Unique Institutional Context Research Articles

Beyond teaching: the extended role of informal entrepreneurship education and training in challenging contexts

PurposeWe seek to understand how informal entrepreneurship education and training (EET) processes support marginalised women in challenging institutional contexts into gainful participation in entrepreneurial activities, facilitating empowerment and emancipation.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs an inductive qualitative approach drawing on in-depth individual interviews, a focus group and observation of how female informal EET educators facilitate hands-on EET to marginalised female entrepreneurs in Uganda.FindingsWe specify a range of novel complementary practices that informal EET educators undertake during the main instructional EET stage and present the wraparound purposive work, both pre-and-post the instructional stage, they enact to support female empowerment processes for their disadvantaged learners. We then propose a grounded model capturing practices enacted by EET practitioners that illuminates ways in which informal EET can contribute to processes of empowerment and emancipation.Originality/valueOur contributions are twofold. First, we conceptualise EET educators as institutional entrepreneurs undertaking institutional work beyond core teaching. Second, we specify a range of novel complementary practices they undertake before, during and after the conventional instructional part. This illuminates how EET can contribute to processes of empowerment and emancipation. Drawing on data from a unique institutional context, we illuminate novel practices enacted by informal EET educators thereby extending both the pedagogy and the realm of entrepreneurship education with implications for grander empowerment and emancipatory outcomes beyond the development of entrepreneurial competencies.

Divided by policy, united by resilience: Using transformative pedagogy to impact prospective teachers in all contexts

As American teacher educators and teachers are being roiled by restrictive legislation around critical race theory and divisive concepts in some states, our investigation explored the impact of critical communities of practice (CoP) on redesigning and teaching introduction to education courses with a transformative lens. This manuscript details the collaboration of four equity-minded teacher educators, each representing unique institutional and political contexts. While two authors taught in states which promote culturally sustaining pedagogies, the other two authors taught in states that had passed laws restricting the professional autonomy of educators and honest discussions of race and racism. Participation in this critical CoP as a support group enabled us to better understand and navigate our dichotomous policy contexts and renewed our commitment to teaching prospective teachers to be politically conscious and empowered to teach in anti-racist ways. Our CoP was instrumental in helping us recognize that transformative pedagogies and collaboration are effective tools that can provide much needed support to teacher educators across policy contexts, while we simultaneously strive to prepare teacher candidates who will teach in culturally sustaining ways.

Navigating HRM practices in the Indian institutional context: multinational vs domestic enterprises in comparative perspective

PurposeThe role of distinct institutional context in shaping employment practices is particularly evident in emerging markets where institutional measures are often evolving and not yet fully established. This presents several challenges, particularly for multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in such contexts. This research paper aims to provide a comparative analysis of HRM practices, specifically recruitment and selection, internal career opportunities and performance appraisals between domestic and multinational companies in a large emerging economy, that is India.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, survey-based data was gathered from a diverse sample of 252 companies, comprising both domestic enterprises (DEs) and MNCs, to collect comprehensive data on HRM practices. The aim is to provide a nuanced understanding of the variations in HRM approaches between DEs and MNCs, taking into account the unique institutional context of the Indian market.FindingsContrary to initial expectations, the study’s findings do not support the hypothesis that MNCs would prioritize more rigorous and effective HRM practices compared to DEs in the Indian context. Instead, the results reveal that DEs place a greater emphasis on effective HRM practices than their MNC counterparts, despite the latter’s international reach and operational success. These findings shed light on the distinctive HRM strategies used by MNCs and DEs when navigating the complexities of the Indian market.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing IB literature by providing a comparative perspective that emphasizes DEs proclivity for institutional entrepreneurship and change. Exploring the resource dynamics for both MNCs and DEs, the study showcases them as divergent adaptive navigators within (in)formal institutional logics, adept at navigating and influencing institutional structures and shaping distinct HRM practices. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about HRM priorities of MNCs and DEs.

Conformity or differentiation: How corporate social responsibility affects employee behaviour in China

AbstractIn reality, not all enterprises pursue the same or similar corporate social responsibility practices. The effects produced by enterprises fulfilling the identical corporate social responsibility are not always the same. Based on the social identity theory and social exchange theory, this paper discusses the impact of corporate social responsibility on employee behaviour, so as to clarify the deep‐rooted motivations and effects of enterprises' choice of different social responsibility strategies under Chinese unique institutional contexts. By adopting a quantitative approach, this paper finds that corporate social responsibility positively predicts employee behaviour, and that different types of corporate social responsibility have different effects. In addition, this paper finds that employee organisational commitment mediates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and employee behaviour. Consistent corporate social responsibility mainly affects employees' in‐role behaviour primarily through normative commitment, and differentiated corporate social responsibility mainly affects employees' extra‐role behaviour through affective commitment. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Emerging Markets for Firm Internationalization

This study examines the challenges and opportunities of firm internationalization in emerging markets, using MTN Nigeria as a case study. Through a mixed-methods approach involving semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and a survey of 150 MTN Nigeria employees and managers, the study identifies the key challenges faced by the company, including weak and unstable regulatory environment, infrastructure deficiencies, intense competition, cultural differences, lack of skilled local talent, and corruption. The study also highlights the main opportunities capitalized on by MTN Nigeria, such as the large and growing population, liberalizing telecommunications sector, potential for innovation in digital and financial services, growing middle class, untapped market segments, and strategic partnerships with local firms. The findings are compared with existing literature, revealing consistencies, extensions, and implications for theory and practice. The study contributes to the understanding of firm internationalization in emerging markets by providing a nuanced analysis of the specific challenges, opportunities, and strategies in the Nigerian telecommunications industry. It also highlights the limitations of existing theories and the need for adaptation to the unique institutional, cultural, and competitive contexts of emerging markets. The study offers recommendations for future research, including comparative studies across different emerging markets and critical examinations of the broader societal and developmental implications of firm internationalization.

Digital transformation and the herd effect of corporate green investment

Based on China's unique institutional context, this paper empirically examines the relationship between corporate digital transformation and the herd effect of green investment. The findings indicate that digital transformation significantly promotes the herd effect in corporate green investments. Heterogeneity tests reveal that the enhancing impact of digital transformation on this herd effect varies with the nature of ownership and industry characteristics. The results of this study not only enrich the understanding of the economic consequences of corporate digital transformation but also offer a new research perspective on the herd effect at the organizational level.

The “Real Man” and National Security

This article explores the relationship between masculinity and national security. There may be a reluctance to view the values, attitudes, and beliefs associated with a particular version of masculinity as a driver for violence. Yet, the “real man” version of masculinity is consistently correlated with those who in engage in mass violence, mobilized violence, and violent extremism—which present a threat to national security. The “real man” identity is also correlated with significant gender disparities in quality of life including income, health, happiness, and mortality for men. Such grievances represent yet another driver of discontent and violence. National security requires that we recognize and understand potential threats and subsequently work to mitigate those threats. Men in the US military have traditionally been viewed as prototypical of masculine identity and its associated values, attitudes, and beliefs. As such, this version of masculinity represents a unique institutional context to examine the “real man” version of masculinity, and to advance gender equality and overcome the harms that rigid gender roles present to national security.

Is a critical mass of women always enough to improve firm performance? The importance of the institutional context

PurposeThis paper aims to present a comprehensive theoretical framework that seeks to explore the impact of cultural, legal and social factors within the external environment on the relationship between women on corporate boards and firm performance. By investigating these boundary conditions, the paper aims to shed light on how these pressures influence the aforementioned relationship.Design/methodology/approachTo build the sample of companies, the authors selected companies listed on the stock exchanges of countries that represent a diverse range of institutional contexts. These contexts encompass countries with individualistic cultures, collectivist cultures, environments with mandatory gender quotas, environments without gender quotas, contexts with substantial progress toward gender equality and contexts with limited progress in achieving gender equality. To test the hypotheses, the authors used linear regression analysis as a primary analytical approach. Furthermore, they used the propensity score matching technique to address potential issues of reverse causality and unobserved heterogeneity.FindingsThe findings indicate that the positive influence of a critical mass of women on corporate boards on firm performance is contingent upon the institutional context. Specifically, the authors observed that this relationship is strengthened in institutional contexts characterized by an individualistic culture, whereas it is not as pronounced in collectivist cultural contexts. Furthermore, this research provides compelling evidence that the presence of a critical mass of women on boards leads to enhanced firm performance in institutional settings where gender quotas are not binding, as opposed to settings where such quotas are enforced. Lastly, the results demonstrate that the presence of a critical mass of women on boards is associated with improved firm performance in institutional settings characterized by low progress in achieving gender equality. However, the authors did not observe the same effect in institutional contexts that have made significant strides toward gender equality.Originality/valueThis research offers a unique perspective by investigating the relationship between women’s presence on corporate boards and firm performance across different institutional contexts. In this investigation, the authors recognize that gender diversity on corporate boards is not a one-size-fits-all solution and that its effects can be shaped by the unique institutional contexts in which companies operate.

Towards intersectional approaches to gendered change in Antarctic research

AbstractAntarctic research remains an enterprise in which people with certain backgrounds and identities have distinct career advantages over others. In this paper, we focus on barriers to women's participation and success in Antarctic research. Drawing on feminist social science literature on gender inequality in science, we identify two foundational, interrelated factors that have hampered progress across global Antarctic research. We propose that these barriers can be effectively addressed through intersectional approaches to change. We synthesize a broad range of multidisciplinary research on intersectionality in scientific workplaces and apply this literature to the unique institutional, historical and geographical contexts of Antarctic research. We argue that an intersectional lens improves understanding of persistent gender inequalities in Antarctic research, and we offer examples of how intersectionality can be practically applied within Antarctic institutions and communities. By embracing intersectional approaches to change, the Antarctic research community has the opportunity to lead in the advancement of equitable global scientific cultures and to fully realize Antarctica's potential as a place for peaceful, scientific collaboration by and for all humanity - not just a privileged few.

Effects of implementing a problem-solving template in introductory physics courses

Many introductory physics textbooks include problem-solving templates that are intended to assist students in solving complex physics problems. Despite the widespread use of such templates, there is little evidence as to their effectiveness. In this study, we investigated the effects of using a research-based problem-solving template in three physics courses at a university in Kazakhstan. We generally found that students who were taught using the problem-solving template performed significantly better than students in a control group on midterm examinations. However, we saw no difference between the control and template groups on the final examinations or post-test. We saw significant uptake (60%–80%) of the template components when we analysed homework solutions from the template group and found that student attitudes toward the template were generally positive. Interestingly, we did not find substantial correlations between course performance and the degree to which students used the template on their assignments. Overall, the results are somewhat inconclusive as to the effectiveness of research-based problem-solving templates in traditional physics classrooms because of the limited sample size, unique institutional context, and mixed results from the analysis. This indicates a need for more robust and continued research in the area of problem-solving templates.

Supervisor support, religiosity, work engagement, and affective commitment: evidence from a Middle Eastern emerging market

PurposeDrawing on job demands-resources (JD-R) theory, this study aims to develop a model of how work engagement mediates the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment, with religiosity moderating the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement. This study further tests a moderated-mediation model exploring the relationships between supervisor support, religiosity, work engagement and affective commitment within a unique institutional context where religious values and beliefs significantly influence and shape people management practices.Design/methodology/approachUsing a survey-based approach, data were collected from 367 employees from the telecommunication sector in the context of Jordan.FindingsSupervisor support was positively related to work engagement, which positively impacts affective commitment. Work engagement mediated the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment. In addition, religiosity amplified the relationship between supervisor support and work engagement, and the mediating effect of work engagement on the relationship between supervisor support and affective commitment.Originality/valueThis study contributes to JD-R theory and pertinent literature by examining the moderating role of religiosity, an important yet neglected personal resource. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the interaction effect between religiosity and supervisor support in predicting work engagement. It is also the first to examine a moderated mediation model exploring the relationships between supervisor support, religiosity, work engagement and affective commitment.

How supplier concentration impacts a buyer firm's R&D intensity: testing a mediation and moderation model

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how supplier concentration influences a buyer firm's R&D intensity. This study proposes a mediation and moderation model to test this relationship in the Chinese household appliance industry. Specifically, this study tests the mediation effect of operational slack on the relationship between supplier concentration and R&D intensity and the moderation effect of financial constraints on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachDrawing upon real options theory and resource dependence theory, the proposed relationships are tested with the Chinese household appliance market using financial data from listed companies over a ten-year span from 2012 to 2021. Fixed effects (within-group) panel regression models are used to test the hypotheses. In addition, the authors use the bias-corrected bootstrap method to test the mediation effect.FindingsThe authors find that supplier concentration negatively affects a buyer firm's R&D intensity and that internal operational slack mediates this relationship. Interestingly, financial constraints from the external financing organization weaken the negative relationship between the buyer firm's supplier concentration and R&D intensity.Originality/valueBased on the argument of real options theory and resource dependence theory, this study provides novel insights into the issue of how concentration on several major suppliers may reduce buyer firms' R&D intensity. First, this study introduces operational slack as a form of internal uncertainty that mediates the supplier concentration–R&D intensity relationship. Second, this study suggests that the effect of supplier concentration on R&D intensity is contingent upon firms' financial constraints from external financial organizations, disclosing a synergetic interactive effect of supplier concentration and financial constraints on firms' R&D activities. Third, this study is conducted in the unique institutional context of China, providing meaningful insights into the relationship between supplier concentration and R&D intensity.

Introducing digitalisation to strengthen evaluation systems for democracy in African parliaments

ABSTRACT African parliaments are a unique institutional context for evidence use, and processes for digitalisation have specific implications for how evidence systems can contribute to democracy. While African parliaments have organisational features that make introducing technology challenging, they also hold significant promise for using digitalisation as a tool to strengthen democratic governance both within parliaments themselves, and also across the executive. This article shares experiences introducing a research management tool in two African parliaments, and reflects on what it means for the role evaluation plays in strengthening democracy. This is through looking at the technical components of digitalisation, the contextual components, and the political and values driven elements of the parliamentary context. This article describes these components, and reflects on their implications for the way democratic evaluation is understood in a context of African governance.

Does the reputation mechanism apply to independent directors in emerging markets? Evidence from China

We examine whether reputable independent directors improve firm performance and governance quality in emerging markets, using data from China. Firms with such directors, measured as the number of directorships in other listed firms, have higher profitability, operating efficiency and productivity. They suffer from fewer agency problems, pay more cash dividends and have lower likelihoods of receiving modified audit opinions and participating in financial disclosure-related irregularities than their counterparts. In China’s unique institutional context, the reputation mechanism for independent directors applies to firms in regions with weak marketization environments, non-state-owned enterprises and firms without political connections; it also applies when external governance is weak. Overall, reputable independent directors appear to occupy valuable advising and monitoring roles and compensate for weak institutions and governance in China.

External drivers of participation in regional collaborative water planning

AbstractWhat drives participation in collaborative planning? How does this vary across different institutional contexts? Public managers must navigate emerging challenges in public service provision; perceived risk and capacity to act can play a pivotal role, shaping managerial behavior. In water management, for example, issues stemming from climate change and water‐intensive growth create new concerns about continued water supply. Strategic decisions may improve local public service provision, but can also have cascading effects on other systems, as water is a mobile—and subtractable—resource. Many public water systems have participated in collaborative planning to overcome collective challenges for this reason, but participation is not feasible for all prospective participants. Using data from administrative records and surveys, we fit a binomial logistic model to examine the roles of capacity and perceived risk among water service providers as drivers of participation in collaborative planning forums. By evaluating this relationship in California and North Carolina, we find similar results across unique institutional contexts: participation in regional water planning is associated with perceived risk to water supply from changing climatic conditions, but not from perceived risk of changing patterns of demand. Also, system capacity—as measured by the size of the population served—corresponds to increased likelihood of participation.

Transforming the Organization: The Cross-Disciplinary Implications of Unique Institutional Contexts

This symposium addresses the 2022 conference theme, specifically, the cross-disciplinary and longer-term implications of organizations’ unique institutional contexts. By better understanding them, and the recursive practices and intra-/inter-firm collaborations they stimulate, we can develop new paradigms on organizations’ strategic, operational and cultural issues. Critically, STR scholars will learn about an innovative framework for understanding superior performance. ODC scholars will learn about the unique institutionally-situated influences on organizational change. SAP scholars will learn about how managers and their people are addressing the market and non-market environments together. All of these scholars will gain insight into how they may better work with each other, across their respective areas of interest and expertise, to conduct process and action- oriented studies of complex change phenomena occurring at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels.

Active travel and the built environment: A theoretical model and multidimensional evidence

• An active travel demand model incorporates the intrinsic benefits of travel. • A simultaneous analysis of active travel frequency, distance and duration. • Use a natural experiment of randomized residential location. • Measure built environmental characteristics at alternative spatial scales. • Travel behavior is affected by modal characteristics and intermodal substitution. This study proposes a demand model incorporating active travel’s intrinsic benefits and analyzes the built environment’s impact on the active travel behavior of commuters in a subarea of Beijing. The combined use of GPS trajectories and travel diary enables simultaneous analyses of multiple travel behavior metrics measuring both physical activity and mode choice. China’s unique institutional context provides a natural experiment of randomized residential location. Empirical analyses show that the active travel impact of the built environment are complex depending on location and active travel metric, and are equally important as those of individual and household attributes for active travel duration and distance. Dense and diverse employment centers and open space in residential areas seem to promote active travel in commute. Different policy goals related to active travel, such as public health and congestion and emissions mitigation, might not be achieved simultaneously by a specific built environmental intervention.

One crisis, one region, two municipalities: The geography of institutions and change agency in regional development paths

How do regions change their development path? We contribute to the growing literature on agency in regional development by combining it with a focus on the institutions that shape, support and constrain change agency in pursuit of different types of development paths. We answer the call for micro-level perspectives on regional economic change, using an in-depth and comparative case study approach. The labour market region of Olofström-Karlshamn in South East Sweden experienced a period of exceptional decline following the economic crisis and crisis in the automotive industry in 2008, when more than 1000 jobs were lost in a labour market of 46,000. Within this single labour market, two municipalities perceived, experienced and handled the crisis very differently. In Olofström, this triggered the formation of new collaborations that enabled local actors to upgrade their development path, whereas the crisis did not greatly affect the already ongoing efforts aimed at path importation in Karlshamn. To explain this difference, our comparative study shows that the layering of formal and informal institutions produced unique institutional contexts at the local level, which guide the behaviour, collaboration and vision of local actors. We build on original, micro-level material from 23 interviews and supporting documents to make the following contributions to the growing literatures on the role of agency and institutions in shaping regional development paths: (i) Local institutional context conditions the activation of change agency; (ii) Change agency must be investigated – and performed – in close connection to its geographical context.

The power of Bollywood: A study on opportunities, challenges, and audiences’ perceptions of Indian cinema in China

India has long been known for its prestigious Mumbai-based film industry, namely Bollywood, and remains by far the largest producer of films in the world. With the growing global reach of Indian cinema, this study looks at an intriguing Indian-film fever over the last decade in the newly discovered market of China. Through examining key factors that make Indian films appealing to Chinese and exploring the opportunities and challenges of Indian cinema in China, this article draws upon insights gained from the narratives of local audiences. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 32 Indian-film audiences residing across 14 different cities in mainland China. Thematic analysis identified the following five appealing factors, which explain why the Chinese enjoy Indian films: content-driven story, social values, star power, audience reviews and cultural connections. While a comprehensive list of opportunities was derived showing the potential future of Bollywood in China, results found that China’s unique institutional context and an ongoing India–China geopolitical tensions also present challenges, which in turn add to the overall complexity of films’ success in the Chinese market. This article argues the powerful role of Bollywood in bridging cultures and improving India–China ties, as Indian films have made Chinese people more aware of India in a favourable way.

Climate Change and Water Governance: Decision Making for Individual Vineyard Owners in Global Wine Regions

This study investigates the institutional, social, and ecological dynamics that influence regional water governance and individual vineyard owners' decision making in global wine regions. Global wine grape production has grown steadily over the past 20 years, and climate change has emerged as a driver of transformation in wine regions resulting in a range of impacts. Changes to the climate are anticipated to accelerate in the future and present a number of challenges for wine regions; including risks to human systems, e.g., agriculture, labor, and economics, as well as ecological systems, e.g., surface and groundwater. Water is a critical resource for environmental and economic sustainability in wine regions, and vulnerability to freshwater resources in wine producing regions is expected to increase as wine regions experience climate extremes like heat and drought. We use the Institutional-Social-Ecological Dynamics (ISED) framework to help understand individual vineyard owner decision making about water management within the context of institutional, social, and ecological systems. We ask how the relationships between these systems impact outcomes for individual grape farmers adapting to climate challenges. Our empirical research uses document review and interviews with vineyard owners, planners, and natural resource managers in wine regions in Oregon, USA and Tasmania, Australia as a means to explore climate vulnerabilities and adaptation approaches. Subsequently we focus on an example vignette in each region to better understand individual decision making at the farm scale within the unique institutional, social, and ecological contexts identified in each region. Our cases highlight the finding that entrenched institutional regimes, in the context of ecological variability contribute to a social unevenness in access to water. Landowner conflict over water resources is likely to increase in the context of a hotter, drier climate in regions with wine industry growth. Individual vineyard owners have a range of attitudes and approaches to climate change planning and management; and adaptation around water is dependent on both economic resources and social values. Lessons from the individual farm scale help to inform broader implications of how institutional, social, and ecological drivers influence opportunities or barriers to the implementation of climate change adaptation practices in wine regions.