Data Quality Affects Meta-Analytic Conclusions: A Response to Miner and Raju (2004) Concerning Entrepreneurial Risk Propensity

J. B. Miner and N. S. Raju (2004) contended that there are additional studies that compare the risk propensity of entrepreneurs and managers, which, when added to the data from W. H. Stewart and P. L. Roth (2001) and meta-analyzed, produce relationships between risk propensity and entrepreneurial status that are substantially weaker than previously believed. This conclusion was evaluated by identifying and examining methodological problems associated with their inclusion of effect sizes (i.e., ds) from studies with variables not relevant to research questions, dependent samples, extraneous variance in outcome variables, and confusion of constructs. When these methodological issues were addressed, a new meta-analysis indicated an overall conclusion consistent with that of Stewart and Roth, but the results varied according to instrumentation, particularly objective instrumentation (observed d = 0.31) versus the Miner Sentence Completion Scale-Form T (observed d = -0.35).

A dimensão estratégica das redes horizontais de PMEs: teorizações e evidências

No presente artigo é feita uma reflexão sobre o tema redes interorganizacionais, envolvendo aspectos teóricos e conceituais das tipologias de redes interorganizacionais e de redes horizontais de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs), conduzindo o debate para uma tese central: a configuração em rede como recurso estratégico para a competitividade das PMEs. Na seqüência do artigo, são apresentados os aspectos metodológicos e os resultados de um estudo de caso realizado em uma rede horizontal de cooperação formada por 44 PMEs da indústria de confecções, localizada na Região Sul do Brasil. As evidências teóricas e empíricas sinalizam que a configuração em rede permite às PMEs alcançarem os seguintes benefícios: maiores trocas de informações e conhecimentos entre as empresas, participação e vendas de produtos em feiras, lobbying, melhorias nos processos empresariais, participação de palestras e de cursos de formação, barganha de preço junto aos fornecedores, marketing conjunto, acesso a novos representantes, maiores garantias no fornecimento de crédito aos clientes, maior facilidade de comercialização de insumos entre as empresas e ganhos de economias de escala, de escopo e de especialização.

Risk Propensity Differences Between Managers and Entrepreneurs and Between Low- and High-Growth Entrepreneurs: A Reply in a More Conservative Vein

A recent article (W. H. Stewart & P. L. Roth, 2001) in the Journal of Applied Psychology presented the conclusion from meta-analysis that entrepreneurs have a higher risk propensity than managers and that this propensity is particularly pronounced among the growth-oriented. A previously unresolved question was said to be laid to rest and a "vital component" of a theory of entrepreneurship established. The present article disagrees and cites data from 14 studies not included in the Stewart and Roth (2001) analysis, adding up to a conclusion (supported by new meta-analyses) that entrepreneurs (and those with a growth orientation) are more risk avoidant. Thus, a conservative view, retaining the position that the role of risk propensity in entrepreneurship remains unresolved, is upheld. Potential explanations for the conflicting results are explored.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! A complexity science view of the unexpected

Surprise can emanate from two sources: lack of sufficient information or knowledge and the basic dynamics of complex adaptive systems. The authors expand the traditional view of surprise with a complexity perspective that makes it possible to ask new questions and to consider new ways of understanding the world around us. They discuss creativity and learning as two strategies for capitalizing on the surprises that confront organizations.

Food SME networks: Process and governance - The case of Parma ham

Networking between firms has received much attention over the last two decades; in this context the study of inter-firm co-ordination has prompted a multidisciplinary approach. This paper briefly reviews the Interaction Approach (IA) to networking and applies it to a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) network. A case study methodology was used to investigate the establishment, evolution and operation of the Parma Ham network. The networking process was found to be influenced by member goal congruence, the level and type/content of interaction and, in particular, the relevance of network services to members' needs and expectations. The Parma Ham network was also found to co-ordinate a series of transaction-transformation chains that enhanced member competitiveness. However, from an enterprise perspective such competitiveness is to a large extent based on external collectively owned competencies. While the network relied on procedural type governance mechanisms (e.g. inspection, rules, procedures), there was also evidence of strong ties among producers, and these ties influenced behaviour and acted as relational and social governance mechanisms.