The hidden link between entrepreneurship and military education

Nowadays, military service is mandatory in twenty-nine countries around the world. This military education develops abilities on strategy, teamwork and networking and encourages values such as loyalty, effort, and well- done work. Israel is a clear example of this behavior due to its sociocultural, educative, linguistic and policy dimensions which allow it to develop a competitive strategy based on startups with high potential growth (Haour, 2005). Authors such as Kerrick et al. (2016), Hansemark (2003) and Hatten and Ruhland (1995) show empirical results about the relationship between entrepreneurial education and its impact on entrepreneurship during adulthood. Other authors identify behaviors such as self-efficacy and a passion for inventing, founding and developing skills which could be learnt in different educational scenarios such as in the military (Dinnar and Susskind, 2019). The aim of this paper is to study the link between military education and entrepreneurship. Using a sample frame from the World Military Guide (WMG) and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), we analyze variables associated with entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial training in 42 countries worldwide for the period 2013–2018, of which 13 countries have mandatory military service. The study shows that mandatory military service does not predispose to greater entrepreneurial activity compared to other countries where military service is not mandatory

The value of entrepreneurship by gender on regional behaviour

This paper examines how the value of entrepreneurship by gender is related to regional behaviour. Researchers have traditionally defined entrepreneurial organization as separate to gender and to economic growth. Using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) we complete a dataset of 50 countries using variables such as total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) and opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activity (OPP). The methodology used proposes an analysis of regional convergence, comparing the evolution over time of both the rate of entrepreneurial activity and the ratios of opportunity-driven and need-driven entrepreneurial activity, distinguishing by gender. On the other hand, a regression model is proposed that explains the greater presence of female entrepreneurship. The results show that entrepreneurship by gender is an important factor to define different cluster of countries according to how men and women entrepreneurs create new economic opportunities

Mindfulness as an entrepreneurship tool for improving the working environment and self-awareness

This paper presents how to implement a program with an Intrapreneurship methodology such as Mindfulness which develops the emotional intelligence. The objective is for workers to acquire role self-awareness using Mindfulness, and to improve the working environment. The results obtained after analysing quantitative variables are presented for a sample of 76 professionals working in nursing homes for the elderly after a Mindfulness and Emotional Management program for 8 weeks. The before and after step in the FFMQ questionnaire is used to examine how it acts as a measurement model for obtaining a report composed of 39 items, which measures the general tendency towards Mindfulness, based on five skills. The results show improvements in all the dimensions, and particularly in Observing, Acting with Self-Awareness and Nonjudging. In conclusion, the workers' social well-being improved after the program was implemented, thereby contributing to the improvement of their relationships with their colleagues

Towards an entrepreneurial leadership based on kindness in a digital age

This study identifies the main competencies required for an entrepreneurial leadership style in the digital age and for effectiveness in innovative organisations. A total of 119 leaders in the technology sector were surveyed. Seven latent variables that give meaning to a new style are identified through a factor analysis. The results show that Teamwork, Motivation and Risk-taking have a direct and significant impact. They are the most developed competencies and, therefore, the ones that have the greatest impact on the Kinder Leadership style (that is, one based more on kindness, caring, gentleness, and graciousness towards colleagues). Creativity and Caring for Others had the least effect. A number of tools are offered for improving the competences with the lowest impact and pushing towards kind entrepreneurship. An entrepreneurial attitude improves the quality of the entrepreneurial ecosystem for business management

Longevity trends in entrepreneurial activity: an analysis of the characteristics of senior entrepreneurship in Spain

Purpose Over the last decades, the development of entrepreneurial activity has allowed greater growth and economic development in Spain. However, within the analysis of Spanish entrepreneurial dynamics, insufficient attention has been paid to a key group: senior entrepreneurs. The fact that the first two decades of the 21st century have been accompanied by the two worst economic crises in remembrance since the Great Depression of the 1930s has had a great impact on the professional careers of the group of senior workers, whose careers have been cut short due to the closure of companies. In this way, the present work delves into the reality of senior entrepreneurs in Spain, analyzing the main characteristics of this group, which is becoming increasingly important in society. Design/methodology/approach Using microdata from the Spanish National Statistics Institute's Labour Force Survey, the study focuses on reference persons who, being 50 years of age or over and actively working, work as an entrepreneur and have started their activity in the last 12 months. The study covers, in turn, the analysis period of the fourth quarters from 2005 to 2020. In relation to the methodology, the work focuses on the use of binary logistic regression techniques, given that the phenomenon to be studied is binary in nature: entrepreneurship or not. Findings The main conclusions drawn are the importance of sociodemographic factors such as educational level, age, the profession of the couple as well as the fact of having or not having children. The sector of activity and region are also significant. It is also concluded that senior entrepreneurship in Spain is of a necessary nature, considering the evolution of unemployment and decisions based on pension reform. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of the study refer to the lack of socioeconomic information. Thus, it would be interesting to know the link among the sociodemographic characteristics and the economic situation of the professionals, as well as the fact of whether they have started from a previous situation of unemployment or employment. Practical implications The obtained conclusions allow progress to be made in the generation of economic policies aimed at the professional reorientation of a group of workers who, due to labor market circumstances, are obliged to end long professional careers and to seek alternatives. In fact, entrepreneurship is a viable professional alternative for these professionals. Originality/value Despite the importance of senior professionals in the Spanish economy, more research is needed on their characteristics and needs. Despite important studies such as Socci et al . (2020) or Perez-Encinas et al . (2021), there are not many studies for the Spanish reality. This paper seeks to deepen the understanding of the sociodemographic characteristics of Spanish senior entrepreneurs, based on current public information and considering different stages of the economic cycle

Workplace change within the COVID-19 context: The new (next) normal

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the current status of the workplace, its evolution during COVID-19, and the impact of the pandemic on the new (next) normal. This follows previous research about changes in the workplace influenced by the pandemic. Documents, publications, and surveys from numerous sources have been analysed to discover more about the experience of employees and organizations with remote working and the advantages and disadvantages of accessing the workplace during the pandemic and in the new (next) normal. The paper has two objectives, the first of which is to explore some indicators based on available data sources that can help to understand and, in some way, measure the workplace changes in the context of COVID-19. The second is to extend the previous analysis, using the same timeline framework, by studying the workplace during and after COVID-19. Structure: First, the introduction explains the main basis of the research and the principal data sources, outlining what is known, what is new, and the aim of the paper. Then the research methodology is explained, along with the criteria by which the datasets were selected, and the results for the indicators outcomes. Finally, the concluding section highlights the findings obtained, their implications, the limitations of the study, and suggested future lines of research. Findings: The analysis provides insight into to employees' and organizations' experience with remote working and the advantages and disadvantages of accessing the workplace during the pandemic. The indicators identified can allow a better understanding of the environment and, especially, a deeper knowledge of the new normal situation under COVID-19. Discussion: In previous studies, certain strategic categories were identified in the process of reimagining the workplace after COVID-19. Those strategic categories supported the conclusion that there were several common company policies which, translated into practical action, could help in people's engagement with their work. These policies can be summarized as redesigning the physical space of the workplace, work flexibility, family reconciliation, and health security. The study of these policies, based on data analysis, may open up different research paths and allow us to establish models directly related to employee satisfaction. Originality: The paper continues a previous line of research on the situation in the workplace by incorporating certain indicators that allow its measurement and, above all, its evolution over time, especially during the time of the new (next) normal, and by investigating the current status and future evolution of the workplace in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the data made possible the identification of patterns within the available literature regarding recent events and, especially, their influence on the workplace. This has led to the development of indicators in a range of categories. Practical implications: The revolution initiated by COVID-19 has changed the way companies and employees work, which has involved a constant reinvention of the way they operate and provoked previously unseen actions and profound changes in the workplace. Therefore, the idea of the workplace will never again be what it was expected to be was before COVID-19, and it will be very different from that in the new (next) normal. The strategic categories and their indicators developed here are considered important for people's engagement with their workplaces and organizations. The processes adopted by firms must facilitate the redesign of the workplace in accordance with the new forms of work and not act as a mere copy or transfer of the usual approaches to remote work. Providing answers to the questions involved, and deepening the classifications of the categories we develop, can help us understand how people can be connected with the newest forms of workplaces. Some categories and their associated indicators are relevant in remote work and home offic