scholarly journals Choosing Startups as Suppliers: A Supplier Selection Archetypes Typology

Author(s):  
Thomas P. Lee

Recent research demonstrates the value of examining collaborations between established organizations and startups via the lens of the buyer–supplier relationship. However, enterprises must first find, analyze, and select potential startups as suppliers before they can exploit startups' resources and talents in a buyer–supplier relationship. Due to the fact that earlier research has focused exclusively on how purchasing firms select established firms as suppliers, it is unknown which processes, tools, or organizational approaches purchasing organizations employ when selecting startup firms as suppliers. These suppliers are qualitatively distinct in that they lack organizational structure, financial resources, and operational competencies, offering a substantial risk to purchasing organizations. This inductive, qualitative case study research elicits data from twenty established purchasing firms and examines how they choose startup suppliers. We begin by identifying five design motifs that differentiate purchasing firms' selection procedures. We create a typology of three supplier selection paradigms based on these themes. The findings suggest that enterprises who are ready and able to adjust their selection technique to startups should exhibit a higher level of selection performance, implying a greater likelihood of selecting acceptable startups as suppliers. The findings contribute to the literature on supplier selection and shed light on the burgeoning sector of new venture suppliers.

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 810-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Cohen ◽  
Christopher B. Bingham ◽  
Benjamin L. Hallen

Using a nested multiple-case study of participating ventures, directors, and mentors of eight of the original U.S. accelerators, we explore how accelerators’ program designs influence new ventures’ ability to access, interpret, and process the external information needed to survive and grow. Through our inductive process, we illuminate the bounded-rationality challenges that may plague all ventures and entrepreneurs—not just those in accelerators—and identify the particular organizational designs that accelerators use to help address these challenges, which left unabated can result in suboptimal performance or even venture failure. Our analysis revealed three key design choices made by accelerators—(1) whether to space out or concentrate consultations with mentors and customers, (2) whether to foster privacy or transparency between peer ventures participating in the same program, and (3) whether to tailor or standardize the program for each venture—and suggests a particular set of choices is associated with improved venture development. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that bounded rationality challenges new ventures differently than it does established firms. We find that entrepreneurs appear to systematically satisfice prematurely across many decisions and thus broadly benefit from increasing the amount of external information searched, often by reigniting search for problems that they already view as solved. Our study also contributes to research on organizational sponsors by revealing practices that help or hinder new venture development and to emerging research on the lean start-up methodology by suggesting that startups benefit from engaging in deep consultative learning prior to experimentation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Schueffel ◽  
Rico Baldegger ◽  
Wolfgang Amann

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence so-called born-again global firms’ internationalization behavior. Specifically, this article explores the following questions: why do mature, domestically focused firms suddenly turn into born-again global firms, how do they do so and what elements are needed for born-again global firms to be sustainable. Design/methodology/approach – Using an established international entrepreneurship model as a starting point, we extract relevant factors for a conceptual framework on born-again global firms’ internationalization activities. Case study research among a cross-sectional sample of born-again global firms is being applied for that purpose. Findings – Driven by the insufficient size of their domestic market, born-again global firms typically embark on internationalization after a generational change at the chief executive officer level. Throughout their internationalization journey, they flexibly adapt toward new needs of their foreign environments. Due to their idiosyncratic characteristics, born-again global firms deserve consideration as a separate group of research objects in the field of international entrepreneurship. Research limitations/implications – The investigated sample of case study firms was drawn across a variety of industries. As such, industry-specific conditions could not be observed and the findings from case study research run the risks of being generalized too broadly. In addition, the accuracy of the case study results may suffer from a certain degree of hindsight bias as the internationalization event took place in the past. Practical implications – Openness to learning from other markets and the flexibility to modify products according to client needs strengthen born-again global firms’ competitiveness. To endure, born-again global firms have to be innovative in adapting to changes, which makes it easier for them to launch their products in new markets. Originality/value – To date, international entrepreneurship has focused on the activities of small and newly established firms, largely neglecting the behavior of somewhat larger and established firms in traditional sectors. This study shows that established companies can exhibit the same innovative, proactive and risk-seeking behavior across borders as new ventures do. Despite their strongly rooted structures, strategies and cultures, born-again globals can flexibly adapt to new environments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Parker ◽  
Patricia Doyle Corner ◽  
Paul J. Woodfield ◽  
Smita Singh

Abstract We empirically explore the process of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) through the conceptual lens of effectuation, a theory describing how entrepreneurs innovate. In particular, we investigate how endogenous innovations emerge and evolve into new products or services. The study thus provides an alternative perspective to most CE research that assumes a causation or rational-analytic approach to innovation. We implement a qualitative, multi-case study research design with corporate innovation projects as the level of analysis. Data are from interviews as well as secondary sources and were analyzed using within and cross case analysis. Findings reveal organic stages through which ideas are shaped into viable products. Findings show important effectuation principles at work including stakeholder commitments, affordable loss thinking, and a focus on control instead of prediction. Interestingly, findings illustrate how effectuation may differ in the corporate as compared to the new venture context. Implications for the wider literature are discussed along with limitations of the research design.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendai Chikweche ◽  
Richard Fletcher

Purpose This article investigates the relationship between entrepreneurship and ethics under extreme poverty conditions to unearth context-specific nuances faced by entrepreneurs in these conditions. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study, research method approach was used to collect data from established firms engaged in some form of entrepreneurship and new entrepreneurs. Findings Findings from the study indicate that a different mindset is required for entrepreneurs to conduct business in conditions of extreme poverty, and therefore a different approach is needed to evaluate business ethics instead of a wholesale adaptation of Western-based ethical values and practices. The study identifies and provides evidence of imitative entrepreneurship undertaken by both new entrepreneurs and established firms to address basic human needs such as for food and personal hygiene. Research limitations/implications The emic focus on Zimbabwe, which has its own inherent circumstances, has the potential to minimise the generalisability of findings from the study. However, this does not detract from the findings of the study but actually provides a basis for further research in other markets that have extreme poverty conditions. Practical implications Coping strategies are outlined for managing constraints faced by entrepreneurs and opportunities for interacting with consumers. A conceptual framework is developed for use in understanding and managing the relationship between entrepreneurship and ethics in markets where there are conditions of extreme poverty. Originality/value Previous studies have largely focused on Western developed markets. This article extends the debate to markets under conditions of extreme poverty.


2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Littlewood ◽  
Diane Holt

The influence of environment on social entrepreneurship requires more concerted examination. This article contributes to emerging discussions in this area through consideration of social entrepreneurship in South Africa. Drawing upon qualitative case study research with six social enterprises, and examined through a framework of new institutional theories and writing on new venture creation, this research explores the significance of environment for the process of social entrepreneurship, for social enterprises, and for social entrepreneurs. Our findings provide insights on institutional environments, social entrepreneurship, and the interplay between them in the South African context, with implications for wider social entrepreneurship scholarship.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tetnowski

Qualitative case study research can be a valuable tool for answering complex, real-world questions. This method is often misunderstood or neglected due to a lack of understanding by researchers and reviewers. This tutorial defines the characteristics of qualitative case study research and its application to a broader understanding of stuttering that cannot be defined through other methodologies. This article will describe ways that data can be collected and analyzed.


Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Mutsagondo ◽  
Getrude Maduyu ◽  
Godfrey Tsvuura

This paper discusses the challenges of records management that arise from the use of adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, despite the advantages of using such buildings. A qualitative research approach was used as well as a case study research design. Data were collected from seven officers of the Gweru Records Centre through semi-structured interviews. Personal observation was used to triangulate findings from interviews. It was found that the use of adapted buildings as records centres was a cheaper and quicker way of establishing records centres throughout the country. However, a number of preservation, security and management challenges cropped up as the conditions of the buildings and the environment of the adapted buildings were not conducive to the proper and professional management of records. This study is important in that it explores the prospects and challenges of using adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, an area that has not been researched by many authors. This provokes archival authorities and the government to seriously consider establishing purpose-built records and archival centres.


GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Abasiama G. Akpan ◽  
Chris Eriye Tralagba

Electronic learning or online learning is a part of recent education which is dramatically used in universities all over the world. As well as the use and integration of e-learning is at the crucial stage in all developing countries. It is the most significant part of education that enhances and improves the educational system. This paper is to examine the hindrances that influence e-learning in Nigerian university system. In order to have an inclusive research, a case study research was performed in Evangel University, Akaeze, southeast of Nigeria. The paper demonstrates similar hindrances on country side. This research is a blend of questionnaires and interviews, the questionnaires was distributed to lecturers and an interview was conducted with management and information technology unit. Research had shown the use of e-learning in university education which has influenced effectively and efficiently the education system and that the University education in Nigeria is at the crucial stage of e-learning. Hence, some of the hindrances are avoiding unbeaten integration of e-learning. The aim of this research is to unravel the barriers that impede the integration of e-learning in universities in Nigeria. Nevertheless, e-learning has modified the teaching and learning approach but integration is faced with many challenges in Nigerian University.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki L. Plano Clark ◽  
◽  
Lori A. Foote ◽  
Janet B. Walton ◽  
◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Handika Rifki W.P ◽  
Yuli Arif Tribudi ◽  
Agustina Widyaworo Kunharjati

This study analyzes the marketing strategies of Pakan in PS SatwaUnggulBlitar views of the concept of the marketing mix.This case study research using descriptive analytic method with purposive sampling technique.Marketing mix strategy being conducted by PS Satwa Unggul are strategies related products (such as brand awareness on brand), pricing strategy (in the form of rebates), the distribution strategy (in the form of three patterns of distribution), and promotion strategies (in the form of veterinary inspection and a free counseling service) can be considered to have successfully accommodate the needs of customers with a variety of facilities and corporate excellence. Based on the research it was concluded that the strategy used in the form of improved relationships with customers through personal selling, promotion price, free inspection, extension livestock and other facilities. Suggestions for the company should maintain an edge marketing strategies implemented in the form of personal selling and promotional strategies, but it is also the company should conduct regular research on consumer behavior animal drugs that strategy actually implemented in accordance with market conditions.


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