Business Literature Research Articles

The continuance commitment of family firm CEOs

This study seeks to extend the classic socio-emotional and stewardship perspective on family CEOs with a complementary rational-economic perspective on their agentic behavior. To this end, using a sample of 103 top executives of U.S. family firms, we investigate the relationship between continuance commitment of family CEOs and their perceptions of family cohesion and discuss how this relationship is moderated by firm performance. Integrating insights from research on organizational behavior into the family business literature, we discuss how key decision makers in the family business context engage in rational cost-benefit analyses regarding their own personal investments in the firm. Our findings suggest that the continuance commitment of family CEOs interacts with performance to enhance perceptions of family cohesion.

Vying for and forgoing visibility: female next gen leaders in family business with male successors

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the identity work undertaken by female next generation to navigate (in)visibility in family businesses with male successors. To enhance understanding of gendered identity work in family businesses, the authors offer important insights into how female next generation use (in)visibility to establish legitimacy and exercise power and humility in partnership with male next generation in their family business.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical qualitative paper draws upon in-depth interviews with 14 next generation female leaders.FindingsThis study offers a model to show how female next generation establish their legitimacy amongst male next generation in power via a careful balancing act between vying for visibility (trouble) and forgoing visibility (exclusion). These female next generation gained acceptance by endorsing their own leadership identity and exercising humility in partnership or by endorsing their brother's leadership identity and exercising power in partnership.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the need for the incumbent generation to prepare successors, regardless of gender, via equal opportunities for business exposure and leadership preparation. This study also shows that vocalizing female-centric issues and highlighting hidden power imbalances should be led by the entire management team and not simply delegated to a “family woman” in the management team to spearhead.Originality/valueThis study advances understanding of gender dynamics and identity in the family business literature by identifying specific strategies utilized by female next generation to navigate (in)visibility in family businesses with male successors.

Survival still in dilemma: an empirical analysis of factors influencing the performance and survival of eateries in COVID-19-prone world

PurposeDistancing people socially as a precautionary measure against the mushrooming of COVID-19’s health and economic crisis has deleteriously affected the performance of the eatery industry to a great extent. Many food outlets failed to cope up with crisis and opted to move out, and many still vie to survive through pandemic. It becomes vital for researchers to understand what factors influence the performance and survival of eateries during the pandemic? The study makes an attempt to fabricate new factors which affect the performance and contribute significantly towards the survival of eateries in this new COVID-19-prone world.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is a cross-sectional analysis with the sample of 150 eateries from the walled city of Punjab (India), i.e. Amritsar. Factor analysis is employed to scrutinise the factors which influence the performance of eateries during the pandemic, and to analyse factors which contribute significantly for the survival of eateries, logistic regression is performed.FindingsThe empirical analysis reveals that at prior psychological factor, followed by turnover factor, external factor, financial factor and marketing factor influence the performance of eateries during the pandemic. Only three factors, namely turnover factor, external factor and financial factor, turned up to be significant towards the survival rate of an eatery. The marketing factor which is a crucial contributor for survival of business in literature has turned out to be insignificant during the times of pandemic.Originality/valueWith the arrival of pandemic, the preference of people has changed, and the business environment in which entities operate has turned more complex. The present study is one of the pioneer attempts to evaluate whether the factors responsible for performance or survival of an eatery during normal times is relevant during the pandemic as well. The study contributes to the literature of eatery industry by adding a new variable namely psychological factor, i.e. changes witnessed in customers’ preference to visit an eatery.

Dealing with high-risk environments: Institutional-based tools to reduce political risk costs

The international business (IB) literature on political risk mitigation has assigned explanatory preeminence to the organizational capabilities of multinational corporations (MNCs). The literature has assumed that political risk is avoidable for MNCs with specific political capabilities. We argue that political risk is inevitable. We posit that even if MNCs have political capabilities, host countries' political risk and its associated costs will not simply disappear. Extending the literature on political risk mitigation, we highlight the role of institutional-based tools in curbing political risk costs. Specifically, we posit that MNCs can reduce political risk costs through (i) international investment agreements, (ii) investment contracts with host governments, (iii) political risk insurance, and (iv) guarantees with binding enforcement mechanisms in unison with relying on political capabilities, thereby dampening the negative effect of uncontrollable host country political risk. We leverage the political-institutional approach to political risk and draw on relevant literature from law and IB to develop a framework to describe the conditions under which MNCs may use these institutional-based tools.

A multi-disciplinary view on a corporate real estate alignment model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine a recent comprehensive corporate real estate (CRE) alignment model which was derived from previous CRE alignment models. This study proposes several modifications and additions based on business and decision-making literature to increase the framework’s multidisciplinary strength and extend its implementation phase. Design/methodology/approach Literature from various fields is reviewed and “lessons” incorporated into the framework. The business literature review began with corporate strategy theories cited in CRE alignment theory and extended to critiques of those and more recent theories. Likewise, decision-making and implementation both began with material cited in CRE literature and “rippled” out to encompass pertinent material. Findings The model used provides a robust framework, and this study has identified several areas that would appear to improve that model from a theoretical and practical perspective. Areas of further research are identified that appear to offer opportunities to further develop the framework. Originality/value Historically, there has been a tendency for new CRE alignment models to be created rather than existing ones being developed further. Here, a framework derived from a meta-study of CRE alignment models is reviewed, and improvements are proposed to further develop CRE alignment theory and its application in practice through the addition of viewpoints from the business field and more focus on the implementation phase of the model.

Family Owner–Nonfamily CEO Relational Practices Shaping CEO Succession: Handling Equivocality and Relational Balancing

This study focuses on family owner–nonfamily CEO relational practices and what these relational practices constrain and potentiate in family firm CEO succession. Our main contribution is developing a constructionist relational practice perspective and approach as an alternative to the entitative view that dominates the family business literature. We illustrate the relational practice perspective through our dialogically structured inquiries with family owners and nonfamily CEOs. We co-develop practical wisdom on how family owner–nonfamily CEO relational practices can construct stuckness in organizing or, conversely, open up new possibilities to go on depending on (i) the way the family owner and nonfamily CEO “handle” equivocality and tension they continuously (re)produce through their relational practices and (ii) the way they enact “relational balancing” to equilibrate their relation in the making in terms of value/self-worth maintenance by involving other actors, such as board members, management team members, or a coach.

Internationalization of SMEs: A Developing Country Perspective

Internationalization has become increasingly important to the competitiveness of firms of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs play a crucial role in the development of lower-income countries. In Bangladesh, SMEs account for between 80 and 85 percent of industrial employment and 23 percent of total employment and are critical to economic growth. Though the literature on firm internationalization is well established, the internationalization process of SMEs from developing countries, such as Bangladesh, remains relatively under-explored. The main aim of this study is to explore factors that hinder the internationalization of SMEs in a developing country, with Bangladesh serving as the context of the investigation. Qualitative research methods were adopted, comprising semi-structured interviews with leaders of 16 SMEs in Bangladesh. Six major themes were identified as hindrances to the firms’ internationalization: (1) lack of market knowledge, (2) lack of family support, (3) the proliferation of ‘scammer buyers’, (4) the (negative) involvement of third parties, (5) mismanagement of domestic ports, and (6) unregulated local market. Regarding positive factors, only one theme emerged from the data, the strong support from the local government, which provides considerable backing for local SMEs with international ambitions. This study’s primary contribution and originality lie in the context of the investigation, with Bangladesh primarily overlooked in the international business literature. Therefore, the study presents several novel insights into the internationalization process of SMEs.

The Multinational Enterprises Strategies in Emerging Economies

The purpose of this paper is to review international business articles, particularly what strategies in emerging economies and multinational enterprises subsidiaries strategies. The first paper is Hoskisson, Eden, Lau and Wright's 2000 article, entitled strategy in emerging economies. Emerging economies are low-income, fast-growing countries that rely on economic liberalization as their primary growth engine. Emerging Economies investigates strategy formulation and implementation by private and public enterprises in a variety of regional contexts and from three major theoretical perspectives: institutional theory, transaction cost economics, and the resource-based view of the firm. The second paper is Amy J Hillman and William P Wan's 2005 article, The Determinants of MNE Subsidiary Political Strategies: Evidence of Institutional Duality. A model of the determinants of political strategies used by foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) is developed and tested in this study by integrating international business and political strategy literature to create a multilevel model of the subsidiary, host country, and parent determinants of political strategy. Using recent theoretical advances in institutional theory that acknowledge that MNE subsidiaries face pressures for isomorphism both within the corporation (internal legitimacy) and within the host country (external legitimacy). A common thread can be drawn between these two articles, namely the use of institutional theory in determining the strategy for multinational enterprises.

To Explore or to Exploit? Opportunities, Dynamic Capabilities, and Performance of Maritime Enterprises in Ghana

ABSTRACT This study investigates how the recognition and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities influence small business performance via interactions with firm-level innovation capability and learning orientation. We frame the study within the maritime-sector context and seek to contribute to the understanding of how the interplay between opportunity recognition, exploitation, innovation capability and learning orientation affects the entrepreneurial performance of local businesses when there is a technological policy change. The study further frames its arguments from a dynamic capability perspective and tests its arguments with data from 284 local businesses operating in the Port of Tema. Findings reveal that opportunity exploitation and learning orientation as well as their interplay have a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial performance. The study consequently presents local micro-entrepreneurial reactions to macro-level policy changes within the maritime sector – an issue that has largely remained uninvestigated in the African business literature due to maritime blindness.

Rethinking Manager’s Core Competence Paradigm by Integrating Intercultural Competence at Its Heart

Abstract Manager’s role has become more complex along the decades due to social, economic and political changes that affected business worldwide. This paper is part of a larger project to highlight the importance of intercultural competence as a core management competence in an era of globalization, workforce cultural diversity, international business, worldwide connectivity. Based on a thorough bibliographic investigation including books, statistics, relevant business literature and journals, articles, research studies, meta-analysis, mega-trends analysis, we demonstrate the need to review the most important management trends and paradigms for a better understanding of a manager’s role along the time and at present and we bring arguments to support a manager’s core competence paradigm by integrating intercultural competence at its heart. By direct observation and informal interviews with managers working in multinationals exposed to a multicultural environment, we collected and presented several case studies in our paper to show that successful managers should possess intercultural competency in order to manage cross-culturally for their teams’ wellbeing and efficiency and for company productivity.

Enhancing Microgrid Stability through a Hybrid Virtual Synchronous Machine Topology

Abstract: Combined heat and power generation (DER) produced by diesel generators is gradually being replaced by consumer renewable energy (RES). However, since RES sources often reduce the inertia of the grid, they can cause serious problems, especially in microgrids. Therefore, inverters interacting with different DERs connected to the microgrid need to change their control method. Because of their similarity to synchronous motors, virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) are one of the best known for microgrid power generation and can be included in a safety assessment. Many questions remain, as VSGs are still a new concept and are often considered for DER integration in microgrids. In addition, although the business and the ideas that develop it are discussed in the business literature, there is no difference in everything that can be found in the literature. The integration of VSG-based inverters into microgrids with different renewable energy sources is the focus of this article. This PhD is the result of a collaboration between the two laboratories G2Elab and Lab, Schneider Electric and its R&D transformer group.

Economic Growth Stimulant in Nigeria: Components and Combined Analysis

Economic growth stimulus in developing countries such as Nigeria is still an important discussion in economics and business literature. This study sought to examine the stimulus of economic growth in Nigeria, analyzing components and combined effects. Secondary data werecollected from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, which reported data between 1980 and 2019. To analyze the data collected, simple and multiple linear regression models were used. The findings revealed that four components—the exchange rate, money supply, interest rate, and export—were statistically significant in stimulating the growth of the economy. The inflation rate as a component was not statistically significant in creating favorable stimulation for economic growth.The combined effect of these factors showed a statistically significant effect on stimulating economic growth. Interest rate and inflation showed a negative relationship with real GDP (an indicator of economic growth), while the other three indicators showed a positive relationship. Therefore, we recommend that the government, firms, and individuals always consider actions that will reduce the negative effects of inflation and interest rates on the economy

A Juggler's manifesto: elevating creativity to stay productive amid uncertainty

PurposeThe Industry 4.0 environment is characterized by fast data, vertically and horizontally interconnected systems, and human–machine interfaces. In the middle stands the manager, whose sustained performance is critical to the organization's success. Business disturbances—such as supply chain disruptions during the pandemic—can quickly test the manager's resiliency. While creativity and flexibility are critical for success in these situations, these skills are often not promoted directly. This paper will discuss strategies for enhancing managers' creativity and resiliency and give suggestions for improving professional development training and post-secondary business education.Design/methodology/approachA synthesis of the literature in business and psychology provides a foundation for creating a conceptual model incorporating strategies to promote managerial creativity and resiliency. While the model focuses on managerial performance under adverse conditions, the tenets of the model also apply during times of relative stability.FindingsFindings based on a synthesis of the literature on creativity in business and psychology provide the foundation for a conceptual model to identify potential elements in training and curriculum design to further managers' creativity and resiliency. This model recommends clear, actionable training and program-level curriculum design suggestions for improved managerial performance.Originality/valueThis paper identifies a conceptual model to enhance managerial creativity leading to increased resiliency through professional development programs and suggestions for educators in post-secondary business education. This model provides tools for managers to deal with adverse and rapidly changing conditions flexibly, promoting employee productivity and satisfaction.

STRATEGIC FAMILY WINERY BRAND LAUNCH IN THE VUCA (VOLATILITY, UNCERTAINTY, COMPLEXITY, AMBIGUITY) MARKET: THREE CASE STUDIES FROM SERBIAN MARKET


 The purpose of this study is to extend previous research on brand innovation by uncovering the process of family winery branding in relation to the new product launch in the VUCA market on the case of three Serbian wineries. The study deploys qualitative oriented and empirical approach in presenting a multi-case study. Three semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with owners and/or managers in these three wineries. The results demonstrate that all three family wineries are offering high-end product for the domestic market with smaller one still experimenting with strategic direction of innovating for high-end market while the two larger ones putting focus either on autochthonous grape varieties with eye-cathicng labels or authentic brand identity with strong storytelling. Another important aspect identified is the frugal nature of product launch in the family wineries due to limited resources. The paper presents is among only few studies on new product development in wine business literature.

Is there a liability of foreignness or foreign privilege in developing nation compliance monitoring?

PurposeDrawing on the international business and game theory literature, this study assesses foreign firm treatment in the early stages of regulatory enforcement.Design/methodology/approachTreating regulation intensity as an exposure variable, negative binomial regression models were applied to firm-level data from 32 emerging markets (n = 15,331) to identify the determinants of inspection interactions. Robustness checks also were performed via variable substitutions for several predictors and an alternative form of statistical testing (i.e. Tobit regression, since it arguably better addresses dependent variables with corner solution responses).FindingsControlling for multiple organizational, regulatory and national characteristics, the findings are consistent with a foreign privilege, manifesting in reduced vulnerability to multiple encounters with labor inspection officials. Moreover, inward FDI stock was negatively related to the general probability of repeat interactions regardless of locus of ownership, an effect that was not moderated by stage of development or the regulatory influence of host interest groups. This collectively suggests that foreign firms not only are favored in compliance monitoring but also work post-entry to influence agencies to generally benefit business.Research limitations/implicationsMore comprehensive assessments were precluded given the lack of information on reasons for contact, citations and fines, and inspectorate reactions to company responses. Second, enforcement-risk management was measured indirectly since investors' internal dealings and actions toward officials are unavailable in secondary sources.Practical implicationsThese findings have important implications for social responsibility, suggesting CSR stakeholders need to track enforcement more closely and exert pressure where needed so rights are not sacrificed for economic development.Originality/valueThis study provides the most rigorous assessment to date of the role that firm, government and economic factors play in national inspection targeting. It also examined whether foreign owners pool and leverage their political influence to impact general inspection activity, a previously untested prospect.

Blockchains: A review and research agenda for international business

A growing number of firms around the world are adopting blockchain technology. However, international business literature has devoted little attention to blockchain despite its potential to transform the field. Our study seeks to provide a thorough understanding of blockchain and the implications of the technology as it represents a new way to produce and maintain trust between organizations. We also provide a comprehensive discussion of the implications of blockchain for international business research. Specifically, we evaluate how blockchain can help firms overcome gaps in trust and increase transparency in supply chains, improve inter-organizational relationships, and reduce the need to internalize activities by lowering transaction costs. We also discuss how blockchains are transforming capital raising activities and accelerating the speed with which firms internationalize. We conclude with research opportunities for international business scholars to pursue to better understand the implications of blockchain technologies.

Incumbent entry modes and entry timing in sustainable niches: The plant-based protein transition in the United States, Netherlands, and United Kingdom

While literature on sustainability transitions has generally portrayed incumbent firms as reluctant to engage in sustainable niches and primarily employing strategies that aim to limit niche growth, practice offers many examples that contradict this. In this paper, we mobilize insights from organizational literature, and particularly the concept of entry modes and entry timing from the international business and strategy literature, to investigate incumbent firms’ engagement in sustainable niches through the introduction of new products, collaborative efforts with new entrants, the introduction of new brands, mergers & acquisitions, and investments. We focus on entry modes of incumbent firms, including food firms, meat processors, retailers, and food service firms, in meat substitute markets in the United States (US), the Netherlands (NL), and the United Kingdom (UK). We identify distinct entry mode patterns for the four firm types and that the entry modes of different types of incumbent firms vary in their timing and commitment towards the plant-based meat substitute niche. Contrary to the general consensus stemming from previous literature on incumbent engagement in transitions, our case shows that incumbents proactively engaged with niche products incentivized by economic opportunities stemming from changing consumption patterns, which preceded any regulatory action.

Exploring Family Businesses Succession in Indonesia: The Knowledge Management Lenses

This study aims to formulate knowledge management strategies within the scope of family businesses to achieve succession success. The researchers examined knowledge management practices in family businesses in Indonesia, which have a collectivistic culture and contribute to family business literature. Successor characteristics were measured using an exploratory qualitative case study approach using Likert scales and semi-structured face-to-face interviews to support data. The study's results found that successor characteristics in family businesses positively influence all succession phases, and the average values in all phases meet good criteria. Suggestions for future researchers, this family business study is limited to successful intergenerational transfer cases. It does not examine failed cases, so it needs to expand the sample to a wider range of family businesses undergoing transition.

Networking in Academic Medicine: Keeping an Eye on Equity.

Networking in Academic Medicine: Keeping an Eye on Equity.

Twelve tips for excelling as an introvert in academic medicine (at all levels)

Background Introverted individuals comprise up to half of the population, but are often overlooked in a culture that privileges extraversion. This misunderstanding of introversion has downstream effects for introverts in academic medicine, including lower grades on clinical rotations, increased stress, and under-representation in leadership positions. Aims To increase support for and awareness of the unique strengths of introverted individuals at all stages of a career in academic medicine. Description This article offers twelve tips, based in the educational, business, and personality literature, to empower introverted students, residents, and faculty members for success in academic medicine. While many of the tips apply broadly, certain tips may be more relevant to those in a particular career stage. Conclusion Increased understanding of the natural tendencies and strengths of introversion will promote a more inclusive working environment for all personality types in medicine and allow introverts at all levels of training and practice to thrive.