The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Accelerators play an essential role in fostering regional development by offering various resources to entrepreneurs and their new ventures. Their services are critical for entrepreneurs in developing countries. However, the majority of the business incubator studies are concentrated on developed economies, while developing countries represent an under-researched domain. Scholars argue that research on accelerators and business incubators, in general, is not theoretical and mainly descriptive. Using the knowledge-based view and resource-based view theories, this study discusses how an accelerator based in Kazakhstan, a developing country in Central Asia, designs its programs. Then looking through the cognitive evaluation theory lens and comparing 13-month longitudinal data, it analyses how program design impacts talent retention. The study adds a theoretical perspective to the non-theoretical domain of accelerators and business incubators by emphasising the role of motivation in the retention of talent. It also theorises about the four main steps involved in the acceleration program design and discusses the critical factors that shape those steps in the context of emerging markets.
Category Archives: The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The effect of servant leadership on competitiveness of startups: The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation and self-efficacy
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Startups have different conditions and characteristics than other companies, so the leader, as one of the main elements of the company, can play an important role in properly training employees and discovering new opportunities and leading the company towards competitiveness. Strengthening intangible assets and increasing entrepreneurial behaviors are essential for the success of companies. A servant leadership style that strengthens employee self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation can play an important role in effectively leading startups towards better competitiveness. However, empirical evidence for this relationship is scarce. The present study examines the mediating role of self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between servant leadership and competitiveness. Data were collected from a sample of 230 start-up employees. Data analysis was completed through a two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. At the first stage, the measurement model was examined for construct validity and reliability, whereas at the second stage, the structural model and by implication the research hypotheses were tested. The results show that the relationship between servant leadership and competitiveness is mediated positively and significantly through self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation. While the direct impact of servant leadership on competitiveness is not strongly supported.
Startups have different conditions and characteristics than other companies, so the leader, as one of the main elements of the company, can play an important role in properly training employees and discovering new opportunities and leading the company towards competitiveness. Strengthening intangible assets and increasing entrepreneurial behaviors are essential for the success of companies. A servant leadership style that strengthens employee self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation can play an important role in effectively leading startups towards better competitiveness. However, empirical evidence for this relationship is scarce. The present study examines the mediating role of self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation in the relationship between servant leadership and competitiveness. Data were collected from a sample of 230 start-up employees. Data analysis was completed through a two-stage partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. At the first stage, the measurement model was examined for construct validity and reliability, whereas at the second stage, the structural model and by implication the research hypotheses were tested. The results show that the relationship between servant leadership and competitiveness is mediated positively and significantly through self-efficacy and entrepreneurial orientation. While the direct impact of servant leadership on competitiveness is not strongly supported.
When courtships fail: The antecedents of failure in strategic alliances between startups and incumbents
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This study explores the antecedents of alliance failure between incumbents and startups by shedding light on the ex ante conditions that initiated the alliances, the in situ conditions that caused the alliance failures, and the ex post conditions of the outcomes. We conducted a qualitative, multiple case-study analysis of four failed alliances in a northern European context based on interviews with executives from the incumbents, startups, and incubators involved. Our findings indicate that the promise of resource complementarity between incumbents and startups does not warrant the success of strategic alliances. Finally, we explore the implications of our findings and propose how incumbents and startups can collaborate better in future alliances.
This study explores the antecedents of alliance failure between incumbents and startups by shedding light on the ex ante conditions that initiated the alliances, the in situ conditions that caused the alliance failures, and the ex post conditions of the outcomes. We conducted a qualitative, multiple case-study analysis of four failed alliances in a northern European context based on interviews with executives from the incumbents, startups, and incubators involved. Our findings indicate that the promise of resource complementarity between incumbents and startups does not warrant the success of strategic alliances. Finally, we explore the implications of our findings and propose how incumbents and startups can collaborate better in future alliances.
Research methods for a fragile world: A personal reflection and actionable recommendations
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
There remains a dearth of knowledge on research approaches and methodologies that are well-suited for contexts of violence and fragility, specifically in management research. Well-intentioned researchers often fall into the same traps over and over again, where objectification, silencing of voices, and violence normalization may prevail ( Abdelnour and Abu Moghli, 2021), leading to inadvertently causing harm and perpetuating damaging power dynamics and stereotypes. In this piece, I reflect upon my autobiographical research journey and practical experiences to provide concrete examples and recommendations to other fellow scholars that may enable them to enhance the value of research in fragile environments for all those involved, particularly those most in need. I conclude with a simple guideline for research design, data acquisition, and result dissemination, that may serve as a reference and starting point when embarking on such endeavors.
There remains a dearth of knowledge on research approaches and methodologies that are well-suited for contexts of violence and fragility, specifically in management research. Well-intentioned researchers often fall into the same traps over and over again, where objectification, silencing of voices, and violence normalization may prevail ( Abdelnour and Abu Moghli, 2021), leading to inadvertently causing harm and perpetuating damaging power dynamics and stereotypes. In this piece, I reflect upon my autobiographical research journey and practical experiences to provide concrete examples and recommendations to other fellow scholars that may enable them to enhance the value of research in fragile environments for all those involved, particularly those most in need. I conclude with a simple guideline for research design, data acquisition, and result dissemination, that may serve as a reference and starting point when embarking on such endeavors.
Does entrepreneurial intention for innovation at firm-level matter to affect performance?
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to 1) examine the influence of firm-level entrepreneurial attitude toward innovation, subjective norms for innovation, and perceived control over innovation on firms’ intention for innovation; 2) study the influence of firms’ intention for innovation on new product development performance; 3) test the effect of new product development performance on firms’ financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed theoretical model has been analyzed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software and structured questionnaires has been distributed among 244 entrepreneurs in Oman. Findings: By empirically testing the antecedents of the firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention with a focus on existing firms (not their intention for new venture creation), it was found that attitudes toward innovation and perceived behavioral control do predict firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation. The firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation was also found to positively affect new product development performance. And new product performance was found to enhance financial performance of firms. Practical implications: The findings of this study interject a better understanding of the new product development performance and financial performance which can be achieved by the firm-level entrepreneurial intention for innovation. Entrepreneurs can effectively convey the relative benefit of SME's innovation by emphasizing how the innovation in the firm can help to increase revenue, profitability, boost sales growth, and strengthen the financial health of the SMEs by developing new products for the market. Originality/value: This research contributes to the understanding the relationship between the entrepreneurs’ behavioural characteristics and the firm level entrepreneurial’ intention and how it affects new product development performance and financial performance.
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to 1) examine the influence of firm-level entrepreneurial attitude toward innovation, subjective norms for innovation, and perceived control over innovation on firms’ intention for innovation; 2) study the influence of firms’ intention for innovation on new product development performance; 3) test the effect of new product development performance on firms’ financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: The proposed theoretical model has been analyzed through structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software and structured questionnaires has been distributed among 244 entrepreneurs in Oman. Findings: By empirically testing the antecedents of the firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention with a focus on existing firms (not their intention for new venture creation), it was found that attitudes toward innovation and perceived behavioral control do predict firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation. The firm-level entrepreneurs’ intention for innovation was also found to positively affect new product development performance. And new product performance was found to enhance financial performance of firms. Practical implications: The findings of this study interject a better understanding of the new product development performance and financial performance which can be achieved by the firm-level entrepreneurial intention for innovation. Entrepreneurs can effectively convey the relative benefit of SME's innovation by emphasizing how the innovation in the firm can help to increase revenue, profitability, boost sales growth, and strengthen the financial health of the SMEs by developing new products for the market. Originality/value: This research contributes to the understanding the relationship between the entrepreneurs’ behavioural characteristics and the firm level entrepreneurial’ intention and how it affects new product development performance and financial performance.
How can human capital promote innovative behaviour? exploring the attitudinal dynamics of employee engagement and mental involvement
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
This study puts forward a novel advancement on understanding the underlying mechanisms that expound how human capital can lead to employees” innovative behaviour. Thus, this study intends to examine the nuanced associations between human capital and innovative work behaviour, evoking the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. Utilising a cross sectional research design, a random-sampling technique was used to collect responses from professionals selected from different organizations operating in Jordan. In total, 380 participants completed a questionnaire constructed from well-established measures. AMOS-Structural Equation Modelling was used to examine the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrated that, along with the direct effect, human capital asserts a substantial relevance to individuals” innovative behaviour via the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first research attempt that views the aforementioned associations through the lens of the attitudinal constructs of employee engagement (mediator) and mental involvement (moderator). Further, this study expands the knowledge base of the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioural literature by expanding the scope of the JD-R theory aspects to be linked to other psychological dynamics (employee engagement and mental involvement) thought to enhance employees” innovative behaviours.
This study puts forward a novel advancement on understanding the underlying mechanisms that expound how human capital can lead to employees” innovative behaviour. Thus, this study intends to examine the nuanced associations between human capital and innovative work behaviour, evoking the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. Utilising a cross sectional research design, a random-sampling technique was used to collect responses from professionals selected from different organizations operating in Jordan. In total, 380 participants completed a questionnaire constructed from well-established measures. AMOS-Structural Equation Modelling was used to examine the measurement and structural models. The results demonstrated that, along with the direct effect, human capital asserts a substantial relevance to individuals” innovative behaviour via the mediation of employee engagement and moderation of mental involvement. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this is the first research attempt that views the aforementioned associations through the lens of the attitudinal constructs of employee engagement (mediator) and mental involvement (moderator). Further, this study expands the knowledge base of the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioural literature by expanding the scope of the JD-R theory aspects to be linked to other psychological dynamics (employee engagement and mental involvement) thought to enhance employees” innovative behaviours.
Going global: The influence of transformative experience on social entrepreneurial decisions to internationalize
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Despite increased importance of SEs in the global marketplace, limited research in social entrepreneurship addresses internationalization, and fewer from a behavioural perspective. We fill this gap by investigating the SE manager’s behavioural attributes and their influence on the decision of social entrepreneurs to become international social entrepreneurs (ISEs) through an exploratory design using content analysis and interviews. All social entrepreneurs were driven to address social change by a strong social conscience; however, this research finds that ISEs shared an urgent and personal call to action. This sense of urgency developed from transformative experiences that altered their views of the world and their place within it. Domestic social entrepreneurs were motivated primarily by their social conscience, shared background, and the timing of the social enterprise opportunity, factors previously identified in research.
Despite increased importance of SEs in the global marketplace, limited research in social entrepreneurship addresses internationalization, and fewer from a behavioural perspective. We fill this gap by investigating the SE manager’s behavioural attributes and their influence on the decision of social entrepreneurs to become international social entrepreneurs (ISEs) through an exploratory design using content analysis and interviews. All social entrepreneurs were driven to address social change by a strong social conscience; however, this research finds that ISEs shared an urgent and personal call to action. This sense of urgency developed from transformative experiences that altered their views of the world and their place within it. Domestic social entrepreneurs were motivated primarily by their social conscience, shared background, and the timing of the social enterprise opportunity, factors previously identified in research.
Innovation in the legal service industry: Examining the roles of human and social capital, and knowledge and technology transfer
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Business research has rarely explored service innovation for the traditionally conservative legal industry. Using a resource-based and practice-based view blend as its theoretical backbone we develop an understanding of the parameters underpinning law firm innovation as a facilitator of operations management enhancement and possible source of entrepreneurship. The paper presents a survey answered by 106 legal professionals from 19 countries exploring four thematic areas referring to human capital, social capital, knowledge and technology transfer that were hypothesised to define innovation. Ordered probit regression modelling was used. Evidence is presented that cybersecurity threats, inadequate and limited training on IT, excessive paperwork and lack of efficient teamwork, collaboration and communication are key challenges to innovation adoption, which is a pathway to sustainable, inclusive and resilient firm growth. Firm size and internationalisation are innovation-altering factors; SMEs differ from large global firms in their ability to operate ‘outside-the-box’. Our results recommend that legal enterprises need to adopt innovation as a robust transformation-enabling toolkit that could facilitate a performance-enhancing business ethos.
Business research has rarely explored service innovation for the traditionally conservative legal industry. Using a resource-based and practice-based view blend as its theoretical backbone we develop an understanding of the parameters underpinning law firm innovation as a facilitator of operations management enhancement and possible source of entrepreneurship. The paper presents a survey answered by 106 legal professionals from 19 countries exploring four thematic areas referring to human capital, social capital, knowledge and technology transfer that were hypothesised to define innovation. Ordered probit regression modelling was used. Evidence is presented that cybersecurity threats, inadequate and limited training on IT, excessive paperwork and lack of efficient teamwork, collaboration and communication are key challenges to innovation adoption, which is a pathway to sustainable, inclusive and resilient firm growth. Firm size and internationalisation are innovation-altering factors; SMEs differ from large global firms in their ability to operate ‘outside-the-box’. Our results recommend that legal enterprises need to adopt innovation as a robust transformation-enabling toolkit that could facilitate a performance-enhancing business ethos.
A conceptual competencies-based framework to enhance the innovation capacity of fourth industrial revolution entrepreneurs
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Entrepreneurship scholars have focused their research on compiling a list of competencies that enhance entrepreneurial behaviour. Yet, these efforts might be redundant as new competencies are necessary in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Furthermore, previous research investigated entrepreneurial competencies (ECs) from a developed country perspective. This paper follows two phases in identifying ECs for the 4IR in a developing country context. During phase 1, a Delphi study is employed, whereby 12 participants provide 108 ECs (round 1) and 87 ECs (round 2) required for the 4IR. Based on an extensive literature review, a concept matrix is conducted in phase 2, in which 136 competencies are listed. After phase 2 has been conducted, 87 ECs are identified, of which 33 have resulted as the most cited in the literature. By utilizing this multi-dimensional holistic approach, we can distinguish the ECs necessary to increase entrepreneurs’ capacity to innovate. The final analyses indicate 12 ECs, presented in a conceptual framework and categorized into four domains: cognitive (knowledge), functional (skills), social (attitudes and behaviours) and meta (facilitating learning). The findings illustrate the demand for specific ECs, although no additional ECs such as technology skills are identified for the 4IR within a developing country context.
Entrepreneurship scholars have focused their research on compiling a list of competencies that enhance entrepreneurial behaviour. Yet, these efforts might be redundant as new competencies are necessary in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Furthermore, previous research investigated entrepreneurial competencies (ECs) from a developed country perspective. This paper follows two phases in identifying ECs for the 4IR in a developing country context. During phase 1, a Delphi study is employed, whereby 12 participants provide 108 ECs (round 1) and 87 ECs (round 2) required for the 4IR. Based on an extensive literature review, a concept matrix is conducted in phase 2, in which 136 competencies are listed. After phase 2 has been conducted, 87 ECs are identified, of which 33 have resulted as the most cited in the literature. By utilizing this multi-dimensional holistic approach, we can distinguish the ECs necessary to increase entrepreneurs’ capacity to innovate. The final analyses indicate 12 ECs, presented in a conceptual framework and categorized into four domains: cognitive (knowledge), functional (skills), social (attitudes and behaviours) and meta (facilitating learning). The findings illustrate the demand for specific ECs, although no additional ECs such as technology skills are identified for the 4IR within a developing country context.
Are all cats grey in the dark? calling for a new taxonomy of internationalizing SMEs
The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Ahead of Print.
Although internationalizing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been extensively examined, the literature has mainly classified them based on size than on other factors disclosing different international dynamics, their diverse performance records, relevant strategies and support needs/expectations. This study examines internal and external barriers and key success factors of internationalizing companies, using data from 38 in-depth interviews of Australian SMEs conducted between 2016 and 2018. These cases were then categorized, using an inductive approach and text analysis software, along two dimensions of international experience and exposure, and product and/or service uniqueness and innovation. Moreover, internal and external liabilities and assets were diagnosed for each category. The resulting taxonomy, consisting of ‘prominent’, ‘performing’, ‘promising’, and ‘precluded’ sub-groups of SMEs, provides a useful categorization of exporting SMEs elucidating their differentiated needs and priorities. This research highlights that the current ‘catch-all’ category used in research and practice for internationalizing SMEs is not consistent and should instead be unpacked.
Although internationalizing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been extensively examined, the literature has mainly classified them based on size than on other factors disclosing different international dynamics, their diverse performance records, relevant strategies and support needs/expectations. This study examines internal and external barriers and key success factors of internationalizing companies, using data from 38 in-depth interviews of Australian SMEs conducted between 2016 and 2018. These cases were then categorized, using an inductive approach and text analysis software, along two dimensions of international experience and exposure, and product and/or service uniqueness and innovation. Moreover, internal and external liabilities and assets were diagnosed for each category. The resulting taxonomy, consisting of ‘prominent’, ‘performing’, ‘promising’, and ‘precluded’ sub-groups of SMEs, provides a useful categorization of exporting SMEs elucidating their differentiated needs and priorities. This research highlights that the current ‘catch-all’ category used in research and practice for internationalizing SMEs is not consistent and should instead be unpacked.