scholarly journals Careers of commercially successful female entrepreneurs in context of underdeveloped markets and weak institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sarpong ◽  
Richard Nyuur ◽  
Mabel Kyeiwaa Torbor
Keyword(s):  
Design Data ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Newspapers ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Weak Institutions ◽  
Television Interview ◽  
Digital Footprints ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Entrepreneurial Careers

PurposeCareers have come to dominate contemporary discourse on gendered entrepreneurship. This paper aims to explore entrepreneurial careers as recounted by commercially successful female entrepreneurs to examine how they strategize to construct desirable careers in contexts characterized by underdeveloped markets and weak institutions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative research design, data for our inquiry come from publicly available life history accounts of 20 female entrepreneurs appearing on an enterprise focus television show in Nigeria. The authors supplemented the television interview data with archival data in the form of publicly available digital footprints of the entrepreneurs collected from their company websites, magazines, online newspapers featuring these entrepreneurs and their social media pages such as LinkedIn, Wikipedia, Facebook and Instagram.FindingsThe careers of female entrepreneurs operating in context of underdeveloped institution and markets, the authors found, are characterized by four heterogeneous ingrained dispositions and actions reflecting how they got in and got on with their entrepreneurial careers: (1) “Observing and playing business,” (2) traipsing the “path less traveled,” (3) a hook to the “Pierian spring” of entrepreneurship and (4) “Grace under pressure” in decision-making.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the entrepreneurship literature by providing insight into the lived experiences, agency and careers of commercially successful female entrepreneurs as played out in the form of a contextual practice of “wayfinding” to starting up and managing their own business ventures.

scholarly journals Strategic account management as a value co-creation selling model in the pharmaceutical industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Pilon ◽  
Elias Hadjielias
Keyword(s):  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Pharmaceutical Company ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Account Management ◽  
A Value ◽  
Key Accounts

Purpose This study aims to explore the dynamics enabling strategic account management (SAM) to function as a value co-creation selling model in the pharmaceutical industry. Design/methodology/approach Using an inductive qualitative research design, data are collected within 11 industry customers in Canada. This work focuses on hospitals as strategic accounts of pharmaceutical companies, exploring SAM value co-creation in the “hospital-pharmaceutical company” relationship. Findings The findings suggest the presence of two key dimensions that can enable a value co-creation SAM model in the hospital-pharmaceutical relationship: “customer-tailored value-added initiatives” and “relationship enhancers”. Customer-tailored value-added initiatives explain the activities that are central to the hospital-pharmaceutical company relationship and can lead to the provision of value added that is unique to the hospital. Relationship enhancers explain the activities that can help strengthen hospital-pharmaceutical company relations in the pursuit of enhanced value-added interactions between the two parties. The research demonstrates a cyclical relationship between “customer-tailored value-added initiatives” and “relationship enhancers”, leading to value co-creation through a SAM model. Practical implications The study informs pharmaceutical industry practitioners on how to improve their value proposition through new, more sustainable selling practices. It offers information on implementing a value co-creation SAM model, which can enable pharmaceutical companies to sustain long-lasting value-added relationships with key accounts such as hospitals. Originality/value The study contributes to the field of SAM by conceptualizing SAM as a value co-creation system. It introduces new knowledge in pharmaceutical marketing by offering empirical insight on the applicability and use of SAM in the hospital-pharmaceutical company dyad.

Peruvian small and medium-sized enterprises and COVID-19: Time for a new start!

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Mariano Martin Genaro Palacios Acuache ◽  
Guido Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Crisis Management ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Crises of any type have become an integral part of business activity and responses to them could make the difference between survival and failure. This applies in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a starting point, this study aims to investigate how Peruvian SMEs have been coping with COVID-19 so far. Based on that a conceptual framework is proposed which highlights the practice of SMEs trying to deal with a new type of crisis. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on an exploratory qualitative research design involving 25 semi-structured interviews conducted in Peruvian SMEs. Findings The findings demonstrate how the Peruvian firms studied to adapt to the new situation and initiate responses to increasing the chance of survival. Furthermore, the role of the companies’ decision-makers, as well as the role of crisis management and other related approaches in the companies are shown. Research limitations/implications The paper expands the underdeveloped body of knowledge regarding crisis management in Latin America in general and crisis management in SMEs by providing insight into how Peruvian SMEs perceive and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications The findings presented in this paper have implications for both managers and managerial staff of SMEs but also for the people in charge of the curricula at universities and other teaching-focused institutes. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study of crisis management on the impacts of COVID-19 with a dedicated focus on SMEs from Latin America. It provides fresh insight into current reactions to the Pandemic.

scholarly journals “Help goes around in a circle”: young unaccompanied refugees’ engagement in interpersonal relationships and its significance for resilience

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-261
Author(s):  
Kristina Johansen ◽  
Ingunn Studsrød
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mutual Support ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Concern For Others ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address how young unaccompanied refugees in Norway actively engage in interpersonal relationships. It explores the significance of these relationships in doing well following adversity, according to the young people’s own perspectives. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a qualitative research design. Data were derived through a combination of participant observation, interviews and research workshops inspired by participatory methods. In total, 12 young unaccompanied refugees, aged 15–20, residing in Norway, participated in the study. Findings Participants described actively searching for help and support in order to do well. In addition, they showed concern for others and often described an explicit intention of helping. They engaged in relationships of mutual support and helped others through acts of kindness or social involvement. Nevertheless, the relationships were not only a source of happiness, safety and well-being, but also of pain and worry. Practical implications Social workers who want to strengthen the resilience of young unaccompanied refugees should consider and build on the young people’s capacity for involvement and mutual support. Originality/value This study offers a unique analysis of young unaccompanied refugees’ engagement in relationships and the significance of these relationships in doing well following adversity.

scholarly journals Designing, writing-up and reviewing case study research: an equifinality perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 549-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrien Verleye
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Research ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Service Community ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Several researchers struggle with designing, writing-up and reviewing case study research, but constructing a template for describing and justifying methodological choices is – in contrast with quantitative research – undesirable due to the creative nature of qualitative research. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the multitude of paths to rigorous case study research and promote rigorous case study research in the service community. Design/methodology/approach Based upon a review of seminal articles and textbooks, different paths to rigorous case study research are identified. Subsequently, these paths are compared with existing practices in case studies in service research published between March 2017 and April 2019. Findings Seminal articles and textbooks detail different paths to achieve rigor with regard to research purpose, design, data, analyses and write-up. Overall, the most popular paths in the service community are those proposed by Eisenhardt and Yin. Meanwhile, service researchers increasingly challenge the dichotomy between the inductive and deductive logic by choosing an abductive logic. Transparency and reflexivity are the main points of attention among service researchers doing case study research. Originality/value By providing insight into the multitude of paths to rigorous case study research along with their popularity in the service community, this paper helps service researchers to balance rigor and creativity when engaging in case study research. Additionally, this paper offers a framework for reviewing case study research in terms of rigor and creativity.

The role of export promotion programs in the internationalisation of female-owned enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitte Ohrt Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Export Promotion ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

Purpose While the role of government-funded export promotion programs (EPPs) on the international activities of small ventures has been previously documented, they do not appear to have been hitherto studied in a gendered context. This is unfortunate given the evidence suggesting growing numbers of female entrepreneurs with strong international orientation. Thus, this study aims to provide a better understanding of the experiences and practices of women entrepreneurs with regard to EPPs. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on personal interviews with eight female-owned international entrepreneurial ventures in the fashion design industry in Denmark. A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences of the women entrepreneurs regarding different types of EPPs and their various providers, and the data were analysed and interpreted using the NVivo software program. Findings The results show that while the level of awareness of EPPs was generally high, the programs were overwhelmingly perceived to be overly expensive, excessively time-consuming, insufficiently specific and largely irrelevant. When the women business owners had availed themselves of their services, the usefulness of the EPPs was deemed to be largely imperceptible. Plausible explanations for these results may be found in the gendered entrepreneurial literature. The study’s findings provide important gendered insights to government support agencies charged with promoting the internationalisation of female-owned small businesses. Originality/value This study presents novel gendered findings of the experiences of female entrepreneurs regarding the role played by EPPs in the growth of their firms on international markets. It contributes to the literature on the growing phenomenon of female international entrepreneurs.

Dynamics of entrepreneurial belonging among Mexican female entrepreneurs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Erogul ◽  
Salvador Barragan ◽  
Caroline Essers
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose Understanding belonging provides a better insight into the structural, political, cultural and gendered elements of entrepreneurship. This paper aims to focus on Mexican female entrepreneurs’ (MFE) experiences in managing material and affective aspects of entrepreneurial belonging during the start-up and transition phase to become an established business owner. Design/methodology/approach The narrative analysis is based on qualitative interview data with 11 MFE in Mexico. Findings The analysis reveals that MFEs’ sense of belonging evolves from self-oriented to more socially-oriented identity claims. In the former, the need to “fit in” and achieve material aspects of belonging is intertwined with gender and family responsibilities. In the latter, the need to “stand out” and achieve affective aspects of belonging is intertwined with validating entrepreneurial achievements by challenging gendered assumptions and helping others through the notion of “sisterhood.” Originality/value The paper extends the understanding of the relation of material and affective aspects of belonging as an “evolving” process from the nascent stage to the established stage of entrepreneurship. Within the evolving process of entrepreneurial belonging, a shift from material to affective aspects unveils a theoretical framework that relates belonging, gender and entrepreneurship in context. This process seems to regulate entrepreneur’s agency in what they interpret as acceptable while standing up against challenges and legitimizing belonging through the emergence of a “sisterhood.”

Consumers, Norwegian food and belonging: a qualitative study

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. 2359-2371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gun Mikaela Roos ◽  
Kai Victor Hansen ◽  
Aase Vorre Skuland
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Product Differentiation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Consumer Group ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
East West

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into considerations underlying consumers’ perceptions of Norwegian food and to examine what the concept of belonging can add to the understanding of national food. Design/methodology/approach Two-stage qualitative research design, where data were first collected by in-store interviews with 100 customers in 30 different food retail stores (supermarkets, low discount and specialty stores) in three areas in Norway (East, West and Mid). This was followed by four focus groups with consumers (n=34) in two areas (East and West). Findings The consumers perceived Norwegian food as having two main dimensions: foods grown and produced in Norway and dishes belonging to traditional cuisine. These two dimensions could coexist and foods that embodied both aspects were higher on a scale of national identity. Perceptions of Norwegian food reflected context, food category and consumer group. The findings support the use of the concept of belonging. Emotional belonging was mainly expressed by the consumers when talking about traditional dishes and Norwegian cuisine, whereas politics of belonging had to do with supporting domestic agriculture and especially produce that has been traditionally grown in Norway. Research limitations/implications The findings may have implications for product differentiation and marketing. Originality/value This study adds the concept of belonging to the existing literature on consumers, food and place.

scholarly journals Developing an authentic personal brand using impression management behaviours

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Thompson-Whiteside ◽  
Sarah Turnbull ◽  
Liza Howe-Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Specialist Service ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Brand ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into how female entrepreneurs develop and communicate an authentic personal brand. The authors examine the entrepreneurial marketing (EM) activities undertaken by female entrepreneurs and identify the impression management (IM) behaviours and tactics used. The authors explore the risks associated with self-promotion to gain a better understanding of how female entrepreneurs market themselves and their businesses. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). Using semi-structured interviews, the authors explore the experiences of female entrepreneurs as they engage in IM behaviours. The sample is drawn from female entrepreneurs who have small-scale businesses, which span a range of specialist service sectors. All participants are engaging in personal branding activities. Participants were recruited via a gatekeeper and invited to take part in the study. Data from 11 female business owners were collected and analysed using IPA. Interview transcripts and field notes were analysed for broad patterns, and then initial codes developed, which allowed for themes to emerge, with a number of core themes being identified. These core themes are presented, together with verbatim quotes from participants, to provide a rich insight into the marketing activities of these female entrepreneurs. Findings The findings reveal the complex challenges faced by female entrepreneurs as they engage in self-promotion and IM to market their business. Four key themes emerge from the data to explain how female entrepreneurs engage in managing their brand both online and offline: experimental, risk, authenticity and supplication. The study identifies, in particular, that female entrepreneurs use the tactic of supplication in combination with self-promotion to communicate their brand. Additionally, it was found that female entrepreneurs share their personal fears and weaknesses in an attempt to be seen as authentic and manage the risk associated with self-promotion. Originality/value The study contributes to the EM literature by extending the understanding of the risks associated with self-promotion for female entrepreneurs. The study also contributes to the IM literature by providing a better understanding of IM beyond organisations and applied to an entrepreneurial domain. The study highlights a number of important implications for entrepreneurial practice and policy.

Women and apparel entrepreneurship

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Hodges ◽  
Kittichai Watchravesringkan ◽  
Jennifer Yurchisin ◽  
Elena Karpova ◽  
Sara Marcketti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Scale Design

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by successful female entrepreneurs to manage the challenges of running a small apparel business. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research design was used. Primary and secondary data were collected on small business in three countries: Russia, South Africa and Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 11 female small apparel business owners. Businesses ranged from tailoring and custom clothing shops, to small-scale design and production, as well as small apparel retail stores. Findings – Three emergent themes highlight the similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants’ narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for these women to be creative in finding resources to start and grow their small apparel businesses, and to manage the competition that they face within this industry. Research limitations/implications – It is difficult to generalize the findings of this study beyond the sample. Implications of the findings for understanding the needs of female apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners are considered. Originality/value – Despite the significance of women to the apparel industry as well as small business ownership, thus far, the role of women as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners has been under-examined in the literature. This study offers insight into what it is like for women seeking to succeed as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Rethinking bibliographic utilities for library consortia

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Israel Odede
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Distributed Network ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Consortia ◽  
Individual Ownership ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The paper aims to critically examine the bibliographic utility as a roadmap to increase library consortia and provide an insight into a new library consortia strategy that integrates librarians into a system of sharing both resources and knowledge. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a literature review approach with a focus on bibliographic utility as a necessary prerequisite for effective library consortia, which is a paradigm shift from the concept of individual ownership to a collective access of distributed network resources and knowledge. Findings The reviewed literature indicated that significant bibliographic utilities and integrated library systems are factors that shaped and developed consortia activities in libraries. Originality/value The bibliographic utility has limited literature, and a few published scholarly studies have combined bibliographic utility and library consortia as strategies to share resources and knowledge

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