Entrepreneurial action in the context of firms and managers operating internationally: an empirical study

This exploratory study draws on entrepreneurial action theory, and proposes a theoretical framework to understand the main rationale for companies and their managers to have an international presence. The perspectives of managers representing four international companies operating in the state of Western Australia were examined through in-depth face-to-face interviews. The findings revealed various strong associations with the theory. Notably, while firms’ action was partly motived by the significance of Western Australia’s natural resources, equally important were strategic elements surrounding such decision, including matching or anticipating competitors’ moves. Entrepreneurial action was also manifested among participants, particularly in that their accumulated knowledge and expertise provided an ideal fit with their organisations’ goals. The framework can therefore inform future research, both from a practical and theoretical perspective

Brexit, the wine sector and organisational resilience: an exploratory study of Spanish Wineries

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of winery owners/managers concerning the impacts of Brexit on the Spanish wine sector and propose a theoretical framework based on the extant organisational resilience literature to facilitate an understanding of this concept. The framework facilitates understanding of this concept through the perspective of winery operators. Design/methodology/approach: Attendance at a large Spanish wine fair in 2017 allowed for brief face-to-face interviews with owners and export managers of 156 predominantly micro and small Spanish wineries. The data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. Findings: Despite the general sense of uncertainty and negative perceptions regarding the outcomes of Brexit, the interviews revealed various forms of resilient responses, including ongoing efforts seeking to broaden the scope for exports into new, niche markets alongside more traditional ones. These findings have important implications for businesses engaged in international business, particularly in the wine industry, where the potential challenges resulting from a major political decision can exacerbate existing issues of competition. Originality/value: From a practical perspective, this study examines an emerging issue with potential consequences for international business. From a theoretical point of view, the proposed framework provides a baseline to illuminate the understanding of the links and stages following turbulence within organisations. Notably, the activation of responses emphasises the importance of developing a resilient organisational culture, as well as developing internal and enabling factors and bundles of resources that help create firm capabilities. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Uncertainty and adaptation in the context of Brexit: An entrepreneurial action and dynamic capabilities approach

Purpose – The purpose of this exploratory study is to propose a framework to understand firms’ adaptation to uncertainty and change, specifically, in regards to the perceived impacts of the Brexit phenomenon. In doing so, the study considers entrepreneurial action theory (EAT) and the dynamic capabilities approach (DCA). Design/methodology/approach – Face-to-face interviews were conducted with owners and managers of 34 family-run firms operating in Italy’s Prosecco Superiore and Spain’s Cava industries. Findings – The element of uncertainty due to the imminent Brexit decision clearly emerged, and was demonstrated through various effects on firms, including the falling British Pound. The findings revealed that combining the EAT and the DCA provides a stronger explanation in understanding adaptation to uncertainty. For example, sensing (DCA) was suggested to be a precursor of opportunity attention and evaluation (EAT), or recognising opportunities, and was subsequently manifested by operators’ action, or seizing (DCA), including through more involvement in exports and wine tourism. Originality/value – The study is one of the few efforts to date to examine the potential impacts of an uncontrollable contemporary phenomenon, and ways to adapt from the perspective of entrepreneurs involved in a traditional and socioeconomically significant industry. The different adaptive strategies that emerged from the findings can provide practical insights. The proposed framework emphasises the theoretical and practical value of understanding adaptation through the lens of the adopted theoretical foundations

Micro enterprises, self-efficacy and knowledge acquisition: evidence from Greece and Spain

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the significance of self-efficacy and knowledge acquisition among micro businesses operating in challenging economic environments. The study uses social cognitive theory (SCT) and the knowledge-based theory of the firm (KBTF), and it proposes a refinement of these theoretical frameworks in the context of the study. Design/methodology/approach: A case method was chosen, and face-to-face interviews with 14 owners of firms in island and rural regions of Greece and Spain were conducted. Findings: Content analysis identified the importance of self-efficacy, primarily illustrated by entrepreneurs’ determination and self-motivation, propensity to take risks and ability to anticipate consequences of their actions. Acquisition and accumulation of explicit knowledge, particularly through generational or mentoring processes, and subsequent wealth of tacit knowledge, also emerged as very significant in preparing and guiding entrepreneurs. Various links between the adopted theories and findings emerged, particularly regarding forethought, vicarious learning (SCT) and specialisation in knowledge acquisition (KBTF). Originality/value: The proposed theoretical refinement based on the SCT and KBTF paradigms allows for a more rigorous, in-depth reflection on the links between cognitive elements present in the participating micro entrepreneurs and knowledge-based attributes on their ability to increase organisational resilience. The study also contributes toward the micro business literature and addresses a knowledge gap, particularly, in that contemporary research has not explored entrepreneurial motivations among small firm entrepreneurs. Finally, the practical implications emerging from the findings provide a platform for various stakeholders (associations, government agencies) to appreciate and support entrepreneurs’ needs, notably, of acquiring, increasing and sharing knowledge. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

Understanding entrepreneurial deviance through social learning and entrepreneurial action theory: an empirical study

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine entrepreneurial deviance from the perspective of New Zealand's commercial honey producers. The study adopts entrepreneurial action and social learning theories and proposes a theoretical framework in the context of entrepreneurial deviance. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through online surveys from 52 professional beekeepers. Findings: Overstocking of beehives, encroachment, biosecurity threats and unfair competition were most common forms of deviance affecting participants. While these predominantly responded through investing in disease prevention, security equipment or by reporting deviant incidents, finding proper solutions remains elusive. The findings revealed robust alignments with both theories. Overall, offenders’ perceived incentives to act illustrate alignment with social learning theory’s four key constructs. Entrepreneurial action emerged through individual perpetrators’ evaluation and subsequent maximisation of potentially lucrative opportunities. Originality/value: The study addresses an important and under-researched dimension, notably, the negative or “dark” side of entrepreneurs, in this case, illustrated through greed and disregard for fair and proper ways of conducting business. This knowledge gap is even more obvious among small and medium business, which is also the focus of the research. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

The significance of grassroots and inclusive innovation in harnessing social entrepreneurship and urban regeneration

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the dimensions of inclusive and grassroots innovations operationalised by a social enterprise and the impact of these activities on urban regeneration. To this end, the case of Homebaked in Liverpool, UK, is presented and discussed. Design/methodology/approach: Face-to-face interviews with members of Homebaked’s management, staff and volunteers were conducted; the interviews were complemented with on-site observations and review of archival information of the social enterprise. Findings: The data gathered revealed the organisation’s involvement in both types of innovation as a means to achieve long-term urban regeneration related goals. For instance, innovative, strategic and human dimensions, together with the human dimension emerged as key ways of innovating. The impacts of innovative practices comprised encouraging inclusiveness among residents and non-residents, with approaches including hands-on training workshops, job and volunteering opportunities being predominant. Originality/value: First, the study advances the theoretical and applied understanding of grassroots and inclusive innovation in the context of a social enterprise. For instance, an innovative/strategic and human dimension emerged as predominant ways in which grassroots and inclusive innovation elements were manifested. These dimensions were based on technology uptake, implementation of new product/service concepts or harnessing the skills of local and non-local individuals. Similarly, four dimensions associated with the impacts of these types of innovation were revealed. Second, the study addresses acknowledged gaps in the literature, particularly regarding the limited contributions illuminating processes and determinants of innovation among social enterprises. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Understanding the Impact of Family Firms Through Social Capital Theory: A South American Perspective

This exploratory study investigates the impact of family firms as a product of their contributions, and proposes a framework, which associates these with the adopted social capital theory. Interviews with owners of six firms operating in three different South American countries not only revealed the more familiar contributions of creating employment and instilling values, but also through business opportunities, growth, a sense of community and increasing knowledge. Aligned with various dimensions of social capital theory, several observable premises emerged, for instance, through the creation of value gained from developing links between individuals, developing local niches, or reciprocity. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Innovation, dynamic capabilities and family firms operating in an emerging economy

Drawing on the dynamic capabilities framework (DCF), this exploratory study examines family firms' involvement in innovation practices, including reasons and ways to innovate. The cases of four family firms operating in an emerging economy (Uruguay) are investigated. Semi-structured, face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with owners and managers, and complemented with e-mail correspondence. Based on the imperative need to solve problems in their industry, firms' managements were intensively involved in various innovative processes. These processes included quality improvements, responding to a dynamic and competitive business and consumer environment, and extending the life and survival of the family enterprise for future generations. Notably, the importance of sensing and learning in the form of identifying and assimilating key information, and seizing and applying such information to develop or adopt innovation, including new technologies, emerged strongly. The findings also highlight the usefulness of the DCF to understand firms' integration, and transformation of learning. © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd

‘We are only scratching the surface’ – a resource-based and dynamic capabilities approach in the context of culinary tourism development

This study examines the potential for developing culinary tourism (CT) from the perspective of restaurant operators in Lima, Peru, and develops a framework of CT based on the resource-based view of the firm and the dynamic capabilities paradigm. Fourteen restaurateurs and managers were interviewed, including two internationally renowned food and beverage entrepreneurs. The findings reveal that Peru's culinary potential is identified in various specific forms, including through the growing interest for local gastronomy among international visitors, the development of culinary neighbourhoods, the growing trend of pairing of foods and local beverages, and experimenting with lesser known local foods and dishes. Nonetheless, to maximise CT's potential, improved organisation within the industry, more knowledge dissemination of Peruvian cuisine domestically and internationally, and promoting other traditional products/dishes to maintain the momentum are vital. The usefulness of the proposed framework is presented, the implications of the findings discussed, and future research streams proposed. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Grou

“Profit is not a dirty word”: Social entrepreneurship and community development”

The main purpose of this exploratory study is to propose a theoretical framework based on Max Weber’s types of rationality to understand the motivations for and operationalisation of social entrepreneurship, drawing from the case of Homebaked, an organisation operating in Liverpool, UK. Face-to-face interviews with nine Homebaked’s members, including management, were complemented by several on-site observations, industry and consulting report reviews. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. A juxtaposition between entrepreneurship and SE emerged, in that for-profit principles were implemented to drive and achieve objectives of social causes. Indeed, maximising the organisation’s financial potential, enhancing its profitability by increasing sales and expanding its offerings, was reconciled with its objectives to benefit the local community. From a theoretical perspective, a strong connection was revealed between the findings and all four types of rationality, as postulated by Kalberg