Corporate Entrepreneurship: A Literature Review and Future Research Perspectives

Background. Nowadays, corporate entrepreneurship (CE) is perceived as an essential approach to boost the innovation and creativity within existing organizations for achieving higher opportunities in the market. This paper examines this concept, which has been largely discussed in the Anglo-Saxon world over the last thirty years. Like for many other phenomena, also in case of CE, this discussion has provided numerous conceptualizations, and consequently, there is not one unique definition of CE. In this respect, the search for an appropriate basis for understanding and describing the phenomenon of CE engenders a challenging issue for entrepreneurship researchers. Research aims. This paper aims at creating a large platform for understanding the concept of CE by means of a clarification effort through the review of the most important papers in this field and identification of the existing research gaps. Methodology. Systematic literature survey is the applied methodology. EBSCO and Taylor & Francis database were used as a source for the sampling process. Key findings. The analysis does acknowledge the need for more qualitative and rigorous research in this field and brings several recommendations for the future studies. The main conclusions also do urge for a more diversified research in terms of the sectors discussed, as the biggest gap identified is in the services sector. There is also a need for a more structured classification of the measures, depending on the real research focus: CE antecedents or outcomes.

From Emerging to Developed Market: The Neoinstitutional Approach Based on the Case of Poland

Background. The issue of economic growth is still an important area of economic research. This topic is crucial for the economic sciences as well as for economic policy practice. Let this statement be the most important assumption in this arti­cle. Everything that happens in the economy concerns socio-economic phenomena. The main scientific problem comes down to the question of what is the role of in­stitutional factors in the socio-economic development of Poland? Research aims. The author set himself two main aims. The first aim is an at­tempt to present institutional determinants that affect the socio-economic devel­opment of the Polish economy. The second is an attempt to present the devel­opment of the Polish economy by setting it against the background of selected European countries. Methodology. This work uses a modified taxonomic development measure meth­od based on the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The research was embedded in the current of new institutional eco­nomics. The concept of the institutional matrix was also used. Key findings. Analyses conducted have facilitated the creation of an overview of the socio-economic development of the Polish economy. This was illustrated by the average socio-economic development index (ASEDI). Taxonomic measures of development were also calculated for all 10 of the economies analyzed. The main research time horizon is 2008–2018. Part of the collected data enabled anal­ysis of the period 1995–2018. The results of research and analyses have shown that selected institutional factors significantly affect the final level and quality of socio-economic development of Poland in comparison with selected European countries.

The Role of Securitization of National and Ethnic Minorities in the Management of Ethno-Politics in Eastern European Countries

Background. The increase in the complexity of the social and political situation of Eastern European countries raises questions about securitization of national and ethnic minorities and its impact on the management of ethno-politics in the coun­tries of the subregion. Ethnopolitical management corresponds to the security of the subregion. Research interest in securitization of minority affairs is current, especially after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Research aims. The purpose is to define the role of securitization of national and ethnic minorities issues in the management of ethno-politics in Eastern Europe­an countries. The research area encompasses: Belarus, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The author asks the following research questions: 1) What are the areas of securitization of the issues of national and ethic minorities concerned? 2) How does the securitization of the issues of national and ethnic minorities take place? 3) How does the securitization affect the process of ethnopolitical management in the studied countries? Methodology. An interdisciplinary research approach was applied, integrat­ing methods from political science, international relations and management. The conclusions from author’s own research carried out during foreign study trips in the years 2014–2017 were used. The literature has an interdisciplinary aspect. The realization of the goal is based on the application of a catalogue of research methods, including in detail, the following methods are mainly used in the re­search: system analysis; comparative method; behavioral method; a qualitative approach was also used in the realized research. The article uses the method of critical analysis of literature, where the concept of securitization is referred to. Key findings. The role of securitization of national and ethnic minorities in the management of ethnopolitics in the countries of Eastern Europe is diversi­fied (it concerns different minorities and different areas). Uncontrolled may lead to deepening of the subregion’s security crisis (inter alia, to ethnopolitical con­flicts), hindering the process of ethnopolitical management.

Cultural Embeddedness of Family Business Succession. The Perspective of Next Generation

Background. The succession of family business has become the topic most often investigated within the family business (FB) research. As we would like to under‑ stand the phenomena we need to recognize its specificity, mechanism of operation, determinants and consequences. In this case, a range of determinants of the pro‑ cess has been investigated so far. But, the flood of publications seems to focus on specific issues, leaving aside some important aspects of the problem. Research aims. The purpose of the research is to summarize up to date knowledge on the determinants of the succession, and identify possible gaps in research, and thus potential areas for future inquiry. We concentrate on the culture pre‑ vailing in the community the firms operate in as a potentially significant factor determining the behavior of players involved in succession. Methodology. The discussion undertaken in the paper is theoretical, based on deduction. The determinants of the process of succession are synthetized on the base of literature review. As there is no succession without successor, we concentrate on the younger generation perspective and try to cover the complexity of the issues involved. Findings. We show important gaps in the research on family business succession, and point at culture embeddedness of the businesses, and the large promising area of intercultural comparative studies for our understanding of succession. We also indicate the legitimacy of a broader view on management issues by setting the problems in a specific cultural environment. The synthesis suggests the necessity of research on cultural determinants of succession, based on comparative analysis of cases from different cultural background. Moreover, it rises doubts if regularities of an organization operations observed in one cultural background would have universal value.

Improving Management & Practice in Au Pair Industry: Systems Overview, from a Central Europe–U.S. Perspective

Recruiting agencies in Central Europe partner with various companies in the Unit­ed States to place young women and men (ages 18–26) from their countries into the homes of U.S. families as au pairs, i.e., live-in child care providers. Ideally, the arrangement combines cultural exchange with useful services, to the benefit of all. However, many “matches” do not go well. In over one-fourth of the cases surveyed for this paper, the au pair did not complete the agreed-upon stay with the U.S. host family, often leaving at the family’s insistence. These failures are harmful to the persons involved as well as to the Central European recruiting agencies and the U.S. companies they work with. This paper examines how suc­cess rates could be improved through better practices by all concerned. Success factors include: setting realistic expectations for au pair candidates and host families, coaching them for online interviews (including optimum use of the tech­nology), and providing strong follow-up support. Research for the paper included a survey of U.S. host families and comparative studies of sources such as news reports, academic publications, public websites used in the au pair industry, and other materials. Background. Recruiting agencies in Central Europe partner with various com­panies in the United States to place young women and men (ages 18−26) from their countries into the homes of U.S. families as au pairs, i.e., live-in child care providers. Ideally, the arrangement combines cultural exchange with useful ser­vices, to the benefit of all. However, in over one-fourth of the cases surveyed for this paper, the au pair did not complete the agreed-upon stay with the U.S. host family, often leaving at the family’s insistence. Research aims. This paper examines how success rates could be improved through better practices. Success factors include: setting realistic expectations for au pair candidates and host families, coaching them for online interviews and providing strong follow-up support. Methodology. A survey of U.S. host families and comparative studies of multiple sources, e.g., news reports, academic publications, public websites from au pair industry. Key findings. A successful placement gives the au pair valuable career experience, enhances the home country’s human capital and its image abroad, helps Central European agents recruit further good candidates. Failures impose financial losses, burdens on all parties. It can damage the au pair’s morale and create obstacles in one’s path to a productive career.

The Use of Big Data in Tourism Sales Forecasting

Background. The explosion of big data (BD), automation, and machine learning have allowed contemporary businesses to better understand and predict human behavior. In scientific research big data have been widely used to study consum­er journey and opinions. One of the tools enabling forecasting of sales volume is the Bass diffusion model, which universal nature has been proven in many appli­cations in forecasting the sale of products belonging to various market segments. This article considers the use of BD as exogenous variables in the Bass model to predict the sales of tourist packages. Research aims. The purpose of the research is to assess the impact of using big data on improving the accuracy of forecasts for the sale of tourist packages. The Generalized Bass Model (GBM) has been thus expanded to include big data, which means that exogenous variables include: (1) marketer-generated content (MGC) and (2) user-generated content (UGC), including volume of web search and blog posts. Methodology. This article analyzes online news, blog posts and web search traf­fic volume related to tourist packages, and then integrates the information into the Bass model, treating it as part of the exogenous variables representing the mar­keting efforts of tour operators. It has been assumed that the volume of tour opera­tors’ web news is a proxy for content generated by marketers (MGC), while the vol­ume of blog posts and web search traffic constitute user-generated content (UGC). Key findings. The empirical analysis found that by incorporating big data into the Bass model provides more accurate prediction of tourist packages’ sales vol­ume. In addition, UGC (as an exogenous variable) is better at predicting sales volume than MGC. UGC is a fairly good tool explaining the level of interest and involvement of potential tourists. However, it has been shown that forecasting efficiency is different for blog posts and web search traffic volumes.

Management by Values: A Case Study of a Recruitment Company

Background. Although one can find in the subject literature how to implement management by values (MBV), this concept is still relatively new and not devel‑ oped enough. Over the years, it has been proven that there is a direct relationship between management by values and the economic performance of an organization. Research aims. The aim of the paper is to answer the following research ques‑ tions: “What are the origin and assumptions of the concept of management by values?” and “How should an organization implement and maintain MBV?”. Methodology. The authors used literature studies and the longitudinal case study method. Within the case study the authors applied participant observations (conducted in 8 years), analysis of documentation and other information about the enterprise under study such as internal reports or website. They interviewed 3 management board members and 8 employees, as well. Then they confronted empirical findings with the “Road Map” concept which is presented in the literature. Key findings. The research revealed some differences between practice and the “Road Map”. The study delivers guidelines for managers (e.g., on how to oper‑ ationalize the company’s values, how to build a reward system, or how to measure the success of MBV implementation). The paper also presents the directions for further research.

External conditions of the process of shaping the dynamics of economic growth

This study attempts to determine how external factors affect economic growth. It is a methodological solution unique in the literature enabling the study of basic contemporary phenomena associated with globalisation. The advantage of the proposed solutions is their transparency and simplicity. The introduction of two types of membranes is of key importance. The presented model creates great opportunities for its development and verification of the adopted solutions in the long run.