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Purpose: Our study aims to explore the ownership structure and accounting conservatism in influencing the value relevance that we analyse through the paradigm of open innovation and socio-emotional wealth (SEW). We also extended the test to identify how firm size could affect value relevance. Design/methodology/approach: Through panel data testing, we collected all issuers on the stock exchange for the 2016–2018 period. The total collected observations are 735 observations from various industries. Findings: The results of the study provide empirical evidence that institutional ownership is more pronounce, especially in companies with high asset levels. We also conducted other tests to see it from the perspective of SEW. We divide companies into family and non-family companies. The results of this study indicate that institutional ownership has an effect on increasing value relevance, especially in family companies compared with non-family companies. The results of the study also indicate that accounting conservatism plays a more important role in increasing value relevance in non-family firms compared to family firms. Originality/value: This study advances in two main ways. First, we use a SEW approach and an open innovation perspective. Second, we conducted tests for family and non-family firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) with a massive and unexpected challenge that has caused many to adjust their operational standards. Perhaps the biggest change has been the shift to remote work and away from traditional office spaces. Thus, this study aims to explore the implications of this shift within the context of customer participation in the new product development (NPD) process. Design/methodology/approach: Our study surveys 218 small-to-medium size business-to-business firms in the USA on a variety of questions revolving around their NPD processes, customer collaboration and the shift to remote work. The authors use structural equation modeling in the AMOS program to analyze the data. Findings: The findings indicate that both customer participation breadth and customer participation depth positively impact new product performance. Furthermore, these relationships are found to be contingent upon whether firms rely on remote work during the collaboration process. The results show that accessing a broader variety of explicit customer insights (i.e., breadth) has become easier in the increasingly remote collaboration environment. However, as face-to-face customer participation in NPD has decreased, the prospect of gaining deep, tacit customer knowledge relevant to product development (i.e., depth) has become more challenging. Originality/value: This study contributes to the knowledge-based view of the firm and the customer participation literature, and it also has implications for managers adjusting to the shift to remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings provide additional evidence that customer participation is an effective strategy for SMEs (Morgan et al., 2018), but remote work has both positive and negative implications regarding the type of external knowledge that is acquired during customer participation in NPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research aims to determine the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on market performance. The study shows the perspective of ESG on market performance. The study attempted to test the relationship between ESG and Tobin's Q and the effect of control variables. Design/methodology/approach: The study used panel data from a sample covering 720 firms and ran a fixed-effects model regression during the 2007–2019 period for eight European countries' listed companies. Findings: The findings reveal that ESG positively impacts Tobin's Q. According to the findings, high company ESG performance boosts market performance via the moderator effect of competitive advantage. The results indicate that all control variables are significant. The firm's leverage has a negative relationship with ESG. The size of the firm impacts ESG positively. Also, the results prove that the firm's size and industry positively affect Tobin's Q. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study suggest that managers, practitioners and authorities interested in learning about ESG scores (ESGSs), market performance and competitive advantage might draw intriguing conclusions from the data. Managers can identify the appropriate levels of competitive advantage that improve market performance. Practitioners must determine whether fit, size, growth, leverage and industry could enhance market performance. The findings also give authorities and the board of directors information on future growth opportunities for the company and the country. Originality/value: The research presents a vision of how ESG factors affect market performance. This study aims to identify the positive link between ESGSs and European market performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Existing theories on the determining factors of corporate investment decisions raise the importance of financial market imperfections in explaining investment behavior. Many factors have been proposed as drivers of investment, mainly in developed economies, while emerging countries have almost been neglected. The main purpose of this study is to examine the effect of financing constraints on the investment behavior of a small context, namely, Jordan, with an imperfect environment. Design/methodology/approach: This study considers panel data regressions from the industrial companies traded at the Amman Stock Exchange with a total of 1,058 firm-year observations. Findings: The results are able to demonstrate that business size, tangibility, market-to-book ratio, profitability, financial slack and leverage are major drivers of investment choices. The results support the importance of information asymmetry in explaining the investment behavior of firms. Nonetheless, the Q-theory is in place, as is firm agility. Practical implications: Policies to reduce information asymmetry are immediately needed to help firms increase investments by providing them with access to training, technology and market information. They also should enhance the firms' opportunities for growth. Moreover, they should make it easier for businesses to access financial slack, such as by improving access to credit and financial institutions. They also can work to improve the financial infrastructure to meet the financing needs of businesses. Finally, smaller businesses should be assisted by improving their ability to invest and grow. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies, if any, to investigate this issue in a distinct environment. Despite the unique characteristics of Jordan, the findings are applicable to other countries that experience comparable political and economic circumstances because Jordan has traits common to many emerging nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study aims to seek to analyse the relationships between profitability, productivity, external debt and growth in SMEs. The authors also analyse firm size and age as explicative variables of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the data were collected for 3309 SMEs for the period 2010– 2019. The authors estimate the model using the system generalised method of moments dynamic estimator. Findings – The results show that after a certain level of profitability, this determinant positively impacts SME growth. Productivity influences positively the firm growth. There is a positive effect of external debt on SME growth, which can be explained by the insufficiency of internally generated funds. The authors obtained a negative signal between size and firm growth, contradicting Gibrat’s Law (1931). Moreover, the results suggest that SMEs grow less after a certain age, suggesting that small firms grow less after reaching the minimum scale of efficiency. Practical implications – For SME owner-managers, this study enhances the importance of profitability and labour productivity for firm growth. For policymakers, the results suggest the need for favourable conditions for SMEs in accessing external finance. Originality/value – Profitability negatively impacts on SME growth. However, the authors found that above a certain level of profitability, probably, as firms accumulate retained earnings, profitability has a positive effect on SME growth. Moreover, this study shows that labour productivity and debt positively impact on SME growth, evidencing the importance of the availability of financial resources to sustain the growth of these firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the impact of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices on the triple bottom line's economic, social and environmental performance of Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers. Design/methodology/approach: This quantitative study uses a deductive approach. The practice-based view is used to support the conceptual framework. The partial least square structural equation modelling technique empirically assessed the conceptual model using 164 responses from Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers through a structured survey questionnaire. Apart from examining the direct effects of GSCM practice on the triple bottom line, the study also investigated the moderating effects of firm size and duration. Findings: The results show that GSCM practices positively affect the organisation's triple bottom line while business size and duration moderate the said relationship. Research limitations/implications: The fact that this study is based on Sri Lankan apparel producers may impact the generalizability of the findings across different industries and countries. Furthermore, the survey only looked at export manufacturers. This raises questions about the results' relevance to other non-export groups of the current population with distinct characteristics. Practical implications: The paper provides insights for both academia and practitioners on the importance of adopting GSCM practices for the business performance of apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka. The paper includes implications for devising strategic solutions for organisational performance and sustainability by using GSCM practices in apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka. Originality/value: The research contributes to the body of knowledge in the GSCM field in general. This research also contributes to the limited literature on GSCM practices in Sri Lanka. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt to explain how apparel manufacturers in Sri Lanka are organised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In response to environmental uncertainty, organizations rely on independent, empowered teams to increase their responsiveness to change. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how objectives and key results (OKRs) can contribute to creating a shared vision which keeps the different, empowered teams aligned. Design/methodology/approach: Through a qualitative study, this paper develops a conceptual model of how OKRs lead to a shared vision. The authors interview professionals in nine organizations differing in size and industry who recently introduced agile, focusing on the main hurdles encountered and benefits obtained from the methodology. Findings: The findings confirm that OKRs are an effective goal-setting methodology and suggest that their successful implementation builds on the new ways of organizing introduced by the agile methods. Moreover, the findings suggest that OKRs contribute to developing a shared vision and increase the alignment: first, the organizational vision becomes clear and its definition is participatory; second at the team level, individuals align around a shared team vision through participative definition of objectives. Originality/value: The contribution of the paper is two-fold: this study provide an overview on the methodology, which is diffused from a practice perspective, but has not yet been addressed from a theoretical point of view. And this study connects OKRs to extant theory on goal-setting and vision development. This study shows they act as a coupling mechanism which helps empowered and independent teams together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore the role of resource investment in resolving the bank size paradox, in which there is a direct positive impact on financial performance but also the potential for increased business diversification, which thus poses the risk of a negative impact on financial performance. Design/methodology/approach: This study assessed secondary data on 108 commercial banks in Indonesia using specific document types, including financial reports and banking directory reports published by the financial regulatory authority. The data thus obtained were analysed via covariance-based structural equation modelling. Findings: In the context of the Indonesian banking industry, the results showed that firm size (or bank size) had positive effects on both diversification strategy and financial performance. Meanwhile, diversification strategy had a direct negative impact on financial performance but an indirect positive effect on financial performance when mediated by resource investment. Originality/value: While this study empirically demonstrated the existence of the bank size paradox, the results confirmed that it could be reduced through the strategic role of resource investment, which minimises the negative impacts of diversification strategies on financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explores the effect of the strategic fit (tight-fit, minimal-fit and non-fit) between business strategies and human resource (HR) practices on perceived organizational performance (POP). It also investigates the moderating role of firm size on strategic fit–performance linkage. Design/methodology/approach: The data were gathered via an online survey from HR managers of companies listed in "Fortune-500 Turkey, ISO-Top and Second-Top 500". The form was distributed to 669 organizations, and 102 of them responded. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and moderation analysis. Findings: No statistically significant difference was found in organizational performance according to different strategic fit categories. The moderating effect of firm size was not significant. Yet, tight-fit and minimal-fit appear to be linked to higher organizational performance. The results reveal that business strategies aligned with HR practices could have a favorable impact on organizational performance. Originality/value: The study differs from previous studies in terms of methodology, the conceptualization of strategic fit categories, the nature of the sample and non-Western origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, digital transformation has taken on heightened importance. This paper aims to identify the key components of successful digital transformations. As the IT industry is at the forefront of digital transformation, the insights and outcomes of this study can be advantageous to other sectors. This can assist other organizations in expediting their transformation journey and reducing costs. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted through a quantitative survey, which underwent a rigorous development process. The questionnaire was designed with clear objectives, informed by a thorough review of existing literature and a qualitative survey. Initial questions were formulated and reviewed internally before being pretested with a small group. Based on feedback, the questions were refined, and clarifying hints were added. The final survey was conducted, and the resulting data were analyzed to identify essential components of digital transformations and relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring success. Findings: A digital transformation's leading and essential components are mindsets, communication, strategy, technology and people. This relates well to the meta-study. The result of the determined KPIs is also interesting. According to the survey, the degree of automation, efficiency gain, employer survey and financial numbers are identified as important factors. Moreover, the increasing number of companies embracing digital transformation is a promising trend, indicating the relevance of this study's content for the future and its potential to assist in successful transformation. Research limitations/implications: The respondents in Germany showed a distinct pattern, but the outcomes could vary if the questionnaire had a more equitable representation of regions and countries worldwide. A similar situation applies to company size, as many participants were from large enterprises. Analyzing medium and small businesses may alter the findings. It is debatable whether KPIs alone can effectively facilitate a successful digital transformation. Besides the components, tracking the transformation's outcome and progress thoroughly is crucial to ensure the process aligns from start to finish. Originality/value: Overall, these results provide very precise and valid points that are necessary for digital transformation. With the knowledge gained from the IT sector, companies from other industries can already take the first step and plan for a digital transformation. In summary, relevant building blocks for a digital transformation have been found with the help of the survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper identifies the motivations for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when they undertake greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) into an emerging market. It elucidates the factors that influence SMEs to choose a fully equity-based investment despite the significant risks and commitments involved with greenfield FDI. Design/methodology/approach: This exploratory study uses case study research based on interviews conducted with managers and founders of 16 German SMEs that have established greenfield operations in Malaysia. Findings: Building upon the transaction cost theory, five major motivations are identified that drive greenfield choice among the SMEs. The results imply that SME motivation for greenfield is derived from a combination of strategic asset-seeking determinants and culturally driven reactions to external and behavioral uncertainty. The results also ascertain that these motivations have less to do with the size and revenue of the firm, but hinge on the SMEs' inner antecedents such as asset specificity, international experience, proprietary knowledge and ownership mode. Originality/value: The findings clarify the literature on equity-based entry mode for SMEs in emerging economies, enabling a closer understanding of the organizational and dynamic experiences and an overview of the auxiliary competencies these companies have to compete in the global market. The conceptual insights and empirical evidence derived from this study contribute to the intellectual discourse and managerial implications in the field of internationalization strategies of SMEs, particularly from developed countries into emerging markets via greenfield FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To better understand the role of creativity and its impact on business, IBM Institute for Business Value (IBM IBV) surveyed 400 United States-based CEOs across 11 industries in 2022. Design/methodology/approach: Average organization size of these businesses was a little over $26 billion in annual revenue. The survey covered a range of questions on the role and impact of creativity in their organization. Then survey data was analyzed to reveal the key drivers and success factors of creativity. Findings: When the CEOs were asked to describe an organizational structure most conducive to perpetuating creativity, as many as one quarter of them identified a hierarchical structure – a structure typically considered antithetical to free-flowing creativity, and one highly susceptible to micro-management and bureaucracy. Practical implications: CEOs identify fear of failure as the most significant barrier to creativity. Originality/value: Tapping into ingenuity and creativity has been critical to navigating recent market disruption – and going forward, effective creativity is becoming even more central to business success. Study identifies best practices of leading organizations that believe that. creativity is not a skill solely for a few selected innovators and makers, it's a quality required across the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: By combining structural contingency theory and socio-emotional wealth (SEW) theory, this study aims to identify the organizational determinants of collective performance-related pay (PRP) adoption by examining the interplay between a firm's ownership characteristics (i.e. family or non-family ownership) and other organizational characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a quantitative approach, conducting empirical analyses of a longitudinal dataset of 4,222 Italian companies in the manufacturing sector for 2009–2017. The probability of adopting collective PRP schemes is estimated using the average marginal effects of the probit and linear probability models (LPMs). Findings: The results show that family firms are less likely to adopt collective PRP schemes than non-family firms. Moreover, ceteris paribus, firm characteristics such as size, age and past (firm and labor) productivity are important determinants of firms' adoption of collective incentive pay; however, the significance and magnitude of their effects vary depending on a firm's ownership structure. Originality/value: This analysis has two major elements of novelty. First, it increases the knowledge of how organizational contingencies differ in family versus non-family contexts regarding pay decisions. Second, it brings new theoretical perspectives to the pay debate by combining structural contingency theory and SEW theory, thus developing new and fertile theoretical grounds for advancing our understanding of the pay determinants. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is one of the first (if any) studies to shed light on collective PRP in family and non-family firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Servitization has been used widely by manufacturing firms to secure strategic positions in industrial transformation. However, its impact on firms' market power remains to be investigated, especially in developing countries. This study aims to investigate servitization's impact on firms' market power, along with the moderating roles of research and development (R&D) intensity and firm size. Design/methodology/approach: Using the two-stage least squares with instrumental variables (2SLS-IV) method, the authors conduct an empirical analysis of servitization in China based on panel data for 1,797 publicly traded manufacturing firms during the period 2012–2018. Findings: The findings show that servitization helps increase a firm's market power. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis suggests that embedded servitization increases a firm's market power, whereas hybrid servitization reduces it. The findings also indicate that this effect varies depending on critical firm conditions. Servitization's effect on firms' market power increases with R&D intensity but decreases with manufacturer expansion. Research limitations/implications: This study describes the positive effects of servitization on firms' market power in response to calls for research that will adopt a comprehensive business performance perspective on the servitization field. Practical implications: The findings provide guidance for what type of servitization manufacturing firms should choose and how it fits with their size and R&D capabilities. Originality/value: This pioneering empirical study uses a large longitudinal data set and the 2SLS-IV method to examine the effects of embedded servitization and hybrid servitization on firms' market power. The findings provide a new perspective on ongoing discussions of "desertification" and the "service paradox." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to propose that, in business-to-business (B2B) industries, number of strategic alliances firms established before a "black swan" event enhances their chances to survive the black swan, and the enhancements take place through moderation effects. Changes in firms' core structures – their stated goals, authority structure, core technologies and marketing strategies – to adapt to business jolts have adverse effects on firm performance. Firms' existing B2B strategic alliances moderate the effects negatively by outsourcing different goals, authority structures, core technologies and marketing strategies to partners who fit the changed environment. Design/methodology/approach: This study collected quantitative data and analyzed the data with the regression method. Findings: Using data from Chinese firms in five technology industries during the 2007–2009 economic crisis, this study finds that firms' internal adaptation is negatively correlated with their performance during economic crises, and B2B strategic alliances negatively moderate this relationship. Research limitations/implications: First, this study focuses on B2B strategic alliances, and it is not clear whether the findings apply to B2C industries, where strategic alliances may not be common. Perhaps firms can use other means of survival in addition to strategic alliances in B2C industries. Second, this study does not differentiate between fast-moving and slow-moving industries, and it is not clear whether strategic alliances play the same role in both industries. Third, this study does not differentiate firm ages and sizes. It remains unclear how large, established and small, young firms differ when facing crises. Finally, this study is based on the Chinese setting, and it is not clear whether the findings apply to other markets as well. These issues should be explored in future studies. Practical implications: Changing firms' core structures harms their performance during black swan crises because such crises are unpredictable, and planned changes may not adapt firms to crises. Managers should not attempt to change their core structures during crises. B2B strategic alliances provide an effective means for firms to survive crises. Originality/value: This paper makes two contributions to the existing literature: First, this paper demonstrates that changes of one of the four core structures of a firm to cope with black swan events have negative impacts on firm performance. Second, this paper identifies the importance of holding a variety of strategic alliances previously to the black swan events to reduce the negative impacts of changing core structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the extended resource-based view (ERBV), this paper aims to investigate the relationship between sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), dynamic capabilities (DCs) and enterprise economic performance (EEP). Both the direct effects of SSCM on economic performance and the mediation effect of DCs are investigated. This empirical study also examines the moderating role of firm size. Design/methodology/approach: This study applies hierarchical regression analyses to test our hypotheses, and then the mediation test was performed using the macro PROCESS. Data were collected from 178 Chinese manufacturing firms. Findings: The findings show that SSCM practices significantly and positively influence both economic performance and DCs. The results indicate that DCs partially mediate the relationship between SSCM practices and EEP. Moreover, firm size has a moderating effect on external SSCM practices that influence EEP, but the moderating effect was not found to be significant for the effects of internal SSCM practices on economic performance and SSCM practices on DCs. Practical implications: This study reveals insights into the potential benefits for large enterprises and SMEs related to the utilization of SSCM practices in China and puts forward differentiated suggestions for SSCM practices in large enterprises and SMEs. Originality/value: Drawing on the ERBV, this study provides a deeper perspective on the relationship between SSCM and EEP by regarding DCs as a mediating variable and firm size as a moderating variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the influence of contextual factors (e.g. age and ownership type) on HRM formality (including the underlying functions of recruitment, selection, training and development, performance appraisal and compensation) in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through a quantitative survey of 300 owners/managers of services, manufacturing and trade SMEs in Pakistan. Findings: Firm age, association with a larger parent entity, existence of a strategic business plan and the presence of a human resource information system (HRIS) are positively related with higher HRM formality. Firm size, family ownership and exporting characteristics had no association with formality. Practical implications: This study suggests a highly influential role for contextual factors in shaping HRM practices in Pakistani SMEs. Since the lack of a strategic approach towards human resource development is directly linked to the inferior performance of SMEs in Pakistan, this study provides an understanding of the contextual institutional setting that shapes the nature of HRM practices. The findings inform both SME owners/managers and policy makers. Originality/value: Institutional influences on HRM systems have attracted attention but organisational factors are less often studied. Studies mostly relate to Western contexts and lack perspectives from SMEs. The findings of this empirical investigation highlight the importance of context specific research given the different nature of institutional settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between building smart factories in manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and firm performance and the moderating effect according to product complexity and company size. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 206 companies selected in the list of SMEs, which had built smart factories, provided by the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center in Korea. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. Findings: First, production automation and big data utilization are associated positively with productivity, but not significantly with export performance. Second, supply chain integration is associated positively with both productivity and export performance. Third, product complexity moderates negatively the relationship of productivity with each of production automation, big data utilization and supply chain integration while moderating positively the relationship between supply chain integration and export performance. Finally, company size does not moderate significantly the relationship between productivity or export performance with any of production automation, big data utilization and supply chain integration. Originality/value: This study contributes theoretically to literature by demonstrating the usefulness of building smart factories and suggesting how SMEs build a smart factory to enhance productivity and export performance from a business perspective. Moreover, this study contributes practically by proposing that SMEs should put priority on supply chain integration over production automation and big data utilization and execute different strategies of building smart factories depending on product complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In light of the recent dynamics, this paper aims to explore the last mile (LM) of e-commerce retailers. Two research questions are developed (1) What firm characteristics are critical in LM practices? and (2) How do LM practices differ based on the identified critical firm characteristics? Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected via 10 interviews with e-commerce executives, as well as a survey on 200 e-commerce firms in different retail sectors in Sweden. Findings: "Firm Size" and "Sales Channel-Mix" appear to be the top critical firm characteristics in LM practices. While last mile delivery (LMDe) was found to vary more based on sales channel mix than firm size, the opposite occurs for last mile back-end fulfilment (LMBF). Moreover, last mile consumer steering (LMCS) was found to vary only with sales channel-mix. Unexpectedly, primarily store-based retailers capitalize on their stores while offering competitive remote services; they hence compete indirectly with their existing store network. Originality/value: While most prior work has focused on LMBF and LMDe for strategizing, the consumer-steering aspect seems to have been a missing link. This study develops an integrated framework for LM strategy planning, incorporating LMCS, LMBF and LMDe. New aspects such as the environment, specialization and inventory management are included. The findings provide insights for executives when strategizing, undertaking competition analysis and positioning the firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While localized small-series production is a significant opportunity, various tensions challenge implementation in high-cost contexts. This paper explores how managers view and respond to different tensions in small-series production implementation by adopting a paradox-based perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents a multiple case study addressing small-series production within EU's apparel industry, as key context to address managerial awareness, and responses to tensions regarding location and supply network configuration decisions. Seven cases were selected for variation in customization and implementation (early/established), ownership, location and company size, to identity commonalities. Findings: The study highlights performing tensions related to sustainability, and risk, in addition to confirming traditional goal-related tensions predominantly impacting small volume production. With on-demand/custom production, tensions include costs in conflict with process scale, and several process-related tensions (flexibility, expansion/development, risk management). Identified multidimensional responses do not include location or structural decisions, instead focusing on synthesis, through product-operations efficiency, knowledge development and process innovation and supply chain collaboration. Temporal separation is found with customization, including reducing product/process complexity short-term with enhancing process development, which suggests latent learning tensions and limited awareness. Research limitations/implications: Future research should address the extent to which tensions can be resolved or remain paradoxical, as well as dynamic decision-making and latent tensions. Originality/value: The paper shows how paradox theory facilitates a deeper understanding of complex network configuration decisions, including reshoring/localization. The findings identify organizing tensions/elements and elaborate upon performing/performing-organizing tensions suggested with small-series production, location decisions and supply chain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors seek an answer to the research question: how do the disclosure of the intended use of initial public offering (IPO) proceeds and firm characteristics jointly influence IPO performance? Design/methodology/approach: Data on the use of proceeds, firm age, size, high- or low-tech industry, and the length of the use of proceeds section were collected from 341 IPOs in the USA, UK, and Hong Kong. Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis was used to predict which configurations of IPO use of proceeds and firm characteristics consistently led to above-average IPO performance. Findings: Ten configurations of causal factors were found to lead to above-average IPO performance. Disclosure of IPO proceeds use matters for IPO performance but is contingent on firm characteristics. Whether a firm is in a high- or low-technology industry along with its size and age have distinct effects on which intended uses of proceeds are beneficial and how long their intended proceeds section must be to lead to above-average IPO performance. Originality/value: These findings contribute to a multidimensional view of IPO performance. The authors use information processing and a management perspective to see how the use of proceeds sections help frame an IPO's equity story. The use of a configurational methodology and a management perspective shows how IPOs can be viewed as a bundle of attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cross-channel integration improves the operations of multi-channel and omnichannel marketing and increase firms' overall performance. By addressing the extant gaps in current literature, this configurational analysis aims to test the combined effects of organizational, channel and environmental factors on cross-channel integration. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from a sample of 180 manufacturers. Necessary condition analysis (NCA) was used to test whether two organizational factors (firm size and IT capability), one environmental factor (environmental dynamism) and two channel factors (channel diversity and proportion of direct channels) were necessary or unnecessary conditions for high cross-channel integration. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was applied to analyze the configurational factors of high vs low cross-channel integration. Findings: First, firm size and IT capability are non-linear and substitute for each other in affecting cross-channel integration in a diversified channel system with a high proportion of direct channels. Second, in a dynamic environment, firms with large size and IT advantage could achieve high cross-channel integration by diversifying channel types or increasing the proportion of direct channels. Third, the effect of channel diversity and proportion of direct channels on cross-channel integration is asymmetric depending on other antecedent conditions. Originality/value: The authors tested a configurational framework developed from multiple theoretical perspectives. The authors' empirical findings contribute to the literature by providing insights into the mechanisms underlying the formation of high and low cross-channel integration. The results suggest multiple ways for firms to promote cross-channel integration by adjusting channel factors based on configurational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the authors draw from the concept of a "focused factory" to examine whether a focused strategy provides superior performance over a non-focused strategy in firms experiencing service disruptions. Design/methodology/approach: The authors test their hypotheses using panel data of the US domestic airline industry from 1998 to 2019. Findings: Overall, the study findings show that a focused strategy provides superior financial performance over a non-focused strategy in both stable environments and unpredictable environments. The authors also find that the effect of service disruptions on profitability is less pronounced for firms following a focused strategy. This shows that focused firms need to grow over time to sustain profitability. Their post hoc analysis shows that for a non-focused strategy (but not for a focused strategy), firm size moderates the effect of service disruptions on profitability. This suggests that a firm pursuing a non-focused strategy can mitigate the negative effect of service disruptions by increasing its size. Originality/value: This is the first study that examines the effectiveness of the focused strategy in mitigating service disruptions. The results provide further support for the effectiveness of the focused strategy in responding to service disruptions in service organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Organizations nowadays require services supplied by shared service centers (SSCs) to achieve organizational responsiveness. Previous contributions focused on distinct qualitative-explorative factors for explaining successful SSC implementation but failed to consider the interdependencies and combined effects between factors. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on complexity and configuration theories, this research employed a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). A unique dataset of 121 international firms was obtained to examine the combined effects of five conditions (factors), namely, modularization, standardization, decision-rights, portfolio and customer-orientation. Findings: The findings show that multiple configurations of conditions (or solutions) can lead to successful SSC implementation. The fsQCA results indicated that portfolio and standardization are perceived as core conditions in all configurations. Firms that focus on portfolio and continuous evaluation of customer-orientation are more likely to be successful. Furthermore, in some configurations, the size of the firm size matters. Research limitations/implications: The cross-sectional survey data might be a potential limitation. In future research, a more extensive survey can be collected to help generalize the results. Practical implications: Success factors are dependent on the SSC configuration. Standardization, portfolio management and regular evaluations of changing customer services by executive management are needed. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no academic study that examines SSC implementation based on salient conditions using a configurational thinking approach. As such, the findings of the research allow us to better understand the causal complexity and interdependencies between essential SSC factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study, based on stakeholder theory, aims to analyse the factors that can affect the level of visual disclosure in the context of integrated reporting (IR), which represents the last frontier of corporate disclosure. Design/methodology/approach: This study develops an innovative measure to measure the level of visual disclosure of integrated reports that takes into account the use and degree of integration of images and graphs. Furthermore, to test the hypotheses, this study uses a regression model on a sample of 134 international companies that published an integrated report in 2018. Findings: The results show that firm size, firm profitability and industry environmental sensitivity positively affect the level of visual disclosure of the integrated reports. Originality/value: To our knowledge, this is the first study that examines visual disclosure in the IR context. It also extends the field of application of the stakeholder theory, still little used to explain visual disclosure strategies, and increases knowledge on the determinants of IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between objective and subjective sales performance and salespeople's economic and non-economic satisfaction in a sequential logic model. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a questionnaire survey using a deductive approach. A total of 315 companies were ultimately selected for participation in the study, to represent a range of companies from different industries and company sizes in the product-oriented business sector of Norway. A total of 236 questionnaires were returned, generating a response rate of 74.9%. Findings: The sequential logic of objective and subjective sales performance, in connection with salespeople's economic and non-economic satisfaction, reveals an underlying structure that can link existing theory and previous studies on sales performance and salesperson satisfaction in business-to-business (B2B) settings. Research limitations/implications: The results reported applying only to a B2B setting, to test whether the sequential logic model and mediating effects still hold in such setting. This study is also limited to product-oriented companies in Norway, which offers the opportunity for a future study to verify whether the refined research model also applies to service-oriented companies. Practical implications: The results indicate that the constructs of objective and subjective sales performance and salespeoplés economic and non-economic satisfaction are intertwined in a B2B setting. Specifically, these constructs are related to one another sequentially. Originality/value: Contributes to structuring in a B2B setting, the relationships between objective and subjective sales performance on the one hand and salespeoplés economic and non-economic satisfaction on the other. It also highlights two mediating effects, namely, subjective sales performance mediates the relationship effect between objective sales performance and salespeoplés economic satisfaction and salespeople economic's satisfaction mediates the relationship effect between subjective sales performance and salespeople's non-economic satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Entrepreneurial ecosystems provide the context for start-ups to access resources. The authors investigate the reliance of start-ups on their entrepreneurial ecosystem and the driving factors behind the proportion of local actors (belonging to their entrepreneurial ecosystem) within their overall set of relationships (their business ecosystem). Recognizing the limited relational capacity of firms, the authors focus on three differentiating firm characteristics: size, age and innovation of firms. Design/methodology/approach: The authors developed a sample of 163 start-ups located in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Toulouse, France. The authors investigated the characteristics of their relationship sets using regression analysis. Findings: The results confirm that age is inversely related to the proportion of a start-up's relationships located in its entrepreneurial ecosystem. More surprisingly, for older start-ups, the authors also highlight the presence of a moderating effect of the start-up's size on the relationship between its degree of innovation and the proportion of its relationships in its entrepreneurial ecosystem: Larger and more innovative start-ups appear to rely more on their local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Originality/value: This research increases the understanding of the characteristics driving the interactions of start-ups with their entrepreneurial ecosystems by adopting a relational capacity approach. The authors introduce digital methods as an innovative approach for uncovering firms' ecosystems. Finally, from a practical point of view, the research should provide public authorities seeking to promote the link between local resources and the development of innovative start-ups in their regions with interesting insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Taking the customer-centric nature of integrated marketing communications (IMC), this article investigates the specific role of customer performance in IMC effectiveness in various size companies applying inter-country context. Design/methodology/approach -- The sample consists of the primary data from developed (Spain) and developing (Belarus) economies. A total of 540 manager respondents participated in the survey. The article uses structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis for analysis. Findings -- When taking into consideration, customer performance affects the IMC outcome on the market and financial performance. The customer performance role varies in firms of various sizes and small- and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) operating both in developed and developing economies. Research limitations/implications -- The research underlines the significant role of customer performance in IMC implementation, which stimulates further investigation on the topic. It also closes the gap in the IMC outcomes analysis in SMEs operating in developed and developing economies. Practical implications -- Customer evaluation plays a vital role in the IMC outcomes for market growth and financial returns. SMEs and larger companies implement IMC with different levels of effectiveness. SMEs with IMC implementation can gain an advantage over larger rivals and improve their market position. Moreover, the study generalizes the results by applying inter-country context. Originality/value -- This is a pioneering study of the complex IMC outcomes model under firms' size moderate conditions. The research applies an inter-country context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to focus on the effects of human capital composition, innovation portfolio and size on manufacturing firms' performance. Moreover, it seeks to empirically identify the levels of education that are significant in labour productivity. Design/methodology/approach: The resource-based view (RBV) theory is applied using data gathered from the National Innovation Survey in the Manufacturing Industries of Peru. Using the ordinary least squares method on a sample of 584 Peruvian manufacturing firms, the effects on firm performance of two subsamples according to innovation portfolio and firm size are determined. Findings: The direct effects of human capital composition on productivity show that the higher the workers' educational level, the higher the productivity. However, if this relationship is analysed in terms of the innovation portfolio, the authors find that labour productivity in companies with product–service innovation is greater (i.e. more significant) than in traditional manufacturing firms with only product innovations. Similarly, if this relationship is compared in terms of company, the authors find that large companies are more significant than small and medium-sized enterprises. Practical implications: The study furthers the understanding of how the relationship between human capital composition, innovation portfolio and size of manufacturing firms positively affects labour productivity. Hence, it can help managers to craft their innovation portfolio according to the educational level of their human capital. This could require that not only human resource management innovates, but also that strategic partnerships be developed with educational establishments to boost training towards product–service innovation. Originality/value: This study's results provide confirmation that the configuration of human resources, innovation portfolio and size plays a significant role on manufacturing firms' performance, particularly in the context of developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Highlighting the important role of managerial action in resource orchestration, the purpose of this paper is to explore how differences in managerial perceptions about the strategic relevance of resources and capabilities influences the resource configurations in SMEs from an emerging economy context. Design/methodology/approach: Using a survey-based instrument that was developed by the Global Competitive project (www.gcp.org), the authors identify 62 Mexican SMEs and perform a cluster analysis based on firm size and age and estimate the competitiveness of the SMEs in each cluster. Findings: The results of our cluster analysis indeed suggest the existence of four configurations of SMEs based on the managerial perceptions of the value creating potential of the different resources and capabilities at the firms' disposal. The authors find evidence that managerial perception of the strategic relevance of resources and capabilities at a firm's disposal could influence firm-level competitiveness. Managers of firms that perceive high value or importance to the resources and capabilities, considered the ten resource pillars for competitiveness in this study, are also likely to be the most competitive. Research limitations/implications: This study is exploratory in nature and intends to provide an initial and more descriptive analysis of SME competitiveness in an emerging economy context. Additionality, the study does not take into account the effect of industry membership. Originality/value: The choice of an emerging economy that are often characterized by asymmetric information and informal rules and regulations provides an original context for an understudied area of research in firm-level competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the firm-level drivers of competitiveness of the Czech small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using the complex firm-level competitiveness index. The authors explored the relationship between firm competitiveness and firm characteristics such as size, age, industry affiliation and location. Design/methodology/approach: The complex competitiveness index as a proxy for firm competitiveness was calculated from the survey data. In total, 132 complete questionnaires filled in by representatives of randomly selected Czech SMEs were collected in 2018. Additional firm characteristics (size, age, industry affiliation and location) considered as determinants of competitiveness were obtained from the commercial database Albertina and from the Czech Statistical Office. The determinants of competitiveness were tested econometrically by estimation of multivariate regression models. Findings: The authors mainly found a significant relationship between the firm size and competitiveness of the Czech SMEs. The authors have also confirmed that the least competitive enterprises are those operating in the agricultural sector and that regional location plays an important role in the determination of firm competitiveness. Practical implications: The identification of competitiveness drivers can provide entrepreneurs, managers and policymakers with important implications. It seems beneficial for the Czech SMEs to expand the scope of operations to achieve a larger company size, for example, by focussing on investment activities, direct marketing, improving entrepreneurial skills or by applying an aggressive sales strategy, especially towards markets with lower competition. Politicians may respond to these efforts by setting the appropriate policies that promote SMEs' competitiveness, for example, through the hard and soft public support for financial and human resources. Originality/value: Although many studies on competitiveness have been published, there is still a limited number of firm-level studies looking at competitiveness from multiple angles rather than from the study of profitability and productivity. In contrast, the study uses a complex firm-level competitiveness index based on ten competitiveness pillars (technology, human capital, products, domestic market, networks, international markets, online presence, marketing, decision making and strategy) to capture the contribution of different resources and capabilities to firm competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the process innovation on export propensity in knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) firms and non-KIBS firms in Colombia. Design/methodology/approach: For the empirical application, the authors use a unique primary data set drawn from the Global Competitiveness Project (GCP: www.gcp.org) that includes information for 57 Colombian KIBS for 2019. The authors use a binary choice model to test the proposed hypotheses on the relevance of KIBS and process innovation in explaining export propensity. Findings: The results showed a positive relationship between KIBS and business size with an export propensity, but this relationship is non-meaningful. Also, the findings showed a negative and non-significant relationship between a process innovation and business age with the probability to export. On the other hand, the evidence state that KIBS firms encourage the relationship between propensity to export and process innovation, which is to say that they are highly effective to increase the propensity to export. Finally, the industry increases the probability of export propensity. Originality/value: This study offers a new insight relating to KIBS, process innovation and their contribution to increasing export propensity. The findings of this paper offer relevant information to government policymakers to design strategies that promote export activity in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Building on the resource-based view theory, this paper aims to evaluate the role of innovation on competitiveness and competitive efficiency among Costa Rican small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a sample of 231 Costa Rican small and medium-size firms for 2019. The authors compute a competitiveness index that includes four pillars: innovation, strategy, markets and human capital. To estimate competitive efficiency, the authors use a non-parametric model, namely, data envelopment analysis, with a single constant input. Findings: The results confirm that competitive and efficient SMEs present a more homogenous distribution of resources and capabilities. The innovation pillar is positively correlated with competitive efficiency. A positive correlation exists between market experience (business age) and innovation and between innovation and business size in terms of the number of employees. Practical implications: The study contributes to the understanding on how SME managers' decision-making processes affect resource allocation within the business, and on how SMEs can introduce strategic actions based on improvements of those resources that will likely have a greater impact on competitive efficiency. Originality/value: This study contributes to better grasping how the configuration of resources and capabilities, in which innovation plays a decisive role, and contributes to shape the competitive efficiency of small and medium-sized businesses in a developing economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to show the interaction effects between clusters and cluster-specific attributes and the industrial internet of things (IoT) knowledge of a firm on the innovativeness of firms. Cluster theory and the concept of key enabling technologies are linked to test their effect on a firm's incremental and radical knowledge generation. Design/methodology/approach: Quantitative approach at the firm-level. By combining several data sources (e.g. ORBIS, PATSTAT and German subsidy catalogue) the paper relies on a unique database encompassing 8,347 firms in Germany. Ordinary least squares (OLS)-regression techniques are used for data analysis. Findings: Industrial IoT is an important driver of radical patents, mediated positively by firm size. For incremental knowledge, a substitution effect occurs between a cluster and IoT effects, which is bigger for larger firms and dependent on cluster attributes and firms' outside connections. Research limitations/implications: The paper opens up new research paths considering long-term disruptive effects of the industrial IoT compared to short-term effects on the innovativeness of firms within clusters. Additionally, it enables further research enriching the discussion about cluster attributes and how these affect ongoing processes. Practical implications: Linking cluster theory and policy with Industry 4.0 raises awareness for being considerate in terms of funding and scrutinising one-size-fits-all approaches. Originality/value: Connecting the concepts of a cluster and advanced manufacturing technologies as a proxy for industrial IoT, specifically focussing on both radical and incremental innovations is a new approach. Especially, taking into account the interaction effects between cluster attributes and the influence of industrial IoT on the innovativeness of firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the factors deriving effective tax rate (ETR) for Indian manufacturing firms in different sectors. The study also tries to analyze the sensitiveness of ETR because of shocks on its key determinants. Design/methodology/approach: The study is using Arellano–Bond dynamic panel regression model to identify the key drivers of ETR, and impulse response functions of panel vector auto-regression model to analyze the response of ETR because of one standard deviation (SD) shock to its key determinants. Findings: This study concludes that ETR is significantly explained by firm size, profitability, growth rate and non-debt tax shield in most of the sectors, and debt ratio, asset tangibility and age of the firms are impacting ETR differently across sectors. In case of entire manufacturing sector, firm size, profitability, growth and non-debt tax shield are driving ETR positively and asset tangibility is driving ETR negatively. Interest coverage ratio (ICR) and firm age are not significant drivers of ETR. ETR is positively related with firm size, but responses negatively when there is an immediate shock to firm size. Similarly, ETR is negatively related with asset tangibility, but responds positively following an immediate shock to it. Overall, ETR is more sensitive and responses significantly because of shocks in firm size, profitability, growth, asset tangibility and non-debt tax shield whereas, the response is very marginal following shocks to debt ratio, ICR and age of the firm. Research limitations/implications: Firm managers may find the study useful to understand the receptiveness of ETRs at each sector level. The empirical findings are not only validating the theoretical developments but also providing a root cause analysis to the firm managers to understand the cause and consequence of ETRs for firms at different sectors. Originality/value: Empirically investigating the factors driving ETR and analyzing its sensitiveness because of one SD shock on its key determinants for Indian manufacturing firms from different sectors is the originality of this study. Developing a strong theoretical background and empirically validating it through advanced methodology makes the study unique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how judgments of firms' underlying motives are affected by corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication which features percentages of profit allocations to CSR causes. It also examines how firm size interacts with CSR spending allocations affecting motive attributions for firms of different sizes. Design/methodology/approach: Two experiments were carried out manipulating CSR spending allocations (smaller vs larger percentage of profit) and firm size (small vs large firm). Findings: A larger percentage of profits allocated to CSR enhanced value-driven motives and inhibited inferences of manipulative intent, which produced lower egoistic-driven motives. Large firms allocating smaller percentages to CSR were judged as less value-driven and were more prone to elicit manipulative intent. Originality/value: Two routes of motive attributions were identified – a direct route, contingent on CSR spending allocations and firm size; and an indirect route via inferences of manipulative intent, which inhibited favorable motives and prompted unfavorable ones. Both routes resulted from numerical cognition associated with the processing of numbers. Managerial implications include suggestions for firms wishing to overcome negative consumer bias arising from communication featuring CSR spending allocations and firm size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate corporate environmental responsibility of Croatian road freight transport companies. Additionally, enterprises' ecological responsibility is established in relation to company size. Design/methodology/approach: Primary data was collected through a questionnaire. For this research, 150 Croatian road freight companies were randomly selected, of which 58 completed the questionnaire. Regression and variance analyses were conducted to analyse the data. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that the companies' level of ecological sustainability reflects their established organisational culture. Companies with more employees and higher revenues had a higher level of ecological responsibility. Research limitations/implications: Due to the small sample size, the generalisability of the results is questionable. The results of the primary research confirmed that as the company size increased, so did its established organisational culture regarding ecological sustainability. A higher level of ecological sustainability would provide better financial results and other advantages for small companies. Originality/value: The theoretical contribution of the paper is presented in the literature review, which provides a summary of the importance of establishing sustainable policy for transport companies. Due to the creation of the Croatian road freight market and pressures created by new competitors from the other member countries of European Union, Croatian road freight companies must understand the positive connection between ecological sustainability and an established organisational culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this research, we empirically examine the impact of Business Intelligence (BI) systems on operational capability in high-tech sectors. We also seek to understand the contextual factors that facilitate the adoption of BI systems. Design/methodology/approach: We adopt Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and event study methodology, and analyze the financial data for a sample of 144 US firms which adopted BI systems from 2005–2014, and compare them to control firms without BI systems. Findings: We find that the implementation of BI systems leads to higher operational capability, particularly for large high-tech firms with high technology intensity. We further show that technology intensity and firm size are important contextual factors for firms to reap the benefits of BI systems. Practical implications: We demonstrate how benefits from the adoption of BI systems are likely to be strengthened. The benefits of BI systems depend on firms' technology intensity and firm size of high-tech firms. Accessing relevant and timely reports for decision-making is particularly important in the highly dynamic, volatile and competitive high-tech sectors. Originality/value: We contribute to the literature by providing empirical evidence that the adoption of BI systems can improve firms' operational capability and show that technology intensity and firm size are important contextual factors for firms to reap the benefits of BI systems. We advance the understanding regarding the contextual factors in which firms are more likely to gain additional benefits from their adoptions of BI systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper analyses the relationship between wage dispersion and firm size within a "two-tier" system of collective bargaining (firm bargaining and multi-employer bargaining levels). Collective bargaining has a decisive role in setting wages in Spain, and its regulation highly limits the possibility for smaller firms to negotiate their own collective agreement. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the Spanish Structure of Earnings Survey 2006, 2010 and 2014, the authors use variance decomposition in order to deeply analyse the effect of bargaining level on wage dispersion and compare the value of each decile of the distribution of wages for the purposes of identifying the quantitative differences in wage compression. Findings: In general, the outcomes positively linked firm size and firm bargaining to wage dispersion. However, if firm size is taken into account, the effect of firm bargaining is limited among small firm workers because this type of firm is not usually covered by firm bargaining. On the other hand, the time analysis allows observing a wage compression that follows different patterns depending on firm size, compressing the higher part of the distribution in case of small firms and the lower part in case of large firms. This should be explained by the fact that wage negotiation is dependent on firm size. Social implications: Firm size has determined firm adjustment strategies to face the recent economic crisis and allows to evaluate the impact that changes in collective bargaining can have on wage distribution Originality/value: There is no research that has tried to analyse the relationship between wage dispersion and firm size in a context where collective bargaining is essential to understand the wage structure. Normally, firm size plays a decisive role in wage policy given that the capacity of a company to negotiate an agreement is closely linked to its size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper asks how workplace learning environments change as firm size increases, and how employees respond to this. In doing so, it looks beyond an exclusive focus on formal training and incorporates more informal, work-based learning processes. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a comparative, qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews with an under-researched group of workers – waiting for staff in restaurants. The data were collected from six restaurants of different sizes. Findings: As formally instituted human resource development (HRD) structures expand as firm size increases are more extensive in larger firms, this leaves less room for individual choice and agency in shaping the learning process. This does not inevitably constrain or enhance workplace learning, and can be experienced either negatively or positively by employees, depending on their previous working and learning experiences. Research limitations/implications: Future research on HRD and workplace learning should acknowledge both formal and informal learning processes and the interaction between them – particularly in small and growing firms. Insights are drawn from the sociomaterial perspective help the authors to conceptualise this formality and informality. Research is needed in a wider range of sectors. Practical implications: There are implications for managers in small, growing firms, in terms of how they maintain space for informal learning as formal HRD structures expand, and how they support learners who may struggle in less structured learning environments. Originality/value: The paper extends current understanding of how the workplace learning environment – beyond a narrow focus on "training" – changes as firm size increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the role of learning orientation in building brand equity for B2B firms. The present research proposes that learning orientation contributes to the development of innovation and marketing capabilities and, in turn, leads to enhanced industrial brand equity. Furthermore, the moderating effect of firm size in these processes is investigated. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses are tested by administering a survey with a set of managers of manufacturing firms in China. Findings: Innovation capability and marketing capability serve as the mediators between learning orientation and industrial brand equity. The mediating path through innovation capability is stronger for small firms than for large firms. Research limitations/implications: Learning orientation provides a cultural base for B2B firms to cultivate brand equity. Measurement of industrial brand equity and contingency of its effect requires further investigation. Practical implications: To transform learning-oriented culture into brand equity, firms need to develop and manage innovation and marketing capabilities. The learning orientation–innovation capability route is more beneficial for small firms. Originality/value: While a majority of prior literature ignores the impact of organizational culture in driving industrial brand equity, the present research explores learning orientation as a key cultural antecedent of industrial brand equity. A more refined industrial-brand-equity-building mechanism from learning orientation to corporate capabilities and then to brand equity is proposed and tested. The mechanism varies with firm size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between firm size and growth under the framework of Law of Proportionate Effect (LPE) for Asian firms. Design/methodology/approach: An unbalanced panel data for about 12,001 unique non-financial listed and active firms from 1995 to 2016 for 12 industrial and emerging Asian economies was examined. Total assets and net sales were used as size variables. Firm-specific variables such as return on equity, leverage and liquidity ratio were used along with macroeconomic variables such as GDP growth and two financial development indicators. The fixed effects and random effects approach were used to estimate the dynamic growth model after taking into account econometric issues such as correlation between the cross-country-specific error component and the regressors and heteroscedasticity. Findings: The estimated coefficient of firm size was found to be always significant and negative rejecting the Gibrat's law for Asian firms confirming that the small-sized firms are growing faster than larger-sized firms. Also, the persistence of growth coefficient suggested that a positive persistence of firm growth does not exist for the selected Asian firms. Gibrat's LPE was also rejected across small, medium- and large-sized companies. For the aggregate sample, the coefficient of leverage was found to be negative and significant, whereas liquidity ratio, GDP growth, banking sector and stock market variables are found to have positive and significant relationship with growth of firms. For individual economies, a mix of positive and negative (significant and insignificant) estimated coefficient was observed. Practical implications: At macro-level, the examination of firm growth is likely to have significant policy implications for the regulators and various government agencies as firm growth may increase economic activity in general and employment opportunities in particular. The policymakers can control economic and employment activity by designing specific firm growth policies. At micro-level, the study will have significant implications for managerial decision-making. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to test the validity of Gibrat's LPE for large Asian economies and firms using recent data under a dynamic growth framework using firm-specific and macroeconomic variables. Also, persistence of growth of firms under LPE (that growth does not persist from one period to the next) is uniquely examined for Asian firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to fill three theoretical gaps in previous literature on exploration and exploitation: the relationship between exploration and exploitation is inconclusive; the influences of exploration and exploitation on firm performance are not consistent; and no empirical studies have integrated the antecedents of exploration and exploitation from the different research fields. Design/methodology/approach: The study conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize 143 studies with 257 independent samples to understand the relationship between exploration and exploitation and their consequences and antecedents. Findings: The results show that exploration and exploitation are positively correlated with each other, and both of them can boost firm performance. Moreover, firm capabilities, firm size, firm age, competitive intensity, market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation positively influence exploration, and firm resources, firm capabilities, firm size, firm age, market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation positively influence exploitation. Competitive intensity negatively influences exploitation. Surprisingly, market turbulence does not significantly influence exploration or exploitation. Originality/value: The results not only contribute to the theories by reconciling the inconsistent results but also provide insight for firms with guidance about under what conditions they should use what strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between relational capital (RC) and firm performance, by investigating the moderation effect of firm size and its key role in defining conditions for competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses the interpretative lens of the resource dependence theory, and refreshes consolidated studies rooted in RC. It identifies a set of variables to measure the influence of RC on firm performance, including the cost of goods sold, interest expenses and earnings per share. Content analysis was used to capture specific features of corporate disclosure tools using 51 items pertinent to RC. The authors used a specific disclosure index drawing on data collected from 73 listed firms in France, Germany, Italy and the UK. Data covering the period from 2011 to 2013 were analyzed using six regression models. Findings: Firm size has a moderating effect on the relationship between RC and some variables linked to firm performance. Originality/value: The study combines an internal and external perspective to investigate the interplay between firms and market environments, and therefore, enriches the ongoing debate concerning the relationship between RC and firm performance. It outlines possible ways through which RC can become an effective source of competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Empirical studies have found that cost-based pricing remains dominant in pricing practice and suggest that practice conflicts with marketing theory, which recommends value-based prices. However, empirical studies have yet to examine whether cost-plus formulas represent the pricing approach or essence. Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to address the factors that explain price setting whereby the cost-plus formula is not just the pricing approach but also the pricing essence. This examination is grounded in a survey conducted on 380 Brazilian industrial companies. Findings: The results show that, for price-makers, the cost-based pricing essence is positively associated with four factors (two obstacles to deploying value-based pricing, company size and differentiation), but it is negatively related to one factor (premium pricing strategy). For price-takers, the cost-based pricing essence is positively associated with four factors (two obstacles to deploying value-based pricing, coercive isomorphism and use of full costs), but it is negatively related to five factors (one obstacle to deploying value-based pricing, company size, competitors' ability to copy, normative isomorphism and experience). Originality/value: The key contribution of this paper is demonstrating that cost-plus formulas do not go against the incorporation of competitors and value information. This study reveals that it is possible to set prices based on either value or competitors' prices while simultaneously preserving the simplicity of the cost-plus formulas. Via the margin, firms may connect costs to information about competition and value. The authors also demonstrate the drawbacks of not segregating companies into price-makers and price-takers and an excessive focus on the pricing approach at the expense of pricing essence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors which affect the financial access of the female-owned informal enterprises (FOIEs) in India. There has been a dearth of studies particularly targeting determinants of credit access by the women-owned informal enterprises. Demand side factors affecting financial access have been studied. The study of major factors affecting access to credit by unorganized women enterprises will be useful for policy making perspectives. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses nationalized micro data set on the non-agricultural informal enterprises and probit estimation has been used to identify the factors which affect the probabilities of access to credit for the FOIEs. Findings: The study highlights what facilitates and hinders the financial access for the FOIEs particularly in India. These enterprises in rural areas have better chances to avail credit from formal sources. Firm size, measured by policy-making size of employment and gross profit, involvement in diversified activities, maintenance of accounting record, has positive and significant impact on access to formal credit. The younger firms and the firms operating in the southern states of the country have higher probabilities to avail credit from institutional sources. Originality/value: The study used the latest data set available on Indian informal enterprises, thus provides important insights about the status of financing of enterprises in India. This study highlights the regional variations and gender disparities that are prevalent in the Indian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Do female CEOs face a compensation gap? The purpose of this paper is to examine whether gender affects the total compensation of today's CEOs, and whether it moderates ten factors influencing their total compensation. Design/methodology/approach: Taking the 54 female CEOs cited in the US 2014 Fortune's 1000 report, a matched sample of male CEOs was selected, matched according to the crosstab of age by education and by the sizes of the companies directed by these female CEOs. Findings: Using four years' worth of Fortune reports, between 2013 and 2016, this matched sample indicates that female CEOs are not discriminated against in terms of total compensation. However, eight factors do show a significant effect on total compensation. Using moderation analysis, the present study reveals how gender interacts with company size, sector, membership of outside boards and nature of previous experience. Research limitations/implications: This paper addresses an important and under-researched gap, with contradictory findings in the existing literature, by compiling and testing the characteristics of male and female CEOs which are not cited in Fortune 1000 reports. Originality/value: Arguably, this is therefore one of the first papers to study gender differences in total compensation among Fortune 1000 CEOs using a matched sample technique, based on a larger number of female CEOs and a larger number of years than any previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework, this paper aims to analyze the influence of environmental factors (e.g. competitive pressure) on the firm's evaluations (i.e. perceived risk and convenience) and response (intention to purchase e-services). Design/methodology/approach: A model is tested with data from a survey with 430 micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in an emerging country. The following constructs were measured: external factors, data security, lack of knowledge, perceived risk, convenience and purchase intention. Company size, internet use and previous experience were control variables. Findings: MSEs' intention to purchase e-services is strongly influenced by convenience, which in turn is more affected by external factors. Perceived risk is mainly affected by lack of knowledge and data security. Overall, the model supports the mediating role of perceived risk and convenience in the relationship between Stimuli factors (external factors, data security and lack of knowledge) on response (purchase intentions). For instance, data security influences purchase intention only through the mediation of perceived risk and convenience. Practical implications: Firms interested in providing e-services for MSEs should improve the perceived convenience of e-commerce. At the same time, they can also reduce the lack of knowledge and increase data security to reduce the perceived risk of the decision-maker. Originality/value: This paper demonstrates mediating effects of perceived risk and convenience, considering a SOR framework, as well as the analysis of business-to-business e-services in an understudied context, i.e. MSEs in an emerging country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, emerging-market multinationals (EMMs) are receiving significant attention in the international business literature. They represent a challenge for the conventional wisdom, mainly derived from the behavior of developed-country multinationals (MNEs). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how different cross-national distances, namely cultural, administrative, geographic and economic, may affect establishment mode choice by Indian MNEs. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected from 328 outward foreign direct investments carried out by Indian MNEs in 73 countries from 1991 to 2014. A binomial logistic regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses. Findings: The results show that cultural and administrative distances negatively affect the choice of an acquisition. Moreover, firm size, acquisition experience, host country experience, industry, belonging to the G20 alliance and being a state-owned enterprise also influence establishment mode choice. Originality/value: This is one of the first studies that investigate the relationship between distances and establishment mode choice by Indian MNEs. The findings suggest that they follow a different behavioral pattern among EMMs, since their internationalization decisions are closer to those of developed-country MNEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the chief data officer's (CDO) presence and firm performance, and the moderating effect of firm size.Design/methodology/approach The performance data for 64 treatment firms with CDOs and 64 control firms without CDOs is collected from Compustat database. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test is used to analyze the performance differences between treatment firms and control firms. Hierarchical regression method is used to test the moderating effect of firm size.Findings The results indicate that the profit ratios of treatment firms are significantly improved after the appointment of CDOs, and the profit ratios of treatment firms are significantly higher than that of the control firms. For the cost ratios, the findings provide some empirical evidence revealing two of the cost ratios are lower and only one ratio is higher for the treatment firms after CDOs' appointment. Firm size moderates the relationship between the CDO's presence and firm performance indicator, ROS, in the same direction. Firm size has no moderating effect on relationships between CDO's presence and other performance indicators.Practical implications The findings provide practical insights that will help managers to realize the importance of CDOs and their work. CDOs would bring some cost to the firms, but they would bring more profit to firms. In addition, if for large firms, the CDO's presence would bring more ROS.Originality/value The study explores the relationship between the CDO's presence and firm performance. It is the first attempt to explore the CDO's presence and the cost performance in the specific time period, and the study is also the first attempt to analyze the moderating effect of the firm size on the relationship between the CDO's presence and firm performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]