Stefano Amato, Valentina Pieroni, Nicola Lattanzi and Giampaolo Vitali
A burgeoning body of evidence points out the importance of spatial proximity in influencing firm efficiency besides internal characteristics. Nevertheless, the family status of…
Abstract
Purpose
A burgeoning body of evidence points out the importance of spatial proximity in influencing firm efficiency besides internal characteristics. Nevertheless, the family status of the firm has been traditionally overlooked in that debate. Therefore, this study aims to investigate productivity spillovers stemming from the geographical closeness to innovators and family firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Using secondary data on Italian technology-intensive manufacturing firms, the paper exploits spatial econometric models to estimate productivity spillovers across firms.
Findings
As regards the presence of spatial dependence, this study reveals that a firm's level of efficiency and productivity is influenced by that of nearby firms. Specifically, three main results emerge. First, spatial proximity to innovators is beneficial for the productivity of neighbouring firms. Second, closeness to family firms is a source of negative externalities for spatially proximate firms. However, and this is the third result, the adverse effect vanishes when the nearby family firms are also innovators.
Research limitations/implications
As the study relies on cross-sectional data, future research should explore productivity spillovers in a longitudinal setting. Additionally, the channels through which productivity spillovers occur should be measured.
Practical implications
The study highlights the importance of co-location for public policy initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of firms and, indirectly, that of localities and regions. Moreover, the findings show the crucial role of innovation in mitigating the productivity gap between family and non-family firms.
Social implications
Notwithstanding the advent of the digital era, spatial proximity and localized social relationships are still a relevant factor affecting firms' performance.
Originality/value
By exploring the role of family firms in influencing the advantages of geographical proximity, this study contributes to the growing efforts to explore family enterprises across spatial settings.
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Stefano Amato, Laura Broccardo and Andrea Tenucci
This study investigates the association between family firm status and the maturity level of management control systems (MCSs) by considering the moderating effect of process…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the association between family firm status and the maturity level of management control systems (MCSs) by considering the moderating effect of process digitalization.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted an empirical analysis on a sample of 106 Italian firms, utilizing both ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression in this study.
Findings
By resorting to the MCS maturity model proposed by Marx et al. (2012), the empirical findings reveal that family firms do not differ from their nonfamily counterparts regarding MCS maturity. Furthermore, the degree of process digitalization is positively associated with the probability of adopting IT-related technologies in MCSs. Digitalization negatively moderates the relationship between family firm status and MCS maturity, resulting in family firms exhibiting a lower MCS maturity level than their nonfamily counterparts.
Research limitations/implications
Despite similar efforts in the digitalization process, family firms lag behind in the adoption of IT-enabled MCSs, which suggests that reduced agency issues in family firms constrain the MCS maturity level.
Practical implications
This study can assist practitioners in implementing a more mature MCS by considering the interplay between internal digitalization processes and family status of the firm, thereby enhancing the decision-making process.
Originality/value
This study adds novelty to an underexplored area at the intersection of MCSs, family firms and digitalization.
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Stefano Amato, Rodrigo Basco, Silvia Gómez Ansón and Nicola Lattanzi
This study investigates the relationship between family-managed firms and firm employment growth by considering the effects of location and economic crisis as moderating variables.
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the relationship between family-managed firms and firm employment growth by considering the effects of location and economic crisis as moderating variables.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses random-effect models on a large panel dataset of Spanish manufacturing firms covering 2003 to 2015 to estimate the joint effects of municipality size and economic crisis on firm employment growth.
Findings
The analysis reveals a positive association between family-managed firms and employment growth. However, this association is not uniform across space and time. When it considers location, the study finds that municipality size positively affects employment growth in family-managed firms but not in non-family firms. Additionally, while the study reveals that both firm types experience negative employment growth during the early stage of the global economic crisis (2007–08), it also finds that family-managed firms located in small municipalities downsize less than their non-family counterparts.
Originality/value
This study provides new evidence on the resilience of family-managed firms during economic crises, particularly those located in geographically bounded settings, such as small municipalities. When an adverse event, such as an economic crisis, jeopardizes employment levels, the embedded and trust-based relationships, between a family firm and its community leads them to prioritize employees' claims. However, family-managed firms' commitment to preserve jobs in small municipalities cannot be maintained over the long term; this effect disappears if the economic crisis is protracted. This study sheds new light on family-managed firms' distinctive behavior toward with local communities.
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Giovanna Aracri, Antonietta Folino and Stefano Silvestri
The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for the enrichment and tailoring of a knowledge organization system (KOS), in order to support the information extraction…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for the enrichment and tailoring of a knowledge organization system (KOS), in order to support the information extraction (IE) task for the analysis of documents in the tourism domain. In particular, the KOS is used to develop a named entity recognition (NER) system.
Design/methodology/approach
A method to improve and customize an available thesaurus by leveraging documents related to the tourism in Italy is firstly presented. Then, the obtained thesaurus is used to create an annotated NER corpus, exploiting both distant supervision, deep learning and a light human supervision.
Findings
The study shows that a customized KOS can effectively support IE tasks when applied to documents belonging to the same domains and types used for its construction. Moreover, it is very useful to support and ease the annotation task using the proposed methodology, allowing to annotate a corpus with a fraction of the effort required for a manual annotation.
Originality/value
The paper explores an alternative use of a KOS, proposing an innovative NER corpus annotation methodology. Moreover, the KOS and the annotated NER data set will be made publicly available.
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Stefano Bresciani, Elisa Giacosa, Laura Broccardo and Francesca Culasso
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the differences in terms of economic and financial performance, between family firms (FFs) and non-family firms (NFFs) in the wine sector…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the differences in terms of economic and financial performance, between family firms (FFs) and non-family firms (NFFs) in the wine sector in Italy and France, where this sector is one of the most representative national economic activities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a sample of Italian and France companies operating in the wine sector. The sample, including medium and large firms, includes 288 FFs and 302 NFFs, for a total of 590 firms. Amadeus database represents the data source. According to Astrachan and Kolenko (1994), a firm is classified as a FF if family had to own over 50 per cent of the business in a private company or more than 10 per cent of a public company.
Findings
This study confirms that the family variable is relevant to achieve good economic and financial performance, and endow firms with different features. In terms of economic performance, FFs both in Italy and France outperform in. terms of return on equity and return on assets, though only Italian NFFs outperform in earnings before interest and taxes. In terms of financial performance, both in Italy and France NFFs outperform FFs in current ratio and liquidity ratio, while FFs outperform in solvency ratio.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of the study concern the method adopted, as it could be integrated with some econometrical models. The implications of the paper are relevant for families and regulatory bodies because it helps them to better understand the effects of governance on economic and financial performance. Moreover, the findings of the study can influence the decision-making process of investors in order to identify the long-term outperformers listed on a stock exchange.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on family businesses phenomenon on wine sector, which represents one of the most representative of the economy of several countries and in which family businesses are widespread.
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Silvia Solimene, Daniela Coluccia, Stefano Fontana, Carmela Gulluscio, Alessandro Bernardo and Garry D. Carnegie
This study aims to examine the extent and quality of biodiversity reporting within publicly traded companies in Italy during 2022, amidst growing calls worldwide for enhanced…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the extent and quality of biodiversity reporting within publicly traded companies in Italy during 2022, amidst growing calls worldwide for enhanced corporate environmental responsibility.
Design/methodology/approach
The study proposes a framework derived from existing biodiversity reporting literature and international guidelines on the topic. Using data from companies’ non-financial reports, the voluntary biodiversity disclosure index is quantified on disclosed information. Various quality reporting characteristics are also deepened. Sector-specific analysis is conducted across 11 industries.
Findings
Approximately 30% of companies in the sample release information on their biodiversity practices/initiatives regarding biodiversity and extinction loss risks. Quantitative analysis reveals a general commitment to disclosure yet falls short of optimal standards. Qualitative insights suggest a genuine intention towards reporting exists, with notable gaps in future orientation, double materiality and mitigation strategies. The quality analysis underscores that the reporting is mainly generalised, narrative and disaggregated concerning actions to restore habitats and ecosystems.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation of this study is the observation of annual reports during one reporting period. Future studies of longer duration would provide cross-period insights into corporate behaviour.
Practical implications
Policymakers should implement regulations and guidelines specifically tailored to biodiversity reporting, providing clear frameworks and standards for companies. Collaborative initiatives between governments, businesses and environmental organisations offer potential to develop best practices and facilitate knowledge-sharing in biodiversity reporting.
Social implications
Collaborative initiatives between governments, businesses and environmental organisations offer potential to develop best practices and facilitate knowledge sharing in biodiversity reporting.
Originality/value
The study contributes to future biodiversity disclosure research by introducing a comprehensive framework that fosters stakeholder trust and environmental accountability. It also sheds light on biodiversity stewardship among Italian companies, under EU directives.
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This paper aims to provide information about the structure of collaborative work among Argentinian economics. The study provides specific applied research of social network…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide information about the structure of collaborative work among Argentinian economics. The study provides specific applied research of social network analysis focus on this profession in this specific country.
Design/methodology/approach
The contribution opted for applying social network analysis tools to papers presented in a congress and published in its proceedings. The authors focus in detecting main actors, groups of co-authorship, professionals acting as bridges between groups and differences between genders.
Findings
The paper provides empirical insights about how co-authorship has evolved between Argentine economists. The authors find that structural properties of the network, main actors, both male and female, main universities or center that affiliates them, a gender gap that might be closing out.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focuses on the network for the period 1964-2014 without a more detailed dynamic. It also does not explain main topics worked by the authors.
Practical implications
The work provides knowledge about how groups are created in Economics in Argentina, how cooperation has evolved and what has been the role of women in this development. It also shows how different departments and entities collaborate with diverse success in the creation of new knowledge in Economics in Argentina.
Originality/value
The paper works with data from a source of information non-previously studied and contributes in explaining a particular type of collaborative work in a profession in Argentina.
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Maicom Sergio Brandao, Moacir Godinho Filho and Andrea Lago da Silva
This study aims to identify the main elements that describe the luxury supply chain. It discusses the relationship between them in a framework that organises and summarises the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the main elements that describe the luxury supply chain. It discusses the relationship between them in a framework that organises and summarises the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted that returned 288 papers, which were selected based on specific quality and theme criteria. Content analysis was used to investigate the alignment of critical success factors with the performance goals and configuration elements of luxury supply chains in the final sample of 66 papers.
Findings
The results provide a framework that clarifies the relationship between the configuration elements and supply chain performance goals and the critical success factors for three different levels of the luxury market. Depending on the level of luxury, performance goals and configuration elements assume a different importance and different characteristics. An understanding of these differences is relevant for defining strategies and managing luxury supply chains properly. The three different configurations also reveal new research avenues to be further investigated.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited in terms of its data source as the papers reviewed were collected from only three academic databases.
Practical implications
The findings of this work help incorporate knowledge about luxury supply chain management into a framework that can be easily used for defining strategies and organising the supply chain according to the different levels of luxury.
Originality/value
This study represents an important evolution in organising the current literature on luxury supply chain management into a framework that covers critical success factors, supply chain performance goals and configuration elements for three different levels of luxury, which in turn creates promising opportunities for future enquiry.
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Giordano Ruggeri, Chiara Mazzocchi and Stefano Corsi
Consumers' concerns about the environmental impacts of food production have been increasing over the last years, and several certification systems for environment-friendly food…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumers' concerns about the environmental impacts of food production have been increasing over the last years, and several certification systems for environment-friendly food products have been created. This research investigates wine consumers' preferences for a certification that guarantees the use of agricultural practices that better protect the biodiversity in the vineyard during the production of grapes.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a choice experiment, we investigate consumer preferences and willingness to pay for biodiversity-friendly wines on a sample of 334 wine consumers. The experiment was carried out by direct interviews at a wine-tasting event in an Italian winery located in the Franciacorta area, in northern Italy. A between-subject design and two different questionnaires were used, one presenting the Brut bottle and one the Satén bottle.
Findings
Estimates from a mixed logit model reveal that consumers are generally willing to pay a higher price for biodiversity-friendly wines, but they have stronger preferences for organic certification and quality indications. When consumers perceive a specific product as having high quality, i.e. Satèn, they might be less willing to pay for further environment-friendly certifications. Moreover, preferences depend on sociodemographic and attitudinal variables such as gender, wine consumption frequency, wine education and knowledge degree of the labels.
Originality/value
This paper broadens the knowledge about consumer preferences and willingness to pay for biodiversity-friendly wines, focusing on a specific market segment of Italian sparkling wines.