The economic, ethical, and legal responsibility of CSR did not influence sustainable innovation ambidexterity, whereas the philanthropical responsibility of CSR was found to have a positive influence on sustainable innovation ambidexterity. The findings of this research study will allow the managers to identify the right mix of CSR initiatives required to manage SSC and sustainable innovation exploitation and exploration techniques.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, competencies and performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Syed Ali Fazal ◽  
Rajennd Muniady
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Skills ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Entrepreneurial Competency

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial skills, market orientation, sales orientations and networking on entrepreneurial competency and performance of micro-enterprises in Kelantan, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a cross-sectional design, this paper collected data through structured interviews from 403 micro-entrepreneurs from “Majlis Amanah Rakyat,” Kelantan and “Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Istiadat,” Kelantan. Findings The findings reveal that entrepreneurial skills, market orientation and networking have a positive effect on entrepreneurial competency. Then, entrepreneurial competency, entrepreneurial skills and networking have a positive effect on enterprise performance. The findings show a significant mediation effect of entrepreneurial competency on the relationships between entrepreneurial skills, market orientation and networking and enterprise performance. Originality/value Addressing the understudied “human factor” in entrepreneurship, this paper extends the resource-based view and enriches the existing entrepreneurship literature in Malaysia. It provides useful insights into the improvement of micro-enterprise performance, which is crucial for promoting entrepreneurial activities and for enhancing socio-economic conditions among low-income households in Malaysia. Thus, the government and developmental organizations should focus on the development of entrepreneurial skills, market-oriented approach, networking traits and entrepreneurial competencies and subsequently encourage poor households to perform entrepreneurial activities.

Knowledge management practices for innovation: a multinational corporation’s perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 905-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jiménez-Jiménez ◽  
Micaela Martínez-Costa ◽  
Raquel Sanz-Valle
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reverse Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Knowledge Management Practices ◽  
Different Sources

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the importance of different knowledge management practices to promote organizational innovation in multinational companies. The links among internationalization, reverse knowledge transfer and social capital and organizational innovation are analyzed. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling was used to check the research hypotheses with a sample of 104 multinational companies. Findings – The results show that internalization has no direct effect on organizational innovation but a indirect effect trhrough the transfer of knowledge from external subsidiaries to the headquarter. Furthermore, this knowledge and other that comes from internal and external social capital is essential for the development of innovations. Research limitations/implications – Self-reporting by the CEOs may be the most significant limitation, as a single key informant provided the data; multiple informants would enhance the validity of the research findings. A second limitation is the cross-sectional design of the research that does not allow observation of the short- and long-term impact of the relationships among the variables. Practical implications – Organizational innovation is not an easy task. However, those multinational companies which foster knowledge management practices that generate new knowledge from external subsidiaries, internal or external social relationships, will facilitate the generation of innovations. In consequence, these companies should foster the generation of knowledge from different sources. Originality/value – The focus of the study in this paper is on multinational companies and the possibility to acquire knowledge from different sources (inside organization, external local environment and international context). Specially, focus on the transfer of knowledge from subsidiaries to headquarters (reverse knowledge transfer), as it is insufficiently investigated by current literature.

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