The comparative state of entrepreneurial intent in Cameroon

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Valliere
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scale Free ◽  
Stable Factor ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intent ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Two Populations

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the level of entrepreneurial intent (EI) in southwestern Cameroon, by developing and using a novel scale that avoids the problems of construct confounds that exist with most EI scales currently in the literature. This scale is also used to measure EI in Canada, as a comparative example of the Western countries typical of previous EI research, to demonstrate the stability of the scale across different cultures. Design/methodology/approach – Data are collected by survey of random participants in Jamaica and Canada. Factor analysis is used to refine the choice of scale elements from this survey. Nested structural equation modelling is then used to confirm the construct validity and to demonstrate construct stability across the two populations. The population scores are then compared by t-test. Findings – A novel ten-item scale is developed and is shown to have a stable factor structure across the two populations. Using this measure, it can be newly seen that, contrary to the expectations for low entrepreneurial prevalence and intention expressed in the literature, there is actually no significant EI deficit in Cameroon. Research limitations/implications – Previous measures of EI in the literature have been seriously confounded by adjacent constructs in the same nomological net, such as beliefs, attitudes and expectations for future behaviours. The research approach taken here demonstrates how these confounds may have led to erroneous conclusions about EI in Cameroon and potentially in other countries. The major limitation of this study is the small sample size, which should be reinforced by replication or extension in future studies. Originality/value – The development of a scale free of construct confounds represents an important step in the refinement of accurate measurement of this foundational construct in entrepreneurship research. This is underscored by the finding that EI in Cameroon may have been misreported in early research due to confounded measurement.

The relationship between food heritage and clan culture: is “familiness” the missing link in SMEs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 337-354
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Khatami ◽  
Alberto Ferraris ◽  
Paola De Bernardi ◽  
Valter Cantino
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clan Culture ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper empirically tests the relationship between food heritage, familiness, and clan culture, thus, highlighting the pivotal role of familiness in building robustly competitive food firms based on clan culture and food heritage.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach adopted is based on a quantitative analysis with data from one eco-tourist city in Iran (Torqabeh). In this regard, we developed a structured questionnaire surveying 98 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food industry. We then used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to carry out the analysis.FindingsThe results indicate the significant positive relationship between food heritage and clan culture, and highlight the role of familiness as a strong mediator, which is also associated with a strong relationship between food heritage and clan culture.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, the main limitation was linked to the small sample size and data collection, which took place in only a single city; however, further research could overcome this limitation by investigating SMEs from a heterogeneous geographical context.Originality/valueThe value of this research relates to studies that have examined food heritage as a possible antecedent of familiness. Moreover, the novelty of this research is to study the concept of familiness in improving resource-based views and organizational theories.

What travel motivational factors influence Muslim tourists towards MMITD?

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Khalilur Rahman ◽  
Suhaiza Zailani ◽  
Ghazali Musa
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Tourism Destination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Managerial Implications

Purpose The World Islamic Tourism Mart in Malaysia has been attracting Muslim tourists from all over the world to choose Malaysia as their Islamic tourism destination. This paper aims to implement the concept of the travel career ladder (TCL) with the main purpose of the antecedents of travel motivation toward Malaysia for Islamic tourism destination (MMITD). Design/methodology/approach The theoretical model was tested using the structural equation modeling technique with partial least squares. A self-administered questionnaire was designed, distributed and collected from 180 effective participants who had visited Malaysia. Findings The findings revealed that the Islamic compliance with self-esteem needs, the Islamic compliance with relationship needs and the Islamic compliance with physiological needs have significant effects on Malaysia My Islamic tourism destination. Research limitations/implications The scope of this research paper is limited to TCL including the Islamic compliance issues with self-fulfillment, self-esteem, relationship, safety and physiological needs. A small sample size was obtained with participants from the Muslim countries. A future study should be comprehensively conducted on larger and diverse sampling methods with participants from the Muslim and the non-Muslim major countries, as this paper particularly discusses the theoretical and managerial implications for the anticipated future studies. Originality/value The study yet attempts on the part of academicians in Malaysia, what travel motivational factors influence Islamic tourists to travel MMITD. Based on the previous literature and researcher’s experience, it is a new phenomenon and investigation on MMITD.

Behavioural intention to adopt mobile wallet: a developing country perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khushbu Madan ◽  
Rajan Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Variables ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to understand the factors that affect consumers’ adoption of mobile wallet as an alternative method of making payments to purchase goods and services. Design/methodology/approach A survey of over 210 mobile phone consumers was made. The study added two additional constructs – perceived regulatory support (PRS) and promotional benefits (PBs) – and proposed an integrated approach to understanding mobile wallet adoption. The hypothesized relationships were analysed via structural equation modelling. Findings The results indicated performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, perceived risk, perceived value, PRS, as well as PBs, to be significant factors in predicting behavioural intentions to adopt mobile wallet solutions. The impact of effort expectancy was found to be statistically insignificant. Research limitations/implications The small sample size and the possibility of including new variables such as personal innovativeness, which have not been addressed here, are some of the limitations of this study. Practical implications The findings of this paper would be useful for mobile wallet service providers, mobile app writers and institutions involved in the facilitation and regulation of such services to develop suitable strategic frameworks to encourage the adoption of mobile wallets. Originality/value The study is the first of its kind in India and has added a new dimension in the assessment of technology adoption by proposing two new variables.

Learning from errors in insurance companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Anselmann ◽  
Regina H. Mulder
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Learning From Errors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Cover Up

Purpose The study pursues two goals: first, as a replication study, the purpose of this paper is to test a model of learning from errors in the domain of insurance industry. Second, to increase insights in learning from errors, the authors focussed on different types of errors. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey in the insurance industry (N=206). The authors used structural equation modelling and path modelling to analyse the data. To be able to analyse different types of errors, the authors used Critical Incident Technique and asked participants to describe error situations. Findings Findings from the study are that the model of learning from errors could partly be replicated. The results indicate that a non-punitive orientation towards errors is an important factor to reduce the tendency of insurance agents to cover up errors when knowledge and rule-based errors happen. In situations of slips and lapses error strain has a negative influence on trust and non-punitive orientation which in turn both reduce the tendency to cover up errors. Research limitations/implications Limitation is the small sample size. By using Critical Incidents Technique, the authors were able to analyse authentic error situations. Implications of the results concern the importance of error-friendly climate in organisations. Originality/value Replication studies are important to generalise results to different domains. To increase the insight in learning from errors, the authors analysed influencing factors with regard to different types of errors.

scholarly journals Determinants of livelihood choices and artisanal entrepreneurship in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 674-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Agu Igwe ◽  
Nnamdi O. Madichie ◽  
Robert Newbery
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Econometric Methods ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Gender Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide fresh insights into rural artisanal activities in a developing world context. It highlights key determinants of the decision to engage in an artisanal business and the challenges that impact upon the growth of these activities. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a mix-method research approach to explore a rural setting where most respondents (81 per cent) combine farm and non-farm livelihood activities. Quantitatively, a multi-nominal regression is used to examine the determinants of diversified artisanal livelihoods. It modelled the differences between farming livelihoods that have not diversified, compared to those also involved in the artisanal activity or wage employment and the intensity of participation. Findings The findings show that nearly half of artisanal businesses (45.4 per cent) comprise only the owners and no employee, while 54.6 per cent employ one to three workers. Also, some artisanal ventures were more gender-specific than the gender-neutral activities. Other observations were in age (most artisans were under the age of 46 years) and vocational training (most were self-trained followed by a third receiving training only in specific areas such as technical works, building and construction and general trading apprenticeships). Research limitations/implications The study is based on a relatively small sample size of 306 business owners, which makes it difficult to generalise despite the persuasiveness of the observations made. Practical implications First, the use of econometric methods enabled the development of valid data sets (and various descriptive statistical and logit regression) to analyse determinants of the decision to engage in artisanal work, and the intensity of participation. Second, the ambiguity in categorising artisanal activities is unravelled. The study characterises the local artisanal sector and examines the intensity of participation. Without these, targeted support would remain elusive for practical and policy interventions. Originality/value Artisanal activities constitute a high proportion of small businesses in the study area – with more than half (54.2 per cent) of respondents being classified as artisans, yet it is an overlooked area of entrepreneurship. Highlighted here are both types of activities and challenges regarding better conceptualising the understanding of artisans and regarding this mostly unarticulated base of practice.

scholarly journals Factors affecting smart working: evidence from Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1042-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Malik ◽  
Philip J. Rosenberger ◽  
Martin Fitzgerald ◽  
Louise Houlcroft
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Commute Distance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse data from the New South Wales Government’s Pilot Programme of establishing Smart Work Hubs (SWHs) for enabling teleworking in two busy commuter corridors. The paper analyses the relationships between various firm, job and personal factors and the perceived value, attitudes and expected usage by users of the SWHs. Design/methodology/approach Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the characteristics, values and attitudes of 117 SWH users were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) method of structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM-PLS approach is considered appropriate especially in prediction-based studies and to estimate an endogenous target construct. Findings Results revealed that perceived SWH value significantly influenced attitude towards the SWH, which then had a significant influence on SWH usage intentions, with personal, job and firm factors also playing a role. Further analysis revealed four variables that significantly influenced the perception of family-value benefits (age, income, hub commute distance, work commute distance), however, there were none that significantly influenced the perception of work benefits. Research limitations/implications The small sample size limits statistical inferences and generalisations to be drawn. Further, this paper also discusses how the low and uneven uptake of teleworking at a SWH raises several managerial and policy implications needing attention. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study analysing the expected values, attitudes and usage intentions of teleworkers in a SWH context. This study adds to the emerging body of human resource management studies on an outward-looking approach. The novel context will provide a useful base for subsequent studies.

Supply chain management practices and intellectual property protection in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence D. Fredendall ◽  
Peter Letmathe ◽  
Nadine Uebe-Emden
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Business In China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategy used by German Mittelstand companies to achieve a profitable business in China. It explores how those firms seek to reduce their risk of entry into this market. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were gathered over the phone from individuals in the companies who were identified as knowledgeable contacts. Their responses were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. Findings – German Mittelstand firms that hire Chinese nationals in China obtain market knowledge and a higher return on investment than others. German managers’ efforts to understand the Chinese cultural norms increased the firm’s unwillingness to share information with others. This was probably because their concern about protecting their competitive secrets increased, so they shared less information with suppliers, which decreased their return on investment. Research limitations/implications – First, the small sample size limited the analysis. Second, there was low inter-rater reliability on multiple items, so these responses could not be analyzed. There is a need to further validate the survey, and obtain a larger sample to analyze alternative models. Practical implications – This suggests to the practitioner that while it may be relatively easy to start a manufacturing business in China, it requires great effort to manage their risk of losing corporate secrets to their competitors in China. Originality/value – This paper provides a unique set of data from practicing managers about the risks and gains from doing business in China. This data can be of use to both researchers and to practitioners and it provides a foundation to examine how the risk of losing proprietary knowledge to Chinese competitors affects business.

Understanding consumer’s showrooming behaviour

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourabh Arora ◽  
Kunal Singha ◽  
Sangeeta Sahney
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Least Squares Method ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
The Body ◽  
Multiple Channels ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Partial Least Squares Method

Purpose Recent multichannel research suggests that consumers use multiple channels to reap attribute-based benefits which have led to showrooming phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reasons for consumers’ showrooming behaviour and propose a comprehensive model based on application and extension of the “Theory of planned behaviour”. Design/methodology/approach Using the probability sampling approach, 278 complete responses were obtained via web-based surveys for analysing the showrooming behaviour. The research model was tested using the “Partial least squares method” which follows a variance-based structural equation modelling approach. Findings The results of the study indicate that “touching and feeling the product” and “sales staff assistance” motivated customers to visit the physical store before buying online. “Better online service quality” and “lower prices online” induced customers to later purchase online. Price conscious customers and those with the ability to use multiple channels were more likely to engage in showrooming behaviour. Research limitations/implications The generalization of the findings may be limited because the data were collected from a small sample size. The subject calls for more extensive research for drawing generalizations due to lack of the substantive literature on the core area of study. Practical implications The model proposed will help retailers in understanding the showrooming phenomenon which recent researchers have considered as a threat to retail. The study provides basis for devising strategies to defend showrooming customers. Originality/value This paper adds to the body of knowledge in retailing by proposing a model on showrooming which is an emerging area of research in the present retail landscape.

Mentorship and well-being

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha Al Makhamreh ◽  
Denise Stockley
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how doctoral students experienced mentorship in their supervision context and how the mentorship they received impacted their well-being. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive phenomenological methodology was selected to frame the research design. This research approach seeks to study the individual lived experience by exploring, describing and analyzing its meaning. Findings The findings revealed three different quality levels of mentorship in this context authentic mentorship, average mentorship and below average/toxic mentorship. Doctoral students who enjoyed authentic mentorship experiences were more motivated and satisfied, students who reported average mentorships needed more attention and time from their supervisors, and students who had below average/toxic mentorships were stressed out and depleted. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is the lack of generalizability owing to the small sample size typical in qualitative studies. Another limitation is that this research did not include students who quit their programs because of dysfunctional supervision experiences. Practical implications Students and supervisors can use the findings to reflect on their beliefs and practices to evaluate and improve their performances. Also, authentic mentors can benefit from the findings to create a positive culture for all students to receive support. Finally, current supervisory policies can be reviewed in light of this paper’s findings. Social implications The findings show the nature of mentorship in an authoritative context, and how it can be toxic when power is misused. Originality/value This study provides new knowledge in relation to the different types of mentorship experiences that exist in doctoral supervision, and how each type can influence students’ well-being differently. Additionally, it reveals that doctoral students can graduate, even in the face of toxic mentorship, but at the expense of their well-being.

Housing affordability in Malaysia: perception, price range, influencing factors and policies

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap ◽  
Xin Hua Ng
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Housing Affordability ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Property Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Housing Programs ◽  
Property Price

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the affordability of Malaysian housing market, sufficiency of affordable housing and factors influencing the housing affordability in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach In this study, qualitative research approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten industry practitioners from developers and real estate agencies and further validation with three industry experts. Findings The findings reveal that housing affordability is a grave concern to average Malaysians, and the supply of affordable housing is insufficient in the current residential property market. Income, property price, land cost and demand and supply are identified as significant factors affecting housing affordability. Research limitations/implications The research findings provide an insight rather than definitive information, as the small sample size could limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research can include participants from the public sector and focus on the policy options. Practical implications This paper provided numerous policies to ensure successful deliverability of affordable housing which eases government to partner with private sector to formulate a systematic framework for implementation of affordable housing programs and schemes. Social implications There is a need for government to pay more attention to housing needs of middle-income groups. Also, the government is urged to ensure transparent balloting process in every implementation of affordable housing programs. Originality/value The paper emphasised the issues of undersupply of affordable housing and mismatch of property price and income. The paper also highlights the key reasons behind high housing affordability index. Hence, it is hoped that this paper will encourage positive debate and gain some attention from the policymakers, practitioners and researchers in Malaysia and beyond.

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