Inducing the internationalisation of family manufacturing firms from a transition context

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetla Marinova ◽  
Marin Marinov
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Social Spaces ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domestic Capital ◽  
Proactive Behaviour ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
And Control

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the internationalisation inducement in family firms with domestic capital operating in a specific industry in a transition country. Examining the effect of entrepreneur-, firm- and context- specific factors, it provides an insight into the start of internationalisation via exporting and its initiating features. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative research approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from informants with conclusive decision-making power and analysed using a combination of inductive and deductive coding. Findings The findings show that the sample firms internationalise early exhibiting mostly proactive behaviour in finding international clients. Owner-manager international orientation and commitment combined with contacts in his or her social spaces lead to early export inducement despite the fusion of ownership and control, and regardless of transition context volatility and inefficiency. Research limitations/implications The limitations include the sample size and its industry embeddedness limiting generalisability. The key implications are that family firms need support to develop their social spaces through encouraging and enabling linkages between socio-economic actors that can expand the bounded sociality of the firm. Originality/value The owner-manager orientation, objectives, commitment and characteristics, coupled with the straightforward decision-making process that is safeguarded by full family ownership, can abate the dissuading role of the perceived lack of institutional support for small and medium-sized enterprise internationalisation in a transition context.

scholarly journals Visiting the “enemy”: visitation in politically unstable destinations

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Farmaki ◽  
Katerina Antoniou ◽  
Prokopis Christou
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stepping Stone ◽  
Travel Decision ◽  
The Way

Purpose This study aims to examine the factors shaping the intentions of people to visit a hostile outgroup. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory, qualitative research approach was followed. Specifically, 77 semi-structured interviews with citizens of the divided island of Cyprus were conducted. Findings This study identifies several categories of visitors and non-visitors, depicted along a continuum, and concludes that there is a multiplicity of factors in the socio-political environment which influence the travel intentions of people. Originality/value This study not only imparts insights into the way travel decision-making evolves in politically unstable situations but also serves as a stepping stone towards understanding the conditions under which reconciliation between hostile nations may be encouraged by travel.

Evidence, empathy and emotions: decision-making styles of human resource professionals and their effectiveness in resolving complaints of sexual harassment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arosha S. Adikaram ◽  
Pavithra Kailasapathy
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Interactional Justice ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Human Resource Professionals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Decision Making Styles

PurposeThe decision-making styles of human resource professionals (HRPs) in resolving complaints of sexual harassment are extremely important as they form the backbone of effectiveness in the resolution of a complaint. The purpose of this paper is to explore these decision-making styles and gauge their effectiveness in resolving such complaints.Design/methodology/approachEmploying a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 HRPs of 30 companies in Sri Lanka.FindingsWe found eight decision-making styles used by HRPs in resolving complaints of sexual harassment: (1) analytical, (2) behavioural, (3) directive, (4) conceptual, (5) avoidant, (6) dependent, (7) intuitive and judgemental, and (8) manipulative and persuasive. HRPs were found to generally adopt combinations of these styles, with one or two styles being dominant while one or two were used as back-up styles. In resolving complaints of sexual harassment, certain combinations of these styles were found to be more effective than others because they led to procedural, distributive and interactional justice.Practical implicationsThe implications of these findings for self-reflection and in training for the HRPs are also discussed.Originality/valueThe findings of this study assist us in understanding how and why HRPs make different decisions when resolving seemingly similar complaints and the effectiveness of such decisions.

scholarly journals Angel investors’ predictive and control funding criteria

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Crick ◽  
Dave Crick
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Management Teams ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Angel Investors

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the question involving what factors affect angel investors’ decision-making in funding new start-ups with specific reference to their evolving business models. Without funding and access to networks and experience, certain entrepreneurs will not get their business model through the start-up phase.Design/methodology/approachData arise from 20 semi-structured interviews with angel investors in New Zealand plus supplementary interviews with business incubator managers and textual data.FindingsThe findings suggest a degree of causation-based decision-making, in that certain linear thinking was evident. The implication is that, without the ability of the entrepreneurs to convince the investors about key criteria in their decision-making, investment is unlikely. Nevertheless, a degree of effectuation-based decision-making was also evident, the implication being investors having to balance risk/reward decisions in the context of their own perceptions of affordable losses against an evolving business model. However, angel investors may take on co-investment, including from overseas, that takes decision-making away from management teams.Originality/valueThe study draws attention to the need to consider entrepreneurial ecosystems in angel investor’s decision-making and especially those with a small domestic market that may require management teams to look for scalability internationally. Furthermore, an effectuation lens contributes to knowledge in respect of predictive and control criteria, in particular, assessing risks and rewards against affordable losses involving an evolving business model.

Has Lean improved organizational decision making?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 536-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Simons ◽  
Jos Benders ◽  
Jochen Bergs ◽  
Wim Marneffe ◽  
Dominique Vandijck
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Organizational Decision Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Sustainable Improvement ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Sustainable improvement is likely to be hampered by ambiguous objectives and uncertain cause-effect relations in care processes (the organization’s decision-making context). Lean management can improve implementation results because it decreases ambiguity and uncertainties. But does it succeed? Many quality improvement (QI) initiatives are appropriate improvement strategies in organizational contexts characterized by low ambiguity and uncertainty. However, most care settings do not fit this context. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a Lean-inspired change program changed the organization’s decision-making context, making it more amenable for QI initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – In 2014, 12 professionals from a Dutch radiotherapy institute were interviewed regarding their perceptions of a Lean program in their organization and the perceived ambiguous objectives and uncertain cause-effect relations in their clinical processes. A survey (25 questions), addressing the same concepts, was conducted among the interviewees in 2011 and 2014. The structured interviews were analyzed using a deductive approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using appropriate statistics. Findings – Interviewees experienced improved shared visions and the number of uncertain cause-effect relations decreased. Overall, more positive (99) than negative Lean effects (18) were expressed. The surveys revealed enhanced process predictability and standardization, and improved shared visions. Practical implications – Lean implementation has shown to lead to greater transparency and increased shared visions. Originality/value – Lean management decreased ambiguous objectives and reduced uncertainties in clinical process cause-effect relations. Therefore, decision making benefitted from Lean increasing QI’s sustainability.

Information behaviour and decision-making in patients during their cancer journey

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Chuan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Treatment Decision Making

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of cancer patients’ information behaviour on their decision-making at the diagnosis and treatment stages of their cancer journey. Patients’ information sources and their decision-making approaches were analyzed. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants. Findings The cancer patients sought information from various sources in choosing a hospital, physician, treatment method, diet and alternative therapy. Physicians were the primary information source. The patients’ approaches to treatment decision-making were diverse. An informed approach was adopted by nine patients, a paternalistic approach by four and a shared decision-making approach by only two. Practical implications In practice, the findings may assist hospitals and medical professionals in fostering pertinent interactions with patients. Originality/value The findings can enhance researcher understanding regarding the effect of cancer patients’ information behaviour on their decision-making.

Participative work design in lean production

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Lantz ◽  
Niklas Hansen ◽  
Conny Antoni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Team Learning ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Job Design ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proactive Behaviour ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore job design mechanisms that enhance team proactivity within a lean production system where autonomy is uttermost restricted. We propose and test a model where the team learning process of building shared meaning of work mediates the relationship between team participative decision-making, inter team relations and team proactive behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – The results are based on questionnaires to 417 employees within manufacturing industry (response rate 86 per cent) and managers’ ratings of team proactivity. The research model was tested by mediation analysis on aggregated data (56 teams). Findings – Team learning mediates the relationship between participative decision-making and inter team collaboration on team proactive behaviour. Input from stakeholders in the work flow and partaking in decisions about work, rather than autonomy in carrying out the work, enhance the teams’ proactivity through learning processes. Research limitations/implications – An investigation of the effects of different leadership styles and management policy on proactivity through team-learning processes might shed light on how leadership promotes proactivity, as results support the effects of team participative decision-making – reflecting management policy – on proactivity. Practical implications – Lean production stresses continuous improvements for enhancing efficiency, and such processes rely on individuals and teams that are proactive. Participation in forming the standardization of work is linked to managerial style, which can be changed and developed also within a lean concept. Based on our experiences of implementing the results in the production plant, we discuss what it takes to create and manage participative processes and close collaboration between teams on the shop floor, and other stakeholders such as production support, based on a shared understanding of the work and work processes. Social implications – Learning at the workplace is essential for long-term employability, and for job satisfaction and health. The lean concept is widely spread to both public bodies and enterprises, and it has been shown that it can be linked to increased stress and an increase in workload. Finding the potential for learning within lean production is essential for balancing the need of efficient production and employees’ health and well-being at work. Originality/value – Very few studies have investigated the paradox between lean and teamwork, yet many lean-inspired productions systems have teamwork as a pillar for enhancing effectiveness. A clear distinction between autonomy and participation contributes to the understanding of the links between job design, learning processes and team proactivity.

Enterprise education: pre-service further education teachers' impressions and aspirations

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tiernan ◽  
Jane O’Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
Constant Comparative Analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the attitudes and impressions of pre-service Further Education teachers towards enterprise education. It also looks at the potential impact on their future teaching practices and aspirations. This study builds on the literature in this area by bringing a teacher education focus and by providing views from the underserved further education sector.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was used to evaluate pre-service further education teachers' understanding of and attitudes towards, enterprise education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 students in their final year of an initial teacher education degree.FindingsFindings emerged through constant comparative analysis of interview transcripts. These findings indicate that exposure to enterprise education greatly increased understanding of its importance and relevance, while also encouraging pre-service further education teachers to recognise the benefits of incorporating enterprise education into their classrooms of the future.Originality/valueWhile there is an array of literature on entrepreneurship and enterprise education outside of business contents, very few studies exist, which examine enterprise education in an initial teacher education context. Fewer still examine enterprise education from the perspective of further education. This study provides a unique qualitative view of pre-service further education teachers' impressions of enterprise education and their aspirations for the future.

Comparative CSR decision-making in the Middle East: an exploratory study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre El Haddad ◽  
Alexandre Anatolievich Bachkirov ◽  
Olga Grishina
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nodal Model ◽  
Comparative Csr ◽  
High Level ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to explore the commonalities and differences of corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions among business leaders in Oman and Lebanon, two Middle Eastern countries forming a comparative dyad with a high level of cultural variance within the Arab cluster. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit qualitative data that were analyzed by means of multilevel analysis. Findings The findings provide empirical evidence that CSR is a powerful factor in managerial decision-making in the Middle East with the national cultures of Oman and Lebanon exerting partially differing effects on CSR decision-making. Practical implications The study enlightens practicing managers and policymakers in terms of the salience of multiple actors’ influence on CSR decision-making processes and the responses they may receive when developing and implementing CSR initiatives in the Middle East. Originality/value The study proposes a seven nodal model, which captures the flow of CSR decision-making in the research contexts.

Intellectual capital in family firms: human capital identification and measurement

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Claver-Cortés ◽  
Patrocinio Carmen Zaragoza-Sáez ◽  
Hipólito Molina-Manchón ◽  
Mercedes Úbeda-García
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Based on the literature devoted to family firms and the intellectual capital-based view of the firm, the purpose of this paper is not only to identify the most important human capital intangibles owned by family firms but also to show a number of indicators that can help measure them. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case-study-based research approach was adopted taking as reference: 25 family firms belonging to different sectors; previous works existing in the literature; and the intellectus model. Findings – The present study identifies ten intangibles associated with the human capital of family firms and shows 60 indicators that can be used to measure them. It additionally provides empirical evidence and gives examples of these intangibles through the analysis of 25 international family firms. Research limitations/implications – The difficulty in collecting all the human capital intangibles of family firms; the problems associated with the creation of accurate indicators; and those specific to the research methodology adopted. Practical implications – Identifying the human capital intangibles of family firms and their indicators can help managers become aware of their importance, and this will consequently help them improve their management. This could be an interesting starting point to value these intangibles in the balance sheet as well as to draw comparisons between family and non-family organisations. Originality/value – The framework provided by family firms sheds light on several intangibles specific to these firms – precisely for their condition as “family” firms. Those intangibles – human capital intangibles being especially highlighted in this study – provide the basis for the achievement of competitive advantages.

Corruption and control from the perspective of Islam

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-368
Author(s):  
Waled Younes E. Alazzabi ◽  
Hasri Mustafa ◽  
Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Situational Factor ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and provide insights into corruption and the control procedures from an Islamic perspective. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts qualitative research approach using the holy Quran as a primary source and hadith of the Prophet Mohammed supported by the anecdotes of his companions as a secondary source and prior literature. Findings This paper offers an Islamic taxonomy of corruption that contains economic, managerial, financial, political, environmental, social and ethical corruption which is explicitly prohibited because of their consequence on societies. Islam establishes proactive, preventive, detecting and reactive procedures to control corruption and prescribes how to avoid its harmful consequences. The paper also reveals significant concepts in relation to individuals’ qualities that if taken care of, better chances to reduce corruption and better living conditions can be accomplished. Research limitations/implications The paper recommends means to the business community through providing managerial and practical procedures which can be used for limiting corruption effectively. However, this piece of work provides further explanations on corruption to improve our understanding on such a phenomenon and contributes to the literature from the perspective of Islam point of view. Originality/value The paper contributes to the debate on corruption, human, religion and control from an Islamic point of view, which is lacking. This paper finds evidence that loss of belief is a situational factor that leads to corrupt acts. Also, moral teaching in early ages is necessary for inner and self-control. Moral renovation is an influential factor that keeps individuals motivated and refrain from indulging into corrupt acts.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document