Search

This study clarifies the relationship between internal lean practices (ILP) and sustainable performance using the triple bottom line framework (i.e. social, environmental and operational). A concep...

The issue of poverty is generating growing interest in entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship is seen as a way to alleviate poverty, particularly in developing countries. Developed countries also face problems of poverty and consider entrepreneurship as a way to address this issue. However, little is known about innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of poverty. What conditions lead poor entrepreneurs to innovate? The present study attempts to answer this question using a multilevel approach (individual, organizational, and environmental characteristics). The theoretically derived model is tested using a dataset of 3373 entrepreneurs living in poverty in a developed country, France. Our results show that human capital, opportunity motivation, and financial resources favor innovation. However, individuals with necessity motivation and previous experience in the same industry are less likely to innovate. In addition, being in a less competitive environment, public financial aid and privileged relationships with suppliers are linked to a higher probability of innovation by poor entrepreneurs. The implications of these results are useful for designing appropriate programs to stimulate innovation and support poor entrepreneurs.

Dans la litterature academique, les incubateurs ont ete decrits majoritairement de maniere normative et causale. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser la phase de demarrage d’une structure d’incubation en utilisant le cadre theorique du bricolage. Cette recherche vise a explorer comment les pratiques de bricolage peuvent permettre a des incubateurs en manque de ressources d’assurer leur survie dans un environnement fortement concurrentiel. La methode de recherche est qualitative et fondee sur une etude de cas en profondeur. Au total, 23 entretiens semi-directifs ont ete menes (quatre accompagnateurs et 19 porteurs de projet). Les resultats montrent que le bricolage est present dans les pratiques de selection et d’accompagnement. Ceci influence, au final, la strategie menee par l’incubateur.

Given the ongoing debate on the relationship between institutions and entrepreneurship, this study aims to better understand the joint effects of two country-level formal institutions, government effectiveness and political freedom, and whether the informal institution of religiosity moderates this relationship. To achieve this goal, the current study used multiple datasets, including the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), World Governance Indicators (WGIs), and the WIN-Gallup International Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism. The data cover 85 countries from 2010 to 2017. The results suggest that the rate of entrepreneurial activity across nations is shaped by the interplay between formal and informal institutions.

Cet article vise à comprendre les pratiques des dirigeants de microfirmes (moins de cinq salariés) en matière de systèmes d’information (SI). Dans ces organisations de très petite taille, les ressources sont rares et les SI sont peu formalisés. Par ailleurs, le dirigeant a un rôle prépondérant dans le choix et la mise en place des outils. Des recherches récentes soulignent la pertinence du concept de bricolage organisationnel pour analyser les pratiques des petites entreprises. Dans cette optique, cette recherche explore les modes d’implantation et d’utilisation des systèmes d’information par les dirigeants de microfirmes, et vise à identifier les pratiques de bricolage organisationnel. La méthode de recherche adoptée est qualitative et fondée sur 56 entretiens semi-directifs avec des dirigeants de microfirmes françaises. Nous décrivons deux types de bricolage : le bricolage par nécessité et le bricolage stratégique. Les caractéristiques associées à ces deux modalités sont analysées, et se distinguent par la perception des outils, les aspirations personnelles, les objectifs pour l’entreprise, et la possession ou non en interne de compétences en SI., Our research attempts to shed light on a specific set of practices of owner-manager within microfirms (less than five employees) in the area of information systems (IS). In these very small-sized companies, as we know, resources are scarce and IS very little formalized. Also, the owner-manager has a prominent role in setting the IT policy as well as in implementing it. In this respect, recent studies underline the relevance of the concept of bricolage as a pertinent tool for analyzing this kind of environment. Our research tackles these issues by exploring further how owner-managers implement and use information technology through the prism of organizational bricolage. Based on 56 semi-directive interviews with owner-managers, our qualitative analysis shows two types of bricolage : the « necessity bricolage » and the « strategic bricolage ». These categories differ in the way owner-managers perceive the technology, their personal aspirations and strategic goals, and the mode of IT skills acquisition (in-house or outsourced)., El objetivo de este artículo es comprender las prácticas de sistemas de información (SI) de los dirigentes de micro-empresas (empresas con menos de 5 empleados). En estas organizaciones los recursos son escasos y los SI poco formalizados. Además, el dirigente juega un papel clave en la elección de herramientas y en su aplicación. Investigaciones recientes ponen de relieve la adecuación del concepto de bricolaje organizacional en el análisis de las prácticas de la pequeña empresa. Siguiendo esta línea de ideas, la presente investigación explora la forma de implantación y el uso de los sistemas de información por parte de los dirigentes de micro-empresas, teniendo como objetivo la identificación de las prácticas de bricolaje organizacional. Se ha adoptado un método de investigación cualitativo, basado en 56 entrevistas semi-estructuradas, con dirigentes de micro-empresas en Francia. Se describen dos tipos de bricolaje : bricolaje por necesidad, y bricolaje estratégico. Las características asociadas a estos dos tipos de bricolaje se han analizado, distinguiéndose la percepción de las herramientas, las aspiraciones personales, los objetivos para la empresa, y la posesión o no de competencias internas en SI.

International audience; While the role of small businesses in innovation is well described, little attention is given to freelancers (business owners whose businesses are without personnel and who have no desire to grow their business). We used a sample of 32,595 French freelancers who started in 2002 to explore to what degree they are operating in innovative vs. non-innovative industries and to analyse the characteristics of those freelancers. The findings show that French freelancers are nearly as likely as other business owners to be active in innovative sectors. High education levels and desire for independence are also important characteristics of people working in this sector. This study contributes to the growing literature on innovation among researchers informing policy makers and prospective freelancers.

International audience; This research examines the selection practices used by a small public incubator (SPI) and its strategic implications. SPIs generally depend on small cities and often face difficulties due to a lack of resources and inadequate competitiveness in comparison with well-equipped and more reputed incubators. The selection of projects is the keystone in the development of these small structures. We develop a qualitative approach based on a single case study. Representatives from all the incubated projects were interviewed, as well as all the managers and we performed a thematic analysis of the discourses. The in-depth study of the selection practices and the project portfolio reveals a paradox regarding the incubator’s strategic positioning objectives and the availability of resources. We conclude by discussing the strategic positioning of SPIs regarding in-house resources and the selection practices.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the social media marketing practices of SMEs. Social networks are profoundly transforming the way customers use the web and thus challenging SME business practices. Although the social media provide affordable channels for marketing and are thus appropriate tools for firms with limited resources, some SMEs and entrepreneurs still question their credibility and sustainability. Based on seven semi-structured interviews with web marketing consultants, an online survey with 104 owner-managers of tourism SMEs, and a netnographic study, this research analyses the place of social media in SMEs. It describes their practices, shows that SMEs underuse these tools, and proposes some managerial recommendations to small business owner-managers.

Comment les modeles traditionnels de la gouvernance s’adaptent-ils au contexte particulier des jeunes entreprises innovantes ? Une enquete menee aupres d’entrepreneurs et de dirigeants de firmes de biotechnologie pour comprendre leur perception et leur pratique de la gouvernance revele une certaine ambivalence. La specificite des enjeux et priorites de ces firmes en pleine croissance appelle une conception specifique de la gouvernance. Le modele traditionnel ne leur est pas adapte.

While previous studies have demonstrated the importance of personality traits in the decision to pursue a career in entrepreneurship, more empirical evidence is needed to explain the mechanism through which entrepreneurial intention (EI) is strengthened. Accordingly, espousing a gender-based perspective, the current paper identifies characteristics that positively affect EI in a sample of 531 students in France. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis is performed yielding four alternate combinations that are likely to lead to high EI, of which two are gender specific. The inherent findings advance previous studies by offering entrepreneurship educators in France and similar contexts a new understanding of entrepreneurial intention from a gender perspective. Similarly, the results offer first-hand evidence to inform university students’ career choices.