A data-driven analysis of the current debate on the linkages between performance and strategy studies

This paper focuses on how the relations between performance management and measurement (PMM) and strategy are considered by scholars. These relations are crucial in building a comprehensive body of knowledge of a complex and multifaceted phenomenon which attracts scholars pertaining to different management disciplines. The results obtained by adopting quantitative methodologies (descriptive statistics and text-mining analysis) on a sample of articles recently published in the most influential international 'business, and management accounting' journals, contribute to extant literature by providing evidence that several connections exist between key-concepts which are usually considered an exclusive heritage of single management disciplines, such as strategy, organisation, management control, and so forth. For that reason, an integration of competences and methodologies is needed to support further research in the field. We also find evidence suggesting that the organisational perspective should be particularly considered when investigating the relations between strategy, management control systems and PMM

Family firms, women, and innovation

Frame of the research: We aim to inform family business literature and family business managers on the effect to include women as managers by providing empirical evidence on their impact on innovation. Purpose of the paper: The paper investigates the impact of female directors on innovation in Family Businesses (FBs). We assume that the presence of women, due to recent generations with the presence of daughters or due to marriages involving third parties, could be more common than in non-FBs. Methodology: We tested our hypotheses on a sample of 755 Italian FBs through a count data model. Findings: Our findings show how and when the invisible women became visible and their effect on innovation performance. Prejudice against women in FBs is detrimental to innovation; however, both the presence of female family members in control positions and the presence of a critical mass helps to mitigate the effect of prejudice on innovation. Research limits: The sample is limited to Italian firms only. The social dynamics and the role of women in the entrepreneurial arena are strongly influenced by the institutional system in which the firm operates. Practical implications: Our findings will be relevant to family business owners and managers with regard to their innovation strategy. A greater understanding of the relationship between female directors and innovation may contribute to increasing the number of women in these important roles. Originality of the paper: We extend our understanding of the effects on innovation of the involvement of female family members on the board of directors. We discuss the invisibility of female family members. We enhance our growing knowledge on female directors in family businesses by studying women’s roles as president or vice president, in relation to innovation

International Expansion and Firm Growth in Domestic Markets: Family Versus Non-Family Firms

This study examines the effects of international expansion on domestic growth in family firms (FFs) versus non-FFs. Integrating international business research into socioemotional wealth (SEW) theory, we argue that FFs seek to compensate for SEW losses (as implied by foreign direct investments) with SEW gains (associated with domestic growth). We claim that FFs are less prone to substitute home businesses with foreign activities and more likely to move back resources to foster domestic growth. Geographical diversification and modes of entry foster FFs’ domestic growth to an even greater extent. A test conducted on Italian firms supports these hypothesized effects

A methodology to support decisions towards economic and environmental sustainability in public contexts: Application to hand-drying options

6noDifferent hand-drying methods entail different costs and impacts on humans and the environment. This paper presents a methodology to facilitate the decision on the convenience of installing electrical hand driers in place of the conventional toilet paper towels in the restrooms of public places. Specifically, a procedure including both economic and environmental aspects is proposed and the Monte Carlo method is employed to account for the several uncertainties of all the variables involved. From the economic point of view, the number of daily usages of restrooms results as the key variable determining if one option is preferable to the other. From the environmental point of view, the carbon footprint was calculated for four scenarios considering two options for the electric energy grid mix and two options for waste treatment. The comparison between the four scenarios revealed that hand driers may be preferable to paper towels when the waste treatment alternative is landfilling. The results are more uncertain when the waste treatment option is incineration. The integration of economic and environmental aspects reveals as a useful strategy to fully assess the convenience of choosing one option rather than another, without limiting the decision to only one aspect. Additional information on processes and logistics are anyway necessary to reduce the uncertainties of the results.noneDifferent hand-drying methods entail different costs and impacts on humans and the environment. This paper presents a methodology to facilitate the decision on the convenience of installing electrical hand driers in place of the conventional toilet paper towels in the restrooms of public places. Specifically, a procedure including both economic and environmental aspects is proposed and the Monte Carlo method is employed to account for the several uncertainties of all the variables involved. From the economic point of view, the number of daily usages of restrooms results as the key variable determining if one option is preferable to the other. From the environmental point of view, the carbon footprint was calculated for four scenarios considering two options for the electric energy grid mix and two options for waste treatment. The comparison between the four scenarios revealed that hand driers may be preferable to paper towels when the waste treatment alternative is landfilling. The results are more uncertain when the waste treatment option is incineration. The integration of economic and environmental aspects reveals as a useful strategy to fully assess the convenience of choosing one option rather than another, without limiting the decision to only one aspect. Additional information on processes and logistics are anyway necessary to reduce the uncertainties of the results.mixedSchiavon, Marco; Ragazzi, Marco; Coller, Graziano; Ferronato, Navarro; Torretta, Vincenzo; Rada Elena CristinaSchiavon, Marco; Ragazzi, Marco; Coller, Graziano; Ferronato, Navarro; Torretta, Vincenzo; Rada, ELENA CRISTIN