Cross-cultural differences in the entrepreneurial activity of men and women: a fuzzy-set approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuno Fernandes Crespo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Fuzzy Set ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Level Of Economic Development

Purpose The aim of this paper is threefold: to identify the combinations of national culture dimensions that lead to high (or low) entrepreneurial activity (EA) for men and women, to understand the role of economic development as a relevant condition that combines with national culture dimensions to achieve high (or low) male or female EA and to identify the differences between the configurations that lead to those outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and from the Hofstede Centre for 77 countries, this study uses a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore complex causal relations between national culture dimensions, the level of economic development (conditions) and the male and female EA (outcomes). Findings This research provides three major insights. First, it is not possible to talk about a single culture that promotes entrepreneurship, but instead in several entrepreneurial cultures. This is particularly interesting when distinguishing between genders, because there are configurations that are specific to one of the genders. Second, different levels of economic development (high/low) combine with national culture dimensions to produce different configurations that can lead to high EA. Third, differences found between the solutions for both genders are higher in the case of the configurations that lead to high EA than in the ones that lead to low EA. Practical implications These results are very important to governments and policy makers with the objective of stimulating the EA within their specific countries. When designing public policies to promote entrepreneurship, they should take into consideration the specific cultural context of the country. The cultural context of each country presents multiple dimensions; therefore, the design of public policies should not rely on single, occasional and unarticulated policies. There are countries where the cultural context only promotes EA for males or females. In those cases, the public policies should differentiate between men and women, to be equally effective. Originality/value By using a configurational approach, this study identifies several configurations of national culture dimensions and the level of economic development that lead to the same outcomes: high (or low) EA. Some of the configurations are specific to achieving only male or female EA (high or low).

Economic freedom and entrepreneurial activity

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 1686-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Díaz‐Casero ◽  
D. Ángel Manuel Díaz‐Aunión ◽  
Mari Cruz Sánchez‐Escobedo ◽  
Alicia Coduras ◽  
Ricardo Hernández‐Mogollón
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Freedom ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Government Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heritage Foundation ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Economic Freedom Index

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine empirically whether economic freedom affects entrepreneurial activity in three groups of countries, classified according to economic development.Design/methodology/approachData on the index of entrepreneurial activity cover the period between 2002 and 2009, and are taken from the annual GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor) reports and from the Index of Economic Freedom published by The Heritage Foundation from 1995 to 2009. The same analysis is carried out, grouping the countries by development level, following the classification included in the Global Competitiveness Report 2009‐2010. A Ridge regression analysis is performed to measure the model's goodness‐of‐fit and to determine equations that can be used for future predictions.FindingsThe results obtained in the correlation analysis show that economic freedom is closely related to entrepreneurial activity. The results suggest that TEA rates, opportunity‐TEA rates and necessity‐TEA rates decrease when there is an increase in economic freedom in a country, as just two of the areas analyzed – i.e. “government size” and “fiscal freedom” – appear to foster the emergence of new entrepreneurs. When countries are grouped by level of economic development, the results for countries belonging to the “Innovation‐Driven Economies” group show that the opportunity‐TEA rates increase as the economic freedom index grows.Originality/valueThe study indicates that entrepreneurship by opportunity increases in the group of Innovation‐Driven Economies with smaller “government size” and more “fiscal freedom”.

Cameroonian perspectives on entrepreneurship: discovering subcultural heterogeneity

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-277
Author(s):  
Dave Valliere
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Effects ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore cultural attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship in the southwestern region of Cameroon. This study also identifies the existence of subcultural variations with important implications for the development of entrepreneurial activities in Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the hybrid qualitative/quantitative Q methodology to survey and analyze a purposively diverse sample of individuals and thereby discover subcultural structures and patterns to the attitudes and beliefs that exist in Cameroonian culture. Findings This study discovers three distinct subcultures that differ significantly in their attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship. These subcultures can neither be predicted from commonly used national measures of cultures, such as those of Hofstede, nor are they directly attributable to regional effects. Research limitations/implications The author calls into question the continuing use of national culture as a construct in explaining and predicting entrepreneurial activities, through discovery of subcultures at odds with national measures. Further research should be undertaken to assess the prevalence within Cameroonian society of the three widely different subcultures identified here. Practical implications This paper highlights the importance of incorporating subcultural variations in attitudes and beliefs (whether regional, tribal or other) in the development and implementation of public policies to affect national entrepreneurship. Originality/value The paper applies a novel methodology to qualitatively explore the subjective variations in the meaning and value of entrepreneurship in Cameroonian society, and to quantitatively develop a structure or typology to these variations.

Targeted state economic development incentives and entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meg Patrick Tuszynski ◽  
Dean Stansel
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Freedom ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Incentive Programs ◽  
Economic Development Incentives ◽  
State Economic Development ◽  
Development Incentives ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between state economic development incentives programs and entrepreneurial activity. Design/methodology/approach The authors use panel data and a fixed-effects model to examine the determinants of five measures of entrepreneurial activity. To measure state economic development incentives programs, they use a new and substantially improved data set from Bartik (2017). They also include a measure for economic freedom, the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America index. Findings The authors find a robustly negative relationship between development incentives and patent activity. They find some evidence that incentives are negatively associated with small business establishments (<10 employees) as a percentage of total establishments but positively associated with the large business establishment (>500 employees) share. They also find evidence of a positive relationship between economic freedom and both patent activity and net business formation. Research limitations/implications The results imply that economic development incentive programs are unlikely to increase entrepreneurial activity and may decrease it. They also imply increased economic freedom (lower taxes, lower spending, and lower governmental restrictions on labor markets) may increase entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this paper provides the first examination of the relationship between development incentives and entrepreneurial activity that utilizes Bartik (2017), a new vastly improved data set of state economic development incentive programs. The paper also contributes to the literature on the relationship between economic freedom and entrepreneurial activity.

Measuring urban competitiveness: ranking European large urban zones

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Sáez ◽  
Iñaki Periáñez ◽  
Iñaki Heras-Saizarbitoria
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Urban Competitiveness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Dimension ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Weighted Aggregate ◽  
High Level ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to identify the main dimensions that determine the ability of cities to compete as locations for business and hubs for investment which can help policymakers to manage and prioritize urban development strategies. Design/methodology/approach A composite indicator is proposed as a weighted aggregate of sub-indicators for the identified component dimensions (basic, efficiency-related and innovation-related competitiveness). The indicator is used to draw up a ranking of 159 European Large Urban Zones (LUZs) located in 26 EU countries based on 31 indicators, broken down into the three core dimensions of urban competitiveness identified. Findings The dimensions underlying urban competitiveness in relation to the location of firms and attracting investment determine the level of economic development of the LUZs. The most competitive cities in the sample have a high level of economic development, and the innovation dimension is the most significant one for the three groups of cities considered, followed by the efficiency dimension and, to a lesser extent, the basic dimension. Practical implications The findings provide guidance to policymakers on the most relevant dimensions for urban competitiveness. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature shedding light on the complex relationships between efficiency-related and innovation-related factors with regard to urban competitiveness.

Dreams and reality: autonomy support for women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 727-742
Author(s):  
Atsede Tesfaye Hailemariam ◽  
Brigitte Kroon ◽  
Marloes van Engen ◽  
Marc van Veldhoven
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Agents ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
Autonomous Functioning

Purpose Taking a self-determination theory (SDT) perspective, the purpose of this paper is to understand the socio-cultural context on the satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness in the entrepreneurial activity of women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 women entrepreneurs operating business in the formal sector of the economy in Addis Ababa. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze and interpret the interview transcripts. Findings Women entrepreneurs experience autonomy-supportive and controlling socio-cultural contexts in their gender role, parent–daughter relationship, husband–wife relationship and their religious affiliation. Autonomy-supportive social agents provide women entrepreneurs, the chance to perceive themselves as competent and autonomous to exploit and choose opportunities and run their business in accordance with their personal values and interests. On the other hand, controlling social agents maintain and reinforce the existing male-dominated social and economic order. They constrain women’s entrepreneurial performance by undermining their basic psychological needs satisfaction, which limits their autonomous functioning and well-being in entrepreneurial activity. Practical implications To promote women’s autonomous functioning and well-being in entrepreneurial activity, policy should be aimed at reducing constraints to the satisfaction of psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness in the socio-cultural context. Originality/value The study is the first to apply SDT to explore the influence of autonomy vs controlling socio-cultural contexts on satisfaction vs thwarting needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness in the entrepreneurial activity of women.

National culture and fraud risk: exploratory evidence

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dessalegn Getie Mihret
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Risk Exposure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Corruption Index ◽  
High Power Distance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the association between national culture dimensions and exposure to fraud with a view to drawing implications for understanding fraud risk. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a sample of 66 countries. Regression analysis is conducted using Hofstede’s national culture dimensions as independent variables and fraud risk as a dependent variable. Transparency International’s corruption index was used as a proxy for fraud risk. Findings – Results suggest high fraud risk exposure in countries with high power distance and those having limited long-term orientations. Research limitations/implications – The study informs deeper understanding of fraud risk through analysis of fraud risk in a culturally relative sense. Originality/value – This is the first study (known to the author) to draw the implications of national culture for understanding fraud risk.

Impact of the institutional quality on NAFTA's international trade: a system GMM approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Heo ◽  
Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen ◽  
Nguyen Khanh Doanh
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Institutional Quality ◽  
Trade Flows ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Trading Partners ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Trade Elasticity

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the impacts of institutional quality on trade flows of NAFTA with a panel data set of 105 countries spanning the period 2006–2017.Design/methodology/approachWe applied the system generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator to investigate the impacts.FindingsThe results show that institutional quality is a positive and significant determinant of international trade flows of the NAFTA bloc and its trading partners. Our results also indicate that the impact of institutional quality depends on the level of economic development of NAFTA's trading partners. Specifically, the trade elasticity of institutional quality is the highest for NAFTA’s trade with middle-income countries and the lowest for NAFTA's trade with low-income countries. In the long run, the trade elasticity of institutional quality increased significantly, with the highest increase in the case of NAFTA's trade with medium-income countries and the lowest increase in the case of NAFTA's trade with low-income countries.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature in three different ways. First, we examine the differential impact of institutions on NAFTA's trade according to the level of economic development of NAFTA's trading partners. Second, we compare the differential trade elasticity of institutional quality in the long run. Finally, we support our findings through an improved research methodology by using the system GMM estimation. This method allows us to overcome the potential sample bias, omitted variable problems and endogeneity of explanatory variables.

scholarly journals Reclaiming the heterogeneity of the Arab states

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihanah Almutairi ◽  
Michael Heller ◽  
Dorothy Yen
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
North African ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
National Cultures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Firms ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Culture Dimensions ◽  
Arab States

PurposeThis paper addresses the clustering of several Arab states on Hofstede's national culture dimensions and its implications for international firms targeting the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. It is imperative to distinguish the region's various national cultures, in order to enable enhanced segmenting strategies. The authors argue that reexamining the Arab states' national cultures can provide interested firms with a better understanding of their differences and similarities, so as to appropriately adjust their products and services to better serve their consumers.Design/methodology/approachHofstede's Values Survey Module 2013 (VSM 13) questionnaire is employed. In total, 1400 surveys were disseminated to all the Arab states, 200 for each country.Findingsfind evidence that national cultural differences do exist for Arab states and discuss implications toward international firms expanding in the region.Originality/valueEmpirical contributions include the dissemination and translation of Hofstede's national culture survey, the VSM 13, on seven Arab states: Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Egypt. Second, the VSM 13 survey measured the Arab states on two more dimensions which had not been previously measured before the present study's investigation. Last, the theoretical contribution of the present study offers empirical evidence that the MENA region's national culture profiles differ on all dimensions, and as such its findings are seen as an extension and validation of Hofstede's national culture theory.

Gender and job performance: linking the high performance work system with the ability–motivation–opportunity framework

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Edgar ◽  
Nancy M. Blaker ◽  
André M. Everett
Keyword(s):  
Job Performance ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work System ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
High Performance Work System ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Contingency View

PurposeFor some years, human resource management (HRM) scholars have sought to understand how the high performance work system (HPWS) impacts performance. Recently, attention has turned to developing knowledge about the more micro-level aspects of this relationship, with the ability–motivation–opportunity (AMO) framework providing a useful lens. Empirically, these studies have produced mixed results. This study explores whether context is useful in explaining these anomalous findings.Design/methodology/approachThis study considered the effects of context across two levels – the descriptive (situated demography–gender) and the analytical (societal–national culture) – on employees' behaviour in the HPWS–job performance relationship using survey data obtained from a sample of New Zealand organisations.FindingsResults indicate that the employee demographic of gender may play an influential role, with ability found to be the most significant predictor of job performance for males and opportunity the strongest predictor of job performance for females. Given the importance of cultural context when examining employees' gendered behaviours, this study also considers the influence of New Zealand's national culture.Practical implicationsBy describing the interaction between trait expressive work behaviours and job features, this study dispels the myth of universalism. In line with a contingency view, practitioners are encouraged to ensure alignment between features of their organisational context and the behavioural outcomes sought from their HPWS.Originality/valueThis study suggests HPWS research designs would benefit from analysing the full effects of contextual variables, rather than considering them purely as controls.

Stages of diversification in high performing Asian economies

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1017-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don P. Clark ◽  
Luiz Renato Lima ◽  
W. Charles Sawyer
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Development Path ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
Asian Economies ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
The Evolution Of Industry ◽  
Policy Guidance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the evolution of industry structure in the World Bank’s eight high performing Asian economies (HPAEs) displays the U-shaped relationship between manufacturing concentration and per capita income widely held to foster economic development. Increasingly prosperous HPAEs have long been hailed as models for success by other emerging economies. Focusing on a regional group of high performing economies enables us to relate policies used by successful HPAEs directly to observed patterns of manufacturing diversification and provide policy guidance to emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach A robust locally weighted scatterplot smoothing procedure is employed to generate the U-shaped relationship between manufacturing concentration and level of economic development. Policies used by the most successful HPAEs are discussed. Findings The relationship between manufacturing concentration and level of economic development is found to be U-shaped. Diversification of manufacturing is a prerequisite for successful economic development. Countries further along the economic development path such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan made extensive use of active and selective interventionist policies to diversify manufacturing before eventually specializing in a narrower range of export activities. Practical implications Emerging economies should follow examples set by the most successful HPAEs that demonstrated significant government assistance is required to foster economic development. Originality/value The paper is the first to investigate the evolution of manufacturing concentration over the economic development path HPAEs. Success enjoyed by HPAEs holds important lessons for developing and emerging economies.

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