scholarly journals Entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy: a skill-based analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Harrison ◽  
Kevin Burnard ◽  
Stuart Paul
Keyword(s):  
Subject Area ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Entrepreneurial Leadership ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership Skill ◽  
Retail Pharmacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Conceptual Skills

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine entrepreneurial leadership and to determine the entrepreneurial leadership skills which are important for success in a developing economy environment. Specifically, the focus of this research was on entrepreneurial leadership within the retail pharmacy sector in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis study was guided by an interpretivist-constructionist perspective. By adopting a qualitative approach, the lived experiences of the retail pharmacy entrepreneurs could be understood. In total, 51 semi-structured interviews were the mode of data collection, and data were triangulated via three sources: entrepreneurs, employees, and literature.FindingsFrom the study results, a vivid picture of entrepreneurial leadership was formed, which in turn provides the basis for an empirical skill-based model of this phenomenon in a developing economy. This study identifies four distinct entrepreneurial leadership skill categories. These include technical/business skills, interpersonal skills, conceptual skills, and entrepreneurial skills. The findings of this study also show the factors and conditions necessary for entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy.Originality/valueThe findings of this study have implications in theory and practice. Its results provide an empirical, skill-based framework on entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy, a subject area for which there exists a lack of background literature. In practice, the findings of this study serve as a useful reference for practitioners and policy makers of the skills and other factors required for people to succeed as entrepreneurial leaders.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial leadership in retail pharmacy: developing economy perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Harrison ◽  
Stuart Paul ◽  
Kevin Burnard
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Opportunity Recognition ◽  
Entrepreneurial Leadership ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Retail Pharmacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Attributes ◽  
Exploratory Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to uncover the challenges facing entrepreneurs in a developing economy, using the retail pharmacy sector in Nigeria. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial leadership attributes that have proved to be valuable in overcoming the challenges faced in this sector will be identified. Design/methodology/approach The study is exploratory. Data collection is based on semi-structured interviews with retail pharmacy entrepreneurs and their employees. Although there has been some body of literature on entrepreneurial leadership, (Fernald et al., 2005; Gupta et al., 2004), none have addressed the nexus of leadership and entrepreneurship (Cogliser and Brigham, 2004) from the retail pharmacy sector of a developing economy. Findings Findings show that retail pharmacy entrepreneurs in a developing economy are faced with challenges such as inadequate capital and poor infrastructural facilities. However, despite these challenges, these entrepreneurial leaders were successful because of key attributes, namely, vision, risk-taking and opportunity recognition and exploitation. Research limitations/implications The sample size is a limitation to the study. Future studies with a larger sampling base as well as a different sector will provide greater insight. Originality/value This study is the first qualitative study to explore the impact of entrepreneurial leadership in the retail pharmacy sector in Nigeria. It identified the training needs for entrepreneurs in this context. By the participants sharing their experiences, the study identified the prerequisites for success, hence motivating other retail pharmacy entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals Unpacking the package

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Evans ◽  
Basil Phillip Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Organisational Change ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Informal Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Company ◽  
Management Controls ◽  
Control Package

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which both formal and informal control, operating as a package, are implicated in responding to organisational change arising from the introduction of the Australian Federal Government’s Clean Energy Act (2011). Design/methodology/approach – This investigation is based on a review of archival data, and semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 staff at different hierarchical levels within an Australian renewable energy company. Findings – Although formal management control systems and informal control both played important roles in the organisation’s reorientation to organisational change, it was the latter form of control that predominated over the former. The influence of the prevailing organisational culture, however, was pivotal in orchestrating both formal and informal control efforts within this organisation. Originality/value – This study contributes to management control theory and practice in two ways: first, it provides much needed empirical evidence about the ways in which management controls act as a package; second, it offers insights into the relative importance of the components of a management control package in the context of a particular organisational change. In addition, it responds to Laughlin’s (1991) call for empirical “flesh” to be added to the skeletal framework he advocates to make this conceptualisation of organisational change, “more meaningful”.

Hedonic experiences at heritage attractions: the visitor’s perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Bender ◽  
Manuela Guerreiro ◽  
Bernardete Dias Sequeira ◽  
Júlio Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Hedonic Experience ◽  
Using Data

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the hedonic experience and its formation at heritage attractions. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative and exploratory approach was applied, using data from 21 semi-structured interviews and three in-situ focus groups. Findings Findings highlight that senses, imagery and emotions are stimulated by the physical landscape and by triggers of memorable experiences. Research limitations/implications To further explore this topic, a broader range of heritage attractions and perspectives from the diverse stakeholders involved in the management and consumption of these sites is needed. Originality/value Given the scarcity of research dedicated to the hedonic experience at heritage sites, this study provides a contribution by exploring the visitor’s perspective and points out relevant insights. As the hedonic feelings of pleasure, comfort and related affective responses impact the quality of memorable experiences, relevant implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Leader, “know yourself”: bringing back self-awareness, trust and feedback with a theory O perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngaio Crook ◽  
Ozan Nadir Alakavuklar ◽  
Ralph Bathurst
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theory U ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Experience Of Change

PurposeThis paper explores how leaders identify their roles and selves when they lead change in a dynamic organizational context.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, ten ICT leaders participated in semi-structured interviews depicting their experiences of change. A thematic method of interpretative analysis was used to develop findings, supported by Theory U as a conceptual tool for leadership self-awareness.FindingsLeaders struggle with organizational constraints and boundaries, specifically the complexities that form and limit their leadership underpinned by unrealistic expectations due to the construction of romanticized heroic leadership. While these restrictions lead to feelings of detachment of leaders from their organizations, leadership development exists in the acts of letting go of old behaviors, and welcoming emergence and experimentation by trusting more.Research limitations/implicationsThis study may be limited by its small sample and the use of one framework to make sense of the leaders' experience of change. It confirms that change can challenge organizing norms and how leadership is identified.Practical implicationsDespite the feeling of detachment from their organizations, developing greater self-awareness, being open to new ideas and trusting more can bring about better organizational outcomes, which is represented with Theory O as a contribution both for theory and practice.Originality/valueThis study illustrates (1) leaders' inner work or personal experience of change, and (2) how improvement of self-awareness can contribute to the involvement of leaders to the change process. Based on self-awareness, trust and feedback relationship, this study suggests a new practical and conceptual tool called Theory O by advancing Theory U.

scholarly journals Understanding the experiences of asylum seekers

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Liebling ◽  
Shani Burke ◽  
Simon Goodman ◽  
Daniel Zasada
Keyword(s):  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Arranged Marriages ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the key issues of concern for asylum seekers in the UK by focusing on their in depth talk about their experiences, a so far neglected element in the current debate about asylum seeking. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved thematic analysis of asylum seekers’ accounts of their lives in their country of origin, their journeys to the UK and experiences following arrival. Nine participants took part in semi-structured interviews. Findings – Analysis resulted in seven themes; the importance of safety, negative experiences of the Home Office, support, emotional effects, significance of family, hopes for the future and the positive experiences of living in the UK. Research limitations/implications – Asylum seekers largely left their countries of origin to escape conflict, persecution, violence, arranged marriages and rape. They reported safety as a key concern and for this reason they were scared to return home. Practical implications – The research found Asylum seekers have fled traumatic situations and then have a difficult time in the UK. A more compassionate and supportive approach is needed. Policy recommendations are made with the aim of improving service responses. Social implications – The research demonstrates that the public understanding of asylum seeking does not match asylum seekers’ experiences and increased knowledge may help to improve this (mis) understanding. Originality/value – There is currently a lack of literature and empirical investigation of this subject area, so this research makes a contribution to the field of understanding asylum seekers’ experiences. The paper's focus is original and important combining asylum seekers’ accounts of their experiences following arrival in the UK. This subject is strategically important due to the pressing need to develop holistic and culturally sensitive research, which bridges and informs academia, more sensitive service responses and civil society.

Understanding researchers’ strategic behaviour in knowledge production: a case of social science and nanotechnology researchers

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1148-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasia Zalewska-Kurek
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Resource Sharing ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Behaviour ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Scientific Fields

Purpose This paper seeks to understand the strategic behaviour of researchers when producing knowledge in two scientific fields – nanotechnology and social sciences. Design/methodology/approach The author conducted semi-structured interviews with 43 researchers to analyse the needs for strategic interdependence (resource-sharing) and for organisational autonomy (decision-making) in knowledge production. When aligned, these two concepts form three modes of behaviour: mode1, mode2 and mode3. Findings The empirical study results show that, besides well-studied differences in various publications, there are large behaviour differences between social science and nanotechnology researchers. While nanotechnology researchers’ behaviours are mostly in mode3 (sharing resources; highly autonomous), social science researchers’ behaviours tend to be in mode1 (highly autonomous; no need to share resources). Practical implications This study delivers an understanding of the differences in the strategic behaviours of researchers in different scientific fields. The author proposes managerial interventions for research managers – university and research group leaders. Originality/value While most studies that compare scientific fields look at knowledge production outcomes, the author analyses conditions that differentiate these outcomes. To this end, the author compares individual researchers’ behaviours in different fields by analysing the need for collaboration and the need for autonomy.

scholarly journals Interpretation in historic gardens: English Heritage perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Hristov ◽  
Nikola Naumov ◽  
Petia Petrova
Keyword(s):  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Visitor Experience ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exploratory Investigation ◽  
New Interpretation ◽  
Contemporary Interpretation ◽  
Heritage Interpretation ◽  
English Heritage

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an exploratory investigation into contemporary interpretation methods used in historic gardens and their fundamental role in enhancing the visitor experience and sense of a place.Design/methodology/approachA series of semi-structured interviews (n= 65) with Wrest Park visitors – who had the opportunity to experience new interpretation methods provided on-site – have been carried out in an attempt to explore their sense of place through interpretation.FindingsThe research suggests that interpretation has a fundamental role to play in “telling the story” of historic gardens, with 92.5 per cent of the sample understanding elements of the place’s history, significance and evolution. The findings further suggest the presence of two distinct visitor typologies – history explorers and leisure seekers.Practical implicationsThe study provides implications for theory and practice and recommendations for historic garden practitioners.Originality/valueThe importance of conceptualising and operationalising interpretation in historic gardens has received relatively little attention across the extant body of heritage interpretation literature. English Heritage’s Wrest Park, which is amongst England’s most prominent historic gardens, is used as a case study.

Bank relationships’ contributions to SME export performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1143-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heléne Lundberg
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Marketing Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Bank Marketing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent, and in what ways, various types of bank support improve small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) export performance. It contributes to bank marketing and international marketing theory and practice by clarifying bank contributions to SME export performance at the firm level. Design/methodology/approach The study method is an on-site survey, encompassing 135 manufacturing Swedish SMEs. Five hypotheses are tested using ordinary least squares regression. Findings The higher the export performance, the greater the importance attributed to bank funding of international business. The importance of transaction and/or currency services provided by banks for SMEs’ ability to do business abroad was confirmed, but with the important limitation that the effect diminishes as the number of markets increases. Furthermore, the results indicate that SMEs with low export performance attach a high importance to the advisory services that banks can offer regarding international business. No significant results for knowledge sharing or support from bank contacts were found. Practical implications SME managers are encouraged to view banks as potential providers of a diverse set of value-added resources while taking into consideration that some banks will have more developed resources and support policies than others. The study results also assist banks in building effective strategies for enhancing their relationships with SME clients, as it provides detailed information on how SMEs relate different kinds of bank services to their export performance. Originality/value As the first paper to describe SME-perceived relationships between different bank services and export performance, this study informs bank marketing and international marketing theory about bank contributions to SME internationalisation.

Online learning adoption: effects of neuroticism, openness to experience, and perceived values

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boonlert Watjatrakul
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Perceived Values

Purpose Individual differences and perceived values of technology have received much attention in technology adoption literature. However, there is a lack of understanding of their relationships and effects on online learning adoption. The study aims to investigate the effects of two important personality traits (i.e. openness to experience and neuroticism) and five perceived values (i.e. functional value, emotional value, social value, epistemic value and conditional value) on students’ intentions to adopt online learning. Design/methodology/approach A survey research method was used to collect information from university students. A sample size of 285 was used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling analysis using analysis of moment structure software was used to examine the construct reliability and validity, the model-fit indices and the causal relationships between latent constructs in the proposed framework. Findings The results show that neuroticism and openness to experience affect students’ intentions to adopt online learning through five perceived values of online learning. Particularly, students who are open to experience pay more attention to the quality of online learning. Students who are more neurotic avoid stress from learning in a situation that they are not familiar with. In addition, students tend to adopt online learning when they perceive online learning fulfills their emotional and social needs. Further discussions of the findings and implications for theory and practice are provided. Originality/value The study extends knowledge and understanding of online learning adoption associated with individual personality and perception of online learning’s values. It proposed a new framework to examine the effects of neuroticism, openness to experience and perceived values on online learning adoption. Universities might use the study results to plan and implement their online learning programs that will be considered valuable for students who have different personality traits.

Going international through successful partnerships: the case of GIAS

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yamen Koubaa ◽  
Rym Srarfi Tabbane ◽  
Manel Hamouda
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Foreign Market ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Foreign Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Master Level ◽  
Selection Of

Subject area International business. Study level/applicability The case is suitable for Bachelor and Master level students of business studies. Case overview In the actual global economy context, firms are trying to be more competitive by accelerating their efforts to integrate foreign markets. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from emerging markets are increasingly internationalizing to capitalize on opportunities in foreign markets. To get into internationalization SMEs can use different successful expansion strategies. One of these strategies is the establishment of a win-win partnership with partners that distribute the company products on the foreign markets. The case deals with a successful experience of a win-win partnership from an emerging country SME, the Tunisian food industry firm GIAS, which began its internationalization in 1996. The case presents first the reasons of internationalization of GIAS. Then an explanation of the strategic choices of internationalization of the firm is provided. The selection of the most appropriate foreign markets is described later. The win-win partnership approach is then detailed and the case finishes with the future internationalization plans for GIAS. Expected learning outcomes The expected learning outcomes include: the selection of a foreign market; the determinants of the foreign mode of entry; the process of integrating an internationalization strategy; how to choose the most appropriate partner; the follow up and the management of the relationships with foreign partners; and the monitoring of international markets. The case provides a space to think about practice and help learners, therefore, to connect theory and practice. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

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