Maria Cleofe Giorgino and Federico Barnabè
Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing motivation from the greater exposure to uncertainty and condition changes that affect large projects due to their long lifecycle, this paper aims to investigate how the time factor affects the use of governance mechanisms to pursue the success of these projects.
Design/methodology/approach
To pursue its aim, the article applies the dichotomization between the hard and soft mechanisms of project governance to the analysis of a historical case study, whose findings are organized over the short, medium and long periods. The case selected is referred to the peculiar water system, made up of tunnels named “bottini,” that was in use in Siena (Italy) as the old aqueduct. Specifically, the study focuses on the project of expansion of this water system that was realized during the 14th century for the construction of the “Bottino maestro di Fontegaia.”
Findings
This article highlights the different relevance that, during the lifecycle of large projects, is assumed by hard and soft governance mechanisms, with the former having main relevance in a short and medium period, and the latter usually emerging in the medium period and, subsequently, playing a growing role for the project success in the long period.
Originality/value
The article contributes to the literature on large projects by providing novel insights about how the time factor impacts the governance of these projects. Furthermore, the case study, with its unique history, highlights the relevance of combining effectively the hard and the soft dimensions of project governance to pursue success.
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Michele Posa, Ivano De Turi, Antonello Garzoni and Gianluca Zanellato
The rising focus on effective pathways to sustainable development has led to the conceptualization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as an institutionalization of public…
Abstract
Purpose
The rising focus on effective pathways to sustainable development has led to the conceptualization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as an institutionalization of public value. However, further exploration of public value creation processes, particularly through the lens of public (dis)value, is now advocated by scholars and policymakers. This study aims to understand the role of local ecosystems in enabling sustainable development within local communities through a public value regeneration process.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a case study methodology to examine Fattoria dei Primi, a social agriculture and urban regeneration initiative led by the Italian social cooperative Semi di Vita, with the mission to transform confiscated assets into new public goods.
Findings
A framework is developed to facilitate practices of public value regeneration and sustainable development. This framework offers a structured approach to understanding the actors, roles and stages involved in the regeneration process, identifying enablers and triggers across the stages of (1) value destruction, (2) value regeneration and (3) new value creation.
Practical implications
The findings offer valuable guidelines for public administration managers, institutions and policymakers to support public regeneration initiatives and progress toward the sustainable development in alignment with the UN Agenda 2030.
Originality/value
This study provides an initial examination of the mechanisms driving public value regeneration, demonstrating how collaboration among various stakeholders, including public, private and hybrid organizations, can facilitate regenerative processes and advance the SDGs.
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Veronica Chiodo, Francesco Gerli and Ambra Giuliano
The complexity of contemporary societal challenges in emerging countries reanimates the necessity of collective action to resolve them. What is required is system change, namely…
Abstract
Purpose
The complexity of contemporary societal challenges in emerging countries reanimates the necessity of collective action to resolve them. What is required is system change, namely, transformations in policy, practice, power relationships, market dynamics and social customs that underlie social and environmental issues. Technological innovations, paired with intentional social changes, might play a transformative role in this effort. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the adoption of technologies in social enterprises (SEs) and their contribution to achieving system change. It also addresses the effects of their hybrid nature on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis relied on data collected through a survey of the global population of Ashoka fellows, which is largely based in emerging economies. Three models were developed concerning different pathways to achieve system change identified in the theoretical framework. These were tested using Probit regressions.
Findings
The investigation confirms that technology can support SEs in navigating complex pathways to achieve system change rather than merely enabling linear scaling operational strategies. The pursuit of economic value creation, in conjunction with a social mission, decreases the ability of SEs to achieve system change. This is because the scaling paths which hardly create revenues are neglected.
Originality/value
The study conceptualises a multifaceted model of system change. It tests the framework empirically to show that SEs can adopt technologies to unleash complex system change processes to generate societal impact, on top of merely demonstrating linear approaches to scaling or replication. The paper questions the capacity of SEs to facilitate system change without appropriate financial support and the inherent tensions between hybridity and the depth of system change dynamics.
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Tian Hongyun, Jan Muhammad Sohu, Asad Ullah Khan, Ikramuddin Junejo, Sonia Najam Shaikh, Sadaf Akhtar and Muhammad Bilal
In this digital age, the rapid technological innovation and adoption, with the increasing use of big data analytics, has raised concerns about the ability of small and medium…
Abstract
Purpose
In this digital age, the rapid technological innovation and adoption, with the increasing use of big data analytics, has raised concerns about the ability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to sustain the competition and innovation performance (IP). To narrow the research gap, this paper investigates the role of big data analytics capability (BDAC) in moderating the relationship between digital innovation (DI) and SME innovation performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research has been carried forward through a detailed theory and literature analysis. Data were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models using a two-stage approach in smartPLS-4.
Findings
Results highlight that digital service capability (DSC) significantly mediates the relationship between DI and IP. Additionally, value co-creation (VCC) directly affects digital transformation (DT), while DI has a stronger effect on DSC than IP. Furthermore, BDAC significantly moderates the relation between DSC → IP and DT → IP, whereas it has a detrimental effect on the relation between DI and IP. In addition to that, VCC, DSC, DT, DI and BDAC have a direct, significant and positive effect on IP.
Practical implications
This research was motivated by the practical relevance of supporting SMEs in adopting DT and the resource-based view (RBV) and technology acceptance model (TAM). This study shows that all direct and indirect measures significantly affect innovation performance, including BDAC as moderator. These findings refresh the perspective on what DT, DI, VCC, DSC and BDAC can bring to a firm's innovation performance.
Originality/value
This paper has contributed to DT by empirically validating a theoretical argument that suggests the acceptance and adoption of new technology. This paper aims to fill theoretical gaps in understanding BDAC and DT by incorporating the RBV and TAM theories on BDAC and DT.
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Lorenzo Ligorio, Andrea Venturelli and Fabio Caputo
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are tools in the hands of governments for the pursuit of their political agendas. This feature is driving accounting scholars’ attention to SOEs’…
Abstract
Purpose
State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are tools in the hands of governments for the pursuit of their political agendas. This feature is driving accounting scholars’ attention to SOEs’ relationship with the United Nations Agenda 2030. However, few contributions in literature have approached the topic. This study aims at understanding which determinants impact the contribution of SOEs to Agenda 2030.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyse SOEs’ contribution to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through their disclosures, this study adopted a panel data analysis to explore two levels of drivers impacting SOEs practices. Furthermore, to highlight SOEs’ differences from private sector entities, this study used a comparative approach.
Findings
Results revealed how hybrid and private environments are differently impacting the contribution to the SDGs. Moreover, it emerged how hybridity through board characteristics impacts SOE disclosure quality.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to empirically test how corporate governance characteristics influence SDGs’ contribution via sustainability reporting in SOEs.
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Hao Jiao, Wanrong Li, Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli and Monica Fait
The purpose of this study is to examine how family influence affects dynamic capabilities in family firms. This study also aims to analyze whether knowledge scope and knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine how family influence affects dynamic capabilities in family firms. This study also aims to analyze whether knowledge scope and knowledge newness serve as moderating factors in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This study examines the dynamic capabilities of family businesses listed in both the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2009 to 2022. This study identifies businesses belonging to family firms based on family influence. In total, the sample covers 2,934 Chinese family firms accounting for 20,324 firm-year observations. Besides, this study identifies family firms by manually searching for annual reports that reveal the kinship of directors and executives, and other financial variables are collected from the China Stock Market Accounting Research Database.
Findings
This study empirically reveals that family influence is negatively associated with dynamic capabilities. Moreover, the effect of family influence on dynamic capabilities is weakened with more knowledge scope and knowledge newness.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to two streams of literature. First, this study extends the theoretical framework of dynamic capabilities from the perspective of socioemotional wealth theory. This study recognizes that family influence is negatively associated with dynamic capabilities. The results offer novel empirical evidence to better understand the dynamic capabilities of family businesses and make it valuable to expand the theoretical framework of dynamic capabilities. Second, this study contributes to the literature in the field of knowledge management. The results provide new findings on the positive moderating role of knowledge management, shedding light on embracing knowledge scope and newness, especially in family businesses with higher level of family engagement.
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Mohammad (Amir) Nematpour, Zahed Ghaderi, Mohammad Ghaffari, Hamid Zare and Reza Mohammadkazemi
This study explores the formation process of cognitive destination image among first-time Chinese millennial tourists visiting Iran.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the formation process of cognitive destination image among first-time Chinese millennial tourists visiting Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a comprehensive mixed-method exploratory approach, blending qualitative and quantitative methodologies, we aim to construct a conceptual model explaining the complex process of tourists’ cognitive destination image development. In the qualitative phase, interviews with 15 Chinese millennials unveiled key factors such as perceived behavioral control, perceived product quality, on-site involvement, engagement, and prior destination image as fundamental influencers of tourists’ cognitive destination image. Subsequently, in the quantitative phase, involving a questionnaire survey with 229 first-time Chinese travelers, we proposed a conceptual model to validate our primary findings.
Findings
The results highlight the emergence of on-travel cognitive image as a developmental concept originating from tourists' on-site participation and pre-existing perceptions of the destination. Moreover, we identified perceived behavioral control as the primary antecedent of millennials’ image formation, directly affecting the destination’s image development. Furthermore, increased involvement and engagement were found to diminish perceived behavioral control. Additionally, perceived product quality prompted millennials to engage more with cultural attractions and activities, enriching their in-situ image.
Practical implications
The findings offer valuable insights for destination managers, enabling them to construct tailored strategies to augment the cognitive destination image.
Originality/value
This study provides a novel understanding of the cognitive destination image formation process among Chinese millennial tourists, highlighting the crucial role of perceived behavioral control, involvement, engagement, and perceived product quality. These insights can guide destination managers in enhancing the overall tourist experience and destination appeal.
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Stella Lippolis, Dario Dell’Osa and Ezio Ritrovato
Through the reconstruction of the events of some foreign entrepreneurs who worked in the territory of the Italian city of Bari in the first half of the 19th century, this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Through the reconstruction of the events of some foreign entrepreneurs who worked in the territory of the Italian city of Bari in the first half of the 19th century, this paper aims to analyze the role of entrepreneurial migration in the economic development of Apulia land in this period.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a theoretical framework that combines the concept of mixed embeddedness in a multifocal perspective, with the model of the diffusion of innovation focusing on the role of the so-called agency of actors, and of the network, in the dissemination of innovation. The theoretical framework is applied to multiple case studies to compare the evidence that emerged from the simultaneous analysis of several situations.
Findings
By analyzing how innovations have spread within the network of entrepreneurs of that time, it is possible to identify some relevant aspects related to the mechanisms of dissemination of innovations in the context of entrepreneurial migration. Specifically, the opportunity structure is intended in an even broader sense than indicated in the classic approach to mixed embeddedness: it is considered as the result of the joint interaction of the political, institutional and economic context of several places, and the behavioral dynamics of several groups.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the specific method chosen, the outcomes of the research might apply to a narrow context. Therefore, the results need to be tested and confirmed in further empirical studies, and by applying multiple research methods.
Practical implications
Findings are useful and significant in the analysis of the link that exists between the diffusion of innovations and migrant entrepreneurship, and then the conclusions can be applied and extended to the current phenomenon of migration-related innovations, with specific reference to developing countries.
Social implications
Findings can be applied and extended to the current phenomenon of migration-related innovations and highly skilled migration, with specific reference to developing countries.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to shed new light on the contextual and multifocal factors that influence the development of innovations in the networks of migrant entrepreneurship, in a specific historical period and a specific context. Combining social, human and financial capital with the wider opportunity structure, this study also provides a comprehensive understanding of the modalities through which migrant and high-skilled entrepreneurs could innovate.
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Andrea Sestino, Adham Kahlawi and Andrea De Mauro
The data economy, emerging from the current hyper-technological landscape, is a global digital ecosystem where data is gathered, organized and exchanged to create economic value…
Abstract
Purpose
The data economy, emerging from the current hyper-technological landscape, is a global digital ecosystem where data is gathered, organized and exchanged to create economic value. This paper aims to shed light on the interplay of the different topics involved in the data economy, as found in the literature. The study research provides a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities, challenges and implications of the data economy for businesses, governments, individuals and society at large, while investigating its impact on business value creation, knowledge and digital business transformation.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a literature review that generated a conceptual map of the data economy by analyzing a corpus of research papers through a combination of machine learning algorithms, text mining techniques and a qualitative research approach.
Findings
The study findings revealed eight topics that collectively represent the essential features of data economy in the current literature, namely (1) Data Security, (2) Technology Enablers, (3) Business Implications, (4) Social Implications, (5) Political Framework, (6) Legal Enablers, (7) Privacy Concerns and (8) Data Marketplace. The study resulting model may help researchers and practitioners to develop the concept of data economy in a structured way and provide a subset of specific areas that require further research exploration.
Practical implications
Practically, this paper offers managers and marketers valuable insights to comprehend how to manage the opportunities deriving from a constantly changing competitive arena whose value is today also generated by the data economy.
Social implications
Socially, the authors also reveal insights explaining how the data economy features may be exploited to build a better society.
Originality/value
This is the first paper exploring the data economy opportunity for business value creation from a critical perspective.
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Martina Baglio, Claudia Colicchia, Alessandro Creazza and Fabrizio Dallari
An ever-increasing number of companies outsource logistics activities to third-party logistics (3PL) providers to beat the competition. From the buyer's (shippers') perspective…
Abstract
Purpose
An ever-increasing number of companies outsource logistics activities to third-party logistics (3PL) providers to beat the competition. From the buyer's (shippers') perspective, selecting the right 3PL provider is crucial, and from the 3PL provider's perspective, it is imperative to be attractive and to retain clients. To this aim, a potential lever can be physical assets, such as warehouses, which the literature has traditionally neglected. The objective is to benchmark the importance of warehouses for 3PL providers to attract/retain clients and for shippers to select the right 3PL provider.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed an empirical investigation through interviews on dyads (3PL providers/shippers) and utilized the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to rank the criteria used in the 3PL buying process and allow the warehouse's role to emerge.
Findings
Results show that the 3PL buying process consists of four phases and three evaluation steps. The selection criteria are classified into three groups: order qualifiers, order winners and retention factors. The warehouse has different levels of importance throughout the process. It appears that it can indirectly enhance the attractiveness and retention capability of 3PL providers through other selection criteria.
Originality/value
By combining the resource-based view and the customer value theory, this research extends the theory on logistics outsourcing by studying the phases of the 3PL buying process and scrutinizing the criteria used in different evaluation steps. The research adds a double perspective of analysis (3PL providers and shippers), which is missing in the literature, and focuses on the importance of warehouses.