Going Beyond Research on Goal Setting: A Proposed Role for Organizational Psychological Capital of Family Firms

Kotlar and De Massis found that membership assortment and the number of organizational members, as well as the imminence of succession, influence goal diversity in family firms. They also showed that goal diversity can be managed and family-centered goals can be stabilized through professional and familial social interactions, driving the formation of collective commitment to family- centered goals (CCFG). Using this research as a point of departure, we propose that CCFG may impact family firm economic and noneconomic performance. Furthermore, we introduce to the family firm literature the organizational psychological capital (OPC), consisting of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. We also suggest that OPC may be more prevalent in family firms than in nonfamily firms. Moreover, OPC of family firms may play an important role in the link between CCFG and economic as well as noneconomic performance

Going Beyond Research on Goal Setting: A Proposed Role for Organizational Psychological Capital of Family Firms

Kotlar and De Massis found that membership assortment and the number of organizational members, as well as the imminence of succession, influence goal diversity in family firms. They also showed that goal diversity can be managed and family-centered goals can be stabilized through professional and familial social interactions, driving the formation of collective commitment to family- centered goals (CCFG). Using this research as a point of departure, we propose that CCFG may impact family firm economic and noneconomic performance. Furthermore, we introduce to the family firm literature the organizational psychological capital (OPC), consisting of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. We also suggest that OPC may be more prevalent in family firms than in nonfamily firms. Moreover, OPC of family firms may play an important role in the link between CCFG and economic as well as noneconomic performance

The Effect of Early Internationalization on Survival Consistency, and Growqth of Export Sales

This paper presents the results of a ten year longitudinal analysis of almost 19,000 Polish manufacturing firms engaged in export operations. Export dynamics was measured by the rate of growth, consistency of export sales and survival in international operations. It was found that early involvement in international activities negatively affected the survival and regularity of sales of small exporters but that had a positive impact on larger exporters. A strong commitment to internationalization and a capacity for managing rapid growth are factors in achieving high growth in international sales over time. Managerial implications include recognizing the risk of possible failure when they enter international markets, and take into account that export volumes may stagnate after a first opportunity and not justify the initial effort to expand abroad. To remedy such unfavorable outcomes, managers should plan carefully before entering export markets or undertaking subsequent phases of export growth

MANAGING RUSSIAN FACTORY WORKERS: THE IMPACT OF U.S.-BASED BEHAVIORAL AND PARTICIPATIVE TECHNIQUES

The new internationalization of the field of management has produced growing concern as to whether theories and techniques largely developed in the United States apply to other cultures. A within-subjects experimental design was used to analyze the impacts that three popular and successful techniques used in U.S. studies had on the performance of workers in the largest textile factory in the Russian republic of the former Soviet Union. Two techniques, providing extrinsic rewards and behavioral management, had significant

A Resource-Based View of Three Forms of Business in the Startup Phase: Implications for Franchising

The decision to buy a franchise, start a new independent business, or buy an existing business is a critical decision faced by entrepreneurs. This study uses the Resource-Based View (RBV) of organizations to compare franchisees in the startup phase to both entrepreneurs who start new independent businesses and entrepreneurs who purchase established businesses. Our analysis of U.S. data from the Kauffman Firm Survey found similarities among those starting franchises and purchasing existing independent businesses. Implications for future research and practice are discussed

Franchisee Use of Bootstrapping: An Exploratory Study of Financing Decisions.

According to the Census Bureau report in 2010, franchising accounts for 10.5% of businesses in the U.S. Despite the economic impact of franchising, little research examines financing decisions by franchisees in the startup phase of their businesses. We examine the use of debt financing, primarily bootstrapping, by franchisees to fund their businesses in the earliest stages of operation. The research analyzes data from the Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS), and we develop an exploratory model of franchisee activity. Consequences of the lack of loan availability will have detrimental effects on the success of franchise startups. Implications for practice, policy and future research are discussed

An exploratory study of retail service quality expectations and perceptions among Philippine small/medium enterprises

The Philippines is among the emerging markets in the world. Along with China, the Philippines attracts international enterprises seeking to establish a presence in Asia. This study examines small/medium enterprises (SMEs) management and employee perceptions of customer service on a number of dimensions. The results suggest that managers and employees in the Philippines behave in similar ways to those in Western countries, but there are differences, probably related to cultural characteristics. As the Philippine market becomes more involved with global business, the importance of service quality increases. The results can be valuable in the formulation of training, sales and marketing, business development, human resources management, and strategic planning. Implications for practice are discussed

An examination of international retail franchising in emerging markets

There has been an urgent call from both the franchise industry, as well as the academic community, for research on world franchising markets, specifically in the retail sector. This article is an attempt to summarize the main research that has been conducted thus far on international retail franchising. The article begins with an overview of the development of the literature and discusses the nature and scope of emerging markets, with particular reference to their impact on the stakeholders of international retail franchising. Next, the article develops a conceptual model relating international retail franchising to its stakeholders. Then, a review of the research is divided into areas of the emerging world market: Central and Eastern Europe, Mexico and South America, Asia, and other areas that include India, Kuwait, and South Africa. The article concludes by discussing the next step to developing a research base and understanding of emerging markets in addition to the opportunities and challenges for retail franchising, and future research

Global franchising in emerging and transitioning economies

Franchising has experienced phenomenal growth both in the US and abroad in recent years. Figures vary, but it is estimated that U.S. franchising generates $800 billion worth of business in gross sales and represents 40 percent of the retail trade (Swartz, 2001). While in the US, Canada and parts of Western Europe franchising has reached domestic market saturation, emerging markets remain relatively untapped. Emerging markets, accounting for 80% of the world’s population and 60% of the world’s natural resources, present the most dynamic potential for long-term growth to businesses, in general, and to franchisors, in specific. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimated that over 75% of the expected growth in world trade over the next two decades will come from emerging countries, particularly Big Emerging Countries, which account for over half the world’s population but only 25% of its GDP. Emerging markets are among the fastest growing markets for international franchisors. Several surveys conducted by Arthur Andersen showed that more and more franchisors are seeking opportunities in emerging markets. A recent article in Franchising World (Amies, 1999) stated: “Franchises are springing up in the most unlikely, and for many of us unheard-of, places...Those franchisors who can establish a beach-head on these wilder shores could do very well, but the risks are great.” This article is a step in the direction of educating its target markets about international franchising opportunities and threats in emerging economies