José Pablo Montégu, Carolina Calvo and Julio A. Pertuze
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of competition on both innovation inputs and outputs in Chilean firms. More specifically, the authors investigate whether there…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of competition on both innovation inputs and outputs in Chilean firms. More specifically, the authors investigate whether there is an inverted-U relationship at different stages of the innovation process.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample covers 1,347 firms that responded to both the 4th Chilean Longitudinal Enterprise Survey and the 10th Chilean Innovation Survey. The CDM model (Crépon et al., 1998) is applied to correct for selectivity bias and endogeneity. Competition is proxied by measures of market concentration. The robustness of the results is checked using four alternative indicators.
Findings
The results strongly suggest that competition and both R&D and innovation intensities are linked by an inverted U-shaped curve. The estimated effects of competition on innovation output and labor productivity are rather ambiguous. Thus, market structure would be influencing the firms’ incentives to innovate, but not necessarily their innovation performance.
Research limitations/implications
The model is based on cross-sectional data, hampering the possibility to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Competitive pressures from potential entrants and foreign markets are not captured in the analysis.
Practical implications
Moderate levels of competition would be the optimal market structure in terms of promoting more business R&D and innovation spending.
Originality/value
A previously unutilized data set covering the whole economy is used. Estimations are executed at three different stages of the innovation process. Two types of innovation input and four types of innovation output are taken into account.
Objetivo
El objetivo de este artículo es analizar los efectos de la competencia sobre los insumos y los productos de la innovación en empresas chilenas. Más específicamente, los autores investigan si existe una relación en forma de U invertida en diferentes etapas del proceso de innovación.
Diseño
La muestra abarca 1.347 empresas chilenas que respondieron la 4ª Encuesta Longitudinal de Empresas y la 10ª Encuesta Nacional de Innovación. El modelo CDM (Crépon et al., 1998) es aplicado con el fin de corregir por sesgo de selección y endogeneidad. La competencia es representada por medidas de concentración de mercado. La robustez de los resultados es verificada usando cuatro indicadores alternativos.
Resultados
Los resultados sugieren claramente que la competencia y las intensidades de I+D e innovación están vinculadas por una curva en forma de U invertida. Los efectos estimados de la competencia sobre la producción de innovación y la productividad laboral resultan ser más bien ambiguos. Así, la estructura de mercado estaría influyendo en los incentivos de las empresas para innovar, pero no necesariamente en los resultados del proceso de innovación.
Limitaciones
El modelo se basa en datos de corte transversal, dificultando la posibilidad de controlar la heterogeneidad no observada. Las presiones competitivas de potenciales entrantes y mercados extranjeros no se reflejan en el análisis.
Implicaciones prácticas
Niveles moderados de competencia serían la estructurada de mercado óptima para promover un mayor gasto en I+D e innovación en el sector empresarial.
Originalidad/valor
Se usa un conjunto de datos no utilizado previamente y que cubre toda la economía. Las estimaciones se realizan en tres etapas diferentes del proceso de innovación. Se tienen en cuenta dos tipos de insumos de innovación y cuatro tipos de resultados de innovación.
Palabras clave
Competencia, I+D, Innovación, Productividad, Chile
Tipo de artículo
Trabajo de investigación
Objetivo
O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os efeitos da competição nos insumos e produtos de inovação em empresas chilenas. Mais especificamente, os autores investigam se existe uma relação na forma de um U invertido em diferentes estágios do processo de inovação.
Desenho
A amostra inclui 1.347 empresas que responderam a 4ª Pesquisa Longitudinal de Empresas e 10ª Pesquisa Nacional de Inovação. O modelo CDM (Crépon et al., 1998) é aplicado para corrigir o viés de seleção e endogeneidade. A competição é representada por medidas de concentração de mercado. A robustez dos resultados é verificada usando quatro indicadores alternativos.
Resultados
Os resultados sugerem claramente que a competição e as intensidades de P&D e inovação estão ligadas por uma curva em U invertido. Por sua vez, os efeitos estimados da concorrência na produção de inovação e na produtividade do trabalho revelam-se bastante ambíguos. Assim, a estrutura de mercado estaria influenciando os incentivos das empresas para inovar, mas não necessariamente nos resultados do processo de inovação.
Limitações
O modelo é baseado em dados transversais, dificultando o controle da heterogeneidade não observada. As pressões competitivas de concorrentes potenciais e mercados estrangeiros não são refletidas na análise.
Implicações práticas
Níveis moderados de concorrência seriam a estrutura de mercado ideal para promover maior gasto em P&D e inovação no setor empresarial.
Originalidade / valor
Este artigo usa um conjunto de dados anteriormente não utilizado e que abrange toda a economia. As estimativas são feitas em três etapas diferentes do processo de inovação. Dois tipos de insumos de inovação e quatro tipos de resultados da inovação são considerados.
Palavras-chave
Competição, P&D, Inovação, Produtividade, Chile
Tipo de artigo
Trabalho de investigação
Details
Keywords
José Pablo Montégu, Julio A. Pertuze and Carolina Calvo
The authors analyzed the effects of importing activities on both technological and non-technological innovation in Chile. They contribute to the literature by hypothesizing and…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors analyzed the effects of importing activities on both technological and non-technological innovation in Chile. They contribute to the literature by hypothesizing and testing the idea that importing activities can foster the introduction of product, process, marketing and organizational innovations in emerging market firms.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used a combination of two economic surveys that included 1,347 Chilean companies. To test their hypotheses, they applied a variant of the Crépon-Duguet-Mairesse (CDM) model (Crépon et al., 1998) accounting for technological and non-technological innovation outputs. Specifically, four alternative innovation output indicators were used to measure the introduction of product, process, marketing and organizational innovations.
Findings
The results revealed that importing activities had positive effects on technological and non-technological innovation. Importers showed a significant advantage in the introduction of product, marketing and organizational innovations. Firms that both import and export (i.e. two-way traders) had an even greater advantage in the introduction of new or significantly improved products.
Originality/value
The authors demonstrated a relationship between importing activities and both technological and non-technological innovation that is novel and relevant, particularly at a historical moment when COVID-19 poses huge economic challenges to emerging market firms. As trade disruptions caused by the pandemic have predisposed some governments to favor protectionist policies, the authors warn that erecting barriers against imports can hamper the innovative success of local businesses.
Details
Keywords
Arturo Calvo-Mora, Araceli Picón, Carolina Ruiz and Lourdes Cauzo
This paper aims to advance in the knowledge of the EFQM model as a framework for implementing total quality management (TQM). To do so, the work identifies the soft-hard TQM…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to advance in the knowledge of the EFQM model as a framework for implementing total quality management (TQM). To do so, the work identifies the soft-hard TQM factors in the EFQM model, investigates the relationships between these factors and analyses their influence on key business results.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used is factorial analysis and structural equations – specifically the partial least squares technique. The sample is made up of 116 private firms. TQM is an integral management philosophy which is based on a set of social and technical factors that must be put into practice through a reference framework, such as the one in the EFQM model.
Findings
The work empirically identifies three dimensions that correspond to the soft-hard TQM factors (management and human resources, strategic management of partnerships and resources and processes management). Furthermore, it shows how these dimensions make up a management system that has a significant effect on key business results.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitations are to be found in the sample used – private firms from a specific geographical context.
Practical implications
The research model facilitates the design of a management system for professionals and orientates them in its implementation and improvement with a view to influencing key results.
Originality/value
The data have been obtained from the scores of the processes of self-assessment and external assessment followed by firms that were candidates for excellence awards. The work empirically identifies the social and technical factors implied in the EFQM model and their relationships. Moreover, it presents the effect on a type of result that has not been analysed very much: key results (economic, financial, innovation or processes improvement).
Details
Keywords
Cristina Calvo-Porral and Jean-Pierre Lévy-Mangín
This study addresses the following question: “What factors attract customers to the shopping mall?”, since the commercial attraction of this major retailing format is an…
Abstract
Purpose
This study addresses the following question: “What factors attract customers to the shopping mall?”, since the commercial attraction of this major retailing format is an undertaken variable. So, the purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the main commercial pull factors of the shopping malls in order to attract potential customers.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, the authors provide and empirically test a conceptual model considering the variables convenience, tenant variety and specialisation, internal environment, leisure and communication. Data were analysed through structural equation modelling on a sample of 253 customers.
Findings
The findings suggest that tenant variety and the internal environment of the mall – understood as an adequate tenant mix and a pleasant, attractive environment – are the main determinants of attracting customers. However, the convenience of the shopping mall and the communication activities do not show a significant influence as pull factors.
Originality/value
The results obtained suggest that marketing managers have numerous tools to influence customers’ intention to visit and patronise shopping malls.
Details
Keywords
Cristina Calvo-Porral and Jean-Pierre Lévy-Mangin
The purpose of this paper is to address the following issue: “Does the products’ perceived quality influences the consumer behaviour in the specialty retailing setting?”
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the following issue: “Does the products’ perceived quality influences the consumer behaviour in the specialty retailing setting?”
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, the authors propose and empirically test a conceptual model on the creation of consumer satisfaction and loyalty in specialty retailing, to examine the influence of products’ quality perception and its potential moderating role. Data were analysed through structural equation modelling on a sample of 592 consumers
Findings
The findings show that the store-based attributes have different influence on customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to the quality perception of products, and suggest the moderating role of products’ perceived quality.
Practical implications
Retailing managers may use the product’s perceived quality as a segmentation variable in the specialty food retailing context.
Originality/value
The major contribution of this paper is the empirical analysis of one subjective customer-based variable in the specialty retailing setting.
Details
Keywords
Keri Elliott Revens, Lennin Caro, Sarai Guerrero Ordonez, Amanda Walsh and Daniel Alvarez-Orlachia
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted Latinos across the United States though data on emerging immigrant communities is lacking. The purpose of this study is to better…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted Latinos across the United States though data on emerging immigrant communities is lacking. The purpose of this study is to better understand how Latino immigrants were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing a community health clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina to quickly respond to their needs.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method, rapid appraisal using community-based participatory research approaches conducted in February to April 2021 by a team of bilingual researchers. Project consisted of a Spanish, electronic survey distributed through community leaders and in-person interviews conducted in Spanish at COVID-19 vaccine clinics. SPSS Version 26 was used for quantitative analysis. Ordinal and binary logistic regression tests were performed to assess the associations among several outcome and four predictor variables: documentation status, status of health insurance, level of trust in the vaccine and place of birth. Qualitative analysis used rapid appraisal and grounded theory approaches.
Findings
Latino immigrants experienced job and income loss, resulting in difficulty paying for food, housing and health care. Participants experienced emotional and financial stress and isolation from family. Undocumented immigrants were more likely to experience detrimental impacts than documented immigrants. Most wanted the vaccine but felt barriers like trust and insurance may prevent them.
Research limitations/implications
Findings from this study are locally relevant to Latino immigrants living in the Charlotte area of North Carolina and findings may not be generalizable to other Latinos. Participants were recruited through faith networks and those who are not connected may not be represented. In addition, interview participants were sampled during vaccination clinics and likely had positive views of the vaccine.
Practical implications
As a direct result of this project, community health clinic (CHC) held vaccination clinics to instill more confidence in the vaccination process. Spanish-speaking staff were available to assist with paperwork and answer questions onsite. The importance of familismo in decision-making and the reported presence of misinformation about the vaccine prompted CHC to continue providing accurate information about the vaccine in Spanish, and to strategize marketing materials to reflect a family-centric approach to better appeal to Latinos. Findings were used to obtain funding for expansion of clinical and behavioral health services in the community through mobile units, increasing accessibility for Latino immigrants.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to examine the effects of the pandemic on a growing and disproportionately underrepresented group in an emerging immigrant state. Findings informed culturally competent COVID-19 vaccine clinics, marketing strategies and the expansion of medical and behavioral health services for a local community clinic.
Details
Keywords
Juan Ponce and Carolina Curvale
This paper evaluates the argument that conditional cash transfer program recipients vote for the incumbent. We also test the hypothesis stating that ceasing to receive the benefit…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper evaluates the argument that conditional cash transfer program recipients vote for the incumbent. We also test the hypothesis stating that ceasing to receive the benefit hinders support for the incumbent.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a regression discontinuity design, we assess the impact of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano cash transfer program on pro-incumbent voting of each of these four groups.
Findings
We did not find a significant impact of the transfer on pro-incumbent vote intention in any of the pairwise comparisons, which suggests that contextual factors determining retrospective voting may play an important role in shaping the relationship between pro-incumbent voting and social policy transfers.
Originality/value
Drawing on quasi-experimental evidence from Ecuador, where the eligibility criteria of the program changed exogenously, we evaluate the impacts of several treatments on pro-incumbent voting. We are able to identify four distinct groups: recipients under both eligibility criteria, nonrecipients under both criteria, new recipients and new nonrecipients.
Details
Keywords
Domingo Calvo Dopico and Cristina Calvo Porral
The aim of this research is to identify sources of differentiation in the fashion market as well as finding out sources of brand equity to distinguish the offer, enabling a better…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research is to identify sources of differentiation in the fashion market as well as finding out sources of brand equity to distinguish the offer, enabling a better competitive position to be achieved.
Design/methodology/approach
To reach this objective, qualitative research was first carried out with 36 sector executives. Based on the results from the initial stage, 250 surveys were then carried out with potential consumers in order to analyze sources of brand equity.
Findings
In the fashion industry, the variables that show great potential for differentiation are excellence in the delivered finished product, brand image and design. In addition, loyalty and brand associations, in which image and design stand out, have been shown to be the most outstanding sources of brand equity.
Practical implications
The allocation of financial resources to the intangible assets of brand image and design should be profitable for the company. The creation of networks of designers and stylists would allow first‐hand information on market evolution. This input would be the basis for identifying new opportunities (e.g. fashionable colours, etc.) and also for anticipating new trends in clothing.
Originality/value
Discovering the sources of equity and their contribution to differentiating and developing high added‐value products for the consumer represents an original contribution in research into fashion markets and brand equity.
Details
Keywords
Zhirong Jerry Zhao and Wen Wang
In recent years, the disparity of school capital outlays has received increasing attention as many schools are facing challenges to meet increasing capital needs. With data of…
Abstract
In recent years, the disparity of school capital outlays has received increasing attention as many schools are facing challenges to meet increasing capital needs. With data of Georgia county school districts during FY2003-2008, this study examines how the disparity of school capital outlays is affected by the mix of capital revenues. Using multiple methods including spatial data analysis, quartile analysis, and inequality decomposition, we find that (1) school capital outlays in Georgia counties are negatively associated with the percentage of black population and the poverty rate, (2) state capital grants do not play an equalization role in school capital outlays, and (3) the use of ESPLOST has some equalizing effects on the funding for school facilities, contrary to earlier findings in the literature.
Kelly Lancaster, Dmitry Tumin and Kendall M. Campbell
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic drastically changed work arrangements, but COVID-19's impact on employee leave utilization is unclear. The authors sought to…
Abstract
Purpose
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic drastically changed work arrangements, but COVID-19's impact on employee leave utilization is unclear. The authors sought to understand how sick leave and vacation leave utilization changed during the pandemic among clinical and non-clinical departments at an academic medical center (AMC).
Design/methodology/approach
Clinical departments were defined as work units with a primary mission of providing direct patient care. Per-person, per-month leave utilization data were obtained from the AMC's time-keeping system for 3 clinical departments and 4 non-clinical departments in the first 12 months of the pandemic and the preceding 12 months. Monthly data for each department were analyzed with mixed-effects regression.
Findings
Available data represented 402 employees from 3 clinical departments and 73 employees from 4 non-clinical departments. The authors found no statistically significant change in sick leave utilization among either clinical or non-clinical departments. Vacation leave utilization decreased during the pandemic by 5.9 h per person per month in non-clinical departments (95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.1, −3.8; p < 0.001) and by 3.0 h per person per month in clinical departments (95% CI: −4.3, −1.7; p < 0.001).
Originality/value
Among employees in clinical departments, the authors found no increase in sick leave utilization and a decrease in vacation utilization. These findings are concerning for presenteeism, risk of burnout or understaffing resulting in workers' inability to take time away from work in clinical departments.