Is entrepreneurship an emerging area of research? A computational response

Objective: We aim to answer four questions. First, with the increasing number of publications, is there a concentration in specific subjects, or on the contrary, a dispersion, amplifying the span of themes related to entrepreneurship? Second, is there a hierarchy of subjects, in the sense that some of them constitute the “core” of entrepreneurship? Third, are they connected with other established research areas? Finally, it is possible to identify papers that are influential, acting as hubs in the cluster’s formation? Method: We developed an original version of the computational procedure proposed by Shibata et al (2008), which allows us to understand the diversity of the different sub-areas of the topic investigated, reducing the need for specialist supervision. Originality / Relevance: We developed and applied a method to capture the formation and evolution of research areas in entrepreneurship literature, via direct citation networks, allowing us to understand the iteration between the different research sub-areas. Results: The dispersion is a feature of entrepreneurship as field research, with a hierarchy between research areas, indicating an emergent organization in the expansion processes. We concluded that research on entrepreneurship consists of specialization, that is, by application in niches.

Undertaking a business or not? Which is the best option? Analysis of the entrepreneurial intention profile of employees of startups and information technology companies in Rio Grande do Sul

Purpose: to investigate the entrepreneurial intention profile of the employees of startups and small companies in the technology segment of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, when they working to an organization. Methodology: descriptive research, using a quantitative approach, using the survey method. The data collection instrument was the questionnaire, based on the model by Kristiansen & Indarti (2004). Findings: the results demonstrate that more than 60% of the respondents intend to undertake, especially when perceiving themselves as a desired professional in the job market. Theoretical contributions: the study contributes theoretically to studies of entrepreneurial intent in Brazil, mainly because it provides a view outside the sphere of higher education institutions, the setting for most of the studies already published. Originality: when conducting a survey of data on Startups and Small Companies in the Technology segment, in the State of Rio Grande de Sul, it was found a small number of employees involved in the operations of these businesses, but with a good percentage interested in undertaking. Contributions to management: the study contributes to the advance of management in the sectors of startups and the technology area of Rio Grande do Sul, by identifying that incentive work and skills development can generate new business partnerships within the startups themselves, generating growth and competitive potential.

Entrepreneurship and innovation in informal productive enterprises: Development of process innovation in a floral arrangement company

Purpose: reporting a process innovation in an informal productive enterprise, inserted in the field of parties, ceremonies and events décor, involving floral arrangements. Methodology: qualitative-descriptive study, with information being obtained through documentary research and case study. Originality/Relevance: this study analyzes an informal productive business, whose practice improvement was conducted based on technological resources. It is relevant because there are only few studies dedicated to technological development, and that thematize the most frequent type of productive enterprise in Brazil. Findings: the process innovation that was conducted has enabled a greater productive efficiency, as well as health, safety and hygiene in the workplace, since it has reduced costs and manufacturing time; and it has eliminated unnecessary procedures that result from the manual method. Theoretical/Methodological Implications: the innovation, developed and described heading from the theories and methodological approach used, in addition to promoting improvement in the ability of adapting to different customer demands, has added an element to the process innovation effects foreseen by Oslo Manual. Social Implications: in parallel to the operational results pointed out, the academic activity has enabled the improvement of economic enterprise that belong to settings and groups in social disadvantage.

Strategic role of IT and IT governance mechanisms for the context of small and medium enterprises

The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the economy is indisputable. However, these companies face great challenges to continue operating. Among them is the use of IT resources and the return on investments made. Using agency theory as a theoretical lens, this article aims to assess the relationship between the strategic use of IT in small and medium-sized companies and the IT governance mechanisms used in the context. From a survey of 68 companies in the service sector, it was possible to identify that relational IT governance mechanisms are more present in the context than structural or procedural mechanisms. It was also possible to identify that information technology, in the context, has a more operational use. Finally, using the Spearman coefficient and the Logistic Regression analyses, it was found that higher strategic levels of IT use led to greater use of governance mechanisms in the three dimensions, structural, procedural, and relational, which corroborates the view that governance is achieved from a mix of formal and informal elements.

Intellectual property protection by incubated companies: Using formal and non-formal methods

Objective: to verify and characterize the use of formal and non-formal methods to protect intellectual property by incubated companies that operate in the health sector. Methodology/approach: bibliographic research, research with primary sources, and comparative study of the interaction of organizations with the environment. The incubated companies' primary source information was obtained through face-to-face interviews in field research carried out at the Celta incubator, in Florianópolis/SC, Brazil. Main results: there was an intense use of non-formal methods by the companies studied. The literature adequately predicted non-formal methods adopted by companies. It was also identified that regularity in certifications with Anvisa – Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency, constitutes an important complementary asset for the appropriation of intellectual property (Teece, 1986) for the companies studied. Theoretical/methodological contributions: identification of the use of non-formal methods by companies and their composition of use with formal methods contributes to the advancement of literature and business practice. Relevance/originality: this study emphasized research on the use of non-formal methods to protect intellectual property by incubated companies, a topic little explored in the literature. Social and practical contribution: the use of non-formal methods is of particular interest to small and medium-sized companies because their implementation is under the company's control and, also, because they circumvent the time and costs incurred in the formal registration. It is recommended to expand the understanding concerning the role of complementary assets (Teece, 1986) for technology-based companies.

The Canadian experience from the perspective of Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurship in Toronto

Objective: The study aims at analyzing the socio-demographic profile of Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurship in Toronto, its entrepreneurial behavioral traits, in addition to their business profiles. Methodology/approach: This research is multi-method, with qualitative predominance, being exploratory-descriptive. For data-collection it was conducted a survey and further deepening with face-to-face interviews and field observations. Main results: The majority declared themselves to be from the Brazilian Southeast, white, 35 to 49 years old, married, with children, high academic and professional background. The influence of the state of social malaise in Brazil and the official Canadian discourse, seem to act as factors of "expulsion-attraction" to migration. The job condition of unemployment upon immigrants’ arrival can “push” them into necessity-driven entrepreneurship, although there are also ventures that have identified opportunities. Most of the businesses are small and operate in the service sector, concentrated on the West End of Toronto. In many businesses, there was a strong search for identification with the ethnic community itself, which suggests the formation of 'enclave economy', but in some cases, the main market for local consumers was targeted. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The article highlights the importance of conducting a multi-method research to understand possible entrepreneurial configurations by Brazilian immigrants. Relevance / originality: the article has academic relevance given the scarce work on the theme of Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurship overseas. Truly little is known about this phenomenon in Canada. Social and management contributions: The entrepreneurial trajectories described minimize risks for future immigrants; in addition, the discussion about the social capital of the ethnic community allows comparisons with the business of Brazilians in other countries.

Individual microentrepreneurs and economic development in the municipalities of São Paulo from 2010 to 2014

Study Aims: to analyze the significant relationship contribution of Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEI) in the socioeconomic development of São Paulo municipalities in the period from 2010 to 2014. Methodology: quantitative approach, of an explanatory nature, with documentary research on data from 637 municipalities in the state of São Paulo. Based on the studies by Silva & Porto Júnior (2006) and Caldarelli & Perdigão (2018), the Gross Domestic Product (Municipal GDP) and the Firjan Municipal Development Index (IFDM) were defined as dependent variables and the total of Existing MEIs per municipality. Main results: there were evidenced positive and significant coefficients of MEI´s in 24 municipalities in São Paulo with low and medium socioeconomic growth, in 2014. Methodological contributions: use of the Quantile Regression technique, more appropriate to estimate independent variables categorized by high variability, as demonstrated in the studies by Hao & Naiman (1949), Santos (2012), Das, Krzywinski & Altman (2019) and Koenker & Hallock (2001). Relevance and originality: the study expands, in part, the understanding of previous studies on the different relationships pointed out between the MEI, the GDP and the IDFM of municipalities in different categories of municipal socioeconomic development. Contributions to management: public managers, from both small and medium or large cities, based on differentiated actions consistent with each context, have a policy of fostering and supporting the creation of micro and small businesses with one of the effective ways to enhance and impact socioeconomic development.

Product innovation performance: Analysis of measures and measurement scales applied to SMES.

Objective: The article presents the analysis of measures and scales of product innovation performance adopted in studies on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Methodology/approach: It is an exploratory and qualitative descriptive research. The methodology consists of a systematic bibliographic review, examining articles from the Capes database, published from 1990 to December 2020. Main results: The research identified 92 articles addressing product innovation performance. Objective measures (proxies) were used in 41 of them, while 51 adopted psychometric scales. Among the studies analyzed, 7 different psychometric scales were developed to measure product innovation performance in SMEs. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The growing research on the importance of innovation management in SMEs emphasizes the need to measure the performance of organizations’ actions to innovate. However, the measures adopted to assess product innovation performance still diverge regarding the form, involving different variables. This research’s findings intend to direct researchers to appropriated measures in studies involving SMEs. Relevance/originality: The concern on product innovation has grown in recent years especially due to the urgent need for innovation. In this context, it is crucial to expand the knowledge on tools to analyze product innovation performance. Social/management contributions: The article offers information and tools for SME managers to analyze the measurement of product innovation performance.

Interface between entrepreneurial orientation, strategic planning and budget: Configurations for high performance

Study objective: To analyze and identify the configurations capable of promoting high organizational performance, based on the relationship between innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness and strategic planning and budget. Methodology/approach: Data collected by survey with companies linked to the Chamber of Commerce, belonging to one of the municipalities with the highest development rates in Brazil; and analyzed using the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) technique. Main Results: The findings indicate that innovativeness is necessary and proactiveness is almost always necessary to promote high organizational performance. For this, three solutions (S) are sufficient: the presence of innovativeness and proactiveness (S1); the presence of innovativeness, risk-taking and strategic planning and budget (S2); and the absence of risk-taking, as well as strategic planning and budget (S3). Theoretical and Methodological Contributions: Theoretically, the findings add the budgetary perspective to the discussion on strategic planning, entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance. Relevance/originality: The study is relevant, as it permits the identification of the strategic planning and budget interface in detriment to EO elements, which is in accordance with the causal conditions that promote high performance. Social/management contributions: This study brings new meanings to the pertinence of the interface between entrepreneurial elements and the strategic planning and budget, highlighting possible configurations for organizations to reach a high performance level.

The colors of entrepreneurship in Brazil: Effects of ethnicity on income, from a behavioral perspective

Objective: To analyze whether the behavioral logic of decision-making could mitigate the effects of ethnic prejudice on the entrepreneur’s income. Method: Based on the theme of entrepreneurship by necessity and the effectuation theory, we prepared a survey with 107 entrepreneurs in Brazil, considering different socioeconomic aspects capable of mitigating or accentuating such effects. We used correlation analysis and linear regression to examine the data collected, with socioeconomic variables considered control variables. Originality/Relevance: The study contemplates the predominant logic of entrepreneurial behavior and the necessity entrepreneurship in discussing the effects of ethnic prejudice on the income of those who undertake it. Results: The results corroborate the research developed by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, indicating that the ethnic condition has harmful effects on the entrepreneur’s gain due to prejudice but indicates partial mitigation of such effects on the behavioral logic adopted by the entrepreneur. Theoretical/methodological contributions: This study points out how the interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurial behavior can also cause positive results in the earnings of the entrepreneur, although the effects of prejudice are not fully mitigated, even if there is an effort in planning or using the knowledge, skills, and networking of the entrepreneur. Social/managerial contributions: Behavioral characteristics in decision-making (causation or effectuation) can mitigate the effects of ethnic prejudice on the entrepreneur’s income. Although not statistically significant, these characteristics have the potential to provide information for the construction of affirmative public policies for insertion and entrepreneurial education.