Level of education and knowledge, foresight competency and international entrepreneurship

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Jafari-Sadeghi ◽  
Salman Kimiagari ◽  
Paolo Pietro Biancone
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
International Entrepreneurship ◽  
National Level ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Sem Analysis ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Business Creation

Purpose Global economies are involved with enormous activities of internationalization that provide pure and untapped opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to place and promote their products. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis with the partial least squares (PLS), conducting an empirical analysis of data from 28 European countries. Findings The results reveal that the higher level of education/knowledge in a country enhances the foresight competencies of entrepreneurs and that they both have a positive influence on the effective business creation. The findings of this paper also stress on the positive relationship between the effect of business creation and international intensity in economy level. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study lies in the impossibility of obtaining a larger and more complete data. Consequently, this study uses national-level data from 28 European countries, which makes the sample too small. In addition, although innovation is one of the driving factors in both internationalization and entrepreneurship, because of the limitation, it has not been considered in this study. Practical implications The authors assert that countries, specifically European nations studied in this research, can improve their employment rate and value creation (through their products in international markets) by giving a special attention to the entrepreneurial-oriented human capitals. Social implications This research warns policymakers that they can have a serious contribution in promoting (international) entrepreneurship. They should draw a rigorous plan for formal and informal educational systems that effectively develops essential knowledge for launching new businesses and fosters the innovation and entrepreneurship. Originality/value This study set out to improve the understanding of the role of level of education/knowledge and foresight competencies, as the elements of human capitals, on international entrepreneurship.

Peer-to-peer marketplaces: a study on consumer purchase behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apostolos Ampountolas
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Repurchase Intentions ◽  
Digital Ecosystem ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe online travel environment continues to expand as the numerous peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces that comprise the “sharing economy” have also multiplied and expanded, resulting in a move from the traditional hospitality industry to a new digital ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of different antecedents and the relationships between benefit factors. It does so by simulating the behavior that leads to consumer loyalty and repurchase intentions within a P2P marketplace transaction.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on survey data from 456 respondents located in different regions, collected via a web-based survey questionnaire. A two-step approach employing confirmatory factor analysis, followed by structural equation modeling, was conducted to evaluate the measurement and structural models, as recommended by Anderson and Gerbing.FindingsThe findings of this study partially confirm the relationship between benefit factors (monetary, hedonic and location benefits) and consumer repurchase intentions. The benefit factors display a positive influence on consumer satisfaction, which mediates the relationship between loyalty and repurchase intentions. Hence, the study contributes to scholarly efforts to better understand why consumers choose to purchase through P2P platforms.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can provide P2P intermediaries and hosts with the empirical evidence of consumer behavioral changes. Nowadays, in practice, consumers have the ability to compare products and offers. As such, for a consumer to remain loyal to a particular supplier, the offer must satisfy the service and experience that the consumer has in mind, as many alternative offers exist.Originality/valueThis study seeks to identify the behavioral factors that cause even loyal consumers to move from the traditional hospitality industries to P2P platforms, despite the probability of losing any loyalty benefits gained in the traditional industries.

Influence of perceived risks on the decision to invest in equity crowdfunding: a study of Malaysian investors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaista Wasiuzzaman ◽  
Lee Lee Chong ◽  
Hway Boon Ong
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Investment Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Risk ◽  
Equity Crowdfunding ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of various risk factors, specifically investment risk, legal risk and technology risk, on the decision of investors to invest in equity crowdfunding ventures in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach A total of 169 valid responses out of a total of 195 questionnaires were distributed to individuals with prior knowledge of equity crowdfunding. The data from the responses are used to test the relationships using structural equation modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS). Findings Investigation into the influence of risk factors on the willingness to support equity crowdfunding shows that investment risk and legal risk significantly influence the decision to support equity crowdfunding ventures, but technology risk does not. However, while the influence of investment risk is negative, legal risk is found to have a positive influence. Originality/value This study is important as, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically test the relationship between the various risks inherent in equity crowdfunding investments and the decision to invest. The study is also important to entrepreneurs and start-ups as it provides evidence that while the equity crowdfunding investment community follows the norms of investment, i.e. lower risk is preferred, stricter laws and regulations governing equity crowdfunding may not be needed or may only be relevant in countries where there are more retail, unsophisticated investors.

Internal marketing, organizational commitment, and job performance in sport and leisure services

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weisheng Chiu ◽  
Doyeon Won ◽  
Jung-sup Bae
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Internal Marketing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Leisure Services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model and to investigate the relationships among internal marketing, organizational commitment and job performance in sport and fitness services. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 254 employees at each of 12 municipal sport centers in Taipei City and were analyzed primarily using structural equation modeling techniques. Findings The results indicated that internal marketing has positive effects on organizational commitment and job performance. Moreover, organizational commitment has a positive influence on job performance and plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between internal marketing and job performance. The findings identify the relationships among internal marketing, organizational commitment and job performance. Originality/value This study proposed and tested an empirical model linking internal marketing, organizational commitment and job performance in sport and fitness services. Moreover, this study further probed into the path of influence of internal marketing strategies on job performance of employees by including their organizational commitment in the mediating process. The findings of this study have insightful implications and emphasize the important role of internal marketing in the management of customer service in sports.

The role of Korean prototypical brand image in shaping country image and quality evaluations: a cross-cultural examination

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Byoungho Ellie Jin ◽  
Heesoon Yang ◽  
Naeun Lauren Kim
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Country Image ◽  
Chinese Consumers ◽  
Content Type

PurposeBuilt on the prototype and cue theories, the purpose of this study is to understand how a country's prototypical brand, a corporate brand that most consumers associate with a country (e.g. Samsung), contributes to forming two dimensions of country image – overall country image (i.e. macro country image) and product-specific country image (i.e. micro country image) – and how country image impacts the product quality evaluations of Korean cosmetics, along with the moderating effect of national culture.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 491 US and Chinese consumers ages 20 and older and analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings confirmed the positive influence of prototypical brand image on macro and micro country image. Macro country image also had a positive effect on micro country image. However, only micro country image yielded a positive influence on the quality evaluations of Korean cosmetics. Analyses of the moderating effect of national culture showed that the positive influence of prototypical brand image on macro and micro country image was found to be stronger in China than in the US.Originality/valueThese findings provided new theoretical perspectives for country image studies, and practical insights for companies and governments, especially those in countries whose country image is less distinctive, to help develop effective marketing strategies.

scholarly journals Brand engagement in self-concept: a comparative study in Austria, Italy and Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 785-794
Author(s):  
Wiktor Razmus ◽  
Valentina Mazzoli ◽  
Diletta Acuti ◽  
Sonja Grabner-Kräuter
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Engagement ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Cross Country

Purpose The study aims to shed light on cross-country comparisons of brand engagement in self-concept (BESC) among consumers from European countries and to link presumed differences with country-level economic growth and materialism. This study contributes to the literature on the customer–brand relationship and provides implications for international branding strategies. Design/methodology/approach This observation study explored levels of BESC in three European countries. Questionnaire data were collected from consumers of Austria (N = 302), Italy (N = 431) and Poland (N = 410) with the purpose to make cross-country comparisons of BESC among consumers. Findings The results provide evidence for partial scalar invariance of the BESC scale. Cross-country comparisons of latent means reveal that Polish consumers score higher on BESC than consumers from Austria and Italy. Moreover, Austrian consumers score higher on BESC than Italian consumers. Research limitations/implications Culture as a contextual factor of BESC should be studied further. The findings should be replicated with non-convenience samples in additional cultural contexts to improve the generalizability of data. Structural equation modeling could be used to investigate psychological drivers of BESC differences. Practical implications The findings coming from the cross-country comparisons of BESC are of practical relevance to marketing managers: they should tailor their branding and communication strategies accordingly. Originality/value So far, the understanding of cross-cultural and cross-country differences in consumer–brand relationships has remained limited. This study adopts a rigorous approach to cross-cultural research enriching the literature on BESC from a cross-country perspective.

Empirical analysis of enablers and performance outcome of manufacturing flexibility in an emerging economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1301-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruchi Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Product Mix ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Volume Flexibility ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Internal Integration

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to empirically test and verify the enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility and to assess the influence of these flexibilities on operational performance.Design/methodology/approachA research framework consisting of nine pairs of hypotheses was developed using an extensive literature review. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 391 responses were collected, and these responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling techniques.FindingsThe findings empirically confirm the enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility. The proposed model explained 59 percent variance in volume flexibility and 63 percent variance in product-mix flexibility. Volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility together explained 38 percent variance in operational performance.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this study advances flexibility literature in two significant ways. First, the study conducts first of its kind quantitative empirical investigation considering upstream, downstream, and internal integration practices as enablers of volume flexibility and product-mix flexibility. Second, this study adds to the flexibility literature by suggesting the positive influence of volume and product-mix flexibility on the operational performance of firms.Originality/valueThe study reinforces the role of enablers in the development of volume and product-mix flexibilities. Thus, the study provides a comprehensive view of flexibility enablers that can be used as a diagnostic tool, which practitioners can use to assess and deploy flexibility.

Technology transfer and its impact on innovation and firm performance: empirical evidence from Turkish export companies

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Cinar ◽  
Serkan Altuntas ◽  
Mehmet Asif Alan
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance is examined by using data obtained from 252 Turkish export firms, which are among the top 1,000 firms in terms of export volume in Turkey. To examine these relationships, a theoretical framework is empirically tested using structural equation modeling and tested via an empirical study of Turkish export companies. Findings The results of this study can benefit policymakers in government at the national level and company decision-makers at the firm level. Furthermore, an understanding of the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance may help firms to make correct technology transfer decisions and focus on the correct type of innovation to increase firm performance in practice. The findings indicate the positive effects of technology transfer on innovation and firm performance. In addition, innovation mediates the relationship between technology transfer and firm performance in Turkish export companies. This study suggests that decision-makers should transfer the right technology because well-realized technology transfers lead to the improvement of corporate innovation capacities and improvement of firm performances for export companies. Originality/value There is no study that fully examined the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. The proposed literature-based theoretical framework in this study is novel for Turkish export companies.

Shared and transformational leadership in the police

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Masal
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Shared Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Transformational Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Goals

Purpose – Although an increasingly complex work environment requires shared forms of leadership in the police, there is little empirical evidence on how to facilitate shared leadership in the police. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of transformational leaders in supporting shared leadership. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on an online survey in a German state police (3,000 invited participants, a 39 percent response rate). The empirical analysis relies on a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Findings – The study findings reveal that transformational leaders exert a direct, positive influence on shared leadership and have an indirect, positive influence through their capacity to clarify organizational goals and create job satisfaction for followers. Originality/value – This large-scale study is the first to examine antecedents of shared leadership in the police. The results expand on the literature on transformational leadership by highlighting transformational leaders’ role as “SuperLeaders” in supporting shared leadership.

Promoting service excellence for tourist destinations

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-454
Author(s):  
Marit Gundersen Engeset ◽  
John S. Hull ◽  
Jan Velvin
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Excellence ◽  
Ski Resort ◽  
Guest Satisfaction

Purpose This paper aims to understand the relationship between employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction and its impacts on the long-term sustainability of Hemsedal Ski Resort, Norway. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a mixed method approach. Focusing on the case of Hemsedal, Norway, the authors employ survey design to measure employee service attitudes as well as guest satisfaction and loyalty. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis is used to investigate the relationships between the constructs. Findings Results from the four-year programme reveal that the correlation between employee service attitude and customer experience is strongest for behavioural loyalty which was found to have a direct and observable effect for the customer and that working to teach and train employees is important. Further, results showed that guest satisfaction with service not only influenced loyalty to the company that provided the service, but also loyalty to the destination where the company was situated. In explaining the relationships between levels of employee service attitude, customer satisfaction and community sustainability at Hemsedal ski resort, results showed that through partnership and cooperation, training and development have benefitted the individual companies, the destination and local community at large. Practical implications Results suggest that managers of tourism destinations should focus on employee motivation and training to improve their guests’ satisfaction and loyalty, their competitiveness and sustainability for the future. Originality/value The Service Excellence Project at Hemsedal, Norway demonstrates that mountain destinations can have a positive influence on their competitiveness and their sustainability by instituting a programme that works with employees, customers and businesses to promote a climate of service excellence.

Managing strategic supplier relationships: antecedents and outcomes

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. Jack ◽  
Thomas L. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Quality Outcomes ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to examine the antecedents of strategic supplier relationships in conjunction with outcomes of product and service quality and financial performance. The management of strategic supplier relationships involves the selection and development of suppliers that share common goals and strategies of the partnering organization. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling using partial least squares is used to verify and test these relationships. Findings – Top management support, technological preparedness and trust were found to have significant positive influences on the management of strategic supplier relationships. Strategic supplier relationships were found to have a positive influence on product and service quality outcomes and financial performance. Research limitations/implications – The results provide new and original empirical evidence on the relationship between the antecedents and outcomes of strategic supplier relationships. Practical implications – The findings can contribute to the management of supplier relationships, resulting in improved product and service quality outcomes and financial performance. Originality/value – The research adds empirical evidence to the literature on the factors that contribute to effective supplier relationships and the customer- and firm-related outcomes of this process.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document