Innovation: a financial asset of the capitalist or an “intellectual property” of the entrepreneur?

The purpose of this study is to identify the specific subjects that deal with innovation, in order to understand if the innovation “belongs” more to the capitalist or to the entrepreneur, and if there is any difference between the capitalist and the entrepreneur in terms of commitment, risk, and expectations. In this study a literature review methodology is used for classifying the capitalist and the entrepreneur form different profiles and in relation with the innovation process. Data are obtained mainly from books and articles, relying on an interdisciplinary perspective. Research findings show that the figure of the capitalist is distinguished from that of the entrepreneur in front of business activities. Thus, the capitalist is financially committed by offering the capital, expecting as a return the financial interest rate, and assuming a financial risk. Instead, the entrepreneur is committed with innovation and change, expecting the profit as remuneration for the assumed organizational ris

Managing group dynamics with the viable systems approach (VSA): a study on consonance, group cohesiveness, and positive conformity

This dissertation makes an inquiry to the group phenomena from the perspective of the Viable Systems Approach (Golinelli, 2000a, 2000b, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011; Barile, 2000, 2006, 2008a, 2009, 2011; Barile et al., 2011). It is specifically focused in concepts like consonance (De Falco and Gatti, 2012), group cohesiveness (Festinger et al., 1950; Forsyth, 2010), conformity (Asch, 1955) and positive conformity, interpersonal attraction (Lott and Lott, 1965), and optimism (Scheier et al., 1994; Seligman, 2006). The empirical research was entirely conducted at the University of Tirana with the students of Organizational Behavior course. The study/experiment has shown that it was possible (.66) to achieve what the author of this thesis calls positive conformity. Also, the study verified that consonance, as one of the most discussed and researched VSA’s concepts, can be used as a valid indicator of group cohesiveness. Another innovative aspect of this dissertation was a new way of measuring consonance, weaving the apperception test with the value test which confirmed to be very effective

Hofstede's Culture Values Survey in Albanian private hospitals

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the changes that Albanian cultural dimensions' scores have undergone over time. Hofstede's Value Survey Module 2013 (VSM 2013) has been applied to examine the six dimensions of culture; power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long term orientation and indulgence. The survey data (N=387) was collected in the two largest private hospitals in Albania. Globalization, technological developments, economical flourishing and crisis, war and peace, influence the shifting of national cultural dimensions' scores toward negative or positive values. In this study we aim to show the shifting of Albanian culture value scores in time, and compare the results with the ones predicted by the researchers of the field. The results obtained show a negative shift on Albanian culture dimension score of power distance, individualism, long term orientation and indulgence, and a positive shift on masculinity and uncertainty avoidance values. Implications for researchers of the field are discussed in the paper

Children and youth leadership for raising awareness, Empowerment, active citizenship, and wellbeing

The purpose of this study is to explore children and youth leadership through the case study of World Vision Albania as an illustration or representative of different generations of nongovernmental organizations in the matter. More specifically, it considers the contribution of creating a space and opportunity to youth leadership development by raising the leadership awareness within youth potential, the meaning and understanding that children/youth have in terms of leadership and how leadership in children/youth connects to empowerment, active citizenship and wellbeing. The study explores the impact of the variety and diversity of World Vision Albania as a non-governmental organization with regards to working with children and youth for nurturing their leadership potential with the purpose of transforming them into active citizens. Likewise, this research explores employees’ perceptions in terms of leadership style while working with children. Methodologically, the case study approach is used in combination with questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews. Thus, for investigating the research questions through a case study method, this paper uses a combination of quantitative structured interviews with qualitative in-depth interviews. Findings show that most of youth do not consider leadership simply as a goal per se, but also as a mean for being active citizens. They see their own empowerment relevant not only for personal wellbeing but also for the wellbeing of others

Sustainability Reporting Initiative in Balkans’ Higher Education Institutions: The Case of ECOSSS

The aim of this study is to define the content and the importance of the Sustainability Reporting, which is a non-financial reporting procedure, prepared by organizations in order to be more transparent and accountable by giving the necessary and reliable information for the decision making processes. It describes also the interdependency between non-financial and financial issues in today’s global environment. The research context is that of higher education. The method is based on a pilot case study for creating the Epoka Center of Service Systems Sustainability (ECOSSS). Because this is a pilot study, there are not actual results but only expected ones. The expected results of the center are: a) to provide the annual sustainability report of Epoka University that would affect directly the ranking, creditability and reporting experience of the University as a whole; b) to offer research, consultation, workshops and training programs. The engagement in these programs and activities will indicate seriousness and influence on the rating decision of customers and investors by increasing the recognition, trust and creditability, efficiency of risk management, and value creation

Vertical and Shared Leadership as Predictors of Team Effectiveness: Insights from Healthcare Sector in a Developing Country

Team effectiveness is the result of teamwork, with teams scoring high in job performance, job satisfaction, and team viability. In healthcare, teamwork is decisive for the well-being of patients and their satisfaction. Among the scholars, there is an ongoing debate about the best leadership approach to maximize team effectiveness. In this paper, we start from the seminal work of Pearce & Sims (2002) that investigates vertical versus shared leadership as predictors of the effectiveness. Team effectiveness has been analyzed according the constructs of team processes and performance. The vertical/shared leadership have been analyzed from their main constructs: vertical/shared transactional leadership, vertical/shared transformational leadership, and vertical/shared empowering leadership. Differently from Pearce & Sims (2002), this study was conducted in the healthcare sector of a developing country. Data was collected from a questionnaire distributed to 17 public and private healthcare teams as assessed from two sources: team leaders and team members. The sample was composed of 138 participants from the healthcare personnel, distributed in 17 diverse teams. From literature six hypotheses has been developed and descriptive and inferential statistics are also provided. Team effectiveness was found to be significantly predicted by both vertical leadership and shared leadership. The shared leadership was found to be significant predictor of team effectiveness in all its three constructs (transactional, transformational, and empowering shared leadership), whereas the vertical leadership was found to be significant predictor of team effectiveness in only two constructs (transformational and empowering vertical leadership). Theoretical and practical implications for managers in healthcare sector are also provided

From Happiness to Super Happiness: Not a Tradeoff Anymore

The quest for happiness has rendered the homo sapiens of the last two centuries a quasi-money-making machine. The severe principles of capitalistic system, and the global economic propaganda speaking in the name of those principles, made human beings believe that money, as a medium of exchange, can buy everything. Studies have shown that happiness, as a spontaneous process of emotions and feelings, cannot be obsessively controlled and intentionally caused. In contrast, if such a behavior is attempted, then paradoxically will cause unhappiness. When it comes to the economic development, money helps to avoid some dissatisfaction in life but cannot guarantee the happiness. The quasi-realistic panorama of the classical capitalistic system unfolds a dichotomist reality where selfishness triumphs over selflessness. But business models have changed, directly impacting the pillars of capitalism. With the recent move of social business, attributed to the Nobel Peace Laureate prof. Muhammad Yunus, businesses are not only and simply seeking for profit maximization (differently from Adam Smith), but they see profit as an instrument for the business to survive and possibly making “others” happy as well. The “others” are the category of stakeholders or suprasystems that are in interaction with a defined organization. Following the principles of the social business, any business must search for profit in order to survive, but the profit stays with the business and not shared as a dividend. Additionally, social businesses are driven by social causes. Therefore, doing business by simultaneously making happy yourself and others is not “taboo” anymore; it is not even a tradeoff, as “making money is happiness, making other people happy is super happiness” (Muhammad Yunus)

From Circular Economy to Business-Level Circularity: A Descriptive Case Study

The need to manage waste and foster environmental sustainability has opened a call to transform the current linear economic model into a circular one. Circular Economy (CE) is continuously growing as a backbone economic model in both developed and developing countries. Still, in Albania the scholarly considerations about the topic are missing or at best have been neglected. Using Albania as a research setting, this study aims to provide a macro and micro perspective of the circular economy and the way it applies to business level. The theoretical framework includes advantages and criticism to circular economy, circular business models, and measurement tools for business circularity. The research design relies on the descriptive case study method. Thus, we first introduce an overview of the circular economy in Albania, and then we describe the case of Green Recycling company. Findings show that Albania is still below the EU average levels of waste management. Although the circular economy seems not to be a trend in the Albanian market, few companies including the described case study show an increasing involvement in business circularity with concrete environmental impact. In terms of numbers, only by the performed activities of 2020, Green Recycling reduced 4200 tons of CO2 emissions

Modelling and Measuring Group Cohesiveness with Consonance: Intertwining the Sociometric Test with the Picture Apperception Value Test

The purpose of this research is to model, measure and explain group cohesiveness through consonance. For this aim, we propose a holistic framework that combines the sociometric test with the novel Picture Apperception Value Test for defining group cohesiveness by assessing interpersonal attraction of group members through categorical values. The research approach is quantitative, classified both as inferential and quasi‐experimental. Findings indicate that the holistic framework serves as an effective model for measuring group cohesiveness, much more that it can be the sociometric test alone. Research originality and value derives from the fact of combining one existing and consolidated tool like the sociometric test, with an innovative tool like Picture Apperception Value Test for the measurement of group cohesiveness. Regarding practical implications, through the first instrument it is possible to create groups; with the second, it is possible to measure in a new way the interpersonal attraction based on individual's value system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd