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Purpose – The aim of this paper is to introduce the special issue on "Human resource management and corporate entrepreneurship". Design/methodology/approach – The paper discuses the articles in the special issue, which investigate the relationships between human resource management and entrepreneurship from different points of view, approaches and employing different empirical contexts. Findings – The papers highlight different human resource management factors of entrepreneurial behaviour and their influence on corporate entrepreneurship. Results from different empirical contexts as small and medium-size firms, case studies, joint ventures, in the USA, China, and Spain, among others, make important contributions to the previous literature. Originality/value – The paper discusses the intersection and association between human resource management and corporate entrepreneurship. Human resources play an essential role in so far as they can encourage or hinder corporate entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine immigrant self-employment in Spain. The study aims to determine the likelihood of immigrants being self-employed, the differences between Spaniards and immigrants in terms of self-employment and differences among immigrants from different regions of origin. Design/methodology/approach – Data from the Labour Force Survey for 2005-2011 are used for a descriptive analysis of self-employment. Logit regressions allow us to study the determinants of immigrant self-employment. Findings – Unlike research conducted in other countries, the rate of immigrant self-employment in Spain is lower than that of nationals, although differences exist according to the region of origin. Men and older individuals are more likely to be self-employed. Those with higher levels of education are also more likely to be self-employed – this may be attributable to the decreased availability of skilled positions for immigrants. Research limitations/implications – The sample size does not allow for differential analyses regarding the region of origin or the existence and influence of enclaves. Practical implications – Self-employment may be an opportunity for immigrants to improve their position in the labour market, especially in the case of highly skilled workers. Originality/value – In Spain, analyses of immigrant self-employment are rare and generally focus on case studies. However, this study covers the whole population within a highly specific economic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This article aims to review varying concepts of entrepreneurship and different contributions to human resource practices, establishing a theoretical framework that allows for the analysis of the firm Montalt-Valencia (Spain), a Ford-Spain car dealer, and leader in its sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper, according to the literature, establishes a theoretical framework on entrepreneurship and human resource management through which one can observe and research the Montalt-Valencia case study. The case study is confirmatory, from the theoretical background, and at the same time inductive from the observation of its non-expected details and deeds. Findings – The firm Montalt-Valencia (Spain), which on the surface appears unlikely to be innovative as technology and product characteristics are entirely controlled by the main firm (Ford-España), bases its innovative capacity on a continual process of organizational renewal and gradual improvement in techniques. The sum of these small improvements may lead to a transformation of the levels of organizational efficiency and commitment to the firm, and can substantially alter technical performance, showing a hidden dimension of corporate entrepreneurship. Research limitations/implications – The limitations are those normally found in case studies. The confirmation of the theory, or the inductive results, can only be extrapolated by the enterprises with the same characteristics and, even then, with caution and care. Originality/value – A firm such as Montalt-Valencia, which is a leader in its sector and has received five Chairman's Awards between 2002-2007, is likely to be full of entrepreneurial activity of organizational renewal and innovation, although the gradual sequence of these aspects and their marginal nature make them hard to detect. The main value of this study is to incorporate a firm such as this into the world of corporate entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This article seeks to analyse the human resource management (HRM) practices adopted in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for promoting corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in the Spanish context. The specific objectives of the inquiry revolve around two main research questions: What HRM practices are most beneficial for promoting CE in SMEs? How do HRM practices promote an appropriate working environment for CE in SMEs? Design/methodology/approach – The idea of human resource practices as a key resource is analyzed in the framework of a broader perspective of strategic management known as the resource-based view of the firm. Additionally, literatures concerning CE and HRM in small firms are integrated and reviewed. The empirical study is carried out by adopting a multiple-case study approach. Findings – Evidence shows that the creation of personal relationships and the development of an open communication between owner-managers and employees, and among employees themselves, can help to explain the dynamics of entrepreneurial behaviors within small firms. The openness in the communication is important, not only for promoting CE activities, but also for creating the most appropriate work environment to carry out other resource management practices that stimulate entrepreneurial behaviors. Originality/value – This study integrates the research on CE and HRM practices in a field of study rarely analyzed, such as Spanish SMEs. The approach shows that there is sound evidence supporting the importance of analyzing the factors leading to the emergence of CE, including intangible resources such as the human resource practices that increase the employees' entrepreneurial attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]