scholarly journals Strategy tools in use

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-169
Author(s):  
Albana Berisha Qehaja ◽  
Enver Kutllovci

This paper examines the usage of strategy tools from the strategy-as-practice perspective. In general, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the use of strategy tools, particularly in transition economies. The comprehensive and up-to-date research is mainly concerned with the extent of their use and classification. Thus, academics have already highlighted the need to review their role, importance, and use. Accordingly, this research seeks to bridge the current gap between theoretical constructs and empirical proof of the use of strategy tools in enterprises. The study design used for this research is cross-sectional and data were obtained from 314 enterprises in the Republic of Kosova, using standardized survey-based questionnaires. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which strategy tools are used in Kosovan enterprises. It also aims to distinguish their use according to educational background of managers/owners, enterprise size and across different sectors. The results of this study reveal that Kosovan enterprises have a low usage rate of strategy tools. More precisely, the two most used strategy tools are SWOT analysis and vision and mission statements. This paper provides some important insights into strategy tools usage in the Republic of Kosova, as a transition economy. While it provides a better understanding and awareness of strategy tools usage, there are other possible study areas that could offer significant value in future research.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Orjon Xhoxhi ◽  
Domenico Dentoni ◽  
Drini Imami ◽  
Engjell Skreli ◽  
Olta Sokoli

PurposeIn contexts of transition economies generally characterized by weak formal institutions, a rich literature remarks the important role of informal institutions in fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems. Nevertheless, in the agricultural context, little is known yet about how and why institutions shape farmer entrepreneurship. To better understand how informal institutions shape farmer entrepreneurship, this paper investigates how farmers' trust towards their buyers influence their entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in the rural context of a transition economy.Design/methodology/approachA structured survey was conducted in June–July 2017 with Albanian dairy farmers. In total, 238 milk producers were interviewed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is employed to develop measures for the latent variables of the study (e.g. farmers' trust, EO), and an instrumental variable (IV) approach is employed to estimate the effect of farmers' trust towards the buyer on their EO, by using farmers' reciprocity as a suitable IV.FindingsEmpirical findings reveal that innovativeness, risk-taking and proactivity represent effective dimensions of farmers' EO also in the rural context of a transition economy. Furthermore, farmers' trust towards their buyers shapes their EO, and, at the same time, younger and wealthier farmers are more likely to have higher levels of EO.Research limitations/implicationsThe results show that there is an association between farmers’ wealth and their EO. This relationship can go both ways. However, cross-sectional studies are not appropriate to investigate feedback loops.Originality/valueThis study addresses a knowledge gap in the institution–entrepreneurship literature in transition economies, by making two contributions. First, it tests the measurement model for farmers' EO, an established psychological antecedent of farmers' entrepreneurial activity. Second, it tests the hypothesis that farmers' trust towards their buyers may influence their EO.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhelyu Vladimirov ◽  
Tzvetan Davidkov ◽  
Desislava Yordanova

It was acknowledged that institutional environment plays important role for shaping entrepreneurial behavior in transition economies. The present study investigates the influence of entrepreneurs’ perceptions of institutional environment on their entrepreneurial plans in a large representative sample from a transition economy. The findings reveal that institutional environment has a significant influence on entrepreneurial plans and that firm age and size moderate the effect of institutional environment on entrepreneurial plans. The paper provides recommendations for future research and a discussion of practical implications.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 1172-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artjoms Ivlevs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of remittances on informal employment in the migrants’ countries of origin, looking both at the remittance-receiving and non-migrant households. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a large survey conducted in six transition economies of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the determinants of three labour market outcomes – not working, working formally and working informally – are estimated in a multinomial probit model. The endogeneity of remittances is dealt with instrumental variables following the two-stage residual inclusion technique. To assess possible impact of remittances on non-migrant households, conditional correlations between the labour market outcomes of non-migrant households and the region-level share of remittance receivers are obtained. Findings Both correlational and instrumental variable analyses suggest that that receiving remittances increases the likelihood of working informally. At the regional level, high prevalence of remittances is associated with a higher likelihood of informal work among the non-migrant households. Migration and remittances may thus be contributing to informal employment in migration-sending countries. Research limitations/implications The empirical analysis is based on cross-sectional data, which do not allow isolating the effects of unobserved respondent heterogeneity. To deal with this issue, future research could use panel data. Originality/value The study explicitly considers the effects of remittances on formal and informal employment of remittances receivers as well as people who do not receive remittances. It advances the understanding of what drives informality in developing and transition economies.


Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Melanie Bozzay ◽  
Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Melissa Witmeier ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-185
Author(s):  
Daniela Moza ◽  
Laurențiu Maricuțoiu ◽  
Alin Gavreliuc

Abstract. Previous research established that an independent construal of the self is associated with higher self-esteem, which, in turn, is associated with increased happiness. Regarding the directionality of these relationships, theoretical arguments have suggested that self-construal precedes self-esteem and that self-esteem precedes happiness. However, most research in this area is cross-sectional, thus limiting any conclusions about directionality. The present study tested these relationships in 101 Romanian undergraduates using a 3-wave cross-lagged design with a 6-month time lag between every two waves. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that self-esteem is an antecedent of both happiness and dimensions of independent self-construal (i.e., consistency vs. variability and self-expression vs. harmony). In other words, one’s positive evaluation of self-worth precedes one’s self-perception as being a happy and independent person. The findings are discussed with respect to the theoretical and practical implications, along with limitations and suggestions for future research.


2009 ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rustamov

The article considers strategic issues of modernization of the transition economy. The analysis is based on the methodology of the World Economic Forum where special attention is paid to the sequence of the transformation stages. The main conclusion is that modernization should combine implementation of the governance mechanisms with the beneficial use of comparative advantages of the national culture. In fact, modernization of the transition economy should be evolutionary. It is precisely this course of development that is relevant for Azerbaijan which has successfully upgraded its economy in the recent years.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
B.V. Boytsov ◽  
◽  
G.S. Zhetessova ◽  
M.K. Ibatov ◽  
◽  
...  

The article discusses the methodology and provides the results of a multivariate SWOT analysis for a scientific and manufacturing educational process based on a set of regulatory and strategic documents, statistical data of the Republic of Kazakhstan; The main conclusions and description of the generated matrices for the subjects of interaction within the hierarchical triangle «Education – Science – Manufacturing (ESM)» are given.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Louise Witteman ◽  
Herman A. van Wietmarschen ◽  
Esther T. van der Werf

Due to the excessive use of antibiotic and antimycotic treatments, the risk of resistant microbes and fungi is rapidly emerging. Previous studies have demonstrated that many women with (recurrent) urinary tract infection (UTI) and/or vaginal infections (VIs) welcome alternative management approaches to reduce the use of antibiotics and antifungals and avoid short- and long-term adverse effects. This study aims to determine which complementary medicine (CM) and self-care strategies are being used by women suffering from (recurrent) UTI and VI in The Netherlands and how they perceive their effectiveness in order to define directions for future research on safety, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of best practices. A cross-sectional online survey was performed among women, ≥18 years old, with a history of UTIs; 162 respondents were included in the data analysis, with most participants aged between 50 and 64 years (36.4%). The women reported having consulted a CM practitioner for UTI-specific symptoms (23.5%) and VI-specific symptoms (13.6%). Consultations of homeopaths, acupuncturists, and herbal physicians are most often reported. Overall, 81.7% of the women suffering from UTI used complementary or self-care strategies besides regular treatment, and 68.7% reported using CM/self-care strategies to treat vaginal symptoms. UTI- related use of cranberries (51.9%), vitamin C (43.8%), and D-mannose (32.7%) were most reported. Perceived effectiveness was mostly reported for homeopathic remedies and D-mannose. The results showed a substantial burden of UTI and VI on daily and sexual activities. Besides the frequency of use, the indication of perceived effectiveness seems to be an important parameter for further and rigorously designed research to encourage nonantibiotic/antifungal treatment implementation into daily clinical practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
Abbey Hamlin ◽  
A Zarina Kraal ◽  
Laura Zahodne

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuki Sata ◽  
Renzhe Cui ◽  
Chifa Chiang ◽  
Singeru Travis Singeo ◽  
Berry Moon Watson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels. Results The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21–24 than in those aged 18–20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women). Conclusions Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.


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