bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the manager and growth in small firms
Authors: Andersson Svante , Tell Joakim 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the relationship between the manager and growth in small firms, through a review of earlier research.Design/methodology/approachA review of articles published during the last 25 years is carried out in order to answer the question: How does the top manager influence growth in small firms?FindingsThree key relationships are identified: between growth and, respectively, managerial traits and characteristics, managerial intentions, and managerial behavior or roles. The diverse findings in the literature are contradictory and give a paradoxical picture of the impact of the manager. A deeper analysis of the results from the review, supplemented with leadership theory, yields a better understanding of small‐firm growth with a special focus on the behavior of the manager.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper problematizes the complexity in managing small‐firm growth, and can be further empirically validated by using multiple methods including qualitative ones such as observational studies.Practical ImplicationsThe findings have a bearing on education and policy implications. If a behavior can be identified that promotes small firms' growth, education and policy implications can be developed in line with these results.Originality/valueIn small firms there seems to be a general consensus that managers do influence the performance of small firms, but so far there has not been a systematic review of earlier empirical research, that is done in this paper. From this review, a more complete picture of how managers influence growth in small firms is presented.
The dyadic bank‐SME relationship
Authors: Silver Lars , Vegholm Fatima 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to emphasise the theory of adaptation in the analysis of banks' ability to meet the needs of their SME customers. This analysis involves examining the interaction process between the two parties, determining how the role of bankers is perceived and studying how banks as organisations function.Design/methodology/approachIn the study a total of 60 interviews are conducted, of which 45 are conducted with SME owners. For this specific study, data drawn from in depth interviews conducted with SME owners and with bankers are presented.FindingsThe following main factors affect the adaptation process and can help explain the difficulties of banks to adapt to their SME customers: the lack of communication and contact in the interaction process, the lack of knowledge and competence of individual bankers as regards their customers' specific businesses and the centralised and standardised system that prevails within the banking organisation. Also, in this study it is found that the organisational structure influences how individual bankers perceive themselves and their ability to adapt to the needs of SMEs, which in turn affects the individual bankers' adaptability when interacting with their SME customers.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, adaptation has not been examined in relation to the concepts of interaction, role and organisation, or within the banking industry.
Entrepreneurship: an organisational learning approach
Authors: Franco Mário , Haase Heiko 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to shed new light on the interface between learning and entrepreneurship, i.e. to show how entrepreneurship can be studied as a never‐ending, dynamic learning process.Design/methodology/approachBy applying the typology of learning concepts at different organisational levels, the paper will elucidate how the entrepreneur's learning process is fundamental in his quest for new business opportunities and describe learning as a crucial factor for entrepreneurial activity.FindingsFrom observations, a new definition of the entrepreneur is derived (entrepreneur as a learner) and a conceptual model of entrepreneurial learning theory is synthesized.Research limitations/implicationsThe newly developed conceptual model has not been empirically validated. In terms of the guidelines for future research, this topic should be addressed by collecting information to expand the conceptual model presented here.Originality/valueKey entrepreneurial learning components are identified and included in the model: intuiting and interpreting, external motivation, alertness and creativeness. The paper concludes with some theoretical ideas on what may influence the entrepreneur's learning and which entrepreneurship educators are suitable for empirical evaluation in future research.
Education, mobility and rural business development
Authors: Bosworth Gary 
Published: November 2009

PurposeIn a period of rural economic change, knowledge and skills transfers and the generation of new economic opportunities are seen as essential for promoting rural development. The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of the impact of educated in‐migrants establishing new business activity in rural areas.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs qualitative interviews with rural business owners informed by an earlier postal survey of rural microbusinesses in the North East of England. The interview data are used to explore the implications of owners' past education and work experience for the development of their businesses. The attitudes and networking behaviour of business owners are also explored in order to assess the extent to which social capital facilitates the exchange of valuable knowledge and opportunities between rural businesses.FindingsData indicate that rural in‐migrants, defined as having moved at least 30 miles as adults, arrive with significantly higher education qualifications than their local business‐owning counterparts. It also indicates that those with higher levels of education are most likely to engage with networking groups and business advice providers. This leads to the conclusion that as well as bringing higher levels of human capital, the integration of in‐migrants into local economies is indirectly increasing the potential levels of human and social capital across the rural economy.Originality/valueThe research highlights important data concerning the levels of education among in‐migrants and local business owners. It continues by developing theoretical explanations about the way that a business owner's background can influence their business activity. This raises awareness of the diversity of skills and networks among rural business owners that are enhancing the stocks of human and social capital in the rural economy.
Incorporating network perspectives in foresight: a methodological proposal
Authors: Nugroho Yanuar , Saritas Ozcan 
Published: November 2009

PurposeA particular feature that makes foresight powerful is its capability to learn from past trends to help guide decision‐making for future policy. However, in studying both past and future trends, network perspectives are often missing. Since networks are capable of revealing the structure that underpins relationships between stakeholders, key issues and actions in the past, they are powerful to help envisage the future. The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological framework to incorporate network analysis in foresight.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a generic framework to incorporate network analysis into foresight's five stages. Trends identified by respondents of the Big Picture Survey are used to demonstrate how we operationalize this framework.FindingsA network perspective can enrich foresight analysis in that it helps reveal structural linkages between trends and thus can better identify emerging future issues, both of which are critical in foresight.Research limitations/implicationsThe inclusion of network analysis can shed light on the process of understanding complex data and assist in building a model based on links and relationships. Network analysis can reveal otherwise unobservable structural features of the data and can help boundary setting discussions in foresight.Practical implicationsNetwork concepts and measures could usefully enrich the interpretation of foresight data for further analysis, or plausible scenarios.Originality/valueNetwork analysis offers a new way of looking at the foresight data by disentangling complicated issue webs. As shaping the future becomes more essential because of the complexity of science, technology and society interrelationships, the incorporation of network perspectives in foresight might be one of the ways to propel future studies.
Understanding and improving patient safety: the psychological, social and cultural dimensions
Authors: Øvretveit John 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to provide researchers and practitioners with an overview of how organisation behaviour research (OBR) helps to understand and resolve patient safety problems in health care.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes psychological, sociological and other social science theories and research which help to understand the causes of patient safety problems, how to implement change effectively and how to create an organisational culture of safety.FindingsSocial science perspectives and organisational behaviour research are beginning to show why improvements in patient safety are slow, and how to make lasting and effective change.Research limitations/implicationsSocial sciences and OBR have already helped make healthcare safer, but could make a greater contribution. Progress could be faster with greater awareness of the findings of this research and understanding of social science research paradigms.Practical implicationsBetter implementation and safer care could result from providing implementers and decision makers with more knowledge and access to social science research. More useful social science research could be developed by research funders and proposal reviewers gaining a greater understanding of social science methods and potential, and by including this research in a field made up largely of traditional experimental medical research methods.Originality/valueThis paper provides an overview of the scientific and practical contributions of social sciences to patient safety and shows where future studies could assist understanding of current challenges and speed implementation of change.
Analysing the “field” of patient safety employing Bourdieusian technologies
Authors: Travaglia Joanne F. , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to analyse the development of patient safety as a field within which patients are peripheral stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examined the patient safety movement from the perspective of a field in which agents struggle for control over various forms of capital, including economic, social, cultural and symbolic capital. In order to undertake this analysis the authors drew on the literature on errors and patient safety, key inquiries into patient safety, and research conducted with health professionals in New South Wales, Australia.FindingsThe patient safety movement has created a heightened sense of awareness of errors and risk across health systems, thereby attracting and creating significant amounts of capital. The authors argue that in the process of struggle to constitute and contain a new field of health, patients and their narratives are rendered vulnerable to appropriation and incorporation.Research limitations/implicationsBy considering patient safety from a sociological rather than a technical framework, it is possible to gain new insights into why reducing the levels of medical errors have proven so difficult.Practical implicationsImproved knowledge of how patient safety operates as a field may contribute to more effective strategies in reducing those types of errors.Originality/valueDespite the growth in the number of publications in patient safety there has been only minimal analysis of the field itself, rather than its technical or organisational components. This paper contributes to a new way of conceptualising and enacting patient safety, one that acknowledges the vulnerability of the parties involved, particularly patients.
Building knowledge integration systems for evidence‐informed decisions
Authors: Best Allan , Terpstra Jennifer L. , Moor Gregg , Riley Barbara , Norman Cameron D. , Glasgow Russell E. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to describe methods and models designed to build a comprehensive, integrative framework to guide the research to policy and practice cycle in health care.Design/methodology/approachCurrent models of science are summarised, identifying specific challenges they create for knowledge to action (KTA). Alternative models for KTA are outlined to illustrate how researchers and decision makers can work together to fit the KTA model to specific problems and contexts. The Canadian experience with the evolving paradigm shift is described, along with recent initiatives to develop platforms and tools that support the new thinking. Recent projects to develop and refine methods for embedded research are described. The paper concludes with a summary of lessons learned and recommendations that will move the KTA field towards an integrated science.FindingsConceptual models for KTA are advancing, benefiting from advances in team science, development of logic models that address the realities of complex adaptive systems, and new methods to more rapidly deliver knowledge syntheses more useful to decision and policy makers.Practical implicationsKTA is more likely when co‐produced by researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. Closer collaboration requires shifts in thinking about the ways we work, capacity development, and greater learning from practice.Originality/valueMore powerful ways of thinking about the complexities of knowledge to action are provided, along with examples of tools and priorities drawn from systems thinking.
Consumer behavior at an industrial travel show
Authors: Milner Laura M. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the behavior of consumers in an industrial trade show context – the ITB tourism trade show.Design/methodology/approachThe current study addresses whether it is strategically astute to allow final consumers into an industrial trade show. Using a mall intercept method, questions were designed to elicit whether final consumers mimic industrial segments of current, potential or nonusers? Are they repeat or first time? How serious are they? Where in the search process are they? Are they product specific or simply engaged in information collection? How do they search? How are booth choices made?FindingsParticipants are current or potential and typically repeat. They are motivated and directed with booth choices being pre‐planned.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of convenience samples apply here. Study should be repeated. Future research should address whether consumers be allowed into other types of industrial trade shows.Practical implicationsThis study addresses the utility of free promotional gifts and the strategic implications of allowing consumer access to an industrial event.Originality/valueOnly one other study was uncovered which examined consumer trade shows and it focused on vendor behavior.
Agri‐tourism and rural development: the Low‐Valdelsa case, Italy
Authors: Contini Caterina , Scarpellini Paola , Polidori Roberto 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the demand of tourists who stay in agri‐tourist facilities and assess the impact of agri‐tourism on local development in terms of income and employment. The study was conducted in Tuscany, a region which is pre‐eminent in terms of the Italian agri‐tourist supply and which has a strong attraction for tourists seeking natural resources, the countryside and the local culture.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology called for the use of the input output model based on a regional accounting matrix which was appropriately modified, according to data obtained from a direct investigation. Tourist spending was ascertained by means of a questionnaire submitted to tourists who stayed in agri‐tourist facilities. Main weaknesses of the tourist system were highlighted by means of personal interviews which were conducted with key informants.FindingsThe results emphasize a lack of coordination between the suppliers of products and services provided in the territory which limits local product visibility. An improved coordination would imply strengthening of individual actions and enhancing the value of products by linking them to the specific resources of the local system and cultural identity. This would determine a higher impact of agri‐tourism on the development of the area.Practical implicationsThe research gains a better understanding of the community's interest in promoting agri‐tourism and provides insights for the drafting of local development strategies.Originality/valueThe paper intervenes in the debate on the role of rural tourism in local development with a case study in which agri‐tourist demand was analyzed, its impact on local income and employment was assessed and existing constraints in achieving socio‐economic development were identified and discussed.
Worker and consumer face‐off on cultural distance and satisfaction
Authors: Boylu Yasin , Tasci Asli D.A. , Gartner William C. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is threefold: measure the differences in importance of cultural values between Turkish hosts and European guests; measure perceived cultural difference (distance) to see if importance of cultural values are commensurate with cultural distance perception; and identify potential influence of perceived cultural distance on job satisfaction for Turkish service providers (hosts) and trip satisfaction for European consumers (guests).Design/methodology/approachA survey research was conducted in tourist towns in the Southwest part of Turkey to gather data from Turkish hosts (service providers) and European tourists. Two stepwise regression analyses were conducted to assess the magnitude of the relative impact of several variables on job satisfaction for hosts and trip satisfaction for guests.FindingsAlthough results revealed differences in cultural values, cultural distance perception and satisfaction, the stepwise regression analyses did not reveal any influence of perceived cultural distance on satisfaction for either hosts or guests.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings of this study may not apply to all tourism consumption settings since respondents were surveyed in a general tourism setting context rather than limiting them to a certain consumption setting such as a restaurant, a hotel or a cruise ship.Originality/valueBy shedding light on cultural distance and its influence on both demand and supply side aspects, this study addresses a long‐neglected aspect in literature. Although several studies provide discussions on the impact of culture on both service providers' and consumers' attitude and behavior, there is a lack of empirical studies on the relationship between cultural distance and satisfaction.
The interrelations of decision‐making rationales around BSC adoptions in Finnish municipalities
Authors: Ilmari Rautiainen Antti 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the interrelations of the decision‐making rationales around accounting performance measurement (PM) adoptions in Finnish municipalities. Previous studies informed by new institutional sociology (NIS), have tended to assume that accounting PM adoptions occur because of either “rational” or “institutional” reasons. The accuracy of this “polar” view is empirically analyzed in this paper (as called for by Ribeiro and Scapens).Design/methodology/approachSurvey data (199 responses, 48 per cent response rate) were analyzed with factor analyses using, for example, SPSS and LISREL programs.FindingsThe decision‐making rationales (factors) around Balanced Scorecard (BSC) adoption were labeled “mimetic”, “rational” and “normative‐experimental”. Mimetic rationale correlated negatively with the other factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe data was small. Further, as case studies and LISREL diagnostics often suggest, there may be other forces involved in PM adoption related decision‐making.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the interplay of the various pressures may facilitate the management of PM development projects.Originality/valueRational and institutional rationales are opposed also in the Finnish public sector (corroborating DiMaggio and Powell), but this “polar” view needs to be amended with individual or “experimental” aspects (corroborating Granlund). Acknowledging all three rationales refines public sector PM adoption literature (Lapsley and Wright). Finally, the rationales were interrelated, i.e. able to interact or counteract in PM adoption related decision‐making.
Lean can be a survival strategy during recessionary times
Authors: Singh Bhim , Garg S.K. , Sharma S.K. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss a survival strategy for industry in recessionary time by means of lean principles and philosophies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the views of the authors regarding the application of lean principles and philosophies to overcome recession, followed by interaction with industrial personnel about recession, its effects and prevention.FindingsRecessionary time is the time for industries to follow lean guidelines and to look in to their business chain from raw material to end customer in order to remove all types of waste.Originality/valueThe paper provides some real help as to how to survive in recession as there is little published research on this topic.
Revisiting women managers and organisational acceptance
Authors: Wood Glenice J. 
Published: November 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to revisit earlier predictions by Judi Marshall in 1991 to explore whether similar issues were evident in a sample of contemporary female managers.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data from six Australian female managers who had participated in a longitudinal study over a period of ten years were examined. Career advancement aspirations and outcomes were compared with those of male managers, and reflections on the managerial role, and organisational practices were sought.FindingsExamples of organisational resilience “to involve women in organisations on equal terms” were evident in all the six female managers in the study. In addition, even when levels of success were achieved, it could be questioned whether these women could be seen as “definers of meaning (or culture)”.Practical implicationsOrganisational culture appears to continue to create difficulties for contemporary women in management. A system of accountability is strongly recommended, based on a similar reporting programme adopted by the Equal Opportunity for Woment in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) to measure the equal opportunity programmes on offer in the workplaces of organisations with 100 or more employees.Originality/valueThe paper is highly original as it seeks to compare predictions made by an eminent UK scholar in the field of women in management in 1991 with the experiences of a small sample of contemporary Australian female managers over a ten‐year period in their management roles.