Business Perceptions Research Articles

The Entrepreneurial Capacity of Young Farmers on Agribusiness Activities in West Java

Farmer regeneration is a solution to the declining number of farmers. The research aims to analyze descriptively agribusiness activities, entrepreneurial capacity, the role of agricultural extension workers, government support, family, community, market and characteristics, and analyze the factors that influence the entrepreneurial capacity and agribusiness activities of young farmers. Data collection through interviews using research instruments. The instrument was in the form of a valid and reliable questionnaire. Data analysis was performed descriptively and inferentially using Structural Equation Models (SEM). The results found that young farmers had a better education than adult farmers, most of whom had not yet received training and apprenticeships, had access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), perceptions of agricultural businesses were in the medium category but the motivation was still low. Likewise, young farmers receive external support, the role of agricultural extension workers is still low and has the capacity and agribusiness activities in the low category. Developing entrepreneurial capacity can be done by strengthening the characteristics of young farmers and the role of agricultural extension workers. The characteristics of young farmers are reflected through formal education, access to ICT, perception, and motivation. The role of the agricultural instructor is reflected as a facilitator, communicator, motivator, and consultant. Strengthening the agribusiness activities of young farmers can be done through their entrepreneurial capacity by increasing the ability of adaptation, leadership, ability to manage businesses, cooperation, and the role of agricultural extension workers as facilitators, communicators, motivators, and consultants. Agribusiness activities of young farmers can also be increased by strengthening external support including support from government, families, communities, and markets.

Of free markets and a secular mind: the value of economic decentralization and individual secular values in entrepreneurship

Building upon Hayek’s seminal work regarding the benefits of market decentralization, in this study, we examine the complementary role of an individual’s secular values in further explaining the association between decentralization of economic affairs, entrepreneurial activity, and self-employment. We argue that studies on Hayek’s notion of decentralization may be incomplete in their conceptualization without a transition to individual morality based on more secular values. We consider decentralization of economic affairs and secular values to explain why entrepreneurial activity differs across countries. In study 1, we find that the decentralization of economic affairs increases the odds of being an entrepreneur in a startup, but does not influence the likelihood of owning/managing a business or perceptions related to the opportunity to start a business. In study 2, we find evidence of mixed support for decentralization and self-employment; however, with meaningful effect sizes but with marginal significance, we find that an individual’s secular values complement the association between decentralization of economic affairs and self-employment. The findings are robust to alternate specifications. By demonstrating the role of secular values in strengthening decentralization, we lay the foundation for melding economic perspectives with the freedom from religious ethos as an important consideration for entrepreneurial activity. However, the mixed effects of decentralization on different modes of entrepreneurship also call into question the value of decentralization in modern economies. Plain English Summary Higher levels of individual secular values, even by a small amount, enhance the benefits that economic decentralization can have on entrepreneurial activity. In this paper, we use a two-study approach to examine how individual secular values might influence the effects of economic decentralization on entrepreneurial activity. In study 1, we find that the decentralization of economic affairs increases the odds of being an entrepreneur in a startup, but does not influence the likelihood of owning/managing a business or individual perceptions related to existing opportunities to start a business. In study 2, we find evidence of mixed support for the effects of economic decentralization on self-employment. However, we find some evidence suggesting that an individual’s secular values complement the association between decentralization of economic affairs and self-employment. Thus, the principal implication of this study is that policymakers should take into consideration the overall secular values present in society when making decisions regarding economic decentralization, particularly with regard to understanding the potential effects that decentralization could have on entrepreneurial activity.

Family business identity, consumer product evaluations and firm size

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between family business identity disclosure by firms and consumer product evaluations and the moderating impact, if any, of firm size on this relationship. Toward this end, the study seeks to develop a theoretical explanation for how consumers process family business identity information.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative pre-study was conducted to obtain preliminary evidence that consumers’ perceptions of family businesses originate from both family- and business-based category beliefs. A product evaluation experiment, involving young adult subjects, was used to test the research hypotheses, and the experiment data were analyzed using MANOVA.FindingsThe key finding was that the effect of family business identity disclosure on consumer product evaluations is moderated by firm size.Practical implicationsThis research has implications for businesses seeking to promote their family business identity in branding communications.Originality/valueThis research provides a theoretical account of why consumers might hold different perceptions of family business brands. The interactive effect of firm size and family business identity information disclosure on consumer product evaluations contributes new insight to family business branding.

Green Technology Transfer in a Developing Country: Experiences from Vietnam

This study explores the transfer of efficient & eco-friendly technologies through the perceptions of both business and technology specialists in four Vietnamese organisations. Twenty-two semi- structured interviews were conducted with business leaders and technology scientists. The interviewees were asked to share their views on the motivations for importing green technology; their familiarity with, knowledge of, and understanding of green technology transfer and the current green technology performance in their organisation. Oliver’s (1991) theoretical framework of actors’ resistance to institutional demands is employed as a theoretical lens to investigate the perceptions of practitioners. Our study suggests that despite some benefits of the adoption of green technology, there are huge concerns over the use and importation of green technology such as the lack of operational tests, the old technologies and the lack of knowledge transfer. This is one of the first studies to explore eco-friendly technology transfers in a developing country from the micro-level perspective of both business and technology practitioners of green technology -recipient organisations.

Tourism business operators’ perceptions, knowledge and attitudes towards climate change at Victoria Falls

Climate change remains one of the biggest challenges facing the world today and is characterised by extreme weather events such as heatwaves, extreme droughts and floods. Regardless of the threat posed by climate change to the tourism business, there are still gaps in tourism business perceptions and knowledge of climate change. This research investigated tourism business operators’ perceptions, knowledge and attitude towards climate change at Victoria Falls. In this study that took a multidisciplinary approach, primary data were gathered using an online QuestionPro survey instrument and interviews. The survey was administered door-to-door to the identified 122 potential tourism business operators and other key stakeholders. A sample of 77 completed surveys (a 63% response rate) was realised. The study found that there was a general understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change on the tourism business operators, even though the tourism industry was not taking full responsibility for its role in causing climate change. The respondents also cited challenges and barriers in dealing with climate change, including the lack of knowledge and finance, ignorance and a lack of technical capacity. Climate change was deemed to have caused disruption in tourism activities at Victoria Falls because of reduced water flow levels at the waterfall and the destruction of tourism infrastructure during extreme weather events. The research recommended improvement in climate change knowledge, climate financing and build capacity to help the tourism industry meet both the Sustainable Development Goals and commitments to the Paris Agreement.

Does Cloud-Based Accounting Information System Harmonize the Small Business Needs?

Cloud technology is now becoming a valuable resource, as it provides cost-saving business technology. Businesses exist to earn a profit by keeping their capital and expenses low. In an attempt to address the issue, this study employs structural equation model to complement literature on users' technology acceptance behavior. The framework of the study was based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) to better understand the adoption of cloud computing by small businesses owners. This study looks at the perception and attitudes of small businesses (SMEs) towards cloud technology based accounting information systems, therefore, their intention to adopt the technology. Result support the view that perceived usefulness, ease of use and credibility positively influenced SMEs' attitudes towards cloud-based accounting information systems and therefore their intention to adopt the technology. The result enhances literature in the field of cloud-based accounting systems for small businesses.

Relationship marketing and third-party logistics: evidence from hotel industry

PurposeThis study examines the outsourcing criteria prevalent in the Hotel industry of Pakistan. In doing so, the study investigates the role of trust in the association between relationship marketing dimensions—communication, opportunistic behavior, reputation, satisfactory prior outcomes and specific investment—and third-party logistics provider’s (3PL) selection.Design/methodology/approachUsing a close-ended questionnaire, data were collected from 97 hotels of various categories operating in Pakistan and involved in 3PL outsourcing. Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modeling was employed to estimate the modeled relationships.FindingsWith a high predictive relevance of the model, communication, satisfactory prior outcome and reputation were found to have a significant effect on the trust, whereas the results showed a significant mediating role of trust in the association between communication, reputation and 3PL provider’s selection.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses static data from selected firms and cannot be used to analyze behavior over a period of time. Hence, a generalization of results should be made carefully.Practical implicationsFindings imply that for fully capitalizing on the benefits by virtue of their prospective relationship, the managers must streamline their processes and activities according to path directions that endorse a higher degree of trust in their service providers and establish an effective system of communications interconnecting their mutual goals and objectives.Originality/valueThe outcome of the research study illustrated the perceptions of the local businesses with regards to the 3PL service provider(s) selection via the establishment of trust.

Integrating Business CSR With Local Government Development Program: Business Perception

The mandate of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Indonesia through various laws and regulations, provide an alternative source of funding for local government for the development and the provision of basic services in their area. However, the process of integrating business CSR with local development program must consider the perception of all relevant stakeholders, namely local government officials and staff or managers managing CSR programs in the company. Business CSR are often placed as an instrument for companies to achieve its interest, such as to obtain a social license, reputation and security of business. This study is aimed at understanding business perceptions in integrating business CSR with local development program. The study took place in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra province, which is known as a regent where many mining and plantation companies operating in the region. The method used is a descriptive qualitative research method by conducting unstructured interviews with managers and staff of 10 business companies in this region. The study found that there were differences in perceptions of managers and staff towards the integration of CSR with local development programs. The differences of perception is occurred as the local government is still not adopted the business interests. This can be used as a guideline for all parties as a first step to integrate CSR programs with regional development planning.

Tax Relations from a Position of Business Safe Development and Protection of State Interests

Purpose: the article analyzes the tax policy of the Russian Federation and judicial practice of the cases related to tax legislation from the standpoint of business safe development and protection of state interests; contains measures that allow the formation of adequate tax relations between the state and business aimed at the development of the national economy.Methods: tax relations consider in two aspects: from the position of state interests, on the one hand, and subjective perception of business, on the other. In the research process, economic and statistical methods for processing analytical data, graphical and tabular methods for visualizing research results used, as well as methods for complex, system, comparative and structural-functional analysis and traditional general scientific methods: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, comparisons, generalizations, analogies, etc.Results: the author has performed an analysis of the structure and dynamics of tax revenues to the budget system of the Russian Federation and the results of the consideration of tax legislation application in terms of meeting the claims of various parties and the amounts recovered from lawsuits of tax authorities and taxpayers. The features of the regulatory framework to protect the interests of the state and business in the field of tax relations have considered. The key threats and opportunities for development at different levels of the functioning of tax relations have identified and specific measures aimed at improving the mechanism of tax relations between the state and business have proposed.Conclusions and Relevance: analysis of judicial practice shows an increase in the fiscal focus of the results of the consideration by the Arbitration courts of the cases related to tax legislation. The formation of a set of specific organizational and legal measures in the field of taxation aimed at improving business protection is necessary for protection of the state interests and the safe development of the national economy. They are the organization of effective interaction of business with regulatory authorities; reduction of taxation of investments in fixed assets; development of mechanisms for protecting the rights of investors.

Young farmers and parents’ perception for the future of agriculture: socio-spatial integration of Coffee Farmers in Jeneponto Regency

Farmer’s social perception is an important factor in the future development of agriculture. Especially the perception of young farmers needs serious attention considering that they are the pioneers of agriculture in the future. This study aims to examine the perceptions of young farmers towards their future and parents’ perceptions of the future of young farmers. The census study involved 151 coffee-farming families with productive-age children who were then interviewed separately. Data analysis using different test, factor analysis, then integrated in socio-spatial. The perception of the group of parents is greatly influenced by how they have strong access to farming, they assume that the activities of this sector require hard work, time consuming, energy and are synonymous with gross and dirty work. This is a precursor to form a social perception that more income is not the main benchmark in determining the social class of the community but rather the type of livelihood. The decision taken by farmer parents for their children is based more on social perceptions that farming work is still considered low in the social strata even though the income generated is in a decent category. In contrast to the perception of parents, young farmers are more optimistic about the future in developing business in agriculture seeing the potential and agricultural resources they have. The perception of young farmers is formed not entirely because of high education, but the ability to access information is a factor forming the perception of groups of young farmers, low education does not correlate with their ability to access information. Based on these results, we conclude that differences in perceptions are present as a result of differences in age backgrounds, perspectives, and characteristics. Poverty that has long ensnared the farming community has changed the social perception of the perspective of the current farming community, so that the perception emerged for farmers that leaving the agricultural sector is the best way to leave poverty. Therefore, it is necessary to launch an agricultural education system into the village, how the education system directly reaches the farming community in the village in order to create a modern agricultural social environment that is business-oriented in the community and family so that it can equate perceptions of the future agricultural business.

Aspirational Individuals, Hopeful Communities: Histories and Subjectivities of Precarity in Regional Australia

In this paper, we utilise Jørgensen’s concept of what precarity does to make sense of stalled industrial development in a regional Australian community. In 2008–2009, a Chinese-owned multinational company proposed the development of an alumina refinery near Bowen, Queensland, offering residents the prospect of economic and local job growth, before the proposal was shelved in 2010. In direct contrast to the imagined ‘secure employment’ residents hoped the development would offer, past experiences of multinational developments had instead compounded economic and social precarity. Through a qualitative study of community and business perceptions in Bowen in 2008–2009, we explore how a regional community understands and resists histories and experiences of precarity. Despite recognising the changing economic and social structures that have contributed to insecurity, actors position themselves as malleable and aspirational potential workers, rather than resisting employment insecurity through collective means. This study provides a way of understanding the forces that impact aspirations of work in regional Australia and the gap between these aspirations and the tangible social impacts of a neoliberal economy.

Parking and restaurant business: Differences in business perceptions and customer travel behaviour in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Restauranteurs in Australian cities often resist local government car parking management regimes and advocate for increased parking provision in local planning. But are restauranteurs’ views of the importance of car parking to their trade in line with reality? To explore this question this study surveyed restaurant businesses and customers in parallel at three restaurant precincts in inner-city Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The survey results indicate that restauranteurs and restaurant patrons have asymmetric views about the role of parking and the way it affects restaurant spend. This paper identifies two very different market segments when exploring the customer’s travel mode preferences to access restaurants. These two segments are influenced by the built environment in their choice of restaurant location which in turn, gives implications for planning practice. The results show the way in which customers access a restaurant is influenced by the built environment of the location of restaurant. The analysis has also highlighted that an investigation of trip chaining behaviour as part of the access decision for dining would be a future avenue for research. This paper provides evidentiary support for planning policy in relation to parking. On the one hand, this paper shows how planning authorities can make better decisions about transport infrastructure supply and parking control in conjunction with the restaurant sector. On the other hand planners can use the outcome of this paper as a way to help businesses to understand that sustainable transport options may, contrary to their view, be beneficial to their bottom line.

The customer is king: Evidence on VAT compliance in Tanzania

Abstract Value Added Tax (VAT) has emerged as one of the main modes of raising tax revenue worldwide, but has significantly underperformed as a revenue source in African countries. To improve compliance, Tanzania has introduced Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs), which automatically transmit information about business transactions to the tax administration. However, VAT collection has not improved as expected. In this paper, we examine EFD compliance and identify factors that influence it. An innovation in this study is the direct observation of EFD usage: our enumerators waited for customers departing from business premises, and then checked their receipts, interviewed them and interviewed the businesses. This design enabled us to observe each business’s actual compliance in issuing EFD receipts, thus mitigating the problem of dishonest reporting of compliance, which is common in self-reported survey data. We find that EFD compliance is associated not only with the business’s perception of other businesses’ compliance and its satisfaction with public services, but also, and more strongly, with the customer’s perception of detection and penalty risks.

Sudden Stop: When Did Firms Anticipate the Potential Consequences of COVID-19?

COVID-19 hit firms by surprise. In a high frequency, representative panel of German firms, the business outlook declined and business uncertainty increased only when the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic led to domestic policy changes: The announcement of nation-wide school closures on March 13 caused by far the largest change in business perceptions. In contrast, business perceptions hardly reacted to any other potential source of information: Firms did not learn from foreign policy measures, even if they relied on inputs from China or Italy. The local, county-level spread of COVID-19 cases affected expectations and uncertainty, albeit to a much lesser extent than the domestic policy changes.

Sudden Stop: When Did Firms Anticipate the Potential Consequences of Covid-19?

COVID-19 hit firms by surprise. In a high frequency, representative panel of German firms, the business outlook declined and business uncertainty increased only when the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic led to domestic policy changes: The announcement of nation-wide school closures on March 13 caused by far the largest change in business perceptions. In contrast, business perceptions hardly reacted to any other potential source of information: Firms did not learn from foreign policy measures, even if they relied on inputs from China or Italy. The local, county-level spread of COVID-19 cases affected expectations and uncertainty, albeit to a much lesser extent than the domestic policy changes.

The important level of washing machine quality dimensions in 4.0 industrial era based on the perception of a laundry business: A preliminary investigation

The development of technology has created various type of innovative washing machine on the market. Numerous options influenced consumers’ quality expectations. Consumers’ expects more from the ever-growing number of washing machines. This research aims to identify washing machines’ quality dimensions in 4.0 industrial era and their level of importance based on the perception of a laundry business. This study used one subject, a medium-sized drop-off laundry business “X” in Bogor, Indonesia. The identification of indicators and quality dimensions was done through ad scouring process, discussion with the research team, and interviews with Laundry X. The importance level of washing machine quality dimensions was assessed using the Kano model. The results show that washing machines in the 4.0 industrial era have several superiorities in terms of customization, easiness, smartness, safety, performance, aesthetics, durability, information and service support, and environmental orientation and energy efficiency. For Laundry X, easiness, safety, performance, durability, and information & service support are the most important dimensions.

Factors affecting future of work: Insights from Social Media Analytics

Twitter is one of the most comprehensive sources of public conversations over the world. As a platform, it provides a medium to a large group of audience to express their views and opinions. Owing to the snowballing of the cheaper smartphone market coupled with cheaper data services, the platform has experienced an enormous increase in its use and has become a good medium of influence. Hence, Twitter data i.e. around 1.1 lakh tweets over a period of three months (January to March, 2019) are used to extract the tweets surrounding the discussion of future of work which is the result of the emerging technologies vis-à-vis automation, IoT and Industry 4.0. to understand the perceptions of people, organizations and businesses regarding the same. Furthermore, themes surrounding the discussions are identified and technology enablers that are perceived to bring about a change in the future of work. The social media discussions can strongly influence the opinions and perceptions of people, businesses or organizations regarding Future of Work. The results of sentiment analysis exhibit that there is not much negative sentiment regarding the change in nature of work. Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are identified as the main technology enablers.

Entrepreneurship Concepts: The perceptions of Malay businesses on Malaysia - Thailand Cross-Border

Previous studies have found that smuggling is the economic activity of Malay traders on the borders of Malaysia - Thailand which is easy, cheap, fast, and does not need to comply with complex regulations. Rantau Panjang town, Pengkalan Kubor, Tak Bai and Narathiwat are among the locations of two countries that involved in smuggling among entrepreneurs, wholesalers, and retailers. This problem has been a major issue for the Enforcement and Legislation Unit, the Royal Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysian Police in managing the controls and actions along this border. Hence, the objective of this study is to review the perception of Malay traders in Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor on the importance of entrepreneurial concepts as a healthy practice in their business. Using AIDA Model, this study covers Malay traders in Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor as respondents. This study conducted a structured interview to measure the respondents’ perception in terms of their way of thinking, attitude and entrepreneurial culture. The findings of this study showed that their entrepreneurial perspective focuses on the level of observation and interest, and they are less likely to improve their entrepreneurial desire as an entrepreneur. In fact, this finding also shows that entrepreneurial thinking, attitudes and culture are decreasing. This shows that most Malay traders on the Malaysia - Thailand border are small traders that still have to deal with market competition and unsystematic business chains, causing them to be bounded with smuggling activities in their businesses. In conclusion, this study shows that there are still many Malay traders on the border that lack of understanding of entrepreneurial concepts in their business as discussed earlier by entrepreneurial thinkers and researchers.

ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ ВАРТІСНО-ОРІЄНТОВАНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ У МАЛОМУ СІМЕЙНОМУ БІЗНЕСІ РОЗДРІБНОЇ ТОРГІВЛІ

The issue of implementation of Value Based Management in Small Family Retail Business has been investigated in the study and its feasibility has been proved. Despite the absence of statistical record about family business in Ukraine, we assumed that majority of medium-size, small and (as a part of small ones) microenterprises were family-owned (especially those which are registered as individual entrepreneurs). The tendency revealed by the authors (on the base of analysis of statistical data on those types of business) indirectly proves the increasing role of family business in Ukraine, regardless of insufficient attention paid to it by the government and local authorities and even absence of such a term in Ukrainian law.Firstly, special characteristics of family business and its difference from ordinary businesses have been clarified. The main principles of family business are: strength in unity, ability to handle conflicts, fairness, social engagement, strong values, pride and mutual support. Hence, taking into account that the biggest obstacle of VBM implementation is transformation of the way of thinking into the value-oriented one with perception of business as your own (by every manager and employee), we are convinced that it would be much easier to implement value philosophy (and VBM as a whole concept) in family business. Besides, the aim of maximization of the long-term value instead of current revenue is fully consistent with the objective of begueathing effective business to the heirs.Secondly, the stages of implementing VBM in Small Family Retail Business have been identified. They are: Task set, Assessment set, Сlarification set, Culture set, Planning set, Analysis set, Result set. Furthermore, the value chain for Small Family Retail Business has been built in the study. It includes Manufacturers and suppliers, Logistics (delivery, storage), Shops (management, sales areas, equipment), Customers service.Finally, the Value Drivers Tree for Small Family Retail Business has been developed, taking account of specificity of the type of business being examined. The three key value drivers are: Spread (between ROIC and Cost of Capital), Sustainability and Growth. Spread creates value, Growth accelerates value and Sustainability makes it possible to prolong existing of a firm on the fast-changing market.The results obtained in the study can be used in further research in this realm.

Framework for Managing Collection of E-waste in Household

An incredible use of electronic devices and its services, rapid advancement in technology and modernization has led to efficient, effective and relevant output to the society. On the other hand, its usage at such a large scale is worsening the environmental conditions. Mostly in developing countries including India, the waste produced by these equipments are not handled in an environment friendly manner. It’s a big challenge to manage e-waste in a responsible way by creating awareness among people. This paper is based on primary data which is collected by conducting survey among students and working professionals. The perception regarding whether people want to resale or repair their products for proper management of e-waste produced in the household, finding approximate e-waste produced in a year by them and also various approaches that can be used for encouraging people for the same has been studied. It is found that people are aware about the various components present in electronic products but has inadequate knowledge regarding maintenance of the e-waste to save our environment. This paper also includes framework for e-waste management which both the society as well as people involved in the whole process will get benefited according to the business perception.