Should family firms internationalize? Evidence from the Survey of Business Owners

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics and performance of family-owned firms with internationalization. We were motivated to determine if there were significant differences between family-owned firms with internationalization and other firm types, specifically, family-owned firms without internationalization and non-family-owned firms. The study draws on the Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners (SBO) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS). SBO response variables regarding owner demographics, business acquisition, business context, and a number of business performance outcome measures were the outcome variables of interest in this study. A comparison of means was applied to test whether or not there were differences in response variables across the family-owned and non-family-owned firm types. The results indicated that family-owned firms with internationalization, on average, had lower business closures and higher sales than the other firm types, and that firms with internationalization were more efficient in terms of sales per employee and sales per payroll. This study contributes to understanding the characteristics and performance between family-owned and non-family-owned firms in conjunction with those that internationalize and those that did not internationalize. A novel feature of the study experimental design was the incorporation of primary owner characteristics and whether there were any business acquisition, attribute, and performance correlations. The findings suggest practical implications for business growth strategy with regards to exporting, establishing international operations, or outsourcing business functions out of the USA. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings and offers potential future research directions

SME Performance: A Case for Internal Consistency

We develop the theoretical arguments for a contingent path relationship among variables representing the environment, capabilities, strategic orientation, and firm performance. The premise underpinning our study is that internal consistency or fit among contingent relationships yields higher performance levels. Structural equation modeling allows for the statistical examination of multiple relationships simultaneously to test our hypotheses. We find support for the notion that internally consistent paths lead to higher levels of performance for a sample of 181 mid-western small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. A discussion of the implications for these findings with respect to managerial practice and future research is provided

Developing a Small Business Educational Program for Growing Rural Businesses

This paper elaborates on the development of a small business certificate program in rural Kansas. Researchers and local practitioners suggest that there are differences between rural and urban small businesses and that most educational programs do not account for these differences. After exploratory research, the university team identified specific needs facing local businesses and tailored a program for their needs. A program structure and set of topics, paired with faculty experts was developed and implemented. Topics focused on developing an entrepreneurial orientation, as well as certain business fundamentals that were deemed critical to small rural businesses. Each topic was oriented toward the rural context where face to face business is more essential. A feedback loop was implemented leading to a shorter 8-week timeframe and some topic adjustments. To date, 378 firms have participated in the program and have shown an 80% survival rate. Specific feedback has indicated that business growth has occurred and that the respondents do perceive development in their entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, specific skill areas related to unique businesses have been improved. Lastly, the program participants have grown their regional business networks, which has been shown to be an important factor for rural business success

Grismadox gen. nov., a new Neotropical genus of ant-resembling spiders (Araneae, Corinnidae, Castianeirinae), including the description of two new species from Bolivia and Paraguay

A new genus and two new species of ant-resembling castianeirine spiders are described from the Neotropics. Grismadox gen. nov. comprises four species: Grismadox baueri sp. nov., and Grismadox mazaxoides (Perger & Duperré, 2021) comb. nov. from Bolivia, and Grismadox karugua sp. nov. (type species) and Grismadox mboitui (Pett, 2021) comb. nov. from Paraguay. All species are diagnosed and the new species are described and illustrated. Available ecological data suggests that all four species are primarily epigeal and inhabit Grassland and savannah type habitats.Fil: Pett, Brogan L.. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. Colección Cientifíca Para La Tierra; Paraguay. Biodiversity Inventory For Conservation; BélgicaFil: Rubio, Gonzalo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Misiones. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cerro Azul; ArgentinaFil: Perger, Robert. Colección Boliviana de Fauna; Bolivi

The interplay of strategic orientations and their influence on SME performance

This paper examines the role that learning orientation plays with respect to entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, and, ultimately, the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs. Previous research indicated mixed findings in regards to the relationship of these strategic orientations and firm performance. Instead of just direct influences to performance, we examine if learning orientation is an antecedent to market and entrepreneurial orientation. We suggest that in this way, their influence to SME performance would be more accurately predicted. We argue that learning orientation reflects the overall values of the organization, whereas entrepreneurial and market orientations are more action-oriented firm behaviors. Learning orientation would likely set the stage for the requisite actions implied in market and entrepreneurial orientation. Direct effect and mediated effects hypotheses between these strategic orientations are tested on a sample of SME manufacturing firms and their performance. Findings indicate that learning and entrepreneurial orientation directly influence SME performance. However, when learning orientation and its effects are mediated by market and entrepreneurial orientation, direct effects disappear when testing this model. The study offers insight into relationships between various strategic orientations, as to how and when they might influence SME performance

Evolution in controls methods for the SPS power converters

In common with much accelerator specific material, there is a constant need to improve both hardware and software for power converter control. Maintenance and performance improvements of older systems have become extremely tedious and in some areas impossible. By using modern real-time software and the latest high-performance processors, such problems should be substantially reduced. This paper describes the software concepts and the hardware chosen for the upgrade of the existing facilities. Using the UNIX compatible LynxOS real time kernel, running on a PowerPC 603 in a VME environment, this new approach provides excellent performance while retaining the desired flexibility for future enhancements. The 64 channel system is implemented as a set of cooperating processes, several of which are multi-threaded. Processes include analogue function generation, analogue measurement and digital I/O, all of which are accurately scheduled by the accelerator timing system. This generalised structure, which performs complex sequences of operations is described in detail, as well as how it can be adapted to a wide variety of accelerator tasks

Founder Characteristics and Legitimacy-Seeking Behaviors

The entrepreneur’s experience, personality, and values affect the entrepreneur’s behaviors and decisions (Chrisman, Bauerschmidt, and Hofer 1998). Past research results show that (1) more experienced new venture founders have a greater likelihood of leading their ventures to early success than less experienced founders (Delmar and Shane 2006) and (2) founders who engage in legitimacy-seeking behaviors have a greater likelihood of leading their ventures to early success than founders who do not do so (Tornikoski and Newbert 2007). We propose that more experienced founders understand the importance of obtaining legitimacy for their ventures and therefore will engage in more legitimacy-seeking behaviors. In addition, we propose that entrepreneurs’ growth aspirations and internal locus of control are also associated with engagement in legitimacy-seeking behaviors. We test and find support for these propositions in a sample of new ventures and their founders

The All-digital Approach to LHC Power Converter Current Control

The design of the LHC machine imposes severe demands upon the control of current in the 1700 magnet circuits. This has required the use of novel methods for the control of individual power converters and of the magnet current control system as a whole. This paper will review the chosen hardware and software methods and architectures. The digital regulation techniques used to achieve the overall targets for short-term stability (<3ppm) and reproducibility (<10ppm) of the 24 principal LHC circuits will be discussed. While the proposed system architecture will follow the canonical three-layer design, so successfully exploited in LEP, the software will be far from traditional. This software must be more reliable and maintainable than ever before, and will need to integrate with advanced object-oriented applications via commercial middleware. These challenges will be faced by applying object-oriented techniques throughout the system and by harnessing the power of XML for system definition

Records of morphological abnormalities of anuran limbs from Paraguay

Morphological abnormalities in anurans are known to be globally widespread. Here, we report on six individual anuran morphological abnormalities from four Paraguayan departments. We briefly discuss potential causal agents and highlight the need for further research into this topic in Paraguay.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin