Salvador Bueno and M. Dolores Gallego
Top management support (TMS) is considered as a critical factor for the success of information systems (ISs) projects. The literature shows that TMS has a positive impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
Top management support (TMS) is considered as a critical factor for the success of information systems (ISs) projects. The literature shows that TMS has a positive impact on achieving success in ISs’ projects in different aspects. However, the enabling factors for TMS in complex ISs’ projects have barely been tested, something which this study aims to rectify.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has designed a research model based on structural equation modelling (SEM) with the intention of analysing the perception of IS end users regarding the effect on TMS of the following factors: technological complexity and training and organizational communication. The application of the study has focused on an enterprise resource planning–open source software (ERP-OSS) environment.
Findings
The findings show how end users have a perception that organizational communication and training have a positive relation with TMS. Based on these findings, the authors have suggested several practical considerations.
Research limitations/implications
There are two limitations to this study. First, this study is based on the perception of complex IS/IT users. It would be interesting to add the perception of top managers to provide more solid findings. The second limitation is that this study has not suggested any additional potential factors which could affect TMS.
Practical implications
First, this article provides a study of the key role of TMS when an organization needs to implement a complex IS/IT. Second, organizations must develop mechanisms for increasing training and communication relating to the new complex IS/IT projects. Finally, the complexity of an IS/IT project does not constitute an enabling factor incentivizing TMS and should therefore not be a determining factor in increasing TMS within an organization selecting an IS/IT.
Originality/value
This study contributes to advancing theory in the field of TMS in information systems projects.
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Salvador Bueno, Gonzalo Rodríguez-Baltanás and M. Dolores Gallego
This paper aims to explore the relationship between coworking spaces and productivity.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relationship between coworking spaces and productivity.
Design/methodology/approach
A research model was designed to carry out the analysis. Specifically, this model attempts to reveal the influence of social interactions and the coworking environment on productivity. Furthermore, three moderated variables were incorporated into the model: gender, age and level of education. A Web-based survey was conducted.
Findings
The findings confirm the positive influence of social interactions and coworking environment on productivity.
Research limitations/implications
There are two limitations. First, it is based on the perception of coworkers. It would be interesting to add the perception of coworking space managers to provide more solid findings. The second limitation is that it has not suggested any additional potential factors which could affect productivity.
Practical implications
Implications of this study are grouped into two categories. First, from an academic perspective, it contributes to the development of knowledge about the increasing use of coworking spaces. Second, from a managerial perspective, this paper highlights how environmental factors and the facilities of a workplace can help to achieve better conditions for productivity, in particular in coworking spaces.
Social implications
Furthermore, the use of social interactions in professional relationships can be understood as an alternative way to carry out new ways of doing business.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the enrichment of knowledge-concerning coworking spaces developed a pioneering study.
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M. Dolores Gallego, Salvador Bueno and David López-Jiménez
The purpose of this paper is to carry out empirical testing of the relationship between corporate image and corporate satisfaction among business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to carry out empirical testing of the relationship between corporate image and corporate satisfaction among business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce organizations who possess codes of conduct and study their effects on sales volume. The aim is to measure impacts of both corporate image as well as measure corporate satisfaction on online sales volume increases. In addition, the authors have added to the study the product-type dimension as a moderate variable.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural model is developed and empirically tested through survey data obtained from 127 Spanish companies adhering to a code of conduct.
Findings
The results indicate that adhering to a code of conduct has a positive impact on the increase in sales volumes. The paper identified the main reasons for adhering to a code of conduct, such as offering greater trust to potential consumers as well as improving the firm’s image, prestige and increasing quality and security.
Research limitations/implications
Further variables must be identified that would help to determine the impact on organizations adhering to codes of conduct.
Practical implications
This paper highlights how B2C e-commerce codes of conduct help managers achieve better conditions for competiveness. The findings show how adhering to a code of conduct has a positive impact on increased sales volumes. The results indicate that the reasons for adhering to a code of conduct are the following: it offers greater trust to potential consumers, as well as improves the firm’s image and prestige, and increases purchase quality and security.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the enrichment of knowledge concerning B2C e-commerce codes of conduct developed a pioneering study.
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Floreal H. Forni, Ada Freytes Frey and Germán Quaranta
Presents Frédéric Le Play ‐ French author who lived in the nineteenth century ‐ as a precursor of social economics. In the first place, characterizes this perspective, which is…
Abstract
Presents Frédéric Le Play ‐ French author who lived in the nineteenth century ‐ as a precursor of social economics. In the first place, characterizes this perspective, which is critical of the classical theory. Analyses some of its postulates and reviews some examples of authors and schools sharing this approach. Situates Le Play’s thought in the context of the philosophical traditions of his epoch. Describes the elements in his works which are typical of the social economics currents: the examination of the relationships between economic and social phenomena; the introduction of institutional elements in the economic analysis; the rejection of the market’s “invisible hand” as a mechanism able to generate wellbeing for the entire society; the influence of traditional values and customs in the economic behaviour; and the inductive logic of his methodology. Discusses the suitability of Le Play’s ideas for the present time.
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Alfonso Torres-Marín, José Ernesto Amorós, Marcelo Leporati and Sergio Roses
The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior entrepreneurial activity in Latin America.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute of five Latin America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico), providing a total of 15,019 observations of people that are 50+ years old, between the years 2013 and 2017. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to estimate the relation between the total entrepreneurial activity by opportunity of seniors and some EE indicators. A total of three equations were estimated on the data set described.
Findings
This research confirms the relevance of some elements of EE on senior entrepreneurship in Latin America. Entrepreneurial attitudes have a positive relationship with senior entrepreneurs, generating higher levels of entrepreneurial ventures. The combination of institutions that support these attitudes on the EE enhances senior entrepreneurial activity. It also demonstrates that a higher level of entrepreneurial education at postschool stages is relevant to increasing senior entrepreneurial activity.
Originality/value
This research makes some interesting contributions in the field of measuring the impact of EE on senior entrepreneurship by opportunity in developing countries, filling a literature gap. It allows us to glimpse some measures that policymakers could take to improve the entrepreneurial activity of this segment in the region, such as implementing programs that facilitate networking opportunities and mentorship, along with providing training in business and financial literacy.
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Marcelo Leporati, Alfonso Jesús Torres Marin and Sergio Roses
The purpose of this paper is to study the case of Chile and identify the internal factors that lead to senior (+55 years old) entrepreneurship, either by necessity or opportunity…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the case of Chile and identify the internal factors that lead to senior (+55 years old) entrepreneurship, either by necessity or opportunity, compared to that in other age groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on the adult population survey of the global entrepreneurship monitor between 2012 and 2016 and uses a logistic regression model that applies different variables to total early-stage entrepreneurial activity by necessity and opportunity.
Findings
Education, human and social capital development, gender and prior experience as an entrepreneur are internal factors that affect entrepreneurial activity with different weights and directions for people over 55 years old in Chile, either by necessity or opportunity. Further, certain factors exhibited by other age groups in the country explain entrepreneurship.
Research limitations/implications
This study does not consider external perspectives on how context influences entrepreneurial intentions.
Practical implications
This paper represents a first step to understanding the factors that governments should consider when designing policies to support entrepreneurial activity in the senior demographic sector, considering differences in motivation by necessity or opportunity. In addition, this study contributes to the development of knowledge regarding senior entrepreneurship in Chile and to the identification of best practices that could be used in other regions.
Originality/value
This report is the first to focus on the motivations of senior entrepreneurs in Chile by quantifying the effects of different factors.
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José M. Merigó, Anna M. Gil-Lafuente and Jaime Gil-Lafuente
This special issue of the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, entitled “Business, Industrial Marketing and Uncertainty”, presents selected extended studies that were…
Abstract
Purpose
This special issue of the Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, entitled “Business, Industrial Marketing and Uncertainty”, presents selected extended studies that were presented at the European Academy of Management and Business Economics Conference (AEDEM 2012).
Design/methodology/approach
The main focus of this year was reflected in the slogan: “Creating new opportunities in an uncertain environment”. The objective was to show the importance that uncertainty has in our current world, strongly affected by many complexities and modern developments, especially through the new technological advances.
Findings
One fundamental reason that explains the economic crisis is that the government and companies were not well prepared for these critical situations. And the main justification for this is that they did not have enough information. Otherwise, they would have tried any possible strategy to avoid the crisis. Usually, uncertainty is defined as the situation with unknown information in the environment.
Originality/value
From a theoretical perspective, the problem here is that enterprises and governments should assess the information and the uncertainty in a more appropriate way. Usually, they have some studies in this direction, but many times, it is not enough, as it was proved in the last economic crisis.
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Norita Ahmad, Noha Tarek Amer, Faten Qutaifan and Azza Alhilali
The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of technology adoption model UTAUT as an adoption model of IT governance frameworks, specifically Information Technology and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of technology adoption model UTAUT as an adoption model of IT governance frameworks, specifically Information Technology and Infrastructure Library (ITIL). The aim is to help the decision maker to better map ITIL processes with business performance, to make a better decision on what processes to implement, and how to implement them.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a literature review detailing critical success factors of ITIL implementation. The proposed model was then implemented by applying it to a case study of a company in the United Arab Emirates where the ITIL implementation project failed.
Findings
The proposed model gives ITIL the flexibility to work for a wide variety of industries and businesses, but it also introduces many challenges. One of the most apparent challenges is to map ITIL processes to the real world. As a result to analyzing the case study in light of the adoption model, a road map to successful implementation of ITIL is proposed.
Research limitations/implications
This research is targeted more toward practitioners such as the IT experts; therefore further studies need be conducted to understand the views of the business in respect to the challenges and benefits of the ITIL implementation.
Originality/value
The paper proposed an adoption model for ITIL based on UTAUT which is evidently absent from the current literature. The research findings lead us to a proposal of a roadmap for ITIL implementing.
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A. Pérez‐Foguet, S. Oliete‐Josa and A. Saz‐Carranza
To show the key points of a development education program for engineering studies fitted within the framework of the human development paradigm.
Abstract
Purpose
To show the key points of a development education program for engineering studies fitted within the framework of the human development paradigm.
Design/methodology/approach
The bases of the concept of technology for human development are presented, and the relationship with development education analysed. Special attention is dedicated to the role of case studies in engineering courses. After that, the development education program pushed by the Civil Engineering School of Barcelona and Engineering without Borders is explained, focusing on two major contributions: two optional courses about international aid and development and nine classroom case studies about different technologies used in real co‐operation projects.
Findings
This work provides a conceptual basis for incorporating development education into engineering studies, a general overview of different activities promoted in Spanish technical universities and practical information about optional courses and classroom case studies.
Research limitations/implications
The proposal is based on the experience in Spanish engineering curricula (mostly in five‐year degrees). Some of the topics covered by the courses and the case studies can be better adapted at postgraduate level in three‐ or four‐year degrees.
Practical implications
It is shown that development education can be incorporated into engineering studies through different specific non‐expensive activities.
Originality/value
This work presents and puts in context the development education activities pushed coordinately between a non‐governmental organization and an engineering school. Thus, it can be of major interest for both teachers and workers of the international development field.
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This paper aims to examine the creation of the first commercial school in early independent Argentina in 1826 – the Academy of Accountancy of Buenos Aires (AABA) – at the request…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the creation of the first commercial school in early independent Argentina in 1826 – the Academy of Accountancy of Buenos Aires (AABA) – at the request of the Argentine Government, which entrusted its direction to French expatriate Amédée Brodart, who was considered an expert in commercial education.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a microhistory approach based on individual biography and archival research. First, it investigated published biographies of contemporary political figures Brodart had been in contact with. Then, the Argentine archives of the Ministry of Finance and the Arturo Jauretche Museum of the Bank of the Province of Buenos Aires provided information on Brodart’s life during his expatriation to Latin America. Finally, the French Archives of the Paris National Library and ESCP Business School in Paris provided information on Brodart’s life before his departure for Argentina and after his final return to France. These primary sources include extracts from Brodart’s correspondence, financial ledgers, study plans and a few rare iconographic documents.
Findings
AABA was connected to a nationalist agenda: to develop Argentinian trade to overcome national underdevelopment and to counter political agitation in the country. However, the lack of local expertise in commercial education, as well as Argentine authorities’ desire to avoid depending on foreign powers, led them to call on a French expatriate rather than on a network of organizations to open this school.
Research limitations/implications
This paper contributes to the literature on the history of commercial education in Latin America and to the literature on the international transfer of commercial education models. This paper is also among the first to consider the origin story of Argentina’s relationship with commercial education.
Practical implications
This research offers new reflexive perspectives on the emergence of commercial education in Latin America by highlighting the agentivity of local actors.
Originality/value
Through a lens of dependency ambiguity, this paper repositions narratives of the development of commercial education in Latin America away from a Western-centric explanation, highlighting the role of local contextual actors. In doing so, it offers an alternative history of commercial education focused on Latin America.