Search results for " Entrepreneurship"
showing 10 items of 169 documents
Measuring readiness for entrepreneurship: An information tool proposal
2016
Abstract A profound review of the literature on entrepreneurship reveals that it does not exist a specific information tool to measure the individuals’ readiness for entrepreneurship. The purpose of this research has been building such kind of instrument to estimate the individuals’ readiness for entrepreneurship. Its design takes in consideration the inclusion of the main variables identified by the literature as those most associated with entrepreneurial profiles. These variables have been grouped into three categories: sociological, psychological and managerial-entrepreneurial. Each group provides batteries of items which are evaluated thanks to a specific scoring system. The final objec…
Opportunity Recognition in Social Entrepreneurship
2012
Opportunity recognition (OR) is at the very heart of entrepreneurship. However, research on OR in the context of social entrepreneurship is still in its early stages. First, this article identifies, codifies and analyses OR-relevant articles on social entrepreneurship (SE) through the lens of Sarasvathy’s three views of entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. In the second step, statistical methods are applied on the results to indicate possible correlations among different schools of thought in SE and views on OR. OR in social ventures is found to be a prevalent topic in SE literature and differences in OR between social and commercial ventures are found.
The Impact of Entrepreneur-CEOs in Microfinance Institutions: A Global Survey
2013
- Peer reviewed Microfinance is a global high-growth industry, in which entrepreneurship is prevalent and substantial. Based on the theoretical argument that microfinance entrepreneur-CEOs are “motivated agents” with a unique ability to hire and socialize mission-oriented staff, we hypothesize that these CEOs produce more sustainable microfinance institutions with better social performance and lower costs. This study utilizes data from 295 microfinance institutions in 73 developing countries, assessed between 1998 and 2010. Our empirical evidence suggests that entrepreneur-managed microfinance institutions feature higher social performance, greater financial sustainability, and lower costs.
Financial literacy, value creation and firm performance. An investigation of Italian small and medium enterprises
2023
This article aims to determine the influence of entrepreneurs’ financial literacy for the growth of SMEs’ value. The paper verifies the hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between financial literacy and value creation, as indicated by economic value added (EVA®). The study analyses 162 Italian SMEs operating in the textile and clothing sector. The analysis period is between 2011 and 2013. Regression analysis and correlation analysis have been applied to test the hypotheses. The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between financial literacy and the variables that drive the value creation. Greater financial literacy allows SMEs to optimise their capital str…
Local development through social and territorial innovation: an exploratory case study
2017
This investigation aims to examine innovation in a selected successful Portuguese social venture (The Cooperative Terra Chã) and to analyse the extent to which innovative social ventures are able to contributeto local development. Specifically, the paper highlights the activities developed by the social organization in response to the needs of particular (micro) segments of society and illustrates which key factors triggered thesuccess of the examined social initiative. A case study methodology is used to describe the distinctive characteristics and strategies pursued by the managers of the social venture and to establish the links between the opportunities for social innovation and the ter…
Customer functional value creation through a sustainable entrepreneurial orientation approach
2019
This paper advances a theoretical model to empirically test firms’ behaviour regarding sustainable entrepreneurship, enhancing what researchers have recently proposed at a solely conceptual level; this entails sustainable entrepreneurship being understood as a discipline that reliably allows organizations to successfully respond to sustainable development and market requirements. The authors suggest an integrated approach of dynamic-capabilities, S-D logic and product-service system views, which highlights the managerial predisposition to adopt a strategic position that fosters value in use (instead of regular property value), according to the current school of thoughts engaged with innovat…
La economía social y solidaria en Grecia
2017
El 31 de octubre de 2016 el Parlamento griego aprobó la Ley 4430/2016 de Economía Social y Solidaria (ESS) con el propósito de difundir esta forma alternativa de organización de la actividad económica; apoyar y fortalecer proyectos productivos autogestionarios y de emprendimiento social colectivo, y regular las Empresas Sociales Cooperativas y las Cooperativas de Trabajadores. En este trabajo hemos analizado las principales características de la ESS griega, principalmente en relación con otros modelos europeos; y los distintos tipos de empresas que integra, subrayando las diferencias entre ellas y sus principales características frente a otras instituciones próximas como las cooperativas so…
Development and validation of a scale to assess social entrepreneurship competency in Higher Education
2019
This paper proposes an instrument to assess social entrepreneurship competency in higher education (SECS). 19 Features of social entrepreneurship competency were identified. The pilot test (n = 497) confirmed the validity and reliability of the SECS. Exploratory factor analysis proposed a set of categories consistent with the initial approach. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable relationships among the scale categories and items, while the fit indices suggested that the data fit adequately to the default model. Pearson’s test verified significant, positive correlations among the revised categories in all cases. Therefore, the scale carries the potential to contribute to social en…
Entrepreneurial Decision-Making Logic Related to Software Development in Different Growth Phases of INVs
2019
Software-based innovations with global market-potential are the main product offering of digital-based International New Ventures, an emerging type of rapidly internationalizing firm. Despite increasing research attention on the internationalization phases of these firms, knowledge of how the characteristics of the firm’s software offerings change over time remains scarce. In this paper, we analyze how standardization, customization and localization evolve through the growth and commitment of International New Ventures in foreign markets. Specifically, we posit that an entrepreneurial decision-making logic based on a logic of effectuation or causation acts as a trigger mechanism for specifi…
Valerijs Bitenieks – From a Student of Riga Polytechnic Institute to a Construction Contractor in the Independent Latvia
2021
A paper on Valerijs Bitenieks, a graduate (1986) of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), reflects on the daily life of the Soviet students in the 1980s, the work of a young engineer while he was trying various opportunities in the labour market and the engineer’s growth as a successful contractor in the independent Latvia in the 21st century. It traces the life of V. Bitenieks from his childhood to the present day, paying attention to his professional activities. The research provides an insight into students’ internships and extracurricular activities during the Soviet era. Unpublished photographic material unknown to the general public has…