scholarly journals THE INTERNATIONAL ENTRY CHOICES OF ITALIAN SMES IN EMERGING MARKETS: A CASE-BASED ANALYSIS

Ekonomika ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Cannavale ◽  
Elena Laurenza

The paper addresses the factors influencing the SMEs’ entry choices in international markets and explores two factors: one related to the external environment and one dependent on firms. The first factor is the institutional context as the whole of formal and informal rules of the country target. The second is the market commitment, intended as resources committed in a particular market area: the experience firms get in foreign markets and a general attitude to maintain the international presence for a long period are the main sources of market knowledge. The aim of the study is to understand the effect of company-specific factors and of context-specific factors, namely the market commitment and institutional context, on SMEs’ entry choice mode in foreign markets. The paper develops a multiple case study analysis of four small international Italian firms. Built on the institutional theory and on the market commitment construct, the paper offers a conceptual model that shows that the institutional context strongly influences the amount of resources involved in the internationalization process, while the market commitment affects more the complexity – and intensity – of the process.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. van Zelm ◽  
E. Coeckelberghs ◽  
W. Sermeus ◽  
A. Wolthuis ◽  
L. Bruyneel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Specific factors that facilitate or prevent the implementation of enhanced recovery protocols for colorectal cancer surgery have been described in previous qualitative studies. This study aims to perform a concurrent qualitative and quantitative evaluation of factors associated with successful implementation of a care pathway (CP) for patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Methods This comparative mixed methods multiple case study was based on a sample of 10 hospitals in 4 European countries that implemented a specific CP and performed pre- and post-implementation measurements. In-depth post-implementation interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals who were directly involved. Primary outcomes included protocol adherence and improvement rate. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and self-rated protocol adherence. The hospitals were ranked based on these quantitative findings, and those with the highest and lowest scores were included in this study. Qualitative data were summarized on a per-case basis using extended Normalization Process Theory (eNPT) as theoretical framework. The data were then combined and analyzed using joint display methodology. Results Data from 381 patients and 30 healthcare professionals were included. Mean protocol adherence rate increased from 56 to 62% and mean LOS decreased by 2.1 days. Both measures varied greatly between hospitals. The two highest-ranking hospitals and the three lowest-ranking hospitals were included as cases. Factors which could explain the differences in pre- and post-implementation performance included the degree to which the CP was integrated into daily practice, the level of experience and support for CP methodology provided to the improvement team, the intrinsic motivation of the team, shared goals and the degree of management support, alignment of CP development and hospital strategy, and participation of relevant disciplines, most notably, physicians. Conclusions Overall improvement was achieved but was highly variable among the 5 hospitals evaluated. Specific factors involved in the implementation process that may be contributing to these differences were conceptualized using eNPT. Multidisciplinary teams intending to implement a CP should invest in shared goals and teamwork and focus on integration of the CP into daily processes. Support from hospital management directed specifically at quality improvement including audit may likewise facilitate the implementation process. Trial registration NCT02965794. US National Library of Medicine, ClinicalTrials.gov. Registered 4 August 2014.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 1171-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen Schmidt

In the aftermath of a crisis situation, citizen volunteers play an important role by providing first aid and immediate relief. Little is known about how response organizations are successful in governing citizen volunteers. I propose that, due to the spontaneous and emergent nature of convergence by citizen volunteers on disaster sites, it matters how response organizations resolve governance dilemmas when engaging with citizen volunteers. I theorize that specific responses to governance dilemmas likely lead to successful governance outcomes. To illustrate the argument, I have conducted a multiple case study analysis of the Dutch response to the 2015-2016 refugee crisis.


Author(s):  
Crispin R. Coombs ◽  
Neil F. Doherty ◽  
John Loan-Clarke

The factors that influence the ultimate level of success or failure of systems development projects have received considerable attention in the academic literature. However, despite the existence of a ‘best practice’ literature many projects still fail. The record of the National Health Service has been particularly poor in this respect. The research reported in this paper proposes that two additional factors; user ownership and positive user attitudes warrant further development and investigation. The current study investigated these two factors in a homogenous organizational sector, Community NHS Trusts, using a common type of information system, in order to eliminate the potentially confounding influences of sector and system. A multiple case-study design incorporating five Community Healthcare Trusts was utilized. The key results from the analysis indicated that both user ownership and positive user attitudes were important mediating variables that were crucial to the success of a CIS. In addition, it was also identified that the adoption of best practice variables had a dual role, directly influencing the level of perceived success but also facilitating the development of user ownership and positive user attitudes. These results will be of particular interest to practising IM&T managers in the NHS and also to the wider academic research community.


2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 107-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
LIMPHO LETSELA ◽  
ANDRE PELSER ◽  
MAITLAND SEAMAN

Sustainability assessment processes are increasingly being applied towards integration of the sustainability agenda within diverse decision-making jurisdictions. This paper seeks to contribute insights from a process undertaken within rural areas in Lesotho. A learning-by-doing and people-centred approach was explored within a qualitative multiple case study to integrate biodiversity considerations within the broader livelihoods sustainability context. Stakeholders collectively determined interpretations, aspirations and priorities for action planning and pathways that sustain biodiversity. This process yielded a functional context-specific sustainability assessment framework to guide stakeholders when embarking on biodiversity interventions that enhance supply of ecosystem services in and outside protected areas. However, the effectiveness of the process requires that it should be nested within an enabling environment characterised by relevant international and national biodiversity policy and strategic frameworks, decision- making structures, funding, tools and expertise, sensitisation and capacity-building.


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