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1 – 10 of over 68000The purpose of this article is to provide a method of gaining transdisciplinary insight by focusing on keywords in the language we use. The language of economics dominates…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to provide a method of gaining transdisciplinary insight by focusing on keywords in the language we use. The language of economics dominates discourse about the economy. Analyzing this discourse from a great variety of perspectives has blossomed but promises much more. The study of the keyword “entrepreneur” illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of this diversity of perspectives, and also points to some possible opportunities for enhancing the quality of their interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
A broad discourse analytic approach is drawn upon to understand the role the language of mainstream economics plays in our discussions of the economy, to trace the keyword “entrepreneur” as it has been and is used in economics and more general conversations about the economy and to use a keyword approach to create a transdisciplinary understanding of the way the economy is discussed.
Findings
Economics in the sense of the mainstream approach that adopts the rational narrowly self-interested, calculating and decontextualized individual as its default assumption is a very particular language that has detrimentally dominated discussions of the economy. “Entrepreneur” is a keyword, the use of which in economics has both strengthened and put constraints on the way it can be deployed in talking about the economy. Focusing on keywords in the language, we use can provide a method of gaining transdisciplinary insight.
Research limitations/implications
A short article with such a broad sweep such as this no doubts illustrates the limits imposed by attempts at transdisciplinary communication, but a potential gain from any such interaction is that we might grow to have more informed and genuinely dialogic interactions about the economy. As another way to attempt communication across diverse positions, looking at keywords in the discourse about the economy seems profitable.
Social implications
Discourses of economics and the entrepreneur play a huge role in how people construct their roles and representations in the economy. Producing critical and creative understandings of these discourses that allow social actors to benefit from the diversity of completed and potential research work seems imperative in a world facing our current economic and social problems.
Originality/value
Discourse analysis of the economy, the entrepreneur and economics has produced many insights but these insights have remained stranded in intellectual niches. As studies of language and the economy continue to blossom this article stresses the need, and points to some opportunities, for more fruitful interaction, by adopting a keyword approach.
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Keywords
This paper aims to establish a theoretical framework that can comprehensively explain the executive compensation in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the context of socialism…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to establish a theoretical framework that can comprehensively explain the executive compensation in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within the context of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Design/methodology/approach
The author develops a theoretical framework for executive compensation in SOEs from the perspective of Marxist economics and points out that the executives in SOEs are engaged in management labor, and their compensation should adhere to the principle of distribution according to labor contribution.
Findings
Based on this theory, the author posits that the continuous upward trend of executive compensation in SOEs, is consistent with the trend of SOEs' ongoing expansion, which reflects a continuous improvement of SOE executives' management labor in both quality and quantity.
Originality/value
It is necessary to start with Marxist economic theory and scientifically study the issue of SOE executive compensation, adhere to the principle of distribution according to work in the context of a socialist market economy and implement the specific guideline of the Party Central Committee; only in this way can the long-term healthy development of SOEs be promoted continuously.
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Leandro Pereira Morais, Anup Dash and Miguel Juan Bacic
The purpose of this paper is to present the policies in the field of social and solidarity economics (SSE) in India and in Brazil, to draw a comparison between them and to present…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the policies in the field of social and solidarity economics (SSE) in India and in Brazil, to draw a comparison between them and to present their strengths and weaknesses. This proposal is based on the innovative initiative of an ongoing collaboration between India and Brazil in the field of SSE within the South-South Triangular Cooperation framework of the International Labor Organization.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodological procedures used for the elaboration of this article were: literature review in both countries and field trips to India and Brazil.
Findings
The study helped us understand the realities of SSE in both countries. The importance of SSE can be observed as a means to deal with poverty and the need to generate income for portions of the population, in spite of the historic, cultural, political, economic and social differences. The Indian experience contributes to the theme of the insertion of women in the mechanisms of generation of work positions and income opportunities, whereas the Brazilian experience contributes to the topic of social cooperativism.
Research limitations/implications
Despite the contributions of SSE to mitigate poverty and income deficiency, considering a significant share of the poor, particularly in India, the mechanisms for inclusion of this population are limited. A similar situation, however, to a lesser degree can also be observed in Brazil.
Practical implications
This study is an input for the elaboration of public policies of SSE, including the advantages of its transversality.
Social implications
Besides, it will also help in the analysis and elaboration of social policies from an integrated and emancipatory view.
Originality/value
Within the international context, the authors understand that this was the first comparative study on the topic of SSE, undertaken between Brazil and India.
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Giulia Galera and Carlo Borzaga
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the social enterprise concept at an international level. It provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the social enterprise concept at an international level. It provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature in this subject area and focuses on the legal implementation of social enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is an analytic review, building on previous work. Conclusions are on how the social enterprise concept has been legally implemented in a number of representative European countries.
Findings
The lack of a common understanding of social enterprise should not be regarded as a limitation as such debate encourages a rethinking of the theoretical definition of enterprise and its legal structure. The legal recognition of social enterprise contributes to conceptual clarification in the countries concerned.
Research limitations/implications
This is a conceptual discussion paper, which stimulates further research on the most interesting mechanisms and consistent models of social enterprise that are developing at an international level.
Originality/value
The paper synthesises existing conceptual studies on social enterprise. It contributes to enrich the current debate on social enterprise and aids in focusing future research.
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Remarks that Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, admonishing us not to treat others as mere means, can be seen to pave the way for an ethics of worker ownership, where the…
Abstract
Remarks that Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, admonishing us not to treat others as mere means, can be seen to pave the way for an ethics of worker ownership, where the staff decides and assumes the role of residual claimant. Could large corporations convert worker ownership and still prosper and grow? It is in trying to answer this type of question that scholars all over the world have been interested in the development of what is generally regarded as the world’s most famous and most successful worker co‐operative: the Mondragon Co‐operative Complex. After reviewing some of the major reorganizations at Mondragon, summarizes the co‐operative’s economic performance up to 1995. Assesses the prospects of maintaining economic democracy while competing with large transnational corporations which have access to low‐cost labour in the Third World.
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Shareholder‐value proponents claim a new, economically sound way to maximize profits, create wealth, measure performance, and reward executives. That invalid claim is dangerous…
Abstract
Shareholder‐value proponents claim a new, economically sound way to maximize profits, create wealth, measure performance, and reward executives. That invalid claim is dangerous. Stocks of shareholder‐value firms appreciated barely 15 percent as much as another, time‐tested strategic‐management system. Shareholder‐value strategies are easily countered. Shareholder value mis‐allocates resources, revives old fallacies, and debases the reputation of economics as a useful business discipline.
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The purpose of this paper is to map the current situation of entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions (HEIs) of 22 European transition economy countries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to map the current situation of entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions (HEIs) of 22 European transition economy countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken was an internet survey and analysis covering 774 HEIs of the region.
Findings
In 332 institutions, entrepreneurship‐oriented courses, modules or curricula are offered. Croatia and Slovenia are the leading countries in terms of the coverage of teaching entrepreneurship in universities and colleges, followed by the Baltic countries and the Czech and Slovak Republics. The highest entrepreneurship orientation is found in new and private universities and colleges. In a majority of schools, the theory of entrepreneurship is taught but practice‐oriented training in entrepreneurship is rather limited. The current number of centres of entrepreneurship in the region is small, and the research‐oriented model of entrepreneurship education is used in three to five institutions only.
Practical implications
The paper provides a useful source of information for entrepreneurship education researchers, developers and education policy makers.
Originality/value
The paper maps the HEIs entrepreneurship teaching in post‐communist European countries.
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This paper summarises key issues arising from a comprehensive research monograph and accompanying discussion paper on social enterprise that reviewed over 150 sources. It aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper summarises key issues arising from a comprehensive research monograph and accompanying discussion paper on social enterprise that reviewed over 150 sources. It aims to provide insight into the future development of the social enterprise research agenda, and how to attract scholars new to the field to contribute to it.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper seeks to identify and address some of the difficulties faced by social enterprise researchers, in terms of defining their field, overcoming institutional pressures that may deter scholars from tackling the social enterprise research agenda and in dealing with some of its complexities.
Findings
In developing the monograph, two key themes were diversity and distinctiveness. Social enterprise is a form of business that is distinctly different to conventional commercial enterprise and that has an extraordinary diversity in organisational form, legal structure, purpose, culture, scale and scope. There are also a number of “paradoxical” elements to the research agenda for social enterprises arising from their “hybrid” nature.
Research limitations/implications
These findings create many challenges for researchers, practitioners and policy‐makers, not least in terms of defining social enterprises consistently, and also in terms of understanding what makes them different to commercial enterprises and what the implications of those differences are.
Originality/value
The insights provided by this discussion should help to resolve and explain some of the debates and conceptual and practical difficulties that have hampered the development of the social enterprise research agenda.
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