Entrepreneurial Causation vs. Effectuation in a Business Incubation Context: Implications for Recruiting Policy and Management

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Høvig ◽  
Inger Beate Pettersen ◽  
Jarle Aarstad
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Business Plan ◽  
The Other ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Business Incubation ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups

AbstractMany business incubators aim to provide network resources and to stimulate the sharing of ideas, but previous research has shown that limited knowledge exchange takes place between incubated firms. In this paper, we examine if an entrepreneurial approach of causation vs. effectuation is associated with the proclivity to share ideas between firms and the perceived value of such inter-tenant network resources. A causation approach implies that entrepreneurs focus on a predefined goal and then aim to find the means to reach this goal. An effectuation approach implies that entrepreneurs focus on the means at hand, which they aim to materialize into one or more goals that were not necessarily predefined. We carry out a multiple case study of start-ups in a business incubator and find that entrepreneurs taking an effectuation approach have a proclivity to share ideas and they perceive such network resources as having a high value. Entrepreneurs taking a causation approach, on the other hand, have limited proclivity to share ideas with other incubator firms and they perceive such network resources as having a relatively low value. The findings are striking since many incubators implicitly or explicitly tend to recruit firms taking a causation approach by selecting candidates with a rigorous and predefined business plan. We discuss the findings’ implications for incubator recruiting policy and management.

Operationalizing and Conceptualizing Quality in Mixed Methods Research: A Multiple Case Study of the Disciplines of Education, Nursing, Psychology, and Sociology

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergi Fàbregues ◽  
Marie-Hélène Paré ◽  
Julio Meneses
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
The Other ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Qualitative Multiple Case Study ◽  
Education Nursing

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study is to describe and compare how researchers in the education, nursing, psychology, and sociology disciplines operationalize and conceptualize the quality of mixed methods research (MMR). An international sample of 44 MMR researchers representing these four disciplines were interviewed. The study findings point to (a) two perspectives from which the quality of MMR is understood, one contingent and flexible and the other universal and fixed; (b) a relationship between these two perspectives and the participants’ discipline; and (c) a similar occurrence, both in terms of nature and frequency, of the MMR quality criteria most mentioned by the participants across disciplines. Implications of the findings for the field of MMR are discussed.

scholarly journals Measurements in the Early Stage Software Start-ups: A Multiple Case Study in a Nascent Ecosystem

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Kamulegeya ◽  
Raymond Mugwanya ◽  
Regina Hebig
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups

Abstract Context: Software measurement is crucial to stay competitive and deliver quality software products. Problem: While much research has been done on measurement in large companies in developed countries, there is limited research on measurement in start-ups. So far there are no studies on whether these results apply to nascent ecosystems, such as those in East Africa. Goal: The aim of this study is to understand the use and perceived benefits of measurement in software start-ups in East Africa. Method: We performed a multi-case study on 19 software start-ups in hubs in Uganda and Kenya, through conducting semi-structured interviews. We transcribed and analyzed them using the content analysis technique. Results: We identified that start-ups are using a number of business and product-oriented metrics. Furthermore, we found no evidence on the use of design-oriented metrics. Nonetheless, start-ups have considerable expectations on the benefits of measuring. Finally, metrics found in this study partially differ from metrics used in start-ups in developed countries. Conclusion: There is a need to create a more inclusive characterization for measurement as early start-ups in East Africa cannot yet be represented with known models.

The Use of Agile Methods in Logistics Start-ups: An Explorative Multiple Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (06) ◽  
pp. 2050042
Author(s):  
Malena Zielske ◽  
Tobias Held
Keyword(s):  
Customer Value ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups

An increasing number of start-ups, which create disruptive products, services, or platforms, is appearing within the logistics industry. Many of these start-ups are based on new technological innovations made possible by digitization. Compared with many of the start-ups founded during the “dotcom bubble”, current logistics start-ups seem to be more successful in creating lasting customer value. This paper aims to determine if the use of agile approaches, which have increased in importance in recent years, increases entrepreneurial success by means of the ability to better deal with the rapidly changing customer expectations, business model insecurities, and complex technological decisions. Due to the limited extent of empirical studies and the availability of only a few publications, an explorative multiple case study analysis has been executed to understand usage of agile approaches by German logistics start-ups and their interrelation with corporate performance. The main empirical foundation of the cases analyzed is a double-digit number of expert interviews conducted with company founders and executive managers. The findings of the multiple case study analysis demonstrate how logistics start-ups apply agile practices to deal with a high level of market insecurity and reveal how their application enhances company success. Future research should deepen these findings by analyzing more logistics start-ups and employees with different, non-management roles. It would especially be interesting to study direct competitors of those logistics start-ups interviewed to enable an analysis of discriminance and to deduce the best practices in use. The originality of the multiple case study presented lies in its contribution to the widely unexplored field of agility in logistics start-ups and the noteworthy opinions of the high-ranking interviewees.

scholarly journals Going for Broke: A Multiple-Case Study of Brokerage in Education

AERA Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 233285841876929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel R. Malin ◽  
Chris Brown ◽  
Angela St Trubceac
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Core Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Usable Knowledge ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Although the central role of educational intermediaries that can connect research and practice is increasingly appreciated, our present understanding of their motivations, products, and processes is inadequate. In response, this multiple-case study asks how and why three large-scale intermediaries—Edutopia, the Marshall Memo, and Usable Knowledge—are engaging in brokerage activities, and compares the features of the knowledge they seek to share and mobilize. These entities were deliberately chosen and anticipated to reveal diversity. Multiple data sources were analyzed based primarily upon Ward’s knowledge mobilization framework. These entities contrasted widely, especially in relation to core knowledge dimensions, enabling us to identify two distinct brokerage types. To conclude, theoretical (how to conceptualize brokerage) and practical (how to foster interactive knowledge exchange) implications are presented. This study also reveals certain innovative mobilization approaches, including skillful use of social media and the production of videos depicting how and why to adopt particular strategies.

Knowledge Spillovers and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Multiple Case Study on High-Tech Start-Ups

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 17087
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Cuvero ◽  
Maria Luisa Granados ◽  
Alan Pilkington ◽  
Richard Evans
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Spillovers ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups

scholarly journals The impact of Digital Platforms on Business Models: an empirical investigation on innovative start-ups

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1210-1225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Ruggieri ◽  
Marco Savastano ◽  
Alessandra Scalingi ◽  
Dorina Bala ◽  
Fabrizio D’Ascenzo
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Marketing Manager ◽  
Interview Protocol ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Customers

Abstract Digital platforms have the ability to connect people, organizations and resources with the aim of facilitating the core interactions between businesses and consumers as well as assuring a greater efficiency for the business management. New business concepts, such as innovative start-ups, are therefore created based on innovation, scalability and the relationships within the community around them. The purpose of this work is to deeply understand the evolution of business models brought by innovative and dynamic companies operating through online platforms. In order to achieve the objectives set, an exploratory multiple-case study was designed based on in-depth structured interviews. The aim was to conduct a mixed analysis, in order to rely both on qualitative and quantitative data. The structured interview protocol was therefore designed to collect and then analyse data concerning the company profile and managers’ perspectives on the phenomenon of interest. The interview protocol was submitted in advance and then face-to-face interviews were carried out with the following professional figures: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), General Manager, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Marketing Manager and Developers. Collected data were analysed and processed through the Canvas Business Model in order to clearly outline similarities and differences among the sample. Results can be considered under two viewpoints. On the one hand, this work provides a detailed overview of the companies interviewed, according to the dimensions of: reference market dynamics, type and number of customers, scalability. On the other one, they allow to identify some success patterns regarding key activities, key resources, channel mix strategy, costs management, value proposition, customer segmentation, key partners and the way to obtain revenues. Results from the multiple-case study with 15 Italian start-ups provide interesting insights by comparing the innovative business models developed and highlighting key differences and similarities. Overall, the start-ups analyzed, operating in several sectors, showed great growth prospects and the possibility to create value for their customers through innovative products and services offered through digital platforms.

scholarly journals Exploring added value through the service process: a comparative multiple case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1249-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Pekkola ◽  
Juhani Ukko
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
The Other ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Service Process ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mystery Shopping ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Market Leader

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to evaluate how the service process of the market leader differs from the other actors’ processes and whether the service process explains the success of the market leader; second, to identify the success factors of the service process; and third, to test and analyse how the mystery shopping method works as a measurement tool to evaluate the service processes, including the quality of such processes. Design/methodology/approach – The case study focuses on the service processes of kitchen fitments. The paper is an explorative multiple case study. The results of the study are based on seven service processes of seven different kitchen fitment stores in Finland. The mystery shopping method has been utilised in an empirical data collection process. Findings – The study revealed the most important factors in the service process that differentiate the market leader from the other operators. The results indicated that there are three main aspects highlighted in the market leader’s service process. The results also reveal that mystery shopping is a workable tool for analysing service processes. Practical implications – The study identifies the key factors that affect the success of the service process of kitchen fitments companies. By developing these factors, companies can increase service quality. The results also reveal that the mystery shopping method can be a workable tool to evaluate service processes. Originality/value – The study reveals the most important factors in the service process that differentiate the market leader from the other operators. It can be stated that these factors also explain their success. Thus, the results of the study are applicable at least in companies which operate in the kitchen fitments industry. Furthermore, the results can be utilised to some extent in companies which are developing their service processes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document