Doménica Heras Tigre, Katherine Coronel-Pangol, Juan Carlos Aguirre Quezada, Karina Durán Andrade and Pedro Fabián Mora Pacheco
The purpose of this study is to identify the key factors that drive social entrepreneurship (SE) among Ecuadorian social entrepreneurs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify the key factors that drive social entrepreneurship (SE) among Ecuadorian social entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was developed following a qualitative and exploratory research design based on the identification of social entrepreneurs through the nonprobabilistic sequential sampling technique, giving a total of fifteen social entrepreneurs who were given a structured interview that was later analyzed in the ATLAS.TI software for the identification, analysis and categorization of drivers.
Findings
The results will identify eight drivers for SE, including social exclusion, public support, sources of employment, economic income, family support, environmental awareness and fair trade, as standards and values. Overall, the findings help to improve the understanding of the factors that determine the creation and development of social enterprises in the country.
Research limitations/implications
Deepen and increase the literature on SE in Latin America. Contribute to reducing the knowledge gap on the topic.
Originality/value
Taken together, the results provide empirical evidence and help to better understand the factors that determine the creation and development of social enterprises in the country.
Propósito
Identificar los factores clave que impulsan el emprendimiento social en emprendedores sociales ecuatorianos.
Metodología
El estudio se desarrolló siguiendo un diseño de investigación cualitativo y exploratorio basado en la identificación de emprendedores sociales a través de la técnica de muestreo secuencial no probabilístico, obteniendo un total de quince emprendedores sociales a quienes se les realizó una entrevista estructurada que posteriormente fue analizada en el software ATLAS.TI para la identificación, análisis y categorización de impulsores.
Resultados
Los resultados identificarán ocho impulsores del empresariado social, entre los que se encuentran la exclusión social, el apoyo público, las fuentes de empleo, los ingresos económicos, el apoyo familiar, la conciencia medioambiental y el comercio justo, como normas y valores. En general, los resultados ayudan a mejorar la comprensión de los factores que determinan la creación y el desarrollo de empresas sociales en el país.
Originalidad
En conjunto, los resultados aportan evidencia empírica y ayudan a comprender mejor los factores que determinan la creación y desarrollo de empresas sociales en el país.
Implicaciones de la investigación
Profundizar e incrementar la literatura sobre Emprendimiento Social en América Latina. Contribuir a reducir la brecha de conocimiento sobre el tema.
Objetivo
Identificar os principais fatores que impulsionam o empreendedorismo social nos empreendedores sociais equatorianos.
Metodologia
O estudo foi desenvolvido de acordo com um projeto de pesquisa qualitativo e exploratório baseado na identificação de empreendedores sociais por meio da técnica de amostragem sequencial não probabilística, totalizando quinze empreendedores sociais que foram submetidos a uma entrevista estruturada, posteriormente analisada no software ATLAS.TI para identificação, análise e categorização dos fatores determinantes.
Conclusões
Os resultados identificarão oito motivadores do empreendedorismo social, incluindo exclusão social, apoio público, fontes de emprego, renda econômica, apoio familiar, consciência ambiental e comércio justo, como padrões e valores. Em geral, os resultados ajudam a melhorar a compreensão dos fatores que determinam a criação e o desenvolvimento de empresas sociais no país.
Originalidade
Em conjunto, os resultados fornecem evidências empíricas e ajudam a entender melhor os fatores que determinam a criação e o desenvolvimento de empresas sociais no país.
Implicações para a pesquisa
Aprofundar e aumentar a literatura sobre empreendedorismo social na América Latina. Contribuir para reduzir a lacuna de conhecimento sobre o tema.
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Juan Carlos Aguirre, Marco Leonardo Peralta Zuñiga, Pedro Mora and Francisco Blanco
This article is based on the assumption that entrepreneurship improves quality of life (HDI). Its main objective is to establish causal relationships between entrepreneurship…
Abstract
Purpose
This article is based on the assumption that entrepreneurship improves quality of life (HDI). Its main objective is to establish causal relationships between entrepreneurship variables such as credits, innovation (R&D), business growth, foreign direct investment and the Global Competitiveness Index and how these have influenced a country's development.
Design/methodology/approach
To analyse and validate this assumption, relevant information has been extracted about Ecuador (the subject of the study) for the 1998–2017 period. The information has received the respective econometric treatment, through a multivariate estimation by the autoregressive vector (ARV) method that made it possible to establish impulse-response functions.
Results
The results indicate that there is a significant and positive statistical impact between the variables related to entrepreneurship and quality of life (HDI), with the exception of “Innovation”, which is not representative in the model, demonstrating that the investment made at country level in R&D is not sufficient to have an impact on the HDI. It was also determined that promoting entrepreneurship would be useful as this would alter the trend of the variables, making them conducive to increasing the HDI.
Originality/value
This article is one of the few to address this issue. It includes the self-regressive vector model as a key methodology used to evaluate and establish public policies. RVM has provided positive results in the field of economics and can be adopted in the area of entrepreneurship.
Propósito
El presente artículo se basa en el supuesto de que el emprendimiento mejora la calidad de vida de los individuos (IDH), siendo el objetivo principal establecer relaciones causales entre variables de emprendimiento como: Créditos, Innovación (I + D), Crecimiento Empresarial, Inversión Extranjera Directa e Índice de Competitividad Global; y, como estas han influido en el desarrollo de un país.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Para el análisis y validación del supuesto mencionado anteriormente, se ha extraído información relevante sobre el Ecuador (sujeto de estudio) para el período comprendido entre 1998 y 2017, a los cuales se les ha dado el respectivo tratamiento econométrico, a través de una estimación multivariante por el método de Vectores Autorregresivos (VAR) que permitió establecer funciones de impulso – respuesta.
Resultados
Los resultados señalan que existe una significativa incidencia estadística entre las variables relacionadas con el emprendimiento y la calidad de vida (IDH) de manera positiva, a excepción de la “Innovación” que no tiene representatividad en el modelo, demostrando que la inversión realizada a nivel país en I + D es insuficiente para impactar el IDH. También se determinó la conveniencia de impulsar el emprendimiento, pues esto cambia la tendencia de las variables haciéndolas favorables para el crecimiento del IDH.
Originalidad/valor
Este artículo es uno de los pocos en abordar esta problemática, además incluye el Modelo de Vectores Autorregresivos como una metodología clave para evaluar y establecer políticas públicas, que ha brindado resultados positivos en el campo de la Economía y que puede adoptarse en la rama del Emprendimiento.
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Mahendra Sahu, Vinay Singh and Sachin Kumar
The study aims to explore the dimensions of Quality 4.0 adoption, prioritization of these dimensions and the influential dimensions and their causal relationships that can guide…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the dimensions of Quality 4.0 adoption, prioritization of these dimensions and the influential dimensions and their causal relationships that can guide the smooth adoption of Quality 4.0 to boost organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The Quality 4.0 dimensions are explored from the extant literature. The qualitative data were captured from 12 highly experienced experts from diverse industries and academia through structured interview questions and group discussions in multiple phases. The inputs obtained from the experts were analyzed using Fuzzy-Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution for dimension priority, and Fuzzy-Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory was employed to reveal the influential relationship between them.
Findings
The analysis reveals that quality scalability, quality culture and quality conformance are investigated as primary drivers of Quality 4.0 adoption. Data-driven analytical thinking and customer centricity emerge as dynamic dimensions that act as quality deliverable ends. Integrating these methodologies provides a robust framework for understanding and managing Quality 4.0 complexities, offering actionable insights for prioritizing initiatives and addressing interdependencies to ensure successful adoption and implementation.
Practical implications
The practical implications guide industries in creating strategic action plans tailored to their needs and fostering a quality-focused culture. The study also offers valuable insights into government policies, promoting sustainability, efficiency and a circular economy.
Originality/value
The study’s novelty lies in its prioritization and examination of the most influential causes and effects within the Quality 4.0 dimensions. This approach highlights core drivers and critical factors, providing a comprehensive framework for successful implementation.
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Eric Alfredo Rincón-García, Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez-Andrade, Sergio Gerardo de-los-Cobos-Silva, Roman Anselmo Mora-Gutiérrez, Antonin Ponsich and Pedro Lara-Velázquez
This paper aims to propose comparing the performance of three algorithms based on different population-based heuristics, particle swarm optimization (PSO), artificial bee colony…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose comparing the performance of three algorithms based on different population-based heuristics, particle swarm optimization (PSO), artificial bee colony (ABC) and method of musical composition (DMMC), for the districting problem.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to compare the performance of the proposed algorithms, they were tested on eight instances drawn from the Mexican electoral institute database, and their respective performance levels were compared. In addition, a simulated annealing-based (simulated annealing – SA) algorithm was used as reference to evaluate the proposed algorithms. This technique was included in this work because it has been used for Federal districting in Mexico since 1994. The performance of the algorithms was evaluated in terms of the quality of the approximated Pareto front and efficiency. Regarding solution quality, convergence and dispersion of the resulting non-dominated solutions were evaluated.
Findings
The results show that the quality and diversification of non-dominated solutions generated by population-based algorithms are better than those produced by Federal Electoral Institute’s (IFE’s) SA-based technique. More accurately, among population-based techniques, discrete adaptation of ABC and MMC outperform PSO.
Originality/value
The performance of three population-based techniques was evaluated for the districting problem. In this paper, the authors used the objective function proposed by the Mexican IFE, a weight aggregation function that seeks for a districting plan that represents the best balance between population equality and compactness. However, the weighting factors can be modified by political agreements; thus, the authors decided to produce a set of efficient solutions, using different weighting factors for the computational experiments. This way, the best algorithm will produce high quality solutions no matter the weighting factors used for a real districting process. The computational experiments proved that the proposed artificial bee colony and method of musical composition-based algorithms produce better quality efficient solutions than its counterparts. These results show that population-based algorithms can outperform traditional local search strategies. Besides, as far as we know, this is the first time that the method of musical composition is used for this kind of problems.
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Arturo Calvo-Mora, Eugénia de Matos Pedro and Eva Suárez
Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this…
Abstract
Purpose
Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and practices are changing the way quality is managed in organizations, giving rise to the movement known as “Quality 4.0” (Q4.0). In this context, this study aims to analyze the barriers organizations face when trying to implement Q4.0 and to examine whether there are significant differences according to size, sector, level of excellence and degree of readiness for Q4.0 implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample comprises 107 Spanish organizations with some form of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence recognition system. The methodology includes multivariate techniques (factor analysis and mean difference analysis).
Findings
The study has managed to summarize the ten main barriers to the implementation of Q4.0 identified in the literature in three groups: organizational (five barriers), knowledge (two barriers) and technological (three barriers). The main barriers are the high investment in technology required to implement Q4.0 and the need for more training and competence of workers. In addition, SMEs encounter more significant technological barriers when implementing Q4.0 than large companies. However, organizational and knowledge barriers are the same. Organizations in the service sector come across more organizational and knowledge barriers to implementing Q4.0 than industrial organizations; no differences were identified for technological barriers. The higher the EFQM seal of excellence achieved, the lower the knowledge barriers faced, with no differences in organizational and technological barriers. Finally, it is observed that the more prepared organizations are to implement Q4.0, the lower the barriers they face.
Research limitations/implications
The study helps managers identify the barriers they may encounter when implementing Q4.0, which helps design short- and long-term plans to mitigate or break down these barriers.
Originality/value
The study provides empirical evidence on an organization’s barriers to implementing Q4.0. On the other hand, the barriers are related to some of the relevant characteristics that define the organizations, such as their size, the sector of activity, their level of excellence and their degree of preparation for implementing Q4.0.
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Ricardo Godinho Bilro, Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro and Pedro Souto
The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of current research on customer behavior in the business-to-business (B2B) context and propose a research agenda for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer a comprehensive overview of current research on customer behavior in the business-to-business (B2B) context and propose a research agenda for future studies. Despite being a relatively recent area of interest for academics and practitioners, a literature review that synthesizes existing knowledge into coherent topics and outlines a research agenda for future research is still lacking.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a systematic literature review of 219 papers and using a text-mining approach based on the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm, this paper enhances the existing knowledge of B2B customer behavior and provides a descriptive analysis of the literature.
Findings
From this review, ten major research topics are found and analyzed. These topics were analyzed through the lens of the Theory, Context, Characteristics and Method framework, providing a summary of key findings from prior studies. Additionally, an integrative framework was developed, offering insights into future research directions.
Originality/value
This study presents a novel contribution to the field of B2B by providing a systematic review of the topic of customer behavior, filling a gap in the literature and offering a valuable resource for scholars and managers seeking to advance the field.
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Eugénia de Matos Pedro, João Leitão and Helena Alves
This study aims to identify stakeholders’ perceptions of the effects associated with different components of intellectual capital (IC) on the sustainable development (SD…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify stakeholders’ perceptions of the effects associated with different components of intellectual capital (IC) on the sustainable development (SD) practices of higher education institutions (HEIs).
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical approach uses a structural equation model to provide new empirical findings in relation to 738 students and 587 lecturers/researchers at seven Portuguese state HEIs through quantitative research.
Findings
The results obtained are, firstly, important contributions to the literature on the IC and SD practices of HEIs, as a relationship between these two constructs is confirmed, especially through relational capital (RC) and structural capital (SC). Secondly, the stakeholders considered show different perceptions of the influence of the components of HEIs’ IC on these institutions’ SD practices, and thirdly, perception of the economic dimension is most influenced.
Practical implications
The empirical findings indicate the need to provide better information about HEIs’ policies and practices of SD and how the latter contribute to the SD of the institution and its region of influence.
Originality/value
No previous studies investigate students and teachers/researchers’ perceptions of the social, environmental, economic and organizational dimensions of SD in HEIs and at the same time how those perceptions can be influenced by the components of IC (e.g. human capital, SC, RC) in that institution.
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Laura Zapata-Cantu, Jose Humberto Cantu Delgado and Fernando R. Gonzalez
The purpose of this paper is to identify those resources and capabilities that enable national award-winning organizations to generate value to their stakeholders and provide…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify those resources and capabilities that enable national award-winning organizations to generate value to their stakeholders and provide evidence to institutions holding business excellence model (BEM)-based programs of how dynamic capabilities theory can enhance excellence models.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative research based on systematic review and content analysis.
Findings
Empirical evidence supports that BEMs should consider the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities perspective as a basis for their continuous improvement. These theoretical perspectives consider resources and capabilities for the successful execution of the strategic plan and for a faster response to environmental changes through dynamic capabilities.
Research limitations/implications
The study is based on a systematic review and content analysis of evidence submitted by three national quality awards from Europe, Singapore and Mexico. This research should be extended to other national quality award companies, and their customers’ and suppliers’ insights should be considered.
Practical implications
Regardless of corporate sector, organizations must recognize that visionary leadership is vital to their management models; a strategic plan and competent staff to execute the model are also of great importance. In addition, institutions holding BEM-based programs should evaluate incorporating dimensions related to dynamic capabilities and emphasize those strongly related to national culture.
Originality/value
Few studies in the BEMs literature have conducted resources and capabilities analysis from a multi-country perspective.
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Angel Meseguer-Martinez, Simona Popa and Pedro Soto-Acosta
Research on Science parks (SPs) has attracted a growing interest in the last decades. This widespread innovation policy initiative pursues technology-based industrial and…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on Science parks (SPs) has attracted a growing interest in the last decades. This widespread innovation policy initiative pursues technology-based industrial and entrepreneurial growth through business development and technology transfer across new and mature firms. Despite the common agreement on SPs' potential benefits, literature have showed mixed results regarding the performance of SPs. To explain this findings, current research pointed out at the lack of a common guiding framework. To cover this knowledge gap, this manuscript proposes an integrative definition and research model together with a multidimensional measurement instrument suitable to encompass the diverse reality of this global phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a systematic literature review of 281 indexed journal articles published between 1990 and 2018, the paper provides an integrative framework of enabling factors of SPs' performance.
Findings
The results illustrate an integrative conceptual framework of SPs that allows further comparison and generalization of research. At the same time, this manuscript provides valuable insights for managers and entrepreneurs as it conveys a standardized view of SPs' internal context useful for benchmarking.
Originality/value
Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV), the paper conducts a thorough literature review to develop an integrative research model featuring three value streams: physical infrastructures, formal links and support services. In addition, a multidimensional measurement tool to operationalize these three dimensions is proposed.
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Angeles Montoro‐Sánchez, Marta Ortiz‐de‐Urbina‐Criado and Eva M. Mora‐Valentín
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of knowledge spillovers on innovation and collaboration among firms located in science and technology parks (STPs). To do so…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects of knowledge spillovers on innovation and collaboration among firms located in science and technology parks (STPs). To do so, whether knowledge spillovers imply a greater degree of innovation in its various forms – product, process, organisational and commercial – and greater inter‐organisational collaboration on research and development (R&D) is analysed. Explicitly, this article examines these effects by identifying and distinguishing between firms located on and off STPs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a quantitative approach. After reviewing the literature, the study tests the hypotheses empirically using a sample of 784 firms, and performing several logistic binomial regressions to analyse the impact of each type of knowledge spillover on each type of innovation and on the likelihood of firms establishing inter‐organisational collaborative R&D agreements.
Findings
The results show that knowledge spillovers have a positive impact on firm propensity to innovate and on the probability of firms engaging in inter‐organisational R&D collaboration. Furthermore, firm location within an STP is found to influence the intensity of the effect of spillovers on innovation and on R&D cooperation. Thus, the magnitude of the effects of spillovers differs according to the type of the spillover.
Originality/value
Given the special features of spillovers and the scarce evidence available analysing the relationship between spillovers, innovation and cooperation and the location on STPs, this work contributes significant empirical evidence to the existing literature.