Student Development - Examining Critical Understanding from the student’s point-of-view.

Student learning is enhanced through widening learning, away from singular sources of information to a plethora of previous research. Indeed Miri et al (2007) discuss that through critical analysis and reflection, individuals display not only their understanding and knowledge of a subject area but deeper understanding of its values and application. Thus, the ability of students to succinctly document, discuss and highlight the prevalent issues in their area of research not only expands on learning but also fosters debate and enquiry. There is a need to understand deeper the different intrinsic limitations or considerations placed by students and through this be able to provide higher education that engages critical thinking and critical examination. The study utilizes a quantitative questionnaire in the data collection process and was distributed to final year university students at a British University. It is envisioned that students on their final year of study would exhibit greatest levels of critical understanding and reporting. Data was collected over a 2-year cycle with two separate final year cohorts participating in the research. It is hoped that through understanding student notions of criticality there are opportunities to enhance student learning alongside the impact of teaching practices. As this study is based upon data collected from students, there is an opportunity to explore what students perceive as important in achieving criticality. Ultimately this paper seeks to enhance teaching and learning approaches to facilitate the development of critical understanding

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

The case of Thessaloniki's branding: Constructing social networking and CSE

2012 was a celebratory year for Thessaloniki, Greece, mother land of Alexander the great, marking 100 years since its liberation. In 2012 the municipality of Thessaloniki initiated an international sustainable development (SD) strategy. Part of this strategy was to launch a branding campaign with four thematic categories: i) history; ii) social activities and culture; iii) environment and urban landscape and iv) entrepreneurship. The aim of this paper is to present and critically analyse these ongoing social, environmental and economic factors of Thessaloniki’s SD strategy. Maintaining as a focal point social responsibility (SR) and social networking this paper reveals the importance of innovative services in digital communication and social networking when branding a city’s profile. It unfolds the role of SR in branding and networking. It designates how Thessaloniki and its stakeholders are engaging, encountering and exploring digital and social profile potentials, opportunities and perspectives for the years to come

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

The branding of religious financial institutions in the UK: Conversations with market actors within the Islamic financial sector

Purpose We are beginning to observe the growth of Islamic finance beyond the borders of traditionally Islamic markets such as the Middle East and the Far East. The proliferation of such religious financial institutions in non-Islamic and more secular markets have raised some pertinent questions about how these quasi-religious institutions brand themselves in light of the need to balance the conflation of Islamic theology with that of financial economic principles. Methodology The study adopts a process-based qualitative methodology proceeded with an initial data reduction-theoretical conceptualisation of the extant literature. This is followed by data display via quote research of participants’ precepts and concludes with a synthesis the extant academic conceptualisations with empirical perspectives. Findings The findings highlight a framework explaining the interface between Islamic and non-Islamic participation on the branding of Islamic financial institutions in the UK. The findings also set forth a need for consideration of non-religious and purely economic participation in the Islamic financial system in light of branding. Originality This study derives its incremental contribution by extending the extant academic literature on the branding and consumption of Islamic financial products and services within non-Islamic and secular markets. Furthermore, by adopting a multi-disciplinary, qualitative lens and engaging pertinent individuals within the field, the study provides a rich framework from which to explore the branding of these quasi-religious institutions and the interface between religious and non-religious consumption. This framework puts forth to the leaders of Islamic financial institutions of the between and within group interactions in terms of religio-financial consumption and branding

Departmental Dynamics – Examining how best to develop academic careers

This research intends to both build upon the available resources as well as examine their effects within higher education (HE). It has been well documented that universities are currently institutions in the public sector that have been subjected to massive shifts in funding, performance measures and indeed deteriorating academic autonomy (Bolden et al, 2012). These have inevitably affected staff morale as well as opportunities for career development. Examining the dynamics of the department provide a poignant context for the drivers of this research and its intended outcomes. Through the review of toolkit resources afforded by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (LFHE), the study intends to examine areas of best practice in HR and indicate areas where developments could be made within the context of academic career development in HE

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