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PurposeEven though the crowdfunding (CF) literature is rapidly reaching its maturity phase, the topic of serial CF (i.e. the participation in more than one CF campaign) is as much promising as still largely under explored. This study thus aims to offer a thorough view of the dynamic and complex processes characterizing the participation of the start-ups to more than one campaign adopting a business network perspective.Design/methodology/approachIn line with an explorative research aim, a multiple case study analysis is performed by taking into consideration four start-ups engaged in more than one CF campaigns with different combinations of equity and non-equity CF, adopting the actor–resource–activity (ARA) model as theoretical framework.FindingsMultiple CF campaigns are embedded in the overall changing startup's network and are affected by the concurrent and overlapping startup's development processes. From this standpoint, the adoption of the ARA model suggests to reconsider the "serial" dimension of multiple CF campaigns. These processes can be more or less "linear" as they could be affected by the combination of CF schemes and by the degree of alignment of actors, activities and resources, whose "assembly" can be facilitated by learning processes and impaired by unexpected circumstances.Originality/valueThis paper explores in depth the startup's serial CF journey, building on recent studies calling for stronger analyses of the directions and outcomes of innovative funding trajectories pursued and implemented by new business ventures. From this standpoint, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to consider a complete spectrum of combinations between CF schemes within serial CF, thus allowing for a better understanding of the role of such a factor within a dynamic and contextual view, that is, that offered by the business network perspective. This paper also contributes to the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing research on start-ups.

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the emergence of passion-driven entrepreneurship within the context of small and medium-sized towns (SMSTs). SMSTs are seen as peripheral areas lacking the resources to support autonomous economic development and renewal. The paper explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and the context of SMSTs through the concepts of entrepreneurial passion (EP) and domain passion (DP). Industrial marketing and purchasing approach is adopted as a theoretical foundation to conduct the analysis through the actors–activities–resource framework.


Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a multiple case-study methodology. Two passion-driven entrepreneurial ventures (PDEVs) have been traced from the conception of the initial idea until the new ventures establishment.


Findings
EP and DP emerge as key resources in transforming the initial idea into a real entrepreneurial venture in resource-scarce settings as SMSTs. Shared passion fosters the involvement of local actors and the propensity to overcome relevant hurdles in the entrepreneurial process.


Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship through the analysis of the role of PDEVs in SMSTs' contexts. It highlights the role of "passion for place" as a new dimension of passion in entrepreneurial studies. From a managerial perspective, it emphasizes the role of passion as a key resource for networking and marketing. From a policy perspective, it calls for monitoring and support for training, funding and networking.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of social media (SM) adoption in upgrading and innovating selling processes by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing complex and rapidly changing market scenarios.


Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this goal, the paper undertakes an exploratory case study of Gamma, a mechanical company, by actively using SM to start and open a new market. The case-study is analyzed through the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) approach, which emphasizes the role of interaction and the interdependencies of resources.


Findings
The adoption of SM resources helped Gamma to tap into new markets and thus survive and face the downturn of its original market. SM displayed its effects in combination with other resources: a simple and not expensive machinery, capable human resources, effective production and logistical resources. SM represented a strategic resource to implement an effective business networking effort.


Originality/value
This paper provides novel empirical evidence and conceptual development over the role of SM as a resource in SMEs' sales processes, using the IMP perspective on combination and development of resources.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic and updated assessment of studies on key exporting stimuli for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to propose a research agenda on this topic.


Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a review of empirical articles on SMEs' exporting stimuli and outline future research directions based on key emerging drivers.


Findings
Research on SMEs' exporting drivers focuses mainly on human resources' competences, skills and subjective characteristics and on the role of relevant network actors (customers, intermediaries).


Originality/value
This paper provides an original contribution with regard to updating the framework on export drivers by Leonidou et al. (2007), highlighting an emerging research perspective based on internal/external network dimensions and proposing future research directions on internal individual and organisational actors and on new external network actors.

Purpose
This study aims to explore the resource development process implemented by a small consulting firm, active in a traditional industrial context, pursuing the innovation path to develop solutions within the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) domain.


Design/methodology/approach
This study undertakes a single qualitative case study of Sinergia, an Italian innovative small consulting firm. The case study is analyzed through critical events and adopting the 4 R model, developed within the industrial marketing and purchasing (IMP) approach.


Findings
The analysis highlights a transition from knowledge broker to solution provider, based on a process of networking, with a relevant strategizing effort, and of assembling internal, external and shared resources. Three patterns in the evolution of the company's innovation path emerge: resource-oriented networking, hybrid resource development and resource assembly.


Originality/value
The empirical study provides novel empirical evidence over localized innovation processes in I4.0 by exploring the innovation path pursued by a small consulting firm in connection with the local business. The study represents a theoretical development in terms of the 4 R model as it suggests the need to further conceptualize the category of technical resources – including products and facilities – in the increasingly complex I4.0 domain and provides insights on the changing role of actors in networks underpinned by emerging resource structures.

AbstractThe Environmental Management System (EMS) became a critical success factor in order to compete on the market. The aim of this study is to investigate how companies that have implemented an EMS based on the ISO 14001:2015 certification have perceived the changes due to the revision of the standard. The research was conducted through the administration of a questionnaire to 1,508 Italian ISO 14001 certified companies. Two hundred and eighty‐four companies constituting the sample of our study. As main benefits achieved by surveyed companies we highlight, risk prevention, better management of environmental activities, and creation of new targets for reducing energy and waste. As main barriers to ISO 14001 implementation we highlight, increased bureaucracy, increased complexity of environmental procedures and difficulty in increasing employee environmental awareness. The main contribution of this research is given by the analysis on how companies have dealt with the changes required by the new version of the standard.

According to the usual definition, risk is a combination of Hazard, Exposure and Vulnerability, representing the global damage amount connected to a particular event that may occur in a given area in a prefixed return time. According to the previous definition, a "multihazard risk analysis" needs a methodological approach able to combine in terms of effects several different natural events that may occur in an area. This analysis has the purpose of defining political and technical programs for risk mitigation, so to address public resources where priorities are high. Bridges play a primary role in the development and application of such analysis, showing high vulnerability towards great natural hazards such as floods and seismic actions. In this paper the results of a multi hazard analysis carried out taking into account seismic and hydraulic hazards on bridges in Capitanata region (FG - Puglia Region, South Italy) are presented. This work has been developed in a research project, named "Studio di Fat- tibilità per il Monitoraggio e la Messa in Sicurezza delle Aree Urbane a Rischio di Stabilità Statica e Vulnerabilità Strutturale nella Città e Provincia di Foggia" managed by the Autorità di Bacino della Puglia together with the Technical University of Bari. The proposed approach is based on the definition of a synthetic Index, named Priority Index, that simply defines the global risk level associated. It summarizes several information connected to the main structure properties, related to seismic and hydraulic local effects, to the exposition and to the functionality. The Seismic Damage Index is strictly connected to the structural behavior and its response to seismic actions expected in the well defined area. It compares the spectral acceleration representing the site design spectrum with two other spectral acceleration values considered equivalent to Hazus median damage function accelerations, corresponding to slight damage and complete damage for the structure. The Hydraulic Damage Index furnishes a ...