Simon Bridge, Cecilia Hegarty and Sharon Porter
Entrepreneurship can refer to business start‐up, but now sometimes has wider connotations. This paper aims to explore what entrepreneurship means for the promoters of…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurship can refer to business start‐up, but now sometimes has wider connotations. This paper aims to explore what entrepreneurship means for the promoters of entrepreneurship education and what might be appropriate for the students who consume it.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper assesses the work of NICENT (The Northern Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship) in the University of Ulster in its approach to addressing the requirements of both its funders and its consumers.
Findings
Funders often want to pursue entrepreneurship as part of a business creation agenda but even the word “entrepreneurship” can be off‐putting to students. NICENT, therefore, asked not “How to teach entrepreneurship?” but “What do students need?” As a result NICENT broadened its approach from “enterprise for new venture creation” to “enterprise for life”. This, NICENT believed, was more appropriate to the needs of the majority of students and was a foundation on which “enterprise for new venture creation” could later be built.
Practical implications
NICENT funders had an economic development focus, and wanted to see new high‐growth businesses. However, to spread entrepreneurship education throughout the university, NICENT had to “sell” its services to university staff and, in turn, to their students: who want respectively to deliver and receive an enhancement to future life and work effectiveness.
Originality/value
This paper explores the different requirements of the various stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship education and considers the need to reconcile them.
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Paul Joyce, Adrian Woods and Sharon Black
INTRODUCTION Companies operating in international markets have been told that innovation lies at the heart of success and that they should establish early warning systems to help…
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Companies operating in international markets have been told that innovation lies at the heart of success and that they should establish early warning systems to help them see the signals of change (Porter, 1990). At the global level, technological developments and competitive conditions have been seen as ‘increasing pressure on firms to co‐operate along and between value‐added chains’ (Dunning, 1993). However, does this apply only to multinational enterprises competing in world markets? In the early 1990s many small firms in London were also under pressure; they were often in industries characterized by significant technical changes, to which managers had responded by introducing technical developments into their own firms. They had often been severely constrained in their attempts to achieve their business objectives by difficult competitive conditions, notably the poor growth of market demand and the increasing intensity of competition. Of course, businesses everywhere have always faced changes in their competitive environments and it is the responsibility of management to make appropriate responses to these changes. However, firms vary in their ability to identify and understand the competitive environment and in their ability to mobilize and manage the resources needed for a successful response (Pettigrew and Whipp, 1993).
Raymond Loi, Ngo Hang‐yue and Sharon Foley
This study examined the effect of professional identification on several job attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and career satisfaction), and explored…
Abstract
This study examined the effect of professional identification on several job attitudes (i.e., job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and career satisfaction), and explored the moderating roles of gender and organizational tenure on these relationships. Informed by social identity theory, gender role theory, and organizational socialization theory, several hypotheses were developed and tested with a data set consisting of 309 salaried lawyers collected in Hong Kong. Regression analysis revealed that (1) professional identification had a significant positive effect on both job satisfaction and organizational commitment, (2) gender moderated the relationship between professional identification—job satisfaction and professional identification—organizational commitment, and (3) organizational tenure moderated the relationship between professional identification and job satisfaction as well as the relationship between professional identification and career satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Birgitte Enslev Jensen, Pauline Anne Found, Sharon J. Williams and Paul Walley
Ward rounds in hospitals are crucial for decision-making in the context of patient treatment processes. However, these tasks are not systematically managed and are often extended…
Abstract
Purpose
Ward rounds in hospitals are crucial for decision-making in the context of patient treatment processes. However, these tasks are not systematically managed and are often extended due to missing information or equipment or staff unavailability. This research aims to assess whether ward rounds can be structured more efficiently and effectively from the perspective of patients and staff.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed-method approach examines the ward rounds conducted in three units within a haematology department of a major Danish hospital. Baseline measures were collected to capture the value of the ward round described by patients and staff. The information on patient and equipment flows associated with a typical ward round was mapped with recommendations for improvement.
Findings
Staff aspired to deliver a good-quality ward round, but what this meant was never articulated and there were no established standards. The duration of the ward round was unpredictable and could take 6 hours to complete. Improvements identified by the team allow the ward rounds to be completed by mid-day with much more certainty.
Research limitations/implications
This research provides an insight as to how ward rounds are conducted within a Danish haematology department.
Practical implications
The research has implications for those involved in ward rounds to reduce the time taken whilst maintaining quality and safety of patient care.
Social implications
This research has implications for patients and their families who wish to spend time with consultants.
Originality/value
Previous research has focused on the interactions between doctors and nurses. This research focuses on the operational process of the ward round and presents a structured approach to support multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on value from the patient’s perspective.
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Kerry Swinehart, Thomas W. Zimmerer and Sharon Oswald
Industrial organizations have employed the process of strategicmanagement in their attempts to cope effectively with global competitivepressures, while attempting to build and…
Abstract
Industrial organizations have employed the process of strategic management in their attempts to cope effectively with global competitive pressures, while attempting to build and maintain competitive advantage. With health‐care organizations presently trying to cope with an increasingly turbulent environment created by the uncertainty as to pending legislation and anticipated reform, the need for such organizational strategic planning is apparent. Presents and discusses a methodology for adapting a business‐oriented model of strategic planning to health care.
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Challenging the suitability of “Porter's five forces” as a guide to strategy and entrepreneurship in China and in the global age at large, this paper aims to present a new “five…
Abstract
Purpose
Challenging the suitability of “Porter's five forces” as a guide to strategy and entrepreneurship in China and in the global age at large, this paper aims to present a new “five forces” model based on Sun Tzu's timeless strategic wisdom, with entrepreneurship and “collaborative innovation” right at its heart.
Design/methodology/approach
The arguments and the new model are developed, drawing on results from a survey among entrepreneurs and executives operating in China, the direct experience of top entrepreneurs, authoritative information from publishers like the Financial Times and Business Week, the consensus at the 2008 Annual Conference of the World Economic Forum, and Sun Tzu's timeless strategic insights.
Findings
The survey among entrepreneurs and executives operating in China shows that “Porter's five forces” has had little impact on business practice in China. One author, a serial entrepreneur, has considered ren shi qian or three Ps (people, project and penny) as the strategic forces driving his ventures in China. Going beyond the narrow, extremely competitive focus of Porter's model, the new “five forces” model, consisting of business purpose, business location, business climate, business organisation and business leader, is shown to determine business success. And, as the central strategic force, business leaders have to embrace entrepreneurship and “collaborative innovation” with their hearts to navigate any challenging economic waters.
Originality/value
Freeing business practitioners and teachers/students from the dogma of “Porter's five forces” established 30 years ago, this paper will help them identify what really determines business success in the new age.
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Lynn McAlpine, Gill Turner, Sharon Saunders and Natacha Wilson
This paper aims to examine the experience of gaining research independence by becoming a principal investigator (PI) – an aspiration for many post-PhD researchers about whom…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the experience of gaining research independence by becoming a principal investigator (PI) – an aspiration for many post-PhD researchers about whom little is known. It provides insight into this experience by using a qualitative narrative approach to document how 60 PIs from a range of disciplines in one European and two UK universities experienced working towards and achieving this significant goal.
Design/methodology/approach
Within the context of a semi-structured interview, individuals drew and elaborated a map representing the emotional high and low experiences of the journey from PhD graduation to first PI grant, and completed a biographic questionnaire.
Findings
Regardless of the length of the journey from PhD graduation to first PI grant, more than a third noted the role that luck played in getting the grant. Luck was also perceived to have an influence in other aspects of academic work. This influence made it even more important for these individuals to sustain a belief in themselves and be agentive and persistent in managing the challenges of the journey.
Originality/value
The study, unusual in its cross-national perspective, and its mixed mode data collection, offers a nuanced perspective on the interaction between agency and an environment where the “randomness factor” plays a role in success. The function of luck as a support for sustained agency and resilience is explored.
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Armand Gilinsky Jr, Sharon Lee Forbes and Rosana Fuentes-Fernández
The purpose of this paper is to investigate philanthropic practices in the US wine industry, as prior research on charitable giving by wine industry participants is limited…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate philanthropic practices in the US wine industry, as prior research on charitable giving by wine industry participants is limited. Earlier studies on corporate philanthropy are inconclusive about the direction and the degree of community philanthropy on organizational effectiveness. There are also notable research gaps, including the lack of research into philanthropy in small businesses and the dominance of US studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviews the literature on corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, presents a series of propositions and a theoretical model, sets forth a research schema to investigate to what extent philanthropic activities are motivated by altruistic as well as strategic considerations across the global wine industry and reports preliminary findings from a sample of 100 US wine producers.
Findings
In brief, 99 per cent of the wine businesses surveyed significantly engaged in altruistic behavior in their local communities, primarily helped local charities, donated at the median 150 cases each year, and those activities represented about 1 per cent of pre-tax profits, comparable to or above giving by other participants in other industries.
Research limitations/implications
As survey data were self-reported, empirical proof has yet to be obtained to support or refute the findings of this investigation. Comparisons to philanthropic practices in other wine regions of the world are not yet completed.
Practical implications
Wine producers pursue community stewardship and maintain good corporate citizenship to create direct benefits apart from economic growth or jobs, but future research is needed to ascertain whether motivations are primarily altruistic or strategic.
Social implications
Communities embrace the presence of wine businesses to foster job creation and economic activity, but remain uncertain about the other community benefits.
Originality/value
This exploratory paper fills a major gap in understanding with respect to examining motives for giving and expected outcomes by wine industry participants.
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Underrepresented groups have fought for equal access to higher education, which spurred the development of “minority” initiatives. However, the assault on affirmative action and…
Abstract
Purpose
Underrepresented groups have fought for equal access to higher education, which spurred the development of “minority” initiatives. However, the assault on affirmative action and race-based initiatives have led many universities to retreat toward more all-encompassing “diversity” initiatives.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the author examines two historically white public research universities. The data include 70 participants with voices of faculty, key administrators, students and recent alumni (within the past three-five years).
Findings
Analyzed through a pattern matching technique, the findings from this study suggest important financial benefits for the “multicultural” engineering program and a sense of communal support for both the “multicultural” and “minority” engineering program.
Originality/value
Given the international attention of raced-based initiatives, this study provides forward-looking insights based on the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders.