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In this qualitative study, the authors apply Callon's sociology of translation to examine how new technology entrepreneurs enact material arguments that involve the first two moments of translation--problematization (defining a market problem) and interessement (defining a market and the firm's relationship to it)--which in turn are represented in a claim, the value proposition. That emergent claim can then be represented and further changed during pitches. If accepted, it can then lead to the second two moments of translation: enrollment and mobilization. Drawing on written materials, observations, and interviews, we trace how these value propositions were iterated along three paths to better problematize and interesse, articulating a problem and market on which a business could plausibly be built. We conclude by discussing implications for understanding value propositions in entrepreneurship and, more broadly, using the sociology of translation to analyze emergent, material, consequential arguments.

Facility managers have questions about sustainability. How do an organization's physical facilities--its built environment--and the management of them, influence the sustainability of the organization or institution as a whole? How important is Facility Management (FM) to the overall sustainability profile of an organization? Facility managers face a dizzying array of complexities in relation to sustainability in their facilities, and in the larger context of the sustainability of their organizations and the social and environmental contexts in which the organization exists. Facility managers must concern themselves with how operational sustainability fits into the strategic goals of the organization and how the overall organizational sustainability assessment is affected by its facilities. How to direct resources to achieve sustainability in FM, such as the best use of operations and capital renewal dollars, is a complex issue. (Contains 1 figure.)

This study seeks a more developed understanding of the nature of manufacturers’ risk-sharing relations with suppliers and customers and how these relations and the use of manufacturing technologies affect process and product innovation. This study uses telephone survey data drawn from production managers at 300 US manufacturers operating in the chemicals, fabricated metals, industrial equipment, electrical and electronic equipment, and instrument industries. Using factor analysis to analyse the data, three categories of risk-sharing activities are identified – process risk sharing, operational risk sharing, and asset risk sharing. Further analysis shows firms adopt the same types of risk-sharing activities with both suppliers and customers, and the adoption of manufacturing technology is correlated with the adoption of process risk sharing. Leadership in process and product innovation is significantly influenced by the adoption of process risk-sharing and manufacturing technology.

Assessing program impact can provide useful program evaluation data. It also provides a basis for program development, marketing, and justification. This article discusses recent impact evaluation efforts and findings of a long-time Extension program; referred to as Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E). How such information can be communicated to existing program underwriters and prospective program partners is also described.

Argues that postmodern students are fundamentally different from the students who preceded them and must be taught differently. Suggests that current students demand relevance as opposed to theory. Offers suggestions for using business strategies to integrate postmodern students into the classroom. Contains 7 references. (NB)

Reports on an online survey of consumer attitudes toward online storefronts marketing barbecue sauce, cheese, olive oil, potato chips, and other specialty food products. The relationship between consumer attitudes toward Web sites and the likelihood of purchase, as well as demographic factors related to online food and drink buying, are described. (PEN)

As business relies less on "fortress" style central computers and more on distributed systems, the risk of disruption increases because of inadequate physical security, support services, and site monitoring. This article discusses information security and why protection is required on the Internet, presents a best practice firewall, and identifies other security risks. (PEN)

Forensic accounting education has become an increasingly significant issue in recent years. In Australia, universities have acknowledged the industry’s growing relevance, and there have been attempts to address gaps in the provision of forensic accounting education. Despite these efforts, forensic accounting education is frequently omitted in university programs. This paper seeks to identify the obstacles that influence the transformation of forensic accounting knowledge into university programs. To do so, this study explores the perspectives of two groups: forensic accounting practitioners and university academics. Simi-structured interviews were conducted with the two groups to gather their perception. The findings show that the interdisciplinary nature of forensic accounting, the educator's relevant experience, and some other factors (e.g. university timetabling, calendar, venue arrangements, lack of forensic accounting instructional material, and professional and educational accreditations) are all obstacles facing the development process of forensic accounting. It is recommended for schools that do not have the required resources or are facing many obstacles in integrating forensic accounting education to offer an introductory elective course in the curriculum or utilize appropriately qualified guest speakers. The findings in this qualitative study could help educators in the development process of forensic accounting curricula.

AbstractTo meet the demands of industry, undergraduate business curricula must evolve to prepare analytics-enabled professionals in fields such as finance, accounting, human resource management, and marketing. In this article, we provide a case study of developing a rigorous, integrated finance and data analytics course that was delivered using a simultaneous team-teaching approach within a regional, teaching university. This case study describes developing the learning outcomes; defining the integrated teaching approach; identifying and developing course content and materials; and planning the course delivery. Next, we describe the course delivery, including student achievement of course learning outcomes, and a summary of student feedback from end-of-course evaluations is provided. Finally, we present lessons learned from delivering the course and provide considerations for future work such as scaling this course and replicating it in other business domains.

Purpose: The study established the effect of resource orientation on service delivery of Level Four Public Hospitals in Kakamega County, Kenya Methodology/Approach: Mixed research design comprising of a descriptive and causal were applied. Targeted 304 comprising of 162 nurses, 135 Hospitals office staff and 7 Hospital Administrators. The study sample size was 173 using Yamane formulae. The study applied stratified and simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaires aided in data collection. Pilot study was done at Sabatia District hospital in Vihiga County. Reliability was tested using Cronbach Alpha while validity was tested using content validity. SPPs versio 23 was used for effective descriptive as well as inferential statistics. Findings: The study found out that customer orientation had a significant influence on service delivery (t-statistic=7.489. Implications: Important to medical practitioners, government Authorities, and management of hospitals in managing strategic orientation plans for service delivery. The study recommends that customers orientation should be prioritized since it enhances service delivery.

Technical, vocational, education and training (TVET) colleges in South Africa struggle to attract and retain adequate prospective students in a competitive environment of the post-schooling sector where they are often the last option. The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ perceptions on the role of language as a communication tool to market TVET colleges brand that seeks to promote entrepreneurial skills that could serve address socio-economic issues in the country. A questionnaire was used to survey 40 purposefully selected first-year students from two colleges. It was found that 96% of participants preferred to maintain the status quo in which English should be used as a language of marketing because of its perceived exchange value compared to African languages. There is a need for educational leaders to operate as change agents by bringing an awareness through practice on the value of African languages in society and the economy.

Purpose – While research has identified a consistent link between startup intent and entrepreneurship education (EE) intentions, studies also indicate that many entrepreneurs lack the EE they need. However, research examining factors that explain why certain individuals with high startup intent pursue EE while others do not is rare. Given this, the purpose of this paper is to examine how individual characteristics moderate the startup intent EE intentions relationship. Design/methodology/approach – Survey data were gathered on 199 US adults. Moderators examined include attitudes toward education, perceived entrepreneurial efficacy, propensity for risk taking and the Big Five personality traits. Linear regression models were used to test each of the moderation relationships predicted. Findings – Notable findings suggest that extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, perceived entrepreneurial efficacy and risk propensity reduce the chances that individuals with high startup intent will pursue EE, while viewing education as instrumental enhances the relationship. Research limitations/implications – Study findings imply that EE programs might not be reaching critical target markets, suggest that EE programs might need to be modified to attract individuals with high startup intent and indicate that individual characteristics are key factors that determine why certain individuals with high startup intent pursue EE while others with the same desires do not pursue EE. Originality/value – This study builds on previous work that looks at the relationship between startup intent and EE intentions by investigating how individual characteristics either amplify or diminish the relationship, increasing scholarly knowledge about why certain individuals with high startup intent pursue EE while others do not.

A specific initiative of Project Employment (a nonprofit Australian association seeking employment for the mentally retarded) concerned "Repeat Business" in which an initial single position in a targeted company is developed into multiple jobs. Suggestions for selecting workers, locating jobs, targeting companies, and delineating training requirements are given. (Author/DB)

Background: Since the release of the King III report in 2009, and the adoption of these principles in the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) listing requirements, there has been a surge in integrated reporting guidelines, including the release of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) framework and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting standards, with an updated code for corporate governance, King IV, subsequently being published. These introductions have simulated a growth in research on integrated reporting; however, the impact of these initiatives on the annual integrated report (AIR) composition or format has not been explored. Aim: The objective of this article is to examine, compare and contrast identified trends in the composition of published AIRs following the release of the aforementioned guidelines. Setting: JSE-listed companies in the food and drug retail sector were analysed from 2009 to 2018. Methods: The study applied both qualitative and quantitative content analysis techniques to analyse the composition of AIRs. Results: The composition of AIRs of companies within the given sector and timespan has shifted, shown through a decrease in the number of pages containing annual financial statements and an increase in governance, strategy and sustainability information. Annual integrated reports have moved to explaining financial results with reference to full financial statements published online, with the other identified shifts coinciding closely with the release of integrated reporting developments. These results suggest that there has been an uptake in application of new reporting initiatives. Contribution: The article revealed that new reporting guidelines had been applied, generating a change in the composition of AIRs over the years, contributing to the body of knowledge on the reporting of economic, environmental and social perspectives. Conclusion: A comprehensive foundational study has been created that has illustrated that AIRs have developed in relation to new reporting initiatives.

Background: Citizen science offers an attractive paradigm for addressing some of the complex problems facing society. However, translating the paradigm’s potential into meaningful action and sustainable impact remains a formidable challenge. Historically, the citizen science landscape was fractured into silos of activities; nonetheless, it has demonstrably delivered credible results. An innovative concept of the Citizen Observatory offers a tractable means of mitigating many of the recurring issues that historically afflicted citizen science initiatives, thus empowering a new generation of citizen scientists. Citizen Observatories may be regarded as open, standardised software platforms for community-based monitoring of any phenomenon of interest.

Retaining and replacing skilled professionals can be problematic within high-performance construction teams. The onus cascades upon fledgling, inexperienced individuals to embrace these high-stress responsibilities. Previous studies have highlighted the influential role that stress plays as an antecedent to burnout. Emotional fatigue, depersonalisation and a lack of personal achievement all sprout from the burnout syndrome. This project was undertaken as an inductive approach to theory development and employed a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. The study population comprised of construction professionals within the New Zealand construction industry. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from 266 New Zealand Site Safe members and their industry partners utilising a survey software called Qualtrics to address the research question. Through the use of a Likert scale, the mean values of the data were used to construct a table that incorporated combined stressors and their stress reduction strategies. “What stresses do construction professionals experience and what recommendations can be concluded to change workplace behaviour to reduce burnout?” The data was then used to construct a table that incorporated combined stressors and their stress reduction strategies. This research identified the contributing stress factors and their respective remedies to make changes in the New Zealand construction environment. The findings noted that various factors within the different clusters were indicative of high workplace stress, the strongest cluster being individual job demands. Other clusters highlighted factors such as managerial behaviour, organisational leadership and the economy as significant contributors. Transparent and clear communications between all staff levels proved to be the strongest moderating factor as a stress reduction remedy. The respondents indicated that a change in their sleeping patterns also created fatigue that leads to burnout. The contribution of this paper and contribution of this research lies in presenting the most significant current stressors in the New Zealand construction industry and aligning them with stress reductions strategies.

Purpose – Traditional feasibility analysis is focused on the immediate and urgent needs of a new venture start-up. All four parts of the feasibility analysis (product/service, industry/market, organizational, and financial) are valuable and essential, but what is missed is a part that provided attention to the longer-term requirements for success and sustainability. A fifth strategic feasibility analysis is needed, focused on the long-term sustainability of the new venture. This strategic/contingent context-dependency lens considers the organization's long-term survival, confirming that organizational success depends on the new venture's ability to emphasize its uniqueness and fit with its external environment. Design/methodology/approach – This paper takes advantage of the decades-long literature review in Strategy to combine known data with entrepreneurial practice in undertaking the feasibility analysis. Findings – This enhanced feasibility analysis adds a strategic lens beyond the traditional four-part feasibility analysis, resulting in identifiable value-added benefits and awareness of potential opportunities or threats in the longer term. Research limitations/implications – This research is conceptual and theoretical at this point, without field implementation. Practical implications – New venture failure is an ongoing concern for many. This suggested strategic lens, especially the sustainability aspect (beyond the “what-do-we-need-to-do-to-open-the-doors” of much feasibility analysis) may prove very useful. Competitive advantage is examined in the traditional feasibility analysis, but this strategic lens suggests a longer term examination, and engages with competitor response. Social implications – If adopted, this enhanced analysis may lead to greater success for new venture start-ups, thus less wasted time, energy and money. Originality/value – This is the first attempt at adding a focused strategic lens to the traditional entrepreneurial feasibility analysis. This may seem like a simple and elementary shift of perspective, but the implications are huge, and take advantage of the decades-long research stream in strategic thinking and planning.

The study was conducted to examine the factors affecting water reticulation project delivery in Okigwe Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Okigwe Zone was selected as the area of study because in spite of many water projects invested at the area, the accessibility of clean water is only 40.7% because of its topography. The study specifically ought to determine the various significant factors affecting water reticulation project delivery in the area. The study is a descriptive survey with questionnaire administered to 101 respondents who are professionals ranging from Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Civil/Water Engineers, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. Descriptive statistical methods including frequencies and percentages were used as qualitative analytical techniques. For quantitative data, logistic regression model was used to determine the factors. The collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. The study revealed that there is significant effect of the collective factors on water reticulation project delivery, factors such as topography, political will, infrastructural expansions, realistic scheduling systems etc. However it is of great importance to note that topography is a serious challenge to water reticulation project delivery in Okigwe Zone, such that it creates barriers to pipeline distribution networks and gravity flow in some areas of the zone. The study recommends that there is need to incorporate Artificial Intelligence and smart systems project monitoring to water reticulation projects in the area; and qualified project professionals and contractors with project management field experience should be used for water reticulation projects.

Due to the construction industry’s eagerness to lifting adversarial trends and realising the benefits of good relationships, the current research intends to investigate the construct of relationship quality in construction projects; especially in the event of a conflict. An interdisciplinary construct is derived using a three step methodology and wide range of theories from a comprehensive literature review. These theories range from relational marketing to relational contracting and construction project management. A conflict process model is used to outline the association of conflict and relationship quality in construction projects. Concepts such as psychological meaningfulness, psychological availability, resource availability, aligned-commitment, teamwork, performance satisfaction and trust are attributed to relationship quality. An interdisciplinary construct with antecedents, core attributes and outcomes are achieved. Conflict is demonstrated as a potential antecedent of relationship quality. Finally, moderating factors such as actions and strategies, some of which could be used in conflict management are identified as moderators of relationship quality. By identifying and mapping all the possible components in relationship quality, its different constructs and potential interactions can be recognised. This is extremely important in future investigations of relationship quality in relation to construction project issues and traning project teams. The choices of components for the construct are extracted from existing literature; however other components may be of effect which are not included and explored in the future. The model can be used to achieve project integration goals and joint problem solving strategies.

Employing the lens of institutional entrepreneurship to help understand the logic of organizational change management, we conduct an analysis of the impact of Appreciative Inquiry® in a multi-unit division of a large, university-based health system. Our results indicate that, although there may have been some marginal impact in temporarily reducing an observed decline in employee commitment indicators, the program failed to sustain positive impacts over the longer term. Implications for the study of organizational change as the action of institutional entrepreneurs are briefly discussed.

This paper provides a critique of a cross-cultural management (CCM) framework in understanding the interaction between Western expatriate managers in Poland and their Polish colleagues/subordinates based on data from 32 semi-structured interviews with British expatriate managers working in Poland. By critically analyzing the discourse of the expatriate managers, this paper argues that an interpretive approach highlights two dynamic elements crucial to such interactions which quantitative approaches fail to capture. These two dynamic factors provide a perspective from which the expatriate managers’ representation of Poles as managerially and culturally inferior can be better understood. By implication, it is proposed that similar representation on the part of expatriate managers can be observed in any scenario of Western expatriation to countries they perceive as being less economically developed.

Set in a real organisational setting, this study examines the challenges of implementing environmentally sustainable behaviour in healthcare. It evaluates the success of a real energy saving behaviour change intervention, based on social marketing principles, which targeted the employees of two National Health Service (NHS) hospitals. It also explores the intervention benefits for three key stakeholders: the organisation/hospitals, hospital employees and patients. A rich secondary dataset containing actual workplace behaviour measures (collected via observations) and self-reported data from employee interviews and patient questionnaires is used for this purpose. The intervention encouraged three employee energy saving actions (called TLC actions): (1) Turn off machines, (2) Lights out when not needed, and (3) Close doors when possible; which led to energy savings and carbon reduction for the two hospitals. Hospital employees reported a greater level of work efficiency as a result of engaging in TLC actions, which increased the 'quiet time' periods in both hospitals. Indirectly, employees' TLC actions also improved patients' quality of sleep (which in turn is positively associated with greater patient hospital experience satisfaction). These findings shed light on the benefits of social marketing interventions targeting energy saving behaviour change for multiple stakeholders in healthcare organisations. They also illustrate connections between environmental sustainability and social and political pillars of corporate social responsibility. Additionally, organisational culture was highlighted as a key challenge in changing practices. To encourage long-term sustainable behaviour, this study recommends a pre-intervention assessment of infrastructure and equipment, the communication of expected benefits to motivate higher involvement of employees, the need for internal green champions and the dissemination of post-intervention feedback on various energy saving and patient indicators.

This article explores the value of feasibility analysis for the pre-launch nonprofit enterprise. Similarities and differences between for-profit entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit entrepreneurial ventures are outlined, and then the traditional format of feasibility analysis used by the entrepreneurial for-profit start-up is reviewed and analyzed. This four-stage analysis is then adapted to the needs of the nonprofit new venture enterprise. The benefits of doing a feasibility analysis for the nonprofit enterprise start-up are identified, and guidelines are suggested. An underpopulated research stream is identified and explained in this article for the start-up and early developmental phases of the nonprofit enterprise.

No abstract available.

If alcohol has substitutes, changes in its relative price can encourage the production and consumption of other illicit and harmful drugs. This paper considers if county-level bans on the sale of alcohol in the state of Mississippi encourage the production and consumption of crystal methamphetamine. We estimate the parameters of a drug production function in which the inputs are the density of people and firms, underscoring the importance of learning and knowledge spillovers to production and consumption. Poisson and Negative Binomial parameter estimates reveal that county-level bans on hard liquor sales; but not on beer and wine, increase the number of crystal methamphetamine labs. In the absence of such laws, there would be approximately 308 fewer crystal methamphetamine labs in the state of Mississippi. Our findings suggest that in Mississippi, which is the least healthiest state in the nation, county-level bans on hard liquor sales are not welfare improving as they encourage substitution for a drug that is potentially more harmful to individual health than alcohol.

This paper examines the social impact of the 'student-as-customer' metaphor on the role of academic leadership and objectivity of the assessment process in the higher education sector. A hybrid approach is used in which Deconstruction seeks to render visible the Foucauldian constructs of power and privilege. The paper draws on the existing literature to explore the problematic relationship between the student as customer metaphor, academic leadership, and student assessment. The paper raises awareness of the inherent tensions with the present reliance on the student as customer metaphor and the resulting negative impact on both students and academic staff. This addresses a gap in the literature in regards to the effect that the use of the student-as- customer metaphor has on academic leadership and assessment in higher education.

Background: This article compares the performance of firms in resource-rich sectors of the Peruvian economy with that of businesses operating in service sectors. Objectives: In so doing, the research seeks to examine whether innovation is managed differently by firms operating in different sectors of a developing-country economy and whether the performance of firms in an emerging economy may be influenced by innovation and learning practices at the sectoral level. Method: Data were acquired through a survey of overwhelmingly middle managers working in Peru. Results: According to the survey findings, the performance of firms in the resource-rich sectors appeared to be uninfluenced by innovation or involvement in organisational learning. In contrast, firms in the service sectors not only exhibited an innovation orientation and involvement in learning but also reported higher sales growth. Conclusion: The study concludes that firms operating in the resource-rich sectors of Peru’s economy do not appear to benefit from engaging in innovation or learning at this point in time, whereas such activities are advantageous for service sector businesses. Therefore, the relationship between innovation, learning and performance may be influenced not just by the type of economy but also by the sector in which the firms are operating.

The sector of creative industries is attracting growing international attention for its economic potential and especially its contribution to the rejuvenation of declining localities and spaces. In South Africa an understanding of creative industries is critical to inform policy analysis at both the national and sub-national scales of analysis. The objective in this paper is to contribute to the small existing body of literature on creative industries in South Africa by examining the directions followed by creative industry entrepreneurs who have established businesses in central Johannesburg. The specific task is to investigate the characteristics of creative entrepreneurs, their business organisation and location choice. The results show an expanding and dynamic community of passionate creative entrepreneurs who are choosing to operate their businesses in particular parts of Central Johannesburg on the grounds of its accessibility, diversity, affordability and increasing trendiness. The key issues and challenges about locating in Central Johannesburg need to be understood by policy-makers and planners in terms of crafting and maintaining a favourable business environment for the continued establishment and expansion of creative enterprises therein.

This study examines six niche market sectors (Adventure, Sports, Wildlife, Arts & Crafts, Culture/Heritage/History, and Gemstones & Gold) in five countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria, and Sudan) along the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes. Whereas the largest tourism promotion Internet sites in the assessed nations are similar, Egypt receives the largest revenue from tourism, followed by Morocco and Nigeria which weigh in at 2nd and 3rd places and they in turn each earn more than three times the annual tourist revenues of Ethiopia and Sudan. The preliminary data-base analysis of niche-market opportunities across these five countries suggests a combined thematic approach to Trans-Saharan Tourism could significantly enhance tourism revenue in all five nations due to unique resources in each country which share a common bond of being part of the ancient Trans-Saharan Trade Route given that tourism resources are not homogeneously distributed. Preliminary results suggest combining niche markets, bundling two or more nations in a tour, and bundling different niche market interest areas, e.g. Golf-Wildlife-World Heritage Sites, Sports - Adventure - Wildlife, and Gemstones - Wildlife - World Heritage Sites, may hold the greatest promise for increased tourist revenue in all five nations studied. Security issues (measured by intentional homicide statistics) are also examined in the five target countries along the TransSaharan Trade routes which all appear to be relatively safe compared to some more popular tourist destinations in Africa and around the world.