Search

Although digital entrepreneurship (DE) emerged in the early 1990s because of digital technologies and entrepreneurship, current researchers consider it a recent phenomenon. This chapter proposes to extend the concept of DE to include the concept of dimensions of DE. Using literature in the areas of digital knowledge base and ICT market, digital business environment, digital skills and e-leadership, corporate culture, and access to finance, the chapter proposes a conceptual model for digital entrepreneurship, identifying the components of such a model as well as specific indications of size overlaps in different domains. This model implies that digital transformation in SMEs is intertwined with other activities and entrepreneurial behaviours in small firms, and it argues that understanding digital transformation or the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs requires an understanding of its context, particularly in relation to diffusion innovation theory, innovation system theory, and entrepreneurial approaches to the digital transformation towards digital corporate success.

Purpose This study aims to examine whether diversified economies enhance the growth benefits from foreign direct investment (FDI). Diversified economies benefit from stable export earnings, stable investment composition and greater factor endowments through forward and backward linkages that can leverage superior foreign technology embedded in FDI. This is crucial as many African economies suffer from dependency while FDI is concentrated in the primary sector. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a dataset of 15 Economic Community of West African States from 1995 to 2020 and compile variables from various sources, including an export diversification index measured using the Herfindahl–Hirschman index of product concentration. The authors use a growth regression model estimated using dynamic panel estimators to control for endogeneity and simultaneity issues. Findings The results show that the effects of direct FDI are insignificant to growth considering diversification and controlling for other confounding factors. Meanwhile, diversification is associated with growth, which highlights the importance of industrial policy. More importantly, the authors find that the marginal effects of FDI are positively and significantly associated with growth when diversification levels are low, implying that production structure matters for the FDI–growth nexus in developing economies. Originality/value Previous studies have overlooked the role of export production structure on the FDI–growth nexus. Many developing economies are dependent on primary exports and suffer from dependency, which implies lower levels of factor endowments. As such, this reduces the growth gains from FDI. The authors provide new empirical evidence on the importance of export production structure on the FDI–growth nexus.

The current study examines the motivational factors, types of uncertainty, and entrepreneurship strategies of transitional entrepreneurship among ethnic minorities, immigrants, and women entrepreneurs, drawing insights from an extensive literature review. To understand the dynamics of transitional entrepreneurship, a thematic review, a qualitative research tool, was used to analyze the research problem and provide answers to the research questions. Three insightful findings emerged from the thematic review. First, six broad themes emerged as catalysts for transitional entrepreneurship among the three focused entrepreneurs, namely, the institutional environment, push factors, pull factors, ethnic resource dependence, cultural inheritance, and gender identity issues. Specific elements of each of the six themes are explicated. Moreover, two levels of uncertainty (Levels 1 and 2) confront transitional entrepreneurs depending on countries and institutional contexts. Level 1 uncertainty presents a clear future with likelihoods, possibilities, and probabilities of success, while Level 2 uncertainty presents several alternate paths and trajectories with a blurred possibility of success for these entrepreneurs. Finally, transitional entrepreneurs leverage optioned and adaptive entrepreneurship strategies in different ways to cope with the two types of uncertainty in their host countries. Given the prospects of TE, the paper provides implications on how to remove the institutional barriers facing transitional entrepreneurs for more balanced socioeconomic inclusion in host countries. It further explicates a need to leverage the motivational factors and entrepreneurship strategies for economic development. By providing a theoretical-based framework of motivations, types of uncertainty, and entrepreneurship strategies, the paper bridges the gaps in the literature and contributes to a better way of understanding TE among ethnic minorities, immigrants, and women entrepreneurs in the period of transition.

Case synopsis The use of entrepreneurship to deliver profound social impact is a much-needed but poorly understood concept. While social enterprises are generally well understood, there is a considerable need to have a more common approach to measuring the different ways they create social value for us as well as to reduce the difficulties of starting and growing them in the difficult conditions of developing countries. In the northeast of Nigeria, for example, the mammoth challenge of rebuilding communities in an unfavorable entrepreneurship environment makes the need for a solution even more urgent. This case study illustrates a model of promoting entrepreneurship that advances the conditions of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in local communities using a configuration of the key theories of social impact entrepreneurship (variants of entrepreneurship with blended value or mission orientation, including social entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship and institutional entrepreneurship). The extent to which ventures can adjust and improve the extent of their contributions to the SDGs are shown using examples of three entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. From this case study, students will be able to understand how entrepreneurs can identify and exploit social impact opportunities in the venture’s business model, within the network of primary stakeholders as well as in the wider institutional environment with the support of Impact+, a simple impact measurement praxis. Learning objectives The case study envisions training students how to hardwire social impact focus in the venture’s business model (social entrepreneurship), how to run ventures with minimal harm to the environment and greatest benefit to stakeholders (sustainable entrepreneurship) and how to contribute to improving the institutional environment for social purpose entrepreneurship (institutional entrepreneurship). At the end of learning this case study, students should be able to: 1. discover an effective model for a startup social venture; 2. explore options for managing a venture sustainably and helping stakeholders out of poverty; and 3. identify ways to contribute to improving the institutional environment for social impact entrepreneurs. Social implications For students, this case will help in educating them on a pragmatic approach to designing social impact ventures – one that calibrates where they are on well-differentiated scales. For business schools, entrepreneurial development institutions and policymakers, this case study can help them learn how to target entrepreneurial development for specific development outcomes. Complexity academic level The case study is preferably for early-stage postgraduate students (MSc or MBA). Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Purpose Social entrepreneurship is gradually becoming a potent driving force for economic and social development in developing countries as a result of governance deficits. The purpose of this study is to examine the determinant factors of successful social entrepreneurship in the emerging circular economy of Lebanon. The objective extends to exploring the mediating role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the success of social entrepreneurship in Lebanon. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-sectional survey design, the authors collected primary data from 389 social entrepreneurs through questionnaires in selected locations in Lebanon. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypotheses were tested using linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) for predicting the impact of independent variable on the dependent variable. The validity, progressive and various models fits were tested using root mean square of approximation, root mean square of residuals, standard root mean square residuals, incremental fit index, fitness of the extracted and non-normal fit index. Findings The SEM estimations reveal that three main factors determine the success of social entrepreneurs in Lebanon, namely, environmental factors, psychological factors and prior experience. Moreover, the results reveal that support of NGOs positively moderates the relationships between the success of social entrepreneurship and two different variables (psychological factors and environmental factors), but failed to moderate the relationships between success of social entrepreneurship and four variables (experience, education, leadership and founding team composition). Originality/value The study contributes to the entrepreneurship and circular economy literature by explicating empirically the determinant factors of successful social entrepreneurship in Lebanon’s emerging circular economy. It also provides a fact-based social awareness on the role of local and international NGOs in supporting the social entrepreneurs in driving the idea of a circular economy. The study also validates multiple entrepreneurship theories.

PurposeThe growing adoption of sustainable finance for inclusive agribusiness requires a cross-country comparison. In this paper, a comparative discourse of sustainable finance (SF) options for agribusiness transformation in Nigeria and Brunei is attempted; as well as examining the implications on entrepreneurship and enterprise development in both countries.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research method was adopted for this cross-country comparative analysis. To gain deeper insight into agribusiness and SF, the authors sourced the required data from scholarly articles, texts, World Bank data (2000–2016), national policy documents, working papers, national development plan reports, and other online resources on agribusiness and SF. The authors adopted mixed data (non-numeric and numeric data) because they allow for combining content analysis and secondary data in quantitative analysis (Williams and Shepherd, 2017). This mixed method approach follows a three-stage, namely: Data sourcing, Data development and conversion and Data analysis.FindingsThis discourse based on the mixed data produced four findings. Firstly, it was found that both countries have different statuses in the agribusiness sector, but Brunei had better growth performance in the crop, food, livestock, cereal production indices compared to Nigeria. Secondly, the challenges facing agribusiness in both countries include inadequate funding, misuse/mismanagement of land resources, deployment of extractive farming practices, application of ozone-depleting chemicals and pesticides among others have harmed the vegetation, the farmland, and the chemistry of the ocean resulting in low productivity. Thirdly, the SF options that are suitable for agribusiness transformation are green loans, green bonds, green credit, green investment funds, green mortgage scheme and other green financial support instruments given mostly as grants, subsidies and tax reliefs. The key guidelines for entrepreneurs seeking SF options for agribusiness are Principles 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 of the EPs.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that the analysis and interpretation of the findings are based on descriptive statistics. However, future research should consider using rigorous econometric tests such as the Co-Integration Test, Test of Causality and Inferential Statistics that would enhance stronger generalisation and prediction.Practical implicationsThe practical implication is that agribusiness transformation through sustainable finance options (SFOs) would bring about a structural change from the current subsistence agricultural practices to large-scale agriculture practices characterised by the deployment of agricultural information systems (AGRIS), precision agriculture and agricultural technologies. Flowing from the first implication, the nexus between agribusiness and SFOs will systematically improve agricultural productivity in the areas of crop production, fishing, livestock and forestry in both countries. Thirdly, an improved agribusiness would boost food production and availability thereby mitigating the rising trends in food insecurity, food inflation, food poverty, and ultimately will help actualize SDG 1(No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the literature on SF and agribusiness in emerging economies by identifying an inclusive strategy that matters for agribusiness transformation in high-income and low-income economies.

Embedding this discourse on rentier state theory (RST), this chapter discusses the quest for sustainability of the public finance system of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The inability of these rentier states to meet their economic, social, and political commitments led to the adoption of value-added tax (VAT) and economic diversification as sustainability strategies. The findings from the macroeconomic data indicated that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have large markets that provide opportunities for the introduction of VAT. These two countries also have huge deposits of natural resources, including oil, which could be developed for accelerating economic diversification. This chapter validates the appropriateness of VAT and post-rentier economic diversification as sound policies for industrial, services, tax, and tourism development. The findings from this chapter need to be strengthened with a more rigorous empirical investigation. The chapter concludes with far-reaching policy suggestions.

PurposeThe global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of thousands of village-owned enterprises (VOEs), which are community-managed enterprises that operate in the hostile rural areas in emerging economies. Thus, considering that a Schumpeterian view of economic downturn sees recessions as times where old products/services decline while new products/services emerge, this paper aims to explore the specific innovation-based diversification strategies that matter for the survival of emerging economy VOEs in recession periods to develop new theoretical insights.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on multiple-case studies of 13 leading VOEs operating in the rural areas of Java Island in Indonesia, an emerging economy. The data was analysed using within-case and cross-case analyses.FindingsOverall, a number of major novel findings have emerged from the analysis, based on which the authors developed several new propositions. First, from the perspectives of both new product and new service diversification, “unrelated diversification” is the primary resilience strategy that seems to be associated with the survival of VOEs in the COVID-19 recession, over and above “related diversification”. Second, from an industrial sector diversification perspective, the most dominant resilient strategy for surviving the recession is “unrelated diversification into tertiary sectors (service sector)”, over and above diversification into the primary sector (agriculture, fisheries and mining) and secondary sector (manufacturing and construction).Originality/valueThe authors contribute to the literature on entrepreneurship in emerging economies by identifying the resilience diversification strategies that matter for the survival of VOEs in recession.

In the fast-changing workplace, there are growing concerns among stakeholders on accommodating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The absence of DEI in labour markets in different parts of the world has denied segments of the workforce basic rights, social justice, respect, and dignity as human beings. This chapter discusses the tripod of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as inevitable future workplace ethics in the changing world. After an extensive discourse on DEI, the chapter provides valuable insights for research and policy. First, it explicates that DEI practices cover the primary and secondary dimensions. Second, social identity theory, embedded intergroup relations theory, and structural integration (SI) provide the theoretical foundation for DEI discourses in the extant literature. Third, the chapter proposes three approaches to embed DEI practices and structures in future workplaces: liberal, radical, and transformational. Finally, the chapter concludes with research, managerial, and policy implications.

The influence of institutional factors in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among entrepreneurs in developed countries has been well researched, but very few studies exist on equitable and inclusive women entrepreneurship in developing countries. To advance the diversity and inclusion literature, this chapter discusses institutional factors hindering equitable and inclusive women entrepreneurship and the influence of these factors on the financial performance of women entrepreneurs who are members of the Farin Wata Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society in Yola, Northeast Nigeria. Five findings finally emerged. Estimations from Hypotheses 1, 2, and 3 indicate that ease of registering a business, access to finance, and entrepreneurship support have a significant influence on financial performance. However, estimations from Hypotheses 4 and 5 suggest that work-family conflict and managerial skills have no significant influence on financial performance. The chapter validates the argument that institutional factors influence equitable and inclusive women entrepreneurship.

This chapter explores the contrary views on CSR activities of financial institutions by drawing attention to the purported chameleon behavior of banks in promoting various CSR programs, adopting equator principles in lending activity, conducting financial education campaigns to increase the degree of financial inclusion of the population versus the claim about deceptive promotional techniques, practicing abusive contractual clauses in order to maximize profits at the expense of consumers. The chapter is distinguished by the critical attitude towards the behavior of FTNCs which knows significant differences depending on the area of manifestation – in the country of origin or in the host countries, developing countries. In addition, these entities take advantage of international instruments set up such as the equator principles or non-financial reporting standards to create a positive image among stakeholders, although their behavior is not socially responsible.

This chapter discusses the definitions, measurements, and theories of the blue economy for strengthening academic research and industry practice. A critical literature review provided four insights. First, the definition of the blue economy connotes a responsible utilisation, management, conservation, and preservation of the ocean in a manner that aligns with triple themes of sustainable development. Second, the best measurement of the blue economy is the coastal governance index (CGI) that has 24 indicators and 43 subindicators. Third, the prospects of the blue economy include the creation of sustainable ocean industrialization, boosts for traditional industries, new employment opportunities, food and nutritional security through aquaculture, a boost for SDGs, and improved economic growth, among others. The challenges of a blue economy include lack of national legislation and protocols on ocean economic activities, threats of overuse of ocean and its resources, sea pollution, ocean security, and international conflicts on maritime delineations. The chapter concludes with implications.

The present era is facing a dilemma relating to engaging the essentialities of energy resources to attain economic prosperity due to the ensuing environmental complications. Consequently, sectors such as transport, aviation, and refining industries are under the scrutiny of reducing their reliance on fossil fuels achievable with the promotion of hydrogen energy which is largely neglected in the environmental empirics. To this end, the environmental impacts of green hydrogen in the top seven hydrogen-consuming countries are assessed from 1995 to 2019. Moreover, the roles of green finance, environmental-related technologies, energy efficiency, and digitalization are considered in the model specified within the STIRPAT framework. Second generation estimators comprising cross-section autoregressive distributed lag, Common Correlated Effect Mean Group, Augmented Mean Group, and Method of Moment Quantile Regression are employed in evaluating the stated hypotheses. Feedbacks from the analysis uncovered that green hydrogen; green finance, environmental-related technologies, energy efficiencies, digitalization, and structural change promote environmental sustainability in the top seven hydrogen-consuming countries. Contrariwise, natural resource dependence and urbanization trigger CO2 emissions, thereby exacerbating environmental complications. Based on the findings, policy measures leading toward sustainable environment are suggested.

To contribute to human capital development in readiness for the Post-pandemic era, this paper discusses different models of reinvention/retooling as a resilience strategy in the face of vulnerabilities in the labour market. Using a critical literature review (CLR), this paper discusses different models of career reinvention/retooling, including the imperatives in the Post-pandemic era. At the end of the CLR, three insights emerged. First, the twelve (12) different models of career reinvention/retooling in readiness for the Post-pandemic era are task, position, knowledge, occupation, expertise, technical skills, attitude, brand/value, conceptual skills, competencies, managerial skills and entrepreneurial skills. Second, the different models of career reinvention/retooling are imperative because of environmental factors such as economic recession, pandemic/epidemic organisational downsizing, outsourcing, change management, mergers & acquisitions, the emergence of new technologies, globalisation waves, demographic shifts, climate change, migration, and disruptive business models in the labour market, among others. Third, career reinvention/retooling requires tripartite collaboration from critical stakeholders, particularly governments, employees, and business organisations. The paper concludes with policy, managerial and theoretical implications, and suggestions for future research.

The chapter explicates how career reinvention is leveraged for saving jobs and ensuring business continuity in readiness for the post-pandemic era. The employees exploited entrepreneurial mindset (EM) as a resilience strategy to save current jobs and create new jobs, while employers adopted the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) to keep their businesses afloat and meet their bottom-line. In the 20 multiple cases reviewed, some of the EM characteristics that employees manifested include determination, drive to achieve, opportunity orientation, persistent problem-solving, internal locus of control, tolerance for ambiguity, calculated risk-taking, high energy level, innovativeness, vision, passion, and team building. Comparatively, the EO dimensions that employees utilised include innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking, competitive aggressiveness, and autonomy. The chapter enriches the EM and EO concepts by explicating both as career re-invention strategies for saving existing jobs, creating new jobs, and ensuring business continuity in the post-pandemic era.

This study explores the levels of and barriers to entrepreneurial innovation (EI) and competitive advantage (CA) in emerging economies, and situates the findings within the Nigeria’s global innovation ecosystems. A qualitative research approach is preferred relying on the secondary data extracted from the reports of Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and enriched by scholarly works including insights from the reports of Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI). The extracted data from the afore-mentioned sources were critically reviewed and analysed using content analysis to understand the connection between EI and CA. At the end of the analysis, the study found that for 10 years (2008–2017), Nigeria manifested low EI and CA on the GCI ranking, whereas other African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa, with lesser economic resources, did comparatively better. Second, it was found that, the key barriers to EI and CA are infrastructural neglect, lack of strong regulatory institutions, weak macroeconomic environment, weak technological readiness, poor business sophistication and low innovation among others. The study improves understanding of theoretical, managerial and policy implications of EI and CA. It also provides appropriate strategic suggestions for stimulating EI and enhancing CA at both national and industry levels in Nigeria. The study contributes to the raging debates on EI and CA in emerging economies. It also supports the Schumpeter’s creative discovery theory and resource-based view of CA.

The chapter explicates the need to rethink the prospects of sustainable finance (SF) for agribusiness transformation in spite of the challenges facing the sector in Nigeria. It extends to highlighting the implications of the nexus on entrepreneurship development. After a triangular data analysis using the world development indicators (2000-2016) and scholarly articles, the authors found that the prospects of SF are enormous: (1) Nigeria has a modest agricultural growth performance in the crop, food, livestock, and cereal production that could support SF; and (2) SF options such as green loans, green bonds, green credit, green investment funds, green mortgage scheme, and other green financial support instruments could be suitable for agribusiness transformation in the country. Also, the content analysis revealed there are 13 challenges facing agribusiness transformation in the country, and these have harmed the vegetation, farmland, and ocean leading to low productivity. The authors contribute to the literature by identifying SF options as a game-changer for agribusiness transformation.

Financial inclusion is an increasingly intense issue that is of concern to the credit institutions and the public authorities. It has become topical and gained new value during this period of Covid-19 crisis. Although financial exclusion cuts across demographic categories, but certain categories of financial consumers such as women, young people, people with disabilities and those residing in rural areas have a low presence in the financial services sector. Previous studies attribute the incidence of financial exclusion of some segment of the society to low income, low level of financial education or difficult access to financial products and services generated by poor development of physical infrastructure. Is this true in the case of ASEAN region? A quantitative research approach was adopted in this study, while relying on the secondary data of the World Bank spanning 2011-2017, the UN Women ASEAN Gender Outlook report (2020 -2021), and enriched by scholarly works. The article focuses on the dimensions of the phenomenon of financial inclusion in ASEAN countries, with emphasis on the gender gap financial inclusion. The analysis of the extracted data reveals multiple differences among the countries in the region, a fact that can be explained by the different levels of financial technology development and the governmental interventions implemented to improve financial inclusion. On the strength of the findings, this paper argues that digitalization and financial innovation can also be solutions through which new consumers can be attracted to the financial system, but with these solutions come new challenges related to the protection of personal data and cyber security. For this reason, we believe that increasing financial inclusion must be approached at several levels and must involve joint efforts by public authorities, credit institutions and other categories of stakeholders.

Purpose This study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable management of wastes and effluents (SMWE) in Lagos Megacity. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a quantitative research method, specifically the use of a Web-survey technique for eliciting responses from a cross-section of companies affiliated to the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). From a target population of 2,300 companies, a sample of 92 companies was drawn using the sample determination formula of Parten (1950). The 92 sampled companies were randomly administered Web-based questionnaires through their official emails. Finally, the 56 responses received from the participating companies (corresponding to 61 per cent response rate) were analysed electronically and the results presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The results show strong positive relationships between CSR and advocacy on waste and effluents (0.7), environmental impact response (0.7), environmental sustainability policy (0.6) and preventive negative impact (0.6) with P < 0.05. However, weak positive relationships exist between CSR and monitoring mechanisms (0.3) and adequacy of infrastructure for wastes and pollutants management (0.4). Overall, there is a significant positive relationship between CSR and sustainable management of solid wastes and effluents in the sampled companies in Lagos. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to Lagos Megacity because it is the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria. Besides, there are several industrial associations in Lagos, but the selected association was the LCCI with 56 sampled companies. Practical implications The research supports and validates the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which explicates that performance behaviour of organisations is influenced by the behavioural intention and behavioural control. However, behavioural intention of organisations may be carried out, abandoned or revised based on ever changing circumstances or contexts. Originality/value The study bridges the gap between theory and practice of environmental CSR by enriching the understanding of academics and practitioners on CSR and environmental sustainability relationships in Lagos Megacity.

Purpose This study aims to examine the nature of relationship that exists between merger and acquisition (M&A) and banks’ asset turnover (AT) following M&As that took place during the 2004 and 2008 banking sector reforms. Design/methodology/approach Considering the fact that this study is empirical, the authors adopted the quantitative research method relying on financial industry data. Being a matched-sample comparison, the study evaluated whether the merged banks outperformed the stand-alone banks as a result of their involvement in M&As. Using data extracted from the annual financial reports of the banks, mean AT ratios were computed. Chow test for structural break, paired sample and independent sample t-tests were performed on the mean AT ratios to gauge the impact of M&A. Findings The findings suggest that there is no positive relationship between M&A and banks’ AT as either the AT ratios of the banks deteriorated or at best, did not improve significantly. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that the stand-alone banks outperformed the merged banks following M&As in Nigeria. Practical implications The major practical implication of this empirical study is that M&A has not been able to solve the fundamental problems of banks in Nigeria. Apart from improving their liquidity constraints, the unresolved problems of banks in Nigeria include poor corporate governance compliance, poor credit risk management policy and ineffective allocation of capital to businesses. Originality/value This study supports the Keynesian argument for effective regulation supervision and control of the economy in general and financial institutions.