Towards strategic flexibility: social networks, climate and uncertainty

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (6) ◽  
pp. 858-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Fernández-Pérez ◽  
Francisco Javier Llorens Montes ◽  
Víctor Jesús García-Morales
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Strategic Flexibility ◽  
Uncertain Environments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Option ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how the size of social networks and the strength of their ties can help CEOs acquire understanding and information from external sources to enable their firms to achieve greater strategic flexibility and the moderating role of organizational climate and uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach – The hypotheses were tested using the data provided by 203 managers of medium-sized and large Spanish firms using regression analysis. Findings – The paper shows that firms have higher levels of strategic flexibility when their CEOs’ social networks are larger. Furthermore, CEOs have more incentives to use strong social-networking ties to develop strategic flexibility when there exists a positive organizational climate and a high degree of environmental uncertainty. Practical implications – An understanding of these issues offers opportunities to assist CEOs embarking on a new strategic option or to become more effective in building and utilizing their networking activities or organizational climate. Originality/value – This study explores the paradox over the role of social networks regarding strategic flexibility in uncertain environments. Prior research has presented arguments that uncertainty may be addressed through a wide range of responses, from the promotion of entrepreneurial activities to the adoption of conservative attitudes. The multisector sample reveals evidence of both types of behavior, with each playing a different role with respect to strategic flexibility.

scholarly journals The influence of emotional carrying capacity and network ethnic diversity on entrepreneurial self-efficacy

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Golshan Javadian ◽  
Tina R. Opie ◽  
Salvatore Parise
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Entrepreneurial Success ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Black Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose One key determinant of entrepreneurial success is entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), defined as an individual’s confidence in his or her ability to perform entrepreneurial tasks. Whereas previous research has examined how individual and business factors influence ESE, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of entrepreneurs’ social networks upon ESE. The paper examines such relationships for black and white entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach In total, 110 black and white entrepreneurs responded to a survey measuring ESE and critical constructs representing elements of the quality of entrepreneurs’ networks: emotional carrying capacity (ECC) and network ethnic diversity. Findings The authors found significant, positive relationships between both ECC and network ethnic diversity on ESE for white entrepreneurs but only found a significant positive relationship between ECC and ESE for black entrepreneurs. Originality/value While research is clear about the role that ESE plays in entrepreneurial activities, few studies have focused on the factors that improve ESE. In the present work, the authors study the role of context by examining how entrepreneurs’ social networks influence ESE. The authors examine such influences for both white and black entrepreneurs to better understand the implications of ethnicity.

From campfire to coliseum: motivations for using social networks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Castro Pires de Souza Chimenti ◽  
Marco Aurelio de Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Marcelo Guedes Carneiro ◽  
Roberta Dias Campos
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Collective Narrative

Purpose Through a literature review, a gap has been identified regarding the role of competition as a driver of social network (SN) usage. This study aims to design to address this gap, seeking motivators for SN usage based on how SN consumption may be related to users’ experience of competition. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of competition in social media usage. Design/methodology/approach The authors used an exploratory qualitative approach, conducting a set of focus groups with young social media users. Data was analyzed with software. Findings Two new drivers for SN use are proposed, namely, competition and collective narrative. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study, and it does not seek to generalize results or quantify causal relationships among variables. Practical implications This paper offers SN managers a deeper understanding of key growth drivers for these media. Social implications This research can help society understand and debate the impacts of SNs on users’ lives, providing insights into drivers of excessive usage. Originality/value This paper proposes the following two SN usage drivers yet to be described in the literature: competition and collective narrative.

Believe they can succeed, and they will: intrapreneurial behavior and leadership

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farrukh ◽  
Fanchen Meng ◽  
Ali Raza
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Pharmaceutical Chemical ◽  
Participative Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Member Exchange

PurposeA leader's job is not to put greatness into people, but rather to recognize that it already exists and to create an environment where that greatness can emerge and grow (Smith, 2014). Based on Brad Smith's quote, the purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the leader's expectations, leader-member exchange (LMX) and organizational climate for innovation in fostering the intrapreneurial behavior (IB) of employees.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from employees and their supervisors working across industries such as pharmaceutical, chemical, engineering and manufacturing. Collected data were then analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique.FindingsThe authors’ results show that LMX and leaders' expectations are positively linked to employees' IB. Moreover, this association is mediated by organizational climate.Practical implicationsThis study's findings contribute to the literature on intrapreneurship and may also help practitioners formulate interventions to foster IB in organizations that will ultimately lead to higher performance.Originality/valueThis study attempted to investigate the effect of LMX and the Pygmalion effect on IB through employees' perception of organizational climate for innovation. The literature in this field is scarce and theoretical development is weak because traditional collaborative or participative leadership approaches are more relevant to an outcome than innovation.

The mediating role of autonomy in the effect of pro-innovation climate and supervisor supportiveness on innovative behavior of nurses

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betül Sönmez ◽  
Aytolan Yıldırım
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Professional Autonomy ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Innovation Climate

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the mediating role of autonomy in the effect of a pro-innovation organizational climate and supervisor supportiveness (SS) on the innovative behavior (IB) of nurses.Design/methodology/approachThe sample of this cross-sectional, correlational study consisted of 332 nurses, who were selected, on the basis of the convenience sampling method, from among the nurses working at two public university hospitals in Istanbul. The data of the study were collected between February and May of 2015. Descriptive analysis and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis, and the bootstrapping method was applied to test the significance of the mediating role.FindingsThe model used for examining the mediating role of autonomy was found to be statistically significant, as it explained 36 percent of the variance of IB. When the significance of the mediating role was tested, its effect on both innovation climate and SS was observed to be significant.Originality/valueThe obtained results indicated that a pro-innovation organizational climate and SS functioned as premises for autonomy. In turn, the rise in autonomy level that served to innovative climate and SS increased the IB of the nurses through boosting their autonomy level. From these results, it can be argued that nurses with a high level of professional autonomy can create innovative outputs and provide added value through the IB they practice in providing patient care and general health services.

Marketing to the “middle of the pyramid” in emerging markets using a social network perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendai Chikweche ◽  
Richard Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Executives ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to expand knowledge about how middle class consumers in Sub-Saharan African markets behave, focusing on the potential role of social networks and the subsequent interactions that take place between these consumers and firms. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research method approach comprising personal interviews and observations targeted at consumers and business executives was used covering all four countries. Findings – Key findings include identification of middle of the pyramid (MOP) social networks, their impact on consumer behaviour and nature of consumer and firm interactions that take place as a result of the impact of social networks. Research limitations/implications – The sample size was restricted to 80 consumers in each of the four countries. This might limit generalisability. Practical implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential role of social networks on marketing to the MOP in Africa. Social implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential opportunities for corporate social responsibility solutions at the MOP. Originality/value – Research into the middle class in markets other than western advanced economies is a relatively new area of study. The majority of studies on the middle class have focused on North America and Europe ignoring the merging middle class in Africa. Hence, this research expands knowledge by providing basis for exploring new insights on the emerging marketing opportunity within the middle class in Africa.

Business social networks and academics' entrepreneurial intentions

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Fernández-Pérez ◽  
Patricia Esther Alonso-Galicia ◽  
María del Mar Fuentes-Fuentes ◽  
Lazaro Rodriguez-Ariza
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Financial Networks ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – This study analyses the role of social networks and their effects on academics' entrepreneurial intentions (AEI), from an academic cognitive perspective. Specifically, the paper investigates how business (distinguishing between industrial and financial links) and personal social networks, through opportunity-relevant information and support, could influence academics' intentions to start a business venture on the basis of their research knowledge. The paper examines the mediator roles of entrepreneurial attitudes (EA) and self-efficacy on opportunity recognition (SOR) as important psychological variables for academics. In the same context, the paper examines the mediator role of gender. Design/methodology/approach – The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling analysis, on a sample population of 500 Spanish academics engaged in commercially oriented fields of research. Findings – The results obtained highlight the positive roles played by business (industrial and financial) networks, both directly in promoting AEI, and indirectly via EA and SOR. The paper finds that male and female academics differ in their perceptions of support from business and financial networks and in their use of these resources in business start-up. Practical implications – An understanding of these issues offers opportunities to shape government interventions to assist academic entrepreneurs embarking on a business venture, or those already active in this respect, increasing their effectiveness in building, utilizing and enhancing the quality of networking activities. Originality/value – The paper explores business networking for academics as a factor promoting entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the paper considers an under-researched area that of female entrepreneurship in what is traditionally considered a male-dominated activity.

Internal and external search strategies of innovative firms: the role of the target market

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Ruiz-Pava ◽  
Clemente Forero-Pineda
Keyword(s):  
International Markets ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Firms ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Internal Sources

Purpose This paper aims to develop the concept of internal search of ideas to show the contrast between search strategies adopted by firms that introduce new products into local and international markets. Design/methodology/approach Based on data from 2,652 innovative firms, the paper uses factor analysis to explore and confirm appropriate groups of sources of innovative ideas. The analysis differentiates between internal and two types of external sources. Logistic and bivariate regressions reveal different search strategies for innovation in local and international markets. Findings Firms reporting products new to international markets exhibit search strategies combining ideas from internal sources with ideas from other firms. Firms reporting products new to local market reveal a search strategy centered on ideas from other firms. Practical implications Managers and policymakers wishing to promote innovations for international markets should concentrate their resources on developing the organizations’ capacity to generate ideas internally while monitoring other firms’ ideas. Managers targeting local markets may focus their efforts on intelligence over ideas coming from other firms. Originality/value Clarifying the relationship between knowledge and ideas, the paper finds that search strategies of firms are more effective for innovation depending on the target market. Firms searching for ideas among other firms generate ideas that might trigger innovation in products new to local markets. Firms searching both for internal and external ideas generate ideas leading to products new to international markets.

Bullying and turnover intentions: how creative employees overcome perceptions of dysfunctional organizational politics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk De Clercq ◽  
Tasneem Fatima ◽  
Sadia Jahanzeb
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Workplace Bullying ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Organizational Politics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Environments ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeThis study seeks to unpack the relationship between employees' exposure to workplace bullying and their turnover intentions, with a particular focus on the possible mediating role of perceived organizational politics and moderating role of creativity.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses are tested with multi-source, multi-wave data collected from employees and their peers in various organizations.FindingsWorkplace bullying spurs turnover intentions because employees believe they operate in strongly politicized organizational environments. This mediating role of perceived organizational politics is mitigated to the extent that employees can draw from their creative skills though.Practical implicationsFor managers, this study pinpoints a critical reason – employees perceive that they operate in an organizational climate that endorses dysfunctional politics – by which bullying behaviors stimulate desires to leave the organization. It also reveals how this process might be contained by spurring employees' creativity.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights into the process that underlies the connection between workplace bullying and quitting intentions by revealing the hitherto overlooked roles of employees' beliefs about dysfunctional politics and their own creativity levels.

Modern Downsizing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1970-1983
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Wojtkowiak
Keyword(s):  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Good Practices ◽  
Strategic Option ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Points Of View

The aim of the chapter is to present the concept of downsizing from different points of view: as a strategic option, as a management tool and as a phenomenon. It describes the evolution of the term, its definitions, and different directions of development. A scale and possible outcomes are described on the basis of financial analysis; however it also discusses the role of non-financial aspects. The chapter points out reasons, aims and a wide range of tools that may be used during implementation of downsizing. One of the conclusions of the chapter is to present future research directions aiming at increasing knowledge of managers and providing them with detailed good practices.

Access to skilled labor, institutions and firm performance in developing countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charilaos Mertzanis ◽  
Mona Said
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Skilled Labor ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Development Institutions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of access to skilled labor in explaining firms’ sales growth subject to the controlling influence of a wide range of firm-specific characteristics and country-level economic and non-economic factors. Design/methodology/approach The analysis uses a consistent and large firm-level data set from the World Bank’s Enterprise Surveys that includes 138 developing countries. An instrumental variables model with a GMM estimator is used for estimating the impact of access to skilled labor on firm performance. In order to obtain more robust estimators, the analysis introduces country-level controls reflecting the influence of economic and institutional factors, such as economic and financial development, institutional governance, education and technological progress. Findings The results document a significant and positive association between access to skilled labor and firm performance in the developing world. The explanatory power of access to skilled labor remains broadly robust after controlling for a wide range of firm-specific characteristics: sectoral and geographical influences matter. The results also show that the association between labor skill constraints and firm performance is mitigated by country-level factors but in diverse ways. Development, institutions, education and technological progress exert various mitigating effects on firm-level behavior regarding access to skilled labor. Originality/value The paper’s novel contribution is threefold: first, it uses joint firm, sector and country-level information to analyze the role of access to skilled labor on firm performance; second, it uses consistently produced information at the firm level from 138 developing countries; and, third, it considers the controlling impact of a wide range of country-level factors that reflect a country’s overall development, institutions and evolution.

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