The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
After Brexit, pandemics and through continuing global economic shocks, the rural third sector continues to navigate a landscape of crisis and challenge while serving communities. We examine Scottish Government policy for the rural third sector and policy implementation mechanisms. Our paper argues, and our evidence shows, that current policy is aspirational and there are deficiencies between rural third sector policy making, policy implementation and the voice of rural communities. Our critical review of Scottish Government documentation examined policy for the third sector in rural conditions, then continued to search government documentation for evidence of action plans and viable implementation strategies. We found that policy makers were aspirational, there are few mechanisms or action plans that support sustainable policy implementation and limited examples of ongoing community consultation. The concern is that while gaps exist between policy making and implementation, government policy will underperform leaving a rural third sector struggling to service their communities and deliver their social mission.
Category Archives: The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The antecedents of bricolage in innovative firms: An empirical study in Tanzania
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Resource mobilisation is challenging for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in developing countries characterised by resource constraints and market uncertainties. In response to these challenges, many SMEs rely on bricolage to pursue innovation. This study explores the antecedents of bricolage and examines the relationship between bricolage and innovation. The study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse data from 229 SMEs in the Tanzanian food and drink industry. The findings reveal that financial and market constraints are important antecedents of bricolage among innovative firms and demonstrate that bricolage is positively associated with innovation. Knowledge and/or regulatory constraints do not appear to be significantly associated with bricolage among the sampled SMEs. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings include the need for support agencies and policymakers to recognise the importance of supporting SMEs to address innovation constraints by optimising bricolage behaviour.
Resource mobilisation is challenging for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in developing countries characterised by resource constraints and market uncertainties. In response to these challenges, many SMEs rely on bricolage to pursue innovation. This study explores the antecedents of bricolage and examines the relationship between bricolage and innovation. The study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse data from 229 SMEs in the Tanzanian food and drink industry. The findings reveal that financial and market constraints are important antecedents of bricolage among innovative firms and demonstrate that bricolage is positively associated with innovation. Knowledge and/or regulatory constraints do not appear to be significantly associated with bricolage among the sampled SMEs. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings include the need for support agencies and policymakers to recognise the importance of supporting SMEs to address innovation constraints by optimising bricolage behaviour.
Reporting on artificial intelligence use in entrepreneurship research: Using a model card
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
The study of artificial intelligence is of increasing importance in the entrepreneurial domain. Despite the popularity of many artificial intelligence models, experimental studies in entrepreneurship that apply models are subject to replicability issues if they are not properly reported on. This note is a call to adopt a method of reporting on artificial intelligence models commonly used in the open source software community to ensure progress in future studies and to offer researchers a reflective opportunity to consider the appropriateness of models they use in experimental studies.
The study of artificial intelligence is of increasing importance in the entrepreneurial domain. Despite the popularity of many artificial intelligence models, experimental studies in entrepreneurship that apply models are subject to replicability issues if they are not properly reported on. This note is a call to adopt a method of reporting on artificial intelligence models commonly used in the open source software community to ensure progress in future studies and to offer researchers a reflective opportunity to consider the appropriateness of models they use in experimental studies.
The social regulation of inter-SME relations: Norms shaping SMEs relationships in Nigeria
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
A field study involving 35 institutionally constrained small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was conducted to investigate how entrepreneurs operating in developing economies draw on norms in the absence of formal institutional support. Employing a qualitative approach, our findings revealed that the institutional logics perspective, which presupposes an understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour, provided insights into many of the decisions observed within the SMEs. Our interview data revealed how a variety of culturally specific norms, including those influenced by kinship, religion and trade associations, played a pivotal role in structuring market-oriented economic activities. Central to our contribution is the concept that norms play a crucial role in enforcing trade agreements. This suggests that in situations where actors cannot rely on formal institutional arrangements, norms not only limit opportunistic behaviour but also foster trust within networks. Our paper makes a significant contribution to the field of entrepreneurship by addressing issues related to norms and SMEs within economic-institutional contexts that have been largely overlooked.
A field study involving 35 institutionally constrained small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was conducted to investigate how entrepreneurs operating in developing economies draw on norms in the absence of formal institutional support. Employing a qualitative approach, our findings revealed that the institutional logics perspective, which presupposes an understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour, provided insights into many of the decisions observed within the SMEs. Our interview data revealed how a variety of culturally specific norms, including those influenced by kinship, religion and trade associations, played a pivotal role in structuring market-oriented economic activities. Central to our contribution is the concept that norms play a crucial role in enforcing trade agreements. This suggests that in situations where actors cannot rely on formal institutional arrangements, norms not only limit opportunistic behaviour but also foster trust within networks. Our paper makes a significant contribution to the field of entrepreneurship by addressing issues related to norms and SMEs within economic-institutional contexts that have been largely overlooked.
Enabling circular economy practices in regional contexts: Insights from the UK Southwest
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
While much research has focused on embedding circular economy (CE) practices in urban contexts, there is growing interest in the opportunities and challenges of rural settings. Adopting a regional lens can account for local knowledge, collective practices and community memory, yet CE conceptualisations often lack both a place-based dimension and a consideration of regional stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of various stakeholders, in driving the adoption and implementation of CE practices at a regional level. We do this through engagement with 31 participants from business, governance and community groups in a peripheral region situated in the Southwest of the UK. Using stakeholder theory and thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation and workshop scripts, we identify ‘influencers’ as a key stakeholder group leading the implementation of regional CE goals and practices. Furthermore, we highlight key barriers and enabling factors which underpin interactions among different stakeholder groups and discuss their implications for regional CE transition.
While much research has focused on embedding circular economy (CE) practices in urban contexts, there is growing interest in the opportunities and challenges of rural settings. Adopting a regional lens can account for local knowledge, collective practices and community memory, yet CE conceptualisations often lack both a place-based dimension and a consideration of regional stakeholders. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of various stakeholders, in driving the adoption and implementation of CE practices at a regional level. We do this through engagement with 31 participants from business, governance and community groups in a peripheral region situated in the Southwest of the UK. Using stakeholder theory and thematic analysis of interviews, participant observation and workshop scripts, we identify ‘influencers’ as a key stakeholder group leading the implementation of regional CE goals and practices. Furthermore, we highlight key barriers and enabling factors which underpin interactions among different stakeholder groups and discuss their implications for regional CE transition.
Opportunities from adversity: The enabling impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for the actions of Finnish and Californian food and beverage ventures
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Crises act as critical episodes for entrepreneurs, bringing about unexpected changes and heightened uncertainty. Yet crises can also have an enabling impact, creating new opportunities. This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic enabled new opportunities for 30 Finnish and 34 Californian food and beverage ventures. We demonstrate how the pandemic enabled the ventures’ crisis responses through various different types of mechanisms in various pairings and with different logics of enablement. Our findings suggest that the crisis profile and entrepreneurial action interact to shape the impact of the crisis and the ability of ventures to leverage its enabling effect. The enabler mechanisms can result straightforwardly from changes not only in resources and demand, but also in a more complex manner due to the ideological shifts arising from crises. Also, the mechanisms pair with each other to enable ventures’ actions, either working concurrently or consecutively. Oftentimes, the creative manner in which the ventures leverage these pairings resembles bricolage. Better awareness of how the crisis-induced enabler mechanisms operate and interact can lead to more effective and resilient crisis responses.
Crises act as critical episodes for entrepreneurs, bringing about unexpected changes and heightened uncertainty. Yet crises can also have an enabling impact, creating new opportunities. This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic enabled new opportunities for 30 Finnish and 34 Californian food and beverage ventures. We demonstrate how the pandemic enabled the ventures’ crisis responses through various different types of mechanisms in various pairings and with different logics of enablement. Our findings suggest that the crisis profile and entrepreneurial action interact to shape the impact of the crisis and the ability of ventures to leverage its enabling effect. The enabler mechanisms can result straightforwardly from changes not only in resources and demand, but also in a more complex manner due to the ideological shifts arising from crises. Also, the mechanisms pair with each other to enable ventures’ actions, either working concurrently or consecutively. Oftentimes, the creative manner in which the ventures leverage these pairings resembles bricolage. Better awareness of how the crisis-induced enabler mechanisms operate and interact can lead to more effective and resilient crisis responses.
Do mobile money services enhance business performance? An empirical analysis of Kenyan businesses
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This study examines the impact of mobile money services on business performance by comparing the performance between businesses that use and do not use mobile money. The analysis empirically draws on cross-sectional data of 1001 Kenyan businesses from the 2018 World Bank Enterprise Survey. Propensity Score Matching is used to control for selection bias and variations in business characteristics. The results reveal that businesses that use mobile money services are more likely to be innovative in products and processes than non-users. However, they perform as well as businesses that do not use mobile money. The results also show that differences in business-specific characteristics such as business size, sector, location, and business obstacles significantly influence the adoption of mobile money by Kenyan businesses. Therefore, these results highlight the importance of mobile money services for Kenyan businesses with effective digital tools and support. Policy recommendations to enhance the financial mobile ecosystem and financial inclusion are discussed.
This study examines the impact of mobile money services on business performance by comparing the performance between businesses that use and do not use mobile money. The analysis empirically draws on cross-sectional data of 1001 Kenyan businesses from the 2018 World Bank Enterprise Survey. Propensity Score Matching is used to control for selection bias and variations in business characteristics. The results reveal that businesses that use mobile money services are more likely to be innovative in products and processes than non-users. However, they perform as well as businesses that do not use mobile money. The results also show that differences in business-specific characteristics such as business size, sector, location, and business obstacles significantly influence the adoption of mobile money by Kenyan businesses. Therefore, these results highlight the importance of mobile money services for Kenyan businesses with effective digital tools and support. Policy recommendations to enhance the financial mobile ecosystem and financial inclusion are discussed.
The interplay of affirmative action and entrepreneurial culture: Understanding institutional privilege and exclusion in Malaysia
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
The aim of this article is to examine how enterprise policies aimed at supporting ethnic groups influence entrepreneurial activity. Drawing on qualitative interviews with entrepreneurs and policymakers in the emerging economy of Malaysia, we show that policy intended to close interethnic gaps in entrepreneurial activity instead serves to increase differences. Parallel institutional environments are formed through socially negotiated accomplishments and are influenced by institutional antecedents including affirmative action policy. These conditions created advantages (institutional privilege) for the targeted population but disadvantages (institutional exclusion) for those who are not targeted in the preferential policies. Tensions between privilege and exclusion impact on entrepreneurial activity, increasing inequalities of different parties. The article provides a number of theoretical contributions and practical implications for policy.
The aim of this article is to examine how enterprise policies aimed at supporting ethnic groups influence entrepreneurial activity. Drawing on qualitative interviews with entrepreneurs and policymakers in the emerging economy of Malaysia, we show that policy intended to close interethnic gaps in entrepreneurial activity instead serves to increase differences. Parallel institutional environments are formed through socially negotiated accomplishments and are influenced by institutional antecedents including affirmative action policy. These conditions created advantages (institutional privilege) for the targeted population but disadvantages (institutional exclusion) for those who are not targeted in the preferential policies. Tensions between privilege and exclusion impact on entrepreneurial activity, increasing inequalities of different parties. The article provides a number of theoretical contributions and practical implications for policy.
Multi-stakeholder networks as learning settings towards pro-environmental entrepreneurship: Learning through the diversity and policy–practice interface
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
The article explores the value of stakeholder diversity for learning towards pro-environmental entrepreneurship in multi-stakeholder networks (MSNs). Networks are viewed as entrepreneurial learning settings where stakeholder diversity frames the access to knowledge, practice and stakeholder dialogues. A qualitative case study research design is used to explore the experiences of learning towards pro-environmental entrepreneurship across 15 organisations as part of a well-established MSN with over 140 members operating in the Midlands. Stakeholder dialogues are identified as a significant feature of the MSN and reveal the policy–practice interface. The article shows how learning in MSNs is informed by the policy–practice interface, and as such expose the policy–practice gap and orient entrepreneurial behaviour. A view of an MSN as a dynamic learning system that brings together, often conflicting, agendas of environmental stakeholders and supports development of pro-environmental entrepreneurshipas a pathway to sustainable regional development is argued. Policy makers and business support agencies are advised to pay a close attention to MSNs as mechanisms for the development of entrepreneurial activity which is policy attuned, practice informed and environmental sustainability oriented.
The article explores the value of stakeholder diversity for learning towards pro-environmental entrepreneurship in multi-stakeholder networks (MSNs). Networks are viewed as entrepreneurial learning settings where stakeholder diversity frames the access to knowledge, practice and stakeholder dialogues. A qualitative case study research design is used to explore the experiences of learning towards pro-environmental entrepreneurship across 15 organisations as part of a well-established MSN with over 140 members operating in the Midlands. Stakeholder dialogues are identified as a significant feature of the MSN and reveal the policy–practice interface. The article shows how learning in MSNs is informed by the policy–practice interface, and as such expose the policy–practice gap and orient entrepreneurial behaviour. A view of an MSN as a dynamic learning system that brings together, often conflicting, agendas of environmental stakeholders and supports development of pro-environmental entrepreneurshipas a pathway to sustainable regional development is argued. Policy makers and business support agencies are advised to pay a close attention to MSNs as mechanisms for the development of entrepreneurial activity which is policy attuned, practice informed and environmental sustainability oriented.
The influence of cultural constraints on entrepreneurial motivations: Exploring the experiences of Muslim women entrepreneurs in Pakistan
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This article explores the influence of cultural constraints on entrepreneurial motivations for women entrepreneurs of the Muslim faith. A qualitative approach is taken by drawing from extraordinarily rare interviews with 17 women entrepreneurs who run businesses in the open market in the Northwest region of Pakistan. Push and pull factors were examined in the context of cultural constraints using the lens of post-materialism and dissatisfaction theories. The findings reveal that some entrepreneurs are pulled into entrepreneurship to give something back to local youths and to improve their life chances and/or reduce hardship. In relation to the push factors, some entrepreneurs decided to do something about the harsh circumstances they found themselves in to demonstrate their agency. All were aware of the cultural constraints around them and are highly motivated to overcome these as role models for future generations and to hopefully achieve parity with male peers. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing new insights to the reader in extending the post-materialism and dissatisfaction theories for women Muslim entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Furthermore, it also demonstrates how cultural constraints related to family issues motivate women in a male-dominated society to become entrepreneurs.
This article explores the influence of cultural constraints on entrepreneurial motivations for women entrepreneurs of the Muslim faith. A qualitative approach is taken by drawing from extraordinarily rare interviews with 17 women entrepreneurs who run businesses in the open market in the Northwest region of Pakistan. Push and pull factors were examined in the context of cultural constraints using the lens of post-materialism and dissatisfaction theories. The findings reveal that some entrepreneurs are pulled into entrepreneurship to give something back to local youths and to improve their life chances and/or reduce hardship. In relation to the push factors, some entrepreneurs decided to do something about the harsh circumstances they found themselves in to demonstrate their agency. All were aware of the cultural constraints around them and are highly motivated to overcome these as role models for future generations and to hopefully achieve parity with male peers. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing new insights to the reader in extending the post-materialism and dissatisfaction theories for women Muslim entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Furthermore, it also demonstrates how cultural constraints related to family issues motivate women in a male-dominated society to become entrepreneurs.