scholarly journals Micro enterprises, self-efficacy and knowledge acquisition: evidence from Greece and Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Seng Kok ◽  
Nikolaos Sakellarios ◽  
Seamus O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the significance of self-efficacy and knowledge acquisition among micro businesses operating in challenging economic environments. The study uses social cognitive theory (SCT) and the knowledge-based theory of the firm (KBTF), and it proposes a refinement of these theoretical frameworks in the context of the study. Design/methodology/approach A case method was chosen, and face-to-face interviews with 14 owners of firms in island and rural regions of Greece and Spain were conducted. Findings Content analysis identified the importance of self-efficacy, primarily illustrated by entrepreneurs’ determination and self-motivation, propensity to take risks and ability to anticipate consequences of their actions. Acquisition and accumulation of explicit knowledge, particularly through generational or mentoring processes, and subsequent wealth of tacit knowledge, also emerged as very significant in preparing and guiding entrepreneurs. Various links between the adopted theories and findings emerged, particularly regarding forethought, vicarious learning (SCT) and specialisation in knowledge acquisition (KBTF). Originality/value The proposed theoretical refinement based on the SCT and KBTF paradigms allows for a more rigorous, in-depth reflection on the links between cognitive elements present in the participating micro entrepreneurs and knowledge-based attributes on their ability to increase organisational resilience. The study also contributes toward the micro business literature and addresses a knowledge gap, particularly, in that contemporary research has not explored entrepreneurial motivations among small firm entrepreneurs. Finally, the practical implications emerging from the findings provide a platform for various stakeholders (associations, government agencies) to appreciate and support entrepreneurs’ needs, notably, of acquiring, increasing and sharing knowledge.

Entrepreneurial women in the wine industry: a study in emerging economies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Seng Kok ◽  
Jeremy Galbreath
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
South American ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate about women involved in the wine industry of emerging economies, including their journey, perceived progression in the industry, their impact and required characteristics to adapt to this industry. Because of its significance in the context of this research, social cognitive theory (SCT) will be adopted. Design/methodology/approach Face-to-face, in-depth on-site interviews were conducted with 15 female winery owners and managers in three separate South American wine regions. Findings While overall participants recognised persistent barriers for women to work in the wine industry, they also acknowledged increased opportunities for females, which have led to stronger roles for women. Importantly, sensitivity, by being detail-oriented in service encounters while practicing subtlety in winemaking, was revealed as a key differentiating trait. Further, fundamental tenets of SCT, particularly self-efficacy, became apparent when participants reflected on their own journeys, as well as on how future female entrants could successfully adapt to the wine industry. Originality/value The study draws on SCT’s underpinnings to examine an under-researched area, notably, the journey of entrepreneurial women in the wine industry of emerging economies. Apart from the gathered empirical evidence concerning such a journey, a proposed framework extends SCT, thereby highlighting the role of self-efficacy, a determinant factor in enhancing women’s presence and involvement in the wine industry. This presence is closely linked to women’s progression and journey in the industry, where determination contributes to their adaptation, learning and accumulation of knowledge, with important implications for their future and the future of other female entrants.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic development in the context of Uruguay: a knowledge-based approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 476-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the relevance and impact of knowledge in the context of Uruguay’s present and future socioeconomic development through the lens of the knowledge-based theory of the firm (KBTF). Design/methodology/approach The perspectives of 47 key informants, predominantly representatives of public and private Uruguayan institutions, including chambers of commerce and producer associations, were gathered through unstructured, face-to-face interviews. Findings Aligned with the KBTF, the significance of tacit knowledge, complemented with explicit knowledge, was revealed, particularly in the more traditional industries. Indeed, industry-based (tacit) knowledge evolving for generations has been strengthened by innovative practices, enhancing the appeal and image of key commodities and the nation’s exports. Additional elements highlighted in the KBTF, such as problem-solving, knowledge integration and application and knowledge specialisation, were identified. Originality/value Essentially, the study highlights the different associations between the KBTF, the various forms of acquiring knowledge (tacit, explicit), innovation and resulting impacts on food quality and increased product recognition for a developing economy. Moreover, the findings, which illustrate that crucial improvements can be achieved through knowledge-based approaches, could also be considered in the context of other emerging economies that are aiming to attain further socioeconomic development through maximising the benefits of knowledge. In addition, the study addresses a theme that has been sporadically presented in the academic literature, especially when studying developing economies and their industries.

The neglected contributions of self-efficacy to older adults’ financial capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassam Waheed
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Capacity ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Financial Exploitation

Purpose An ageing population comes with its own set of challenges such as impaired financial capacity and resultant dependency on others to manage financial affairs. Dependency, in turn, as the evidence suggests, creates opportunities for financial exploitation of older adults. Related studies have primarily examined the clinical features and correlates of financial capacity or have attempted to develop its multidimensional measures. Both of which do little to resolve issues associated with impaired financial capacity. This paper aims to make a case for future researchers to assess older adults’ financial capacity from a non-clinical aspect. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the notion of self-efficacy, as encapsulated within the social cognitive theory, this paper presents evidence from a host of different domains to demonstrate the potential contributions of self-efficacy to older adults’ financial capacity. Findings The contributions of self-efficacy in preserving older adults’ financial capacity appear to be much more profound than is currently acknowledged in the literature, thereby overlooking potentially promising and cost-effective interventions for autonomous ageing. Originality/value This paper presents a novel application of self-efficacy to autonomous ageing. Within this context, potential routes to the deployment of self-efficacy-based interventions are also discussed.

scholarly journals Self-efficacy and work engagement: test of a chain model

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Wen Chan ◽  
Thomas Kalliath ◽  
Paula Brough ◽  
Michael O’Driscoll ◽  
Oi-Ling Siu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Work Life Balance ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Demands

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating roles of work and family demands and work-life balance on the relationship between self-efficacy (to regulate work and life) and work engagement. Specifically, it seeks to explain how self-efficacy influences employees’ thought patterns and emotional reactions, which in turn enable them to cope with work and family demands, and ultimately achieve work-life balance and work engagement. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling (SEM) of survey data obtained from a heterogeneous sample of 1,010 Australian employees is used to test the hypothesised chain mediation model. Findings The SEM results support the hypothesised model. Self-efficacy was significantly and negatively related to work and family demands, which in turn were negatively associated with work-life balance. Work-life balance, in turn, enabled employees to be engaged in their work. Research limitations/implications The findings support the key tenets of social cognitive theory and conservation of resources (COR) theory and demonstrate how self-efficacy can lead to work-life balance and engagement despite the presence of role demands. Study limitations (e.g. cross-sectional research design) and future research directions are discussed. Originality/value This study incorporates COR theory with social cognitive theory to improve understanding of how self-efficacy enhances work-life balance and work engagement through a self-fulfilling cycle in which employees achieve what they believe they can accomplish, and in the process, build other skills and personal resources to manage work and family challenges.

scholarly journals Institutional support and women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyo Kazumi ◽  
Norifumi Kawai
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Legitimacy ◽  
Venture Performance

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explores the extent to which local institutional forces affect female entrepreneurial venture performance. Drawing upon a unified theoretical framework of social cognitive and institutional perspectives, the authors scrutinize the complex interplay among institutional support, entrepreneurial cognitions and entrepreneurial success. Design/methodology/approach Based on a unique sample of 202 female entrepreneurs in 30 provinces throughout Japan, this paper grounded social cognitive theory and attempted to clear the relation between women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy and venture performance empirically by statistical analysis. Findings The findings of structural equation modeling indicate that women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy is a strong and useful mediator of the effect of informal institutional support on venture performance. Unexpectedly, formal institutional support shows no correlation with entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Practical implications This study proposes that perceived social legitimacy may lead to increased entrepreneurial self-efficacy, thereby enhancing venture performance. This finding can clarify the institutional force pathways to foster entrepreneurial confidence. Originality/value This study contributes to the field of female entrepreneurship by examining institutional antecedents of women’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Focused on the case of Japanese female entrepreneurs, this study is unique and valuable.

scholarly journals Adapting through learning and knowledge acquisition: the cases of four global family firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Seng Kok
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Emerging Economy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Future Events

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the importance of knowledge as a tool for adaptation and competitive advantage through qualitative research, exploring the cases of four global family firms; and second, to develop a theoretical framework based on the knowledge-based view (KBV) of the firm to facilitate understanding of learning and knowledge acquisition among family firms. Design/methodology/approach This investigation focusses on the cases of four family firms, two operating in a developed (Australia), and two in an emerging economy (Uruguay). In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with firm owners, co-owners and one manager. Findings Regardless of firms’ operating environment (OECD, emerging economy), similar outcomes were revealed. Indeed, firm management’s ability to gather, contextualise and synthesise knowledge, including tacit knowledge, emerged as crucial to adapt to new challenges in their business environment. Several tenets of the KBV emerged, including those associated with knowledge to solve emerging problems, specialisation through knowledge acquisition and applying specialised knowledge to produce. Importantly, firms’ ability to anticipate future events through tacit or new knowledge acquisition became evident. Originality/value The study makes two key contributions that represent originality and value. First, the presented theoretical framework facilitates understanding of various dimensions of knowledge, their resulting influence on firms’ preparedness to adapt to events in their business environment, and potential implications on their competitive advantage. Second, by qualitatively examining the participating family firms, the study addresses a recognised research gap, notably, that research investigating this group has been predominantly quantitative.

How and when LMX quality relates to counterproductive performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 557-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.M. Jawahar ◽  
Bert Schreurs ◽  
Shawn J. Mohammed
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Lagged ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose In spite of the recent meta-analysis by Martin et al. (2016), we have very little insight about the theoretical mechanism explaining the leader–member exchange–counterproductive work behavior (LMX–CWB) relationship. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the purpose of this paper is to test if occupational self-efficacy functions as a mediating mechanism to explain the relationship between LMX quality and counterproductive performance directed toward the supervisor. In addition, based on the conservation of resources theory, the paper investigates if supervisor–subordinate relationship tenure acted as a second-stage moderator of this mediated relationship. Design/methodology/approach The authors used two-wave time-lagged data from a sample of 189 high-tech professionals to test the hypotheses, controlling for age, sex, and trust. Findings The results of this paper showed that occupational self-efficacy carried the effect of LMX quality on counterproductive performance, but only for workers who have longer supervisor–subordinate relationship tenure. Originality/value This paper is unique in proposing and testing a social cognitive mechanism to explain the relationship between LMX quality and counterproductive performance. As Johns (2017) advocated, the authors incorporated length of time, a contextual variable into this study by investigating supervisor–subordinate relationship tenure as moderating the proposed mediated relationship.

Factors driving consumption behavior for green aquatic products

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (7) ◽  
pp. 1442-1458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongtao Li ◽  
Changbiao Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognitive Theory ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Outcome Expectancy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Aquatic Products

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that influence consumers’ consumption behavior with regard to green aquatic products from a social cognitive theory perspective. Design/methodology/approach A web survey was used to collect the data. The survey subjects were citizens of Ningbo City in Zhejiang Province. A total of 403 subjects were obtained through the sampling service, and 337 subjects were retained after strict examination. The data were used to construct a partial least squares structural equation model. Findings The cognition of green aquatic products significantly positively affects outcome expectancy, self-efficacy, perception of others’ behavior, and socio-structural conditions. Self-efficacy and outcome expectancy significantly positively influence consumption intention. Self-efficacy, perception of others’ behavior, and consumption intention significantly positively affect consumption behavior. Practical implications The concept, connotations and benefits of green aquatic products should be widely publicized through diversified channels to increase people’s knowledge of these products and to encourage people to distinguish them from regular aquatic products and to believe in their benefits. In addition, measures should be taken to guarantee that only genuine green aquatic products can enter the market because the false claims of some products have damaged consumers’ belief in these products. Originality/value To test the effect of the cognition of green aquatic products, the construct “the cognition of green aquatic products” was added to the model based on social cognitive theory. This paper contributes to the existing literature by further exploring how cognitive aspects affect consumption behavior with regard to green food.

scholarly journals Importance of acquiring knowledge through feedback in an emerging industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Nevil Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Word Association ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Additional Contribution ◽  
Brewing Industry ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Small Craft

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of feedback in developing and operationalising knowledge from the perspective of craft brewing operators. The study contributes to various literature streams, including marketing and craft brewing entrepreneurship. An additional contribution is made through the adoption of the knowledge-based theory of the firm, and the SECI process to facilitate understanding of the significance of knowledge in the craft brewing industry. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire was designed to gather data from mainly micro and small craft brewery operators. Of the 110 craft breweries identified across Australia, 57 (51.8 per cent) participated. The predominantly qualitative data were analysed using content analysis and word association. Findings The importance of knowledge acquisition for craft brewery firms was revealed in various ways. For example, respondents most favoured new knowledge to learn about quality issues and perceptions of quality among buyers/consumers. Further, acquired knowledge through feedback was a determinant factor in participants’ decision to produce particular styles of beers. Several alignments with the adopted theoretical frameworks were revealed, including the role of socialisation (SECI process) illustrated through the transformation of explicit into tacit knowledge. Originality/value The study examines the dimension of knowledge in the craft brewing industry, which, although considerably developing, continues to be underresearched. Furthermore, the study’s findings underline various important implications for the craft brewing industry, suppliers, and for end consumers. The study also proposes a refinement of both the RBTF and the SECI process based on the findings.

How does entrepreneurial leadership affect innovation work behavior? The mediating role of individual and team creativity self-efficacy

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Bagheri ◽  
Morteza Akbari ◽  
Armin Artang
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Work Behavior ◽  
Entrepreneurial Leadership ◽  
Team Creativity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

PurposeThis paper explored the ways through which entrepreneurial leadership practices of chief executive officers (CEOs) enhance their employees' innovation at workplace in knowledge-based firms. Building on social cognitive theory and resource-based view of firms, this paper argues that entrepreneurial leadership fosters employees' innovation work behavior by enhancing their individual and team creativity self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe sample was selected from knowledge-based firms in Iran using the simple random sampling method. Two mediation models were tested using data from 41 CEOs and 207 employees in two separate phases.FindingsThe analysis supported that CEOs' entrepreneurial leadership improves their employees' innovation work behavior through enhancing their individual and team creativity self-efficacy.Originality/valueThe research contributes motivational and enabling mechanisms at both individual and team levels that entrepreneurial leaders use to improve employees' innovation work behavior in the context of knowledge-based firms. The findings may assist managers and business leaders in effectively leading innovation process.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document