Studies of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) have become increasingly common, informed usually by Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Although the TPB postulates that…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) have become increasingly common, informed usually by Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Although the TPB postulates that beliefs determine EIs, the contents of the beliefs have not been properly studied, leaving EIs’ cognitive underpinnings and cognitive approaches to influencing EIs unclear. To clarify the TPB/EI-belief nexus, the study examines the conceptual background of entrepreneurial cognitions and elicits the beliefs of a group of nascent micro entrepreneurs (NMEs) to compare them with their TPB attitudes and EIs, facilitating assessing their mutual consistency as implied by the TBP.
Design/methodology/approach
The respondents are entrepreneurial novice clients of a micro business advisory organisation. Their TPB attitudes and EIs were measured using standard TPB/EI methods. Comparative causal mapping (CCM) combined with semi-structured interviewing was used to reveal the NMEs’ typical belief systems, presented as aggregated cause maps.
Findings
The NMEs have uniform, relatively detailed belief systems about entrepreneurship and micro business. The belief systems are consistent with theory- and context-based expectations and logically aligned with the NMEs’ expressed TPB attitudes and EIs. CCM provides an accessible method for studying contents of entrepreneurial cognitions.
Research limitations/implications
It was not possible to study “entrepreneurship-negative” respondents or the intensity or origins of some specific beliefs.
Practical implications
Diagnosing and better understanding beliefs can benefit entrepreneurship education and development, in general or connected with TPB/EI studies.
Originality/value
The study reveals entrepreneurial belief systems systematically, evidently not done before generally or in terms of “everyday” micro entrepreneurship or TPB. It clarifies and supports the TPB notion that beliefs underpin actors’ attitudes and intentions.
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Mauri Laukkanen and Erno T. Tornikoski
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, using the case of Finnish small business advisors (SBAs), it aims to clarify a controversy in entrepreneurship policy about using…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, using the case of Finnish small business advisors (SBAs), it aims to clarify a controversy in entrepreneurship policy about using public funds to foster solo and micro entrepreneurship. The study reveals the SBAs’ belief systems to facilitate policy-relevant conclusions about their advisory competence, counseling tendencies and probable impact on nascent entrepreneurs and macro consequences like firm displacement. Second, methodologically, the study’s cognitive perspective and method enable researchers to assess the approach and its potential.
Design/methodology/approach
The SBAs’ (n=15) belief systems were elicited by interview-based causal mapping. They are summarized using aggregated causal maps and analyzed to understand the SBAs’ dominant mindset and to draw conditional inferences about their professional competence and impacts.
Findings
The SBAs have convergent belief systems about the causes and consequences of micro entrepreneurship. They are generally competent to detect and foster viable solo and small micro firms. From a policy viewpoint, however, they ignore indirect effects like firm replication and appear risk aversive, less inclined to promote their clients’ growth intentions and plans.
Originality/value
For entrepreneurship policy makers, the study clarifies a controversial issue. It finds clear grounds for public funding of SBA type services, but this may depend on policy goals and local conditions. For the SBAs, the study suggests proactive, income-generating services for improved financing and legitimacy. For entrepreneurship researchers, it demonstrates the potential and limits of the cognitive approach and causal mapping.
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It is increasingly expected that universities, besides research and teaching, should perform a third task as regional engines of innovation and economic growth. This paper…
Abstract
It is increasingly expected that universities, besides research and teaching, should perform a third task as regional engines of innovation and economic growth. This paper discusses the role transformation and its demands upon university and faculty, including academic entrepreneurship. The empirical part consists of an exploration of senior faculty’s thinking of the new situation, using cause maps about two key domains: university‐corporate cooperation for applied research and direct faculty entrepreneurship. Broadly, the expected root causes and conflicts emerge in the faculty’s thought patterns, but cause maps show and help analyse the subjective situation as a system. The paper concludes with discussing university policy implications and options for further research.
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This chapter’s focus is comparative causal mapping (CCM) methods in MOC research. For a background, the chapter discusses first the conceptual (cognitive theoretic) basis in…
Abstract
This chapter’s focus is comparative causal mapping (CCM) methods in MOC research. For a background, the chapter discusses first the conceptual (cognitive theoretic) basis in typical CCM studies and its implications for understanding the target phenomena and for CCM methods. Next, it presents the CMAP3 software and describes its operating logic and main functions. Third, the chapter describes how to use CMAP3 in three prototypical cases of CCM, each characterized by different research objectives, kinds of data, and methods of data acquisition but also by potential dilemmas. The chapter concludes by speculating about the future directions of causal mapping and suggesting some ideas for developing in particular large-N CCM methods.
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Mauri Laukkanen and Päivi Eriksson
The paper's first objective is to develop a new conceptual framework for categorizing and designing cognitive, specifically comparative, causal mapping (CCM) research by building…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper's first objective is to develop a new conceptual framework for categorizing and designing cognitive, specifically comparative, causal mapping (CCM) research by building upon the theory‐centred and participant‐centred perspectives. The second purpose is to enable the discerned study prototypes by introducing a new CCM software application, CMAP3.
Design/methodology/approach
Building upon the distinction between theory‐centred (etic) and participant‐centred (emic) perspectives in social research, we first construct and apply a conceptual framework for analysing and categorising extant CCM studies in terms of their objectives and basic design. Next, after noting the important role and basic tasks in computerising causal mapping studies, we present a new CCM software application.
Findings
The theory‐centred/participant‐centred perspectives define four causal mapping study prototypes, each with different goals, basic designs and methodological requirements. Noting the present lack of widely accessible software for qualitatively oriented CCM studies, we introduce CMAP3, a new non‐commercial Windows application, and summarise how it is used in related research.
Originality/value
The framework and the studies representing the prototypes demonstrate the versatility of CCM methods and that the proposed framework offers a new, systematic approach to categorising and designing CCM studies. Research technically, CMAP3 can support the defined CCM‐prototypes, based on a low‐structured (inductive/qualitative) or a structured (nomothetic/quantitative) methodological approach/stance, and having therefore different needs of data acquisition, processing, coding, aggregation/comparison, and analysis of the emerging aggregated cause maps’ contents or structure.
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Gerard P. Hodgkinson, Kristian J. Sund and Robert J. Galavan
This book comprises the second volume in the recently launched New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition book series. Volume 1 (Sund, Galavan, & Huff, 2016)…
Abstract
This book comprises the second volume in the recently launched New Horizons in Managerial and Organizational Cognition book series. Volume 1 (Sund, Galavan, & Huff, 2016), addressed the topic of strategic uncertainty. This second volume comprises a collection of contributions that variously report new methodological developments in managerial and organizational cognition, reflect critically on those developments, and consider the challenges that have yet to be confronted in order to further advance this exciting and dynamic interdisciplinary field. Contextualizing within an overarching framework the various contributions selected for inclusion in the present volume, in this opening chapter we reflect more broadly on what we consider the most significant developments that have occurred over recent years and the most significant challenges that lie ahead.
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Lisa Donnell, Karise Hutchinson and Andrea Reid
The purpose of this paper is to identify how small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) fashion retailers can achieve a true understanding of customer trends to close the needs to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify how small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) fashion retailers can achieve a true understanding of customer trends to close the needs to offer gap in a highly dynamic sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A single case study approach is adopted in light of the limited research in this area. Data collection involved a multi‐stage and multi‐methods approach over a six month period to increase the validity of findings and the triangulation of data.
Findings
The findings of this paper highlight, first, the need for formal CRM intervention; and, second, the issues involved in the implementation of a loyalty program.
Originality/value
In the absence of specific knowledge in this area, a framework is developed to advance both theoretical and practical understanding of how SME fashion retailers can build and manage close customer relationships in the new economy.
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Karise Hutchinson, Lisa Victoria Donnell, Audrey Gilmore and Andrea Reid
The purpose of this paper is to understand how small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) retailers adopt and implement a loyalty card programme as a marketing management…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) retailers adopt and implement a loyalty card programme as a marketing management decision-making tool.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative and longitudinal case study research design is adopted. Data were collected from multiple sources, incorporating semi-structured interviews and analysis of company documents and observation within a retail SME.
Findings
The findings presented focus on the loyalty card adoption process to reflect both the organisational issues and impact upon marketing management decision-making.
Research limitations/implications
This research is restricted to one region within the UK, investigating loyalty card adoption within a specific industry sector.
Practical implications
SME retailers operate in an industry environment whereby there is a competitive demand for loyalty card programmes. SME retailers need to carefully consider how to match the firm’s characteristics with customer relationship management (CRM) operational requirements as highlighted in this case.
Originality/value
The evidence presented extends current knowledge of retail loyalty card programmes beyond the context of large organisations to encompass SMEs. The study also illustrates the value of a structured, formal CRM system to help SME retailers compete in a complex, competitive and omni-channel marketplace, adding new insights into the retail literature.