Showing papers in "Entrepreneurship and Regional Development in 2010"
TL;DR: In this paper, an innovative analytical framework for the analysis of (migrant) entrepreneurship is presented, which combines the micro-level of the individual entrepreneur with his or her resources, with the meso level of the local opportunity structure and links the latter, in more loose way, to the macro-institutional framework.
Abstract: In this article, an innovative analytical framework for the analysis of (migrant) entrepreneurship is presented. The approach combines the micro-level of the individual entrepreneur (with his or her resources), with the meso-level of the local opportunity structure and links the latter, in more loose way, to the macro-institutional framework. This way, insights on the necessary resources of an (aspiring/nascent) entrepreneur with views on opportunity structures can be combined. A simple typology of the opportunity structure is presented which distinguishes between different kind of openings based, on the one hand, on differences in entry barriers (in terms of human capital), and, on the other, on their dynamics (growing or stagnating). This comprehensive analytical framework relates (shifts in) opportunities, resources and outcomes of immigrant entrepreneurship in a systematic way.
483 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose that an LTO will be positively associated with innovativeness, proactiveness, and autonomy but negatively associated with risk taking and competitive aggressiveness.
Abstract: Long-term orientation (LTO), defined as the tendency to prioritize the long-range implications and impact of decisions and actions that come to fruition after an extended time period, is a common characteristic of many family businesses. Prior research is equivocal regarding whether an LTO contributes to or detracts from family firm outcomes. Of particular interest is the extent to which family business can be entrepreneurial given an LTO. Drawing on the concept of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), propositions that relate long- and short-term management time horizons of family firms to five dimensions of EO (innovativeness, proactiveness, risk taking, competitive aggressiveness and autonomy) are developed. Specifically, we propose that an LTO will be positively associated with innovativeness, proactiveness, and autonomy but negatively associated with risk taking and competitive aggressiveness. We also address the long- and short-term implications of EO on the performance of family firms, and identify iss...
444 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of a significant amount of previous literature and the articles in this special issue is presented to contribute to an increased scholarly interest in research that integrates the areas of entrepreneurship and family business.
Abstract: While studies of entrepreneurship and family business have to a great extent developed independently, there are some indications that they are now moving closer to each other. The purpose of this special issue is to contribute to an increased scholarly interest in research that integrates the areas of entrepreneurship and family business. This introductory article elaborates upon the meaning of entrepreneurial families and family firms. Based on a review of a significant amount of previous literature and the articles in this special issue, we generate a guiding framework around three themes – actor, activity and attitude. We argue that research focusing on specific topics within these themes has great potential to contribute to our theoretical and empirical understanding of entrepreneurship and family firms. We also share a note on why we believe Entrepreneurship and Regional Development is a suitable arena for publishing research with this orientation. We then introduce the five papers that are included ...
313 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the characteristics and nature of the networks that firms utilize to access knowledge and facilitate innovation are analyzed, and it is shown that firms investing more in the development of their inter-firm and other external knowledge networks enjoy higher levels of innovation.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to analyse the characteristics and nature of the networks that firms utilize to access knowledge and facilitate innovation. The paper draws on the notion of network resources, distinguishing two types: social capital–consisting of the social relations and networks held by individuals; and network capital–consisting of the strategic and calculative relations and networks held by firms. The methodological approach consists of a quantitative analysis of data from a survey of firms operating in knowledge-intensive sectors of activity. The key findings include: social capital investment is more prevalent among firms frequently interacting with actors from within their own region; social capital investment is related to the size of firms; firm size plays a role in knowledge network patterns; and network dynamism is an important source of innovation. Overall, firms investing more in the development of their inter-firm and other external knowledge networks enjoy higher levels of inn...
267 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors build upon a typology of different forms of social entrepreneurship to theorize about how the role of "sites and spaces" may affect the social entrepreneurial process.
Abstract: With its continued emergence in both academic and practitioner communities, the diversity of organizations categorized as social entrepreneurship continues to expand. The increasing diversity represents a challenge to the field as it attempts to build a scientific base of knowledge. To address this issue, we build upon a typology of different forms of social entrepreneurship to theorize about how the role of ‘sites and spaces’ may affect the social entrepreneurial process. Specifically, we explain how variance in the geographic focus of different types of social entrepreneurship influences the types of social networks in which social entrepreneurship is embedded. Drawing upon this logic of embeddedness, we develop propositions about how the structural embeddedness of social entrepreneurship may affect the measurement and scaling of social value. The purpose of this article is to add to the relatively sparse but growing theoretical foundation of the field of social entrepreneurship.
256 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of family involvement on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and company growth was analyzed using a sample of 449 small- and medium-sized companies in Spain.
Abstract: Lumpkin and Dess [Lumpkin, G.T., and G.G. Dess. 1996. Clarifying the entrepreneurial orientation construct and linking it to performance. Academy of Management Review 21, no. 1: 135–72] established the basis of their research agenda on the relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and company performance. A wide range of research has incorporated different moderating variables and dimensions of performance, such as profitability, growth, etc. Our work proposes the degree of family involvement comprising a moderating variable in the relationship between EO and company growth. This paper pursues to analyse the influence of family involvement on the relationship between EO and company growth. The empirical study was developed using a sample of 449 small- and medium-sized companies in Spain. The proposed hypotheses were tested using hierarchical linear regression. The results obtained reveal the influence of innovativeness and proactiveness on the growth of a company. However, when family involvem...
245 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on social entrepreneurship processes designed to exploit innovation that explicitly addresses complex social problems, and elaborate on the characteristics of the process and on the dimensions intervening on how social entrepreneurial opportunities are identified, evaluated, exploited and scaled up.
Abstract: The assumption of a strong connection between entrepreneurship and economic growth has led to the neglect of entrepreneurial processes in the social sectors. Based on the findings of an in-depth longitudinal case study, our article focuses on social entrepreneurship (SE) processes designed to exploit innovation that explicitly addresses complex social problems. We elaborate on the characteristics of the process and on the dimensions intervening on how social entrepreneurial opportunities are identified, evaluated, exploited and scaled up. We provide a process-based view of SE, suggesting the need for consistency between individual, organizational and contextual elements.
240 citations
TL;DR: The authors provided an overview of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise, making reference to pertinent literature, highlighting the need to develop a sound theoretical platform and raise methodological problems common to management research and policy issues, such as how outcomes of social enterprise are valued and prioritised in different societies.
Abstract: This paper provides an overview of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise, making reference to pertinent literature. Internationally the distribution of social enterprises is uneven and there are noticeable differences that reflect national differences in welfare, labour market and ideology. Essentially however social enterprises seek business solutions to social problems and in order to do so, we argue, it is necessary for social enterprises to foster innovation. The papers included in this volume present different models and theories of how this might be achieved. All the authors place emphasis on the need to develop a sound theoretical platform and raise methodological problems common to management research. Additionally, the papers raise policy issues, such as how outcomes of social enterprise are valued and prioritised in different societies. The work discussed points to how social enterprise may offer innovative solutions to help solve problems of social integration, socially dysfunctional be...
226 citations
Abstract: This explorative study of network orchestration processes conducted by innovation brokers addresses new issues in bridging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research institutes in innovation networks. The study includes four in-depth case studies in the agri-food sector from different countries: the Netherlands, Germany and France. A guiding research question is how innovation brokers successfully orchestrate innovation networks of SMEs. Based on literature research and cases, we conclude that the innovation broker may have great added value for innovation networks with divergent organizations, especially when the innovation broker takes the lead in three network orchestration functions: innovation initiation, network composition and innovation process management. In addition, the case findings offer best practices of innovation brokers for these orchestration processes.
216 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report a multi-faceted search to discover and articulate, in the form of a manageable framework, a diagnostic system for assessing the influence that community factors will have upon the conduct and outcome of any proposed entrepreneurial process.
Abstract: This study reports a multi-faceted search to discover and articulate, in the form of a manageable framework, a diagnostic system for assessing the influence that community factors will have upon the conduct and outcome of any proposed entrepreneurial process. A methodological approach based on investigation of a rich empirical database supported by a wide examination of extant theory in several literatures, resulted in the production of a diagnostic system whose diagrammatic depiction employs a ‘bridge’ analogy. It depicts the culmination of the diagnostic procedure as the ability of different travellers (entrepreneurial actors and community members affected by their actions) to proceed via multiple pathways from an origin to a destination. The origin is a deep understanding of the community as an intermediate environment containing factors both conducive and hostile to any proposed entrepreneurial process. This deep understanding is founded upon intense local examination of the nature and interrelationsh...
188 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors trace the development of the Italian Falck Group from its inception as a steel company in 1906, ascension as the largest privately owned steel producer in Italy, losses in the 1970s and 1980s leading to business exit from steel industry in the 1990s, followed by successful entry in the renewable energy business.
Abstract: What factors influence exit from the founder's business and subsequent entrepreneurial renewal in a generational family firm? Guided by this research question, we trace the development of the Italian Falck Group from its inception as a steel company in 1906 – ascension as the largest privately owned steel producer in Italy – losses in the 1970s and 1980s leading to business exit from steel industry in the 1990s – followed by successful entry in the renewable energy business. A combination of insights from the literature and triangulation of data from multiple primary and secondary sources leads to the development of a model describing how inhibitors of exit from the founder's business can be transformed into facilitators of change. The critical role of farsighted ‘family champion of continuity’ is found central in redirecting the family from its anchoring in past activities to focus on future entrepreneurial endeavours. While the commitment to the founder's business continues, the family champion aided by...
TL;DR: The authors reviewed the theory of immigrant entrepreneurship and the Australian research, including the findings of unpublished fieldwork with 80 Asian female immigrant entrepreneurs in Sydney and found that female immigrants draw on their human capital and community and family networks as do all female small business owners.
Abstract: Among western nations Australia has received, in relative terms, one of the largest and most diverse intakes of immigrants, many of who start up their own small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While most immigrant entrepreneurs are male, there is growth in the number of female immigrants who have moved into entrepreneurship in Australia and other countries. Yet, research into female immigrant entrepreneurship and a theoretical investigation as to how the impact of ethnic diversity and gender on entrepreneurship can be conceptualized is not well developed in the literature. This article attempts to redress this gap. It reviews the theory of immigrant entrepreneurship and the Australian research, including the findings of unpublished fieldwork with 80 Asian female immigrant entrepreneurs in Sydney. While female immigrant entrepreneurs draw on their human capital and community and family networks as do all female small business owners, their small business experience is also shaped by broader societal r...
TL;DR: This article proposed a conceptual framework that aims to provide a better understanding of how three interdependent levels of culture (national, industry, and corporate) influence entrepreneurial orientation, including environment, organization, strategy, and culture.
Abstract: Numerous studies examining the linkage between corporate entrepreneurship and performance resort to the entrepreneurial orientation construct to assess a firm's degree of entrepreneurship. Little conceptual and empirical research has been devoted to understanding the factors and conditions that produce Entrepreneurial Orientation. Generic explanatory variables such as environment, organization, strategy and culture have been mentioned in past research, but though a number of hypotheses have been proposed, few have been thoroughly developed and tested. In this article, we focus on one explanatory variable – culture – that we develop along multiple axes. We propose a conceptual framework that aims to provide a better understanding of how three interdependent levels of culture – national, industry and corporate – influence Entrepreneurial Orientation.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the way in which owner-managers in smaller firms improve their businesses through the creation of "strategic space" which refers to the process by which ownerman managers are able to access resources, motivation and capability to review existing practices.
Abstract: The authors focus on the way in which owner-managers in smaller firms improve their businesses through the creation of ‘strategic space’. The term ‘strategic space’ refers to the process by which owner-managers are able to access resources, motivation and capability to review existing practices. The starting point is the owner-manager's human capital and their capacity to engage in critical reflection about their business. We highlight three concepts central to the creation of strategic space, first, social capital, which refers to the network relationships that provide access to a wide range of resources and information. Second, absorptive capacity, which describes the way in which organizational members identify, acquire and utilize knowledge from external sources. Third, mediating artefacts, which represent existing knowledge but also facilitate the translation and transformation of understanding within and between communities of practice. This process is essential to the renewal of knowledge and knowi...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored some of the theoretical insights emerging from work in the field of social entrepreneurship and complexity theory, and used the lens of self-organization and complex adaptive systems to consider entrepreneurial activity in Maori communities where innovation occurs through the interaction of the young opportunity seeking entrepreneur and the elder statesperson.
Abstract: This article explores some of the theoretical insights emerging from work in the field of social entrepreneurship and complexity theory. It draws on a neo-Schumpeterian understanding of innovation as self-organization, as it arises in the process of social entrepreneurship. Drawing on complexity theory, we use the lens of self-organization and complex adaptive systems to consider entrepreneurial activity in Maori communities where innovation occurs through the interaction of the young opportunity seeking entrepreneur (potiki) and the elder statesperson (rangatira). The interplay between these two actors in the Maori tribal community illustrates the double spiral (takarangi) dance of innovation (creation) that occurs at and between the edges of chaos and stability. Two theoretical insights emerge from this research. First, we are reminded that tradition and heritage can form the path to innovation while opportunity-seeking adventurers are necessary if steps are to be taken along the path. Second, the histo...
TL;DR: In this paper, the linkages between diversity management, innovation and high performance in social enterprises are explored beyond traditional framing of DM limited to workforce composition, to include discussions of innovation through networked diversity practices; reconciliation; and funding options.
Abstract: This paper examines the linkages between diversity management (DM), innovation and high performance in social enterprises. These linkages are explicated beyond traditional framing of DM limited to workforce composition, to include discussions of innovation through networked diversity practices; reconciliation; and funding options. The paper draws upon a UK-based national survey and the case study data. Multiple data collection methods were used, including semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and workshops with participant observation. NVivo and SPSS software packages were utilized in order to analyse the qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. We used thematic coding and cropping techniques in analysing the case studies in the paper. A broad range of conflicting and supporting literature was enfolded into the conversations and discussion. The paper demonstrates that social enterprises exhibit unique characteristics in terms of size and location, as well as their double remit to add value bo...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a conceptual model to provide greater insight into how social entrepreneurship ventures collaborate with other organizations in a network to fulfill resource requirements. And they used a large city's economic development actors involved in small business promotion as test cases to demonstrate that social ventures effectively acquire resources from the primary social engagement network actors: corporations, governments and other social ventures.
Abstract: Social entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as a mechanism for creating social and economic value. By applying population ecology, resource dependency and resource-based view perspectives, this paper develops a conceptual model to provide greater insight into how social entrepreneurship ventures collaborate with other organizations in a network to fulfill resource requirements. Through this process social ventures address unmet social needs to create value which leads to the development and growth of individuals, communities, and regions. Using a large city's economic development actors involved in small business promotion as test cases, this exploratory study illustrates that social ventures effectively acquire resources from the primary social engagement network actors: corporations, governments, and other social ventures. The framework introduced in the paper provides a means by which to better understand the context in which relevant social engagement players in a network exist and the synergie...
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors presented a model that explains how comprehensive social competency (made up of three components -social skills, proactive and elaborate social strategies, and relational perseverance) is related to business people's network development, and how social networks in turn are related to the business growth.
Abstract: The authors present a model that explains how comprehensive social competency (made up of three components – social skills, proactive and elaborate social strategies, and relational perseverance) is related to business people's network development, and how social networks in turn are related to business growth. We conducted two studies with Chinese small business owners, – one in the capital city Beijing (N = 133) and a second one in the less developed rural region of Xunyi (N = 78). Comprehensive social competency was consistently related to network size and business growth. In addition, government network size was related to the business growth since start-up in both studies (employee growth in Study 1 and personal asset growth in Study 2), but business network size was not related to business growth. Government network size also functions as a partial mediator between comprehensive social competency and business growth since start-up. Some differences are found between the rural area and the urban centre.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that social entrepreneurship can be an effective strategy for regional development if it is integrated with conflict engagement and propose a "Studio for Social Creativity" that provides the conceptual and practical basis for promoting development in Israel's northern periphery, a region characterized by socio-economic stagnation as well as deep social divisions.
Abstract: This paper argues that, in divided societies, social entrepreneurship can be an effective strategy for regional development if it is integrated with conflict engagement. It views both social entrepreneurship and conflict engagement through a social constructionist lens and employs theory building methods from action research and programme theory evaluation. The argument is presented in the form of a ‘programme theory of action’, called the ‘Studio for Social Creativity’ that provides the conceptual and practical basis for promoting development in Israel's northern periphery, a region characterized by socio-economic stagnation as well as deep social divisions, especially between Jewish and Arab Palestinian inhabitants. The programme theory of action includes a description of the context, the problem framing, underlying assumptions, action strategies and intended outcomes. It hypothesizes that integrating social entrepreneurship and conflict engagement impacts regional development by redefining inter-group ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the impact of corporate venturing (CV) on family business and find that CV can have positive, negative or possibly both effects at the family and individual lev...
Abstract: Previous literature on corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in family business (FB) focusses on the determinants of CE and presents conflicting results on its effects on firm-level performance. We argue that previous studies have overlooked the idea of FBs being complex social systems comprising three components, controlling families, business entities and individual family members; and any business activity in a FB should also be studied with respect to its effects on the family and individual family members, which ultimately impacts the performance. Moreover, previous FB literature addresses CE as a monolithic concept and does not separate its two primary types: corporate venturing (CV) and strategic renewal (SR). This article focusses solely on CV, investigating the impact of CV on FB. The research is based upon a set of longitudinal in-depth case studies of three FBs engaged in CV initiatives. The findings suggest that CV can have positive, negative or possibly both effects at the family and individual lev...
TL;DR: The authors investigated whether the prevalence and character of the hidden enterprise culture varies spatially and found that the preponderance of early-stage entrepreneurs and the established self-employed to trade off-the-books is greater in some locality-types than others.
Abstract: Despite the growing recognition that many businesses start by trading on a partially or wholly off-the-books basis, there has been little investigation of whether the prevalence and character of this hidden enterprise culture varies spatially. The aim of this paper is to start to fill that gap. Reporting the results of face-to-face interviews conducted in affluent and deprived urban and rural English localities with 91 early-stage entrepreneurs and 81 established self-employed, it is shown that in all localities wholly legitimate businesses are just the tip of the iceberg and that beneath the surface is a large hidden enterprise culture. However, the preponderance of early-stage entrepreneurs and the established self-employed to trade off-the-books is greater in some locality-types than others. Not only do early-stage entrepreneurs and the established self-employed more commonly trade off-the-books in deprived and rural localities, but they are also more likely to trade wholly off-the-books and therefore ...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated how a strong personal relationship between a small business owner and his professional or informal advisor affects the relationship between the advisor's recent performance and the owner-manager's perceptions of the advisors's trustworthiness in terms of ability, benevolence and integrity.
Abstract: This research investigates how a strong personal relationship (strong tie) between a small business owner-manager and his professional or informal advisor affects the relationship between the advisor's recent performance and the owner-manager's perceptions of the advisor's trustworthiness in terms of ability, benevolence and integrity. A negative moderating effect could point to a ‘tie that blinds’: the owner-manager may be less critical in evaluating the advisor's perceived trustworthiness in light of their recent performance, because of the existing personal relationship. A conceptual model is constructed and examined with survey data comprising 153 young Finnish businesses. The results show that strong ties increase the owner-manager's perception of the advisor's integrity, disregarding their recent performance. For professional advisors, strong ties reduce the impact of recent performance in the owner-manager's evaluation of their ability. For informal advisors, a strong tie makes it more likely that ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors contribute to international entrepreneurship theory by adopting a foreign market perspective when examining the links between network development and knowledge creation and find that network development has a direct positive impact on knowledge creation.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to contribute to international entrepreneurship theory by adopting a foreign market perspective when examining the links between network development and knowledge creation. Network development is argued to enhance the understanding of regional market structures and make firms more inclined − and better able − to create knowledge in foreign market business relationships (business relationships represent focal points in networks). The basis of this argument is that networks provide a multitude of opportunities for the exploitation of previously unexploited combinations of knowledge. Data were gathered from surveys conducted with an effective random sample of 188 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. A LISREL-based analysis was performed to test the three hypotheses deduced from theory. Findings showed that network development has a direct positive impact on knowledge creation and that knowledge combination functions as a mediating construct between network development...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that the proximity between firms also has a temporary effect and that the concept of proximity as a mainly geographically and more or less permanently anchored phenomenon has been shown to be insufficient in clusters.
Abstract: Conceptualizing proximity as a mainly geographically and more or less permanently anchored phenomenon has been shown to be insufficient in clusters; the proximity between firms also has a temporary ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the location of investments is classified into three groups: local investments (those made within the same county or in adjacent counties); intermediate investments ( those made in counties adjacent to the ‘local’ counties); and long-distance investments (Those made beyond this range).
Abstract: The business angel market is usually identified as a local market, and the proximity of an investment has been shown to be key in the angel's investment preferences and an important filter at the screening stage of the investment decision. This is generally explained by the personal and localized networks used to identify potential investments, the hands-on involvement of the investor and the desire to minimize risk. However, a significant minority of investments are long distance. This paper is based on data from 373 investments made by 109 UK business angels. We classify the location of investments into three groups: local investments (those made within the same county or in adjacent counties); intermediate investments (those made in counties adjacent to the ‘local’ counties); and long-distance investments (those made beyond this range). Using ordered logit analysis the paper develops and tests a number of hypotheses that relate long-distance investment to investment characteristics and investor charact...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effects of networking skills of entrepreneurs on network dynamics and venture legitimacy and found that improvements in networking skills are conducive to greater venture legitimacy measured as the number of institutional investors in the new venture.
Abstract: This study examines the effects of networking skills of entrepreneurs on network dynamics and venture legitimacy. The article is based on the longitudinal survey data of 94 Internet entrepreneurs in Beijing, China. The findings suggest that networking skills of entrepreneurs have positive effects on the structural changes of entrepreneurial networks over time. Further, improvements in networking skills of entrepreneurs are conducive to greater venture legitimacy measured as the number of institutional investors in the new venture. The research and practical implications are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors build on a utility-oriented framework and analyses literature to identify the key factors that affect the family's appraisal of the sale of a family business and integrate these factors into an explanatory model which shows that family's evaluation of a business sale takes longer and is often different compared to a non-family business sale.
Abstract: The scarce research on the sale of family businesses suggests that business-owning families take different factors into account than non-family owners when evaluating a business sale. This paper builds on a utility-oriented framework and analyses literature to identify the key factors that affect the family's appraisal of the sale. We integrate these factors into an explanatory model which shows that the family's evaluation of a business sale takes longer and is often different compared to a non-family business sale. In contrast to the paradigm of family business succession, our model advocates the exit option, which in a second step can foster new entrepreneurial family activity. We discuss how satisfaction might affect new venture activities and apply a case to show how our model can be generally used to analyse a family business sale.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate whether sectoral entrepreneurship by ethnic minorities is held back by network disconnection, and identify that ethnic entrepreneurship in specific sectors (such as specialist fresh produce) can be strong, but that there still are barriers to successful whole industry, regional and network developments.
Abstract: This article investigates whether sectoral entrepreneurship by ethnic minorities is held back by network disconnection. Popular interest in localized production and consumption often gets offered up as an antidote to rapidly globalizing markets. However, fractures between local production and consumption prevent such markets from developing. This study investigates supply chains and networks that attempt to meet market demand for 'specialist' fresh produce, targeted at and run by ethnic minority-controlled foodservice businesses in the UK. The focus for attention is the West Midlands region. This region has a strong and entrepreneurial ethnic minority, predominant foodservice and wholesale sector and a strong agricultural/horticultural tradition, but the two are disconnected. Key findings indicate that latent demand exists for locally sourced specialist fresh produce to meet the needs of a growing ethnic minority population, but network integration is a barrier. Disconnection concerns the following: (a) there are predominant issues of price sensitivity, which dictate channel sourcing and market development, (b) foodservice businesses rely on the access, market information and availability provided by gatekeeper wholesale traders who are bound to overseas agencies and their produce and display an ingrained resistance to local and regional supply and (c) cultural disconnections separate rural (predominantly 'white') growers and (predominantly Asian) wholesale intermediaries and retail/foodservice businesses. This article identifies that ethnic entrepreneurship in specific sectors (such as specialist fresh produce) can be strong, but that there still are barriers to successful whole industry, regional and network developments. Poor motivation of both network 'gatekeeper' wholesalers and (and network collaboration) growers is preventing ethnic entrepreneurs at the foodservice and retail levels from benefitting from wider regional network source innovation. Recommendations are made for production, technical and marketing support at the grower and intermediary levels; and all stakeholders need educational and market support in the development of truly integrated food networks.
TL;DR: In this paper, the challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses arising from ethnically, racially, and religiously diverse populations are discussed and a discussion of their challenges is presented.
Abstract: Challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) arising from ethnically, racially and religiously diverse populations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the two island countries' innovation policies in a national context and found that Taiwan's government employs more top-down policy instruments such as providing government research funding and resources to target industries, while Ireland's government successfully creates an innovation-friendly environment to attract foreign direct investment to facilitate research and development at the firm level.
Abstract: Taiwan and Ireland are regarded as being similar in their geographic positions and economic performances. Both countries moved from being agricultural economies to become major regional players, and are often pointed to as examples of positive national development and innovation. The main purpose of this article is to compare the two island countries’ innovation policies in a national context. The taxonomy of innovation policy proposed by Rothwell and Zegveld [1981, Industrial innovation and public policy. London: Frances Printer Ltd.] was adopted as the analysis framework for this study. The comparison shows that Taiwan's government employs more top-down policy instruments such as providing government research funding and resources to target industries. The Irish government successfully creates an innovation-friendly environment to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to facilitate research and development at the firm level. Finally, this article provides policy implications and recommendations based ...