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on Small Business Management |
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Issue of 2024‒01‒29
eleven papers chosen by |
| By: | Bischoff, Thore Sören; Runst, Petrik; Bizer, Kilian |
| Abstract: | Previous studies have found that generalized trust positively affects innovation at the country and regional level. We extend this literature by arguing that there are four reasons to believe that the trust-innovation relationship is heterogeneous across geographic space. First, there is a saturation effect where regions in the lower half of the trust distribution are more likely to benefit from an increase in trust than regions in the upper half. Second, trust is more important in regions with less developed innovation capacities as it fosters cooperation and knowledge transfer, which is known to be especially relevant in lagging regions. Third, generalized trust and institutional trust can serve as substitutes: when institutional trust is low, generalized trust can be used as an alternative facilitator of cooperation. Finally, as smaller firms lack the legal capacities for sophisticated contractual arrangements and therefore resort to informal cooperation, the trust-innovation relationship is stronger in regions with a large share of small firms. Our results mostly support the small-firm and lower-trust region hypothesis. These findings underline the fact that regional innovation systems work differently and different mechanisms of cooperation can be leveraged to achieve innovation success depending on the regional characteristics. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, trust, regional innovation systems |
| JEL: | D02 D83 O12 O18 O31 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifhwps:280972&r=sbm |
| By: | Hädrich, Tobias; Reher, Leonie; Thomä, Jörg |
| Abstract: | The promotion of innovation-driven development in lagging regions is currently on the regional policy agenda, so a sound understanding of how learning and innovation can be successful under the conditions there is crucial. In this context, this paper demonstrates the potential of an innovation mode approach at the micro level of regional innovation systems. Based on a conceptual framework on the relationship between knowledge bases and innovation modes in the field of regional development, a systematic literature review is used to analyse whether this potential has already been exploited in previous innovation studies on lagging regions. The results show that some important steps have already been taken in this direction. However, the potential gain in terms of insights has so far only been realised to a limited extent. Against this background, the authors formulate several avenues for future research on firm-level innovation modes in lagging regions. |
| Keywords: | Regional innovation, STI innovation mode, DUI innovation mode, Lagging regions, Systematic literature review |
| JEL: | O18 O30 O38 R11 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifhwps:280971&r=sbm |
| By: | Peter Claeys (Universidad Pontificia Comillas); Juan Jung; Gonzalo Gómez-Bengoechea |
| Abstract: | The decision to innovate or to adopt existing technologies is driven by productivity levels. Large productive incumbents may have an advantage over new entrants and laggards and lead innovation, yet depending on the type of technology, the latter may catch up by pursuing more advanced technologies. Different technologies can therefore widen or shrink the distribution of productivity across firms (Benhabib et al., 2021). Using a novel dataset of around 60, 000 Spanish firms from different industries between 2017-2019, we show that investment in a particular technological innovation – online sales – is indeed pursued by the sector’s most productive and largest firms, yet laggard firms do try to catch up by investing more in new technologies, despite starting at lower productivity levels. This suggests that costly innovation and easy adoption may actually curb overall productivity growth as more firms’ free ride on innovation efforts by the leaders in each sector. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, adoption, diffusion, Probit, productivity, ICT |
| JEL: | L O |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inf:wpaper:2024.01&r=sbm |
| By: | Pia Arenius (EM - emlyon business school); Anna-Katharina Lenz (MU - Miami University [Ohio]) |
| Abstract: | Illiteracy, the lack of ability to read and write, affects how people engage with entrepreneurship and the possible outcomes of entrepreneurial actions. Yet entrepreneurship as a discipline has paid little direct attention to illiterate entrepreneurs. We offer a glimpse of what recognition of illiteracy in entrepreneurship research might enable, and how it can challenge researchers to reach beyond our existing knowledge horizons to develop a future of impactful, integrative, and inclusive entrepreneurship scholarship. |
| Keywords: | Literacy, Illiterate entrepreneur, Entrepreneurial context, Entrepreneurial action |
| Date: | 2024–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04355048&r=sbm |
| By: | Brett Smith (MU - Miami University [Ohio]); Amanda Lawson (MU - Miami University [Ohio]); Saulo Dubard-Barbosa (EM - emlyon business school); Jessica Jones (UTC - University of Tennessee [Chattanooga]) |
| Abstract: | "While an economic paradigm has been productive for entrepreneurship, religion has been proposed as an alternative rationality to advance research in our field. To extend a theological turn in entrepreneurship and identity research, our study inductively develops a conceptual model that explains how individuals navigate entrepreneurial identity threats based on the interaction between a relational identity with God (RIG) and an entrepreneurial identity to persist in entrepreneurial action. Our study suggests this can happen when entrepreneurs engage in inter-identity work mechanisms - affirming and humbling - to mitigate these identity threats. Specifically, a relational identity with God acts as a countervailing force to an entrepreneurial identity during times of identity threats to generate inter-identity meaning change, resulting in interidentity stability and entrepreneurial persistence. Through our study, we advance knowledge on the theological turn in entrepreneurship and identity by inductively developing theory on a new religious identity construct (RIG), elaborating theory of inter-identity work by shifting the focus from structural to content changes, and extending theory on entrepreneurial action, persistence, and well-being based on theological rather than economic considerations." |
| Keywords: | Identity work, Failure, Inter-identity work, Theological turn, Entrepreneurial identity, Relational identity, Mental health, Well-being, Religion, Entrepreneurial action, Entrepreneurial persistence, Success |
| Date: | 2023–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04325701&r=sbm |
| By: | Estrin, Saul (London School of Economics); Khavul, Susanna (San Jose State University); Kritikos, Alexander S. (DIW Berlin); Löher, Jonas (IfM Bonn) |
| Abstract: | Financing entrepreneurship spurs innovation and economic growth. Digital financial platforms that crowdfund equity for entrepreneurs have emerged globally, yet they remain poorly understood. We model equity crowdfunding in terms of the relationship between the number of investors and the amount of money raised per pitch. We examine heterogeneity in the average amount raised per pitch that is associated with differences across three countries and seven platforms. Using a novel dataset of successful fundraising on the most prominent platforms in the UK, Germany, and the USA, we find the underlying relationship between the number of investors and the amount of money raised for entrepreneurs is loglinear, with a coefficient less than one and concave to the origin. We identify significant variation in the average amount invested in each pitch across countries and platforms. Our findings have implications for market actors as well as regulators who set competitive frameworks. |
| Keywords: | equity crowdfunding, soft information, entrepreneurship, finance, financial access and inclusion |
| JEL: | D26 G23 G41 L26 |
| Date: | 2023–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16679&r=sbm |
| By: | Chenjian Zhang; Tao Wang (EM - emlyon business school); David Ahlstrom |
| Abstract: | "Existing network research has mainly adopted functional and/or structural approaches to study the instrumental goals behind entrepreneurs' networking as well as the influence of personal position on access to resources and eventual performance. The variety of entrepreneurs' networking styles and their normative underpinnings have not been adequately explored. Contextualized in China, this study asks: How do entrepreneurs' understandings of social norms shape their networking styles? Through an inductive comparison of two entrepreneur generations in China, we identify three networking styles: guanxi-oriented networking, market-based networking, and mixed networking. We theorize that three types of norms shape these styles: market-inferred norms, dyadically formed norms, and identity-induced norms. This study provides new insights into the understanding of Chinese entrepreneurs' distinctive networking styles and their normative underpinnings. Further, it suggests implications both for the wider study of entrepreneurs' networking behaviors in transition economies, and for practitioners wishing to enhance their network building in China." |
| Keywords: | Chinese entrepreneurs, Networking, Norms, Guanxi, Institutional transition |
| Date: | 2022–01–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04325764&r=sbm |
| By: | Edouard ED Ngamountsika (AUF - Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie); Edouard Ngamountsika (Université Marien Ngouabi) |
| Abstract: | Entrepreneurial incubation is a new word in the Marien Ngouabi University (UMNG) ecosystem. In reality, Congolese culture has a preference for the civil service, due to the influence of the communist years. Talking about business creation means taking stock of the situation. For UMNG, it is necessary to set up an entrepreneurial pre-incubation pole (PPE) environment to support students with projects. Firstly, it will provide workspaces, a permanent team, training and capacity-building in entrepreneurial project support, and assistance in setting up a mentoring system for students. Secondly, it will mobilize administrative teams and teachers on the themes of student entrepreneurship, the organization of selection committees, the reinforcement of training offers on entrepreneurial culture, investment culture and financial inclusion, and finally awareness-raising actions on entrepreneurship. After demonstrating the advantages of the PPE, we will examine how it will become the hub of incubation at UMNG. |
| Abstract: | L'incubation entrepreneuriale est un nouveau mot dans l'écosystème de l'université Marien Ngouabi (UMNG). En réalité, la culture congolaise a une préférence pour le fonctionnariat due à l'influence des années de communisme. Parler de la création d'entreprise consiste à faire un état des lieux sur la question. Pour l'UMNG, il est nécessaire de mettre en place un environnement de pôle de préincubation entrepreneuriale (PPE) pour accompagner les étudiants porteurs de projets. Premièrement, il sera question d'espaces de travail, d'une équipe permanente, d'organiser des formations et en renforcement de capacités sur l'accompagnement des projets entrepreneuriaux, un accompagnement pour la mise en place d'un système de mentorat au profit des étudiants. Deuxièmement, il mobilisera des équipes administratives et des enseignants sur des thématiques de l'entrepreneuriat étudiant ; de l'organisation des comités de sélection, du renforcement des offres de formations sur la culture entrepreneuriale, de la culture d'investissement et d'inclusion financière et enfin des actions de sensibilisation à l'entrepreneuriat. Après avoir montré les avantages du PPE, nous examinerons comment celui deviendra la plate tournante de l'incubation au sein de l'UMNG. |
| Keywords: | incubation entrepreneuriale – fonctionnariat - république du Congo - université Marien Ngouabi- |
| Date: | 2023–10–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04364411&r=sbm |
| By: | Morgan Blangeois (CleRMa - Clermont Recherche Management - ESC Clermont-Ferrand - École Supérieure de Commerce (ESC) - Clermont-Ferrand - UCA - Université Clermont Auvergne) |
| Abstract: | This article delves into the revolution of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in digital service companies (DSCs), focusing on foundational models like GPT-4. It examines the debates surrounding these technologies, particularly their implications in terms of misinformation through hallucinations, the social biases they carry, and their influence on the digital transformation of organizations. It begins with an exploration of the emergence of generative AI, highlighting technological advances and their practical impacts. The article assesses the current capabilities of generative AI and its potential, highlighting its role in redefining the job market, especially in terms of skills. The core of the study focuses on the challenges and strategic opportunities for DSCs. Examining how generative AI transforms traditional functions and creates new strategies, the article underscores the importance for DSCs to reconsider their position in the IT value chain. We explore how the adoption of open-innovation and business model innovations can facilitate the adaptation of DSCs to these challenges and conclude with a call for empirical studies to further explore these themes. |
| Abstract: | Cet article se penche sur la révolution de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) générative dans les entreprises de services du numérique (ESN), en mettant l'accent sur les modèles de fondation comme GPT-4. Il examine les débats entourant ces technologies, notamment leurs implications en termes de désinformation par les hallucinations, les biais sociaux qu'ils véhiculent, et leur influence sur la transformation numérique des organisations. Il débute par une exploration de l'émergence de l'IA générative, soulignant les avancées technologiques et leurs impacts pratiques. L'article évalue les capacités actuelles de l'IA générative et son potentiel, en mettant en évidence son rôle dans la redéfinition du marché du travail, notamment sur le plan des compétences. Le cœur de l'étude se concentre sur les défis et les opportunités stratégiques pour les ESN. En examinant la manière dont l'IA générative transforme les fonctions traditionnelles et crée de nouvelles stratégies, l'article souligne l'importance pour les ESN de reconsidérer leur position dans la chaîne de valeur informatique. Nous explorons comment l'adoption de l'open-innovation et les innovations des modèles d'affaires peuvent favoriser l'adaptation des ESN à ces enjeux et faisons appel en conclusion à des études empiriques pour approfondir ces thématiques. |
| Keywords: | Business Model, Digital Services Companies, Open Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Strategy, Modèles d'affaires, Entreprises des Services du Numérique, Innovation Ouverte, Intelligence Artificielle, Stratégie |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04355219&r=sbm |
| By: | Llanos Paredes, Pedro |
| Abstract: | This study examines the impact of the Fraunhofer Society, Europe’s largest network of applied research institutes, on patent applications. A difference-in-differences strategy was employed exploiting the establishment of five new Fraunhofer centres in the 2000s. The panel includes 65, 963 European applicants (both firms and independent inventors) between 1980 and 2019. The results show that establishing a centre increases patent output by at least 13%, robust to using applicants of cities that established a centre by the end of the 2010s as an alternative control group. The effect is driven by an increase in applicants’ productivity and not by agglomeration dynamics. |
| Keywords: | European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 860887; OUP deal |
| JEL: | R14 J01 J1 |
| Date: | 2023–10–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:120473&r=sbm |
| By: | L. Vargiu; B. Biagi; M.G. Brandano; P. Postiglione |
| Abstract: | The last decades registered a significant increase in Research Infrastructures (RIs) everywhere and in Europe. The EU supports these projects and their activities by implementing strategies and allocating financial resources for these costly projects. Although RIs main goal is to foster science, they produce relevant effects that go beyond scientific output including economic output, innovation, and social impact. These effects take place simultaneously at different geographic levels - regional, national, and international. RIs' hosting regions absorb a significant part of them. This phenomenon is the object of a stream of literature that analyses the several effects that single RIs have on the economy and society. However, little attention is paid to the aggregate dimension of these effects at the regional level and how it changes in different regional contexts. This work contributes to the main literature on RIs socio-economic effects by disentangling the aggregate economic growth effect driven by RIs in EU NUTS 2 regions for two periods - 2001-2020 and 1981-2020. The empirical analysis is carried out on an original database with information about 667 RIs. A spatial Durbin model estimates both the direct impact and spatial spillovers. The main findings suggest that RIs have a positive impact on regional economic growth over the two periods considered. However, spillover effects to neighbouring regions are not significant. |
| Keywords: | Research Infrastructures;regional economic growth;Socio-economic effects;european regions;spatial analysis |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cns:cnscwp:202314&r=sbm |