Methodological Challenges Created by Complexity in Interdisciplinary Studies

The disciplines of sustainability and national culture are both well established complex areas of study. It is only relatively recently that researchers have started to study the manner in which cultural characteristics influence behaviours that contribute to a nations activities that can lead to a reduction of their environmental burden. Most initial research undertaken was positivist in nature, relying on statistical correlation between behaviours and frameworks developed by Hofstede or the GLOBE project (Caprar and Neville, 2012). However, Rogge, Dessein, and Verhoeve (2013) argue that research into subjects as complex as this should commence with work of a more exploratory nature. This research involved the development of four case studies with the intention of validating the findings of prior research. Maximum variation sampling resulted in the selection of the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden and Japan. However, subsequent analysis revealed that the three European nations shared many similarities. Sample selection also appeared to be problematic in the prior research that was being validated, whereby it could be argued that there were instances where the sample itself influenced the findings. The case studies were developed using OECD standards as framework. The findings of the positivist studies could not be validated. It was found that the multifaceted nature of the two subject areas was incompatible with positivist studies when they concentrated on individual phenomena. This research found that interdisciplinary research compounds complexity which must be understood. Whilst generalisations can be made, precision should be handled with caution

UK Fashion Designers Working in Micro-sized Enterprises; Attitudes to Locational Resources, Their Peers and the Market

This paper contributes to an understanding of the importance of locally based resources and interactions in a globalised industry, fashion design. It examines the product design stage of the fashion production chain, rather than the manufacture and commercialisation of apparel products. We studied the use of their geographies by UK-based fashion designers working in micro-sized enterprises ( < 10 employees) especially because of their likely sensitivity to various aspects of proximity, including their dependence on external resources to supplement their own. Factor and cluster analysis identified four different types of designers, which differed in the manner in which they interacted with peers and markets, and accessed location-based resources. The paper advances explanations for the patterns of behaviour observed in the various clusters, and in making recommendations for further research predicts the types of design position each is likely to prefer

Entrepreneurial growth and ownership under market socialism in China: a longitudinal case study of small business growth

How firms grow is still a mystery and a definitive explanation remains elusive. This is especially the case for emerging economies, where the development of research into business growth has been notably slow whilst emerging business ventures are developing at hyper speed. Since most empirical studies have focused on the quantitative differences in growth across firms, this paper adopts a longitudinal case study approach to explore the qualitative differences in terms of how various types of firm achieve their growth outcomes in the organisational development process over a prolonged period of time. Through a theoretical lens which focuses on growth process approaches, this study not only demonstrates that entrepreneurial processes take different forms and dimensions in different contexts, but it also provides insights into the interactions of various organisational factors underpinning the strategies and changes that lead to contrasting growth outcomes. Case study findings assert that the ownership factor is a key contingent factor that shapes management structure and resources which, in turn, affect particular entrepreneurial outcomes. Furthermore, a combination of leadership style and the approach to knowledge management also play critical roles in the learning process which, tends to determine the strategy choice of either high or low value added product strategy. The findings of this research are that small firms with a low value product strategy can improve their survival chances and growth through the vertical broadening of a product portfolio in synchrony with increasing production and technology advancement. The case study companies show a tendency to reinforce their industry position by adopting contrasting choices for growth. The paper addresses the challenges and managerial implications for Western company managers in different growth contexts

Modeling the agents of cyclical change in order to determine appropriate movement towards sustainability

It is argued that the degree of change required for the developed world to move to a sustainable pattern of life is in the order of a paradigmatic change as described by Kuhn (Smith, 1998). It follows that an understanding of the agents of change that has in the past been instrumental in the emergence of a new paradigm needs to be fully developed in order to assess whether it would be possible to engineer a successful transition into a sustainable model. Little research has been conducted into the factors that can shape a new paradigm. However Kondratieff’s long wave theory (O’Hara, 1994) includes recognition that economic cycles and paradigm change are inextricably linked. A multi-disciplined approach taken by theorists seeking to understand the factors that contribute to the phenomenon has identified the role of societal, industrial and bureaucratic pressures in driving long waves (Perez, 1983, in Freeman, 1986). Technological innovation can achieve significant strides towards the introduction of sustainable patterns of consumption. However, whilst Rogers, theory on the diffusion of innovation reveals steps that businesses can take in order to promote acceptance of new products (Rogers, 2003), those that could theoretically deliver significant benefits have met unforeseen obstacles that impede the achievement of their full potential. Analysis of typical barriers to adoption revealed a marked similarity to the agents of change identified in Kondratieff’s long wave theory in that bureaucratic, industrial and social barriers were seen to operate (Castellano, 2015; Progressive Digital Media, 2015). This coincidence underpins the central argument of this paper, that the interplay between numerous factors that are apparently external to both business and the innovation in question is critical to its successful adoption. In this paper the relationships between the influential factors that have been recognised by various theorists analysing Kondratieff’s long waves have been brought together.. Using systems analysis tools, the understanding necessary to underpin the application of systems dynamics has been developed. Starting with systems maps and relationship diagrams, multiple cause diagrams and sign graphs / causal loop diagrams have been developed in order to identify the manner in which business can exploit such understanding and consequently enhance the likelihood of the successful adoption of innovations that are more sustainable. Kondratieff’s long waves have a distinct form. They are cyclical, occurring over a 50 year period. The overriding question in this paper is whether this 50 year period and the character of the new paradigm manipulated and controlled. It is clear that in isolation, businesses are not able to exert much influence in removing these external barriers to adoption of an innovation. Identification of the agents of change seen to operate in Kondratieff’s long waves reveal that the role of governments and education are seen to be central, but other factors ranging from national culture, to the complexity of technology itself are seen to influence the ease with which an innovation is accepted. This analysis would suggest that much greater levels of cooperation between these entities are needed if paradigm change and the acceptance of sustainable innovations is to be stimulated