bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of tertiary students' desire to found an enterprise
Authors: Birdthistle Naomi
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the paper aims to identify and explain the behaviour and intentions of students in their decision to start entrepreneurial activities and establish an enterprise. Second, the paper aims to identify whether students in tertiary level institutions in Ireland display the personality traits of an entrepreneur, which are necessary to found an enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to implement the study linkages with Ireland's Network of Teachers and Researchers in Entrepreneurship was utilized in the formation of a database. This resulted in a stratified random sample of tertiary level institutions being collected. Data were collected from 248 randomly chosen third‐level students.

Findings

The study presents some encouraging findings concerning the intentions of students to start a business. Some 82 per cent of respondents have had some thoughts or have started with the realisation and founded a business. This indicates that even at a young age Irish people are creative in their thinking and also see self‐employment as a career option. The study further examined the personal background for entrepreneurial activities of the respondents. In applying aspects of personality to the respondents, the findings indicate that the majority are extroverted; they are highly compatible and conscientious and highly stable in terms of their emotions. These findings are quite heartening as these personality traits are important for entrepreneurs when establishing and running a business.

Research limitations/implications

The study identifies areas of improvement such as the development of selling skills; making students aware of the sources of funding available in Ireland and the incorporation of non‐business students into the entrepreneurship classroom.

Originality/value

This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under‐researched field, that being tertiary level students and their intention to establish their own business.
Examining the entrepreneurial attitudes of US business students
Authors: Harris Michael L. , Gibson Shanan G.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the entrepreneurial attitudes of undergraduate students enrolled in the Small Business Institute®(SBI) program at multiple universities in the USA. Research has encouraged a continuous study and refinement of the entrepreneurial profile, particularly for young adults. Past studies have linked certain personality constructs and entrepreneurship, and shown a connection between entrepreneurial intentions and past business experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 216 students completed the entrepreneurial attitudes orientation (EAO) survey. The EAO provides a composite score based on four attitude subscales: achievement in business; innovation in business; perceived personal control of business outcomes; and perceived self‐esteem in business. In addition, participants were asked to provide demographic information and past entrepreneurial experience.

Findings

Results indicated that the majority of students possessed entrepreneurial attitudes. Furthermore, both student characteristics and entrepreneurial experience were found to be associated with certain entrepreneurial attitudes. Specifically, male students scored higher on both personal control and innovation, and students with family business experience had more developed entrepreneurial attitudes.

Practical implications

The SBI and other similar training/education programs provide the opportunity for direct entrepreneurial exposure. Their ability to impact attitudes toward entrepreneurship provides a venue for career opportunities. Further discussion centers on the relationship between entrepreneurial attitudes and degree of past experience.

Originality/value

The paper provides an examination of entrepreneurial attitudes that focuses on both demographics and past experiences for a unique educational program that helps promote entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
Embedding enterprise in science and engineering departments
Authors: Handscombe Robert D. , Rodriguez‐Falcon Elena , Patterson Eann A.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the attempts to implement the challenges of teaching enterprise to science and engineering students by the embedding approach chosen by the White Rose Centre for Enterprise (WRCE), one of the centres formed under the Science Engineering Challenge in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

WRCE's objective was to have departmental science and engineering staff teach enterprise modules as part of their overall departmental teaching and to have such modules integrated into the course provision. The WRCE approach emphasized the value of giving students some real life or simulated “real” experience and of developing a strand or track of enterprise through the years of the course.

Findings

The general propositions of WRCE are reviewed in the light of the outcomes in a number of departments, but most specifically within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield, which would claim to be one of the most successful departmental interventions of WRCE. Whilst good examples of embedded modules exist, the successful results in Mechanical Engineering appear to depend on the appointment of non‐traditional staff, the integration of enterprise in a track broader than enterprise and leadership of that track that has the confidence and resource to deliver its agenda in part using external rather than internal teaching.

Originality/value

The embedding of enterprise learning into an engineering curriculum and a mechanical engineering degree program in particular, is discussed from the perspective of the programme leadership, the sponsoring body and the implementing instructor.
Graduate entrepreneurship: more than child's play
Authors: Hegarty Cecilia , Jones Colin
Published: September 2008

Purpose

With the unbridled demand for entrepreneurship in higher education, the purpose of this paper is to identify how pedagogy can inhibit students in making the transition to graduate entrepreneurship. Along the way, the concept of what and who is a graduate entrepreneur is challenged.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports upon the pragmatic development of enterprise programmes in Ireland and Australia. Despite different starting points, a convergence of purpose as to what can be realistically expected of enterprise education has emerged.

Findings

This study reinforces the shift away from commercialisation strategies associated with entrepreneurial action towards developing essential life skills as core to any university programme and key to developing entrepreneurial capacity among students. Despite similar government intervention, university policy and student demand for practical‐based entrepreneurial learning in both cases, graduates tend not to engage in immediate entrepreneurial action due to the lack of fit between their programme of study and individual resource profiles, suggesting that graduate entrepreneurship is more than child's play.

Practical implications

There are practical implications for educationalists forced to consider the effectiveness of their enterprise teachings, and cautionary evidence for those charged with providing support services for graduates.

Originality/value

Given the evolutionary approaches used at the University of Tasmania to develop students as “reasonable adventurers” and at the University of Ulster to develop “the enterprising mindset” the paper presents evidence of the need to allow students the opportunity to apply entrepreneurial learning to their individual life experiences in order to reasonably venture into entrepreneurial activity.
Human capital, poverty, and income distribution in developing countries
Authors: Quang Dao Minh
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of the components of human capital on the extent of poverty and income distribution in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for all variables are from the World Development Report, 2006 and 2007. The least‐squares estimation technique in a multivariate linear regression is applied. It is noted that the introduction of interaction terms between income and the components of human capital yields better statistical results, as pointed out in the economic development literature.

Findings

Based on data from the World Bank and using a sample of 40 developing economies, it is found that the fraction of the population below the poverty line is linearly dependent upon gender parity ratio in primary and secondary schools, the prevalence of child malnutrition, per capita purchasing power parity gross national income, the maternal mortality rate, and the percentage of births attended by skilled health staff. Using another sample of 35 developing countries, it is found that income inequality linearly depends on the same explanatory variables plus the infant mortality rate and the primary school completion rate.

Practical implications

Statistical results of such empirical examination will assist governments in those countries identify areas that need to be improved upon in order to alleviate poverty and improve the distribution of income.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful information on the impact of the components of human capital on the extent of poverty and income distribution in developing countries.
Determinants of capital flows to developing countries: a structural VAR analysis
Authors: De Vita Glauco , Kyaw Khine S.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate the relative significance of the determinants of disaggregated capital flows (foreign direct investment and portfolio flows) to five developing countries, across different time horizons.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirically tractable structural VAR model of the determinants of capital flows is developed, and variance decomposition and impulse response analyses are used to investigate the temporal dynamic effects of shocks to push and pull factors on foreign direct investment and portfolio flows.

Findings

Estimation of the model using quarterly data for the period 1976‐2001 provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that shocks to real variables of economic activity such as foreign output and domestic productivity are the most important forces explaining the variations in capital flows to developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

These findings highlight the concomitant need for policy makers in developing countries to design domestic policy that accounts for both external and internal shocks to real variables of economic activity.

Originality/value

Previous empirical studies on the determinants of capital flows to developing countries have mostly examined the capital flow variable in aggregate, and have largely overlooked the possibility that the relative significance of estimated coefficients of such determinants may vary across time horizons.
Donating behavior: if time is money, which to give? A preliminary analysis
Authors: Handy Femida , Katz Eliakim
Published: September 2008

Purpose

There appears to be a puzzle associated with the observation that individuals both donate and volunteer to charity. If the purpose of a giving individual is to maximize the effect of his/her donation, then he/she should give as effectively as possible. This implies that an individual should donate either time or money but not both. Yet, simultaneous volunteering and donating money is extremely common. Indeed, it may be viewed as the rule rather than the exception. This paper aims to offer a solution to this puzzle.

Design/methodology/approach

This theoretical paper models giving behavior by individuals and takes into account the disutility of volunteer and income related work.

Findings

By modeling the difference between an individual's volunteer and income‐related work, it can be understood why individuals' giving behavior of donating money and volunteering.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should test these findings empirically.

Originality/value

Theoretical contribution to our understanding of giving behavior as to why individuals donate money and time even if is not economically efficient to do both.
Inequality and size of government: evidence from Brazilian states
Authors: Mattos Enlinson , Rocha Fabiana
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the role of income‐inequality on the size of local government.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper extends the model proposed by Meltzer and Richard, allowing for spatial interaction in the redistributive in‐kind transfers from the local governments. Second, it estimates the determinants of the size in local government taking into consideration spatial dependence in the variables.

Findings

This model points that the poorer the median voter is, the higher should be the level of local public expenditures, but the spillover effect (spatial effect) in spending is undetermined. Second, using data on Brazilian states public finance, the results suggest a negative relation between expenditures (and tax revenues) and the median voter income, in favor to the model. While both public spending and tax rates exhibit negative spatial correlation (substitute goods), behavioral significance can be attached to the spatial process in public spending but not to the spatial process in the local tax rate.

Originality/value

The paper provides a small extension of the Meltzer and Richard model allowing for spatial interaction and contributes to the empirical debate about inequality and the size of the government presenting the results for Brazil.
Business‐to‐business marketing and globalization: two of a kind
Authors: Matthyssens P. , Kirca A.H. , Pace S.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The aim of the “viewpoint” part of this paper is to enhance discussion on the challenges global business‐to‐business (B2B) marketing is facing. More specifically, academics are stimulated to study the impact of these trends on the internationalization of B2B companies. Managers are urged to engage in open strategy conversations on the consequent opportunities and threats for their global market strategy. Further, this paper acts as a “Guest editorial” for a special issue on B2B and international business.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature screening of key contributions highlighting B2B marketing trends on the one hand and theoretical underpinnings of IB on the other. Starting from a practitioner perspective, the paper gradually introduces a discussion on the potential theoretical implications and on cross‐fertilization possibilities when merging recent developments in B2B with theory and concepts from international business.

Findings

B2B and IB go hand in hand and the actual challenges that business marketers encounter require critical revisions of core concepts and foundations of internationalization theories.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies trends based on secondary data. They are exemplary and not exhaustive. Future research will have to empirically “test” these assertions.

Practical implications

As a result of this paper, practitioners might question their internationalization or globalization approach.

Originality/value

The value of the first part of the paper lies in the intended stimulus of academic and practitioner discussion. The second part draws attention on the special issue papers and their main messages.
The importance of the internet in international business‐to‐business markets
Authors: Moen Øystein , Koed Madsen Tage , Aspelund Arild
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the actual use and market performance effects of information and communication technologies (ICT) with regard to international business‐to‐business marketing activities of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on survey data from 635 Danish and Norwegian SMEs with international marketing activities. The two primary research questions regarding actual use and performance effects are addressed by descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling, respectively.

Findings

Findings suggest that, contrary to expectation, Norwegian and Danish international SMEs are not heavy users of ICT. Rather, ICT is predominantly used for market information search and to develop long‐term customer relationships. In both those areas the use of ICT is positively associated with the firm's satisfaction with its development of new market knowledge. The use of ICT for sales purposes is limited and apparently negatively associated with the firm's satisfaction with its development of new market knowledge. There is no significant association between the use of ICT and the firm's satisfaction with its international performance.

Practical implications

This study contributes with new knowledge regarding the potential and limitations of the use of ICT in international business‐to‐business marketing. Heavy usage of ICT seems to be primarily directed towards information search and relationship development. The study also supports that ICT usage have positive impact on the accumulation of new market knowledge (and indirectly on international performance). Use of ICT for sales activities seems to be quite limited, and perhaps not even advisable. The reason for this may be that media richness associated with face‐to‐face interaction is beneficial for establishment of commitment and trust.

Originality/value

This paper makes an original contribution to the field of knowledge regarding the potential (and limitations) of ICT in international business‐to‐business marketing.
Market driving multinationals and their global sourcing network
Authors: Ghauri Pervez N. , Tarnovskaya Veronika , Elg Ulf
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a global supplier network can support and contribute to a market driving strategy. Theoretically, the paper contributes by integrating the market driving strategy and the network approach. IKEA is considered one of the leading market driving firms. The paper studies its activities in establishing supplier networks in Russia and Poland.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory study of four suppliers of IKEA in Poland and Russia. Data are collected through 11 in‐depth interviews with IKEA's corporate and middle level managers and with managers and technicians from its suppliers in Russia and Poland. Results are drawn through matrix coding techniques and pattern matching.

Findings

Findings confirm IKEA's market driving strategy and how it has been able to restructure the market and successfully develop an efficient supplier network as a part of its market driving strategy.

Originality/value

Market driving approach has been suggested as a more pro‐active form of market orientation. It is characterised by an ability of the firm to shape the market conditions, to influence customers and offer completely new value propositions through its unique business process.
Strategy development in international markets: a two tier approach
Authors: Arthur Solberg Carl , Durrieu François
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek answers to the question of the impact of different classes of strategy (generic and international) on firm performance in international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey of 213 British SME exporters, using EQS.

Findings

The paper concludes that Porter's generic strategies have both a direct and an indirect impact through international marketing strategies on firm performance, and that the combined impact of the two levels yields better returns than either of them individually. Furthermore, it questions the wisdom of a stepwise approach to international markets and highlights the importance of a challenger strategy.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to British SMEs and needs to be supplemented by research from other countries. Also, it explores the effect of only a limited number of confirmed international marketing strategies, excluding for instance the standardisation construct – a key construct in international marketing.

Practical implications

Managers may derive guidance in their planning by applying the model and the findings in their own deliberations.

Originality/value

Little agreement has been reached as to the impact of different international marketing strategies, let alone the classification of strategies themselves. This paper analyses firm strategy in two levels – generic strategies and five groups of international marketing strategies.
Role of international trade shows in small firm internationalization: a network perspective
Authors: Evers Natasha , Knight John
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The impact of trade shows on the internationalization of participating small exporting firms in terms of growth and expansion has gone largely unstudied, as has their effectiveness in network‐building activities. Using the network model of internationalization, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the role international trade shows play in the internationalization process of small exporting firms in Ireland and New Zealand (NZ).

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a two‐tier approach, first, qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 37 Irish‐ and NZ‐based export‐intensive seafood firms, followed by in‐depth cases of three Irish export start‐ups.

Findings

Trade shows go well beyond being a marketing and information platform and make an important contribution to establishment and enhancement of a network infrastructure for enabling such firms to grow and expand internationally.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides a research basis for exploring the role of trade shows in the firm internationalization across other industry sectors.

Practical implications

Managers need to revisit how they use trade shows in their international marketing strategy, in terms of the strategic role of trade shows in creating and developing international networks for competitive advantage. Policy makers need to recognize their important role as horizontal networks in network development.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge on the role of trade shows in international business and further advances the network approach to small firm internationalization by identifying trade shows as a vital context where networks are created and maintained for international advancement.
Information technology and organizational performance within international business to business relationships
Authors: “Bryan” Jean Ruey‐Jer , Sinkovics Rudolf R. , Kim Daekwan
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Advanced information technology (IT) changes the way companies manage cross‐border supply chains. This paper examines the role of IT in the context of international business to business (B2B) relationship and its contribution to supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review paper develops a conceptual model of IT‐mediated relationships in international supply chain relationships. The framework integrates transaction cost economics and resource‐based theory perspectives and argues that IT capabilities facilitate supply chain performance, deter partner's opportunism and this process is mediated by B2B processes. Moreover, environmental, relational, cultural and country level moderators are examined.

Findings

It is suggested that IT capabilities contribute directly to improved organizational process such as coordination, transaction specific investment, absorptive capacity and monitoring. These in turn contribute to strategic and operational performance outcomes. Against a resource‐based as well as a transaction‐cost theory background it is suggested that partner interdependence and environmental, country and cultural factors moderate the process of IT contribution on performance.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a number of propositions which can be tested empirically in future studies.

Practical implications

Managers should focus on the complementarities of IT capabilities. Electronic integration in combination with, for example, human IT resources may enhance supply chain performance and mitigate the moderating effects of environmental, relational, cultural and country factors.

Originality/value

The paper develops an integrated conceptual model and propositions which contribute to a clarification of the ambiguous nature of the IT‐business value in international B2B relationship.
The STRATADAPT scale
Authors: Filipe Lages Luis , Luís Abrantes José , Raquel Lages Cristiana
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The development of marketing strategies optimally adjusted to export markets has been a vitally important topic for both managers and academics for about five decades. However, there is no agreement in the literature about which elements integrate marketing strategy and which components of domestic strategies should be adapted to export markets. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new scale – STRATADAPT.

Design/methodology/approach

Results from a sample of small and medium‐sized industrial exporting firms support a four‐dimensional scale – product, promotion, price, and distribution strategies – of 30 items. The scale presents evidence of composite reliability as well as discriminant and nomological validity.

Findings

Findings reveal that all four dimensions of marketing strategy adaptation are positively associated with the amount of the firm's financial resources allocated to export activity.

Practical implications

The STRATADAPT scale may assist managers in developing better international marketing strategies as well as in planning more accurate and efficient marketing programs across markets.

Originality/value

This study develops a new scale, the STRATADAPT scale, which is a broad measure of export marketing strategy adaptation.
Political skill construct and criterion‐related validation: a two‐study investigation
Authors: Ferris Gerald R. , Blickle Gerhard , Schneider Paula B. , Kramer Jochen , Zettler Ingo , Solga Jutta , Noethen Daniela , Meurs James A.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Political skill is measured with the political skill inventory (PSI), and the construct is composed of four distinct dimensions. Previous validation studies of the PSI found evidence in support of the four‐factor structure, but only using self‐reports. Furthermore, no efforts have been made to also identify a single, higher‐order factor solution through second‐order factor analysis. The present research aims to expand on prior work and report on a two‐study investigation of both the construct validity and antecedents and consequences of the political skill construct.

Design/methodology/approach

To test construct validity, Study 1 combined self‐ and other reports of political skill from 467 employees in a confirmatory factor analysis. Study 2 used longitudinal data from 202 employees to constructively replicate Study 1 results and to test hypotheses regarding the antecedents and consequences of political skill.

Findings

The results of Study 1 confirmed both a four‐factor and a single higher‐order factor solution of the political skill construct, thus supporting our hypothesis. Study 2 constructively replicated the Study 1 factorial validity results, and supported hypotheses regarding the dispositional and developmental experience antecedents, career‐related consequences, and mediation of these antecedents and outcomes by political skill.

Originality/value

These two studies test the construct validity of political skill using both self‐ and other‐reports. Further, this is the first research to test the Ferris et al. conceptualization of political skill, by examining its antecedents, consequences, and mediation of the antecedents‐consequences relationships.
Follower characteristics and the perception of leader‐member exchange
Authors: Schyns Birgit , Kroon Brigitte , Moors Guy
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the perception of leader‐member exchange (LMX). It is assumed that the perceived quality of the relationship is not only related to the actual quality of the relationship, but also to followers' expectancies and preferences. However, little is known about person characteristics that are related to LMX perceptions. This study seeks to examine how far followers' leadership‐related characteristics (romance of leadership, idealised supervisor, need for leadership and dependence) are related to the perception of LMX.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 588 Dutch employees from different professions filled in questionnaires on romance of leadership, idealised supervisor, need for leadership and dependence and their perception of LMX.

Findings

Results indicate a positive relationship between need for leadership/dependence and the perception of LMX, thought not for romance of leadership/idealised supervisor and the perception of LMX. An interaction was found between idealised supervisor and dependence on the perception of LMX.

Research limitations/implications

The study only focuses on four antecedents, although many others could have an effect on the perception of LMX. The study comprised a one‐dimensional assessment of LMX. For future research, a multi‐dimensional assessment is recommended.

Practical implications

The results of this study imply that organisations need to address the expectations that followers have towards their leaders in order to avoid disappointments.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the perception of LMX and how follower characteristics are related to the perception of LMX. It extends prior research on the perception of leadership into LMX research. Similar to effect on the perception of leadership behaviour, effects on the perception of LMX are important to take into account when LMX is assessed through follower ratings in order to avoid making incorrect conclusions.
Perceived organizational support's role in stressor‐strain relationships
Authors: Richardson Hettie A. , Yang Jixia , Vandenberg Robert J. , DeJoy David M. , Wilson Mark G.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine when perceived organizational support (POS) may be more likely to play a mediator versus moderator role in stressor and strain relationships by considering POS relative to challenge and hindrance stressors, cognitive/emotional and physical strains.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross‐sectional survey research was conducted in two samples (n=720, 829) of employees working for a large retail organization in the USA. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

As hypothesized, results indicate POS mediates relationships between hindrance stressors and cognitive/emotional strains, but does not mediate relationships between challenge stressors and physical strains. POS does not moderate any of the relationships examined.

Originality/value

This paper is one of few studies to examine challenge and hindrance stressors and to examine POS relative to physical strains.
Now you see them, now you don't: gender differences in entrepreneurship
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Schwartz Dafna
Published: September 2008

Purpose

While the numbers of, and research on, women entrepreneurs have accelerated radically in recent years, the rates of women entrepreneurs remain significantly lower than men's. Research has shown that subjective perceptual variables have a crucial influence on the entrepreneurial propensity of women and account for much of the gender differences in entrepreneurial activity. The paper aims to describe three studies that addressed gender differences in entrepreneurial perceptions, testing predictions derived from Schneider's Attraction Selection Attrition (ASA) model.

Design/methodology/approach

Each study focused on a different subject population with different entrepreneurial activity. The first was a national telephone survey that involved 514 Israeli adults. The second involved 313 Israeli management students who responded to a self‐report questionnaire. The third involved interviews with 101 Israeli small business owners.

Findings

The results of the first study showed few gender differences in entrepreneurial traits and values. The results of the second study showed large gender differences in the willingness to start a business among management students and smaller differences among students who intend to start a business. Gender differences were far smaller among actual business owners. Alone and together the three studies support Schneider's ASA model.

Practical implications

The practical implications of these findings are addressed.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable information on gender differences in entrepreneurship.
The aftermath of organizational restructuring
Authors: Hetty Van Emmerik I.J. , Euwema Martin C.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the association of employee's evaluation of organizational restructuring with the destruction of old social capital, development of new social capital, and the mediating role of perceived organizational support (POS).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were used from 419 teachers of Dutch secondary schools using hierarchical regression analyses.

Findings

Results show that more positive employees' evaluation of the organizational restructuring are less likely to remain relying on old social capital resources, and score higher on development of new social capital. Moreover, POS mediated the association of employee's evaluation of the organizational restructuring with old and new social capital.

Research limitations/implications

Future research, utilizing longitudinal designs and experiments that better lend it to causal inferences, are needed to examine relationships between organizational restructuring, POS, and social capital.

Originality/value

The results of this study provide a first step toward outlining the importance of organizational restructuring for social capital theory and how employees cope with transition to different work units. In organizations, having a shared language and narratives may allow team members to more easily integrate knowledge and provide better support to one another. Moreover, a common perspective and understanding among team members may allow employees members to anticipate the behavior of other members, thus promoting organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Financial contracts, risk and performance of Islamic banking
Authors: Siddiqui Anjum
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on various modes of Islamic finance and examines their risk and other characteristics by conducting a selective literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the Islamic prohibition of interest and in compliance with injunctions on permissible trade contracts, the savings and investment contracts offered by Islamic banks have a different risk profile than those of conventional banks. This gives rise to a number of regulatory issues pertaining to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements. Operational issues also arise as Islamic banks are limited in their choice of risk and liquidity management tools such as derivatives, options and bonds. All these issues are theoretically examined and various performance indicators of two Islamic banks are also examined to compare them with traditional banks that practice mark up pricing.

Findings

The balance sheets and various performance indicators show that there is evidence that Islamic banks in Pakistan tend to engage in little long‐term project financing. However, on the plus side these banks have shown good performance with respect to the returns on their assets and equity and have also demonstrated better risk management and maintained adequate liquidity.

Research limitations/implications

A larger set of banks across various countries needs to be examined before any substantive conclusions can be reached about the relative performance of Islamic versus conventional banks.

Practical implications

These largely pertain to central bank prudential regulations which must ensure that a level playing field is created for Islamic banks to compete with traditional banks.

Originality/value

The paper is a commentary on the risk characteristics of Islamic banks and also analyzes for the first time the performance of the only two purely Islamic banks currently operating in Pakistan.
Risk‐return analysis of Islamic banks' investment deposits and shareholders' fund
Authors: Azhar Rosly Saiful , Ashadi Mohd. Zaini Mohammad
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the differences or variance in the yields of Islamic and conventional bank deposits and capital, respectively, in view of their contractual differences, namely the former which is based on equity and the latter on debt.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a financial ratio approach.

Findings

It was found that deposit yields in conventional banks were lower than return on equity (ROE), which truly reflect the contractual differences between fixed deposit and bank's capital. Also, it was found that Islamic banks' deposit yield and ROEs do not reflect their risk‐taking properties, as their variances were found to be smaller.

Research limitations/implications

The paper adds to the literature on risk‐return relationship in Islamic capital theory, which currently lacks theoretical studies.

Practical implications

The paper shows that increasing the level of risk taking in mudarabah investment account could increase its expected returns.

Originality/value

Since both shareholders' capital and mudarabah investment accounts constitute risk capital, variance in yields should be proportional to risk. The paper is the first attempt to explore and compare yields from Islamic bank capital and mudarabah deposits.
Does issuing government debt needed as a Ponzi scheme in Islamic finance
Authors: Al‐Zoubi Haitham A. , Maghyereh Aktham , Al‐Zu'bi Bashir , Ishaq Bhatti M.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically describe the role of Zakah as a vital tool of fiscal policy in achieving Pareto optimality.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper sets a general equilibrium model that describes the long‐run convergence to a Pareto optimal allocation in a theoretical Islamic economy. The model is based on Diamond criteria where the social planner maximizes the utility of all generations subject to the output of the economy.

Findings

While the government in the capitalist economy issues debt like T‐bills and government bonds to insure Pareto optimality, the paper shows, theoretically, that constructing a Zakah fund can take the role of issuing debt in financial markets. Furthermore, the paper shows that Islamic economy converges to Pareto optimality by its nature without issuing debt in the financial market.

Research implications

This result is very important in describing the strength of the theoretical Islamic economics in achieving dynamic efficiency with least possible interventions. More importantly, the results would help the government in setting an optimal tax rate that insures Pareto efficiency without issuing debt.

Originality/value

This paper attempts to model the actual effects of Zakah as a fiscal policy tool in wealth redistribution in an Islamic economy. In addition, the paper opens a wide channel for future research in conducting monetary and fiscal policy in a government's debt tools economies.
Improving the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students
Authors: Greenbank Paul , Hepworth Sue
Published: September 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent to which economic factors influence the career decision‐making process of working class students.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved an initial survey of 165 final‐year students from a range of degree programmes. It was followed by in‐depth interviews with 30 working class students.

Findings

It is shown that many working class students are not actively involved in career enhancing activities that develop their employability. The majority of students are also failing to engage seriously in the career decision‐making process. Furthermore, most students indicate that they wish to remain within commuting distance of their home when looking for jobs. Existing research identifies limited economic capital as an important factor influencing such behaviour. However, this study suggests that the students' values and their non‐financial circumstances appear to have more effect on their career decision making.

Practical implications

If economic factors were the most important influence on the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students there would be a limited role for careers education. However, because the students' values appear to be a more important influence there is scope for intervention. This paper suggests that activity based approaches using multiple case studies, analogical encoding and group work seem to provide the best way of encouraging students to critically evaluate the way they currently engage in career decision making.

Originality/value

This paper provides evidence to support interventions to improve the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students (and the wider student population). It also advocates a novel approach to such interventions.
The Portuguese youth labour market: a critical approach
Authors: Tomé Eduardo
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyse critically the youth labour market (YLM) and the YLM policies in Portugal. The analysis covers essentially the period after 1986, when Portugal entered the European Union.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of three main sections. In the first the main players dealt with (government, private sector, third sector) are defined, and the main theories on the YLM exposed. In the second section the evolution of the YLM and of the YLM policies in Portugal, are analysed in three main phases. In the third section the paper's conclusions are presented, and some further research is suggested.

Findings

Until 1986 YLM policy in Portugal was almost non‐existent. Then, as a consequence of the adhesion to the European Communities, massive investments began to be made. As a consequence, in the last 20 years, young persons (less than 25 years of age) have been given much more support in the labour market than older persons (more than 25 years‐of‐age). That advantage means that since 1986 quality, and not quantity, is the problem of YLM policies in Portugal.

Research limitations/implications

The study should be complemented with a large microeconomic analysis of the “young” and “old” cohort. The findings suggest that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, “young” persons have been given too much support in the last years, and more support should be given to “older” members of the workforce, especially the least qualified. The problem with the support to “young” people is quality, not quantitiy.

Originality/value

The paper provides an analysis of the development of a Portuguese Education and Training (E&T) strategy. Few studies in the field of E&T and Human Resources Development (HRD) have emanated from Portugal and this paper presents an opportunity to gain an insight into Portuguese developments in the field.
A study of the drivers of commitment amongst nurses
Authors: McCabe Thomas Joseph , Garavan Thomas N.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The aim of this study is to highlight factors influencing the commitment of nurses, and particularly focuses on the role of training, development and career issues. It provides the basis for a HRD framework, outlining policy choices in developing high commitment amongst nursing staff.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design was used, involving 40 semi‐structured interviews with nursing staff, from acute and community hospitals. The main themes and sub‐themes relating to the drivers of commitment and the role of training, development and career issues were identified and explored employing a grounded theory, constant comparative approach.

Findings

The main “fault‐line” between nurses and the organization concerned resource management, and the introduction of general management concepts and practices. HRD practitioners should consider using the language and terms of reference familiar to nurses when devising HRD initiatives. Factors positively influencing the commitment of nursing staff included shared values, involving a sense of “vocational” commitment towards patient care and nursing. Strong leadership, particularly concerning the role of line management, was seen as important in influencing commitment. Teamwork and support, from both line management and colleagues, was also important. Training and development were highly regarded by nurses, and could be a useful way of recognizing and acknowledging their contribution to health care delivery. Career progression and greater involvement were viewed favourably by some nurses and unfavourably by others. The main issue concerned the possible substitution of nurse practitioner responsibilities with administrative and managerial responsibilities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are solely based on interviews with nursing staff from two NHS organizations. In exploring the various drivers of commitment and the role of training, development and career issues the study's focus was towards depth, as opposed to breath, of investigation.

Practical implications

Valuable information for HRD practitioners and researchers on the drivers of commitment amongst nursing staff and the role played by training, development and career issues is provided.

Originality/value

This paper is a useful study on exploring commitment amongst nursing staff and ways in which HRD practitioners and researchers can facilitate and develop commitment.
From craft to science
Authors: Fayolle Alain , Gailly Benoit
Published: September 2008

Purpose

The aim of this article is to offer a conceptual framework in entrepreneurship education largely inspired by education sciences and discuss its two main levels, the ontological and educational levels. This framework is then used to discuss various types of entrepreneurship teaching programs, focusing on three broad categories of learning processes.

Design/methodology/appraoch

This article uses intensive reviews of literature in the fields of education and entrepreneurship. The teaching framework and the derived propositions are intended to provide a bridge between education sciences and the field of entrepreneurship and seeks to stress the scientific legitimacy of entrepreneurship education.

Findings

Finds that there is a need to reconsider entrepreneurship education in its wide diversity, both from an ontological and pedagogical point‐of‐view. The range of theoretical choices, objectives, publics, pedagogical methods and institutional context should be approached through the lenses of multiple teaching models and learning processes, which can be structured around a general framework.

Research limitations/implications

The framework allows for the combination of both the concept of teaching models and learning process in a general theory‐driven framework and their applicability to specific entrepreneurship education situations.

Practical implications

The authors' contribution sheds a new light, both on the design and on the implementation of entrepreneurship teaching programs. An explicit conceptual framework should help the effective and systematic design, management and evaluation of new or existing programs, along all the relevant dimensions.

Originality/value

The authors propose a conceptual framework, a canonic teaching model, in entrepreneurship education.