The effect of small business leaders' organisational mindfulness and social learning on opportunistic behaviour to survive the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luluk Lusiantoro ◽  
Bernardinus Maria Purwanto ◽  
Rokhima Rostiani
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Opportunistic Behaviour ◽  
Small Business Leaders ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis research aims to test the relationships between organisational mindfulness, social learning and opportunistic behaviour of small business leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with six small business leaders from various sectors to explore and better grasp the unprecedented phenomenon. An online survey on small business owners and managers in Indonesia was then employed as the main study, resulting in 291 valid responses for further analysis. The data were analysed using regression on SmartPLS 3.0 software.FindingsThis research finds that organisational mindfulness and social learning have positive and significant associations with the ability of small business leaders to discover and exploit opportunities. The path analysis suggests that organisational mindfulness plays a pivotal role as it also partially mediates the relationship between social learning and opportunistic behaviour.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to test the relationships between organisational mindfulness, social learning and opportunistic behaviour, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This work also contributes by emphasising the critical linkages between internal and external capabilities triggered by small business leaders to survive the pandemic.

scholarly journals Total Worker Health: A Small Business Leader Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janalee Thompson ◽  
Natalie Schwatka ◽  
Liliana Tenney ◽  
Lee Newman
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Safety ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Small Business Leaders ◽  
Leadership Research ◽  
Total Worker Health

Total Worker Health® (TWH) frameworks call for attention to organizational leadership in the implementation and effectiveness of TWH approaches. It is especially important to study this within in the small business environment where employees face significant health, safety, and well-being concerns and employers face barriers to addressing these concerns. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how small business leaders perceive employee health, safety, and well-being in the context of their own actions. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 small business senior leaders and used a qualitative coding approach to analyze the transcripts to determine the frequency with which leaders discussed each code. When we asked leaders about their leadership practices for health, safety, and well-being, leaders reflected upon their business (65%), themselves (28%), and their employees (7%). Leaders rarely discussed the ways in which they integrate health, safety, and well-being. The interviews demonstrate that small business leaders care about the health of their employees, but because of the perceived value to their business, not to employees or themselves. Thus, they may lack the knowledge and skills to be successful TWH leaders. The present study supports a need for continued small business TWH leadership research.

The mediating effect of mindfulness and self-compassion on leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Ramos Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the interrelationships between leaders' communication competence, mindfulness, self-compassion and job satisfaction. Barge and Hirokawa's (1989) communication-centered theoretical approach of leadership and Gilbert's (2005) social mentality offered frameworks to examine mindfulness and self-compassion as co-mediators of the relationship between business leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 219 business leaders in the USA via snowball sampling.FindingsThe results showed that communication competence served as an antecedent of mindfulness and self-compassion. Additionally, self-compassion served as a significant mediator between the positive relationship between communication competence and job satisfaction.Practical implicationsManagers and business leaders may gain insights about the benefit of developing self-compassion and communication competence skills to enhance their job satisfaction via courses, workshops and certifications.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine the effect of two well-being constructs (self-compassion and mindfulness) on the relationship between leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction.

Trust-building mechanisms in a coopetition relationship: a case study design

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana von Borell de Araujo ◽  
Mário Franco
Keyword(s):  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Trust Building ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Opportunistic Behaviour ◽  
Qualitative Nature ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Contractual Agreement

Purpose From social network theory, this study aims to understand how trust is built in a coopetition relationship. Design/methodology/approach A case study of a qualitative nature was carried out using several semi-structured interviews with managers of two Brazilian firms involved in a dyadic coopetition relationship. Findings Based on the empirical evidence, five categories/themes resulted for understanding trust-building mechanisms: mutual dependence, previous experience and reputation, awareness of the risks of opportunistic behaviour, contractual agreement and dynamic process. The juridical sphere, contractual agreement, was the only one identified in the study where firm representatives presented discordant positions, referring specifically to contractual relations of the terms of the agreement. Practical implications The results of this study provide some suggestions for managers. First, before beginning interaction in a coopetition relationship, it is necessary to assess whether the coopetition relation meets the required conditions for interaction to take place. Second, the results suggest that firms should make provision against members of both organizations making the relationship vulnerable to acts of opportunism. Originality/value This case study is innovative because it reveals manifestations that could help to enhance knowledge of how organizations build trust in dyadic coopetition relationships.

Leaping innovation barriers to small business longevity

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Taneja ◽  
Mildred Golden Pryor ◽  
Mario Hayek
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Innovation ◽  
Innovation Model ◽  
Innovation Barriers ◽  
Small Business Leaders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the challenges faced by small businesses and to explain the importance of using strategic innovation to achieve long-term sustainability and viability. Design/methodology/approach This study of small business innovation includes reviewing the types and determinants of innovation as well as strategies to overcome innovation barriers. In addition, the authors developed a model that portrays elements needed for strategic innovation that supports the long-term viability of small businesses. Findings Small businesses serve as the economic foundation for many nations because they stimulate innovation, provide jobs, foster competitiveness and support overall economic growth. Small businesses can rapidly adapt to change, adopt new strategies and provide flexibility that supports strategic innovation. As a result, strategic innovation is a key driver of sustainable competitive advantage for small businesses. Practical implications Small business leaders need to integrate strategic innovation with their strategic planning to remain competitive. The strategic innovation model presented in this paper can assist them in understanding elements needed for successful strategic innovation and long-term viability. Social implications Globally, small businesses exert a strong influence on economic growth and create opportunities, employment and technological development. This paper will assist small business leaders as they strive to use strategic innovation to strengthen their competitive capabilities. Originality/value The unique strategic innovation model that the authors developed can help small businesses to achieve long-term sustainability and viability in the competitive marketplace.

scholarly journals Regional small businesses’ personal and inter-firm networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1957-1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalleh Sharafizad ◽  
Kerry Brown
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Firm Networks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of personal and inter-firm networks and the elements that contribute to the formation and management of these networks for regional small businesses. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 small business owners located in regional areas. Findings The findings highlight key characteristics of regional small business owners’ networks. Findings indicated that participants relied strongly on their personal networks for business purposes. This study shows that while personal networks adapted and changed into informal inter-firm networks, weak-tie relations within inter-firm networks were unlikely to develop into close personal networks. Novel findings also include a preference for “regional interactions” and included regular collaboration with local business competitors. Although the participants used social media to manage their business through personal networks, results confirmed there was a lack of awareness of the benefits of inter-firm networks with businesses outside the local region. Originality/value While it is acknowledged small business owners use personal and inter-firm connections to maintain and grow their business, there is a lack of research examining both of these networks in the same study. This research addresses this gap and presents five propositions as a useful direction for future research. This paper adds to the evolution of existing knowledge by expanding understanding of the formation of business networks and conditions of business trust relations within a regional context.

Influence of religious beliefs and spirituality on decision to insure

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 780-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amarjit Gill ◽  
Harvinder S. Mand ◽  
Nahum Biger ◽  
Neil Mathur
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Religious Beliefs ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Spirituality ◽  
Management Consultants ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the level of religious beliefs and individual spirituality of small business owners on their decision to insure. Design/methodology/approach Small business owners from India were asked about their perceptions regarding the relationship between their level of religious beliefs and spirituality and their decision to insure. Findings The results of this study show that the level of religious beliefs and individual spirituality of small business owners positively influence their decisions to purchase commercial insurance and life insurance to manage financial risk in India. Research limitations/implications This is a co-relational study that investigated the association between the level of religious beliefs, spirituality, and decision to insure. There is not necessarily a causal relationship between the two. The findings of this study may only be generalized to individuals similar to those that were included in this research. Originality/value This study adds to literature on the relationship between the level of religious beliefs, spirituality, and decision to insure. The findings may be useful for financial planners, small business owners and financial management consultants.

Branding capabilities and SME performance in an emerging market

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Odoom ◽  
George Cudjoe Agbemabiese ◽  
Thomas Anning-Dorson ◽  
Priscilla Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the effect of brand regulations on the relationship between enterprises’ branding capabilities (internal and external) and performance. It also examines the hypothesized relationship effects across manufacturing and service-based enterprises. Design/methodology/approach The study uses data from 384 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within an emerging market setting. Moderated hierarchical regression was used to examine the theoretical interrelationships between branding capabilities and enterprise performance within the boundaries of regulations. Findings Results from the study suggest that both internal and external branding capabilities positively affect enterprise performance. However, the effect is confounded as brand regulations attenuate the relationship between enterprises’ branding capabilities and performance. Varying outcomes across manufacturing and service-based enterprises are also assessed. Originality/value The study suggests that policy makers should review regulations on businesses, particularly those relating to the small business sector. Regulations that ameliorate activities of SMEs should be implemented to promote existing enterprises, and attract new ones for industrialization in emerging markets. The findings provide evidence for issues of potential research and managerial interest, with implications for both policy makers, small business owners and the academic community.

User experience sharing

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 1154-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Chen ◽  
Judy Drennan ◽  
Lynda Andrews ◽  
Linda D. Hollebeek
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Level Of Effort

PurposeThis paper aims to propose user experience sharing (UES) as a customer-based initiation of value co-creation pertaining to service provision, which represents customers’ level of effort made for the direct benefit of others in their service network. The authors propose and empirically examine a user experience sharing model (UESM) that explicates customer-to-customer (C2C) UES and its impacts on firm-desired customer-based outcomes in online communities.Design/methodology/ApproachBased on an extensive review, the authors conceptualize UES and UESM. By using online survey data collected from mobile app users in organic online communities, the authors performed structural equation modeling analyses by using AMOS 24.FindingsThe results support the proposed UESM, showing that C2C UES acts as a key driver of both firm-desired customer efforts and customer insights. The results also confirmed that service-dominant (S-D) logic-informed motivational drivers exert a significant impact on C2C UES. Importantly, C2C UES mediates the relationship between S-D logic-informed motivational drivers and firm-desired customer-based outcomes.Originality/valueThis study offers a pioneering attempt to develop an overarching concept, UES, which reflects customers’ initiation of value co-creation, and to empirically examine C2C UES. The empirical evidence supports the key contention that firms should proactively facilitate C2C UES.

ICT and sustainable tourism development: an innovative perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisha Ali ◽  
Andrew J. Frew
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Tourism Development ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Tourism Product ◽  
Electronic Distribution ◽  
Information And Communication

Purpose – The aim of this research is to foreground information and communication technology (ICT) as an innovative approach for sustainable tourism (ST) development of destinations. ICT is the technology required for information processing which facilitates data processing, information sharing, communication, searching and selection. This paper concentrates on the Abernathy and Clark model and its usefulness in applying ICT as innovative in managing ST. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey was administered to destination managers and to eTourism experts. Destination managers were selected as they were identified as the person responsible for the overall management of a Destination Management Organisation. eTourism experts were identified as someone who possesses special expertise, knowledge and skills on ICT applications to tourism and offered expertise on which ranged from such areas as electronic distribution, recommender systems, user-generated content, online communities, mobile technology, technology acceptance, tourism networks and Web 2.0. This was followed by semi-structured interviews. Findings – These ICT tools were found to be innovative for information management and distribution for critical decision-making. Innovation was fostered through the use of ICT for ST by leading to a better understanding of the tourism product, monitoring, measuring and evaluating, forecasting trends, developing partnerships and engaging and supporting stakeholder relationships. ICT would provide novel ways of approaching marketing, energy monitoring, waste management, and communication for destinations. Originality/value – This research is important in demonstrating the value that technology can have to ST and further develops the work on tourism innovation theory.

Small Business Stories: Surviving and Thriving Amidst the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie McCall ◽  
Khaliid Scott ◽  
Urmi Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
Aid Programs

The COVID-19 pandemic will leave an enduring mark on North Carolina’s small business community. Using a phenomenological framework, we conducted a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews with small business owners about how they addressed the pandemic’s challenges. Four central themes emerged that illustrate the complexity and nuance of small business resiliency. Our data suggest that to survive and thrive, entrepreneurs had to: (1) be adaptable and willing to pivot, (2) have an entrepreneurial spirit, (3) leverage their social capital, and (4) have the knowledge and ability to apply for aid programs.

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