Modeling the decision-making process of financial path transition from entrepreneur's perspective using a fuzzy cognitive mapping

PurposeThis study explores how entrepreneurs modify their financial path(s) and go beyond job security to attain greater financial freedom. The present work examines the cash-flow quadrant (CFQ) attributes and demonstrates the importance of the push-pull factors for an individual's quadrant transition in achieving financial freedom.Design/methodology/approachA hypothetical model and an abductive approach were used through regression models in a population sample of 260 Bahraini entrepreneurs. Fuzzy participatory cognitive mapping was also used to develop a conceptual model of financial path transition's decision making among entrepreneurs and study the impact of certain push-pull factors on the entrepreneurs' decisions.FindingsThe triangulated study identifies six categories of variables: financial freedom, workplace condition, independence, salary level, family life-building and retirement savings as key pull-push factors that significantly impact financial path transition's decision. Fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) extends our knowledge of the dynamics of CFQ transitions from a push-pull factor perspective. The results indicate no significant differences between the variables listed in the regression model and the fuzzy cognitive map model. Four categories of pull-push factors appeared as the entrepreneurs' top rankings when ordered by complexity, centrality scores and impact weight. These categories were workplace conditions, financial freedom, independence and salary level. The findings widen the scope of knowledge of each quadrant and rationalize how and why such factors impact quadrant decisions among Bahraini entrepreneurs.Originality/valueMany studies discuss the CFQ model and consider its quadrants a specific method for identifying a unique financial path to generate income. A shifting quadrant occurs when individuals want to change their financial path and move beyond job security to achieve more financial freedom. Although this transition is well-established in the literature, the factors accounting for the individual's transition across quadrants have not received enough attention. This study fills this gap and calls for more in-depth investigations of this area to better understand the dynamics of CFQ transitions from a push-pull factor perspective.

A comparative discourse of sustainable finance options for agribusiness transformation in Nigeria and Brunei: implications for entrepreneurship and enterprise development

PurposeThe growing adoption of sustainable finance for inclusive agribusiness requires a cross-country comparison. In this paper, a comparative discourse of sustainable finance (SF) options for agribusiness transformation in Nigeria and Brunei is attempted; as well as examining the implications on entrepreneurship and enterprise development in both countries.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research method was adopted for this cross-country comparative analysis. To gain deeper insight into agribusiness and SF, the authors sourced the required data from scholarly articles, texts, World Bank data (2000–2016), national policy documents, working papers, national development plan reports, and other online resources on agribusiness and SF. The authors adopted mixed data (non-numeric and numeric data) because they allow for combining content analysis and secondary data in quantitative analysis (Williams and Shepherd, 2017). This mixed method approach follows a three-stage, namely: Data sourcing, Data development and conversion and Data analysis.FindingsThis discourse based on the mixed data produced four findings. Firstly, it was found that both countries have different statuses in the agribusiness sector, but Brunei had better growth performance in the crop, food, livestock, cereal production indices compared to Nigeria. Secondly, the challenges facing agribusiness in both countries include inadequate funding, misuse/mismanagement of land resources, deployment of extractive farming practices, application of ozone-depleting chemicals and pesticides among others have harmed the vegetation, the farmland, and the chemistry of the ocean resulting in low productivity. Thirdly, the SF options that are suitable for agribusiness transformation are green loans, green bonds, green credit, green investment funds, green mortgage scheme and other green financial support instruments given mostly as grants, subsidies and tax reliefs. The key guidelines for entrepreneurs seeking SF options for agribusiness are Principles 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of the EPs.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that the analysis and interpretation of the findings are based on descriptive statistics. However, future research should consider using rigorous econometric tests such as the Co-Integration Test, Test of Causality and Inferential Statistics that would enhance stronger generalisation and prediction.Practical implicationsThe practical implication is that agribusiness transformation through sustainable finance options (SFOs) would bring about a structural change from the current subsistence agricultural practices to large-scale agriculture practices characterised by the deployment of agricultural information systems (AGRIS), precision agriculture and agricultural technologies. Flowing from the first implication, the nexus between agribusiness and SFOs will systematically improve agricultural productivity in the areas of crop production, fishing, livestock and forestry in both countries. Thirdly, an improved agribusiness would boost food production and availability thereby mitigating the rising trends in food insecurity, food inflation, food poverty, and ultimately will help actualize SDG 1(No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the literature on SF and agribusiness in emerging economies by identifying an inclusive strategy that matters for agribusiness transformation in high-income and low-income economies.

Rural women entrepreneurship: a systematic literature review and beyond

PurposeRural women entrepreneurship has been a domain attracting academicians and governments. This paper aims to to annotate existing literature in order to find a nexus between rural women and entrepreneurship using a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Further, it has a certain scope and direction of existing research by critically analysing the work published in the domain of rural women entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachOut of 213 documents, 192 were published during last 20 years till October 2020 in Scopus journals that were downloaded using the keywords “Women Entrepreneurship” OR “Female Entrepreneurs” OR “Women Entrepreneurs” OR “Female Entrepreneurship” AND rural were accepted for further processing. VOS-Viewer software has been used to present bibliometric analysis. A thematic analysis of top 10 papers and 26 open access papers has also been done.FindingsIt was found that research interest in the said domain gained momentum in the last decade only. India is the top country that is publishing maximum papers; the United Kingdom has the maximum citations. The existing studies have focussed on factors influencing entrepreneurship, impact of gender and role of government schemes in fostering entrepreneurship. It is recommended that future studies may explore few inadequately explored grey areas including impact of entrepreneurial education, microcredit and information technology on rural women entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis literature review article contributes to the existing literature by identifying the scope and direction of the existing literature. Further, it helps in identifying the least explored areas that can be taken up for the conduct of future research.

Determination of isolator damages in electric power transmission lines with continuous wavelet transform and multitape power spectrum density

PurposeDetection of deformation of devices in high voltage electricity transmission line systems is an important issue in terms of economy and reuse. This study is aimed to detect devices that are deformed or thought to have suffered due to environmental and electrical reasons.Design/methodology/approachIn this experimental study, it was ensured that the sound and deformed insulators used in energy transmission lines were determined by the analysis of the sounds obtained by using the impact method. Equal intensity impact was applied to the isolator using the pendulum and the resulting sound noise signal analyses were made using power spectral density (PSD), magnitude scalogram (MS), multitape power spectrum density (MPSD) and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) methods in the study. In the analysis results, the isolators that are not visible to the eye and have certain damage were successfully separated from the intact insulators. Especially, MPSD and CWT analysis results are quite satisfactory.FindingsDamage analysis of insulators used in electricity transmission lines has been made. A total of 40 insulators were examined in two categories in their group, both damaged and not damaged. Data collection system was established. The data obtained from the data collection system were analysed and compared using four analysis methods. PSD, MS, MPSD and CWT analyses were made in the study. All the analyses carried out generally contain features that distinguish damaged and undamaged insulators from each other, the most successful results are MS and CWT results. CWT results are very successful in terms of time and amplitude, and it has been proposed as a method that can be used to separate damaged and undamaged insulators.Originality/valueIt can be suggested as a result of experimental tests that the results of CWT analysis can be used in the pulse noise method in isolators to be tested for reuse in electrical power transmission lines.

Pathology of acceleration programs in corporate accelerators of Iran

PurposeThis study was designed to detect the failures in Iranian accelerators. This paper attempts to identify these effects from the perspective of accelerator managers and founders of startups. The main goals of this article are as follows: (1) What are the failures of Iran's acceleration programs from the perspective of accelerator managers? (2) What are the failures of Iran's acceleration programs from the perspective of startup teams? (3) What are some of failures of the acceleration programs that both groups agree on?Design/methodology/approachIt has been attempted to conduct semi-structured interviews with managers of corporate accelerators on the one hand and startups accelerated in these accelerators on the other. The interviewees were selected using snowball method and consisted of 9 accelerator managers out of 7 accelerators and 15 startups based on 5 accelerators. The analysis of the information extracted from the interviews and coding of the failure identified in the accelerators was performed using the thematic analysis method. In order to assess the validity of this study, an entrepreneurial doctoral student was asked to codify the interviews individually to compare the extracted codes.FindingsFinally, 34 problems have been identified that are divided into four main themes related to mentorship, acceleration program, acceleration structure and infrastructure and internal startup team problems. Overall, the greatest agreement among the failures identified as wrong orientation by untrained mentors, the lack of complementary in ability and skills of team members, the lack of knowledge of mentors, the lack of acceleration managers in entrepreneurship and the lack of a proper leader in startup teams.Originality/valueThis study aimed to investigate the failures of corporate accelerators in Iran as a developing country, which is the first survey in Iran. We have many researches about the pathology and identify failures of accelerators, but in corporate accelerators, little research has been done. The authors have a classification of failures in corporate accelerators by using thematic analysis. In this study, accelerators' managers and founders of startups were interviewed and 34 failures were identified.

Adoption of solar energy in India: a study through interpretive structural modelling

PurposeAdoption of solar energy plays an important role in the growth of a country. There are many factors which influence the adoption of solar energy in India. The study is designed to identify factors that determine the acceptance or rejection of solar energy systems in India.Design/methodology/approachRelationship among identified variables is established through interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and thus a conceptually validated model is evolved. Further, MICMAC analysis is conducted to understand the driving power and dependence of these variables.FindingsIt is revealed that experience and habit, awareness and social influence are the intermediary variables. MICMAC Analysis shows that no variable is disconnected from the system and all the variables influence the adoption of solar energy in India.Practical implicationsThe present study is expected to be useful to decision makers, end users and research organisations related to solar energy adoption.Originality/valueVarious intentional factors influencing solar energy systems adoption have been acknowledged in the present study, thus making it useful for formulation of action plans and enhance the usage of solar energy systems to improve environment quality.

Adoption and compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research recommended maize production practices in Ashanti region, Ghana

PurposeThere is a huge gap between actual and achievable yields of maize which threatens household food security in Ghana. Low adoption of improved maize production technologies coupled with poor compliance with Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recommended maize production practices is identified as the cause of low yields. This study assessed farmers' compliance with CSIR recommended production practices and its effects on yield.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey of 150 respondents were interviewed for the study. Descriptive statistics, awareness and compliance indices, probit model and Garret ranking technique were the methods of analysis employed in the study.FindingsThe results showed that farmers are highly aware, have adopted and hardly comply with standards of applications of CSIR recommended production practices. Farm size, age, educational level and female gender significantly influenced compliance with recommended production practices. Also, compliance with recommended production practices increase maize yield.Originality/valuePolicies aim at addressing yield gap in maize production should be targeted at improving farmers' level of compliance with production practices by addressing some constraints through farmer credit and subsidy programmes to help farmers increase their level of compliance. The fact that farmers have adopted recommended production practices does not necessarily mean they will have higher yields. The study generates important insights about how well farmers have been adhering to standards of adoption of recommended production practices.

Consumer social responsibility (CnSR): antecedents and tool validation

PurposeGlobal warming and drastic environment fluctuations have given rise to worldwide emergency, demanding to discover the most unexplored area in the field of social responsibility that is, consumer social responsibility (CnSR). This study aims to define the novel term “CnSR” and its antecedents to accomplish long-term sustainability. An in-depth analysis is executed to discover key antecedents, and proposed tool validation is implemented with the help of the big size of consumer population.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data are collated using consumer responses, and reliability statistics were analyzed implementing Cronbach's alpha, and factor analysis is performed for required validation.FindingsProbing existing research, CnSR was mostly correlated with consumers’ ethical and moral behavior. The present work proposes a unique tool which has successfully revealed a broader approach resulting in four vital antecedents: environmental orientation (EO), ethical and moral disposition (EMD), spiritual orientation (SO) and orientation toward shared consumption (OSC). Cronbach's alpha is adopted to determine internal consistency of the survey and has showed precision of 0.953 which affirms accuracy of the proposed tool.Research limitations/implicationsSplitting of EO using factor analysis into environmental oriented preference (EOP) and recyclable oriented preference (ROP) has indicated further required inputs for better understanding.Practical implicationsSustainable issues were limited to corporates in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Present work demands consumer awareness about their consumption consequences and fix their responsibility to achieve long-term sustainability.Originality/valueThe present study is the first to identify the antecedents of CnSR and effectively demonstrates a tool for the same.

Entrepreneurial opportunity recognition: a bibliometric overview and clustering analysis

PurposeEntrepreneurship is the driving force of countries for sustainable economic development. The importance of this issue is to the extent that in recent years, countries have made great efforts to develop their entrepreneurial ecosystem. But the starting point for entrepreneurship is when an opportunity is identified and the entrepreneur rises to use it. Accordingly, opportunity recognition will be the foundation of entrepreneurship and ultimately sustainable development. Given the importance of this topic, this paper attempts to provide a large picture of the studies conducted in this field.Design/methodology/approachGiven the importance of this topic, this paper attempts to provide a large picture of the studies conducted in this field by reviewing 868 articles published on the Web of Science database in the field of opportunity recognition. Accordingly, using statistical descriptions of articles, analyzing the communication network among elements such as authors, countries, institutions, keyword analysis in articles and examining their trends over time, identifying the most important articles using co-citation analysis and finally this macroimage has been mapped, clustered and identified in leading articles in the last decade by co-citation clustering.FindingsThe results of the clustering show that the five main clusters of recent decades have included entrepreneurial characteristics and opportunity recognition, macroeconomic opportunity recognition cluster (community and impact on economic development of the country), opportunity recognition process cluster, opportunity recognition cluster in serial and intra-entrepreneurship and opportunity recognition cluster in new venture internationalization.Originality/valueUsing a bibliometric analysis and co-citation analysis in the field of opportunity recognition and making a big picture of studies in this field of study is a contribution that can be used for future studies and researchers and managers in this field.

Sustainable innovation practices and the degree of innovation of business models in Brazilian industrial companies

PurposeThis study has aimed to analyze the relationship between the adoption of sustainable innovation practices and the degree of innovation of business models in Brazilian industrial companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study has been characterized as quantitative and comprised the conduction of a survey with Brazilian industrial companies.FindingsResults have shown that companies with a high degree of innovation in their business models invest more strongly in strategic dimensions of sustainable innovation, which in general involve stakeholders and cross the organization's internal boundaries, requiring proactive attitudes from the company, probably because this type of investment gives them greater competitiveness in their market and also requires a radical modification of their business model.Practical implicationsThis study seeks to present contributions to entrepreneurs and policy makers, in the face of the innovative and sustainable challenges imposed by society and the guidelines for sustainable development in order to reflect on positive impacts on local and global development.Social implicationsComprehending the behavior of industrial companies in Brazil in relation to sustainable innovation and its impact on society contributes to understanding the benefits of adopting a strategic management of sustainable innovation, minimizing negative socio-environmental impacts.Originality/valueBy analyzing the themes of sustainable innovation and business model, the present study may contribute to adopting business behavior that strategically and systemically integrates the objectives of sustainable innovation.