Beyond Spatial Proximity: The Impact of Enhanced Spatial Connectedness from New Bridges on Entrepreneurship

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunasir Dutta ◽  
Daniel Erian Armanios ◽  
Jaison D. Desai

Various strands of work have explored how spatial proximity helps (metaphorically) bridge barriers to resource mobilization and foster knowledge transfer. However, much of that work takes spatial connectedness as a given. We argue that spatial connectedness is a distinct construct that affects the extent to which spaces are not just proximate but are actually able to link people, ideas, resources, and knowledge together. We explore one such source of connectedness—physical (not metaphorical) bridges. We find that the opening of newly built bridges enhances startup founding in the local geographic community. Beyond their impact on startup founding, newly built bridges also influence the organizing process for such ventures. This includes a positive impact on the entry of prospective founders into entrepreneurship and an increase in the number of early-stage investors. The subsequently founded ventures are also more likely to engage in recombination and to cross industry boundaries. We explore scope conditions around industry and connective heterogeneity. We also test for robustness to various modeling approaches. The discussion highlights contributions of these findings to the study of entrepreneurship, as well as of organizations and the institutional fields in which they operate.

Author(s):  
Darma Mahadea ◽  
Irrshad Kaseeram

Background: South Africa has made significant progress since the dawn of democracy in 1994. It registered positive economic growth rates and its real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increased from R42 849 in 1994 to over R56 000 in 2015. However, employment growth lagged behind GDP growth, resulting in rising unemployment. Aim and setting: Entrepreneurship brings together labour and capital in generating income, output and employment. According to South Africa’s National Development Plan, employment growth would come mainly from small-firm entrepreneurship and economic growth. Accordingly, this article investigates the impact unemployment and per capita income have on early stage total entrepreneurship activity (TEA) in South Africa, using data covering the 1994–2015 period. Methods: The methodology used is the dynamic least squares regression. The article tests the assertion that economic growth, proxied by real per capita GDP income, promotes entrepreneurship and that high unemployment forces necessity entrepreneurship. Results: The regression results indicate that per capita real GDP, which increases with economic growth, has a highly significant, positive impact on entrepreneurial activity, while unemployment has a weaker effect. A 1% rise in real per capita GDP results in a 0.16% rise in TEA entrepreneurship, and a 1% rise in unemployment is associated with a 0.25% rise in TEA. Conclusion: There seems to be a strong pull factor, from income growth to entrepreneurship and a reasonable push from unemployment to entrepreneurship, as individuals without employment are forced to self-employment as a necessity, survival mechanism. Overall, a long-run co-integrating relationship seems plausible between unemployment, income and entrepreneurship in South Africa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-118
Author(s):  
Kadri Arrak ◽  
Anneli Kaasa ◽  
Urmas Varblane

This exploratory article aims to take first steps towards understanding whether a regional cultural background has, among other determinants, an influence on a person’s entrepreneurial behaviour, relying on the example of Germany. A multilevel approach is applied combining the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor individual-level data about entrepreneurship with up-to-date cultural dimensions indicators based on Hofstede’s original approach at the regional (NUTS 1) level. The results indicate that regional cultural context is an important determinant of entrepreneurial behaviour. At that, different cultural dimensions have different impacts, and the impact also differs across different stages of entrepreneurship. A lower level of uncertainty avoidance in a region could have a positive impact on early-stage entrepreneurship, whereas the established business ownership seems to be encouraged by a lower level of power distance.


Author(s):  
Tom Hockaday ◽  
Andrea Piccaluga

University technology transfer (UTT) has been growing in importance for many decades and is of increasing importance to university leadership, university researchers, research funding agencies, and government policy makers. It is of interest to academic researchers in the fields of business management, economics, innovation, geography, and public policy. UTT is a subset of the broader field of technology transfer, and it involves the transfer of university research results from the university to business so that the business can invest in the development of products and services that benefit society. The research results can arise from any academic discipline, are not limited to a particular definition of technology, and can be transferred to existing and new for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The core activity involves licensing patent applications and other intellectual property to existing companies and establishing new companies that raise investment finance, to develop the early-stage research outputs into new products and services. In recent decades, research universities have set up technology transfer offices (TTOs) to manage their UTT activities. TTOs adopt a project management approach to supporting university researchers who wish to transfer the results of their research to business. Project stages include identifying, evaluating, protecting, marketing, deal making, and post-deal management. TTOs are also involved in other activities, beyond patenting, licensing, and entrepreneurship, which generate positive impact on society. Measuring and evaluating UTT is a topic of continuing debate, with an early focus on activity metrics developing into a more sophisticated assessment of the impact of university research outputs on society. Current issues in UTT involve understanding the position of UTT in the broader area of research impact, as well as funding and organization models for UTT within a university. The COVID-19 global crisis is highlighting the importance of university research and its transfer out to organizations that develop and deliver products and services that benefit society. It has further emphasized the importance of UTT as an activity where much more has to be researched and understood in order to maximize the benefits for society of all the activities performed by universities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5099
Author(s):  
Qing’e Wang ◽  
Luwei Zhao ◽  
Alice Chang-Richards ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
Hujun Li

In knowledge economy era, enterprise needs to innovate to maintain its advantages and competitiveness. Construction enterprises, being pillars of China’s economy and confronting the challenge brought by the strategy of “going out”, the call for their technology or management innovation was broadly pronounced across practical and academic fields. Social capital (SC), as a resource in a social network, is the basis for creating sustainable competitiveness and advantage for enterprises. The innovative achievements and innovation performance (IP) of enterprises are largely determined by their SC. To achieve competitiveness in the market, enterprises must carry out knowledge transfer (KT) with the other members of their networks. However, few scholars have examined weather SC has any effect on IP in construction enterprises. Using a KT perspective, this paper explored how SC affects the IP of construction enterprises. Based on the literature review and analysis, a conceptual model was constructed and validated using structural equation modeling (SEM). Through empirical analysis, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) SC has a positive impact on the IP of construction enterprises. Among them, the structural dimension (SD) and cognitive dimension (CD) have a significant positive impact on the IP of construction enterprises, while the relational dimension (RD) does not. (2) The SD, CD, and RD of construction enterprises’ SC have a positive influence on KT. (3) There are mediating effects of KT between SC and IP of construction firms, and they are partial. KT plays a partial mediating effect between SD, CD, and IP of construction firms. The research results can not only improve an understanding of effects of SC on IP of construction enterprises, but also validate the importance of KT in stimulating IP.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariacarmela Passarelli ◽  
Giovanni Catello Landi ◽  
Alfio Cariola ◽  
Mauro Sciarelli

PurposeThe paper aims to advance knowledge by investigating the main factors that impact on innovation through the co-development process between researchers and firms at the very early stage of proof of concept.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed an empirical analysis on the proof of concept network project, through a mixed empirical analysis. They explored the main factors that affect the enactment of the co-development process and tested the impact of such factors on the probability for partners to enact a co-development project and generate innovation.FindingsFrom the quantitative analysis comes out that the trust of the research team into the potentiality of the technology, the commitment of researchers concerning the scalability of technology and the IP value issued by external experts have a positive impact on the probability to create a match among partners and generate innovation.Research limitations/implicationsEven if all the population of technologies (108) considered in the project implementation are analyzed, the development of the empirical analysis on a specific project within a single country represents a limitation. Future analysis will concentrate on a larger panel of proof of concept experience across Europe.Practical implicationsThe success of a co-development process between researchers and companies at the embryonic phase of the technology considers the opportunity to exploit the technologies into real products for the market.Originality/valueThis is an empirical analysis of the first Italian proof of concept implementation that deeply investigates which critical factors can enable innovation by enacting a co-development process between researchers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Ping Deng ◽  
Ji-Ye Mao

Despite the importance of knowledge transfer for the success of offshore information systems (IS) outsourcing, only limited research has been conducted to date. This research investigates knowledge transfer to vendors from their client, in terms of learning from client and learning about client. More specifically, it examines the effects of client support and vendors’ learning mechanisms on knowledge transfer, along with the impact of knowledge transfer on performance. Results show that client support is important for both types of knowledge transfer. In addition, it is the deliberate cognitive learning rather than the relative passive learning of interaction experience that promotes knowledge transfer significantly. Furthermore, whereas learning about client has a positive impact on vendors’ cost control, learning from client contributes to project quality if a vendor maintains a high level of interaction experience with the client.


Cancers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 354
Author(s):  
Clémence Romeo ◽  
Olivia Le Saux ◽  
Margaux Jacobs ◽  
Florence Joly ◽  
Gwenael Ferron ◽  
...  

Background: Gynecological carcinosarcomas are rare and aggressive diseases, with a poor prognosis. The rarity of these tumors explains the lack of robust and specific data available in the literature. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of initial adjuvant treatment and recurrent therapeutic strategies. Patients and methods: A multicentric cohort study within the French national prospective Rare Malignant Gynecological Tumors (TMRG) network was conducted. Data from all included carcinosarcomas diagnosed between 2011 and 2018 were retrospectively collected. Results: 425 cases of uterine and ovarian carcinosarcomas (n = 313 and n = 112, respectively) were collected and analyzed from 12 participating centers. At diagnosis, 140 patients (48%) had a FIGO stage III–IV uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) and 88 patients (83%) had an advanced ovarian carcinosarcoma (OCS) (FIGO stage ≥ III). Two hundred sixty-seven patients (63%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, most preferably carboplatin-paclitaxel regimen (n = 227, 86%). After a median follow-up of 47.4 months, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 15.1 months (95% CI 12.3–20.6) and 14.8 months (95% CI 13.1–17.1) for OCS and UCS, respectively. The median overall survival for OCS and UCS was 37.1 months (95% CI 22.2–49.2) and 30.6 months (95% CI 24.1–40.9), respectively. With adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, mPFS was 41.0 months (95% CI 17.0–NR) and 18.9 months (95% CI 14.0–45.6) for UCS stages I–II and stages III–IV, respectively. In the early stage UCS subgroup (i.e., stage IA, n = 86, 30%), mPFS for patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 24) was not reached (95% CI 22.2–NR), while mPFS for untreated patients (n = 62) was 19.9 months (95% IC 13.9–72.9) (HR 0.44 (0.20–0.95) p = 0.03). At the first relapse, median PFS for all patients was 4.2 months (95% CI 3.5–5.3). In the first relapse, mPFS was 6.7 months (95% CI 5.1–8.5) and 2.2 months (95% CI 1.9–2.9) with a combination of chemotherapy or monotherapy, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Interestingly, this vast prospective cohort of gynecological carcinosarcoma patients from the French national Rare Malignant Gynecological Tumors network (i) highlights the positive impact of adjuvant CT on survival in all localized stages (including FIGO IA uterine carcinosarcomas), (ii) confirms the importance of platinum-based combination as an option for relapse setting, and (iii) reports median PFS for various therapeutic strategies in the relapse setting.


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 250-272
Author(s):  
Romeo Asa

Over the years, the superlative contribution of SMEs on economic growth predominantly in emerging states such as Namibia has been gaining considerable prestige at a rapid rate. However, deficient access to cost-effective financial adequacy remains a leading stumbling block that denies them the opportunity to survive in a competitive market, grow and develop above the average. That being true, the rate of SMEs’ failure continues to escalate precisely among those that are in their early stage of operation. To curb that specific issue, microfinance institutions (MFIs) intervene to provide dual supports through the delivery of financial and non-financial services. Access to such support helps SMEs to reduce their financial constraints, resulting in sound and viable development for businesses. In this respect, the central objective of this study was to investigate the impact of microfinance acquisition on SMEs’ development with reference to the manufacturing firms in Windhoek, Namibia. Evenly relevant, the study sought to further assess the effect of acquired microfinance support on competitiveness and finally devise suitable strategies that MFIs could adopt or adapt to improve the provision of microfinance services to penurious SMEs. The study employed a pragmatistic paradigm. Therefore, mixed research methods constituting both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilised to successfully attain the threefold objectives of the study. 60 questionnaires were disseminated through emails to the sampled SMEs for data collection where only 44, accounted for 73% were considered for further analysis. Regarding financial support, the study assessed the matter based on technology enhancement, assets capital accumulation, job creation, business’ branches extension, and product development and expansion. Similarly, assessment on non-financial support was focused on managerial and leadership skills, as well as unblemished financial management. To test the nexus between microfinance support and SMEs’ development, multiple regression analysis was employed at 5% level of significance. Findings presented by the study revealed a positive strong relationship between the variables. More to that, the correlation between microfinance support and SMEs’ competitiveness was tested using correlation coefficient analysis and results found the variable to be statistically correlated. To this end, the study affirms that there exists a significant positive impact of microfinance support on SMEs’ development and competitiveness, implying that healthy and ample microfinance institutions are immensely essential to provide the required support lucratively, using the most satisfying strategies for a mutual benefit of the involved parties. Therefore, three strategies for improving the provision of microfinance support, constituting Public Credit Guarantee Schemes (PCGS); compensation of interest rate with the repayment period; and the provision of tools and equipment were designed. Also, the study recommended government intervention in formulating policies necessary for easing collateral requirements. More, MFIs are also advised to find ways for fastening their evaluation processes and give feedback on approval or disapproval of the application soon. They should also allow potential SMEs to borrow multiple times in a year or increase the principal amount. Finally, the study suggested future studies to focus on the role of the government in addressing SMEs’ financial constraints and use a longitudinal approach with a predominant focus on other sectors.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9038
Author(s):  
Giorgio Mion

Benefit Corporations (BCs) were introduced in Italy by Law 28-12-2015 N. 208 based on the previous experience of the USA. BCs are hybrid organizations with a blended economic and social/environmental purpose and aim to generate a positive impact on employees, environment, communities, and other stakeholders in addition to profit-making. For BCs, accountability is crucial to achieve social legitimacy and to prove their positive impact on society. Italian BCs are obliged to prepare and publish a yearly impact report. The present research aimed to explore the impact reporting practices of Italian BCs and to evaluate the quality of the published reports. 47 impact reports were collected from 192 websites, and a qualitative content analysis was performed on these reports. Furthermore, an evaluation instrument was built to measure impact reporting quality and to understand which determinants affected the reporting quality. The study allowed understanding that impact reporting practice was at a very early stage of evolution. Furthermore, the analysis focused on the importance of an external standard for promoting reporting quality. The findings of the study contributed to the existing literature on BCs and on reporting quality and allowed some practical implications for managers, policymakers, and standard setters.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
Cynthia Tang ◽  
Bryan Ng ◽  
Gloria Ng

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the new “Guidance Note on Cooperation with the SFC” released by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) on 12 December 2017, which updates the SFC’s previous guidance note issued in 2006. Design/methodology/approach This paper explains key features to the guidance note, the SFC’s current approach in investigations and enforcement and the impact on regulated parties and senior management. In particular, the authors discuss what cooperation means in disciplinary, civil court and market misconduct tribunal proceedings. Findings The new guidance note confirms that the SFC will play an increasingly active role in investigations and that taking proactive steps at an early stage, including involving senior management, will have a positive impact on the outcome of the investigation. Originality/value Commentary and practical guidance from experienced securities enforcement and financial services regulatory enforcement lawyers.


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