Determinants of the firm performance of returnee entrepreneurs in Somalia: the effects of external environmental conditions

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of returning Somali diaspora entrepreneurs on firm performance and their perceived environmental obstacles. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a broad literature review and covers a theoretical background to develop a research framework. It presents several propositions to be empirically tested to determine the influence of returnee entrepreneurs’ success and the challenges they face in the process. Findings The paper offers an overview of how Somali diaspora returnee entrepreneurs can use their resources to succeed in their business and the possible environmental uncertainties that could hinder them. The study highlights some under-researched areas and provides future research directions. Research limitations/implications A research investigation is needed to test the proposed conceptual framework empirically. Further research is also recommended to use other predictors when investigating the perceived environmental uncertainty faced by returnee entrepreneurs. Practical implications In the diaspora entrepreneurship literature, returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict African countries did not get enough attention. Hence, the study will contribute theoretically to the literature. Originality/value The paper provides a conceptual framework that will help understand returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict states in Africa, paving the way for empirical studies on the topic.

Management accounting systems effectiveness, perceived environmental uncertainty and enterprise risk management: evidence from Jordan

Purpose This study aims to investigate the direct relationship between management accounting systems effectiveness (MASE) and enterprise risk management (ERM). In addition, it aims to investigate the interaction (moderating) effect of each of the four informational characteristics of MASE and each of the three components of perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) on ERM, using empirical evidence from the developing country's Jordanian market. Design/methodology/approach The study population includes all Jordanian companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange at the end of 2019, and the study sample consists of all these companies (complete surveying – census population). This study chooses a quantitative method through a survey design approach using questionnaire as the best method for data collection. Findings The summation of the relationship and interaction effects (moderation) examined by this study are as follows: three of the four informational characteristics of MASE, namely, a broadness of scope, an aggregation and an integration, have a positive direct relationship with ERM. The characteristic ‘timeliness’ has non-significant negative relationship with ERM. Additionally, the interaction (moderating) effect of higher levels of two informational characteristics of MASE, namely, a timeliness and an aggregation and higher level of perceived competitor uncertainty, will result in a higher ERM implementation. Research limitations/implications The results of this study have significant ramifications for numerous companies, administrators and interested parties, as they may allow them to build and sustain effective accounting processes for management. These results support adopting sophisticated management accounting systems (MASs) instead of traditional systems in the companies to help them in improving the information quality and control levels, as well as reducing the risks by implementation of ERM. In addition, to ensure that companies are confronted with the environmental factors they face. The results of the present study will enable administrators to develop a deeper understanding of such management accounting systems. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study of Jordan to investigate the relationship between MASE and ERM, moderated by PEU. As such, the study raises significant findings, drawing attention to MASs and their role in Jordan.

Housing and Environmental Uncertainty in Constructions of Exclusion Arising From Critical Life-Course Ruptures

There is growing recognition that the older adult life course can involve critical transitions that function as significant sources of adversity, and ruptures in life trajectories. While knowledge about how these ruptures generate multidimensional disadvantage remains underdeveloped, less is known about how they are spatially constituted and how their processes and outcomes may be mediated by older peoples’ relationship with place. Utilizing a ‘sense of home’ as a conceptual orientation, this paper explores the role of place in social exclusion arising from life-course ruptures. Focusing on bereavement, dementia on-set and forced migration, it draws data from 45 life-course interviews. Place (e.g. home environment and the wider community) was involved in three ways: as a component of the rupture; as a life domain where people experience exclusion; and as a mediator of exclusionary processes. Circularity is observed, with perceived environmental uncertainty intensifying effects of rupture-related exclusion, further contributing to that uncertainty.

How do emerging market SMEs utilize resources in the face of environmental uncertainty?

Using the resource-based view of the firm, this article examines how different resources are used by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in response to environmental uncertainty in an emerging market context. A survey was conducted involving 212 owners, CEOs, or managing directors of SMEs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to explore the drivers of firm growth strategies. Our empirical results show that higher environmental uncertainty, in terms of market and regulatory uncertainty, drives SMEs to pursue a more exploratory instead of an exploitative growth strategy. Our results also show that SMEs pursuing more of an exploratory growth strategy focus predominantly on intangible resources such as human capital and social capital while firms pursuing more of an exploitative growth strategy focus more on financial resources. The results from our study provide valuable insights for how managers can structure, bundle, and leverage different resources for developing their strategies based on their level of perceived environmental uncertainty. The policy implications from our study are that support for SMEs should be multi-faceted depending on the combination of uncertainty faced and type of strategy chosen by SMEs. JEL CLASSIFICATION: M10; M19; M13

Perceived environmental uncertainty and network development: the case of Greek SMEs

Networks appear to be vital living organisms which change, grow and develop through time; hence networks are shaped, dissolved and reformed on a constant base. Although an extensive body of research has focused on the outcomes and the antecedents of the interorganizational networks formation, less attention has been paid to understand why and how these networks evolve through time, especially in the context of small-medium sized firms. This thesis aims to address this research gap and to broaden the field of the SMEs’ inter – organizational network development by considering the perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) as an exogenous, deriving from outside the network, triggering factor. In that respect, this thesis explores if and how the three types of PEU, stemming from several domains of the external environment may trigger the development of networks in terms of their structural and interactional dimensions. To achieve this aim, a single – embedded case study of Greek tourism industry, applying the philosophical prism of critical realism, has been undertaken to seek causal explanations in the relationship between PEU and the SMEs’ network development. The findings demonstrated that PEU, particularly state and to a lesser extent response PEU, prompted the SMEs to develop their networks in several ways related to their structure, the strength of the relationships and the exchanging content among partners.

Perceived uncertainty and use of environmental information in decision making

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the nature and prevalence of environmental scanning as practiced by organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and explore the impact of perceived uncertainty on the way various information sources are used in managerial decision-making. Specifically, by targeting firms in the region, the paper examines whether the degree and frequency of scanning activities influence the relationship between perceived uncertainty and the use of environmental information in making strategic decisions. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a cross-sectional research design, with self-administered questionnaires as the main mode of data collection, and uses quantitative data analysis tools to answer the research questions. Findings The study finds that perceived environmental uncertainty significantly influences scanning efforts in an organization, which in turn influence the use of environmental information in decision-making. Additionally, findings suggest that while perceived source quality significantly influences frequency of scanning, the influence of perceived source accessibility on scanning is statistically insignificant. Research limitations/implications The results of this study have several implications for academics in the field of strategic management and industry professionals involved in long range planning. Results indicate that scanning activities should be more extensive and frequent when perceived uncertainty is high and indicates the potential value of timely market research to assess demand, gather consumer feedback and respond to changing needs of the customers. Originality/value The study addresses an identified gap in the literature and adds to the existing body of work by exploring organizational practices in a unique cultural context and assessing a conceptual model that links perceived uncertainty and environmental scanning to strategic management practices.