bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trust and tacit knowledge sharing and use
Authors: Holste J. Scott , Fields Dail 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of affect‐based and cognition‐based trust of co‐workers on the willingness of professionals to share and use tacit knowledge.Design/methodology/approachThe relationships were examined through data provided by a sample of 202 professionals and managers in world headquarters of an international organization.FindingsThe levels of both types of trust influence the extent to which staff members are willing to share and use tacit knowledge. Affect‐based trust has a significantly greater effect on the willingness to share tacit knowledge, while cognition‐based trust plays a greater role in willingness to use tacit knowledge.Research limitations/implicationsThe data are cross‐sectional and were also collected in one organization. Future studies should consider longitudinal designs across multiple organizations. Alternatively, archival information could be used to measure actual tacit knowledge sharing and use among co‐workers.Practical implicationsThe results indicate that both distinct types of trust are involved in decisions affecting transfer and use of tacit knowledge. This suggests that knowledge management efforts may need to include a finer grained view of the nature of the social networks impacting the knowledge transfer and management process.Originality/valuePrevious studies have not examined the differential effects of both affect‐based and cognition‐based trust on employee willingness to share and use tacit knowledge.
The rapid growth of young firms during various stages of entrepreneurship
Authors: Littunen Hannu , Niittykangas Hannu 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to examine factors influencing the high growth of new firms in metal‐based manufacturing and business service firms in Finland. It seeks to compare the factors of how new firms achieve a high rate of growth during the first four years and years five to eight.Design/methodology/approachThe study reported here is part of a longitudinal research project that has followed the development of 200 SMEs in Finnish metal‐based manufacturing and business services since their start‐up in 1990. At the seven‐year follow‐up the present study concentrates on the 86 surviving firms. Logistic regression analysis was used as statistical technique in locating differences between high‐growth and other firms and their owner‐managers in the selected attributes. This paper focuses on Storey's key elements. In search of potential differences in these characteristics between high‐growth firms and other firms, this study compares Finnish firms in relation to founders' motives in starting up on their own account and in their individual background characteristics, changes in strategic factors, changes in networks and management styles during various stages of entrepreneurship.FindingsThe results indicated firstly that there is a clear connection between entrepreneur's know‐how and the high growth of firms. Secondly, the findings of this study demonstrate that external networks as a management capability bring about great competitive advantage, innovations and efficiency, especially during the first four years. However, the findings of five to eight years of development contradict the findings of the first four years. The results show that the use of internal networks has a positive effect on firms' high growth during years five to eight years. Finally, the results show that industry sector affected high growth, especially in specialised metal industry firms, both during the first four years and after five to eight years of development.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of this study for academics, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and other practitioners are that the so‐called support services of internationalisation and growth for new firms are most important. These support services could be developed with public sector assistance in areas such as financing research, innovation and information technology projects.Orginiality/valueThe paper provides a framework for testing the factors that differentiate growing new ventures during various stages of entrepreneurship.
Prior tacit knowledge and first‐year sales: learning from technology entrepreneurs
Authors: Marvel Matthew R. , Droege Scott 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to explore differences in tacit knowledge at opportunity recognition reported by founders of new technology ventures. The paper seeks to shed light on the types of tacit knowledge related to achieving sales within the first year of new technology ventures.Design/methodology/approachA survey was administered to 145 technology venture founders during structured interviews across 13 university‐affiliated technology incubators. To investigate tacit knowledge a framework was used comprised of ways to serve markets, customer problems, markets, and technology. The results were analyzed usingt‐tests and logistic regression while controlling for founder's years of work experience. A configuration analysis is presented revealing the patterns of knowledge related to sales in the first year of new ventures.FindingsThe study provides an understanding of how types of tacit knowledge relate to early sales outcomes in the high technology context. Prior hands‐on experiences with development of products or services as well as prior experiences within markets were found vital to achieving first‐year sales for newly created innovations. On the other hand, tacit knowledge of customer problems and technology is, surprisingly, of less importance.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings provide insights as to the particular hands on experiences important in achieving desirable venture outcomes. By identifying and developing tacit knowledge in particular areas (prior hands‐on development experience and prior experience within markets) future entrepreneurs may develop an early sales advantage. The results demonstrate how configurations of tacit knowledge link to desired outcomes while highlighting the importance of certain knowledge at the opportunity recognition stage of new product development.Practical implicationsGeneration of early sales for new technology ventures is a momentous concern for enterprise development. The ability to identify specific types of knowledge that link to initial sales enables educators and entrepreneurs alike.Originality/valueThe paper develops further a theoretical conceptualization of types of knowledge related to recognizing opportunities. The study contributes to the literature by assessing how patterns of tacit knowledge at opportunity recognition relate to achieving early sales in the context of technology entrepreneurship.
The bias of unhealthy SMEs in bankruptcy prediction models
Authors: Samuel Baixauli J. , Módica‐Milo Antonina 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to construct a financial health indicator to define the degree of financial health in order to decontaminate the estimation sample and to make predictions that are not biased by unhealthy firms.Design/methodology/approachThe binomial logit model is used to examine the likelihood that a firm will go bankrupt. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated models, measures proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision are applied: cumulative accuracy profile (CAP) and the receiver operating characteristics (ROC).FindingsThe proposed financial health indicator permits the heterogeneity of the firms to be reduced as well as identifying a strong firm sample to estimate the bankruptcy probability accurately.Originality/valueA drawback of all bankruptcy prediction models comes from the fact that bankruptcy is an example of a homogeneous observable qualitative response while non‐bankruptcy would be expected to be represented by a healthy firm. However, the non‐bankruptcy firms are heterogeneous and their actual probabilities of bankruptcy are non‐observable. The article adds to the previous literature on SMEs' bankruptcy prediction by using a financial health indicator to construct the estimation sample and to make accurate bankruptcy predictions.
Computer acceptance in Greek SMEs
Authors: Chatzoglou Prodromos D. , Vraimaki Eftichia , Diamantidis Anastasios , Sarigiannidis Lazaros 
Published: February 2010

PurposeOwing to the unique computing needs and different IT adoption patterns of SMEs, research findings concerning larger organisations may not be fully generalisable to offer practical assistance for the successful utilisation of computers. This paper aims to focus on factors affecting personal computer acceptance, using data from 278 employees from Greek SMEs.Design/methodology/approachAn aggregate structural model is developed, based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and incorporating social influence, management support, perceived service quality and computer satisfaction factors, that was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that perceived ease of use is more powerful in explaining computer usage and satisfaction, whereas usefulness has a strong impact on intention. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of internal (management) and external support in achieving wider computer acceptance.Research limitations/implicationsFactors such as end‐user training, facilitating conditions, self‐efficacy and computer anxiety should be incorporated into the model for a more complete understanding of the factors that influence computer acceptance in SMEs.Practical implicationsThe results indicate the importance of ease of use and usefulness perceptions, as well as computer satisfaction. Therefore management should pay special attention to the enhancement of such positive perceptions through adequate support and encouragement.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies in the literature to incorporate intention, actual usage and satisfaction in a single model, which is tested using data from SMEs. Overall, the final model can explain 60 per cent and 54 per cent of the variance in actual computer usage and computer satisfaction, respectively.
Liquidity management in small firms: a learning perspective
Authors: Ekanem Ignatius 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on liquidity management in small firms and how this may be best met. It seeks to present results from eight case study firms to demonstrate different types of learning in small firms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a qualitative methodology that involves in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews and direct observation, conducted longitudinally in eight case study companies.FindingsThe findings suggest that liquidity management is either based on owner‐manager past experiences, experiences of others or is strongly influenced by industry norms, which are shared rules within the industry, and not based on the calculation of costs and benefits of particular causes of action.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to the extent to which it can be generalised to a wider population of small firms. The main implication is that policy makers should facilitate networking opportunities where owner‐managers can interact with external advisors.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the paper is that it conceptualises liquidity management in small firms as a learning process utilising closed and open loop learning.
Ethnic minority businesses and immigrant entrepreneurship in Greece
Authors: Piperopoulos Panagiotis 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe present paper aims to report and analyse empirical data from 391 ethnic minority entrepreneurs and 132 of their family members, from eight different ethnic communities of Albanians, Armenians, Bulgarians, Chinese, Georgians, Indians, Nigerians and Russians in Greece.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents empirical data from face‐to‐face interview‐type research conducted between January 2006 and August 2008 in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia, Greece. The selection criteria used for the inclusion of enterprises in the ethnic minority business (EMB) database were: ethnicity of the business owner; sectors, including traditional sectors and emerging sectors of EMB; and finally location, i.e. in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia.FindingsThe findings of this research point to the fact that the three theories of “block mobility”, “opportunity structures” and “ethnic resources” complement each other in explaining the process of starting up an ethnic minority business and becoming self‐employed, while the “cultural thesis” seems to stand on its own.Originality/valueThis paper presents the results of the first‐ever large‐scale authoritative analytical research on EMBs and immigrant entrepreneurship in Greece, provides empirical evidence to why and to what extent ethnic groups are attracted to self‐employment, in which economic sectors they develop occupational niches, and how strong family participation and support is in the EMBs, and attempts to go beyond most of the existing literature, which is focused mainly on “Black” or “Asian” ethnic groups. The research makes a contribution by presenting empirical evidence of five “White”, one “Asian”, one “Indian” and one “Black” ethnic group.
Responsibility for and performance of corporate real estate functions
Authors: Hartmann Steffen , Linneman Peter , Pfnür Andreas , Moy Deborah , Siperstein Boris 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify different organizational models concerning both the functions and responsibilities assigned to corporate real estate (CRE) professionals in European and North American companies, as well as to determine the factors that influence the occurrence of these different management models.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical survey between 74 major European and 38 North American companies from the banking, energy, telecommunication, and transportation and logistics industries is conducted.FindingsFive typical models describing the allocation of responsibility of real estate functions within a company and the performance of those responsibilities are identified. Only weak statistical associations are found between these models and certain contextual factors that may influence the choice for a specific model, as well as between the models and certain achievements in CRE. From this, the paper infers that there does not exist one “best practice” CRE management model in a specific situation as often is stated, but instead, various promising organizational models seem to exist.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the organizational variables “responsibility” and “performance” of real estate functions and presents a differentiated view compared to existing research. Specifically, this is the first paper that analyzes and attempts to categorize the various existing approaches to the allocation of responsibility for CRE functions, as well as accountability of the corresponding performance. As such, this paper can therefore serve as an initial point for further research on this topic.
Methods for evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences
Authors: Niemi Jessica , Lindholm Anna‐Liisa 
Published: February 2010

PurposeCorporate occupiers are among the important interest groups in the real estate business. The whole value network in the real estate sector, consisting of, e.g. developers, investors, and service providers depend on the occupier organizations and meeting their needs and preferences. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the methods applied by the parties in the real estate sector in identifying and evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences regarding the physical, virtual, social as well as financial elements of the workplace.Design/methodology/approachBased on theme interviews with selected Finnish organizations, the applied methods for evaluating office occupiers' needs and preferences are analyzed and presented. The applicability of the methods is evaluated by a set of criteria based on a literature review and the interviewees' responses.FindingsThe paper presents an efficient and relevant evaluation of the applied methods in matrix form. Additionally, recommendations for the development of the methods are suggested.Practical implicationsAnalyzing the occupiers' needs and preferences related to physical, virtual, social, and financial elements of offices requires applicable methods. The methods should enable the parties in the real estate sector to analyze the direction of the real estate markets as regards the different elements.Originality/valueThe paper provides a classification and analysis of the methods applied to identify office occupier organizations' needs and preferences. Suggestions for further development of the methods are presented enabling a comprehensive analysis of needs and preferences.
Grade inflation in the college classroom
Authors: Tucker Jan , Courts Bari 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to assess the concept of grade inflation in higher education institutions in an effort to determine its prevalence, causes, and strategies that can be implemented to curtail it.Design/methodology/approachA literature review of the problem is presented along with several strategies as possible solutions to restraining the problem of escalating grades in the college classroom.FindingsThe problem of grade inflation has been a topic of concern for over a century and there are no quick fixes or simple methods of reversing this trend but there are several alternatives presented which could help curtail this trend.Research limitations/implicationsMost of the research is based on anecdotal research. Very little has been written on how to fix this problem.Practical implicationsThis paper brings this issue to the forefront in an effort to engage the reader, college administrators and educators.Originality/valueThe paper begins with an overview of previous research in this area and then moves on to what is currently being implemented to curb grade inflation. The authors then propose several methods and possible solutions that could be implemented to deal with this problem.
Ecoliteracy and Dewey's educational philosophy: implications for future leaders
Authors: Semetsky Inna 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis conceptual paper aims to explore ecoliteracy in education as originated in Fritjof Capra's ongoing efforts to foster ecological awareness through schools. Future leaders as ecoliterate will have developed an enhanced perception, a sense of value‐judgment in experience and sustainable self and other relations.Design/methodology/approachThe argument is supported by contemporary science of the complementary pairs as based on coordination dynamics.FindingsThe paper presents Capra's work positioning it alongside new “transdisciplinary education”. The paper argues for the critical examination of the particular structure of knowledge able to inform/develop ecoliteracy, as well as of the nature of educational leadership.Originality/valueThe paper revisits John Dewey's philosophy and his pragmatic inquiry as especially significant for developing ecological thinking and presents his method of deliberation as remarkably similar to “imaginative narrative”, one of the methodologies of futures studies.
Cognitive style and personality: impact on multimedia perception
Authors: Gulliver Stephen R. , Ghinea George 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between cognitive style, user personality and perceived multimedia quality.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used Cognitive Style Analysis and an adapted Myers‐Briggs questionnaire to assess cognitive style and user personality respectively. It also used an adapted Quality of Perception metric to assess user‐perceived multimedia quality.FindingsThe research shows that personality type and user cognitive style affects information assimilation, self‐perceived achievement and student level of confidence.Practical implicationsThis work suggests a number of practical recommendations to support the consideration of personality and cognitive style in preparation of educational multimedia material.Originality/valueThis paper provides consideration of personality and cognitive style, and the impact that they have on user multimedia perception.
Online media rivalry
Authors: Okazaki Shintaro , Romero Jaime 
Published: February 2010

PurposeThis study aims to identify distinct online media user segments on the basis of three media theories, namely media displacement theory, media complementarity theory and media richness theory.Design/methodology/approachA large‐scale, mobile‐based web survey was conducted in Japan to assess behavioural variables (media time allocation, media richness perceptions, and media access motives) and demographics.FindingsThe latent class model reveals four distinct media user segments: dual media users (i.e. users of the internet on both the mobile and the PC); mobile internet users; PC internet users; and passive online users. Dual media users are likely to: spend more time on information searching; perceive greater levels of media richness in online media; and share common motives for accessing internet media via both mobile and PC. The findings are consistent with our theoretical expectations.Research limitations and implicationsAny exploratory clustering of consumers is by definition a snapshot that depends on time and place. Consequently the findings would very likely have been different if the underlying data had been sampled at another time or in different locations. Despite this limitation the findings corroborate some of the basic tenets of theories of media competition and complementarity.Practical implicationsThe fact that almost a third of online media users access internet content via both mobile and PC suggests the increasing importance of cross‐media strategies.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering study that examines media competition and complementarity between the mobile internet and the PC internet.