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Generational persona and entrepreneurial behavior among millennial entrepreneurs: the mediating role of adaptability tendencies
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between generational persona, adaptability tendencies and entrepreneurial behavior. The paper also aims at testing the mediating role of adaptability tendencies in the relationship between generational persona and entrepreneurial behavior among millennial entrepreneurs in an African setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a quantitative methodological approach with a cross-sectional, questionnaire survey and correlational design where hypotheses were statistically tested using Structural Equation Modelling based on survey data ( n = 382) from millennial entrepreneurs in Kampala Uganda.
Findings
Drawing on the sample of 382 millennial entrepreneurs in Kampala, findings show that both generational persona and adaptability tendencies are positively and significantly associated with entrepreneurial behavior. Results further indicate that adaptability tendencies partially mediates the relationship between generational persona and entrepreneurial behavior among millennial entrepreneurs.
Research limitations/implications
This study focused only on millennial entrepreneurs in Kampala Uganda ignoring other equally important groups of entrepreneurs like the baby boomers, generation Xers, generation Y and others. As such, the findings of this research do not entirely apply to all entrepreneurs in the country and this may have affected the generalizability of the results. Therefore, future studies can be done on the entrepreneurial behavior focusing on all entrepreneurs from all generations. Also, the study used a quantitative approach, future studies should consider a mixed methodology, which may give a more holistic understanding of entrepreneurial behavior.
Practical implications
In practice, millennial entrepreneurs may use the results of the study to see how they can improve their performance for their businesses to benefit. Specifically, they ought to focus on adaptability, and generational persona to exhibit those entrepreneurial behaviors which will generally lead to the improvement of their businesses.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, this study provides a shred of initial empirical evidence on the relationship between generational persona, adaptability tendencies and entrepreneurial behavior using evidence from a low developed African country Uganda. Mostly, this study provides initial evidence of the mediating role of adaptability tendencies in the relationship between generational persona and entrepreneurial behavior. This study incorporates the Generational Cohort Theory and the Complex Adaptive Systems Theory into an applied theoretical framework that explains entrepreneurial behavior. More still, this study answers the call for more empirical studies on entrepreneurial behavior.
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This study aimed to explore the experiences, perceptions, knowledge, concerns, and intentions of Generation Z (Gen Z) students with Generation X (Gen X) and Generation Y (Gen Y) teachers regarding the use of generative AI (GenAI) in higher education. A sample of students and teachers were recruited to investigate the above using a survey consisting of both open and closed questions. The findings showed that Gen Z participants were generally optimistic about the potential benefits of GenAI, including enhanced productivity, efficiency, and personalized learning, and expressed intentions to use GenAI for various educational purposes. Gen X and Gen Y teachers acknowledged the potential benefits of GenAI but expressed heightened concerns about overreliance, ethical and pedagogical implications, emphasizing the need for proper guidelines and policies to ensure responsible use of the technology. The study highlighted the importance of combining technology with traditional teaching methods to provide a more effective learning experience. Implications of the findings include the need to develop evidence-based guidelines and policies for GenAI integration, foster critical thinking and digital literacy skills among students, and promote responsible use of GenAI technologies in higher education.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide the theoretical insights with regard to the green purchasing intention–behavior gap and the role played by social media influences in abating this gap. This paper takes into consideration a wider aspect with regard to the antecedents of behavioral intention through personal and social identities in place of the antecedents presented in the theory of planned behavior and social-identity theory. Furthermore, as the theories lack an explanation of how to reduce the intention–behavior gap, this paper also argues the source credibility model (SCM) in explaining the impact that social media influences can have on the behavioral gap.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypothetical deductive method is proposed for this concept paper under the positivism research paradigm.
Findings
Not applicable as this is a concept paper. However, the paper discusses the theoretical and managerial implications.
Research limitations/implications
This is a concept paper. Yes this paper discusses the theoretical, managerial, and social/ecological implications.
Practical implications
This paper highlights the relevance of consumers' personal and social identities when consumers make purchasing decisions regarding green products. How managers can make marketing strategies, based on credibility model, involving social media influences as product endorsers and ambassadors, as well as the policy makers to design products, earmark consumer behavior and to conduct marketing campaigns in time to come.
Social implications
As to how policies can be designed and adopted for bio-based economies where sustainability and circularity are given priority and to increase the attention of businesses moving toward sustainable practices.
Originality/value
Original thought developed based on research, theoretical and market gaps.
Purpose: This research aims to explore and understand the factors influencing entrepreneurial behavior among Albanian millennials. Theoretical framework: Situated within the context of Albanian millennials, the study examines the impact of various factors such as education, finance, social networks, mentorship, challenges, and barriers on entrepreneurial behavior. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study utilized a convenience sampling method and employed a structured questionnaire with four sections to collect data. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and other statistical techniques to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Findings: The study highlights that financial independence, passion, and autonomy drive Albanian millennials to initiate their own businesses. It establishes a positive influence of access to education and mentorship on entrepreneurial behavior. However, access to finance and social networks exhibited no significant impact in this context. Research, practical & social implications: The research outcomes hold implications for fostering entrepreneurial behavior among Albanian millennials. The findings underscore the importance of education and mentorship programs in nurturing entrepreneurship, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders. By understanding these factors, efforts can be directed towards creating an enabling environment for aspiring young entrepreneurs. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the specific factors influencing entrepreneurial behavior in the Albanian millennial population. It underscores the significance of education and mentorship as drivers of entrepreneurship and provides a nuanced perspective on the impact of finance and social networks, adding value to the field of entrepreneurial studies.
Purpose
The study aims to investigate organization interventions experienced by employees during the lockdown for Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and the effect of these organization interventions on hope.
Design/methodology/approach
The respondents for the study were employees in full-time white-collar or professional job positions; they performed their job roles by way of work from home (WFH) in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 lockdown. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Results showed that employees maintained high levels of hope while working from home. The study identified four organization interventions that (a) promote collaborative and coordinated work, (b) promote meaningful goals and a sense of social support, (c) alleviate psychological strain and (d) assist in maintaining physical health. These four organization interventions increased hope during the COVID-19 lockdown while working from home.
Originality/value
The literature calls for research on intervention studies explaining the promotion of hope. The present study was built on the theories of positive organizational behaviour, conservation of resources theory and hope theory. The findings support that these three traditional theories have lasting theoretical resonance in explaining present-day phenomena with unique applications.
Purpose
The study aimed at analyzing operations managers’ perception of the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in business processes and its impact on overall business process cost (BPC) and sustainable development (SD).
Design/methodology/approach
The present study adopts the triangulation approach which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. The data was collected using structured and scientifically tested questionnaires from the industrial managers working in the industries in the Mysore region of Karnataka. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and structural equation models were employed to analyze and interpret the data.
Findings
The findings revealed that the usage of EVs in Business Processes significantly impacts the BPC (b = 0.851, t = 8.037, p < 0.01) and it is also the usage of EVs in business processes can significantly impact SD (b = 0.889, t = 7.923, p < 0.01). Thus, the adoption of EVs in the business process offers many benefits to business organizations such as minimized operational costs, an eco-friendly business model, more tax incentives, less BPCs, a low-emission footprint and a contribution towards SD at large.
Practical implications
Many business organizations operating in the present time show interest in employing EVs in their business processes. Hence, before introducing EVs in industries on a large scale, it becomes imperative to obtain the perception of industrial managers who have already experienced its impact. This study may help industrial organizations to understand the impact of EV on various aspects of the business and to design a business model which would help in achieving SD goals.
Originality/value
The use of EVs in the daily life of human beings and business activities is gaining importance because of the various positive impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to understand industrial managers’ opinions regarding the use of EV in business activities.
Purpose
This paper offers a story-based/narrative inquiry rooted in qualitative methodology, portraying a millennial entrepreneur in Uganda, a low-developed country that has successfully demonstrated entrepreneurial behaviors at work. The study of entrepreneurial behavior at workplaces by millennial entrepreneurs formed the basis for the real-life trials that entrepreneurs go through in their businesses. Besides, the produced empirical content gives a solid linkage between the story and the enterprise's work setting.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the authors used storytelling to get a clear view of reality and obtain a real-life experience of entrepreneurial behavior at work. The experiences and perceptions of the millennial entrepreneur were assessed by conducting in-depth interviews while focusing on the context, actions, results and lessons to generate a coherent story.
Findings
This paper reports that demonstrating entrepreneurial behavior at work by the millennial entrepreneur resulted in better performance that ultimately benefited the enterprise. Additionally, findings reveal that story-based narrative inquiry is appropriate for demonstrating the true reality at workplaces, especially in the context of exhibiting the behaviors of entrepreneurs. Other entrepreneurs can emulate what the actor did and benchmark on the findings to improve their performance and that of their enterprises.
Originality/value
This study is unique in its use of a positive story showing a real-life experience of how entrepreneurial behaviors are exhibited at workplaces in micro and small enterprises in a low-developed country like Uganda. The paper also offers evidence and insights into the use of a positive story to demonstrate a practical experience of how millennial entrepreneurs demonstrate entrepreneurial behaviors at work. Additionally, the study used multiple theories that best explained the current practice of entrepreneurial behavior among millennials at workplaces in micro and small enterprises.
Although the recognition of importance of religious beliefs on entrepreneurship, the impact of karmic beliefs on social entrepreneurship has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to fill that gap by adopting a morally extended theory of planned behavior and developing a moderated mediation model to investigate the role of karmic beliefs in shaping individuals’ social entrepreneurial intention underlying the moderated mediation effects of environmental complexity and empathy. The study was performed on a sample of 401 undergraduate students in Vietnam, using model 4 and model 7 in PROCESS macro approach to test the hypothesized model. The research revealed that empathy not only positively and directly correlated with social entrepreneurial intentions, but also positively and partially mediated the effect of karmic beliefs on social entrepreneurial intentions. Environmental complexity was found to negatively moderate the impact of karmic beliefs on empathy. Noticeably, our study also indicted that the mediation impact of empathy on the relationship between karmic beliefs was negatively moderated by environmental complexity. The findings of this research thus shed a new light on entrepreneurial literature by using the moral extended theory of planned behaviors to examine the underlying moderated mediation mechanisms of environmental complexity and empathy on the relationship between karmic beliefs and social entrepreneurial intentions. Based on the findings of the research, some valuable recommendations and implications for policymakers and practitioners have been offered.
The purpose of this research is to analyze effect of business climate on entrepreneurial behavior and its implications for performance in Culinary Micro Enterprises, Serang Regency. This research is a quantitative descriptive research. Population in this study is Culinary Micro Enterprises entrepreneurs, Serang Regency, Banten Province. Sampling technique in this study is to use a saturated sampling technique. Sample of this research is 100 Culinary Micro Enterprises entrepreneurs, Serang Regency, Banten Province. Data analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of the study show that business climate has no significant effect on entrepreneurial behavior in Culinary Micro Enterprises, Serang Regency. Business climate has no significant effect on performance in Culinary Micro Enterprises, Serang Regency. Entrepreneurial behavior has a significant effect on performance in Culinary Micro Enterprises, Serang Regency. Business climate has no significant effect on performance through entrepreneurial behavior in Culinary Micro Enterprises, Serang Regency.
Christlikeness is the essence of the Christian life. Efforts to build spirituality in the era of technological progress have been widely analyzed, including for the millennial generation but are more at the level of phenomena. In general, the millennial generation is understood as those who were born in the range of 1987-2001. The contemporary lie in the world today is full of massive technological influence that changes human social life and even human spiritual life, especially creating the millennial generation. A fundamental question to be answered is how to build a spirituality that is relevant for the millennial generation in Indonesia. This article aims to demonstrate that attempts to build spirituality for the millennial generation in accordance with their characteristic must be based on and simultaneously aimed at being in the Christlikeness. This article will employ the literature method from books and journal articles. Specifically, most of the journal articles will cover the research within the last 10 years. There are three stages of analysis carried out, namely: first, conducting a study on the characteristics of the millennial generation specifically in Indonesia, second, demonstrating the essence of spirituality which is Christlikeness by examining Luke 9:23, and thirdly efforts to build a spirituality that is relevant to the Christian millennial generation in Indonesia. Conclusions are the final part of this article. The implication of this research both theoretically and practically is addressed to the church, the parents, and Christian educators who deal with the millennials. There is an urgency for to understand the characteristics of the millennials that they can build their spirituality. Furthermore, all who deal with the millennials must provide a relevant context for the millennials such as technology, their spirit of freedom, the attachment to the family. The essence of spirituality which is Christlikeness must be delivered through all these characteristics.
Purpose
Over time, the concept of word of mouth (WOM) has spread beyond marketing into other disciplines. This is because WOM is important in decision-making at both the individual and organisational levels. Also, people are more likely to trust recommendations from their peers than those from companies. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived usefulness of WOM messages for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) suppliers in participating in Tanzanian public procurement opportunities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected cross-sectional data from 214 SME suppliers who supply common use items to public procuring organisations in Dodoma City, Tanzania. Structural equation modelling was used to test the direct relationships between study variables, and Hayes' PROCESS macro was used to test for the indirect effect of WOM message delivery on WOM attributes and the perceived usefulness of WOM.
Findings
WOM attributes that include expertise differential, perceptual homophily, and trustworthiness are related to the perceived usefulness of WOM. Also, WOM message delivery mediates the relationship between the WOM attributes and the perceived usefulness of WOM in enhancing public procurement participation. Therefore, the study's findings revealed that WOM is applicable in the public procurement context, under which public buyers act as senders and suppliers act as receivers. The latter finds out about public procurement opportunities and responds to them, while the former gives suppliers whatever information they need to respond to public procurement tenders that have been advertised.
Research limitations/implications
Because the study was cross-sectional, it was difficult to determine whether the opinions gathered over time remained consistent. Furthermore, only suppliers who are parties to framework contracts under Government Procurement Services Agency were included in the study. Therefore, the sample was limited to only suppliers supplying common use items to various public organisations in Dodoma City, Tanzania.
Originality/value
This paper integrates the concept of WOM from the marketing discipline and public procurement. As a result, the study adds to the understanding of the use of information transmission in terms of the contribution of WOM messages from public buyers to suppliers to enhance small and medium enterprises' participation in public procurement opportunities.
Entrepreneurs proactively envision and pursue change, embracing the potential destruction of the status quo to create value by solving meaningful problems. With that, entrepreneurs themselves are the very embodiment of heterodoxy: deviation from accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs. The tensions, paradoxes, and juxtapositions of ideas, people, and resources underpinning heterodox thinking can shed considerable light on the discovery, enactment, evaluation, and exploitation of the opportunities the entrepreneurs of today are pursuing. To achieve this, though, requires directly tackling the real-world heterodoxies entrepreneurs are currently grappling with and developing their ventures within. Advancing knowledge on these critical inputs to entrepreneurship, however, involves entrepreneurship scholars explicitly seeking out and probing what we call meaningful heterodoxies: the socio-cultural settings and/or potentially contentious phenomena entrepreneurs are immersed within that can be influential for generating novel and valuable ways of solving problems. As the “letters” of the field of entrepreneurship, the Journal of Business Venturing Insights is uniquely placed to tackle this. In this article, we introduce our new ongoing section and unpack several key contexts that we hope will guide submissions within the theme of meaningful heterodoxies.
Purpose
This paper offers a theoretical explanation to a positive story of a micro enterprise found in Uganda, an African developing country that has successfully managed workplace relationships, its survival and good performance. Specifically, the paper examines multiple theories to explain the practice in this enterprise.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses storytelling, a form of narrative inquiry embedded in qualitative methodology. Based on in-depth interviews with the owner-manager and employees, a story was developed detailing their practical experience while focusing on the context, actions, results and lessons.
Findings
Findings reveal that micro enterprises that allow free generation of ideas across all levels with optimistic people who reciprocate and work together, create a friendly work atmosphere with support for one another, amicably resolve conflicts and build trust. More so, several theories that include: Social Exchange Theory, Relational Cohesion Theory, Complex Adaptive Systems Theory and Cultural Historical Activity Theory, explain the manifestations of relational people management in micro enterprises.
Originality/value
This paper is unique in its use of a positive story showing a practical experience of how workplace relationships are managed in a micro enterprise found in Uganda, an African developing country. In addition, a multi-theoretical perspective is used to explain the manifestations in the story which may be novel in the study context. Thus, a conceptual model is proposed depicting generalized reciprocity, positive emotions, generative leadership and relational agency as antecedents of relational people management with relational agency again mediating the other relationships.
Purpose
An individual’s standard of living is profoundly affected by industrialization and technology’s continuous revolution. At present, the environment is uncontrollable and global warming is increasing. Therefore, there is a need to protect the earth immediately as the lives of all creatures are at risk. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors related to green purchase behavior (GPB) by incorporating religious values (RGV) as a moderator. Moreover, the moderating role of RGV has been incorporated so that the importance of RGV in the life of millennials can be examined.
Design/methodology/approach
Smart partial least square (PLS) has been used for data analysis, and PLS-structural equation modeling has been used to assess measurement and structural models.
Findings
The findings reveal that environmental concern, environmental knowledge and green perceived value positively and significantly affect attitude and subjective norm (SN). Moreover, attitudes toward the purchase of green products and SNs also show a positive and significant relationship with green purchase intention (GPI). In addition, GPI is also positively and significantly associated with GPB. However, green brand knowledge portrays a positive but insignificant relationship with attitude and SN. Finally, RGV does not strengthen the relationship between intention and behavior.
Originality/value
Religion is a strong predictor of individual behavior as people are emotionally connected with Islam’s teachings. Therefore, the study provides a unique contribution by adding RGV as a moderator in the model of TRA. Also, the authors targeted the specific generation, i.e. millennials, so that millennials’ behavior can be identified as it covers Pakistan’s large population. Also, millennials are the people who are more involved in decision-making.
Entrepreneurship is a key indicator of not only personal growth but also economic growth by proposing a solution to worldwide problem of unemployment. The main purpose of this study is to measure the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and expectancy-value belief in digital economy among the students enrolled in universities of China. In this study quantitative approach was used for measuring the impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy for achieving the entrepreneurial success along with expectancy-value belief wih the support of theories of entrepreneurial self-efficacy theory and achievement goal theory. The population frame for this study is the students of universities enrolled in degrees in China who were selected for data analysis through convenience sampling. The sample size for the study was 324. The data for the study has been analyzed using Smart-PLS software. The current study has been a contribution to the literature by measuring the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in entrepreneurial intentions, expectancy-value belief, and the entrepreneurial success and ultimate role in attaining the digital economy. The study has found that in this digital era, entrepreneurial success and expectancy-value belief are significantly predicted by entrepreneurial self-efficacy which in turn significantly predict the achievement of the digital economy in this progressing century. Furthermore, entrepreneurial success has been found to be an important mediator in the relationship between entrepreneurial self efficacy and digital economy for the present study. Moreover, entrepreneurial success has also significantly mediated the relationship of expectancy value belief and digital economy. This study is considerable for the universities in employing those study programs that help the motivated students in starting their businesses and such workshops should be made part of the curriculum to achieve their entrepreneurial goals and reach the expected success in entrepreneurship.
The fate of new ventures incubated by the same corporate ecosystem is different. Can entrepreneurs’ ideas affect the way out of incubating companies? Based on self-verification theory and symbiosis theory, we took millennial entrepreneurs as the research object, combined with entrepreneurial enterprises’ data in the makerspace. We analyzed the impact of millennials’ entrepreneurial values on new ventures growth and explored the mediating role of entrepreneurial symbiosis networks. The following conclusions are obtained by analyzing the questionnaire of 191 millennial entrepreneurs: Millennials’ entrepreneurial values significantly promote new ventures growth. The strength and scale of the entrepreneurial symbiosis network have a positive impact on new ventures growth. The entrepreneur symbiosis network acts as an intermediary between the millennials’ entrepreneurial values and new ventures growth.
Structural equation modeling is a multivariate data analysis method for analyzing complex relationships among constructs and indicators. To estimate structural equation models, researchers generally draw on two methods: covariance-based SEM (CB-SEM) and partial least squares SEM (PLS-SEM). Whereas CB-SEM is primarily used to confirm theories, PLS represents a causal–predictive approach to SEM that emphasizes prediction in estimating models, whose structures are designed to provide causal explanations. PLS-SEM is also useful for confirming measurement models. This chapter offers a concise overview of PLS-SEM’s key characteristics and discusses the main differences compared to CB-SEM. The chapter also describes considerations when using PLS-SEM and highlights situations that favor its use compared to CB-SEM.
The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between business incubation practices and sustainability of incubatee start-up firms in Uganda using business incubation theory and network theory. A quantitative methodology is used for data collection based on 110 incubatee start-up firms from 8 incubators in Uganda. It is a cross-sectional descriptive study, which investigates the causal effect of variables at a definite point in time. A principal factor analysis was conducted to single out the particular constructs of business incubation practices and sustainability. Simple random sampling was used for selecting start-ups from the incubation centres. The sampling framework consists of the founders of the start-ups that have been previously incubated at any of the selected incubation centres. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Incubatee selection criteria, incubatee monitoring practices and resources have a positive and significant impact on sustainability of incubatee start-up firms. The study has emphasised good business incubation practices to enable sustainability of start-up firms in Uganda. This study was limited to only incubators in Uganda and it is possible that the results are only applicable in Uganda. This paper adds to the limited business incubation literature and provides the first empirical evidence of business incubation practices on sustainability of incubatee start-up firms in Uganda.
This article extends generational literature by investigating the self-perceptions of U.K. based Millennials on how they formed their career-identities within intra- and inter-generational interactions (n = 36). Thematic analysis of interviews indicated that participants engaged in personal identification more than generational identification, interacting with both contemporaneous and older generations to co-produce and role model their career-identities. These findings challenge normative readings of sociological perspectives on generations which emphasize divergence and weakening ties between generations. Rather, findings suggest that an integrative framework provides a more appropriate theoretical lens for conceptualizing generational career-identities, incorporating kinship perspectives on interactive relationships within and across generations.
This study investigated the role of entrepreneurial passion in recognition of opportunity, developing entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention, in the shaping of entrepreneurial actions in the presence of proactive personality. This study applied partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses on a sample of 346 university students from Jiangsu province, China. The output of the study showed that entrepreneurial passion positively and significantly influenced entrepreneurial alertness, entrepreneurial self-efficacy to entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial behavior. The findings also showed that a proactive personality positively and significantly moderated the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behavior.
Purpose
Complex systems adapt to survive, but little comparative literature exists on various approaches. Adaptive complex systems are generic, this referring to propositions concerning their bounded instability, adaptability and viability. Two classes of adaptive complex system theories exist: hard and soft. Hard complexity theories include Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and Viability Theory, and softer theories, which we refer to as Viable Systems Theories (VSTs), that include Management Cybernetics at one extreme and Humanism at the other. This paper has a dual purpose distributed across two parts. In Part 1, the purpose of this paper is to identify the conditions for the complementarity of the two classes of theory. In Part 2, the purpose is to explore (in part using Agency Theory) the two classes of theory and their proposed complexity continuum.
Design/methodology/approach
A detailed analysis of the literature permits a distinction between hard and softer approaches towards modelling complex social systems. Hard theories are human-incommensurable, while soft ones are human-commensurable, therefore more closely related to the human condition. The characteristics that differentiate between hard and soft approaches are identified.
Findings
Hard theories are more restrictive than the softer theories. The latter can embrace degrees of “softness” and it is explained how hard and soft approaches can be mixed, sometimes creating Harmony.
Originality/value
There are very few explorations of the relationship between hard and soft approaches to complexity theory, and even fewer that draw in the notion of harmony.
Social entrepreneurship literature bears a positive cast on poverty reduction and social problem-solving. Studies have shown that social entrepreneurial venture activities have far-reaching socioeconomic impact, especially in solving societal challenges. We argue that given the nature of social problems, certain personality traits are valuable. Individuals with personal initiative are capable of using their prior knowledge, proactive and innovative and experience to be alert as they create social ventures that create social impact. The study examined the role of personal initiative in social entrepreneurial venture creation among Community-Based Organizations (CBO) in a developing country. Scholars have examined a number of psychological traits underlying Social Entrepreneurial Venture Creation but less emphasis has been laid on the role of personal initiative in creating social entrepreneurial ventures. We used a sample of 243 Kampala Capital City Authority CBO owners and the results indicate that personal initiative in terms of proactiveness and innovation is positively and significantly associated with social entrepreneurial venture creation.
The topic of the Millennial Generation in the workplace drives much business conversation, as members of this generation form a growing percentage of the employee base. Both popular media and scholarly literature have painted the population of younger workers in an uncharitable light. The goals of this article are to contextualize the results of a large, empirical study in a more favorable manner and to suggest that embracing generational differences provides an opportunity as well as a challenge. This article examines traits of the different generations, in addition to the relationship between organizational commitment and workplace culture. We present findings that show millennials (also known as Generation Y, or Gen Y) as the only generational group that does not conceptually link organizational commitment with workplace culture. This group also thinks of work differently than members of the other generations, yet these differences can be understood through a managerial lens focusing on qualities such as duty, drive, and reward. We argue that by changing performance evaluation metrics to encompass a greater variety of measures, managers can provide a more detailed picture of the employee's work, and thus impact the worker's sense of duty. Additionally, by providing a more transparent workplace, employers can increase the employee's drive and clearly demonstrate the reward that workers will receive. Finally, changes that help newer employees adjust to the workplace can also allow the organization to operate more efficiently, benefiting employees of all generations.
The authors present a new approach to leadership based on findings from complexity science. Integrating real case studies with rigorous research results, they explore the biggest challenges being faced in fast-paced organizations, and provide a host of concrete tools for leading during critical periods. © Jeffrey Goldstein, James K. Hazy, and Benyamin B. Lichtenstein, 2010. All rights reserved.
Likert-type scales are commonly used when assessing attitudes, personality characteristics, and other psychological variables. This study examined the effect of varying the number of response options on the same set of 28 attitudinal items. Participants answered items using either a 4-point scale (forced choice), a 5-point scale that included a "neither" mid-point, or a 4-point scale with an option of "no opinion" presented after the item. The questionnaire also included an item asking participants what they believe the midpoint in a scale indicated. As predicted, participants' interpretations of the midpoint varied widely with the most common responses being: "no opinion," "don't care," "unsure," "neutral," "equal/both," and "neither." The quantitative results showed that participants' levels of item endorsement varied based on the response options offered. For example, "neither" was chosen more often than "no opinion" on all of the items.
AMOS COVARIANCE-BASED STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING (CB-SEM): GUIDELINES ON
ITS APPLICATION AS A MARKETING RESEARCH TOOL
ABSTRACT
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is increasingly a method of choice for concept and theory development in the social
sciences, particularly the marketing discipline. In marketing research there increasingly is a need to assess complex
multiple latent constructs and relationships. Second-order constructs can be modeled providing an improved theoretical
understanding of relationships as well as parsimony. SEM in particular is well suited to investigating complex
relationships among multiple constructs. The two most prevalent SEM based analytical methods are covariance-based
SEM (CB-SEM) and variance-based SEM (PLS-SEM). While each technique has advantages and limitations, in this
article we focus on CB-SEM with AMOS to illustrate its application in examining the relationships between customer
orientation, employee orientation, and firm performance. We also demonstrate how higher-order constructs are useful
in modeling both responsive and proactive components of customer and employee orientation.
Keywords: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM); Covariance-Based SEM; AMOS; Marketing Research
Complex adaptive systems are a special kind of self-organizing system with emergent properties and adaptive capacity in response to changing external conditions. In this article, we investigate the proposition that international environmental law, as a network of treaties and institutions, exhibits some key characteristics of a complex adaptive system. This proposition is premised on the scientific understanding that the Earth system displays properties of a complex adaptive system. If so, international environmental law, as a control system, may benefit from the insights gained and from being modelled in ways more appropriately aligned with the functioning of the Earth system itself. In this exploratory review, we found evidence suggesting that international environmental law is a complex system where treaties and institutions self-organize and exhibit emergent properties. Furthermore, we contend that international environmental law as a whole is adapting to exogenous changes through an institutional process akin to natural selection in biological evolution. However, the adequacy of the direction and rate of adaptation for the purpose of safeguarding the integrity of Earth’s life-support system is questioned. This paper concludes with an emphasis on the need for system-level interventions to steer the direction of self-organization while maintaining institutional diversity. This recommendation stands in contrast to the reductionist approach to institutional fragmentation and aims at embracing the existing complexity in international environmental law.
Examines the concept of adaptation as it relates to the start-up and survival of small businesses over time. Adaptation is approached as the making of appropriate adjustments to the business and its strategic focus, as the venture evolves from an initial idea to a successful business. It is proposed that adaptation has three relevant components: the firm’s capacity to adapt, how much it actually adapts, and the strategies it relies upon to adapt. A conceptual model and hypotheses are proposed, relating the entrepreneur, the organizational context and the external environment to these three components of adaptation, and relating the components of adaptation to performance. Results from a cross-sectional survey of small business founder/owners suggest that characteristics of the entrepreneur and levels of environmental change are especially important determinants of the three components of adaptation, and that levels of and strategies for adapting are related to organizational performance. A number of implications are drawn from the findings and suggestions are made for ongoing research.
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the role of social media in increasing trust, self-perceived creativity and millennial entrepreneurial satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical analysis was conducted using a sample of 385 millennial entrepreneurs that were recruited for online survey. After conducting reliability and validity tests, the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results showed that the quality of social media information had a direct and indirect positive and significant effect on trust and satisfaction. Social media marketing activities had a direct and indirect positive and significant effect on trust and self-perceived creativity. System Quality of social media also has a significant direct influence on trust. However, there is no direct relationship to satisfaction. Finally, social media marketing activities have a significant direct effect on trust and satisfaction.
Practical implications
This research can contribute to marketing experts and millennial entrepreneurs in improving the quality of advertising information and the credibility of social media used to support creativity, trust and satisfaction. In addition, marketing experts and millennial entrepreneurs with online-based communities should optimize their marketing activities on social media.
Originality/value
This study has shown a more comprehensive model of the relationship between information quality, system quality, social media marketing activities, self-perceived creativity, trust and satisfaction. This study also reveals a significant direct and indirect effect of social media marketing activities on satisfaction.
The paper interrogates the paradox of persistent youth unemployment amid an upswing of impressive economic growth after Neo-liberal reforms in Uganda. The government of Uganda undertook targeted interventions to ameliorate youth unemployment, which escalated. Why was the growing economy failing to absorb labour? Why were the interventions failing? We argue that the interplay of the skewed neo-liberal and global architecture, decline of traditional labour absorbing sectors, and the debilitating syncretic ‘informal’ sector constrained sustainable youth employment and deflated interventions. The paper opines that Uganda’s neo-liberal capitalism was unique, as it was structured in a way that did not enhance domestic actors and sectors, which would have increased sustainable labour absorption and utilisation. Otherwise, Uganda’s celebratory growth was largely aid-driven and in the controversial and constrained informal sector, limited service ‘enterprises’ and import consumerism, which undermined domestic productivity and employability. Neo-liberalism and the reconstituted state did not align the domestic and global economic structures for meaningful employment. Unemployment spiralled into the socio-political landscape, while youth agency strived for better positioning.
Purpose
The combination of strategic orientation and digitalization for sustainable competitive advantage among small businesses is still not given much attention in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to understand the influence of strategic orientation on sustainable competitive advantage while mediating the relationship with digitalization.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a cross-sectional design. This design helped collect data from 234 small businesses in Arusha city, Tanzania. Since the study used latent variables, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze relationships and conduct confirmatory factor analysis. Through bootstrapping confidence intervals, Hayes's Process was also used to test how digitalization mediates the relationship between strategic orientations and sustainable competitive advantage.
Findings
The strategic orientation attributes that include market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and learning orientation were positively and significantly related to digitalization. Furthermore, the results on digitalization and sustainable competitive advantage show a significant positive relationship. Finally, digitalization was analyzed to mediate the relationship between strategic orientation, market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, learning orientation and sustainable competitive advantage. Hence, all hypotheses were supported.
Research limitations/implications
This study adopted a cross-sectional design that helped to capture the quantitative information. In addition, the current study is limited to Tanzania's small businesses; thus, the findings cannot assure generalization of the conclusion to other countries because of the differences in social, cultural and technology across countries.
Originality/value
This study integrates the concepts of strategic orientation from the strategic management discipline and digitalization from a technology perspective. As a result, the study adds new knowledge about combining two aspects and determining whether they add value in terms of providing a sustainable competitive advantage. This knowledge comes from digitalization, which acts as a mediator between strategic orientation dimensions and a sustainable competitive advantage.
Millennial Iranian entrepreneurs, as an emerging business class, face new realities rarely seen in other countries due to the harsh and uncertain contextual environment. As young and dynamic entrepreneurs, they want to build independent careers by developing new start-up businesses to address the social and economic needs of the masses and, at the same time, to earn an income to ensure their economic survival. However, given the difficult business environment with domestic challenges and international embargos, these entrepreneurs find themselves faced with many problematic issues. Therefore, this research is based on the concept of entrepreneurial persistence for survival and aims to investigate how Iranian millennial entrepreneurs develop businesses in a difficult contextual environment. A new conceptual framework and a number of propositions for future research have been offered in this study on the basis of the findings. Implications for policy and practices are also discussed with the focus on possible policy reform, better entrepreneurial education as well as other incentives to support millennial entrepreneurs.
Research on the international entrepreneurial behavior of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) originating from Africa has been receiving growing scholarly attention. Despite a proliferation of studies on the subject, the literature has hitherto remained fragmented, theoretically limited, and empirically inconclusive, thereby leaving important topics underexplored. This paper seeks to address this shortcoming through a systematic literature review aimed at critically analyzing and synthesizing 66 articles published in leading journals from 1995 to 2021. Our paper describes how research on the international entrepreneurial behavior of African SMEs has evolved over time, and identifies key gaps in the existing literature, thereby pointing at future avenues for research. By mapping descriptive findings in terms of methods, geography, and theoretical perspectives, we further develop an integrative framework suited to frame insights drawn from the current literature and offer important opportunities for future research on internationalizing SMEs originating from Africa.
Purpose
The purpose of this research was to explore managers' perceptions related to the emerging needs, roles, values, responsibilities and commitments of millennials in the multi-generational workplace, and to determine how managers may effectively recognize and use millennial contributions to enhance the organizational culture and infrastructure.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative, narrative inquiry study utilized semi-structured interviews to capture collective insights of managers who lead millennials within multi-generational teams. All researchers used an interview protocol with each participant to maintain integrity. Data analysis included the creation of a code manual which was developed utilizing the first five interviews. The code manual included definitions, descriptions and exemplar text and was then used to code all remaining interviews.
Findings
Data are presented through three key areas of exploration: The contributions of millennials in multi-generational workplaces, the evolution of managerial views of millennials and the tactics managers use for millennial management in multi-generational teams.
Originality/value
Scholarly literature has clearly presented perceived qualities millennials bring to the workplace, including poor communication, advanced technology skills, overconfidence, and a need for work–life balance. This study seeks to provide an understanding of the generation, through the lens of their managers.
Purpose
Consumer psychology research has established the importance of customer satisfaction as a determinant of customer repurchasing intention. Nonetheless, even satisfied customers switch brands. Also, even dissatisfied customers have repurchasing intentions. This means that customer repurchasing behaviour is extremely difficult to predict, necessitating additional research to identify additional factors that can help organizations better understand the methods to predict customer repurchasing intention. To fill this knowledge gap, this study examined the mediating effects of brand love (BL) and positive word of mouth (PWOM) on psychological contract fulfilment (PCF) and customer repurchasing intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study. The study used structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse relationships from a sample size of 400 beauty salon customers. Also, a process macro mediation test was used to analyse the mediating effects of BL and PWOM on the relationship between PCF and customer repurchase intentions.
Findings
The findings indicate that transactional and relational psychological contracts have a positive and significant relationship with BL and PWOM. As well, BL and PWOM positively and significantly influence customer repurchase intentions. Finally, the findings indicate that BL and PWOM mediate the relationship between psychological contract fulfilment and customer repurchase intentions.
Research limitations/implications
This survey sampled beauty salons solely. Given that each type of organization may have a unique way of fulfilling psychological contracts, future studies may include more categories such as restaurants and craftsmanship to broaden the sample. Additionally, this study utilized female beauty salons. Therefore, future research could include salons that cater to women and men to boost the sample's generalizability. Finally, this study concluded that BL and positive recommendations are the most effective variables for resolving consumer satisfaction challenges. However, additional factors can probably amplify this fact by focusing on additional elements to broaden the arguments.
Originality/value
Past studies have extensively covered customer repurchasing intention in relation to customer satisfaction. However, it was noted that even some satisfied customers could switch to other brands, and those who were dissatisfied could repurchase the brand. Given that little is known about how other factors than customer satisfaction can affect repurchasing intentions, this study examines the mediating effects of BL and PWOM on PCF and customer repurchase intentions.
Purpose
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been severely felt by India's construction industry, which contributes heavily to economic growth and employment. An analysis of the impact of supply chain agility, supply chain resilience and information technology capability on the construction supply chain cost and delivery performance is presented in this study in an Indian scenario post-COVID-19.
Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of moment structures-confirmatory factor analysis-based structural equation modeling is applied to a structured questionnaire received from 220 construction companies located in Southern India.
Findings
According to the results, supply chain agility, supply chain resilience and information technology capability are essential capabilities for post-COVID-19 supply chain performance. Furthermore, these factors are observed to have a positive impact on improving cost and delivery performance in construction supply chains focused on building sustainability.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this study can be used by other industries to ensure robustness and sustainability of business operations during post-COVID periods. Improving supply chain agility and information technology capabilities along with building resilience results in improving cost and delivery performance against disruptive scenarios.
Originality/value
Despite previous studies addressing the effects of COVID-19 on supply chain performance, information technology capability, agility and resilience are not addressed in construction industry research. The current study examines the simultaneous effects of resilience, agility, and information technology capability on the cost and delivery performance of Indian construction projects.
Age group typically identifies millennials – those born between 1982 and 2004. Yet our research challenges the designation based on age group by considering this population in the context of an individual’s citizenship or culture. Based on tenets of social identity theory, we explore a citizen’s personal value orientation and cognitive moral reasoning to discover commonalities or differences across individuals from eight countries. We report wide variations among citizens’ personal value orientations and principled moral reasoning despite being borne within an identified age group. We conclude that an individual’s geographic context is a stronger classification descriptor based on values and moral reasoning than their age-based generational categories. Implications for business practice and scholarly research are discussed.
Research on entrepreneurial mindset (EM) has proliferated in recent years. Its importance rests on a key assumption: EM matters for entrepreneurial behavior. However, to date, EM conceptualizations remain fragmented, and theories delineating the relationship between EM and the behaviors underpinning entrepreneurship are limited. In this article, we conceptualize EM as a goal orientation formed through dispositional beliefs about entrepreneurship and opportunity beliefs, which results in entrepreneurial behaviors. We draw upon recent advances in entrepreneurial orientation (EO) research at the individual level as a model for dispositional beliefs. Further, we theorize the origins, mechanisms, manifestations, and effect of EM. Finally, we discuss important implications for stakeholders interested in leveraging EM to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and lay out a research agenda for future development of our disposition-based framework.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to examine the relationship between comprehensive social competence, entrepreneurial tenacity and social entrepreneurial action and (2) to test the mediating role of entrepreneurial tenacity in the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action among social ventures in Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is cross-sectional and quantitative. Data were analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences and analysis of moment structures.
Findings
Results show that both comprehensive social competence and entrepreneurial tenacity are significantly associated with social entrepreneurial action. Results further indicate that entrepreneurial tenacity partially mediates the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this study provides initial empirical evidence on the relationship between comprehensive social competence, entrepreneurial tenacity and social entrepreneurial action using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Mostly, this provides an initial evidence of the mediating role of entrepreneurial tenacity on the relationship between comprehensive social competence and social entrepreneurial action.
This paper examines the mediating role of ecologies of innovation in the relationship between nexus of generative influence and entrepreneurial networking among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda. A cross sectional survey design using quantitative approach was employed in this study. Data were collected with the help of self-administrated questionnaire from 228 SMEs. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Multiple regression data were analyzed with the help of SPSS software. The results indicated that ecologies of innovation fully mediates the relationship between nexus of generative and entrepreneurial networking. The data was cross sectional in nature, thus limiting monitoring changes in resources accessed from entrepreneurial networks by entrepreneurs over time. The implications are that, policy makers and managers of SMEs should pay more attention to the role of nexus of generative influence in creating ecologies of innovation, conducive environment for employees to interact with mutual influence to advance creativity and innovation that enhance increased access to resources from entrepreneurial networks. The study of nexus of generative influence, ecologies of innovation and entrepreneurial networking using complexity theory among SMEs in Uganda is a contribution to literature.
Entering the third decade of the new millennium, the millennial generation is stepping into their most productive stage of life. We have witnessed a number of exemplary millennial entrepreneurs, such as Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook. The world's economy is evolving fast and presenting distinct entrepreneurial opportunities to millennials across the globe. It is critical that scholars of international entrepreneurship explore the new breed of millennial entrepreneurs and contrast them across generations and countries. Regrettably, the extant literature comes up short in fully addressing the new generation of entrepreneurs. We call for immediate scholarly attention on millennial entrepreneurs as they are in substantive ways unlike all earlier generations. We urge researchers to explore the unique characteristics of millennial entrepreneurs, their influence on entrepreneurial motivation, orientation, opportunity discovery and exploitation process, and the global ambition of their entrepreneurial ventures.
Purpose
Following the call for awareness of accepted reporting practices by Ringle, Sarstedt, and Straub in 2012, the purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in Industrial Management & Data Systems ( IMDS ) and extend MIS Quarterly ( MISQ ) applications to include the period 2012-2014.
Design/methodology/approach
Review of PLS-SEM applications in information systems (IS) studies published in IMDS and MISQ for the period 2010-2014 identifying a total of 57 articles reporting the use of or commenting on PLS-SEM.
Findings
The results indicate an increased maturity of the IS field in using PLS-SEM for model complexity and formative measures and not just small sample sizes and non-normal data.
Research limitations/implications
Findings demonstrate the continued use and acceptance of PLS-SEM as an accepted research method within IS. PLS-SEM is discussed as the preferred SEM method when the research objective is prediction.
Practical implications
This update on PLS-SEM use and recent developments will help authors to better understand and apply the method. Researchers are encouraged to engage in complete reporting procedures.
Originality/value
Applications of PLS-SEM for exploratory research and theory development are increasing. IS scholars should continue to exercise sound practice by reporting reasons for using PLS-SEM and recognizing its wider applicability for research. Recommended reporting guidelines following Ringle et al. (2012) and Gefen et al. (2011) are included. Several important methodological updates are included as well.
According to the empirical evidence, today's emerging adults (Millennials/GenY, born after 1980) are more Generation Me than Generation We when compared to previous generations. Five data sets show a generational increase in narcissism, including one that demonstrates significant increases when a confound is controlled. College and child samples increase in self-esteem over the generations. Some high school samples show no change, though high school students increasingly embrace other overly positive self-views. In nationally representative samples of high school and college students, values have shifted toward extrinsic (money, fame, and image) concerns and away from intrinsic (community, affiliation) concerns. These trends have mostly negative consequences, such as lower empathy, less concern for others, and less civic engagement (e.g., interest in social issues, government, and politics). Parents and teachers should focus on teaching children and adolescents the values of hard work and consideration for others instead of an inflated sense of self. © 2013 Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood and SAGE Publications.
This article offers an argument for how genetic factors may influence the tendency of people to engage in entrepreneurial activity, and describes four mechanisms through which genetic factors could operate. It also explores ways that researchers can use quantitative and molecular genetics to examine entrepreneurship, and discusses the potential implications of a genetic perspective for management research on entrepreneurship.