scholarly journals Absorptive Capacity: Scale Development and Implications for Future Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Chauvet

In response to recent criticism concerning Absorptive CAPacity (ACAP) research we developed a new measure of this concept. Unlike past empirical studies that used proxies, this work tries to take advantage of past research in considering ACAP as a multilevel and multidimensional construct. This article, based on a large literature review, tries to fill this gap in developing and testing a scale of ACAP, composed of four factors and 18 items, that meets main validity and reliability criteria. We believe this research contributes to develop our understanding concerning ACAP and hope it facilitates the emergence of a new approach of the concept.

Author(s):  
Florentine U. Salmony ◽  
Dominik K. Kanbach

AbstractThe personality traits that define entrepreneurs have been of significant interest to academic research for several decades. However, previous studies have used vastly different definitions of the term “entrepreneur”, meaning their subjects have ranged from rural farmers to tech-industry start-up founders. Consequently, most research has investigated disparate sub-types of entrepreneurs, which may not allow for inferences to be made regarding the general entrepreneurial population. Despite this, studies have frequently extrapolated results from narrow sub-types to entrepreneurs in general. This variation in entrepreneur samples reduces the comparability of empirical studies and calls into question the reviews that pool results without systematic differentiation between sub-types. The present study offers a novel account by differentiating between the definitions of “entrepreneur” used in studies on entrepreneurs’ personality traits. We conduct a systematic literature review across 95 studies from 1985 to 2020. We uncover three main themes across the previous studies. First, previous research applied a wide range of definitions of the term “entrepreneur”. Second, we identify several inconsistent findings across studies, which may at least partially be due to the use of heterogeneous entrepreneur samples. Third, the few studies that distinguished between various types of entrepreneurs revealed differences between them. Our systematic differentiation between entrepreneur sub-types and our research integration offer a novel perspective that has, to date, been widely neglected in academic research. Future research should use clearly defined entrepreneurial samples and conduct more systematic investigations into the differences between entrepreneur sub-types.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Macdonald ◽  
Briony Birdi

Purpose Neutrality is a much debated value in library and information science (LIS). The “neutrality debate” is characterised by opinionated discussions in contrasting contexts. The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the literature by bringing these conceptions together holistically, with potential to deepen understanding of LIS neutrality. Design/methodology/approach First, a literature review identified conceptions of neutrality reported in the LIS literature. Second, seven phenomenographic interviews with LIS professionals were conducted across three professional sectors. To maximise variation, each sector comprised at least one interview with a professional of five or fewer years’ experience and one with ten or more years’ experience. Third, conceptions from the literature and interviews were compared for similarities and disparities. Findings In four conceptions, each were found in the literature and interviews. In the literature, these were labelled: “favourable”, “tacit value”, “social institutions” and “value-laden profession”, whilst in interviews they were labelled: “core value”, “subservient”, “ambivalent”, and “hidden values”. The study’s main finding notes the “ambivalent” conception in interviews is not captured by a largely polarised literature, which oversimplifies neutrality’s complexity. To accommodate this complexity, it is suggested that future research should look to reconcile perceptions from either side of the “neutral non-neutral divide” through an inclusive normative framework. Originality/value This study’s value lies in its descriptive methodology, which brings LIS neutrality together in a holistic framework. This framework brings a contextual awareness to LIS neutrality lacking in previous research. This awareness has the potential to change the tone of the LIS neutrality debate.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Breznik ◽  
Robert D. Hisrich

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the relationship between dynamic capabilities and innovation capabilities. It links dynamic capability with innovation capability and indicates the ways they can be related. Design/methodology/approach – The relationships between dynamic and innovation capability were investigated through a systematic literature review. Findings – The review indicates that common characteristics exist between of the both fields, which demonstrate six relationships. Additionally, findings show some inconsistencies and even contradictions. Originality/value – In this paper, the authors have compared dynamic capabilities, a relatively new approach in the field of strategic management, with innovation capabilities, a widely recognised crucial domain for sustained competitiveness. Since both areas address issues that are essential to today's environment, future research should seek to clarify both concepts, by undertaking some new research and developing comprehensive and unambiguous framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Thanh Ha

This paper reviews the empirical studies on washback effects of assessment on language learning. The study begins with the definitions of washback, its equivalent terms, and dimensions of washback. Then it summarizes the empirical studies of washback on three most frequently investigated areas, namely learners’ motivation, behaviours, and achievement. Finally, it examines the mechanism by which washback on learning is generated. The findings show how complex and context-dependent test washback is and, based on these findings, the authors provide some recommendations for future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mokter Hossain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide state-of-the-art knowledge about business model innovation (BMI) and suggest avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review approach was adopted with thematic analysis being conducted on 92 articles. Findings The body of knowledge for this concept is in its infancy and is highly fragmented. This study therefore attempts to consolidate this fragmented knowledge. It reveals dominant themes, establishes coherence, and identifies conflicting arguments in the current literature. It also points out gaps in the research and highlights new directions for research. Research limitations/implications This study analyzed articles that were found based on a systematic literature review approach. Practical implications This study identifies some fundamental issues that managers need to understand regarding BMI. Originality/value The main value of this study lies in its synthesis of the current knowledge of BMI.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Thirumalesh Madanaguli ◽  
Puneet Kaur ◽  
Stefano Bresciani ◽  
Amandeep Dhir

Purpose Entrepreneurship in the rural hospitality and tourism sector (RHT) has received wide attention in the past decade. However, a systematic review on this topic is currently lacking. This study aims to track the progress of the RHT and entrepreneurship literature by examining the various thematic research areas, identifying the research gaps and forecasting avenues of future research on the topic. Design/methodology/approach This paper catalogs and synthesizes the body of literature from the year 2000–2020 using a systematic literature review methodology. After discussing a brief history of RHT and entrepreneurship, the current study presents a review of 101 research articles. Findings The review highlights that RHT and entrepreneurship have received relatively limited attention from entrepreneurship journals. The content analysis revealed different gaps and limitations in the understanding of entrepreneurship in RHT, including a predominance of qualitative studies with limited theoretically-grounded and generalizable empirical studies. Furthermore, a high concentration of studies is from European countries. Six main thematic research areas were identified, namely, barriers and enablers, the roles of an entrepreneur, women in RHT, influencers of firm performance, innovation and value creation and methodological commonalities. The review also advances an RHT entrepreneurship ecosystem framework to summarize the findings. Originality/value Six promising research avenues are outlined based on the six themes identified. The suggested research questions draw from allied literature on small and medium businesses, innovation, women entrepreneurship and institutions to encourage the interdisciplinary cross-pollination of ideas. The findings are summarized in a novel research framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-104
Author(s):  
Neha Bhatnagar

Purpose The purpose of this study is to review scholarly research on employability and skill gap in the context of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) education in India. This paper provides an overview of the critical themes and identifies research gaps for future investigations. Design/methodology/approach Published empirical studies were reviewed and thematically analysed using NVivo 11 Pro. Findings In addition to technical aptitudes and skills, organisations also seek other attributes that are associated with employability, such as communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills. Communication is an important skill frequently cited in the literature. Additionally, themes related to reasons for skill gaps are identified. Practical implications Soft skills and non-technical aptitudes should be emphasised in MBA education. Furthermore, significant reforms in MBA education programmes should be implemented in India to make graduates industry-ready. Originality/value Several studies have been carried out to verify the existence of and reasons for skill gaps amongst MBA graduates in India. Through integrative literature review, the issue of skill gap is discussed. Future research directions are also recommended in this paper.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Sahni ◽  
Chandranshu Sinha

Narrative as a method is an interpretive approach of sharing individual experiences and beliefs that facilitates knowledge and generates human responses. The purpose of this study is to review the body of literature available using narratology in organization studies. This article employs a systematic literature review of 186 research articles in 94 identified journals from the year 1995 to 2014 that were subsequently evaluated for analysis. The review identifies five different approaches used by the narrative researchers across disciplines—content analysis (case study method), structural analysis, oral narratives and personal narratives, their contribution and spread in organizations. This article attempts to reinforce the significance of taking narratives as a methodology in organizations by providing a systematic overview of past research works in organizational settings. The study also summarizes the analytical approaches of narrative analysis used in 186 articles, which might underpin the qualitative research and provide some practical advice for those who wish to use narrative analysis in future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREI MIKHAILOV ◽  
FERNANDA M. REICHERT

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to reveal how quantitative empirical studies approach the direct influence of absorptive capacity (AC) on innovation. The AC research field continues to be subject to the phenomenon of reification, since it is still quite scattered. Originality/value: The article contributes to AC’s theoretical approach by compiling a set of forces with AC’s direct influence on innovation. This evaluation has revealed detailed information about this relationship, such as the AC approach used and situations in which it acts as a moderating force in a relationship. Thus, we suggest a structure of influence of AC on innovation. Design/methodology/approach: Systematic literature review based on Tranfield, Denyer, and Smart’s (2003) method was applied. From an initial sample of 231 articles, 37 empirical studies were selected for analysis. We analyzed the AC’s influence on innovation in each paper, as well as the forces that affect that influence. Findings: The results suggest that AC dynamic approach may become dominant within AC and innovation literature, as the number of studies that use this approach grows constantly. However, the validated measurement models proposed by several AC scholars are still underused by most studies. Many empirical studies tend to adapt existing measurement models according to idiosyncratic research needs. In addition, as expected, we identified that intra-firm factors might be as important as environmental factors in transforming firms’ AC into innovation.


Author(s):  
Miloš Jevtić ◽  
Milica Jovanović ◽  
Jovan Krivokapić

This paper focuses on measuring the alignment of organizational elements. Although several authors have analyzed this topic, there are few papers in which they propose a concept for measuring the alignment of key elements of the organization. In previous research, the concept of alignment is usually defined through categorical variables and different organizational configurations are suggested. Thus, this paper aims to propose a new approach to measuring organizational elements and their alignment. Based on the literature review we determined the organizational model for conducting the research in companies listed on the top 300 companies in Serbia. On the sample of 57 respondents theresults confirmed the defined hypothesis by which the alignment of the organizational elements has the positive correlation with the organizational performance. In order to measure the organizational elements we defined the 7-level scale which enables measuring the alignment of organizational elements. The research results confirm that it is necessary to look at the solutions based on some organizational elements simultaneously. However, in order to confirm the validity and reliability of the results, it is necessary to conduct a research on a larger sampling frame, since the sample from this research is relatively small in comparison to the total population. The defined scale can be used as a control tool for checking the proposed organizational design solutions in practice. Also, the rules of alignment of organizational elements can be applied at different hierarchical levels in the organization, which will be the subject of future research of the authors.


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