Local relationships matter! The impact of intellectual capital on entrepreneurial bricolage in African social entrepreneurs

Social entrepreneurs aim to create societal value while pursuing financial sustainability. However, they typically face several challenges and constraints when operating in resource-scarce environments. For this reason, social entrepreneurs typically engage in entrepreneurial bricolage, which is described as a process of using whatever tools and resources necessary that are immediately available. The behavioral theory of entrepreneurial bricolage attempts to understand what entrepreneurs do when faced with resource constraints. In this vital process, little empirical research has been conducted to investigate what drives social entrepreneurs to engage in such a way. This study aims to understand the antecedents of bricolage and, in particular, empirically test its link to intellectual capital. A survey was administered to 115 social entrepreneurs from Ghana and Sierra Leone. Data analysis shows that relational capital plays a crucial role in driving social entrepreneurs to engage with bricolage. In fact, the quality of local relationships and external support received (by suppliers, customers, and communities) is positively related and statistically significant with entrepreneurial bricolage. The results of this study not only extend the academic literature of bricolage in social entrepreneurship but also point out the focal role of relational capital as an enabler toward effectively operating in difficult conditions in developing African countries. We thus provide theoretical implications to the field of social entrepreneurship through the lens of intellectual capital and knowledge management. Practical implications are provided to social entrepreneurs operating in developing countries, such as government, NGOs, and agencies seeking to support entrepreneurship initiatives. Limitations and future research opportunities are suggested as well

Determinazione delle concentrazioni di metalli e di rapporti isotopici (D/H), 13C/12C e 18O/16O per la tracciabilità geografica dei vini di alcune tipiche varietà italiane

This paper provides an analytical methodology for protection and promotion of vineyards and it is a part of a valorization project of the oldest wine districts of the Mediterranean area. Recently analytical procedures for the detection of the unique parameters connected to the territory were developed and in this experience some analytical protocols for chemical markers and geological features of the soil are proposed. These information and achievements can be defined “geo certificate” (fingerprint of the product) of the cultivation area of the grapes. The goal was achieved by: - X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) for detection of major and trace elements in the soil; - ICP-MS analysis in wines to identify the primary characteristic ratios; - wine analysis of isotopic ratios of light elements D/H, 13C/12C e 18O/16O are sensitive to different climatic conditions and latitudes

Determinazione delle concentrazioni di metalli e di rapporti isotopici (D/H), 13C/12C e 18O/16O per la tracciabilità geografica dei vini di alcune tipiche varietà italiane

This paper provides an analytical methodology for protection and promotion of vineyards and it is a part of a valorization project of the oldest wine districts of the Mediterranean area. Recently analytical procedures for the detection of the unique parameters connected to the territory were developed and in this experience some analytical protocols for chemical markers and geological features of the soil are proposed. These information and achievements can be defined “geo certificate” (fingerprint of the product) of the cultivation area of the grapes. The goal was achieved by: - X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) for detection of major and trace elements in the soil; - ICP-MS analysis in wines to identify the primary characteristic ratios; - wine analysis of isotopic ratios of light elements D/H, 13C/12C e 18O/16O are sensitive to different climatic conditions and latitudes

HOMOZYGOUS DELETION IN STXBP2 CAUSATIVE OF FAMILIAL HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS TYPE 5 (FHL-5)

Purpose: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening immunedeficiency, characterized by a hyperinflammatory syndrome. Familial forms are caused by mutations in genes associated with lymphocyte granule-mediated cytotoxicity. Four subtypes are defined by mutations in the following genes: PRF1 in FHL2, UNC13D in FHL3, STX11 in FHL4, and STXBP2 in FHL5. STXBP2 codes for Munc18-2 protein which is involved in regulation of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion events. FHL5 has been reported to account for up to 20% of cases with FHL in the German series. Since 2010, 47 different mutations of STXBP2 have been described, mainly missense/nonsense, frameshift and splicing. Here we describe a large deletion causative of FHL5. Methods: A female baby, aged 47 days, second child from related parents of Egyptian origin, developed a clinical syndrome fulfilling the Histiocyte Society diagnostic criteria for HLH and was directed to functional study and molecular analysis of FHL related genes. Results: Flowcytometry analysis showed normal perforin expression but almost undetectable degranulation capacity. Direct sequencing showed no mutations in UNC13D and STX11, while the analysis of STXBP2 gene showed no amplification of the last three exons. To test the hypothesis of an homozygous deletion, we used Syber Green RT-PCR, which revealed the loss of the genomic region. The deletion was confirmed by CGH-array. Western blot analysis documented the absence of expression of STXBP2 protein in this patient. Conclusion: Identification of biallelic mutations in children with a clinical diagnosis of HLH is of paramount clinical relevance as it confirms the diagnosis of FHL, thus giving the opportunity to bring the patient to early hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The finding of a large homozygous deletion in STXBP2 gene extends the spectrum of possible causative mutations in FHL-5 and requires adaptation of the strategy of analysis to identify complex defects

Challenges and Constraints in Building Business Models to Fight Poverty

Today\u2019s grand challenges as sustainability, climate change, and poverty have raised vast attention of academics and practitioners both in developed and developing contexts. The United Nations, the World Bank, and governments as well as academics are converging in the relevance of finding solutions to fight poverty and increase the well-being of all humans (Oxfam 2017;World Bank Group 2018; Cumming et al. 2020). A recent solution to alleviate poverty has been referred to ventures as social entrepreneurship (Shepherd et al. 2020; Si et al. 2020), including all the tentative ways by which businesses are trying to solve the societal issues regarding poverty while also pursuing market dynamics and logics (Mair and Marti 2006; Saebi et al. 2019). This entry, then, has the purpose to effectively present the challenges and constraints that such social enterprises face in building their business model to fight poverty (Seelos and Mair 2005; Santos et al. 2015; Dembek et al. 2019)

Social Entrepreneurship and Scaling Strategies for Poverty Alleviation

Social Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation In the last decades, governments, NGOs, policymakers, academics, and large corporations are increasing the attention on powerful mechanisms to alleviate poverty. In fact, being recognized as one of the leading SDGs by United Nations, poverty still represent a worldwide grand challenge, which comprise almost half the world\u2019s population. A recent research from BoP innovation center (2020) estimated that around 4.5 billion people globally live in the so-called base of the pyramid (BoP). The base of the pyramid include a vast population which face differences in the degree of poverty ranging from extreme poverty conditions (with households\u2019 daily incomes of 1 USD) (Sachs 2006; World Bank 2018) to lessconstrained conditions with 8 USD per day in some more developed countries (Alkire et al. 2014). Notably, worldwide this population represent a huge market for addressing the basic need of the poor, as water, electricity, consumer goods, and health care so that many institutions and profit companies are trying to address this market to help people to eradicate poverty, thereby generating a \u201cfortune\u201d for the organization with a huge untapped market (Prahalad and Hammond 2002; London and Hart 2004; Prahalad 2009). Despite the many approaches from governments and nonprofit institutions, a valuable approach has been recognized in businesses which can represent a powerful force toward poverty alleviation and eradication (Bruton et al. 2013; Dembek et al. 2020; Sutter et al. 2019)