Business Research Research Articles

Leveraging a Dual Organisation-Development (OD) Process: A Longitudinal Study of a Start-up’s Transformation in the Energy Sector

AbstractThis paper explores the transformative journey of a start-up company in the energy sector, employing a Dual Organisation-Development (OD) Process, as conceptualised within the co-generative learning/organisation development (OD) model. Originating from a doctoral thesis, this research unveils the application of the dual OD process in a longitudinal study of a start-up’s pursuit to revolutionise the Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) market through digitalisation. The company aimed to connect energy users directly with renewable energy producers, ensuring transparency and traceability of the renewable origin of energy. Initiated through the “DIgitalised Node-trading for renewable energy with GO (DINGO)” project, the start-up received funding from a Norwegian research fund called Oslofjordfondet, propelling the development of a digitalised platform and the underlying research. This paper documents the dynamic interplay between daily business operations and the DINGO project, presenting the dual OD process as a bridged, facilitated intraorganisational and interorganisational development mechanism. Grounded in participatory organisation development and the cogenerative learning model, the study draws on historical written sources and insider perspectives. The research unfolds three key dimensions of the dual OD process within the start-up. Firstly, the research-based innovation project itself serves as a continuous learning and maturing process, reshaping the company over time. Secondly, the project opens avenues for accessing crucial financial, technological, and human resources, fostering new interorganisational collaborations. Thirdly, the project introduces friction between the research project and daily business operations, propelling the business model into unforeseen pathways, resulting in intraorganisational changes. To enhance the depth of the study, a reflection dialogue with the project owner were conducted in the spring 2024, offering a hindsight reflection on the effectiveness of the dual OD process in enhancing project outcomes and its continued application within the company. The paper contributes to understanding the pivotal role of research in early-stage business development, introducing the dual OD process as a valuable model for comprehending the intricate interaction between daily business operations, business modelling, and research projects. It also pays homage to Professor Morten Levin, highlighting the enduring influence of his mentorship and the co-generative learning model. In addition, entrepreneurs can derive practical insights from the dual OD model, providing a framework for navigating the challenges and opportunities inherent in combining business modelling and research, thereby facilitating successful business development.

Exploring the moderating effect of family communication patterns on the family CEO characteristics – family firm internationalization relationship

This article explores the impact of family CEO characteristics on internationalization and how this relationship is moderated by family communication patterns. Drawing on family communication patterns theory, which states that family communication varies across two dimensions, i.e., family conversation orientation and family conformity orientation, we argue that early family communication shapes family CEOs’ behavior in later life and moderates the effect of family CEO characteristics on internationalization. Our results from a sample of 182 Belgian private family firms (FFs )show that family CEO education has a positive effect on the internationalization of FFs, but this effect decreases as the family conformity orientation increases. These findings make unprecedented and interesting contributions to upper echelon and family business research.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 17, No. 5

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 17, No. 5, 2024

Green human resource management in a family business setting: a fuzzy set approach

ABSTRACT Sustainability in family businesses as an entrepreneurial initiative is an emerging research field. The literature assumes that owners, managers, and employees in family businesses adopt homogeneous sustainability practices as a global construct mixing social and environmental issues. However, green human resource management (GHRM), considered as an innovative process, is focused on understanding how regular managers and employees become green-oriented and aim for business sustainability by applying green policies and practices. Based on previous green HRM research, this study proposes to apply a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify the combinations of key practices observed in 513 family businesses in Quebec. This perspective helps to explain some of the boundary conditions and combinations of green HRM practices in family businesses based on more realistic insights by avoiding a merely linear analysis. We highlight four different pathways connecting green HRM system to economic performance. This study is the first to explore green HRM practices in family businesses. The paper concludes by discussing how the findings advance knowledge on sustainability in family business research.

Business Research and Development: Is there a Substitution Effect of Public Support?

The importance of research and development is reflected in the fact that one of the main priorities of the EU's development policies is increasing spending on research and development in EU member states (EC, 2010). Enterprises do not always have enough internal financial resources to launch their own innovation projects, and therefore they turn to external resource providers (Wang et al., 2016). The paper is aimed at examining the impact of corporate expenditures on R&D from the point of view of their funding sources and analysing the occurrence of the substitution effect of public support for R&D in EU 27 countries. These countries also have the highest level of public financing of research and development, that is, they use the public support of business innovations to the highest extent. The analysis showed that in the EU 27, the substitution effect of public support for research and development is not significant, or rather the complementarity of both types of expenditure prevails at the national level, as public funding of corporate research and development seems to have a positive effect on private research and development and investments. Our analysis is based on available secondary data for 27 EU member states. for a twenty-year observation period (2000-2020). The results have been achieved by using a methodology that includes cluster analysis, panel regression and correlation analysis. We bring new empirical evidence on the relationships between public support and business research and development expenditures. The research results showed the main sources of funding for corporate research and development. It concerns the business enterprises, government and abroad. The cluster analysis determined three clusters, divided according to the structure of the financing of R&D enterprises in EU countries. The results of the cluster analysis were partially in line with the current results of the European Innovation Review. Our findings provide policy implications for the public support policy.

Dynamics of International Business

This AIB Insights issue presents articles associated with the theme of the 2024 Academy of International Business (AIB): Dynamics of International Business. The issue starts with an introductory editorial by AIB 2024 Conference Chair, Catherine Welch. This is followed by articles on data and artificial intelligence regulations and their impact on international business, advancing international business research through “necessary” component analysis, strategies for multinationals to navigate social movements, and a perspectives article addressing how academics can reduce their carbon imprint by redesigning our conference structure to reduce flying.

Digital Business as a Field for Research and Education

Digital technologies ignite new businesses and force existing companies to restructure their business models. Various independent academic research streams discuss the potential of digital technologies for business. However, these streams’ research findings are published across outlets in various communities, and an approach to bringing these streams together is missing. In this position paper, we propose to integrate these streams under the concept of Digital Business. We see Digital Innovations as the core of Digital Business and offer a framework for structuring the field. Using this framework, we describe the field’s development to date and provide three ideas for further integrating the field in the future. Altogether, a key aim of this paper is to create a conceptual basis that structures both research and education in the field Digital Business.

SYNERGY OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND ANTI-CRISIS STRATEGIES IN ENSURING ENTERPRISE STABILITY

The article considers the current problem of ensuring the stability of an enterprise in conditions of economic instability through the synergy of the organizational structure and anti-crisis strategies. The research aims to learn about different approaches to the integration of organizational structures with strategic management, which contribute to increasing the adaptability of an enterprise to external challenges. The main elements of synergy are considered to be, in particular, the mechanisms of implementing anti-crisis measures within the existing organizational structure, which allow for increasing the stability of an enterprise in conditions of market instability. The article draws attention to the fact that effective cooperation of the organizational structure with anti-crisis strategies significantly improves the ability of an enterprise to adapt to changes in the external environment. Based on the data obtained, recommendations are formulated for improving management decisions aimed at increasing the adaptive potential of an enterprise. In particular, the possibilities of optimizing internal processes in order to react faster to changes and minimize risks related to crisis phenomena were analyzed in detail, which ensures the stability and competitiveness of the enterprise. The possibilities of optimizing internal processes in order to react faster to changes in the external environment are considered. Particular attention was paid to the role of leadership in implementing strategic changes. The effectiveness of using the company's resources in crisis conditions was assessed. The role of leadership in implementing strategic changes is considered separately. Leadership in crisis times plays an important role in ensuring the effectiveness of implementing anti-crisis measures, as well as in strengthening the corporate culture, which contributes to increasing the level of trust and cohesion of the team. The article shows that the effective use of the company's resources in crisis conditions is a key factor in ensuring its long-term stability. The conclusions from the work indicate the need to improve the organizational structure of the company in order to ensure its greater integration with anti-crisis strategies, which will allow the company to effectively face external challenges and strengthen its competitive position on the market. Therefore, the presented article contains practical recommendations that may be useful both for business managers and researchers in the field of strategic management and organizational development in conditions of economic instability.

Development of the Better Research Interactions for Every Family (BRIEF) intervention to support recruitment for neonatal clinical trials: an intervention mapping guided approach

BackgroundRecruitment for neonatal clinical trials can be particularly challenging. Low enrollment rates bias the research population and decrease generalizability of findings. We identified a critical need for an intervention to improve how researchers recruit for neonatal clinical trials. Working within the US neonatal research context, we developed the Better Research Interactions for Every Family (BRIEF) Intervention, which had two overarching goals: to improve the recruitment experience for all parents, focusing on minoritized populations, and to increase participation, focusing on decreasing disparities in research participation.MethodsWe used intervention mapping (IM) to guide all steps of intervention development. IM is a planning framework that provides a systematic process and detailed protocol for step-by-step decision-making for intervention development, implementation, and evaluation.ResultsWe performed IM’s six steps. In step 1, we convened two stakeholder groups, a parent panel and an expert panel, who provided guidance through development of all BRIEF components. Through a recent systematic review, empirical data collected by our team, and consultations with the panels, we identified key determinants (barriers and facilitators) of low enrollment rates and research team members as change agents. In step 2, we iteratively refined our list of key factors to include and linked determinants of behavior changes to these performance objectives. In step 3, we chose three theories (social cognitive theory, theory of information processing, and the trans-theoretical model), methods from identified practical applications suitable for the population (research team members) and the context (busy research NICU teams). In step 4, we developed and refined the intervention components, including self-guided pre-work and a single in-person session. In step 5, we identified the Darbepoetin plus slow-release intravenous iron trial as our partner study in which to pilot BRIEF. In step 6, we developed a multi-stage evaluation plan that included five distinct levels of outcomes.ConclusionsThis manuscript shares our rationale and processes for the creation of a research team member-facing intervention aiming to improve recruitment processes for neonatal clinical trials. Our approach can inform those aiming to improve recruitment for neonatal clinical trials and those who may be considering use of IM within similar contexts.

Internal control effectiveness, supply chain management efficiency and capital allocation efficiency: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe present study aims to investigate the impact of internal control effectiveness on supply chain management efficiency (SCME) and capital allocation efficiency for companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). In addition, it investigates the mediating role of supply chain management efficiency in the relationship between internal controls and capital allocation efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe data about 191 companies in 2014–2022 were examined. The sales per inventory ratio was used to calculate SCME. The present study also applied the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) for endogeneity concerns.FindingsThe results showed that internal control effectiveness has a significant positive effect on SCME. Moreover, internal control effectiveness and SCME significantly positively affect capital allocation efficiency. SCME has a mediating role in the relationship between internal control effectiveness and capital allocation efficiency. These findings remained robust even after several robustness tests. In addition, this study tested the results' robustness by dividing data into the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 years. The previous results were also confirmed according to the robustness test of COVID-19.Originality/valueChallenges in the supply chain often hinder capital allocation efficiency. In addition, enterprises should try to establish strong internal controls to ensure SCME. Therefore, the relationship between internal control effectiveness, SCME and capital allocation efficiency is complex and underscores the importance of robust internal controls in optimizing resource allocation within organizations. Interestingly, this topic has not been extensively researched in accounting and business research, and there is a lack of empirical evidence on these effects. Consequently, this study aims to fill the gap and identify potential opportunities for new research directions.

Protean career orientation: relationship to turnover intentions and moderating roles of current organizational career growth and future organizational career growth

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsResearchers from China found that the relationship of “protean career orientation” (PCO) to turnover intentions was negative when current organizational career growth (OCG) was high, and it was positive when OCG was low. They also established that future career growth prospects weakened the link between PCO and turnover intentions.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Competency development opportunities and OCB: the fully mediating role of subjective career success

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings In a study of 353 working professionals in Malaysia, researchers found no significant direct link between perceived opportunities for competency development (POCD) and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). But the authors did establish that subjective career success (SCS) fully mediated this effect. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Business and Economic Research, Vol. 14, No. 3

Business and Economic Research (BER) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from June 1, 2024, to September 1, 2024. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether BER publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Publishing appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Almir A. AlihodžićAminu Adamu AhmedBratu (Simionescu) MihaelaFayez Bassam ShriedehGrigorios L KyriakopoulosGyanendra Prasad PaudelHui Shan LeeMohsen MohagheghMuddassar SarfrazNaftaly MoseNemer BadwanRoderikus Agus TrihatmokoYutian YangZi-Yi Guo

Using the difference-in-differences design with panel data in international business research: progress, potential issues, and practical suggestions

Using the difference-in-differences design with panel data in international business research: progress, potential issues, and practical suggestions

설명 가능한 인공지능을 활용한 은행대출연체 예측 모델 연구

[Purpose] This study aims to create a loan default prediction model using machine learning, a core concept of AI technology, and explainable AI (XAI) techniques, and to compare and evaluate it against highly interpretable models such as logistic regression. [Methodology] This study utilizes the data of household loan customers of Local Bank A in South Korea from December 2020 to June 2022 to generate and compare the logistic regression model and the XGBoost model. We used SHAP, one of the XAI techniques, to explain the XGBoost model. [Findings] The XGBoost model shows better prediction performance than the logistic regression model. By applying SHAP to the XGBoost model, we identify key predictors： credit rating, average bank deposit balance over the past six months, card loan risk rating, K rating agency’s multiple debt risk index, average core deposit balance over the past six months, and the current interest rate of the loan account. [Implications] The machine learning model (XGBoost) combined with XAI shows better prediction performance than the logistic regression model, and the key predictors identified by the two models are similar. Therefore, the combined model could serve as an alternative to the logistic regression model commonly used in business research.

Social Exchanges in Family Businesses: A Review and Future Research Agenda

Different social exchange relationships among family members and between family and non-family stakeholders influence individual, group, and family-firm outcomes. Although many studies provide insights into social exchange relationships in family businesses, these studies are scattered across multiple literatures. Using the lens of social exchange theory, we review and organize 74 such studies. After discussing what is known and what gaps remain, we juxtapose our review with new theorizing about social exchanges to elicit research opportunities for family business research and for leveraging the family business context to “give back” to social exchange theory.

Branicki, L., Brammer, S., Linnenluecke, M., & Houghton, D. (2023). Accounting for resilience: the role of the accounting professions in promoting resilience. Accounting and Business Research, 53(5), 508-536

A presente resenha analisa os trabalhos de Branicki et al. (2023) e Burnet (2023). Ambos os artigos abordam a importância da contabilidade na promoção da resiliência durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O primeiro fornece uma base teórica, enquanto o segundo destaca a aplicação prática. Ambos os estudos exploram a necessidade de transparência, comunicação e adaptação rápida durante crises, desafiando a visão tradicional da contabilidade e destacando sua importância na sociedade, indo além do patrimônio tangível para considerar também o patrimônio imaterial, como a resiliência.

A “Necessary” Component in Advancing International Business Research

International business research must grapple with the interdependencies and context-specificity of phenomena. We propose necessity-based research as a complementary approach to enhancing the rigor and relevance of such scholarship. By focusing on necessary conditions, we offer guidance for how future research can develop actionable theories that account for the complexity of phenomena and better resonate with firms. We illustrate the potential of necessity-based thinking through the lens of multinational firms’ environmental performance, highlighting how conditions may vary in degree and in combination to achieve the outcome. Embracing necessity-driven research can generate new insights that provide clear explanations while avoiding oversimplification.

Trade policy revisited: how government support initiatives affect international performance in SMEs?

Purpose This paper aims to understand how government support initiatives can enhance the international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address the gap of literature, this paper employed three theoretical lenses to examine both of direct and indirect relationships between two main constructs. Design/methodology/approach This empirical study is based on data collected from Armenian exporter SMEs. The data collection utilized a random sampling approach, resulting in 138 fully completed questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 28.4%, comparable to previous studies in international business research. This sample includes firms from three main sectors: agriculture, manufacturing and services, reflecting the structure of Armenia's international trade. Relationships were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results of this study indicate that government support initiatives lack a direct impact on international performance, while positing instead an indirect connection between the two constructs through strategic capability and institutional pressures. Originality/value The results of this study contribute to the international business literature in several ways. First, it surpasses the conventional examination of government support on firm performance by delving into both the direct and indirect relationships between these constructs. Second, it reveals that not all theoretical viewpoints hold equal strategic importance in explaining the internationalization of SMEs. From the practical point of view, findings help policymakers to maximize a country's export capacity by implementing tailored initiatives, considering the unique requirements of SMEs.

Investigating the actualization of open data affordances for start-up entrepreneurs

Purpose This paper aims to explore the extent of open data actualization for start-up entrepreneurs based on affordance theory. The principal interest of the study revolves around the possible actions or actualization of open data for innovation and entrepreneurial benefits. Design/methodology/approach The author used a qualitative case study as the research design. The author consulted the central public agency that manages open data implementations in Malaysia regarding the research topic. By doing so, the author recognized and interviewed start-up entrepreneurs who actualize open data in businesses. From that exercise, the author conducted a snowball sampling technique to recruit more informants for the research. Start-up entrepreneurs selected for the study must be active in an entrepreneurial project and have at least one year of experience using open data for innovation and entrepreneurship. The author conducted 30 online semistructured interviews with start-up entrepreneurs, representatives from open data providers and a start-up association for triangulation purposes. The author adopted affordance theory as a lens of understanding. Qualitative analysis software was used to generate research findings. Findings In this study, start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data in three principal areas: product building with open data, value creation with existing products and open data for business research and strategies. The study came across distinct narratives of local start-ups that build open data products named “a property start-up,” “mechanics on the go” and “peer-to-peer digital charity movement.” Also, the study discovered three unanticipated findings about the research topic. First, the study uncovered two start-ups that used open data to enhance algorithm designs. Second, the study revealed a unique narrative of a start-up that pivoted business ideas based on open data during the Covid-19 pandemic. Third, the study learned about a start-up that initiated strategic partnerships with an agricultural association and smallholder farmers inspired by open data. These findings extend the literature on how start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data for entrepreneurial gains in a developing economy. What is also unique about this study is that there might be an open data misconception among start-up entrepreneurs. The findings advocate that some start-up entrepreneurs believed all data should be shared or opened upon request based on the generic understanding of open data. Clearly, this is a fallacy, and better awareness is required among start-up entrepreneurs regarding open data principles and implementations. Practical implications Data providers need to build a credible image of open data as a foundation to drive actualization. This can be achieved through capacity building, awareness campaigns and strategic engagements with start-up entrepreneurs. Open data institutions need to initiate flagship projects with start-up associations in highly valuable sectors to demonstrate commercial applications of open data in certain fields. Originality/value Previous research provides limited empirical studies on the commercial application of open data for start-up entrepreneurs. Hence, the novelty of this study lies in understanding how start-up entrepreneurs actualize open data to create value in their respective fields.