Suchergebnisse

Purpose– Collaboration among businesses, particularly in the current global economic downturn, can be a key strategy contributing to their survival. This study examines the case of micro firms involved in Terracotta art in Impruneta, Italy, and the extent to which collaboration occurs among the local artisans. In doing so, the study aims to consider collaboration theory in the context of micro firms.Design/methodology/approach– Semi-structured, face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted among the owners and managers of ten of Impruneta's 16 Terracotta firms.Findings– Whilst much of the academic literature highlights the multiple benefits of collaborative relationships, most participants acknowledge very limited engagement in collaboration. From the comments gathered, two distinct groups emerged, one composed of members of the local Terracotta association, who to some extent collaborate with one another, and the second, the non-members, who pursue their interests individually, or marginally collaborate outside Impruneta. Further, a number of barriers preventing collaboration were identified.Practical implications– The apparent weak collaborative relationships among respondents may have ramifications for the further development of their sector, for instance, restricting innovation and marketing know-how, both of which could help address such external pressures as competition. The involvement of third parties, such as the local town hall or chambers of commerce, was suggested by several participants to help increase collaboration.Originality/value– The study focuses on micro firms, a group that, despite its relevance for many countries' economies, has received limited attention from academic research, including with regard to collaboration and collaboration theory.

Purpose
The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the perceived resources, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from the perspective of micro and small brewery owners, managers and brewing masters operating in three countries. To this end, the study adopts the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, complemented by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis.


Design/methodology/approach
The research provides a mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from craft breweries in Italy, Spain and the UK. In all, 165 valid responses were obtained from an online questionnaire, and an additional 24 face-to-face and telephone interviews with craft brewing operators in these three countries were conducted to further enrich the data. Independent samples t-test and Scheffé post hoc were used to analyse part of the quantitative data, while content analysis and word association were used for the qualitative component.


Findings
Product quality and uniqueness of product emerged as important perceived resources and strengths, suggesting an alignment with some of the resource-related attributes postulated by the RBV, such as valuable, rare and (un)substitutable. Other elements, such as natural and sustainable resources, including water quality and the current and future involvement in growing or sourcing raw products locally emerged as key resources, and are suggested as additional attributes. These strategic and tangible resources are however challenged by perceived weaknesses, particularly lack of financial, infrastructure and commercialisation resources, as well as threats from competition.


Originality/value
The exploratory study focuses on craft brewing from the perspective of micro/small operators. This industry has received very limited attention from the literature. The use of the RBV, with the potential to increase understanding of an emerging industry, and develop the theory further in this domain, adds to the originality and value of this research.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how commercial beekeepers operating in two different nations perceive their role towards their community and society. The realms of role theory will be adopted.Design/methodology/approachData among 144 commercial beekeepers operating in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom (UK) were gathered through an online questionnaire. The design of the questionnaire, which allowed extended comments from the participating commercial beekeepers, validated the use of the inductive analysis approach that enabled the emergence of various distinctive themes, and the development of a theoretical framework.FindingsParticipants from both New Zealand and UK recognised similar ways of making a positive impact. Moreover, they agreed that their contribution spanned from pollinating fields and orchards, to improving food production and preserving nature. Nevertheless, the two groups also differed in their views, notably, of the degree of knowledge or awareness among stakeholders concerning beekeepers' contribution.Originality/valueBy using a comparative view of how commercial beekeepers perceive their rolevis-à-vistheir wider community, this study addresses a call for rethinking the social value added that emanates from entrepreneurial activities, and how such value can affect society. Furthermore, in adopting social role theory, the study proposes a framework where strong associations between the empirical results and the tenets of social role theory are revealed. This framework affords a lens through which food-producing activities aimed at balancing producers' commercial and environmental imperatives and their relationship with broader societal expectations could be reflected upon.

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to build an understanding of how firms operate under the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, the study examines the significance of firms' survival for their surrounding community, business–community relations during this severe situation and factors helping firms address this unprecedented challenge. The conceptual tenets of stakeholder theory are considered.


Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative data collection approach was selected, with face-to-face and online interviews undertaken with owners and managers of 33 firms operating in Singapore.


Findings
Firstly, while survival during the current unprecedented crisis is perceived to be most important for the firms' employees, owners/managers also perceive domino effects on other companies working alongside the participating firms, as well as effects on clients and suppliers. Secondly, increased collaboration with industry, stronger partnerships with suppliers and business partners and closer relationships with staff are highlighted during the crisis. Thirdly, key factors helping firms' survival in the initial year of the crisis included: a clear goal; a cohesive/nimble staff team; reinventing, adapting and being resilient; and family support and management support.


Originality/value
This study contributes empirically and conceptually to the literature on firm adaptation and firm–community relationships during a severe crisis. Empirically, the findings and related dimensions provide practical guidance concerning the interdependence between firms and their stakeholders. Conceptually, the inductive analysis, which enabled the development of a theoretical framework, illustrates the relationships between the study's emerging dimensions and those predicated by stakeholder theory, namely, the descriptive, instrumental, normative and managerial.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the effects and ways to confront the devastating effects of the COVID-19 crisis and develop a theoretical framework to facilitate understanding of these aspects from the perspective of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In doing so, the fundamental insights of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, bricolage and improvisation are considered.Design/methodology/approachThe study draws on data from 56 business owners-managers operating in eight different nations and representing three geographical regions; the data were gathered through an online questionnaire.FindingsVarious differences in responses from participants operating in the featured geographical settings were revealed. For instance, whereas a higher percentage of South American participants acknowledged financial impacts, they and their European counterparts were also more engaged.Originality/valueThe study provides various original and valuable elements. First, by gathering data from business owners-managers operating in different countries and geographical regions, it provides an international perspective concerning ways in which business operators confront an extreme event. Second, and related to the previous point, the study focusses on a business group (MSMEs), which is fundamental for many nations' economies. Moreover, the experiences of MSMEs could be timely and insightful to industry and business stakeholders. Third, the proposed theoretical framework highlights various emerging dimensions associated with adaptation and responsiveness, with both theoretical and practical implications.