Entrepreneurship and agriculture resources on national productivity in Africa: exploring for complementarities, synergies and thresholds

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Kriese ◽  
Gladys Awinpoak Abindaw Nabieu ◽  
Daniel Ofori-Sasu ◽  
Baah Aye Kusi
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Shape Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enhancing Effect ◽  
Quantile Regression Model ◽  
National Productivity ◽  
Complementarity Effects ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Existent literature suggests that Africa is heavily endowed with agriculture resources and entrepreneurship remains an important mechanism for promoting national productivity and other economic outcomes. Despite these, empirical evidence on how agriculture resources promote the effect of entrepreneurship on national productivity in Africa is nonexistent given the abundance of agriculture resources and the need for Africa to increase its productivity, which has implications for improving welfare. Hence, this study aims to examine the interplay of how agriculture resources and entrepreneurship influence national productivity by way of exploring for threshold and complementarity effects of agriculture resources in Africa. Design/methodology/approach This uses panel data of 29 Africa economies between 2006 and 2016 in a bootstrap quantile regression model. Findings First, it is reported that initial levels of agriculture resources in the form of crop and arable lands reduce national productivity while the extreme increase in agriculture resources promotes national productivity in Africa. This implies a nonlinear direct U-shape effect of agriculture resources on national productivity indicating that the enhancing effect of agriculture resources on national productivity is only achieved beyond a certain threshold of average agriculture resources. Second, agriculture resources complement entrepreneurship (which initially reduced national productivity) to promote national productivity. This implies that there is a synergetic-complementarity relationship between entrepreneurship and agriculture resources on national productivity. Practical implications These findings suggest that governments that are interested in boosting national productivity through agriculture resources may have to commit more financial resources to develop and reclaiming more agriculture resources (in the form of crop and arable lands) given that some threshold of agriculture resources are needed to promote national productivity. Similarly, developing agriculture resources by policymakers can help complement entrepreneurship to further improve the effects of entrepreneurship on national productivity. Originality/value This study attempts to present first-time evidence on the interplay between agriculture resources and entrepreneurship on national productivity by way of exploring for threshold and complementarity effects of agriculture resources in Africa.

“Never the first time on a patient”: the stakes of high-fidelity simulation for safety training

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 23-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucie Cuvelier
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
High Fidelity Simulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings An operative approach is described that is designed to structure the debriefing along three axes. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Cooperatives: an alternative to water privatization in Greece

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifigeneia Douvitsa ◽  
Demosthenis Kassavetis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Privatization ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The aim of this article is to investigate the organization of water cooperatives in Greece for the first time, as promoted by a spontaneous social mobilization called Initiative 136. The above attempt appears as an alternative proposition as opposed to the state-driven full privatization of EYATH S.A. Design/methodology/approach – This article presents previous work on water cooperatives and the negative effects of water privatization worldwide, relating it to water privatization in Greek reality through the prism of the current recession. Findings – While full privatization under the pressure of the economic crisis is very likely to yield significantly negative results, a transformation into a water cooperative might provide a viable solution. Research limitations/implications – Water cooperatives provide a solution for water distribution that is friendly for the consumer, the society and the environment. Practical implications – Application of a cooperative method of water provision in Greece could be a springboard for the use of the model in other areas. Originality/value – The article evaluates the privatization and cooperativization attempt of EYATH S.A. based on previous related research and considering Greece ' s current conditions.

Large-cap vs small-cap portfolio performance: new empirical evidence from ETFs

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-94
Author(s):  
Gerasimos Rompotis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Portfolio Performance ◽  
Exchange Traded Funds ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Risk Characteristics ◽  
The Usa ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeA well-documented pattern in the literature concerns the outperformance of small-cap stocks relative to their larger-cap counterparts. This paper aims to address the “small-cap versus large-cap” issue using for the first time data from the exchange traded funds (ETFs) industry.Design/methodology/approachSeveral raw return and risk-adjusted return metrics are estimated over the period 2012-2016.FindingsResults are partially supportive of the “size effect”. In particular, small-cap ETFs outperform large-cap ETFs in overall raw return terms even though they fail the risk test. However, outperformance is not consistent on an annual basis. When risk-adjusted returns are taken into consideration, small-cap ETFs are inferior to their large-cap counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsThis research only covers the ETF market in the USA. However, given the tremendous growth of ETF markets worldwide, a similar examination of the “small vs large capitalization” issue could be conducted with data from other developed ETF markets in Europe and Asia. In such a case, useful comparisons could be made, so that we could conclude whether the findings of the current study are unique and US-specific or whether they could be generalized across the several international ETF markets.Practical implicationsA possible generalization of the findings would entail that profitable investment strategies could be based on the different performance and risk characteristics of small- and large-cap ETFs.Originality/valueThis is the first study to examine the performance of ETFs investing in large-cap stock indicesvis-à-visthe performance of ETFs tracking indices comprised of small-cap stocks.

scholarly journals An analysis of a structured benchmarking project

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1431-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Abdullah Al Nuseirat ◽  
Zeyad Mohammad El Kahlout ◽  
Ahmed Abbas ◽  
Dotun Adebanjo ◽  
Prattana Punnakitikashem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Project Data ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate a benchmarking project carried out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as part of a structured benchmarking initiative. The project was based on the TRADE benchmarking methodology and this paper examines the tools, activities and outcomes that relate to each stage of the adopted methodology. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on case study methodology. Data were collected from various sources including analysis of project reports written by DEWA’s benchmarking team reporting on their activities during the project. Data were also collected from four project presentations given at different stages of the project. In addition, the research team held three meetings with the DEWA benchmarking team at different stages of the benchmarking project. Findings The results show the key challenges and successes faced during each stage of the benchmarking project. It indicates the actions taken to overcome the challenges and the role played by internal and external stakeholders in facilitating the success of the benchmarking project. Practical implications The study presents information that would guide organisations that wish to carry out a benchmarking project – and particularly those implementing benchmarking for the first time. The study provides a summary of the key lessons learnt by DEWA’s benchmarking team as a guide for other organisations. Originality/value Academic research has not adequately examined and analysed the stage-by-stage elements of a benchmarking project from the perspective of the implementing organisation. This study addresses this gap by detailing and analysing the experiences of a benchmarking project by tracking the stage-by-stage activities of the benchmarking team.

The bottleneck of intrapreneurship: are social positions and held expectations constraints in organizations’ entrepreneur process? A conceptual view

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suat Begeç ◽  
Korhan Arun
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Role Theory ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Social Expectations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interactionist Perspective ◽  
First Time ◽  
Unique Potential ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to develop conceptual arguments about intrapreneurship relative to role theory. Design/methodology/approach The challenge to the intrapreneurship concept is that no single or combination of personality traits, individual characteristics or attitudes can fulfill the causes of the phenomenon, as these factors are context-bound. One explanation for individual- and macro-level contrasting outcomes is the diverging effect of expectations. The structural and interactionist perspective of sociology is used to understand the intrapreneurship concept because intrapreneurs live within a society and shape their course per the expectations of others. Findings Intrapreneurs have been trying to infer about what is seen as crucial individually related to interactions within the existing context; more importantly, acting in an intrapreneurship role can be defined and learned by expectations. Practical implications With the convenient expectations from other members, families or environments, organization members will value the innovation and self-direction of intrapreneurship more highly that such a taste for an acting role may be an important factor in the decision to become an intrapreneur. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper emphasized for the first time that the consequences of exposure to social expectations for the development of intrapreneur roles, particularly the broad portfolios of skills and motivation, are relevant to intrapreneurship. Previous approaches depend on individuals, organizations or the environment to have different approaches to likely employees to be intrapreneurs. The paper first argues that context is important for understanding how and why context can be linked to individual intrapreneurs and how intrapreneurship can be defined as roles rather than a task or unique potential entrepreneurs.

Facebook and your corporate reputation

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The year 2016 will in part be remembered, like all years divisible by four since 1896, by the Olympic spectacle that emanated for the first time from Brazil’s most famous city, Rio de Janeiro. But will it be the success, or the scandal that lingers longest in the memory? As with all modern Olympics, it was a blend of astonishing achievements, colorful celebration and sudden scandals – banned athletes, drug cheats, badly behaved swimmers and dodgy decisions all formed part of the rich canvas that enthralls millions each time it is held. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures in Rastin banking

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 939-949
Author(s):  
Bijan Bidabad ◽  
Mahshid Sherafati
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Investment Projects ◽  
The People ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Sustainable Financing

Purpose This paper aims to define a set of anti-squandering guideposts to improve the sustainability and efficiency of allocating financial resources to investment projects. Design/methodology/approach A set of sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures are proposed for a better allocation of the bank’s financial resources. These measures were derived from the doctrine of “ethic economics”, humanitarian principles and Islamic teachings. Rastin banking provides a base to apply these measures. Findings A draft of the regulations for sustainable financing and anti-squandering measures was compiled for Rastin banking operations, which is briefly presented in this paper and can be used as a basis for the codification of the respective laws. Research limitations/implications Such kinds of regulations are novel and need to be deeply discussed in the first place. After adaptation, adjustment and performing the necessary modifications, the text of the law can be codified. Practical implications Banks through granting loans, credits and other financial facilities can affect the investment projects in such a way to prevent the extravagant consumption of financial resources in investment projects and consider the sustainable development guidelines. Social implications The proposed guideposts can be detailed and adopted in other countries, especially those that are inefficient in their banking and financial operations. Originality/value Wasteful allocation of financial resources leads to the wastage of resources and reduction of productivity and provides benefit neither for the people nor for the society. Hence, the present paper tries to practically solve the problem for financial operations.

Potential of virtual-social-physical convergence for project manufacturing

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1209-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Fox
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Virtual Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of how virtual-social-physical (VSP) convergence can affect different types of project manufacturing. In particular, VSP convergence that involves combining the read-write functionality of Web 2.0 and related social media together with digital tools for virtual design and for physical manufacturing. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and interviews with experts in technologies covering VSP convergence: digital data capture, photogrammetry, generative computation, Web 2.0 and social media, digitally driven manufacturing. Findings – VSP convergence can enable the replacement of slow and expensive traditional project manufacturing practices with much faster and less expensive digitally driven technologies. Practical implications – There are new opportunities for expansion of some types of project manufacturing. Notably, there are opportunities in non-industrial developing countries because VSP convergence reduces reliance on industrial infrastructure for the manufacturing of goods. By contrast, opportunities may be limited for expansion of established project manufacturing companies with exclusive brands. Originality/value – The originality is that VSP convergence is related to different types of project manufacturing. Based on VSP convergence, traditional types and new types of project manufacturing are categorized together for the first time. The value of this paper is that it is explained how VSP convergence can address barriers to expansion of different types of project manufacturing.

scholarly journals Addressing food insecurity: a systemic innovation approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Zivkovic
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systemic Innovation ◽  
Innovation Approach ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to question the utility of addressing food insecurity through food assistance programmes and by separating food security into pillars, and it argues for a systemic innovation and complexity approach. This is achieved by demonstrating that food insecurity is a wicked problem and therefore needs to be addressed holistically. Design/methodology/approach To establish that food insecurity is a wicked problem, characteristics of food insecurity are aligned to characteristics of wicked problems. The need to address wicked problems holistically through a systemic innovation approach and an understanding of complexity theory is discussed by referring to the literature. How to take such an approach for addressing food insecurity is illustrated by describing the use of an online tool that takes a systemic innovation and complexity approach. Findings Given food insecurity is a wicked problem and needs to be addressed holistically, the focus when addressing food insecurity should not be on programmes or pillars. Instead, it needs to be on increasing the coherence and building the adaptive capacity of food insecurity solution ecosystems. Practical implications This paper provides insights into the nature of food insecurity and how to address food insecurity. Originality/value For the first time, this paper aligns characteristics of food insecurity to characteristics of wicked problems and demonstrates how an online tool for systemic innovation can assist food insecurity solution ecosystems to address food insecurity.

scholarly journals A study of the activities and impact of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO)

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-275
Author(s):  
Dotun Adebanjo ◽  
Robin Mann ◽  
Musli Mohammad ◽  
Salleh Ahmad Bareduan
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Satisfaction ◽  
Strategic Direction ◽  
National Competitiveness ◽  
National Productivity ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the activities of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO). The study identifies the various roles and activities of the APO and evaluates how well it performs in these roles. The study also investigates the impacts of the APO on the productivity initiatives of National Productivity Organisations (NPOs) in 16 Asian countries. These productivity initiatives are important in enhancing productivity performance and national competitiveness in the countries of interest.Design/methodology/approachThe study collects data from stakeholders in the NPOs in 16 countries. A Likert-scale questionnaire was used to collect data from two types of respondents – NPO CEOs and NPO professional/technical staff. Data were analysed by comparing the responses across the participating countries.FindingsThe result shows that there was general satisfaction with the mission, vision and strategic direction of the APO. With respect to the operational performance of the organisation, the study showed that there were some differences in perception of the performance of the APO although the overall perception was positive.Practical implicationsThe study provides insights into the top management of the APO with regards to deciding on the future direction of the organisation and, in particular, the ways in which it understands and supports the varied requirements of the different NPOs.Originality/valueOrganisations such as the APO dedicate significant resources into supporting NPOs, and by extension productivity-related commercial operations, in several countries. It is important to understand how these services are perceived and experienced in these countries, and a definitive study to examine this has not previously been carried out.

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