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Volume 11
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Adm. Sci., Volume 11, Issue 1 (March 2021) – 33 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): It is well-known that entrepreneurs lead extremely busy lives. While research literature reports the stressors of entrepreneurial careers, few empirical studies have examined the actual management of the demands that entrepreneurs face in their daily lives. In this paper, the authors conducted a study of 472 small business owners and tested hypotheses on the roles of three self-management practices—exercise, work overload, and attention to detail—on stress, security, and job satisfaction. Exercise, work overload, and attention to detail serve as three important self-management practices that are largely under the decision-making of the individual entrepreneur. View this paper
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15 pages, 385 KiB  
Article
Do Consumers Value Environmental Innovation in Product?
by Cristina Aibar-Guzmán and Francisco M. Somohano-Rodríguez
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010033 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4947
Abstract
Customers are considered to be major stakeholders whose demands and preferences have a strong influence on corporate strategies. In this sense, increased consumer environmental awareness has led to a growing demand for environmentally friendly products which, in turn, has compelled firms to adopt [...] Read more.
Customers are considered to be major stakeholders whose demands and preferences have a strong influence on corporate strategies. In this sense, increased consumer environmental awareness has led to a growing demand for environmentally friendly products which, in turn, has compelled firms to adopt innovative forms of integrating environmental protection into product development and production processes. Nevertheless, an “attitude–behavior gap” has been witnessed, which implies that consumers’ environmental attitudes do not always translate into an actual ecologically compatible purchasing behavior and, consequently, eco-product innovations will not necessarily entail a positive economic impact for companies. This paper aims to analyze if the companies that invest in eco-product innovation are valued by consumers, showing higher growth. Specifically, we propose that eco-product innovation has a positive effect on a firm’s sales growth. Additionally, we aim to analyze the consumers’ preferences in relation to eco-product innovations considering two alternative approaches that companies can follow in this respect: eco-design and products with ecological use. The results obtained for an unbalanced sample of 5391 international companies corresponding to the period 2002–2017 (51,666 observations) show that proactive environmental innovation strategies are positively valued by consumers, having a positive impact on the companies’ sales growth. Furthermore, consumers show a greater preference for environmental innovations in eco-design than for products with ecological use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Eco-Innovation: From an International Perspective)
11 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
Transformational Leadership across Cultures: Follower Perception and Satisfaction
by Arran Caza, Brianna B. Caza and Barry Z. Posner
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010032 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 12509
Abstract
Leading people from diverse cultures is centrally important in organizations. This study investigates the extent to which transformational leadership behaviors are universal: by examining if leaders and followers perceive transformational leadership behaviors the same way across cultures; and by determining if the magnitude [...] Read more.
Leading people from diverse cultures is centrally important in organizations. This study investigates the extent to which transformational leadership behaviors are universal: by examining if leaders and followers perceive transformational leadership behaviors the same way across cultures; and by determining if the magnitude of satisfaction that followers derive from transformational leadership behavior is the same across cultures. Survey data from 71,537 leaders and their direct reports (n = 203,027) from 77 countries were analyzed. Respondents represented hundreds of different organizations, 12 functional areas, 26 industries, and all management levels. Cultural universality was examined by comparing internal reliability scores and using multilevel mixed coefficient models to assess the similarity of effect sizes in across cultures. Regardless of culture, when interacting with leaders from their own culture, followers were universally alike in their perceptions of transformational leadership behavior and in their satisfaction with such behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Servant Leadership and Followers’ Well-Being)
20 pages, 1249 KiB  
Article
The Role of Multi-Actor Engagement for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship in Kerala, India
by Murale Venugopalan, Bettina Lynda Bastian and P. K. Viswanathan
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010031 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7778
Abstract
Entrepreneurship has been increasingly promoted as a means to achieve women’s empowerment in the pursuit of gender equal societies by international development organizations, NGO’s as well as national and local governments across the world. Against this, the paper explores the role and influence [...] Read more.
Entrepreneurship has been increasingly promoted as a means to achieve women’s empowerment in the pursuit of gender equal societies by international development organizations, NGO’s as well as national and local governments across the world. Against this, the paper explores the role and influence of multi-actor engagement on successful empowerment of women based on a case study of Kudumbashree program in a regional context of Kerala, in South India. Our objective is to examine the women empowerment outcomes of the Kudumbashree initiatives, implemented within a multi-actor engagement framework supportive of women’s empowerment through capacity building and social inclusion programs. The case study demonstrates ‘how multiple-level engagements help enhance women’s development and support broad sustainable social change, in view of their sensitivity to the embeddedness of women’s agency under specific socio-political and cultural contexts’. We find that Kudumbashree programs, through its multi-actor engagement, strives for an equilibrium between social change through policy and regulatory change (top down) and social change via mobilizing the people (bottom-up). From a policy angle, the key learnings from the successful outcomes of Kudumbashree may be considered for designing rural and urban community development programs with a focus on the multidimensional empowerment as well as social and economic inclusion of women and other marginalized communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development in Emerging Economies and the Global South)
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13 pages, 304 KiB  
Article
Family Firms and Coupling among CSR Disclosures and Performance
by Javier Parra-Domínguez, Fátima David and Tania Azevedo
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010030 - 16 Mar 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4962
Abstract
This paper aims to analyse the behaviours related to the decoupling of the disclosed information on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability, deepening these practices’ knowledge within family businesses. For this purpose, we defined decoupling as a gap between social responsibility performance [...] Read more.
This paper aims to analyse the behaviours related to the decoupling of the disclosed information on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability, deepening these practices’ knowledge within family businesses. For this purpose, we defined decoupling as a gap between social responsibility performance (internal actions) and disclosures (external actions). For a sample of 33,809 observations for the period 2011–2019, corresponding to 5029 companies, 19% being family firms, our empirical evidence supports that family firms present a less wide gap between performance and disclosure, confirming the prevalence of socioemotional wealth dimensions in the decision-making of these companies. In firms without controlled shareholders, the quality of nonfinancial reporting could be understood as ambiguous, understanding that the most useful CSR information is found in the reports of family-owned companies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Eco-Innovation: From an International Perspective)
19 pages, 708 KiB  
Article
Are Environmentally Innovative Companies Inclined towards Integrated Environmental Disclosure Policies?
by Isabel-María García-Sánchez, Nicola Raimo and Filippo Vitolla
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010029 - 15 Mar 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4688
Abstract
In recent years, the correct representation of environmental performance has become increasingly important. In light of this, in the academic field, numerous researchers have examined the level and quality of environmental disclosure. However, in the context of studies relating to the determinants of [...] Read more.
In recent years, the correct representation of environmental performance has become increasingly important. In light of this, in the academic field, numerous researchers have examined the level and quality of environmental disclosure. However, in the context of studies relating to the determinants of environmental disclosure, little attention has been paid to the role of environmental innovation. This study, in the context of voluntary disclosure theory, aims to fill this important gap through the analysis of the impact of environmental innovation on the level of integrated environmental information disclosed by companies and the analysis of environmental performance as a mediating factor in this relationship. The results show a positive relationship between environmental innovation and integrated environmental disclosure. In addition, they show that environmental performance represents a mediating factor in this relationship. However, complementary analyses show that responsible firms adopt silent strategies in their environmental integrated disclosure policies in order to limit the knowledge by external users of the different environmental actions implemented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Eco-Innovation: From an International Perspective)
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17 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
Hegemonic Conceptualizations of Empowerment in Entrepreneurship and Their Suitability for Collective Contexts
by Bronwyn P. Wood, Poh Yen Ng and Bettina Lynda Bastian
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010028 - 9 Mar 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5140
Abstract
The relationship between empowerment and entrepreneurship in collective societies is, in our view, insufficiently examined. Accepted definitions of empowerment and the assumptions underlying programs and research designs based on them result in outcomes that self-fulfil and, as a result, disappoint. Several issues are [...] Read more.
The relationship between empowerment and entrepreneurship in collective societies is, in our view, insufficiently examined. Accepted definitions of empowerment and the assumptions underlying programs and research designs based on them result in outcomes that self-fulfil and, as a result, disappoint. Several issues are prevalent: the empowerment potential of programs is overestimated and the dominant view of what constitutes an ‘empowered self’ does not go deep enough to explore, and reframe, the self and its relationship to agency—two issues at the core of empowerment definitions and formulations. In this conceptual article, we examine the entrepreneurship and empowerment literature to suggest ways forward for the future health and relevance of the subject area. We highlight a serious methodological and perceptual issue within the literature, which offers many opportunities for theory development in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Development in Emerging Economies and the Global South)
21 pages, 416 KiB  
Article
Is It Necessary to Centralize Power in the CEO to Ensure Environmental Innovation?
by Beatriz Aibar-Guzmán and José-Valeriano Frías-Aceituno
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010027 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4493
Abstract
Using data from a sample of 4863 international firms corresponding to the period 2002–2017, this paper examines the role that chief executive officer (CEO) power plays in environmental innovation and the impact that these strategies have on financial performance. Both issues have been [...] Read more.
Using data from a sample of 4863 international firms corresponding to the period 2002–2017, this paper examines the role that chief executive officer (CEO) power plays in environmental innovation and the impact that these strategies have on financial performance. Both issues have been the subject of considerable debate in the literature, with opposite views and contradictory findings. The results indicate that investing in environmental innovations related to the use of clean technologies, ecological production processes, and the design, manufacture and commercialization of environmentally sustainable products requires that CEOs have a greater degree of power in order to support projects that do not entail a higher return in the short and medium terms. Additionally, the results show that the negative economic effect of eco-innovation reverses in the fourth and fifth years after environmental innovations were implemented. Thus, this study supports the view regarding a “bright side” of CEO power with regard to corporate sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Eco-Innovation: From an International Perspective)
32 pages, 800 KiB  
Article
Institutional, Economic, and Socio-Economic Determinants of the Entrepreneurial Activity of Nations
by João Leitão and João Capucho
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010026 - 4 Mar 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5785
Abstract
This empirical study analyses the effects of institutional, economic, and socio-economic determinants on total entrepreneurial activity in the contexts of developed and developing countries. It fills a gap in the literature, regarding the lack of empirical studies about the relationships among entrepreneurial activity, [...] Read more.
This empirical study analyses the effects of institutional, economic, and socio-economic determinants on total entrepreneurial activity in the contexts of developed and developing countries. It fills a gap in the literature, regarding the lack of empirical studies about the relationships among entrepreneurial activity, corruption, commercial freedom, economic growth, innovativeness, inward foreign direct investment, unemployment, households, and non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs)’ final consumption expenditure, age dependency ratio, education index, and life expectancy at birth. The empirical application uses annual panel data for the 2003–2018 period, with a total sample of 21 countries, analysed in a two-stage empirical application, including preliminary analysis and a quantile regression model. New empirical evidence is provided, revealing a significantly positive role played by commercial freedom, innovativeness, inward foreign direct investment, households, and NPISHs’ final consumption expenditure and education on entrepreneurial activity. Corruption, unemployment, age dependency ratio, and life expectancy at birth have a significantly negative influence on entrepreneurial activity. In terms of implications, greater government control is recommended, in order to foster the quality of nations’ institutional environment. Additionally, suggested is the launch of new incentives to stimulate research and development activities aimed at registering international patents with a global impact, sourced from new ventures and transnational collaboration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Re-designing the Entrepreneurship Policy Agenda Based on Individual and Context Singularities: Evidence from Gem)
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21 pages, 604 KiB  
Article
Self-Leadership: A Four Decade Review of the Literature and Trainings
by Michael G. Goldsby, Elizabeth A. Goldsby, Christopher B. Neck, Christopher P. Neck and Rob Mathews
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010025 - 4 Mar 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 19188
Abstract
This paper reviews the fourth decade of self-leadership research. Two previous reviews of self-leadership from 2006 and 2010 are summarized, and the paper applies categories from those reviews to examine recent research in the field. This paper also covers new topics and trends [...] Read more.
This paper reviews the fourth decade of self-leadership research. Two previous reviews of self-leadership from 2006 and 2010 are summarized, and the paper applies categories from those reviews to examine recent research in the field. This paper also covers new topics and trends in self-leadership research. In previous review articles, new theoretical models for extending self-leadership models were proposed. Therefore, this paper continues that tradition by proposing a new model—the Meta-Performance Model—that offers self-leadership as a skillset for enhancing the individual performance of leaders who seek improvement through professional certification programs. Self-leadership and professional certification programs are often treated as a stand alone topics. However, this paper contends professionals would benefit from combining self-leadership training with other professional improvement programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Self-Leadership)
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15 pages, 437 KiB  
Article
NGO–Public Administration Relationships in Tackling the Homelessness Problem in the Czech Republic and Poland
by Monika Sidor and Dina Abdelhafez
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010024 - 1 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4173
Abstract
Recently, the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Poland and the Czech Republic has increased, which has translated into a growing tendency to change the procedures for social assistance provision. However, the relationships between public administration and non-governmental organisations differ in both countries. [...] Read more.
Recently, the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Poland and the Czech Republic has increased, which has translated into a growing tendency to change the procedures for social assistance provision. However, the relationships between public administration and non-governmental organisations differ in both countries. The Najam Four-C’s Model is used in this paper to describe how NGOs and public administration approach the problem of homelessness in the Czech Republic and Poland. To explore this issue, the authors conducted interviews with public servants and NGOs’ mangers in both countries. The findings show that, as far as homelessness is concerned, NGOs and state authorities function on the basis of complementarity in Poland as well as in the Czech Republic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evidence-Based Public Policy Making)
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23 pages, 501 KiB  
Article
New Age Informality: Hispanics and the Sharing Economy
by Michael J. Pisani
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010023 - 1 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3435
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of the Hispanic contribution to the engagement and production of the sharing and informal economies in the US. The study is situated within the domains of the sharing economy and informality within a broader [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of the Hispanic contribution to the engagement and production of the sharing and informal economies in the US. The study is situated within the domains of the sharing economy and informality within a broader frame of entrepreneurship. Specifically, Hispanic participation rates, rationale for engagement, and the major drivers of involvement in the production of the sharing and informal economies are analyzed. To evaluate this, data are reported from a nationally representative subsample of Hispanics derived from the US Federal Reserve Board’s Enterprising and Informal Work Activities Survey (EIWA) conducted in the late fall of 2015. The finding is that more than one-third of Hispanics engage in EIWA. Hispanics participate in EIWA primarily as a means to earn extra income or as a key avenue to earn a living. By choice, relatively affluent Hispanics have the largest stake in sharing and informal economies. However, it is the lowest income Hispanics that engage in EIWA out of necessity. The major drivers of EIWA participation among Hispanics are revealed. This is the first known study with a nationally representative sample of Hispanics focused on participation rates, rationale for engagement, and drivers of involvement in the production of new age sharing and informal economies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behaviour of Places and People—A CBD Perspective on Entrepreneurship)
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21 pages, 372 KiB  
Article
Co-Production of Digital Public Services in Austrian Public Administrations
by Noella Edelmann and Ines Mergel
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010022 - 27 Feb 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 6561
Abstract
In the digital transformation of public administrations, objectives are no longer simply the implementation of new technology, but the involvement of all stakeholders into the process of digitalization. The Digital Roadmap of the Austrian government emphasizes the need of co-production of public services [...] Read more.
In the digital transformation of public administrations, objectives are no longer simply the implementation of new technology, but the involvement of all stakeholders into the process of digitalization. The Digital Roadmap of the Austrian government emphasizes the need of co-production of public services as a key element to public service delivery and, subsequently, innovation of the public sector. To understand how co-production in digital service delivery is implemented in Austria, we conducted interviews with 41 experts from public administrations in order to understand who is involved in such processes, how they are involved, and what outcomes are to be achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights of Value Co-creation in Public Sector)
18 pages, 405 KiB  
Article
The Nefarious Hierarchy: An Alternative New Theory of the Firm
by Richard J. Arend
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010021 - 26 Feb 2021
Viewed by 2681
Abstract
We propose a new theory of the firm based on the premise that ‘the firm’ characterizes a factor-integrative form of doing business that is often the most effective and efficient structure for doing well by doing bad. We define the terms and [...] Read more.
We propose a new theory of the firm based on the premise that ‘the firm’ characterizes a factor-integrative form of doing business that is often the most effective and efficient structure for doing well by doing bad. We define the terms and requirements involved for such a theory, and fulfill those requirements by explaining what it is ‘to do bad’, and why and when the firm form is especially fitted to that. We do so by building upon basic premises about ‘bad-ness’ and by leveraging the logic of market failures. From this base, we argue a new reason for the firm form to exist and yet be limited in its growth. This leads to six related propositions regarding the relationships between ‘bad’ firms, tolerant contexts and realized social harms. We discuss how to test the ideas, and what the implications are for research on the firm, strategy and entrepreneurship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Strategic Management)
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13 pages, 510 KiB  
Article
Value Co-Creation Process and Measurement in 4.0 SMEs: An Exploratory Research in a B2B Marketing Innovation Context
by Marcelo Royo-Vela and Mariell Velasquez Serrano
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010020 - 23 Feb 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5422
Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory research is to contribute to the lack of empirical research exploring techniques and protocols that can be used to measure the level of value obtained from using these technologies in the various marketing processes and in a business-to-business [...] Read more.
The purpose of this exploratory research is to contribute to the lack of empirical research exploring techniques and protocols that can be used to measure the level of value obtained from using these technologies in the various marketing processes and in a business-to-business (B2B) context. By doing so, firms operating in fast changing dynamic environments can develop the right means to continuously adapt, integrate, reconfigure, and redeploy resources and capabilities to become more competitive and disruptive in their offerings. The phenomenon of interest is described by applying a case study qualitative approach to three 4.0 companies which use virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) technologies and by carrying out ten in-depth interviews to managers in those organizations. Results show that some small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are more rigorous about performance and tracking metrics compared to other companies providing similar technological services. In this line, results show two stages where potential value can be generated and measured when utilizing VR/AR technologies. The first is during testing and development of VR/AR simulations. In this stage, only the ones with strong research and academic background have been developing and using tracking systems, guidelines, and protocols as resources to measure the value obtained from using these technologies in marketing innovation processes. The second moment where value creation can be measured is during the implementation of the VR/AR simulation with the target user. Further research is needed to develop standardization guidelines and protocols that guarantee the success of the simulations delivered to the hiring firms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Crossroads between Digitalization and Sustainability: Implications for Societies, Markets, and Firms)
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14 pages, 817 KiB  
Article
Samsung vs. Apple: How Different Communication Strategies Affect Consumers in Portugal
by Margarida Almeida, Eva Sousa, Carolina Rodrigues, Maria Beatriz Candeias and Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010019 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 21207
Abstract
It is indisputable that technology is present in everyday life. In this digital era, brands need to adapt to the changing pace of the needs and desires of society to distinguish themselves from their adversaries, especially in the electronic environment. Hence, they must [...] Read more.
It is indisputable that technology is present in everyday life. In this digital era, brands need to adapt to the changing pace of the needs and desires of society to distinguish themselves from their adversaries, especially in the electronic environment. Hence, they must have well-defined and successful marketing and advertising strategies to achieve a place on the podium of preference of consumers. This work intends to understand how the communication strategies of Apple and Samsung affect the decisions of consumers in Portugal to buy electronic devices. To this end, a survey was conducted, and the responses of 700 individuals who reside in Portugal were analysed through descriptive and inferential (chi-square test of independence) statistics. The survey results show that cost-benefit, price, technical specifications, and performance are the characteristics that weigh the most when purchasing electronic devices, as well as the perceived prestige of the brand. Additionally, an association was found between having only one device and having more products of the brand, with Apple users having more frequently more than one of the brand’s products than Samsung users. We thus concluded that Apple consumers are more loyal. It was also found that the store where the devices are brought is not independent, in Portugal, of the brand of the devices. Apple users buy more brand products from the brand store, both physical and online, than Samsung users. Finally, advertisements and word-of-mouth were found to be fundamental for consumers to acknowledge brand devices, and the degree in which this happens is also not independent of the brand, in Portugal, as a chi-square independence test showed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Strategic Management)
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33 pages, 892 KiB  
Article
Exploring Consumers’ Discontinuance Intention of Remote Mobile Payments during Post-Adoption Usage: An Empirical Study
by Maksym Koghut and Omar AI-Tabbaa
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010018 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4937
Abstract
Despite being critical to continuous technology usage, research on remote mobile payments (m-payments) post-adoption usage has received much less attention. Furthermore, information systems usage research has traditionally been positively oriented, generally assuming that the inhibiting and enabling factors influencing technology usage as being [...] Read more.
Despite being critical to continuous technology usage, research on remote mobile payments (m-payments) post-adoption usage has received much less attention. Furthermore, information systems usage research has traditionally been positively oriented, generally assuming that the inhibiting and enabling factors influencing technology usage as being the opposite sides of one dimension, which may result in overlooking antecedents to technology continuance. Therefore, this study aims to explore the inhibiting factors that may directly influence customers’ intention to discontinue m-payments during post-adoption usage. Drawing on behavioral theories, information systems, and marketing research, this study explores the inhibiting factors directly influencing consumers’ intentions to discontinue using m-payments. Survey data were collected from 254 current users in the UK and the PLS-SEM technique is employed to test hypotheses. The results show that poor quality of system, information, and service, as usage inhibitors, directly influence consumers’ discontinuance intentions. Importantly, usage frequency is found to have no moderating effect on the inhibitors of continuance intention, supporting the notion about different and asymmetric effects that negative factors can have on technology usage compared to positive ones. This interesting finding suggests that negative user experience will have different and asymmetric effects on intentions to use m-payments than positive user experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Customer Services and Customer Satisfaction)
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14 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
Employee Well-Being Evaluation and Proposal of Activities to Increase the Level of Health’s Area—The Czech Case
by Petra Horváthová, Kateřina Kashi, Hana Štverková and Marie Mikušová
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010017 - 19 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3866
Abstract
Well-being and its evaluation, is currently considered one of the key trends in the practice of companies in the world and in the Czech Republic. Research in the field of well-being confirms that there is a positive correlation between a company’s well-being and [...] Read more.
Well-being and its evaluation, is currently considered one of the key trends in the practice of companies in the world and in the Czech Republic. Research in the field of well-being confirms that there is a positive correlation between a company’s well-being and the company’s performance. Satisfied and healthy employees contribute to the prosperity of the company through their higher work productivity and efficiency, and indirectly, through reduced incapacity for work and presenteeism. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the employees’ well-being of a specific company in the Czech Republic and propose activities for increasing the level of the most problematic of five areas of employees’ well-being. The authors formulated two research questions and two hypotheses. Research questions were answered on the basis of the evaluation of an online questionnaire survey among 463 production staff of the company, hypotheses were statistically confirmed. The main results of this article include the identification of the most problematic area of well-being—the area of health—as well as the proposal of specific activities to improve the level of this area, the introduction which should achieve higher level of employees work productivity. The benefits of well-being show that companies should pay attention to it. Full article
17 pages, 326 KiB  
Article
Creating or Destructing Value in Use? Handling Cognitive Impairments in Co-Creation with Serious and Chronically Ill Users
by Jim Broch Skarli
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010016 - 15 Feb 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5257
Abstract
Theoretically based on public service logic (PSL), this article addresses how users’ cognitive impairments can affect co-creation processes and value outcomes in a public sector environment, and how the service providers can handle this issue. It directs attention to value creation in the [...] Read more.
Theoretically based on public service logic (PSL), this article addresses how users’ cognitive impairments can affect co-creation processes and value outcomes in a public sector environment, and how the service providers can handle this issue. It directs attention to value creation in the context of vulnerable and unwilling service users and contributes to understanding how cognitive gaps between public health care services and users inhibit value co-creation. Based on qualitative interview data, findings substantiate that cognitive impairments reduce the users’ health literacy and therefore affect both their ability and willingness to participate in co-creation. The study recognizes that there is a built-in asymmetry between the involved actors and that failing to reduce this asymmetry through adequate facilitation by the service providers, can result in co-destruction of value in use. It is acknowledged that the users might not be cognitively able to determine whether they actually come better or worse off in the end. Therefore, it is suggested that the service provider might need to play a larger role in determining what is positive or negative value in use. Hence, this article adds to PSL by clearly emphasizing the key role played by public service organizations (PSOs) in facilitating the value creation process, which takes place during service delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights of Value Co-creation in Public Sector)
13 pages, 746 KiB  
Viewpoint
Entrepreneurship Education Challenges for Green Transformation
by Tõnis Mets, Jack Holbrook and Siim Läänelaid
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010015 - 14 Feb 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4840
Abstract
Associated with global climate agreements and the European Union’s focus on climate-neutral goals by 2050, the development of Green Transformation competencies in society has become topical. This viewpoint paper proposes a conceptual model for applying Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to designing an integrated transdisciplinary, [...] Read more.
Associated with global climate agreements and the European Union’s focus on climate-neutral goals by 2050, the development of Green Transformation competencies in society has become topical. This viewpoint paper proposes a conceptual model for applying Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to designing an integrated transdisciplinary, Green Transformation Competence framework. In line with this, EE is seen as a tool for developing an active, informed, responsible, yet sustainable, living ecosystem-oriented and green orientation of citizens in the education system. Nevertheless, this viewpoint recognises several challenges for further research. Full article
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5 pages, 220 KiB  
Editorial
Contextualized Behavior for Improving Managerial and Entrepreneurial Decision-Making
by Matteo Cristofaro, Maria José Sousa, José Carlos Sanchéz-Garcia and Aron Larsson
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010014 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3498
Abstract
Since the conceptualization of bounded rationality by Herbert Simon (1947), management scholars started investigating how people—managers and entrepreneurs—really make decisions within (and for) organizations [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managerial and Entrepreneurial Decision Making: Emerging Issues)
14 pages, 1887 KiB  
Article
Detecting Bid-Rigging in Public Procurement. A Cluster Analysis Approach
by Mihail Busu and Cristian Busu
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010013 - 10 Feb 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3898
Abstract
This paper analyses the public procurement auctions for snow removal contracts to find out whether bid-rigging occurred. Due to the limited participation in the auction processes, detection of anticompetitive agreements was possible. The econometric analysis used in our study supported the findings of [...] Read more.
This paper analyses the public procurement auctions for snow removal contracts to find out whether bid-rigging occurred. Due to the limited participation in the auction processes, detection of anticompetitive agreements was possible. The econometric analysis used in our study supported the findings of a cartel agreement. Cluster analysis, statistical hypothesis, normality and symmetry and nonparametric tests reveal two types of auctions: competitive and noncompetitive bids. The aim of this paper is to analyze the public procurement auctions with nonparametric statistical methods. Our findings are in line with the literature in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-administration—Its Use and Spread)
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13 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Self-Management Practices on Entrepreneurial Psychological States
by Michael Goldsby, James Bishop, Elizabeth Goldsby, Christopher B. Neck and Christopher P. Neck
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010012 - 3 Feb 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5321
Abstract
It is well-known that entrepreneurs lead extremely busy lives. While research literature reports the stressors of entrepreneurial careers, few empirical studies have examined the actual management of the demands that entrepreneurs face in their daily lives. In this paper, we conducted a study [...] Read more.
It is well-known that entrepreneurs lead extremely busy lives. While research literature reports the stressors of entrepreneurial careers, few empirical studies have examined the actual management of the demands that entrepreneurs face in their daily lives. In this paper, we conducted a study of 472 small business owners and tested hypotheses on the roles of three self-management practices—exercise, work overload, and attention to detail—on stress, security, and job satisfaction. Exercise, work overload, and attention to detail serve as three important self-management practices that are largely under the decision-making of the individual entrepreneur. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Self-Leadership)
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4 pages, 261 KiB  
Editorial
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Administrative Sciences in 2020
by Administrative Sciences Editorial Office
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010011 - 1 Feb 2021
Viewed by 1909
Abstract
Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Administrative Science maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...] Full article
16 pages, 458 KiB  
Article
Closing the Gap between Graduates’ Skills and Employers’ Requirements: A Focus on the Strategic Management Capstone Business Course
by Meredith E. David, Fred R. David and Forest R. David
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010010 - 26 Jan 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7744
Abstract
Strategic management has long been the capstone course for business majors at most colleges and universities globally. As originally designed, the capstone course sought to teach students an array of skills and tools needed to actually perform strategic planning, primarily through integration and [...] Read more.
Strategic management has long been the capstone course for business majors at most colleges and universities globally. As originally designed, the capstone course sought to teach students an array of skills and tools needed to actually perform strategic planning, primarily through integration and application of functional business concepts and techniques. Times have changed, however, and business schools have come under scrutiny regarding their ineffectiveness in developing graduates’ skills commensurate with employers’ requirements. Such criticism is justified as academics teaching the capstone business course have partitioned their instruction efforts to focus increasingly on theory rather than practical applications. After a pertinent evaluation of current academic research, we illuminate how and why increased focus on practice is needed in strategic-management pedagogy. We delineate how the once well-designed business capstone course has evolved into a course that too often fails to impart practical competencies to graduating students. To facilitate closing the gap between graduates’ skills and employers’ requirements, we present a strategic management pedagogical model designed to promote student learning and development of hard and soft skills related to actually doing strategic planning. The proposed model can help reduce the gap between graduates’ skills and employers’ requirements with the intended purpose to provide increased interest for teaching practical tools that were developed by practitioners. Such tools include the BCG matrix, developed by the Boston Consulting Group, and the Internal-External (IE) portfolio matrix derived from the General Electric (GE) Business Screen developed by Jack Welch, former CEO of GE. The proposed model also reveals the process of including both internal and external aspects into strategic decision making as evidenced by countless organizations performing Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analyses. The proposed model significantly enhances previous theory-based approaches for teaching the capstone strategic-management course. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Competences: The Role of Higher Education Institutions)
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13 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
Simplification of Administrative Procedure on the Example of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (V4 Countries)
by Lukáš Potěšil, Krisztina Rozsnyai, Jan Olszanowski and Matej Horvat
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010009 - 25 Jan 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4672
Abstract
The article deals with the idea of simplification of administrative procedure on the example of legal regulation that can be found in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. This legal regulation comes from the same or similar evolution and legal conditions. General [...] Read more.
The article deals with the idea of simplification of administrative procedure on the example of legal regulation that can be found in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. This legal regulation comes from the same or similar evolution and legal conditions. General legal regulation of administrative procedure is represented by so called Code of Administrative Procedure. Existence of such code in all mentioned countries might be regarded as a first step towards simplification. Using research methods—dogmatic, normative, and, namely, comparative—the article examines concrete examples of simplification in mentioned countries that have similar approaches in solving this demand. This article mentions possible views (or addressees) on the need of simplifications as well as possible limits of this issue. In this sense, the protection of the public interest and protection of rights of individuals presents certain limitations to simplification. Legal regulation of administrative procedure is complicated. Although each legal regulation is in detail specific, we can find some common solutions in particular legal regulation of simplifications. Such results of this article might be useful (not only) for further comparison in European countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Simplification of Administrative Procedures – in Search of Efficiency, Public Interest Protection and Legitimate Expectations)
12 pages, 742 KiB  
Article
The Relationship among Family Business, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Assessment in the Tourism Sector
by Rossella Leopizzi, Simone Pizzi and Fabrizio D'Addario
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010008 - 22 Jan 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4255
Abstract
Tourism has been the subject of great attention of policy makers. The centrality of the sector derives from multiple factors, including the high number of subjects employed within the supply chain, the contribution to developing nations’ economic growth, and the environmental implications of [...] Read more.
Tourism has been the subject of great attention of policy makers. The centrality of the sector derives from multiple factors, including the high number of subjects employed within the supply chain, the contribution to developing nations’ economic growth, and the environmental implications of establishing new productive activities. Under this scenario, family holdings play a central role as the main types of organisations active in the sector. In this sense, an understanding of these companies’ financial performance cannot disregard the understanding of the governance mechanisms that characterize the same given the potential divergence between “family” and “business” objectives. The research aims to encourage the development of new empirical evidence about this business model, providing specific contributions regarding the role of family members in companies’ decision-making mechanisms. For our purposes, an empirical analysis based on the evaluation of 343 Italian hotels was built. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Organizational Behavior)
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17 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Perceived Employability of Highly Skilled Migrant Women in STEM: Insights from Labor Market Intermediaries’ Professionals
by Aurora Ricci, Francesca Crivellaro and Daniela Bolzani
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010007 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4834
Abstract
While global economies are in a tremendous need for talented workers that could fill vacancies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, available evidence shows that highly skilled migrants with a background in these fields are not protected from brain waste and [...] Read more.
While global economies are in a tremendous need for talented workers that could fill vacancies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, available evidence shows that highly skilled migrants with a background in these fields are not protected from brain waste and deskilling. In this paper, we add to the previous literature on the employability of highly skilled migrant women from the specific—and under-investigated—perspective of labor market intermediaries. We specifically investigate what the barriers and resources are for employability of highly skilled migrant women in STEM, as perceived by labor market intermediaries’ professionals; and what the training needs are that labor market intermediaries’ professionals perceive to effectively work with this target group. We use unique explorative survey data collected in 2018 in five countries (Greece, Hungary, Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom) from professionals working in diverse labor market intermediary organizations. We find that these professionals perceive the employability of migrant women in STEM as rather low, and strongly determined by migrant women’s psychological capital. Professionals in Southern Europe perceive structural barriers as more important than those in other countries. Professionals display training needs related to ad-hoc mentoring and networking competences for this specific target group. We discuss theoretical and practical implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Highly-Skilled Migrant Women Achievement and Contributions in Knowledge-Based Economies)
15 pages, 1678 KiB  
Article
Examining the Influence of Store Environment in Hedonic and Utilitarian Shopping
by Cristina Calvo-Porral and Jean-Pierre Lévy-Mangin
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010006 - 13 Jan 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7891
Abstract
Much of the literature on the attractiveness and pleasantness of retail stores has focused on the critical influence of store atmosphere or ambient attributes, which influence customer satisfaction and store choice. However, little is known about the environmental cues that influence customers’ satisfaction [...] Read more.
Much of the literature on the attractiveness and pleasantness of retail stores has focused on the critical influence of store atmosphere or ambient attributes, which influence customer satisfaction and store choice. However, little is known about the environmental cues that influence customers’ satisfaction in different shopping contexts. In this context, the present research aims to answer the following questions: “Are the store atmospheric variables equally relevant in hedonic and utilitarian shopping?”; and further: “Does the influence of store environment on customer satisfaction vary depending on the type of shopping?”. For this purpose an empirical research is developed through PLS Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) based on data obtained from hedonic (n = 210) and utilitarian (n = 267) shopping contexts. Results indicate that customers perceive differently store atmospherics in utilitarian and in hedonic shopping. More precisely, findings report that customer satisfaction is driven by internal ambient and merchandise layout in hedonic shopping contexts; while the external ambient and the merchandise layout are major atmospheric cues in utilitarian shopping. Interestingly, store crowding does not influence customers’ satisfaction. This study provides a deeper understanding into the specific store attributes that influence customer satisfaction, which could be used by retailers to differentiate themselves from competitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Retailing and Customer Satisfaction: From an International Perspective)
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19 pages, 311 KiB  
Article
Highly Skilled Migrant and Non-Migrant Women and Men: How Do Differences in Quality of Employment Arise?
by Yvonne Riaño
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010005 - 8 Jan 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4600
Abstract
Research shows that highly skilled migrant women often have poor quality jobs or no employment. This paper addresses two research gaps. First, it provides a comparative perspective that examines differences and commonalities in the quality of employment of four highly skilled groups: migrant- [...] Read more.
Research shows that highly skilled migrant women often have poor quality jobs or no employment. This paper addresses two research gaps. First, it provides a comparative perspective that examines differences and commonalities in the quality of employment of four highly skilled groups: migrant- and non-migrant women and men. Four statistical indicators are examined to grasp these differences: employment rates, income, adequacy of paid work, and employment status. The results highlight the role of gender and country of birth: Swiss-born men experience the best employment quality, and foreign-born women the worst. Second, it offers a family perspective to study how the employment trajectories of skilled migrant women develop in time and place in relation to their partners’. The qualitative life-course analysis indicates that skill advancement is more favourable for migrant and non-migrant men than for migrant and non-migrant women. However, skill advancement for migrant women depends greatly on the strategies enacted by domestic partners about how to divide paid employment and family work, and where to live. The statistical study draws on recent data from Swiss labour market surveys. The life-course analysis focuses on 77 biographical interviews with tertiary-educated individuals. Participatory Minga workshops are used to validate the study results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Highly-Skilled Migrant Women Achievement and Contributions in Knowledge-Based Economies)
12 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Performance Driven Culture in the Public Sector: The Case of Nordic Countries
by Michaela Kotková Stříteská and Yee Yee Sein
Adm. Sci. 2021, 11(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010004 - 5 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4724
Abstract
Public sector organizations face a lack of efficiency and ineffectiveness in providing their mandates due to fear of change among the public service workers. Public sector managers can instill a high performance-driven culture in employees of the public sector. For this reason, the [...] Read more.
Public sector organizations face a lack of efficiency and ineffectiveness in providing their mandates due to fear of change among the public service workers. Public sector managers can instill a high performance-driven culture in employees of the public sector. For this reason, the study aims to define a set of key characteristics of organizational culture that contribute to effective performance measurement and management of public sector organizations. The qualitative research method is employed in this paper using case study comparative analysis. To get the objectives of the study, selected local governments from three different Nordic countries are analyzed. As discovered from the case study analysis, these local governments have successfully constructed and implemented performance measurement and management systems. Concurrently, they practice performance-driven culture key characteristics to achieve their organizational targets without any significant difficulties. Three key characteristics (strong performance-driven leadership, report and communicate performance, review and discuss performance) are used in all selected local governments, and one (the reward system) is missing. All four key characteristics are employed only in Helsinki, which is a benchmark for other local governments. This study’s results can thus serve as an example of best practice for other public sector organizations within Europe. Full article
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