Traditional communities, modernisation and moral behaviour

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1155-1167
Author(s):  
Autar Singh Dhesi

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to ascertain impact of modernisation on moral behaviour in village communities in North India. Design/methodology/approach – Both qualitative and empirical analysis is done to evaluate a set of ideas related to the main objective. The empirical analysis is based on primary data. Findings – Limitations of primary data notwithstanding, results suggest that in-group, inter-group and generalised trust are not exclusive. The empirical results also suggest that significant sources of inter-group trust are trust in neighbours, trust in village council, development/modernisation and education. And sources of generalised trust seem to be inter-group trust, trust in village council, development and education. Research limitations/implications – The study pertains to village communities in Indian Punjab embedded in region’s evolved syncretic culture. Researchers need to take into account historical specificities while designing studies for other areas. Originality/value – The paper finds that majority of individuals in the evolved, heterogenous communities are inclusive and subscribe to moran values that persist with modernisation. But core values may become dormant in a situation of social disequilibrium. Inclusive development and spread of education in a conducive local institutional framework seem to restore them.

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 3447-3472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Ricci ◽  
Alessandra Colombelli ◽  
Emilio Paolucci

Purpose The purpose of this paper is threefold. It is aimed at identifying: a broad set of entrepreneurial activities; different university entrepreneurial models; and the entrepreneurial best practices of advanced European S&T universities. Design/methodology/approach The paper has adopted a mixed-method design. By mainly relying on primary data, collected through questionnaires and interviews with those in charge of the technology transfer offices of 20 universities belonging to the CESAER association, the empirical analysis has combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Findings The results of the empirical analysis have allowed five entrepreneurial activities to be identified. Three main entrepreneurial university models, based on different configurations of entrepreneurial activities, on different organisational and ecosystem characteristics and on a set of entrepreneurial best practices: an “engage” model, which focusses on local economic development; a “formal” model, which focusses on the financial advantage of universities and their faculties; and a “comprehensive” model, which focusses on the local economic development and the financial advantage of universities and their faculties. Research limitations/implications The first limitation of the present paper concerns the limited number of sampled universities. Moreover, this paper is limited to the European area. Future research could enlarge this study by increasing the number of universities and by focusing on other geographical areas. Furthermore, the paper does not assess the effectiveness of the identified entrepreneurial models in supporting entrepreneurship and local economic development. Further research could extend the present analysis and fill these gaps. Originality/value The paper contributes to the extant literature under many respects. First, it relies on original primary data. Moreover, it extends previous literature by encompassing the conventional distinction between formal and informal entrepreneurial activities. It also contributes to the emerging literature on entrepreneurial university models and the strategic approaches by identifying the different models of entrepreneurial universities in the European setting of S&T universities focusing on the role played by organisational and regional factors in affecting the adoption of a specific model by universities.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sena Kimm Gnangnon

PurposeThis paper investigates the effect of the volatility of resource revenue on the volatility of non-resource revenue.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis has utilized an unbalanced panel data set comprising 54 countries over the period 1980–2015. The two-step system generalized methods of moments (GMM) is the main economic approach used to carry out the empirical analysis.FindingsResults show that resource revenue volatility generates lower non-resource revenue volatility only when the share of resource revenue in total public revenue is lower than 18%. Otherwise, higher resource revenue volatility would result in a rise in non-resource revenue volatility.Research limitations/implicationsIn light of the adverse effect of volatility of non-resource revenue on public spending, and hence on economic growth and development prospects, countries whose total public revenue is highly dependent on resource revenue should adopt appropriate policies to ensure the rise in non-resource revenue, as well as the stability of the latter.Practical implicationsEconomic diversification in resource-rich countries (particularly in developing countries among them) could contribute to reducing the dependence of economies on natural resources, and hence the dependence of public revenue on resource revenue. Therefore, policies in favour of economic diversification would contribute to stabilizing non-resource revenue, which is essential for financing development needs.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this topic has not been addressed in the literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tihana Škrinjarić ◽  
Boško Šego

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate risk spillovers between selected CESEE (Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe) stock markets in order to evaluate the possibilities of an international diversification of a portfolio. Design/methodology/approach The VAR model and the Diebold and Yilmaz (2009, 2012) spillover index are used, with rolling indices estimation over time in order to observe dynamics, which is important for investment strategies. Data are monthly and include selected CESEE stock market indices which were available to the researcher. Findings The empirical analysis for the period of January 2012–June 2019 indicates that some country risks were the net emitter of shocks in the system (Slovenia and Czech Republic), whereas some were net receivers (Croatia and Ukraine). The results are robust with respect to changing the length of the rolling window analysis, which means that investors could utilize such an approach in a dynamic portfolio selection. Research limitations/implications Observing only selected markets due to data (un)availability. Practical implications The paper shows how international investors can utilize the aforementioned methodology in order to make a more detailed analysis of the dynamics of stock markets connectedness so that international portfolios can be rebalanced according to the results and investors’ preferences. Originality/value This is the first such research which focuses on CESEE countries, since existing research is focused on more developed stock markets. Moreover, the empirical analysis extends to commenting the pairwise net indices over time, which is important for the dynamic portfolio rebalancing over time.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Masuya ◽  
Eisuke Yoshida

Purpose This study aims to reconceptualize performance evaluation styles and reveal their performance effects. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature review, this study conceptualizes performance evaluation styles on two dimensions: priority of budgetary targets when setting performance criteria and use of accounting information for ex-post performance evaluation. This study discusses two concepts – budget rigidity and discretionary adjustments – to explain these two dimensions, and their optimal combination is then investigated by considering environmental uncertainty. The empirical analysis uses survey data from Japanese firms. Findings The results indicate that suitable combinations of budget rigidity and discretionary adjustments differ depending on environmental uncertainty. As expected, a combination of lower budget rigidity and higher discretionary adjustments is optimal in an uncertain environment. Contrary to expectations, a combination of higher budget rigidity and higher discretionary adjustments is optimal in a stable environment. Moreover, higher discretionary adjustments complement budgetary targets’ motivational effects, regardless of environmental uncertainty. Originality/value This study’s theoretical and empirical analysis suggests that it is difficult to understand the performance implications of performance evaluation styles without recognizing their multidimensionality and interdependencies. Moreover, the results demonstrate that discretionary adjustments in budget-based performance evaluations seem to act rationally in practice.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel María Parra Oller ◽  
Salvador Cruz Rambaud ◽  
María del Carmen Valls Martínez

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to determine the discount function which better fits the individuals' preferences through the empirical analysis of the different functions used in the field of intertemporal choice.Design/methodology/approachAfter an in-depth revision of the existing literature and unlike most studies which only focus on exponential and hyperbolic discounting, this manuscript compares the adjustment of data to six different discount functions. To do this, the analysis is based on the usual statistical methods, and the non-linear least squares regression, through the algorithm of Gauss-Newton, in order to estimate the models' parameters; finally, the AICc method is used to compare the significance of the six proposed models.FindingsThis paper shows that the so-called q-exponential function deformed by the amount is the model which better explains the individuals' preferences on both delayed gains and losses. To the extent of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that a function different from the general hyperbola fits better to the individuals' preferences.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the search of an alternative model able to explain the individual behavior in a more realistic way.


Author(s):  
Irene Bengo ◽  
Marika Arena

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to perform a critical analysis of the relationship between small- and medium-sized social enterprises (SMSEs) and banks. Based on the conceptual framework for the analysis of SME’s credit availability developed by Berger and Udell (2006), this study aims to contribute to the current debate in two ways: first, outlining the characteristics of the lending technologies currently used by banks and financial institutions to evaluate SMSEs when they apply for credit; and second, discussing, based on the results of the empirical analysis, the coherence of these systems from the social ecosystem perspective and identifying areas for possible improvement. Design/methodology/approach The paper develops a conceptual framework based on the model proposed by Berger and Udell (2006), which defines the characteristics of lending technologies that banks use to evaluate SMEs, and applies it to the case of SMSEs. To study the interplay of these lending technologies, the empirical analysis is based on a case study of five Italian banks. Data are collected from multiple sources to capture key dimensions of the problems analyzed. Findings The paper provides empirical insight about the relationship between SMSEs and banks. The Italian case shows that the current lending infrastructure must be revised to support SMSE credit availability, and government policies affect the national financial institution structure. The relationship between SMSEs and Italian banks remains underdeveloped. Social implications The research supports the scaling up of social business. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how social enterprises credit access can be enabled.


2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 1705-1724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Marotta ◽  
Concetta Nazzaro

PurposeThe aim of the study is to analyse the value creation processes in multifunctional wineries. Specifically, the paper poses the following research questions: can the creation of public goods (i.e. multifunctionality) open up new paths of value creation for wineries? And if so, can multifunctionality be only compensated through policy instruments? Or, is there a form of market compensation?Design/methodology/approachAn empirical analysis was carried out on selected wineries that sell directly. The study implemented the “value portfolio” model that identifies specific variables, both internal and external to the farm, which contribute to the value creation. The methodology adopted is a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach that offers a theoretical basis for developing an understanding of the relationships between group of variables.FindingsThe empirical analysis confirms the assumptions developed. Indeed, the localized public goods generated by multifunctional farms can benefit from compensation on the market through the direct sale of products and services.Originality/valueThe study’s findings are quite innovative in the field of agricultural economics and open the way for interesting policy implications.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukiko Konno

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine what factors affect the exit of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from tendering for public works in the Japanese construction industry using the Keiei Jikou Sinsa or Keisin (the database for evaluation of construction companies in Japan). Design/methodology/approach – This study empirically analyzes SMEs’ exit using the binary logit model. For the empirical analysis, it uses the scores as well as financial and non-financial performance indicators of Keisin data. Findings – The Keisin scores (the total score and W score), financial performance indicators (cash flow from operations and capital) and non-financial performance indicators (having unemployment insurance and operating years) significantly affect SME exits. Although the Keisin data are used for bid entry qualifications of public works, they can be applied to a factor analysis of the exit of SMEs in the construction industry. Originality/value – As there exists little empirical analysis of the exit of SMEs globally, this study contributes to the research on this phenomenon.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Se-Hwan Joo ◽  
Myong-Sop Pak

Purpose The purposes of this paper are as follows. First, the paper investigates the causes of risk and methods for managing it based on previous studies of trade risk and trade risk management. Second, the paper analyses the types and forms of trade risk for exporting companies and investigate the relationship between actual trade risks and perceptions of trade risk. Third, the paper establishes a measurement device for trade risk management and export performance based on previous studies. Fourth, the paper derives the concepts based on the accumulated details to establish a research model and verifies a cause and effect relationship. Fifth, the paper analyses what kind of effect the perception of trade risk exerts on trade risk management. And sixth, the paper analyses the effect of the method of trade risk management on the export performance of exporting companies to shed light on the utility of trade risk management. Design/methodology/approach The purpose in this research is to analyse the effects of trade risk management on the export performance of exporting companies. The authors have conducted a review of previous studies about trade risk, trade risk management, and the outcomes thereof. Based on that review, the authors have established a research model, derived hypotheses, and used statistical methods to verify those hypotheses. Findings First, the authors analysed the methods of settling payments, transaction terms, the transportation environment, and experience in trade claims and found that they influenced the perceived level of trade risk. Second, exporting companies’ prior perception of trade risk determines which methods of trade risk management are suitable. Third, the analysis of the methods of trade risk management and export performance found that financial performance was influenced more than non-financial performance by trade risk management. Originality/value The authors determined whether trade risk management effectively counters the losses incurred as a result of the trade risks faced by exporting countries. The authors used an empirical statistical analysis to comprehensively analyse appropriate trade risk management and export performance. Prior to implementing the empirical analysis, the authors conducted research on trade risk and its management and established a research model and research hypotheses based on a theoretical background of trade risk methods appropriate to the circumstances faced by exporting companies.


Author(s):  
Gino Marchet ◽  
Marco Melacini ◽  
Sara Perotti ◽  
Monica Rasini ◽  
Elena Tappia

Purpose Companies are currently moving from multi-channel strategies to offer their customers an omni-channel (OC) experience. So far, OC research has been mainly tackled from a sales-based view, with numerous operational challenges to be fully investigated yet. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how companies set the logistics variables in their OC management strategy and the business logistics models currently most adopted. Design/methodology/approach A two-step methodology was adopted. First, a systematic combining approach with scientific literature review and case studies allowed to derive a framework for classifying the key logistics variables and the related options. The framework was then used to conduct a qualitative survey targeting 92 Italian companies operating in food manufacturing, food retailing and non-food retailing. Collected data were analysed by means of cluster analysis. Findings Implementing an OC management strategy requires to set 11 logistics variables belonging to four strategic areas: delivery service, distribution setting, fulfilment strategy and returns management. A broad empirical investigation showed the choices made by companies when setting the logistics variables to implement an OC management strategy. Lastly, four business logistics models, differing in terms of both business sector and OC maturity, were discussed. Originality/value The proposed framework extends earlier studies by including additional significant logistics variables. The empirical analysis provides new insights on how to re-structure the business logistics model in OC, suggesting channel integration and the coexistence of multiple configurations as main enablers of an OC proposition.


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