A relational perspective on entrepreneurial ecosystems

Author(s):  
Thomas G. Pittz ◽  
Giles Hertz

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the entrepreneurship center (EC) in the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive because of complex interdependencies and dynamic relationships between and among its participants. While the university has often been highlighted as a key player in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the role of the EC within the university, despite its strategically influential position in stimulating entrepreneurship, has not received sufficient attention in scholarship. Design/methodology/approach The authors attempt to address this gap in scholarship using an expert Delphi panel approach to explore the vital role that the EC plays in ensuring the vibrancy of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. In doing so, the authors tackle the question of sustainability of the EC by outlining a structural framework and key job characteristics of the EC director so that it may thrive beyond the tenure of a transformational leader. Findings In analyzing the responses of Delphi panelists and reviewing the theoretical foundations, the authors have identified three areas for discussion: the question of whether the EC director ought to be an academic job, the key skills of an effective EC director and how to sustain the EC after the departure of a transformative leader. Considering the vital role that the EC plays in the university and regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, these questions have importance for the future of the practice of entrepreneurship. Originality/value The role of the EC in the larger regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of the EC director are subjects that have been largely unaddressed by current scholarship. This is despite the growing number of ECs, the growth of entrepreneurship as a discipline, the desire to foster entrepreneurial universities and the struggle to find suitable EC leadership talent. The EC is critical for bringing together various actors within the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating and maintaining an entrepreneurial culture and fostering co-curricular learning to develop human capital, key benefits that the university provides on top of its research activity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Di Berardino ◽  
Christian Corsi

Purpose Using the quality evaluation approach, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the contribution of intellectual capital (IC) to the development of the third mission in Italian universities, defining the impact of these activities in the regional context. This research aims to verify if the mandatory reporting on quality discloses the contribution of IC to value creation, enhancing the universities’ awareness about IC management and third mission development. Design/methodology/approach The convergence between IC framework and quality evaluation approach is tested through an empirical research on a sample of 71 Italian universities funded by the government. Statistical analyses use data collected for the period 2004-2014 during the national assessment for research activity and third mission performance. The impact of third mission on the university ecosystem is verified using the indexes related to the territorial development rates. Findings This research found significant IC disclosure in the quality evaluation model and it highlights the possible integration between the IC measures and the quality evaluation indicators. The research findings show also a positive impact of third mission activities in the university ecosystem and the relevant role of structural capital and relational capital in the development of third mission. These findings encourage a collegial discussion in the university governance and among academics, stimulating a strategic behavior in the whole system Research limitations/implications The paper focuses the attention on research activity and third mission, considering the final results provided by an external stakeholder of university. Further research must include the role of teaching activity and the opinion of universities’ managers, researchers and administrative staff. Originality/value Following the neo-institutional sociology perspective, this research analyses for the first time the convergence between the solid experience of quality assessment and the immature IC culture in Italian universities. This analysis explores the value created by intangible activities in the university ecosystem, with a longitudinal perspective, contributing to the fourth stage of the IC literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-358
Author(s):  
Edward Morrison ◽  
John D. Barrett ◽  
Janyce B. Fadden

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply a reflective theory of development for entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Muscle Shoals region of northern Alabama. The theory provides guidance for practitioners and policymakers interested in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach The theory offers five propositions, which are illustrated and applied in the case study. The propositions include the need for civic leaders recognizing local talent; support networks for entrepreneurs; a quality, connected place; activities designed to increase interactivity for entrepreneurs within the ecosystem; five distinct phases producing replicable, scalable and sustainable projects; and universities providing platforms upon which the ecosystems can develop. Findings Application of the proposed theory is transforming the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Muscle Shoals region. In just four years, the project has produced over 30 initiatives and events, precipitously increased student participation in entrepreneurial ventures and raised over $1m. Originality/value The theory and its application developed from a collaboration between the Agile Strategy Lab at Purdue University and the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at the University of North Alabama. This collaboration is replicable, scalable and sustainable, and is a model for university-led entrepreneurial ecosystem development and transformation.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Butkouskaya ◽  
Joan Llonch-Andreu ◽  
María-del-Carmen Alarcón-del-Amo

PurposeTaking the customer-centric nature of integrated marketing communications (IMC), this article investigates the specific role of customer performance in IMC effectiveness in various size companies applying inter-country context.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of the primary data from developed (Spain) and developing (Belarus) economies. A total of 540 manager respondents participated in the survey. The article uses structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis for analysis.FindingsWhen taking into consideration, customer performance affects the IMC outcome on the market and financial performance. The customer performance role varies in firms of various sizes and small- and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) operating both in developed and developing economies.Research limitations/implicationsThe research underlines the significant role of customer performance in IMC implementation, which stimulates further investigation on the topic. It also closes the gap in the IMC outcomes analysis in SMEs operating in developed and developing economies.Practical implicationsCustomer evaluation plays a vital role in the IMC outcomes for market growth and financial returns. SMEs and larger companies implement IMC with different levels of effectiveness. SMEs with IMC implementation can gain an advantage over larger rivals and improve their market position. Moreover, the study generalizes the results by applying inter-country context.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering study of the complex IMC outcomes model under firms' size moderate conditions. The research applies an inter-country context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 457-471
Author(s):  
Le Cong Thuan ◽  
Bui Thi Thanh

Purpose Although leaders play a vital role in motivating the creative performance of followers, a paucity of research has examined specific behaviors of leaders. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of leader knowledge sharing behavior on followers’ creative performance. Design/methodology/approach To decrease the potential of the common method bias, this research conducted a time-lagged study to gather data from 319 employees working at information technology companies in Vietnam. This study used the hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings The results showed that leader knowledge sharing behavior had a positive impact on follower creativity. Moreover, follower-acquired knowledge partially mediated this relationship. Furthermore, follower prosocial motivation positively moderated the effects of leader knowledge sharing behavior and follower-acquired knowledge on followers’ creative performance. Originality/value The findings contribute to the creativity literature by providing evidence that leader knowledge sharing behavior could stimulate follower creativity directly and indirectly through follower-acquired knowledge. This research also confirmed the moderating role of prosocial motivation in reinforcing the influence of leader behaviors and employee ability on employee creativity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1270-1282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamran Iqbal ◽  
Ghulam Dastgeer

Purpose Training plays a vital role in the success of an organization as it provides the employees an opportunity to improve their competencies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effects of motivation to transfer between self-efficacy, training retention and transfer of training. Design/methodology/approach Research hypotheses were tested using quantitative research technique. The data were collected through self-administered questionnaire from 300 employees working in the banking sector of twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad), of Pakistan. In total, 215 questionnaires were finally used for analysis. Findings The findings of this study reveal that motivation to transfer mediates the relationship between self-efficacy, training retention and transfer of training. Practical implications Although previous studies have tested the impact of self-efficacy and training retention on the transfer of training, but the mechanism through which self-efficacy and retention influence transfer of training remained underexplored. Knowing the role of self-efficacy and training retention as the antecedents of motivation to transfer can help the training managers to design an effective and efficient training plan. Originality/value This study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge especially in the Pakistani context by testing the role of trainee’s characteristics in transfer of training. Also, this study has empirically tested the mediating role of motivation to transfer between trainee’s characteristics (self-efficacy and retention) and transfer of training which has not been tested before.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 165-170
Author(s):  
A. Konarev ◽  
Sn. Konstantinova

The role of the technology parks for the development of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems is constantly increasing. As centres for updating and technology transfer, these parks directly affect regional systems of business incubators, accelerators, shared jobs, startups and other important elements of entrepreneurial ecosystems. Based on a specific model of a technology park in Plovdiv, the impact and the opportunities for development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the South Central Region are explored.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamila Nabi Khan ◽  
Ahmed Kamal

Purpose In weaker institutions, lack of corporate social responsibility (CSR) constituencies causes organizations to naturally incline toward corporate socially irresponsible actions. Grounded in the institutional theory, this paper aims to explore the nature of corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR) in the weaker institution and its effect on legitimacy and reputation. The presence of corporate ability moderates the impact of CSIR on legitimacy and reputation. Design/methodology/approach A list of manager’s contact information was generated from an online database. In total, 1,500 employees in 560 Pakistani organizations received the self-reported survey. In total, 203 managers working in 110 Pakistani organizations responded with the completed questionnaire that provided empirical support to the hypotheses. Findings Institutional drivers were positively significant to CSIR and negatively associated with the manager’s CSR attitudes. CSIR was negatively significant to legitimacy and reputation. Group differences between high and low corporate ability indicated that corporate ability played a vital role between CSIR and reputation. Practical implications These results have important implications for leaders, business-to-business and human resource (HR) managers in weaker institutions highlighting that organization’s supply chain partners consider adopting CSR practices. This can help the organization avoid undesirable and detrimental impact on its legitimacy and reputation, which are linked to irresponsible behaviors. HR managers should build CSR cognition in employees to bring effective change in the organization. Originality/value Lack of investigation into corporate ability and CSIR has raised questions about the organization’s efforts in the weaker institution that are sensitive to institutionalized corruption. This research adds to the literature by exploring how the organizations develop legitimacy and reputation while still acting irresponsibly in a weaker institution, presenting a paradox.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Farrukh ◽  
Issam Ghazzawi ◽  
Ali Raza ◽  
Imran Ahmed Shahzad

PurposeReligion is a system of beliefs that plays a vital role in an individual's personal and work life. Surprisingly, management researchers have not studied this area in a meaningful way. To address this gap in the existing literature, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of religiosity on intrapreneurial behaviors of employees.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative methodology was adopted in this study. A total of 306 responses are collected through a structured questionnaire.FindingsResults showed a positive association between religiosity and intrapreneurial behaviors of employees and a significant mediating effect of perceived organizational support on religiosity-IB linkagesOriginality/valueThe study presents several implications for researchers and practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Francesca Cicchiello

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the role that public policies may have in re-shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems and supporting the creation of functioning ecosystems based on new forms of finance, i.e. the equity-based crowdfunding. Design/methodology/approach The paper first identifies and examines the European policies developed to encourage the use of equity crowdfunding in entrepreneurial finance from 2003 to 2018. Then, it reviews national regulatory frameworks for crowdfunding, and analyses the barriers that constrain the growth of national crowdfunding markets. Finally, the paper addresses the issue of regulatory harmonisation by underlining its importance in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on crowdfunding. Findings Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on crowdfunding requires better policy coordination between European countries and readiness to take concerted actions. National authorities must look at the crowdfunding phenomenon from a European perspective and align their policies. European policymakers must import best practices from thriving national ecosystems by implementing less bureaucratic policies and with greater impact on entrepreneurial activity. Social implications In a post-crisis economy, the architecture of entrepreneurial ecosystems must evolve and focus on new financing alternatives ensuring the survival of successful businesses. Originality/value The paper offers a new perspective on entrepreneurship looking at the formation and development of new ecosystems around equity crowdfunding platforms. It also provides a relevant starting point for subsequent studies into this field.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waheed Akhter ◽  
Hassan Jamil ◽  
Kim-Shyan Fam

Purpose This paper aims to identify Islamic influence on customer satisfaction in Pakistan Takaful and conventional insurance industry. Specifically, it analyses the vital role of Shari’ah perception in achieving higher customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach The data from 400 customers of both the family Takāful and life insurance (200 each) were collected. Further, the regression-based bootstrapping approach was applied through process macro developed by Hayes (2013). Findings The results indicate that a higher Shari’ah perception positively affects the customer satisfaction in the Takaful industry with improved service and relationship quality; whereas, it negatively affects customer satisfaction in case of the conventional insurance. Further, it has been found that customer satisfaction partially mediates the customer switching intentions in both the Takaful and conventional insurance industry in the presence of service quality and relationship quality. Practical implications This research will enable the practitioners to understand the factors that affect customer satisfaction in Pakistan. It has the essential policy and managerial implications for the growth of the Takaful and conventional insurance industry. Originality/value This is one of the pioneer studies investigating the impact of Islamic influence (specifically Shari’ah perception) on customer satisfaction in both the Takaful and conventional insurance industry in Pakistan.


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