Women MSMEs in times of crisis: challenges and opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1069-1083
Author(s):  
Suhail Sultan ◽  
Wasim I.M. Sultan
Keyword(s):  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Innovation Strategies ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study addresses the impact of the corona crisis on the performance of women small- to medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and explores the adopted innovative strategies by these women to stay in their businesses.Design/methodology/approachBoth quantitative and qualitative methods are used in this cross-sectional country-level survey. A representative sample of 260 Palestinian women businesses completed the questionnaire. As well, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with 15 female entrepreneurs who succeeded to survive to collect qualitative data. Frequencies, cross-tabulations and Chi-Square tests are used to analyze quantitative data and thematic analysis is used to analyze the qualitative one.FindingsThe main findings show that the corona crisis harms the performance of many women MSMEs in terms of production, turnover profit. To reduce their lost sales during the crisis, women are more likely to benefit from social media and promotions than other methods. This study highlights the innovation strategies applied by the women MSMEs who managed to survive such as, among others, cash management and digital marketing.Practical implicationsThe innovation strategies could be a road map for other women struggling MSMEs businesses to re-enter businesses again.Originality/valueSo far, little research has focused on women MSMEs in developing countries. The identified innovation strategies will potentially help aspiring women MSMEs to survive during the economic crisis.

Brand awareness: revisiting an old metric for a new world

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 469-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Romaniuk ◽  
Samuel Wight ◽  
Margaret Faulkner
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Brand Awareness ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Global Brand ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Purpose Brand awareness is a pivotal, but often neglected, aspect of consumer-based brand equity. This paper revisits brand awareness measures in the context of global brand management. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the method of Laurent et al. (1995), this cross-sectional longitudinal study examines changes in brand awareness over time, with sample sizes of approximately 300 whisky consumers per wave in three countries: United Kingdom, Taiwan and Greece. Findings There is consistency in the underlying structure of awareness scores across countries, and over time, extending the work of Laurent et al. (1995). Results show that a relevant operationalisation of brand awareness needs to account for the history of the brand. Furthermore, the nature of the variation of brand awareness over time interacts with a brand’s market share. Research limitations/implications When modelling the impact of brand awareness researchers need to consider two factors – the brand’s market share and whether a more stable or volatile measure is sought. This avoids mis-specifying the country-level contribution of brand awareness. Practical implications Global brand managers should be wary of adopting a “one size fits all” approach. The choice of brand awareness measure depends on the brand’s market share, and the desire for higher sensitivity or stability. Originality/value The paper provides one of the few multi-country investigations into brand awareness that can help inform global brand management.

Building resilience in retail supply chains: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and future pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study explores the countermeasures taken by retailers to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chain disruptions.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of the four largest retailers of the United Arab Emirates. The respondents were designated at different positions such as Vice President, Director and Project Manager.FindingsResults reveal that retailers are employing six countermeasures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on supply chains. Particularly, retailers are securing required demand, preserving cash flows, redirecting inventory, adding capacity to their distribution centres, becoming more flexible with their direct or third-party logistics provider and finally widening delivery options for their suppliers to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations. First, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory. Second, this study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the countermeasures employed by retailing firms to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.Originality/valueA notable weakness in a supply chain disruption literature is an unfulfilled need for research examining the strategies employed by retailers to respond to/address the challenges posed by COVID-19. Our study fills this gap.

Drivers for adopting reverse logistics in the construction industry: a qualitative study

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Raufdeen Rameezdeen ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Road Map ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and analyse the perceptions of South Australian construction practitioners on drivers affecting the implementation of reverse logistics (RL). In this context, RL is defined as the process of moving goods from their typical final destination for the purpose of capturing value or ensuring proper disposal. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight practitioners to collect data and the interview transcripts were analysed using the NVivo (version 10) package. Cluster analysis was used to cross-validate the findings and provide an in-depth insight into the findings. Findings – The findings indicate that most of the drivers identified in earlier research are relevant for the construction industry. In addition, the study identified some new drivers that are categorised as “targeted demands by an exclusive clientele”. These drivers were found to be complementary to the economic, environmental and social drivers as previously conceptualised. In addition, a set of factors affecting the strength of drivers that had been overlooked in previous studies emanated from the interview analysis. These include the type of project and the attributes of clients, both of which strongly affect the drivers of RL implementation in construction. Research limitations/implications – The major limitations are the relatively small size of the sample of interviewees and having interviewees from one geographic area with specific socio-economic characteristics. Practical implications – The identified drivers and the clustering of RL themes could be used by practitioners as a “road map” for the development of appropriate solutions to successfully promote RL within the construction industry. Organisational energies could thus be channelled towards the drivers that need the most improvement. Originality/value – The study contributes to this research sphere by employing cluster analysis to customise and contextualise the drivers that were previously identified. The study goes beyond the extant literature by discovering the prominent effects of these drivers on the impact of targeted demands by an exclusive clientele. This could be of great value in terms of creating avenues for future investigations on the topic.

IPO initial return in Pakistan: influence of country-level institutional quality

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqas Mehmood ◽  
Rasidah Mohd-Rashid ◽  
Abd Halim Ahmad ◽  
Ahmad Hakimi Tajuddin
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Institutional Quality ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Initial Return ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe present study investigated the influence of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial return using World Bank Governance indices.Design/methodology/approachThis study analysed 84 IPOs listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange between 2000 and 2017 using cross-sectional data. The impact of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial returns was examined using ordinary least square, robust least square, stepwise least square and quantile regression.FindingsEmpirically, the values of political stability, government effectiveness and regulatory quality were positively significant, whereas rule of law and control of corruption were negatively significant in explaining the intensity of IPO initial return. The results also show the presence of significant risk in the market. Hence, investors were compensated with higher initial returns for weak country-level institutional quality. The results also reveal that improving country-level institutional quality would improve the financial market transparency, thereby reducing IPO initial returns.Originality/valueNo studies have been conducted regarding the influence of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial return in Pakistan. This study is a pioneering study that seeks to give insights into the link between these variables in the context of Pakistan.

Mitigating the effects of COVID-19: an exploratory case study of the countermeasures taken by the manufacturing industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Saleem Butt
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Process Manufacturing ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand how manufacturers (both discrete and process) are managing disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, using UAE as an empirical context. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of four discrete and four process manufacturing firms that outsource products/components from overseas and domestic suppliers. Findings Results reveal that manufacturing firms are using six distinct actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, they are relying on the automation process, transferring new and updated knowledge to the current and new suppliers, managing workforce diversity, understanding the impact of demand’s disruption, managing the ecosystem and finally using digital technologies to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications This study has some limitations. Firstly, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory in manufacturing supply chains within the context of a pandemic outbreak. Second, the study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the actions used by manufacturing firms to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical implications Manufacturing firms can replicate the actions proposed in this study to lessen the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge stronger in the post-COVID-era. Originality/value This study contributes to the manufacturing supply chain literature within the context of pandemic outbreaks by exploring the steps taken by manufacturing firms to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, it explores such steps by considering both the discrete and process manufacturing industries within the United Arab Emirates.

Empowering Jordanian women through entrepreneurship

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muntaha Banihani
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Social Perceptions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physical Mobility ◽  
The Impact

Purpose A strong correlation has been found across several countries between women’s positions in society and economic development, suggesting that there is a relationship between women’s empowerment and countries’ economic development. Despite the impact women have in terms of economic activity and job creation, however, the role of women entrepreneurs is often underplayed and undervalued. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the challenges women entrepreneurs face in Jordan to uncover ways to empower them. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research used in-depth interviews with 15 women to investigate their perceptions regarding the challenges affecting their businesses. Semi-structured interviews were used to allow participants flexibility in expressing their views and experiences. The results from the interviews were analysed using NVIVO software to identify themes and categories. Findings It was found that women entrepreneurs in Jordan still face many challenges, primarily related to family responsibilities, networking and physical mobility. Research limitations/implications Recommendations for scholars and decision makers are presented to reduce the impact of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Jordan. Originality/value This research contributes to the current entrepreneurial literature as it provides a deeper understanding of the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Jordan. Thus, it heeds the call for more research on women entrepreneurs in developing countries. In shedding light on the experiences of female entrepreneurs in Jordan, this paper provides strong arguments for challenging the traditional social perceptions regarding the roles of women.

Sustainable development of microfinance customers

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saju Jose ◽  
Jacob Chacko
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Interest Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether microfinance activities aimed at the bottom of the pyramid consumers are sustainable. Design/methodology/approach The study follows a mixed methodology, manager’s views on sustainability of the programs were gauged by analyzing their responses in the areas of diversion of funds, operating cost, interest rates, and return rate of loans through semi-structured interviews. A survey was administered to 316 poor microfinance borrowers at the bottom of the pyramid in India in a cross-sectional field study format. The study used one sample t-test to test the sustainability of the microfinance activities. Findings All else being the same, microfinance activities aimed at the borrower’s communities are not sustainable. The major contributor to the lack of sustainability is the diversion of funds, results of both managers’ interviews and consumer survey provides strong evidence to support this. Though there are issues related to high interest rate, operating cost and low return on investment, it seems that the core issue behind all this is lack of full investment in the microfinance venture. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to only two states in India. The mixed nature of the study meant that semi-structured interviews with a relatively small sample were the most appropriate method to address the research question. Future studies with larger, more representative sample sizes are encouraged to investigate how the findings can be generalized to larger populations. Also the information which determines the experiences and satisfaction of the consumers is collected only once. This study does not account for any changes over time in the populations or their interest. Originality/value The impact of micro finance in alleviating poverty is questioned by researchers and there is demand for further empirical evidence. Therefore, the findings of this study complement with existing work to present a comprehensive understanding of this topic by investigating the sustainability aspect of these programs from the dimension of both customers and lenders.

Traversing the women entrepreneurship in South Asia

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanu Shukla ◽  
Gajendra Singh Chauhan ◽  
Saumya Saumya
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Barriers To Entry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
The Impact

PurposeMarginalization of women in STEM sectors is a widely discussed trend that has percolated into the corporate sector. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that act as barriers to entry to female entrepreneurs and to understand the impact of these factors in the context of startup landscape. The scope of this paper covers chiefly first-generation entrepreneurs while elaborating the presence of the Lucite ceiling effect. It aims to categorize and elucidate the responsible variables while developing a model for the same.Design/methodology/approachThe research is an exploratory study that provides a complex picture of how female entrepreneurs understand and experience the work culture at their workplace. The population under consideration is “urban startups”; these have been characterized as technology/non-technology-based and non-agricultural in nature. The sample in the study consists of male and female entrepreneurs of first-generation entrepreneurs belonging to the urban middle class and either founders or co-founders. The exploration presents a groundbreaking examination based on narrative inquiry and semi-structured interviews.FindingsThe research led to distinct findings that can be utilized to improve the condition of female entrepreneurs and encourage their involvement in the ecosystem. The model is proposed on the basis of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, which lead to the Lucite ceiling phenomenon. The causes ranging from family pressure to fulfilling relevant requirements such as financing the venture were classified under these. Ultimately, inferences were drawn as to how these may be affecting the growth of women in the sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThe identified intrinsic and extrinsic factors have been detailed, presenting further opportunities to focus on specific metrics by the stakeholders, namely, the policy-makers and the entrepreneur community. The study has been limited to urban startups to allow for convenience sampling, which is justified considering the issues highlighted in the existing knowledge. While this study has been carried out in the context of urban startups, it leaves scope for extension and extrapolation of the presented model in the rural context.Practical implicationsThe study presents a formally structured representation of the issues faced by female entrepreneurs in a manner which is mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. Such a categorization can, in the contemporary times, enable targeted mitigation of the same through well-planned policy initiatives and legislation. In addition, it provides a strong baseline for extensive quantitative research in this field, especially in the context of emerging economies in fast-developing nations.Originality/valueThe framework helps lay a groundwork for thoughtful research on women’s entrepreneurship. The Lucite ceiling phenomenon is a more aggravated version of the “glass ceiling”. The reasons for the prevalence of this effect in this context have not been explored before, thus providing a great scope to be further investigated.

The emergence of Chinese entrepreneurs: social connections and innovation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuanping Dai ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Yang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Private Enterprises ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergence Patterns ◽  
Political Networks ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Experience Education ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to explore empirically the emergence of entrepreneurs in China’s transition context since the 1980s. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies the China Private Enterprises Survey Database and historical evidence and Chi-Square test to identify the emergence patterns of China’s entrepreneurs in different historical stages. Findings This longitudinal study finds that factors such as working experience, education background and social connection had strong influences on entrepreneurship, but the impact of these have varied significantly along with institutional changes over the past three decades. It also identifies that the majority of emergent entrepreneurs were formerly low-level public servants and high-qualified managers in state-owned enterprises. Additionally, significant trends including an increasing number of female entrepreneurs, a decreasing impact from political networks, improving investment in innovation and diversifying financial sources are also found. Originality/value This paper is the first to apply the Chinese Private Enterprises Survey database to investigate the emergence patterns of China’s entrepreneurs in different historical stages after the 1978 reform.

Perspectives on social workers from within an integrated setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-76
Author(s):  
Darryl James Phillipowsky
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Realities ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis research explores community professionals' opinions concerning social worker's roles and statutory functions. It explores the perspectives of professionals and their understanding of collaborative and cooperative work; experiences of professional support; opinions on the aspects of anti-oppressive practices in social work; views on social work identity within multidisciplinary team structures; and perceptions regarding the challenges of cultural and contextual drivers of social work practice.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts an interpretivist paradigm and social constructionist epistemology in that there are multiple realities to be understood and different perspectives and perceptions to be explored. This study adopted a data collection approach of thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.Setting and participantsSocial workers and nurses working within an integrated social care and health NHS trust.MethodsSix respondents volunteered for interviews in 2017. Data were coded as follows using a multistage approach: (1) coding of comments into general categories (e.g. culture, models of practice), (2) coding of subcategories within main categories (e.g. values, knowledge and skills), (3) cross-sectional analysis to identify themes cutting across categories and (4) mapping of categories/subcategories to corresponding comparable research for comparison.FindingsMost interviewees (5) were social workers, with one from the nursing field. Respondents provided comments that fell under four overarching themes: cultural theme, the impact of economic austerity, organisational structures and the political drivers of integration.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the evidence regarding the role of social workers within integrated health and adult social care organisations (as opposed to mental health social work) and also contributes to the evidence around social work in times of austerity.

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