On Corporate Governance Issues in Small Innovative Firms

International audienceThe governance of small firms is at the heart of current debates on corporate governance. The present study sheds light on both the perception and the practice of governance in small innovative enterprise, with a particular attention to innovative biotech environments in France. Who are the key actors of governance? What governance are we talking about? What are the main expectations and obligations of the owner-managers? Are there any compromises and what is the stake? The answers to these questions and the lessons learned from the case of Biotech industry are beneficial to performance and both theory and practice of corporate governance and innovation management

On Corporate Governance Issues in Small Innovative Firms

International audienceThe governance of small firms is at the heart of current debates on corporate governance. The present study sheds light on both the perception and the practice of governance in small innovative enterprise, with a particular attention to innovative biotech environments in France. Who are the key actors of governance? What governance are we talking about? What are the main expectations and obligations of the owner-managers? Are there any compromises and what is the stake? The answers to these questions and the lessons learned from the case of Biotech industry are beneficial to performance and both theory and practice of corporate governance and innovation management

Growth Intention of Microfirm Owner-Managers and the Management of Information Systems

International audienc

Growth Intention of Microfirm Owner-Managers and the Management of Information Systems

International audienc

Les systèmes d’information en microfirme : une approche par le bricolage organisationnel

Cet article vise à comprendre les pratiques des dirigeants de microfirmes (moins de cinq salariés) en matière de systèmes d’information (SI). Dans ces organisations de très petite taille, les ressources sont rares et les SI sont peu formalisés. Par ailleurs, le dirigeant a un rôle prépondérant dans le choix et la mise en place des outils. Des recherches récentes soulignent la pertinence du concept de bricolage organisationnel pour analyser les pratiques des petites entreprises. Dans cette optique, cette recherche explore les modes d’implantation et d’utilisation des systèmes d’information par les dirigeants de microfirmes, et vise à identifier les pratiques de bricolage organisationnel. La méthode de recherche adoptée est qualitative et fondée sur 56 entretiens semi-directifs avec des dirigeants de microfirmes françaises. Nous décrivons deux types de bricolage : le bricolage par nécessité et le bricolage stratégique. Les caractéristiques associées à ces deux modalités sont analysées, et se distinguent par la perception des outils, les aspirations personnelles, les objectifs pour l’entreprise, et la possession ou non en interne de compétences en SI.Our research attempts to shed light on a specific set of practices of owner-manager within microfirms (less than five employees) in the area of information systems (IS). In these very small-sized companies, as we know, resources are scarce and IS very little formalized. Also, the owner-manager has a prominent role in setting the IT policy as well as in implementing it. In this respect, recent studies underline the relevance of the concept of bricolage as a pertinent tool for analyzing this kind of environment. Our research tackles these issues by exploring further how owner-managers implement and use information technology through the prism of organizational bricolage. Based on 56 semi-directive interviews with owner-managers, our qualitative analysis shows two types of bricolage : the « necessity bricolage » and the « strategic bricolage ». These categories differ in the way owner-managers perceive the technology, their personal aspirations and strategic goals, and the mode of IT skills acquisition (in-house or outsourced).El objetivo de este artículo es comprender las prácticas de sistemas de información (SI) de los dirigentes de micro-empresas (empresas con menos de 5 empleados). En estas organizaciones los recursos son escasos y los SI poco formalizados. Además, el dirigente juega un papel clave en la elección de herramientas y en su aplicación. Investigaciones recientes ponen de relieve la adecuación del concepto de bricolaje organizacional en el análisis de las prácticas de la pequeña empresa. Siguiendo esta línea de ideas, la presente investigación explora la forma de implantación y el uso de los sistemas de información por parte de los dirigentes de micro-empresas, teniendo como objetivo la identificación de las prácticas de bricolaje organizacional. Se ha adoptado un método de investigación cualitativo, basado en 56 entrevistas semi-estructuradas, con dirigentes de micro-empresas en Francia. Se describen dos tipos de bricolaje : bricolaje por necesidad, y bricolaje estratégico. Las características asociadas a estos dos tipos de bricolaje se han analizado, distinguiéndose la percepción de las herramientas, las aspiraciones personales, los objetivos para la empresa, y la posesión o no de competencias internas en SI

Bricolage’ in the implementation and the use of IS by micro-firms: an empirical study

International audienceThe purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation and the use of IS (information system) by micro-firms. Organizational bricolage approach is particularly relevant to treat this question. This theoretical framework provides a new perspective for IS literature. For this research, we focus on IS management to explore this field. Indeed, micro-firms are characterized by simple IS and low formalization. The owner-managers develop intuitive strategies based on subjective decisions. In order to better understand the modalities of bricolage in IS by micro-firms, we realized 64 semi-directive interviews with French owner-managers. Results show a distinction in the implementation process and the use of the IS

Bricolage’ in the implementation and the use of IS by micro-firms: an empirical study

International audienceThe purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation and the use of IS (information system) by micro-firms. Organizational bricolage approach is particularly relevant to treat this question. This theoretical framework provides a new perspective for IS literature. For this research, we focus on IS management to explore this field. Indeed, micro-firms are characterized by simple IS and low formalization. The owner-managers develop intuitive strategies based on subjective decisions. In order to better understand the modalities of bricolage in IS by micro-firms, we realized 64 semi-directive interviews with French owner-managers. Results show a distinction in the implementation process and the use of the IS

Freelancers and innovation in France

International audienceWhile the role of small businesses in innovation is well described, little attention is given to freelancers (business owners whose businesses are without personnel and who have no desire to grow their business). We used a sample of 32,595 French freelancers who started in 2002 to explore to what degree they are operating in innovative vs. non-innovative industries and to analyse the characteristics of those freelancers. The findings show that French freelancers are nearly as likely as other business owners to be active in innovative sectors. High education levels and desire for independence are also important characteristics of people working in this sector. This study contributes to the growing literature on innovation among researchers informing policy makers and prospective freelancers

Why are small public incubators "lagging behind"? Learning from disability in the selection practices of a French incubator

International audienceThis research examines the selection practices used by a small public incubator (SPI) and its strategic implications. SPIs generally depend on small cities and often face difficulties due to a lack of resources and inadequate competitiveness in comparison with well-equipped and more reputed incubators. The selection of projects is the keystone in the development of these small structures. We develop a qualitative approach based on a single case study. Representatives from all the incubated projects were interviewed, as well as all the managers and we performed a thematic analysis of the discourses. The in-depth study of the selection practices and the project portfolio reveals a paradox regarding the incubator’s strategic positioning objectives and the availability of resources. We conclude by discussing the strategic positioning of SPIs regarding in-house resources and the selection practices