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Recent literature on philanthropy and business has focused on the returns to businesses and entrepreneurs from giving. In this article, we show how historical context impacts the motivations and organizational forms created over time in philanthropic giving that effect and affect such returns. We do this through the prism of the changing ownership structures in the Scotch whisky industry in the twentieth century using an institutional theory lens. In doing so, we capture the story of three sisters who inherited a Scotch whisky business in the 1940s and transformed it into a hybrid philanthropic-commercial vehicle that remains in operation today. We present an extended theoretical model illustrating the interplay of context, motivation, and organizational structure over time on exchanges of capital in entrepreneurial philanthropy.

University-centered entrepreneurial ecosystems (UCEEs) are complex webs of entrepreneurs, researchers, institutional support structures, and the built environment. We study the relationship between the built environment and the dynamism of the behavior of ecosystem agents in the evolution of UCEEs. Drawing upon data from interviews with ecosystem agents, as well as documents associated with the planning and development of purpose-built facilities (the built environment), we show how planned ecosystem evolution strategies differ from realized strategies. In particular, we develop a model of emergent response mechanisms to ecosystem dynamism and munificence, which include coping, learning, and adapting. We discuss UCEE evolution within a connectionist framework to better address the dynamic interaction of agents, institutions, and the environment.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the power and interest of independent intermediaries in co-creation activities. More specifically, the study investigates the role of independent financial advisers (IFAs) in co-creation activities and identifies how their power and interest can be used to determine their level of involvement in co-creating innovation of new products and services in the financial services sector.Methodology/Approach: A case study research method was employed for this study. The case study focuses on Provider XYZ, one of the largest UK-based financial services institutions. The sources of data used for the research were Provider XYZ’s market research reports aimed at customers and IFAs, interviews with nine of Provider XYZ’s Senior Marketing Managers and employees, interviews with nine IFAs who conducted business with Provider XYZ and a discussion with nine of Provider XYZ’s customers who have a relationship with an IFA.Findings: The findings of this study identify that independent intermediaries, such as IFAs, have a significant influence on the end customers’ view on financial services brands and they partially construct the provider’s brand value which is perceived and received by the end customers. Based on the power and interest of IFAs in the potential innovation propositions, IFAs can be classified into four categories: Recipient (Segment A), Consultant (Segment B), Guardian (Segment C) and Co-creator (Segment D).Implications: The findings of the study provide evidence for both academics and practitioners that not all stakeholders can be involved in co-creation activities. To ensure the effectiveness of co-creation activities, it is important to assess the level of stakeholders’ power, which indicates the strength of relationship and influence on providers, and their interest in co-creation activities. The co-creator power/interest matrix proposed in this paper can be used to identify viable co-creating partners in an organisation’s relationship network.Originality: This study contributes to the existing literature by proposing a co-creator power/interest matrix, which can be used to determine the level involvement of intermediaries and other stakeholders’ in co-creating innovation.

This study investigates the determinants of initial public offering (IPO) underpricing by focusing on variables relating to information asymmetry, investor sentiment, and corporate governance and examines whether the determinants of IPO underpricing in high-technology and non-high-technology IPOs differ. With the data from Taiwan from 2009 - 2011, this study finds that overallotment is negatively related to underpricing, whereas market momentum, first day trading volume, and managers' ownership retention rates are positively related to underpricing, particularly for high-technology IPOs. Our results support the signaling hypothesis in high-technology IPOs.

In recent years, there has been a growing number of subspecialties within the context of business management, which have begun to talk seriously about a notion of religious points of view in a business context. In this paper we unpack a view from Gottfried Leibniz (1646 – 1716) and to a lesser extent Kant (1724- 1804) and Hegel (1770-1831) in relation to this perspective with a view to interpret the complexity and the role of religion in this arena. Leibniz famously argued that the universe as it currently exists, has to be “the best of all possible worlds,” since an omniscient creator would know all possibilities, and, therefore select the best available options for a starting and ending point. We argue that, although dichotically opposed to the many contemporary empirical attitudes, this perspective still has an inherent and modern-day stance, representative to both business theory and decision making via knowledge transfer mechanisms. Thus, we examine why business start-ups evolve and what effect a religious element has on the central caveat for businesses wishing to achieve success and maintain competitive advantage options, perspectives and scenarios. In this regards, we look at a significant amount of literature, in a bid to understand both the problematic nature surrounding the mechanics used to establish meaningful baselines from the many perspectives. The paper then summarises these theoretical baselines into segmented contexts for discussion.

Many governments are seeking to encourage the extension of working lives to counteract potential labor market shortages that might result from population aging. Nevertheless, research shows that older workers continue to face a range of barriers to their labor market participation. However, this research has not tended to take a holistic view of the factors shaping employer policy and practice, or acknowledge that older workers’ experiences are embedded within broader social structures and age dynamics. This paper reports on exploratory qualitative research undertaken in Hong Kong. It demonstrates how employer policy and practice towards older workers are shaped by intergenerational dynamics and by the social responsibility that employers feel towards different generations. It is argued that in order to more fully understand employer policy and practice towards older workers, an approach that acknowledges the social context and position of different age groups is required.

In this paper, we consider the value of knowledge in an innovation context and deliberate a contrary perspective from existing empiricisms to bring about better innovation efficiency within multi-agent arenas. To do this, we consider why, if innovation is key for developmental trajectories in a healthcare environment, and despite the resource utilised to examine its characteristics, the transfer of knowledge within healthcare, practitioner or organisational innovation domains remains a problematic event.We reflect on this duality with a doxastic attitude and draw on modal maps as underpinning structures to present a critique. Furthermore, we draw from these qualitative descriptions of conditional maps as a natural extension of contemporary KBF (Knowledge Belief Frame) models. Thus, from an innovation context, we can deliberate the parallelism between an agent who establishes belief in real time propositions, and a formal system from which they derive the proposition and reality. Uniquely, in doing so we build a legitimate frame of reference by highlighting managerial parallelisms, which synthesise key epistemic doyennes and, efficaciously underpin the plausibility of logical associations and decision-making drawn from a first-person architype of belief.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between accounting conservatism and executive compensation-performance sensitivity with a view to identifying the influence of accounting conservatism on the efficiency of executive compensation contracts.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses multiple regression models based on the approach of Iyengar and Zampelli (2010), Clarkson et al. (2011) and Huang and Kisgen (2013) with the data from all of China’s listed non-financial firms over the period of 10 years to test the relationship between accounting conservatism and the sensitivity of executive compensation-performance.FindingsThis study finds a positive association between executive compensation and accounting-based measure of performance. More importantly, it reveals that conservatism has a positive relation with the executive compensation-performance sensitivity, after controlling for a number of firm-specific factors and control variables. This study shows that the sensitivity of executive compensation to firm performance is higher for firms with higher accounting conservatism.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies to examine the relationship between accounting conservatism and executive compensation-performance sensitivity. It provides supportive evidence to the argument that accounting conservatism, being an efficient governance mechanism, can help mitigate information risk and moral risk for agency problems.

Interest in business management thinking and innovation has continued to grow during recent decades. The Scottish Government identifies that a large proportion of new and start up businesses fail within the first 2 years. Consequently, there are many areas for the start-up entrepreneur to get information and help, nonetheless the trend remains. This study offers an alternative method for deciding on intrinsic success factors by outlining the relationship between business start-ups, creativity, and innovation. The focus was on creativity, as an entrepreneurial characteristic, links or effects the start-upcapability of the entrepreneur.The study used a qualitative method to interpret this complexity and this became more apparent as the study progresses since innovation and innovation which supports a business start-up assume holistic, flux-like and complex concepts. Four main themes emerged from the thematic data analysis; Leadership; Ability to Change; Creativeness and Collaboration. Findings from the study indicate that business management thinking and innovation underpinned by perspective themes, help the entrepreneur see and appreciate the complex multi-faceted interactions of innovation, perhaps better than an average person. However, actual definition of the precise mechanisms needed to support business start-ups drawn from creativity were difficult to establish.In conclusion, the study has to say that while elements of creativity were present with each of the entrepreneur and were clearly significant to the success of the start up, it would seem very difficult to actually identify if there is such a thing as a guaranteed creativity template for success.

Dominant research streams in healthcare management conclude that knowledge transfer between patient groups is accomplished through instructions and/or socially constructed practices. Underlying these views is the belief that texts and practices carry with them the codes necessary for their own decoding and, therefore, enable an unproblematic knowledge transfer. The analysis focused specifically on the interrelated effects between constituents of a group receiving ongoing healthcare and the relationships to knowledge transfer management, through which, group membership and knowledge exchange was mediated. The research asked if this relationship could be improved from both a personal and organisational perspective, by better understanding of the knowledge transfer mechanisms at work. We argue that because private and cultural models mediate decoding of information into meaningful knowledge, knowledge is created from the unique combination of cognitive dispositions of acumen, memory, creativity, volition, emotion, and socio-cultural interaction. Thus, mechanisms for decision-making affect socio group dynamics and interactions via the healthcare environment, manager or practitioner. 2 Design/methodology/approach-CASE STUDY. This case study adopted a qualitative constructivist methodology and thematic analysis of the output data. A total of 20 (n1=20) main interviews and 10 (n2=10) follow up interviews took place over a two month period. Findings-Findings indicate that for this group of participants, knowledge transfer depended on the assumption of real world values as opposed to determinates of healthcare practitioners.

The role of knowledge, relative to the knowledge transfer process in a business context cannot be conclusively defined from the literature as a singular entity, but the interaction of knowledge and communication is shown to exist in many forms. Informed by a view from Dinur et. al (2009), a broad scope of literature inclusion encompasses the nature of knowledge, knowledge transfer, value of knowledge and the practical association between business success and competitive advantage. In accepting the position this literature direction encompasses epistemologically commonly acceptable realms of knowledge transfer in a business context. Insofar as these will be perceived to support understanding of knowledge transfer practices and processes. This scope allows a literature critique to concentrate on the foundational episteme of rational exogenous and endogenous business theories and models relating to knowledge transfer practices which can be examined thoroughly in relation to practical business context.

Drawing from Berry’s nine-dimension-theory, the institutional distance discussed within this study was divided into four dimensions that include the regulation distance (including political distance and legal distance), economic distance, cultural distance and knowledge distance.Empirical data, showed reverse conditional influence around the effects of “Liability of Foreignness”. We combine both the macro and micro level factors i.e. institutional distance and parent company’s core competency (ability).Analysis was based on 60 samples of companies that completed cross-borderResults indicate that cultural distance has a negative relationship with cross-border M&A performance, while the parent company's absorptive capacity has a strong positive relationship with cross-border M&A performance. Furthermore, both play a mediate role in institutional distance, which has a measurable effect on cross-border M&A performance.

In this paper, we consider the value of knowledge in an innovation context and deliberate a contrary perspective from existing empiricisms to bring about better innovation efficiency within multi-agent arenas. To do this, we consider why, if innovation is key for developmental trajectories in a healthcare environment, and despite the resource utilised to examine its characteristics, the transfer of knowledge within healthcare, practitioner or organisational innovation domains remains a problematic event.We reflect on this duality with a doxastic attitude and draw on modal maps as underpinning structures to present a critique. Furthermore, we draw from these qualitative descriptions of conditional maps as a natural extension of contemporary KBF (Knowledge Belief Frame) models. Thus, from an innovation context, we can deliberate the parallelism between an agent who establishes belief in real time propositions, and a formal system from which they derive the proposition and reality. Uniquely, in doing so we build a legitimate frame of reference by highlighting managerial parallelisms, which synthesise key epistemic doyennes and, efficaciously underpin the plausibility of logical associations and decision-making drawn from a first-person architype of belief.

In this discussion, we reflect on the value given to knowledge in a business context and deliberate a contrary philosophical perspective which does not conform to prevailing knowledge theory. We consider why, if knowledge is key for business success and competitive advantage, the transfer of knowledge within an organisation remains problematic. Whereby, if the creation of knowledge before transfer is recognised is a significant factor in determining a starting point for analogous scrutiny, then what makes this focal point so difficult to establish and measure?We therefore consider parallelism between agents who believe propositions and the formal system that derives proposition. In doing so, we synthesise from current literature and research, the epistemic principal of ‘knowledge’, which underpins the understanding of the many congruent knowledge transfer theories, in a business context. To do this we reflect on Lindström and the epistemic states of Spohn, wherein, we can draw on descriptions of conditional doxastic maps, as a natural extension of contemporary Kripke models. We conclude the epistemic principle of ‘knowledge’, which underpins the plausibility of comparisons between epistemically distinguishable knowledge transfer, must include perspectives and doyennes from a recognisable, not implied, value standpoint.

Dominant research streams in healthcare management conclude that knowledge transfer between patient groups is accomplished through instructions and/or socially constructed practices. Underlying these views is the belief that texts and practices carry with them the codes necessary for their own decoding and, therefore, enable an unproblematic knowledge transfer. The analysis focused specifically on the interrelated effects between constituents of a group receiving ongoing healthcare and the relationships to knowledge transfer management, through which, group membership and knowledge exchange was mediated. The research asked if this relationship could be improved from both a personal and organisational perspective, by better understanding of the knowledge transfer mechanisms at work. We argue that because private and cultural models mediate decoding of information into meaningful knowledge, knowledge is created from the unique combination of cognitive dispositions of acumen, memory, creativity, volition, emotion, and socio-cultural interaction. Thus, mechanisms for decision-making affect socio group dynamics and interactions via the healthcare environment, manager or practitioner

This study interprets evidence from organisational and personal perspectives and identify if the relationship analysis can be used to increase organisational (process) efficiency.

In this paper, we suggest that organisational leadership that is based (generally) on a neoliberal paradigm has contributed to an ‘intolerable situation’ that was recognised at the United Nations (2015a) Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We, therefore, attempt to re-frame organisational leadership based on a sustainability paradigm. In doing so, we draw on John Dewey’s thinking on publics: due to the need for greater stakeholder involvement in identifying how sustainability could be achieved and increasing pressure from governments, campaigning groups and public opinion for organisations to expand their boundaries further to interact with, and take seriously, the needs of the communities that they affect. Then―and for the implementation of this re-frame and cognizant of the community requirement―we will offer that guidance may be drawn from the emerging social movements literature, specifically the importance of narration, mobilisation and organisation. Finally, we present a revised framework for organisational leadership that is based on this sustainability paradigm. Postprint

From a Kantian perspective, in this discussion, we looked to develop a new multi perspective model to scrutinise psychological processes involved in forming positive decision-making protocols, based on formulated expectations and/or impacts to a positive outcome. Within the study, sales executive research conference, we used aspects drawn from Lyapunov theory, which concerns the behaviour of dissimilar but "proximate" resolutions to a specific problem, to investigate dynamic factors of personalised key expectations. This was done in an effort to develop effective attribution linked factors applicable in areas of specialised research (sales). The new structure adopted, called the (SAC) perspective, includes aspects of (Specialism), whereby, Persons or information, which can help, deliver applicable insights and deliver information on the product in the right manner. (Achievement), whereby personalised achievement may be aligned to the objectives of the organisation. (Coordination), whereby, personalised involvement coordination related to activities such as reporting, analysis, relationship building. Utilisation of this paradigm allowed determinable elements of expectation, which, directly linked to specific events and facilitate elements of personalised interest underpinning aspirational outcome(s). Thus, making decision making a more a priori judgement, and therefore, easier to predict and act upon.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine student-learner perceptions of benefits, barriers and enablers in learning whilst working, specifically focussing on learning transfer from a university MSc in Human Resource Management to students’ professional roles ashuman resource practitioners.Design/methodology/approachThe study used in-depth semi-structured interviews with alumni of the programme whohad graduated between one to three years previously.FindingsThe study found benefits (increased self-confidence, credibility and networking skills) as well as unanticipated challenges relating to individual learner characteristics, organisational culture and work-related support that hindered learning transfer.Research limitations/implicationsThe study contributes to understanding the mechanisms required to support part-time learners on continuing vocational education programmes from a variety of stakeholders including students, their managers, their university and work colleagues and academic staff. It highlights the benefits of activities designed to help students relate theory to practice and facilitate transfer of knowledge between academic and practitioner environments.Practical implicationsThe study highlights learner perspectives that are focussed on how organisational culture and line managers might play a more central role in influencing how people learn at work and facilitate the transfer of learning from formal educational interventions.Originality/valueThe study is valuable to academics and practitioners interested in improving learning transfer from formal educational to professional settings.

In this discussion, we reflect on the value given to knowledge in a business context and deliberate a contrary philosophical perspective which does not conform to prevailing knowledge theory. We consider why, if knowledge is key for business success and competitive advantage, the transfer of knowledge within an organisation remains problematic. Whereby, if the creation of knowledge before transfer is recognised is a significant factor in determining a starting point for analogous scrutiny, then what makes this focal point so difficult to establish and measure? We therefore consider parallelism between agents who believe propositions and the formal system that derives proposition. In doing so, we synthesise from current literature and research, the epistemic principal of 'knowledge', which underpins the understanding of the many congruent knowledge transfer theories, in a business context. To do this we reflect on Lindström and the epistemic states of Spohn, wherein, we can draw on descriptions of conditional doxastic maps, as a natural extension of contemporary Kripke models. We conclude the epistemic principle of 'knowledge', which underpins the plausibility of comparisons between epistemically distinguishable knowledge transfer, must include perspectives and doyennes from a recognisable, not implied, value standpoint.

Mobile devices offer a common platform for both leisure and work-related tasks, but this has resulted in a blurred boundary between home and work. In this paper, we explore the security implications of this blurred boundary, both for the worker and the employer. Mobile workers may not always make optimal security-related choices when "on the go" and more impulsive individuals may be particularly affected as they are considered more vulnerable to distraction. In this study, we used a task scenario, in which 104 users were asked to choose a wireless network when responding to work demands while out of the office. Eye-tracking data was obtained from a subsample of 40 of these participants in order to explore the effects of impulsivity on attention. Our results suggest that impulsive people are more frequent users of public devices and networks in their day-to-day interactions and are more likely to access their social networks on a regular basis. However, they are also likely to make risky decisions when working on-the-go, processing fewer features before making those decisions. These results suggest that those with high impulsivity may make more use of the mobile Internet options for both work and private purposes, but they also show attentional behavior patterns that suggest they make less considered security-sensitive decisions. The findings are discussed in terms of designs that might support enhanced deliberation, both in the moment and also in relation to longer term behaviors that would contribute to a better work---life balance.

Purpose– The use of imagery in leadership speeches is becoming increasingly important in shaping the beliefs and actions of followers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of speech imagery and linguistic features employed during the 2008 US Presidential Election campaign.Design/methodology/approach– The authors analysed a total of 264 speeches (160 speeches from Obama and 104 speeches from McCain) delivered throughout the 2008 US Presidential Election and identified 15 speech images used by the two candidates. Both descriptive coding and axial coding approaches were applied to the data and speech images common to both candidates were further subjected to Pennebakeret al.(2003) linguistic inquiry methodology.Findings– The analysis revealed a number of important differences with Obama using inclusive language and nurturing communitarian values, whereas McCain focusing on personal actions and strict, conservative individualistic values. The use of more inclusive language by Obama was found to be significant in three of the five speech images common to both candidates.Research limitations/implications– The research acknowledges the difficulty of measuring the effectiveness of speech images without taking into account wider factors such as tone of voice, facial expression and level of conviction. It also recognises the heavy use of speechwriters by presidential candidates whilst on the campaign trail, but argues that candidates still exert a strong influence through instructions to speechwriters and that speeches should reflect the candidate’s values and beliefs.Originality/value– The research findings contribute to the emerging stream of leadership research that addresses language content issues surrounding and embedded in the leadership process. The research argues that leaders’ speeches provide a fertile ground for conducting research and for examining the evolving relationship between leaders and followers.

Knowledge sharing is considered critical in the development of a knowledge resource to contribute to the strategic development of the firm. However, how this key organisational activity takes place in small family firms is unknown, as much of the surrounding literature focuses on large, nonfamily-oriented firms. This mixed-methods article investigates the nature of knowledge sharing in small family firms, and explores the role of the influence of family in knowledge resource development. Quantitative findings (n = 110) acknowledge heterogeneity of leadership style in small family firms and identify two distinct ways in which knowledge sharing activities are approached; while qualitative data (n = 26) examine implications for individual knowledge sharing and the role that family plays. This article contributes to both the family business and knowledge sharing literature and outlines implications for the way in which small family firms view the development of their knowledge resource.

This paper draws on findings from a longitudinal study of the adoption of a management innovation within an organisational setting. It is based on the findings of a case study that explores and discusses in depth a Knowledge Management programme that was introduced within a large distributed public sector agency in Europe. The aim of this research was to provide insight into the adoption process associated with management innovation. A qualitative case study strategy generates an account of the process of adoption through three phases (initiation; implementation; and outcomes), the episodes within each phase, and decision-making across the entire process. The findings contribute to the development of an extended and refined model of the process of adoption of management innovation through the consideration of the labelling, sequence and transition of phases and episodes, and decision-making. In this extended and refined model there are three phases with nine episodes, two of which are recursive; the phases occur in a linear sequence but may overlap, while the episodes occur in a non-linear sequence; and decision-making occurs within episodes, between phases and between episodes. The study makes three primary contributions to knowledge. First, it considers the process of adoption (as opposed to the more commonly examined process of generation) of management innovation. Second, it identifies decision-making related to the changes required for adoption of a management innovation. Finally, it develops a model of the process of adoption of management innovation that includes decision-making. In addition, the output of the study can be used as a tool for project management by identifying the questions to be addressed, and the decisions to be made, at particular points of the management innovation process, taking into account local contexts.

This paper provides an assessment of the value of national population censuses as information sources with specific reference to UK census data and its use in policy-making. Mixed methods were adopted to collect quantitative and qualitative data from two sources: (a) a content analysis of policy documents; and (b) interviews with policy-makers in Scotland. The findings highlight that, although the general value of the census is recognized, policy-makers are not necessarily closely engaged with the census as a tool for directing the development and implementation of policy. This is evident, for example, in a lack of awareness of proposed changes to the census, and infrequent deployment of available data. The opportunity to change perceptions among policy-makers, and to expand the application of census data in public policy, is identified. With a novel focus on the deployment of censuses as sources of evidence for policy-making that includes the views of policy-makers from both within and beyond government, this work contributes to an established body of global research on international censuses.