Exploring the dynamics of network characteristics for Indian high technology entrepreneurial firms

Recent research acknowledges that networking constitutes an important aspect of entrepreneurial efforts for any organization. This aspect takes up an even bigger role in case of high technology firms that are in their growth phases. This exploratory study is an attempt to understand as to how various network characteristics evolve and contribute to the growth and success of any entrepreneurial firm in the Indian socio-cultural context. Specific focus was on exploring four important characteristics of firm network: Network Diversity, Network Inertia, Network Endorsement and Network Relational Mix. Entrepreneurs of ten Indian high-technology firms from National Capital region (NCR) were involved by explaining them the context of this study through intensive face to face discussions and asked to share their experiences using a descriptive questionnaire. The questions were framed around four network variables to be studied. Qualitative responses were received from seven of the ten entrepreneurs within the defined time frame. The inputs from these seven respondents were analysed using explanation building approach for case study analysis. Some of the findings of the study go well with the extant literature, thereby contributing to theory validation for Indian socio-cultural context. However, several new aspects came up whereby the findings don't seem to go well with the existing theories thereby leading to potential areas to be explored further. Such variations are discussed in the conclusion section and summarized point by point with respect to existing models. These could be potential areas of further study in the current context

An assessment of the measurement of performance in international business research

A sizeable body of international business (IB) research is devoted to building knowledge about the determinants of organizational performance. A key precursor to accurately diagnosing why some organizations succeed in the international marketplace while others struggle is operationalizing performance appropriately. Yet, to date, no systematic investigation has considered how well IB research measures performance. We examine the measurement of performance in 96 articles published in the Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of International Business Studies, Management Science, Organization Science, and the Strategic Management Journal between 1995 and 2005. The findings reveal that most studies do not measure performance in a manner that captures the multifaceted nature of the construct. We describe the implications of these results, and offer suggestions for improving future practice. Journal of International Business Studies (2008) 39, 1064–1080. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400398