The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rely on each employee to be innovative, and understanding how employees can be supported in their innovative behavior is a crucial factor. This study draws on managerial coaching (MC) literature to examine the dynamics of how leadership behaviors impact employees’ innovative work behavior (IWB). In an attempt to disclose the mechanism through which MC can impact the IWB of employees, we particularly expected work engagement to mediate the relationship. Accordingly, we operationalized IWB as a four-dimensional construct to show whether MC and work engagement equally affect all of the dimensions of IWB. We collected survey data (N = 4418) from 88 Finnish SMEs and found that MC was positively related to each dimension of IWB, and that work engagement mediated the linkages. Interestingly, the importance of MC (both directly and when mediated by work engagement) grows as the employee moves from idea exploration to implementation. This study sheds light on the mechanism through which leadership behavior can impact the IWB of employees in SMEs.
Category Archives: The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
From silicon valley to silicon savannah: Conceptualizing tech hubs in Sub-Saharan Africa
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Tech hubs (THs) and cognate structures are nowadays ubiquitous in the innovation ecosystem of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. However, the concept of THs is fuzzy due to the lack of a clear and universally accepted definition. This ambiguity is further compounded by the diverse range of organizations that self-identify as hubs, or are categorized as such by others. As a result, research on THs in SSA remained limited. Against the backdrop of established research on the interconnectedness of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in different organizational forms, this paper is meant to provide fresh insights into the study of THs in SSA. To advance future research, first, it reveals what is special about THs in SSA and how they are related to existing concepts. I particularly argue that they contour a fourth-wave model of incubation. Second, four main categories are unfolded to delineate THs in SSA which is the cornerstone for future research.
Tech hubs (THs) and cognate structures are nowadays ubiquitous in the innovation ecosystem of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. However, the concept of THs is fuzzy due to the lack of a clear and universally accepted definition. This ambiguity is further compounded by the diverse range of organizations that self-identify as hubs, or are categorized as such by others. As a result, research on THs in SSA remained limited. Against the backdrop of established research on the interconnectedness of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in different organizational forms, this paper is meant to provide fresh insights into the study of THs in SSA. To advance future research, first, it reveals what is special about THs in SSA and how they are related to existing concepts. I particularly argue that they contour a fourth-wave model of incubation. Second, four main categories are unfolded to delineate THs in SSA which is the cornerstone for future research.
Translating mission-driven sustainability values into a value-creating business model: The Norwegian start-up Ducky AS
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Sustainability entrepreneurs are driven by their personal missions about the sustainability-based values that they wish to tap when building a business model. This teaching-case study presents insights into how the personal sustainability missions and goals of entrepreneurs, such as combating climate change in terms of CO2 emission reductions, can be realised, measured and aligned with concrete customer value in order to build a business model. Here, the case of the company Ducky AS is presented, a Norwegian start-up business that has been working for years to transform the specific sustainability missions of its entrepreneurs into concrete social and business values. The case is analysed through the lens of complexity with regards to sustainability management and entrepreneurship. A qualitative research approach with material stemming from a guest lecture and a subsequent interview is used to study the case.
Sustainability entrepreneurs are driven by their personal missions about the sustainability-based values that they wish to tap when building a business model. This teaching-case study presents insights into how the personal sustainability missions and goals of entrepreneurs, such as combating climate change in terms of CO2 emission reductions, can be realised, measured and aligned with concrete customer value in order to build a business model. Here, the case of the company Ducky AS is presented, a Norwegian start-up business that has been working for years to transform the specific sustainability missions of its entrepreneurs into concrete social and business values. The case is analysed through the lens of complexity with regards to sustainability management and entrepreneurship. A qualitative research approach with material stemming from a guest lecture and a subsequent interview is used to study the case.
What’s in it for me? The perceived investment value of business angels
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Besides the extraordinary impact of Business Angels (BAs) as the leading contributors to fund entrepreneurship at the early stage, the value BAs perceive from their investment activity has not yet been fully explored. Based on a new holistic perspective resulting from marketing and consumer behaviour, this article builds on the concept of perceived investment value to create a new instrument that measures the overall value perceived by BAs in their investing activity. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire with 849 BAs from 79 countries. The instrument created was tested through Structural Equation Modelling. The results reveal that: (i) BAs are not purely financial investors and expect more than just money from their activity, as self-esteem, entrepreneurship, emotion and altruism are the main dimensions that explain angel perceived investment value (APIV), with economic and functional dimensions being the least influential; (ii) APIV positively influences their job satisfaction; and (iii) angels satisfied with their jobs are more likely to reinvest their money and engage in positive word-of-mouth. A multigroup comparison was implemented, validating the results for males and females, novices and veterans and light and heavy investors.
Besides the extraordinary impact of Business Angels (BAs) as the leading contributors to fund entrepreneurship at the early stage, the value BAs perceive from their investment activity has not yet been fully explored. Based on a new holistic perspective resulting from marketing and consumer behaviour, this article builds on the concept of perceived investment value to create a new instrument that measures the overall value perceived by BAs in their investing activity. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire with 849 BAs from 79 countries. The instrument created was tested through Structural Equation Modelling. The results reveal that: (i) BAs are not purely financial investors and expect more than just money from their activity, as self-esteem, entrepreneurship, emotion and altruism are the main dimensions that explain angel perceived investment value (APIV), with economic and functional dimensions being the least influential; (ii) APIV positively influences their job satisfaction; and (iii) angels satisfied with their jobs are more likely to reinvest their money and engage in positive word-of-mouth. A multigroup comparison was implemented, validating the results for males and females, novices and veterans and light and heavy investors.
The relationship between entrepreneurial intention and behavior: A meta-analytic review
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
A vibrant literature studying antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions is largely motivated by an often implicit assumption that they will be followed by subsequent entrepreneurial behaviors or actions. A much smaller number of studies actually test this assumption. Their results suggest that while the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship is usually present, its strength turns out highly contextual. This meta-analysis intends to integrate and summarize the available research base on the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship, assessing the moderating impacts of environmental, demographic and methodological factors. Data from 75 studies (150,703 individuals) were included in the analysis. Our results indicate that the focal relationship is robust across environmental contexts, populations, and methodologies except for the measures used for entrepreneurial behavior, the use of a database compared to collecting new data, and the duration of time between intention and behavior. Additionally, entrepreneurial intentions were found to account for only 17% of the variance in entrepreneurial behaviors as opposed to the commonly expected and cited 37%. Our findings suggest theoretical and methodological considerations for future work aimed at exploring and overcoming the non-trivial intention–behavior gap and we encourage the discovery of cognitive and behavioral factors reinforcing the intention–action translation at different levels of analysis and over time.
A vibrant literature studying antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions is largely motivated by an often implicit assumption that they will be followed by subsequent entrepreneurial behaviors or actions. A much smaller number of studies actually test this assumption. Their results suggest that while the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship is usually present, its strength turns out highly contextual. This meta-analysis intends to integrate and summarize the available research base on the entrepreneurial intention–behavior relationship, assessing the moderating impacts of environmental, demographic and methodological factors. Data from 75 studies (150,703 individuals) were included in the analysis. Our results indicate that the focal relationship is robust across environmental contexts, populations, and methodologies except for the measures used for entrepreneurial behavior, the use of a database compared to collecting new data, and the duration of time between intention and behavior. Additionally, entrepreneurial intentions were found to account for only 17% of the variance in entrepreneurial behaviors as opposed to the commonly expected and cited 37%. Our findings suggest theoretical and methodological considerations for future work aimed at exploring and overcoming the non-trivial intention–behavior gap and we encourage the discovery of cognitive and behavioral factors reinforcing the intention–action translation at different levels of analysis and over time.
Academic spin-offs in an African emerging market context
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Despite that the commercialization of academic research at universities in the form of spin-offs is increasingly acknowledged as a source of innovation across the globe, few universities in Africa have created spin-offs. Consequently, we examine the extent to which different organizational factors impact the development of academic spin-offs in the South African context. Primary data is collected from public universities via a structured questionnaire and hypotheses are evaluated using structural equation modelling. The findings reveal that organizational factors in terms of research mobilisation, external collaboration, unconventionality, and the perception of bureaucratic university policies all positively and significantly influence academic spin-offs. A complex picture of predictors influencing academic spin-offs emerges in terms of the different model pathways. Conducting research and empirically evaluating a model in an African emerging market context, offers new and valuable insights, which can enlarge theory and enhance understanding of academic entrepreneurship in general.
Despite that the commercialization of academic research at universities in the form of spin-offs is increasingly acknowledged as a source of innovation across the globe, few universities in Africa have created spin-offs. Consequently, we examine the extent to which different organizational factors impact the development of academic spin-offs in the South African context. Primary data is collected from public universities via a structured questionnaire and hypotheses are evaluated using structural equation modelling. The findings reveal that organizational factors in terms of research mobilisation, external collaboration, unconventionality, and the perception of bureaucratic university policies all positively and significantly influence academic spin-offs. A complex picture of predictors influencing academic spin-offs emerges in terms of the different model pathways. Conducting research and empirically evaluating a model in an African emerging market context, offers new and valuable insights, which can enlarge theory and enhance understanding of academic entrepreneurship in general.
A qualitative investigation of entrepreneurial marketing dimensions and their effect on brand image on the Instagram platform
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Although entrepreneurial marketing (EM) and its dimensions are not an unknown concept, there is a lack of definite consensus among researchers, especially on the utility of social media platforms. The widespread use of social media platforms such as Instagram has led companies to take advantage of them in their brand management with an entrepreneurial approach; therefore, social media is considered a necessary factor in modern entrepreneurship. In this study, we identified the EM dimensions of the Instagram platform and examined their effect on brand image (BI) enhancement. To do so, a qualitative content analysis was performed using Instagram posts related to new products of dairy companies, and seven dimensions were obtained, which are proactiveness, innovativeness, opportunity focus, resource leveraging, customer intensity, emotional connections, and entrepreneurial promotion on social media. The results of sentiment analysis of comments indicate that among the mentioned dimensions, “emotional connections” have the most effect and “opportunity focus” has the least effect on BI enhancement.
Although entrepreneurial marketing (EM) and its dimensions are not an unknown concept, there is a lack of definite consensus among researchers, especially on the utility of social media platforms. The widespread use of social media platforms such as Instagram has led companies to take advantage of them in their brand management with an entrepreneurial approach; therefore, social media is considered a necessary factor in modern entrepreneurship. In this study, we identified the EM dimensions of the Instagram platform and examined their effect on brand image (BI) enhancement. To do so, a qualitative content analysis was performed using Instagram posts related to new products of dairy companies, and seven dimensions were obtained, which are proactiveness, innovativeness, opportunity focus, resource leveraging, customer intensity, emotional connections, and entrepreneurial promotion on social media. The results of sentiment analysis of comments indicate that among the mentioned dimensions, “emotional connections” have the most effect and “opportunity focus” has the least effect on BI enhancement.
Unlocking the dual impact: Human capital’s influence on mean and variability in new venture performance
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Existing studies of new venture founders’ human capital (e.g. industry work experience, past venture experience, and education) reveal its impact on the expected mean of firm performance, largely neglecting its possible nontrivial effect on performance variability. This study is an attempt to fill this gap. By drawing on the insights of the behavioral theory of the firm, we argue that the aspirations bred by the founders’ human capital are associated with new venture performance variability. Using a multiplicative heteroscedasticity regression model, we find that work experience increases performance variability without increasing the performance mean. In contrast, past venture experience positively affects the firm's mean performance without affecting variability. Education increases performance variability while decreasing the performance mean. We also find that having patents and venture capital funding affects both the mean and the performance variability, albeit in opposite directions.
Existing studies of new venture founders’ human capital (e.g. industry work experience, past venture experience, and education) reveal its impact on the expected mean of firm performance, largely neglecting its possible nontrivial effect on performance variability. This study is an attempt to fill this gap. By drawing on the insights of the behavioral theory of the firm, we argue that the aspirations bred by the founders’ human capital are associated with new venture performance variability. Using a multiplicative heteroscedasticity regression model, we find that work experience increases performance variability without increasing the performance mean. In contrast, past venture experience positively affects the firm's mean performance without affecting variability. Education increases performance variability while decreasing the performance mean. We also find that having patents and venture capital funding affects both the mean and the performance variability, albeit in opposite directions.
Samespace: Creating a new entrepreneurial space in a rural town
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Samespace is a new coworking venue created in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Located in a small town in North-East England, it was founded by an entrepreneur who wanted a better working environment to run his own business. The case focuses on sources of self-identified opportunity recognition and the transferability of entrepreneurial skills to address personal needs. As the business has become established, opportunities for the next phase of growth are explored in relation to the need for collaboration with different actors, including some whose business model may be quite far removed from one's own. The teaching note relates to the nature of opportunity and new venture creation as well as aspects of entrepreneurial growth. Drawing on coworking as a contemporary growth sector in the rural economy, it is suited to final-year undergraduate and masters’ level courses in entrepreneurship. The case study also provides a valuable example of entrepreneurship for students of rural development and rural economies in other disciplines such as geography, social and political sciences or economics.
Samespace is a new coworking venue created in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Located in a small town in North-East England, it was founded by an entrepreneur who wanted a better working environment to run his own business. The case focuses on sources of self-identified opportunity recognition and the transferability of entrepreneurial skills to address personal needs. As the business has become established, opportunities for the next phase of growth are explored in relation to the need for collaboration with different actors, including some whose business model may be quite far removed from one's own. The teaching note relates to the nature of opportunity and new venture creation as well as aspects of entrepreneurial growth. Drawing on coworking as a contemporary growth sector in the rural economy, it is suited to final-year undergraduate and masters’ level courses in entrepreneurship. The case study also provides a valuable example of entrepreneurship for students of rural development and rural economies in other disciplines such as geography, social and political sciences or economics.
“It’s easier to make money.” The homeless youth of Châtelet-les-Halles, an extreme case of disadvantaged entrepreneurs within the informal economy
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This article examines homeless youth as a specific category of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Châtelet-les-Halles district in central Paris. It proceeds by showing how the investigation into the informal economic activities of homeless youth, examined through the lens of disadvantaged entrepreneurship and geography, represents a novel research area, particularly within the Parisian context. It is distinguished by its original four-year ethnographic and geographic methodology, encompassing street observations, recorded and unrecorded interviews, and the use of Facebook and geographic information systems to observe and understand 10 homeless youths and their environment. After presenting and exploring the sociological, economic, and geographic context of Châtelet-les-Halles, specifically focusing on the activities of homeless youth, the article provides an analysis of the informal entrepreneurial endeavors pursued by these individuals. Finally, the discussion articulates the notion of geographical context with entrepreneurial creativity and resilience, to better understand how informal entrepreneurial activities are developed in urban environments.
This article examines homeless youth as a specific category of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Châtelet-les-Halles district in central Paris. It proceeds by showing how the investigation into the informal economic activities of homeless youth, examined through the lens of disadvantaged entrepreneurship and geography, represents a novel research area, particularly within the Parisian context. It is distinguished by its original four-year ethnographic and geographic methodology, encompassing street observations, recorded and unrecorded interviews, and the use of Facebook and geographic information systems to observe and understand 10 homeless youths and their environment. After presenting and exploring the sociological, economic, and geographic context of Châtelet-les-Halles, specifically focusing on the activities of homeless youth, the article provides an analysis of the informal entrepreneurial endeavors pursued by these individuals. Finally, the discussion articulates the notion of geographical context with entrepreneurial creativity and resilience, to better understand how informal entrepreneurial activities are developed in urban environments.