scholarly journals A Meta-Theoretical Approach into the Determinants of Internal Psychological Resources for Entrepreneurs

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-200
Author(s):  
Vikramsing Gungah

This study, which was conducted in the context of a Small Island Developing state economy, adopts exploratory, meta-theoretical, and inter-disciplinary stances to examine determinants of internal psychological resources for entrepreneurs. It contributes to existing literature and methodology through its innovative interdisciplinary theoretical framework and the use of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) in the field of entrepreneurship. Questionnaires were randomly distributed among 711 entrepreneurs, of which 539 were deemed useful for analytical purposes. EFA was used to identify factors that determine fundamental internal psychological resources for entrepreneurs. The Kaiser-Meyer Olkin coefficient of 0.85 justified the sample size for the use of EFA. The highly significant Barlett’s test (p<0.0001) showed the presence of adequately correlated items to form clusters. A coefficient of 0.00033 on the inverse of correlation matrix ruled out the possibility of multicollinearity issues among the six key EFA constructs of internal psychological resources for entrepreneurs. Inner Strength which originates from the field of medicine is surprisingly revealed as the leading internal psychological resource valued by entrepreneurs, followed by Entrepreneurial Aspirations, Entrepreneurial Alertness, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Self-leadership, and Risk Orientation. Two other concepts (Psychological capital and Sense of Coherence) which were initially included in the theoretical framework were eliminated during the EFA because the Scree plot did not support their retention and contributed to multicollinearity issues. This study has several practical and policy implications which will enable governments and entrepreneurs to contribute more effectively and more accurately to the entrepreneurial process.

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazar Stankov

Abstract. This paper presents the results of a study that employed measures of personality, social attitudes, values, and social norms that have been the focus of recent research in individual differences. These measures were given to a sample of participants (N = 1,255) who were enrolled at 25 US colleges and universities. Factor analysis of the correlation matrix produced four factors. Three of these factors corresponded to the domains of Personality/Amoral Social Attitudes, Values, and Social Norms; one factor, Conservatism, cut across the domains. Cognitive ability showed negative correlation with conservatism and amoral social attitudes. The study also examined gender and ethnic group differences on factor scores. The overall interpretation of the findings is consistent with the inside-out view of human social interactions.


GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 133-145
Author(s):  
Dr. S. S. Nirmala ◽  
Dr. N. Kogila ◽  
T. Porkodi

The present study is focusing on the professional stress on organisation among the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) of Indian Military Intelligence. 384 samples of Military Intelligence personnel will be taken for this study. Sources of data is Primary data include a structured questionnaire. Data was collected through structured questionnaire and measure through Likert’s scale, using KMO measure of sampling adequacy, Cronbach’s alpha for checking internal consistency, Bartlett sphericity test for testing the null hypothesis and various factor analysis including Eigenvalues, Extract square Sum loading, variance percent and Accumulation percent values relative comparison and Correlation matrix will be used as tools to arrive at desired results and statistical interpretations. The hypotheses put for test and the resultant values at 0.01 and 0.05 (for different factors) clearly indicated that there is an existence of association between different level of cadres and professional stress among personnel of Indian Military Intelligence. The authority who can formulate the rules and regulations and binding them on the lower cadres and professions to accept and adopt.


2021 ◽  
pp. 227868212110451
Author(s):  
Asif Ali ◽  
Ashok Aima ◽  
Jaya Bhasin ◽  
Robert D. Hisrich

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) refers to entrepreneurial activities of established and existing firms. It is different from individual entrepreneurial orientation (Popov et al., 2019, Education + Training, vol. 61, pp. 65–78). EO refers to the processes, practices, and decision-making activities that lead to new venture creation (Walter et al., 2006, Journal of Business Venturing, vol. 21, pp. 541–567). The EO scale by Lumpkin and Dess (1996, Academy of Management Review, vol. 21, pp. 135–172) consists of innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking, competitive aggressiveness, and autonomy. This scale is widely used in literature with major drawback of it being developed and evaluated in a developed economy (the USA) on large corporations. Very little literature is available with reference to validation of EO scales in developing economies, particularly India where firms are generally small. New Comprehensive Entrepreneurial Orientation Scale (CENTORES) has been developed and validated by adding additional dimension of strategic flexibility, which is the novelty of the present study. Data were collected using a survey instrument comprising of 19 items. The scientific scale development procedure as suggested by Schwab, (1980) was followed, first an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was done to explore factors and later confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was done to confirm factors (using SPSS and Amos). Six stable factors emerged from EFA which were subsequently confirmed through CFA. The measurement model confirmed the factors with good model fit indices as suggested by Hair et al. (2014). The model has CMIN/df = 2.237, CFI = 0.917, GFI = 0.928, NFI = 0.882, and RMSEA = 0.052


Author(s):  
Samuel Adomako ◽  
Albert Danso ◽  
Nathaniel Boso ◽  
Bedman Narteh

An ability to act upon an entrepreneurial opportunity is a major driver of new venture success. However, scholarly knowledge is limited on how and when entrepreneur alertness to entrepreneurial opportunities drives new venture success. This article addresses this gap arguing that variations in new venture performance are a function of levels of entrepreneurial alertness and networking capabilities. Using primary data gathered from 203 new ventures operating in a sub-Saharan African economy, Ghana, we find that increases in the levels of entrepreneurial alertness are related to increases in new venture performance. Additionally, we find that, under conditions of increased use of social and business networking capabilities, the potency of entrepreneurial alertness as a driver of new venture success is amplified. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications of these findings are discussed.


Author(s):  
Sylvie Vincent-Höper ◽  
Mareike Adler ◽  
Maie Stein ◽  
Claudia Vaupel ◽  
Albert Nienhaus

Although evidence reveals severe effects of sexual harassment on care workers’ mental health, there is a scarcity of studies that investigate care workers’ experiences of sexually inappropriate behavior from patients or clients. One reason for this lack of research is that validated measures that assess different types of sexual harassment experienced by employees working with patients or clients are lacking. In this study, we seek to establish a conceptual framework for investigating extraorganizational sexual harassment in healthcare work. Based on this theoretical framework, we developed and validated a measure for assessing sexually harassing behaviors from patients or clients. Data were gathered from heterogeneous samples of employees working in a variety of settings in healthcare. To evaluate the factorial structure of the measure, we conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using a calibration sample (N = 179) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a cross-validation sample (N = 305). The construct validity of the measure was demonstrated by investigating relationships with indicators of care workers’ mental health. EFA revealed three factors, namely, nonverbal, verbal, and physical acts of sexual harassment. Examination of the measure comprising 14 items revealed acceptable internal consistencies and substantial correlations with indicators of care workers’ mental health. This study provides a useful and sound measure for assessing sexual harassment from patients or clients and paves the way for the development of a comprehensive theoretical framework for the assessment of sexual harassment. Furthermore, it facilitates future investigations of risk factors for sexual harassment and protective factors helping healthcare workers cope with sexual harassment from patients or clients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazem Ramadan Ismael ◽  
Clare Roberts

Purpose This study aims to identify the factors that lead non-financial companies listed in the UK to use an internal audit function (IAF) as a monitoring mechanism. Although the use of an IAF in the UK is voluntary, no prior research has examined the drivers for using one. Design/methodology/approach Financial and non-financial data were collected from the annual reports of 332 UK non-financial companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Main Market. Univariate tests and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to test the research hypotheses. A theoretical framework based on both agency theory and transaction cost economics (TCE) theory was used to explain the economic factors affecting the use of an IAF. Findings The study provides evidence that firm size, level of internal risks, agency problem between owners and managers and existence of an effective audit committee are associated with the existence of an IAF. Thus, the need to have strong internal control and risk management systems and to reduce both internal and external agency costs drives companies to have an IAF. These results suggest the importance of IAF as an internal corporate governance tool and the effectiveness of UK governance regulations in monitoring the effectiveness of internal control systems. Practical implications Given the importance of the IAF’s corporate governance role, the study provides some policy implications. Regulators should pay more attention to the issue of maintaining an IAF, especially by large companies, the relationship between the IAF and other governance parties, especially the audit committee, and the disclosure of more relevant information about the IAF’s characteristics and practices. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the factors affecting the existence of the IAF within the UK’s distinctive regulatory approach of “comply or disclose reasons”. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical framework that explains how both the agency theory and TCE theory can interpret the adoption of internal audit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naqeeb Ur Rehman ◽  
Arjona Çela ◽  
Fatbardha Morina ◽  
Kriselda Sulçaj Gura

PurposeWestern Balkans countries (WBCs) have a great potential for growth and among the main focuses of entrepreneurial activity is small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector. Moreover, SMEs are believed to contribute in the economy by stimulating employment, increasing production, transferring new technologies and so forth. Due to this crucial importance the purpose of this paper is to analyze the barriers that hinder labor productivity (LP) of SMEs in WBCs.Design/methodology/approachThe research method employed to discover solution to this research problem is quantitative analysis by using survey data of World Bank. Research methodology applied in this paper found it correctly to use cross-sectional data and conducts a factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression as the best procedure for this type of data.FindingsThe results show variability for different countries access to finance, tax rates, tax administration, corruption, inadequately educated labor force, competition in informal sector and political instability appear to be some of the main obstacles that are negatively affecting LP of SMEs in WBC.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis better results could be obtained with larger samples and panel data.Practical implicationsThe policy implications of this study suggest that in order to boost productivity of these firms there must be a reduction of the barriers and improvement of business environment. Although, this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis and contributes as insight to policy makers, better results could be obtained with larger samples using panel data.Originality/valueDifferently from previous studies this work uses explanatory factor analysis and method OLS to estimate regressions for all barriers in each country of Western Balkan region.


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