Unraveling legitimation strategies of Chinese Internet start-ups

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Su ◽  
Haidong Peng ◽  
Shujun Zhang ◽  
Yun Rong

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the legitimacy needs and legitimation strategies of Internet start-ups in the context of industry dynamism. Design/methodology/approach – The purpose of this paper is to explore the legitimacy needs and legitimation strategies of Internet start-ups in the context of industry dynamism. Findings – The authors found that Internet start-ups are in great need of acquiring market and relational legitimacy at their nascent stages. Conformance to the environment is widely adopted by them as a legitimacy-enhancing strategy. There is an inverted “U” relationship between the maturity of the industry and the proactivity of any legitimation strategy in the sector. In the face of high- and low-level industry maturity, start-ups tend to employ prudent strategies to build up legitimacy. While in medium-mature industries, ventures are more likely to adopt proactive and aggressive strategies. Research limitations/implications – Due to the very nature of case methodology, this study is based on a small number of observations and it is set in the context of the Internet industry. The generalizability of its findings needs to be reinforced by further concrete studies. Practical implications – This paper suggests that industry dynamism should be taken into account carefully when implementing a choice of legitimation strategies. Originality/value – This study makes an attempt to further our understanding of how industry dynamism influences firms’ choices of legitimation strategies.

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saul J. Berman ◽  
Peter J. Korsten ◽  
Anthony Marshall

Purpose Digital reinvention helps organizations create unique, compelling experiences for their customers, partners, employees and other stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Digital reinvention combines the capabilities of multiple technologies, including cloud, cognitive, mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT) to rethink customer and partner relationships from a perspective of fundamental customer need, use or aspiration. Findings The most successful digitally reinvented businesses establish a platform of engagement for their customers, with the business acting as enabler, conduit and partner Practical implications For successful digital reinvention, organizations need to pursue a new strategic focus, build new expertise and establish new ways of working. Originality/value The article offers a blueprint for digital reinvention that involves rethinking customer and partner relationships from a perspective of fundamental customer need, use or aspiration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-21

Purpose This paper reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings If you search images of the word “strategy” on the internet, three of the first seven images to appear on Google (other search engines are available) include chess pieces, while two of the top ten hits involve light bulbs. Aside from the obvious conclusions that any strategic discussion should either involve chess grand masters or well-lit rooms, it is clear that most people assume winning games with lots of moves are possible is the key to a successful strategy. But is this a valid analogy, even at a high level? Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 8-19
Author(s):  
Stacy Brody

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to profile various types of Web-based tools to facilitate research collaboration within and across institutions. Design/methodology/approach Various Web-based tools were tested by the author. Additionally, tutorial videos and guides were reviewed. Findings There are various free and low-cost tools available to assist in the collaborative research process, and librarians are well-positioned to facilitate their usage. Practical implications Librarians and researchers will learn about various types of tools available at free or at low cost to fulfill needs of the collaborative research process. Social implications As the tools highlighted are either free or of low cost, they are also valuable to start-ups and can be recommended for entrepreneurs. Originality/value As the realm of Web-based collaborative tools continues to evolve, the options must be continually revisited and reviewed for currency.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 21-23

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints the practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings There is often a disconnect between science and business that is hard to fathom. Sometimes, of course, it is easy to see why two parties can seem so far apart – the scientist in search of truth and uninterested in any practical or commercial use of an invention – the industrialist who is dedicated to one course of action and unwilling to learn from research, which can prove it is the wrong one. Both people are as guilty as each other of missing what is staring them in the face. And yet, this dogged pursuit of a single goal is what represents them and perhaps enables them to more successful than other at what they choose to do. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Moran

Purpose This paper examines whether decisions to improve pay for low-level employees lead to more positive attitudes toward firms, depending on firm’s service reputation. Design/methodology Four experiments examine whether information on compensation decisions for employees affects consumer attitudes toward firms. Findings Results show attitudes toward firms providing raises are more positive when firms are known for high quality (vs average) service. This occurs because individuals use information about firm reputation as a cue to make inferences about employees, and fairness of firm pay procedures. Moderators are introduced to show how these effects can be altered. Research limitations/implications Drawing from research on the representativeness bias, this work extends theories on justice and equity and contributes to the literature on corporate social responsibility. Practical implications This research provides firms with insight on how to promote their efforts to improve employees’ financial welfare. Social implications Findings provide guidance on how to increase public support of initiatives to improve financial well-being for low-wage workers. Originality/value This research is the first to examine how specific firm factors affect reception of initiatives to improve employee financial welfare and to delineate the process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Rodríguez Cañamero ◽  
Jorge García-Unanue ◽  
José Luis Felipe ◽  
Javier Sánchez-Sánchez ◽  
Leonor Gallardo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the ways clients find out about a sport centre and the factors that lead them to enrol and influence their satisfaction with their membership. A secondary objective was to determine the reasons for continuing to attend a sport centre and how they influenced satisfaction towards achievement. Finally, the authors aimed to identify differences between reasons for enroling and reasons for continuing at a sport centre. Design/methodology/approach A specially developed 16-item questionnaire was sent to 125,000 clients and 21,043 responses were obtained. Findings Clients who found out about the centre through a recommendation or the internet were 25 per cent more likely to be satisfied with it than those who knew of the centre due to proximity. Similarly, clients who had a specific motive to continue using the centre, for example, to prepare for a sports competition were twice as likely to be satisfied with their membership as any other group (p<0.001). Research limitations/implications It identifies a set of research priorities for the journal and the field. Practical implications In conclusion, the option of staying fit is established as the most effective recruitment method for retaining clients at the sport centre. Originality/value This paper intends to do is to establish the bases of information and knowledge for the treatment of high motives, as well as for managers of sports centres to remodel their strategies of marketing to attracting customers.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-100
Author(s):  
Wendy Walker ◽  
Teressa Keenan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe methods for restructuring workflows and efficiently using staff members and volunteers to continue work on multiple, simultaneous digital collections as budgets and resources decline. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes one library’s varied approaches to several digital collections supported by literature or volunteers in libraries. Findings In the face of continually declining resources and new, time-sensitive priorities and compliance responsibilities, librarians can continue to maintain digital collections by modifying workflows, using the services of volunteers and communicating strategically. Practical implications This paper is relevant to librarians, archivists and others who are looking for ways to justify and capitalize on the use of unconventional personnel in digital collections programs. Originality/value This paper presents a case of the successful use of volunteers to accomplish digital collections-related tasks in an academic library and provides a communication-based strategy for addressing some of the challenges related to volunteers in academic libraries.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 32-34

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Most people taking those first tentative steps in the business world will have been urged to speculate to accumulate. Firms considering new ventures or alliances are similarly counseled. Many will testify that such advice is often invaluable. Others will tell different tales though. Dreams have ended in failure due to a wrong move, wrong market or wrong time. Or to some combination of these factors. Often it’s preparation that has left much to be desired. On the face of things, it would be difficult to accuse East Air India of not doing the necessary groundwork. The new carrier clearly aims to hit the ground running, as it prepares to enter the Indian airline industry. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 28-30

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – History is littered with inventions that proved to have a lasting impression on society. In recent times, few can compare with the Internet in that respect. And the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies has raised its significance even further. The crowning jewel of Web 2.0 is its interactive capabilities. Users are able to generate and exchange content through the variety of different platforms which are now available to them. It has become second nature to engage with like-minded others using such as blogs, social networks and wikis. Many people now habitually use these platforms to share their experiences of products and services, whether positive or negative. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 20-22

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings How organizations approach strategic renewal in the face of environmental scarcity rests on the adaption ethos of the top management team (TMT). Factors such as whether the TMT has an internal or external focus dictate whether the strategic renewal will be incremental or disruptive. The succession policy of an organization and the attitude toward technology have a substantial impact on strategic renewal, and a combination of these factors governs how well an organization will fare during times of market upheaval. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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