Network contract and internationalization: evidence from Italian firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 2911-2939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Rubino ◽  
Filippo Vitolla ◽  
Antonello Garzoni

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of the network contract (NC) on the internationalization of Italian firms to evaluate whether and how network characteristics, management perceptions and governance influence firms’ degree of internationalization (DOI).Design/methodology/approachBy using the data from a survey of 350 Italian firms that joined a network in 2012, hierarchical regression analyses were applied to test four hypotheses.FindingsNetwork size and diversity as well as management attitudes and perceptions influence firms’ exports. However, only network diversity is positively related to the number of markets in which firms operate. A positive direct effect of network diversity on network managers’ activities and a significantly indirect effect via network managers’ activities also exist.Practical implicationsNetwork diversity is crucial for achieving better results in foreign markets. Interacting with diverse network participants can help firms manage diversity, expressed in terms of information, resources and competencies, helping overcome the barriers that hinder the internationalization process. The presence of an efficient network manager should facilitate the achievement of firms’ internationalization objectives.Originality/valueThis research is one of the first studies to analyze the effects of an Italian NC on firms’ internationalization. From a theoretical standpoint, it adds to the literature a specific analysis that relates primarily to small firms, showing that, in this context, the results are not always consistent with those of prior studies.

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1317-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Rubino ◽  
Filippo Vitolla ◽  
Antonello Garzoni

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze, through an empirical study, the Italian network agreements in order to evaluate how the activities and attitudes of the network managers impact on export intensity. Design/methodology/approach Using the data of a questionnaire survey from 182 Italian firms that have joined the network in 2012; regression analysis was applied to test the hypotheses related to the network managers. Findings The results indicate that planning activity performed by the network manager is the most significant variable that positively influences the export intensity. Also the international experience and social and relational activities performed by the network managers influence the level of exports. Network managers’ perceived advantages and barriers have a different impact on the dependent variable. Practical implications The analysis of the role played by network managers helps to increase the awareness that the success of the network depends on the quality of the network managers’ activities and their attitudes and characteristics. The results suggest that in every network should be present the figure of the network manager. Originality/value This research is one of the first studies to analyze the Italian network agreements and role of network managers. Second, from a theoretical standpoint, the authors add to the existing literature a specific analysis that relates primarily to small firms, showing that, in this context the results are not always consistent with prior studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Li ◽  
Qinqin Zheng

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how firms respond to societal moral degradation in a transition economy from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective.Design/methodology/approachBased on a survey of 302 firms operating in China and using hierarchical regression, this study explores the effect of societal moral degradation on firm CSR implementation.FindingsThe study finds that the amount of CSR performed by firms in a transition market will reduce when they face increased moral degradation in the business field. The authors also find that CSR philanthropy is more significantly deterred by societal moral degradation than CSR sustainability.Practical implicationsThese findings reveal that firms conducting CSR initiatives need to strategically consider the great influence of environment. Meanwhile, strategic CSR decisions should be fully aware of the different characters of different CSR forms.Originality/valueThis paper draws on the strategic choice theory and contributes to understanding of the influence of specific environmental factors in transition economies on CSR implementation. Based on two main categories of CSR, this study develops a framework that explores how firms choose different CSR forms when they encounter severe moral degradation in business sector.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Eddy ◽  
Benjamin Colin Cork

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure participants’ sponsorship awareness, and assess a model designed to predict participants’ behavioral intentions toward the sponsors of the Fayetteville Race Series. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on non-experimental survey research design using path analysis. Findings Perceived sponsor goodwill had a positive direct effect on participants’ sponsor behavioral intentions, as well as a positive indirect effect partially mediated by sponsor image. Sponsor image and future event participation also had positive direct effects on behavioral intentions. Overall, participants had very positive perceptions of the sponsors’ goodwill and image, and indicated positive future intentions. Participants’ ability to identify event sponsors through aided recall was inconsistent between the two events studied. Practical implications The positive outcomes for sponsors observed in this study should make small, regional, participant-based sport events appealing marketing channels, especially for generating goodwill in the community. Further, even small sponsorship spends can have a significant impact on these smaller events, since traditional funding sources continue to be cut. Originality/value Existing literature on sponsorship of participant sport-based events has generally focused on large events (i.e. marathons that draw participants nationally), despite the prevalence of smaller scale, regional events around the world.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richa Chaudhary ◽  
Chandan Kumar

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the contribution of the diffusion of innovation framework to eco-sustainability. It examines the interplay of organizational environment, innovation and innovation adopters’ characteristics on the diffusion of environmental sustainability. Design/methodology/approach The data for empirical validation were obtained through an offline survey from the hospitals. The proposed conceptual framework was tested using the hierarchical regression analysis technique. Findings The results show that diffusion of innovation characteristics and organizational environment significantly influence the environmental sustainability index. The adopters’ characteristics do not have any direct effect on the environmental sustainability but this effect becomes significant in the presence of a favorable organizational environment. Practical implications Focusing on innovations that offer an advantage over the existing processes, are compatible with the existing system, are uncomplicated and simple to implement and can be experimented before full implementation may greatly accelerate the adoption of eco-innovations in hospitals. Fostering an organizational environment where employees are encouraged and rewarded for contributing to sustainable innovations can play a substantial role in the implementation of environmental sustainability innovations. Originality/value This study is an original contribution as it advances the limited understanding of the predictors and moderators of environmental sustainability in hospitals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerri Anne Crowne

Purpose This study investigates the relationships among cultural intelligence (CQ), personality and transformational leadership in a student population. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of CQ on transformational leadership to see if a relationship exists beyond personality. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses are presented and tested on a sample of 465 undergraduate and graduate students who attended a large northeastern US university. Hierarchical regression was used to conduct the analysis, and multiple models were generated to test the relationships posited. Findings The data showed that CQ affected transformational leadership; however, when examining the subcomponents of CQ, only behavioral CQ had an impact on transformational leadership beyond personality. Research limitations/implications The surveys were self-reported and cross-sectional, so causality could not be determined. Furthermore, the sample, while diverse, was composed of students. However, scholars will find value in this research because it expands the understanding of CQ. Practical implications The findings of this research indicate that behavioral CQ impacts transformational-leadership skills. Thus, business educators should consider how to build skills associated with behavioral CQ in students because of the importance of global transformational-leadership skills in the workplace. Originality/value This research will impact the literature streams of CQ and transformational leadership because it is the first to examine the relationship between the two while controlling for personality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 546-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuangang Shen ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Peixu He ◽  
Yenchun Jim Wu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the restrictive effect of abusive supervision on employees’ feedback-seeking behavior (FSB) through organizational-based self-esteem (OBSE) and the moderation of this mediation by leader-member exchange (LMX). Design/methodology/approach This study conducted hierarchical regression and path analysis to analyze the 312 manager–employee dyads data gathered from five companies in China. Findings The authors found that abusive supervision had a detrimental effect on employee FSB, partially through OBSE, and that both the direct and indirect effects were moderated by LMX. Practical implications Organizations should seek to inhibit supervisors’ abusive behavior in the workplace. Supervisors should not occasionally mistreat subordinates with whom they have a good relationship. Originality/value This study reveals the underlying influence mechanism of abusive supervision on employee FSB using the self-concept theory and suggests that OBSE is critical in determining how abusive supervision influences employee FSB. Furthermore, LMX quality (especially high LMX) moderates the above mediation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Amir Rashid ◽  
Masood Nawaz Kalyar ◽  
Imran Shafique

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the contingent effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and strategic decision responsiveness (SDR) on the link of market orientation (MO) and performance of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 909 WSMEs of Punjab province Pakistan through survey questionnaire. Hierarchical regression is employed to perform the analysis.FindingsResults reveal that although higher-level dimensions of MO directly affect the WSMEs performance, however this linkage becomes stronger under SDR and higher-level dimensions of EO.Practical implicationsManagers should emphasis on the demonstration of EO's dimensions and SDR to utilize the full potential of MO to promote WSMEs performance.Originality/valueTo study the contingent effect of SDR and EO's dimensions in the MO–WSMEs performance nexus is the novelty of this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-133
Author(s):  
Giang Hoang ◽  
Thuy Thu Thi Le ◽  
Anh Kim Thi Tran ◽  
Tuan Du

PurposeThis study aims to explore the mediating roles of self-efficacy and learning orientation in the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from an online survey of 1,021 university students in Vietnam. The authors conducted a hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results of hierarchical regression analysis reveal that entrepreneurship education positively affects entrepreneurial intentions, and this relationship is mediated by both learning orientation and self-efficacy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study confirms the importance of entrepreneurship education in encouraging university students' entrepreneurial intentions.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical implications for universities and policy makers.Social implicationsThis study is one of the first to empirically examine the concept of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions in an Asia-Pacific context.Originality/valueThis study emphasises the significance of entrepreneurship education and its effects on university students' entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, the findings confirm that self-efficacy and learning orientation play an important part in explaining how entrepreneurship education relates to entrepreneurial intentions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-12

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This briefing looks at the strategic motives behind Chinese firms when looking to expand globally and create subsidiaries in foreign markets. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 966-982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yana Du ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yanhong Chen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of creative process engagement on employees’ in-role performance, and does so by considering the support that employees received from and given to their supervisors. Design/methodology/approach Using data from 540 questionnaires collected in China, this paper conducts a hierarchical regression analysis to test the proposed model. Findings Creative process engagement positively affects employees’ in-role performance. However, the moderating effect of receiving support on the above relationship is not significant. Instead, it is the interaction of receiving support from and giving it to supervisors that moderates the relationship between creative process engagement and in-role performance. Research limitations/implications The study has some contributions to the conservation of resource (COR) theory. The authors find that acquiring new resources such as receiving support from supervisors is not always effective. The acquisition process of resources should be considered with the investment process of resources. According to the COR theory, people invest resources to gain resources and protect themselves from losing resources or to recover from resource loss (Halbesleben et al., 2014). The findings of the study show that employees investing resources is not just for gaining resources. Sometimes, they invest resources such as giving support to supervisors to remain a relatively balanced relationship. Practical implications Companies can encourage employees to place more attention on creative process engagement to improve in-role performance. In addition, when offering support to employees, managers should consider whether the employees are able to give it back in response to the received support, and distribute their support to employees accordingly. Originality/value This paper explored employee’s engagement at creative process in a more novel way and clarified the relative effect of creative process engagement on in-role performance. Also, this paper was the first to pay attention to the bidirectional nature of supervisor support.


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