A comparative study of governmental financial support and resilience of self-employed people in Sweden and Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

Globally, self-employed people were among the hardest hit by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and faced hardships such as financial decline, restrictions, and business closures. A plethora of financial support measures were rolled out worldwide to support them, but there is a lack of research looking at the effect of the policy measures on self-employed people. To understand how different governmental financial support measures enhanced the resilience of the self-employed and improved their ability to manage the pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method study using policy analysis and semi-structured interviews. The documents described policies addressing governmental financial support in Sweden and Canada during the pandemic, and the interviews were conducted with Swedish and Canadian self-employed people to explore how they experienced the support measures in relation to their resilience. The key results were that self-employed people in both countries who were unable to telework were less resilient during the pandemic due to financial problems, restrictions, and lockdowns. The interviews revealed that many self-employed people in hard-hit industries were dissatisfied with the support measures and found them to be unfairly distributed. In addition, the self-employed people experiencing difficulties running their businesses reported reduced well-being, negatively affecting their business survival.

How Job Stress Affect Flow Experience at Work: The Masking and Mediating Effect of Work-Related Rumination

This study proposes and tests a theoretical model of how two types of stressors (challenge and hindrance stressors) elicit perseverative cognition processes in individuals (as characterized by two types of work-related rumination), and how, through this mechanism, these stressors can further affect individuals' flow experience at work. Our model is largely supported by structural equation modeling analyses of a longitudinal questionnaire-based survey (n = 344). We find that challenge stressors have a significant, positive, direct impact on the experience of flow. Additionally, both challenge and hindrance stressors simultaneously activate problem-solving pondering and affective rumination in employees; affective rumination inhibits flow, while problem-solving pondering promotes flow. The results of a bootstrap sampling analysis further indicate the presence of the masking and mediating effects of work-related rumination in the effects of these stressors on flow experience. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Satisfaction of basic psychological needs and European entrepreneurs' well-being and health: The association with job satisfaction and entrepreneurial motivation

PURPOSE

We examine an integrative model associating entrepreneurial motivation and job satisfaction with basic psychological needs satisfaction and the psychological well-being (PWB) and health problems of European entrepreneurs. In contrast with previous literature that focuses mainly on hedonic well-being, this study examines well-being by using a eudaimonic perspective and the link between entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurs' PWB.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Based on the self-determination theory (SDT) and using structural equation modeling, this study examines a European representative sample composed of 7,878 entrepreneurs from the sixth European Working Conditions Survey (6th EWCS; Eurofound [2015] database).

FINDINGS

This study finds a positive relationship between the satisfaction of the need for autonomy and competence and opportunity motivation, which in turn is positively associated with job satisfaction. This study also finds that need satisfaction is positively associated with entrepreneurs' PWB and job satisfaction, which in turn is positively associated with entrepreneurs' PWB and health. Results highlight the relevance of SDT, opportunity motivation, and job satisfaction to understanding entrepreneurs' PWB and health.

ORIGINALITY

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first integrative model relating satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy and competence) and diverse individual outcomes related to work (job satisfaction, PWB, and health) of European entrepreneurs by considering entrepreneurial motivation. This study examines a large and representative European sample, in contrast with previous research focusing on the Anglosphere nations.

The utility of the psycholexical approach for identifying military core values: Illustrated in a sample of Swiss career officers and NCOs

Values have always been a top priority in the military domains of leadership, training, ethical commitment, and psychological research. However, only a few studies have assessed value descriptors and their underlying dimensional structure in military organizations using an empirical psycholexical and factor analytical approach. This research project examined the structure of military values and derived core military values. Two studies were conducted in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces. In study 1, 25 military-specific value descriptors were identified based on a psycholexical analysis of military guidelines and in line with expert ratings by executive military leaders. In study 2, a questionnaire was filled out by a sample of 550 military professionals to capture their ratings of values as applied to everyday military decisions and actions. Principal component analysis in combination with Goldberg's top-down approach delivered five military value categories that reflect the military culture in Switzerland, characterized as (I) freedom, (II) social cohesion, (III) good soldiership, (IV) mutual respect, and (V) military conformity. Results are discussed in light of introducing a novel research approach to assessing the value structure and culture in military organizations.

The role of values in coping with health and economic threats of COVID-19

The current research examined the role of values in guiding people's responses to COVID-19. Results from an international study involving 115 countries (N = 61,490) suggest that health and economic threats of COVID-19 evoke different values, with implications for controlling and coping with the pandemic. Specifically, health threats predicted prioritization of communal values related to caring for others and belonging, whereas economic threats predicted prioritization of agentic values focused on competition and achievement. Concurrently and over time, prioritizing communal values over agentic values was associated with enactment of prevention behaviors that reduce virus transmission, motivations to help others suffering from the pandemic, and positive attitudes toward outgroup members. These results, which were generally consistent across individual and national levels of analysis, suggest that COVID-19 threats may indirectly shape important responses to the pandemic through their influence on people's prioritization of communion and agency. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Meaningful Work, Well-Being, and Health: Enacting a Eudaimonic Vision

Work is one of the most enduring and consequential life domains regarding how meaning and purpose impact health and well-being. This review first examines scientific findings from the MIDUS (Midlife in the U.S.) national longitudinal study that have linked work to well-being and health. Most have focused on adverse work or work conditions as influences on poor health, with a few recent findings investigating links to purpose and other aspects of eudaimonic well-being. Organizational scholarship is then selectively reviewed to show how meaningful work is often linked to motivation, performance, and commitment. Paradoxically, meaning can also lead to the exploitation and erosion of health and well-being when managed without regard for decent working conditions. Recent workplace phenomena known as the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting underscore the societal consequences of work without meaning or adequate working conditions. Both the scientific and organizational literature are enriched by a vision of meaningful work rooted in Aristotle's writings about virtue, ethics, and the realization of potential. Evidence-based practices tied to these eudaimonic ideals are examined at multiple levels, including the societal context (public policy), organizational conditions (culture, human resource practices, leadership), and individual strategies to find meaning, engagement, and fulfillment in work. A concluding section highlights strengths and omissions in the scientific and organizational literature and, going forward, calls for greater interplay among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in enacting eudaimonic ideals.

Act or Wait-and-See? Adversity, Agility, and Entrepreneur Wellbeing across Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How can entrepreneurs protect their wellbeing during a crisis? Does engaging agility (namely, opportunity agility and planning agility) in response to adversity help entrepreneurs safeguard their wellbeing? Activated by adversity, agility may function as a specific resilience mechanism enabling positive adaption to crisis. We studied 3162 entrepreneurs from 20 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that more severe national lockdowns enhanced firm-level adversity for entrepreneurs and diminished their wellbeing. Moreover, entrepreneurs who combined opportunity agility with planning agility experienced higher wellbeing but planning agility alone lowered wellbeing. Entrepreneur agility offers a new agentic perspective to research on entrepreneur wellbeing.

Configurational patterns for COVID-19 related social media rumor refutation effectiveness enhancement based on machine learning and fsQCA

Infodemics are intertwined with the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting people's perception and social order. To curb the spread of COVID-19 related false rumors, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used to find configurational pathways to enhance rumor refutation effectiveness. In this paper, a total of 1,903 COVID-19 related false rumor refutation microblogs on Sina Weibo are collected by a web crawler from January 1, 2022 to April 20, 2022, and 10 main conditions affecting rumor refutation effectiveness index (REI) are identified based on "three rules of epidemics". To reduce data redundancy, five ensemble machine learning models are established and tuned, among which Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) regression model has the best performance. Then five core conditions are extracted by feature importance ranking of LGBM. Based on fsQCA with the five core conditions, REI enhancement can be achieved through three different pathway elements configurations solutions: "Highly influential microblogger * high followers' stickiness microblogger", "high followers' stickiness microblogger * highly active microblogger * concise information description" and "high followers' stickiness microblogger * the sentiment tendency of the topic * concise information description". Finally, decision-making suggestions for false rumor refutation platforms and new ideas for improving false rumor refutation effectiveness are proposed. The innovation of this paper reflects in exploring the REI enhancement strategy from the perspective of configuration for the first time.

Racial and gender disparities among highly successful medical crowdfunding campaigns

There has been growing recognition of the popularity of medical crowdfunding and research documenting how crowdfunding arises from, and contributes to, social and health inequities. While many researchers have surmised that racism could well play a role in medical crowdfunding campaign outcomes, research on these dynamics has been limited. No research to date has examined these dynamics among the most successful medical crowdfunding campaigns, focusing instead on average users' experiences or specific patient subpopulations. This paper analyzes key characteristics and demographics of the 827 most successful medical crowdfunding campaigns captured at a point in time in 2020 on the popular site GoFundMe, creating the first demographic archetype of "viral" or highly successful campaigns. We hypothesized that this sample would skew towards whiter, younger populations, more heavily represent men, and reflect critical illnesses and accidents affecting these populations, in addition to having visually appealing, well-crafted storytelling. Analysis supported these hypotheses, showing significant levels of racial and gender disparities among campaigners. While white men had the greatest representation, Black and Asian users, and black women in particular, were highly underrepresented. Like other studies, we find evidence that racial and gender disparities persist in terms of campaign outcomes as well. Alongside this quantitative analysis, a targeted discourse analysis revealed campaign narratives and comments reinforced racist and sexist tropes of selective deservingness. These findings add to growing calls for more health research into the ways that social media technologies shape health inequities for historically marginalized and disenfranchised populations. In particular, we underscore how successful crowdfunding campaigns, as a both a means of raising funds for health and a broader site of public engagement, may deepen and normalize gendered and racialized inequities. In this way, crowdfunding can be seen as a significant technological amplifier of the fundamental social causes of health disparities.

A metatheoretical framework for organizational wellbeing research: Toward conceptual pluralism in the wellbeing debate

The organizational wellbeing discourse has in the past decades gravitated toward two adversarial camps. The first camp draws increasingly from positive psychology and studies wellbeing as the presence of positive attributes centered around the individual. The second camp is critical toward the first one from a sociological standpoint by warning about its hidden tyranny and detrimental organizational consequences. In this paper we interrogate the conceptual foundations of the two camps and argue that the paradigmatic divide between them can be traced to their antithetical assumptions about the nature of human freedom. To move beyond the paradigmatic standstill, we suggest adopting Kenneth Burke’s dramatistic pentad as a metatheoretical framework for organizational wellbeing research. The pentad can help integrate concerns and viewpoints from both camps and facilitate the exploration of novel opportunities to conceptualize wellbeing in organizations. The proposed metatheoretical framework acknowledges the plural and essentially contested character of wellbeing whilst promoting theoretical pluralism in organizational wellbeing research. We also illustrate the use of the dramatistic pentad through three thought-provoking conceptualizations of organizational wellbeing. The illustrations show how the dramatistic pentad can be used to spur much needed conceptual imagination within organizational wellbeing research.

Digital transformation policies to develop an effective startup ecosystem: the case of Barcelona

Purpose

The role of government in the global digital transformation is to ensure that digital infrastructure is reliable and efficient enough to guarantee an entrepreneurial ecosystem for investment in innovation and startups. This paper presents a case study showing how local policies have been used to create an effective startup ecosystem in Barcelona. This paper aims to provide a detailed analysis of the key elements of the startup ecosystem, including the role of local government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an exploratory case research approach and proposes a theoretical framework to study the Barcelona innovation ecosystem, drawing on interviews, research observations and an analysis of the literature.

Findings

By applying its conceptual framework tools, the research is able to identify the key elements making up the startup ecosystem and classify the impact of digital transformation policies into three stages: creating the ecosystem, fostering feedback within the ecosystem by encouraging the first generation of entrepreneurs to interact with the second and third and attracting foreign capital and talent to this innovation ecosystem.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in its time frame and geographical scope, as it provides an analysis of the digital transformation policies in Barcelona’s local startup ecosystem over a 30-year period. This research offers deeper insight into the role of public policies in the startup ecosystem in Barcelona, as well as the impact of digital transformation policies on startup ecosystems in general.

Agility adaptability and alignment in start-ups

Purpose

When coping with uncertainties, three characteristics distinguish firms: agility, adaptability and alignment (triple-A). Based on significant field research, the triple-A highlights the significance of coordinating agility, adaptability and alignment. Start-ups are facing a lot of challenges in this turbulent environment. However, this sector is undergoing a major transformation. Agility, adaptability and alignment concepts have had a major influence on the supply chain, but their implementation in start-ups has been less visible. This paper aims to identify, analyze and categorize the enablers for agility, adaptability and alignment in start-ups using the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to the scheduled interview, a closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. To identify how the factors interact, the TISM technique is used, and the Matriced’Impacts Croises-Multipication Applique’ and Classment method is used to rank and categorize the agility, adaptability and alignment enablers.

Findings

This study identified ten agility, adaptability and alignment factors for start-ups. It has been found that the key importance should be given to management involvement, conflict management, collaboration and information integration.

Research limitations/implications

This study primarily focused on the agility, adaptability and alignment factors in start-ups.

Practical implications

This study will help academics and key stakeholders understand the aspects that lead to agility, adaptability and alignment in start-ups.

Originality/value

Agility, adaptability and alignment concepts have had a major influence on the supply chain, but their implementation in start-ups has been less visible. Therefore, this is a novel attempt in this industry’s agility, adaptability and alignment.

Geographic Cluster or Global Linkages? What Accelerates Emerging Market Firms Foreign Entry Speed

This study examines whether emerging market firms use global linkages as a substitute to the location in geographical clusters to promote the speed of foreign market entry. Drawing from economic geography, we find a slower speed of foreign market entry by firms located outside geographical clusters in the home country as compared to firms inside clusters. This relationship is further moderated by the firm’s cognitive proximity in the foreign markets (measured as a firm’s extent of informal global linkages). Cognitive proximity increases the transfer of tacit knowledge and weakens the negative impact of firm cluster absence on the speed of foreign entry. We test the proposed hypotheses using the cox proportional hazard model based on a longitudinal sample of 602 Indian firms in the information technology industry (IT) from 2000 to 2019.

Human resource management in public transports: organizational typologies and research actions

Purpose

Studying bus local public transport in 20 Italian provincial capitals, the present paper aims to identify organizational factors to assess different modes of service managerial steering.

Design/methodology/approach

Starting from bureaucratic theory, the paper analyzes four different modes of managerial steering in a regression model that accounts for several variables to assess the quality of Italian bus local public service transport.

Findings

The research shows that a network managerial structure performs significantly better than any other type. The 20 provincial capitals are homogeneous in relation to the variables considered. Italian bus local public transport is managed by bureaucratic public organizations. Adhocracy, as opposed to machine bureaucracy, seems to be the more effective mode of managerial steering for sector specific aspects in different capitals, despite that, network managerial structure – associated adhocracy – is used only in five capitals (main cities).

Originality/value

The paper highlights that the dichotomy between machine bureaucracy versus adhocracy shows interesting considerations related to different mode to management of Italian bus local public service transport.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Psychosocial Factors Affecting Women’s Entrepreneurship

This work aims to clarify the psychosocial variables that lead women to undertake and those that prevent them from doing so. Two studies were conducted using a mixed methodology to compensate for the inherent weaknesses of using each approach. The first study was based on the collection of quantitative data using the GloPEW questionnaire with a sample of 296 people. The second study, of a qualitative nature, was carried out through focus groups with a sample of 26 people. The results show that self-efficacy and emotional intelligence are the main factors to develop to promote entrepreneurship among women. Although the data show statistical strength, it seems necessary to expand the sample and incorporate more profiles of female entrepreneurs, for example, with different levels of training, given the complexity and variety of intervening factors.

Self-employment, illness, and the social security system: a qualitative study of the experiences of solo self-employed workers in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

Today's labor market has changed over time, shifting from mostly full-time, secured, and standard employment relationships to mostly entrepreneurial and precarious working arrangements. Thus, self-employment (SE) has been growing rapidly in recent decades due to globalization, automation, technological advances, and the recent rise of the 'gig' economy, among other factors. Accordingly, more than 60% of workers worldwide are non-standard and precarious. This precarity profoundly impacts workers' health and well-being, undermining the comprehensiveness of social security systems. This study aims to examine the experiences of self-employed (SE'd) workers on how they are protected with available social security systems following illness, injury, and income reduction or loss.

METHODS

Drawing on in-depth interviews with 24 solo SE'd people in Ontario (January - July 2021), thematic analysis was conducted based on participants' narratives of experiences with available security systems following illness or injury. The dataset was analyzed using NVIVO qualitative software to elicit narratives and themes.

FINDINGS

Three major themes emerged through the narrative analysis: (i) policy-practice (mis)matching, (ii) compromise for a decent life, and (iii) equity in work and benefits.

CONCLUSIONS

Meagre government-provided formal supports may adversely impact the health and wellbeing of self-employed workers. This study points to ways that statutory social protection programs should be decoupled from benefits provided by employers. Instead, government can introduce a comprehensive program that may compensate or protect low-income individuals irrespective of employment status.

The role of INTERCheckWEB digital innovation in supporting polytherapy management

The study aims at defining the factors affecting the clinicians' decision of changing or confirming the treatment options for frail patients in polytherapy, supporting prescribing patterns, thus also figuring out if the inclination of the clinicians towards digital solutions (INTERCheckWEB) and specific guidelines, could play a role in their decision. A literature review was performed, revealing the main individual, organizational and decisional factors, impacting on the clinicians' propensity to change the current patients' therapy: the clinician perceptions of support in case of clinical guidelines use or INTERCheckWEB use were studied. A qualitative approach was implemented, and thirty-five clinicians completed a questionnaire, aimed at evaluating fifteen different clinical cases, defining if they would change the patient's current therapy depending on the level of information received. Three methodological approaches were implemented. (1) Bivariate correlations to test the relationships between variables. (2) Hierarchical sequential linear regression model to define the predictors of the clinician propensity to change therapy. (3) Fuzzy Qualitative Comparative Analysis-fsQCA, to figure out the combination of variables leading to the outcome. Patient's age and autonomy (p value = 0.000), as well as clinician's perception regarding IT ease of use (p value = 0.043) and seniority (p value = 0.009), number of drugs assumed by the patients (p value = 0.000) and number of concomitant diseases (p value = 0.000) are factors influencing a potential change in the current therapy. The fsQCA-crisp confirms that the clinical conditions of the patients are the driving factors that prompt the clinicians towards a therapy change.

A power-with versus power-over framework of leadership behaviors, employee expectations, and employee creativity: A meta-analysis

Drawing on a power-over versus power-with framework and implicit leadership theories, this study examines how positive relations-oriented and task-oriented leadership behaviors affect employee creativity. A meta-analysis study with 143 empirical studies ( N = 40,023) reveals that both positive relations-oriented and task-oriented leadership behaviors were positively related to employee creativity and that psychological empowerment mediated these relationships. Further, the effect of positive relations-oriented leadership behaviors on employee psychological empowerment and creativity was stronger in countries of high (rather than low) power distance, whereas the impact of task-oriented leadership behaviors was stronger in countries characterized by low (rather than high) power distance. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Social Entrepreneurship, Complex Thinking, and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy: Correlational Study in a Sample of Mexican Students

This article presents the results of a study conducted on a sample population of students attending a technological university in western Mexico. The development of the entrepreneurial self-efficacy competency was evaluated within a process of ideation of social entrepreneurship projects to develop social entrepreneurship and complex thinking competencies. A multivariate descriptive analysis was implemented to demonstrate possible statistically significant correlations between the competencies of social entrepreneurship, complex thinking, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The results confirm the correlations between the competencies of social entrepreneurship, complex thinking, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy, concluding that there is statistically significant information to indicate that the complex thinking competency positively impacts not only the process of generating social entrepreneurship projects but also the scaling of entrepreneurs’ perceptions about their capabilities at the time of entrepreneurship. At a practical level, this study presents results that argue for the need to develop complex thinking in students in social entrepreneurship programs, both in universities and in organizations that promote entrepreneurship. It confirms that complex thinking is a valuable competency in the ideation and generation of entrepreneurial proposals.

The Impact of R&D Subsidies and Non-R&D Subsidies on Innovation Output of Biopharmaceutical Firms

Government subsidies are important to the improvement of innovation level and sustainable development of biopharmaceutical firms. This paper empirically analyses the impact of government R&D and non-R&D subsidies on the innovation output of biopharmaceutical firms. We establish static, and dynamic panel mediation effect models using 2013–2019 data from China’s listed biopharmaceutical companies. Additionally, we further explore the mediating role of R&D investment between R&D subsidies and innovation output. The findings show that, first, R&D subsidies contribute to the innovation output of biopharmaceutical firms, while the effect of non-R&D subsidies is insignificant. Second, the study of the mechanism shows that R&D subsidies can significantly promote firms’ innovation output through R&D investment in the static mediating model; but interestingly, the R&D subsidies fail to promote innovation output in the dynamic mediating model through R&D investment, perhaps due to the sustainable impact of innovation. Based on the above results, this paper provides suggestions and insights for the formulation of different types of subsidy policies and the improvement of the innovation level of biopharmaceutical firms.

How life context affects entrepreneurs' passion and performance

This article examines the influence of the life context on entrepreneurial passion (EP) and performance. Drawing on the person–environment fit theory, we developed a model showing how the life context fit affects EP in the domains of founding, inventing, and developing and how this translates into performance. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, we tested our hypotheses using a sample of 406 entrepreneurs from the cultural and creative industries. Due to the presence of unobserved heterogeneity in the overall sample, we conducted prediction-oriented segmentation, which revealed four segments in which life contexts exhibit not only positive but also adverse effects on EP. Our results showed that, in contrast to the extant literature, EP generates its overall effect on performance at the intersection of positively and negatively acting domains of founding, inventing, and developing. To explain the structural relations between the four segments, we conducted qualitative post hoc analyses to evaluate idiosyncratic data on passion and the life context and aligned our insights with the extant literature delineating four categories of entrepreneurs from the cultural and creative industries: artepreneurs, culturepreneurs, creative entrepreneurs, and lifestyle entrepreneurs. Our findings contribute to overcoming the dichotomy between passion as a personality trait and a dynamic construct and to understanding passion as an individual phenomenon with multiple sources that interacts with the proximal environment and that can impact entrepreneurial performance both positively and negatively. We extend the entrepreneurship and psychology literature, facilitating people's abilities to lead more entrepreneurial and passionate lives.

Exploring the Relationship Between Work Stress and Work-related Rumination

Current studies lack adequate analysis of the antecedents of the two forms of work-related rumination. However, understanding the relationship between different types of stress and the two forms of rumination is of profound significance for eliminating the influence of negative rumination. In this project, three studies were conducted to investigate the cumulative and immediate effects of challenge and hindrance stress on affective rumination and problem-solving rumination based on one-time, two-time points and daily measurements. Participants were 1109, 605 and 111 employees from a variety of jobs in Chinese mainland. The results showed the relationship between hindrance stress and affective rumination varies over different time course. There was no significant correlation between hindrance stress and problem-solving rumination over any time course. The relationship between challenge stress and two forms of work-related rumination varies over different time course. The results of this study suggest that the antecedent analysis of work-related rumination should not only give attention to the type of work stress, but also consider the time of work stress when analyzing its aftereffects.

Global supply chain resilience with the flexible partnership

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how multinational corporations respond to environmental turbulence by adopting a flexible supply chain (SC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a case study in the medical industry to identify effective strategic approaches by taking advantage of new business opportunities and navigating complex business partnerships. This study focuses on medical diagnostic equipment, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray, that involves the suppliers, channel partners and medical users.

Findings

(1) The market turbulence brought the SC leaders to adopt multiple partnership approaches, i.e. funnel-based and area-based partnerships. (2) Adopting a funnel-based partnership allows the SC to seize new market opportunities. Still, it brought a risk element of SC failure from the flawed selection process and professional misconduct. (3) SC leaders adopted flexible partnerships to help address the risk of professional misconduct and select partners for long-term collaboration.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to emergent literature on social exchange theory by exposing the global SC when the SC leaders set up agility approaches. This paper also extends the discussion on the industrial marketing and purchasing theory, which seeks to promote an active buyer–seller relationship.

Business Intentions of Australian Veterinary Students—My Business or Yours? A Cluster Analysis

Little is known about veterinary entrepreneurial predisposition. Yet entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship (entrepreneurial behaviour of employees) foster business innovation and growth and support wealth creation and employment in both privately and corporately owned businesses which deliver contemporary veterinary services. We used responses from 515 final-year students in Australian entrepreneurship, nursing, and veterinary programs to capture entrepreneurial intention (EI), outcome expectations (OE-sb), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), and corporate/large organisation work intentions (CWIs). Veterinary respondents stood out for their high EI and high OE-sb, but low financial ESE and low CWI. Proportions of veterinary, entrepreneurship, and nursing respondents differed markedly across distinct cluster profiles representing entrepreneurial, intrapreneurial, both entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial, indifferent, and corporate employment intentions and attributes. Post hoc analysis revealed proportional cluster membership differences for respondents from different veterinary schools. Our findings raise questions regarding (1) the effectiveness of veterinary business curricula competencies which focus on expense management and (2) the implications of the mismatch of motivations and goals of new veterinary sector entrants whose low intent to work in a corporate environment is at odds with increasing corporate ownership of veterinary practices. To inform curricular change, we recommend further research to evaluate the relative impact of individual factors, admissions factors, and the formal or hidden curricula on entrepreneurial intention in veterinary final-year students.

Who wants to be an entrepreneur in the Balkans? From perceptions and beliefs to intentions

Purpose

This paper uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among students from different South-East (SE) European countries, considering various personal and situational variables. The authors examine how the regional cultural context affects individual perceptions and beliefs about entrepreneurship, which in turn form the basis of the cognitive antecedents of the TPB model.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 850 respondents, the authors estimate a two-level model, addressing the issue of endogeneity in the relationship between attitudes and beliefs and the respondents' EI. Specifically, the authors focus on heterogeneity across nations in attitudes toward entrepreneurial behavior (ATEB), subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC).

Findings

The results show that the perceived behavioral control and the attitude toward entrepreneurial behavior are the main determinants of Balkan students' EI. The authors find that the role of SE European culture in entrepreneurship intentions does not follow the Western pattern. In this particular regional environment dominated by collectivist culture, students' EIs are influenced more by cooperation, caring for others and other non-monetary benefits.

Research limitations/implications

Like any study, this study has limitations. First, all the variables were measured using a single questionnaire. Although common method bias was shown not to be an issue, in future research different variables should be measured with different methods. For instance, using the items by Liñán and Chen (2009) which were developed in the United States of America, to measure SE European students' entrepreneurial perceived behavioral control might ignore some requisite resources or abilities typical for SE European students, such as personal relational network (similar to the notion of guanxi in China (see, e.g. Hwang et al., 2009). Second, Busenitz et al. (2000) indicate that cross-national differences in entrepreneurship are best explained by a broader set of institutions, i.e. educational and governmental support agencies. In general, the empirical evidence on the relationship between national culture and entrepreneurial behavior is mixed and this is generally agreed that an important issue that needs to be considered is the interactions between cultural values, social institutions, industry characteristics and outcomes such as entrepreneurship (Hayton et al., 2002). In the future, similar studies could include respondents with a larger dispersion of prior education, age, and human, social and financial capital.

Practical implications

The existence of support received in the family environment and the lack of individualistic and competitive aspirations create a more favorable environment for a young person to become entrepreneur. This must be taken seriously into account by educators and policy makers aiming at encouraging entrepreneurship, because in the societies studied here the motivation of prospective entrepreneurs depends on totally different drivers than those usually encountered in the Western world. Furthermore, from a gender perspective, the authors' study suggests that in societies with stronger family ties and more gender discrimination, an individual's closer social environment may not create the appropriate context for women to decide to become entrepreneurs.

Social implications

A strong hierarchical culture in a society goes against the intention of becoming an entrepreneur. That is, when people accept that social mobility is low and, thus, reversing people's relative positions in the society is unlikely, people are less prone to becoming entrepreneurs. In Western societies, where collectivism is low, the contrary holds. In the societies considered here, where family and social links are strong, entrepreneurship is considered to be a rather safer option, which is encouraged by non-individualistic values and is negatively associated with aggressive competitiveness. In those societies, formal institutions such as the government and the educational sector could play an important role to support prospective female entrepreneurs (Borges et al., 2021).

Originality/value

The motivation of prospective entrepreneurs in SE European countries depends on totally different drivers than those usually encountered in the Western world.

The role of organisational factors and environmental conditions on the success of newly founded firms

This study examines the influence of founding conditions and decisions on new companies' performance, analysing how both environmental context and organisational dynamics interact to determine their success. It distinguishes between two different success indicators: survival and profitable growth. An empirical study conducted using a sample of 3,722 new agri-food companies in two different periods, one of economic stability and the other of recession, showed that founding conditions had long-lasting effects on post-entry performance. The economic context acted as a moderator of the relationship between individual factors and success. Adverse environmental conditions were also a determinant of success, making surviving firms more competitive and resilient. The results reflect the survival of the fitter principle by showing that early profitability reduced the risk of failure and made firms more likely to become profitable in the medium term. Internationalisation strategies developed organisational capabilities that created an imprint for adaptability and growth.

Toward a Multidimensional and Multilevel Approach to Studying Gender Diversity in Upper Echelons and Firm Innovation

Despite the rapidly increasing research on the nexus between gender diversity in upper echelons and firm innovation, the scholarly understanding of this topic is far from complete. Although the burgeoning literature has generated valuable insights summarized in our paper—most fundamentally uncovering gender diversity’s positive effect on firm innovation—our review of extant research indicates that it suffers from several limitations. One such key limitation is that scholarship has predominantly theorized and measured the surface-level gender diversity in leadership relying on either gender stereotypes or a notion of innate gender differences when explaining why the inclusion of women on executive boards might make a difference for firm innovation, neglecting the intersection between surface-level gender diversity and deep diversity in top management teams. We develop a multilevel theory that calls attention to investigating intersections between these two constructs, the multidimensionality of firm innovation and gender diversity, and discussing the rationales for why and when diversity is likely to get at the heart of firm innovation. We also map out some methodological suggestions for how scholars could test our propositions. We hope our efforts to describe these paths will encourage their pursuit.

Coaching leadership and creative performance: A serial mediation model of psychological empowerment and constructive voice behavior

This study empirically analyzes the role of coaching leadership in enhancing an organization's creative performance, discussing and evaluating important mediating paths of coaching leadership regarding creative performance. As a result of an empirical analysis based on survey data collected from 332 employees of Korean companies, this study first confirms that coaching leadership has a positive effect on both employees' creative performance. We also found that psychological empowerment and constructive voice behavior positively mediated the relationship between coaching leadership and creative performance. Finally, the serial mediating effect of coaching leadership on creative performance was tested through psychological empowerment and constructive voice behavior and confirmed to have a positive effect. This study indicates the importance of leadership as a critical variable that promotes employees' creative performance. In addition, by confirming the serial mediating role of psychological empowerment and constructive voice behavior, this study improves understanding of key mechanism in which coaching leadership leads to creative performance.

Entrepreneurial fear of failure and well-being of incubated and non-incubated startups during crises

Purpose

The phenomenon of fear and anxiety can cause a decline in entrepreneurship. However, the validity of this assertion remains debatable, as opportunity-driven entrepreneurs may benefit from elevated uncertainty during a crisis. This study aims to examine entrepreneurial fear of failure and the well-being of opportunity-driven entrepreneurs in their startup stage during the COVID-19 outbreak. Opportunity-driven startups are oriented toward business growth but may need assistance from incubators.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative method, where ten participants from incubated and non-incubated startups in Indonesia were interviewed. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12 software to analyze the data.

Findings

This study shows that the interviewees subjected to incubation tended to derive motivation from fear of failure. In contrast, nonincubated interviewees showed a propensity to experience fear of failure as repression and inhibition. Furthermore, the study highlights the correlation between entrepreneurial fear of failure and eudaimonic well-being.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature with empirical results on fear of failure capturing the essence of entrepreneurial behavior during crises/pandemic in the context of business startups. It provides valuable insights into the policy implications for promoting innovation among startups in specific contexts.

A two-decade history of women’s entrepreneurship research trajectories in developing economies context: perspectives from India

Purpose

This paper seeks to add a historical perspective to the contemporary debate concerning women’s entrepreneurship in India. This study aims to explore the quantitative and qualitative research map of the research field of women’s entrepreneurship. Through this exploration, the authors aim to portray the historical and contemporary factors related to women’s entrepreneurship development in India, the problems and the opportunities. Future research opportunities are also identified based on the keyword analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a systematic literature review to analyze the historical and theoretical perspectives of women’s entrepreneurship in India. The bibliometric analysis portrays the publication landscape, including the most popular journals, authors and countries, citation analysis and keyword analysis. The content analysis reveals the thematic clusters of the research field.

Findings

The content analysis of the management literature on women’s entrepreneurship reveals four primary clusters from the research: contextual embeddedness in women’s entrepreneurship, reasons for starting a business, microfinance interventions and empowerment of women entrepreneurs and marginalization dynamics for women entrepreneurs in India’s informal sector. The study also presents implications for policymakers and a women entrepreneurs’ development framework.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to comprehensively analyze the management literature on women’s entrepreneurship in India from a historical perspective. The study combines bibliometric mapping and content analysis for a holistic presentation of the research field of women’s entrepreneurship in India and future research opportunities.

The role of management control and integrated information systems for the resilience of SMEs

This paper investigates the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the influence exerted by certain factors related to management control, integrated information systems (enterprise resource planning [ERP]), information and communication technology (ICT) systems, and financial resources. For this purpose, leveraging from the dynamic capability theory, in late spring 2020, a questionnaire was sent to limited-liability SMEs in Verona and Vicenza provinces in Italy operating in the manufacturing, construction, and distribution sectors. Respondents were asked to answer a set of questions and to evaluate the resilience of their firms as of January 1, 2020; May 1, 2020; and one year later, as of July 2021. Using a multivariate regression model to analyze data from the 143 questionnaires received, we found a positive influence of budgeting, business continuity tools, availability of supplementary financial resources, and resilience of the entrepreneur on both COVID-19 resilience and the organizational resilience of SMEs. SMEs with a high intention to use ERP systems also had high resilience levels. ICT use for smart working was not statistically significant. Despite the limitations concerning the sample and period considered, we believe that this study contributes to both academic debate, by illustrating the influence of certain managerial and organizational factors on the resilience of SMEs, and practice, by supporting a greater empirical use of management control tools, such as budgets and contingency plans, and integrated information systems (ERP). Our study supports the creation of financial buffers and strengthening the entrepreneur’s resilience for improving SME resilience.