The impact of marginalization on entrepreneurs’ online presence and firm performance

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study relies upon interviews and surveys of managers and/or owners of SMEs. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, the authors tested an integrated model of the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance. Findings Findings indicate that marginalization enhances the risk perceptions entrepreneurs assign to internet use. This enhanced risk perception then limits the extent to which an entrepreneur responds to online customer feedback, which has implications for the SME’s relationship and reputation management efforts with buyers, ultimately impacting the enterprise’s performance. Originality/value This study sheds light on the overlooked phenomena of marginalization and internet avoidance among entrepreneurs. The findings provide insight for entrepreneurs on the deleterious consequences associated with lacking an online presence.

Does eWOM influence entrepreneurial firms’ rate of diffusion of innovation?

Purpose This research aims to investigate the influence of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on the diffusion rate of innovation in the context of entrepreneurial firms in emerging markets. It examines a comprehensive model for the effect of eWOM dimensions (including Content, Intensity, Positive Valence and Negative Valence) on the diffusion of innovations. Thus, it provides new insights on how entrepreneurial firms can use eWOM as a communication tool to facilitate the diffusion rate of innovations in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was adopted, consisting of 215 responses from Jordan. Data were analysed using Linear regression analysis tools. Findings A significant relationship exists between eWOM dimensions (Content, Intensity, Positive Valence and Negative Valence) and the Diffusion Rate of Innovations. In emerging markets, eWOM content highlights critical information regarding consumers’ sentiments towards new products (including features, price, design), which consumers use in judging innovations. Especially when there is a high volume of eWOM about a new product, consumers are likely to gain reassurances regarding their purchase decisions. Specifically, the valence of eWOM (including reviews, complaints and suggestions) generate adoption/risk-aversion attitudes towards new products. Consequently, entrepreneurial firms must carefully analyse eWOM regarding their products and integrate them into their marketing strategy. 10; Originality/value This research extends the eWOM literature by developing a comprehensive model for the effect of eWOM dimensions on the diffusion of innovations. Additionally, it sheds new light on the effect of eWOM valence on consumers’ attitudes towards innovations. Finally, it provides significant theoretical and managerial implications and future research direction to deepen our understanding of the effect of eWOM on entrepreneurial firms.

Economic factors and the Kauffman startup activity index

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine entrepreneurial activity in the USA and whether it supports a “pull” or a “push” theory of startup creation. The “push” theory argues that individuals are pushed into entrepreneurship by negative external forces, such as job dissatisfaction, difficulty finding employment, insufficient salary or inflexible work schedule. The “pull” theory contends that individuals are attracted into entrepreneurial activities seeking independence, self-fulfillment, wealth and other desirable outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This paper incorporates three well-established measures when looking at impact factors; unemployment rates, gross domestic product (GDP) and household income. The current study is unique in that it introduces the Kauffman Startup Activity Index (KSAI) as the measure of entrepreneurial activity when examining impact factors. Findings The results of this study support the “pull” theory (or the entrepreneurial effect) of startup activity and further supports the idea that entrepreneurs look for opportunities in the marketplace, rather than being “forced” into self-employment. Research limitations/implications Research is limited to having US data at the national level. Follow-up research could include parsing the data out to the state and local levels. Social implications The results of this study suggest to the economic development community that incentives during times of economic growth could further incent entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value The tact used by the authors is unique in that it relied upon three historical variables – unemployment rates, US GDP and household income – and introduced a new variable, the KSAI, rather than the previously relied upon national startup activity data or startup activity.

The mediating effect of strategy on entrepreneurial orientation and performance

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on performance and mediation differentiation strategies and market development in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This research was conducted using a survey method with a population of furniture SMEs in Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia using a sample area by collecting 158 questionnaires. The data analysis method used the partial least square. Findings The result shows that EO has an impact on differentiation, market development and performance. Differentiation strategies and market development mediate the influence of EO and performance. The differentiation strategy further mediates the influence of EO on market development and market development mediates the effect of differentiation on performance. Practical implications Managers instill entrepreneurial practice in the organization by proactively creating the market and taking high-risk jobs to provide quality products and services. SMEs require capabilities that are difficult to imitate in creating designs and product quality that are different, providing pre and post-sales services and maintaining good relationships with customers and partners. SMEs emphasize flexibility and speed of operation by adjusting the production process to short waiting times and reliable delivery. The government must support general training and market information, network development, access to capital and knowledge transfer. Originality/value This paper explains the importance of differentiation and market development strategies in determining the relationship between EO and performance that has not been explored in the context of SMEs in developing countries.

Chinese entrepreneurs’ experience of social media marketing: perception, strategy and challenge

Purpose This paper aims to explore Chinese entrepreneurs’ perceptions and interpretations of social media marketing (SMM) in their daily business practices. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the phenomenon. Specifically, 18 in-depth interviews were conducted among Chinese entrepreneurs to obtain their experiences of and perceptions on SMM. Findings Findings revealed that Chinese entrepreneurs have good understandings of SMM. They believe SMM is a necessary way to interact with customers and SMM can provide flexibility and sensitivity which are important for entrepreneurial marketing and are not easy to achieve through traditional marketing activities. When they choose social media applications, they will match the purpose of marketing activity with the characteristics of the social media. They have developed the specific strategies for different social media applications. In the meantime, they are facing some challenges, such as breaking the communication clutter, measuring the results and over depending on social media. Originality/value Findings of the current study extend the uses and gratifications theory to the context of business-oriented media usage. In addition, findings of the study expand previous literature by enriching the theoretical understanding of the concept of entrepreneur and entrepreneurial marketing in new social and cultural contexts. Finally, findings of the current study also supplement previous research on social media advertising by uncovering rich meanings of SMM from business owners’ emic perspective.

Entrepreneurial marketing: a bibliometric analysis of the second decade of the 21st century and future agenda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the state of the art on publications related to “Business Marketing” over the past 10 years (2010–2020) and available in the SCOPUS database. Design/methodology/approach In this research, a bibliometric study on entrepreneurial marketing (EM) was performed. The articles were selected from the SCOPUS database and dated from January 1, 2010 to July 11, 2020. Findings In total, 124 articles on the area of business management were identified, they are written in English. Through the systematization of these articles, it was found that the majority of the publications and citations about EM are from the year 2020 (378 articles), respectively, with 17 citations. The Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship was the most published on the subject and obtained the highest number of citations over the past 10 years. The authors that obtained the highest number of citations were: Jones and Rowley (2011b) with 101 citations and Mort et al. (2012) with 71 citations. It was also possible to identify four clusters: “entrepreneurial orientation”; “customer strategy”; “market orientation” and “innovative entrepreneurship and marketing.” Practical implications This paper reinforces the coherence and scientific structure of the current literature. The systematization of the concepts we present can be used by managers to define strategies and policies in EM planning. Originality/value This research gives special emphasis to the publications over the past 10 years, related to the management area and focused on the term “Entrepreneurship Marketing,” aiming to identify publication trends. Another innovation from this research is the usage of a single database, for the case SCOPUS. Moreover, the authors also reveal a current agenda with future lines of research in EM, which will serve as a starting point to prepare other studies in this area.

Entrepreneurial and market orientation interactive effects on SME performance within transitional economies

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the adaptive nature of market orientation (MO) and the risk-taking nature of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) might be integrated for a complementary and reinforcing synergetic effect on firm performance within transitional economies. Design/methodology/approach The paper suggests links between the EO and MO concepts and develops propositions informed by prior research and reasonable assumptions. The propositions aim to spur future research to uncover further evidence that validates the testable hypothesis. Findings In particular, the study calls for investigating the interaction effect of EO with MO on new product entry, market intelligence collection and processing competence. In addition, the study proposes research studies on whether EO’s interaction effect with MO will tend to mitigate risk in the development of breakthrough innovation and whether the interacting strategic orientations are creating a synergetic effect towards firm performance. Finally, the study recommends that research models should be tested and understood in consideration of conditions and circumstances from varying contexts, such as the small and medium enterprise sector within transitional economies and the media industry. Originality/value Whilst the performance implications of EO and MO, when modelled separately, have been extensively studied in developed and diversified market economies, studies are in the early stages of investigating the joint effect of EO and MO on firm performance, especially within transitional economies.

Multiple intelligence and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition – a failsafe approach of neuromarketing

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the relationship between multiple intelligence (MI) and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition. It discusses to what extent each dimension of MI is considered as an activation driver of entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. This paper also aims to expand the domain of entrepreneurial opportunities recognition via MI by considering the mediating role of neuromarketing perception, adopting a combined perspective of intelligence, entrepreneurship and also neuromarketing to provide a future direction for the creation of interdisciplinary insights in the area of entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach This paper opted for literature synthesis to define key concepts surrounding MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. Besides, it also attempted to identify an influential mediator in explaining the entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon. Consequently, this paper identified the gaps in current research to draw upon a more holistic conceptual framework. The rationale for the research was justified within the body of research. Findings This paper suggested research propositions based on the literature synthesis in view of MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. More specifically, it has proposed a conceptual framework, explaining the relationship between a multi-dimensional view of both MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. It is envisaged that the mediating role of neuromarketing perception incorporated in this conceptual work will improve the predictive value of the proposed framework and offer additional insights about factors that advance entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. Research limitations/implications This paper suffers from the obvious limitation of lacking empirical investigation. However, it does provide a theoretical rationale for the argument that entrepreneurial opportunities recognition can be advanced if MI are identified and associated with neuromarketing dimensions. Perhaps the most important direction for future research is further extension and validation of this framework by performing an empirical investigation to produce newer insights into this phenomenon. Originality/value This conceptual work is different from previous studies on the grounds it has considered unexplored issues in explaining entrepreneurial opportunities recognition. To bridge the critical knowledge gap of the entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon, a mediating effect of neuromarketing perception is also integrated within the model. The proposed model was neither formulated nor tested empirically in previous studies locally or perhaps globally, therefore it stands out as an original contribution incorporating MI and entrepreneurial opportunities recognition phenomenon while considering the brain activity through neuromarketing perception.

The social media marketing strategies and its implementation in promoting handicrafts products: a study with special reference to Eastern India

Purpose First, this study aims to focus on the promotional part of the Indian handicraft products through various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Second, the study measures the effectiveness of social media marketing activities (SMMA) relating to handicraft products on brand awareness, brand image and brand equity. Third, this study also measures the impact of brand awareness and brand image on brand equity and consumers’ purchase intention and further brand equity on consumers’ purchase intention of handicraft products. Design/methodology/approach This study used an offline questionnaire to conduct empirical research and collected and analyzed data of 609 samples by using the structural equation modeling approach. Findings The findings of this study showed that SMMA relating to handicraft products had a very strong impact on creating both brand awareness and brand image in the social media environment. Additionally, this study also exhibited a positive and significant impact of brand awareness and brand image on brand equity and consumers’ purchase intention and further brand equity on consumers’ purchase intention of handicraft products in the social media environment. Practical implications The outcome of this research will definitely motivate the handicraft industry to have a strong social media presence on various platforms for promoting their products across India and outside. Further, the promotional activities in various social media platforms will help in creating awareness about the handicraft products and give brand recognition among other industrial competitive brands which will consequently lead to an increase in the demand for these products. Originality/value The novelty of this study is that it has made an initial attempt to study the marketability of handicraft products using various social media platforms and also has measured the probable impact of SMMA relating to handicraft products on brand awareness and brand image and their impact on brand equity and purchase intention.

Artist jewelry designer entrepreneurship: does it only glitter or is it also gold?

Purpose Creative entrepreneurship has contributed to economic development of regions and countries and have become models for the countries in the Western world. Jewelry designer entrepreneurs are one of the contributors toward creative economy for their role in economic prosperity. This article aims to investigate brand-building efforts of jewelry designer entrepreneurs. This study also aims to explore how jewelry designer entrepreneurs develop and communicate brand narrative, and how brand backstories confer value to jewelry. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with seven Portuguese designer jewelry. Findings The study identified seven themes to reflect the brand narratives of the Portuguese jewelry designer entrepreneurs: designer artists considered the importance of international recognition; designer jewelry uses the ontological metaphor to connect emotionally; designer jewelry making a jewelry piece that is fluid and organic; limited association with fashion; distinctive brand communication; fair pricing strategy; and identifying self as artistic worker. The study also shows that jewelry designer entrepreneurs adopt a distinctive brand communication tactics to connect emotionally with imagine customers. Practical implications This study proposes a general and managerial guide to boost personal brand jewelry designer entrepreneurs through brand narratives. Originality/value This study bridges an academia gap on personal branding, exploring how jewelry designer entrepreneurs develop and communicate brand narrative and brand backstories adding value to the jewelry industry.