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Article
Publication date: 3 August 2012

João J. Ferreira, Mário L. Raposo, Ricardo Gouveia Rodrigues, Anabela Dinis and Arminda do Paço

The field of entrepreneurship is dotted across different paradigms. Measuring entrepreneurial intention automatically needs to incorporate insights from the psychological approach…

8335

Abstract

Purpose

The field of entrepreneurship is dotted across different paradigms. Measuring entrepreneurial intention automatically needs to incorporate insights from the psychological approach and behavioural approach. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a comprehensive structural equation model which combines both psychological and behavioural perspectives aiming to identify what variables have influence on entrepreneurial intention of secondary students.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was developed involving a sample of secondary students. The method of data collection was a survey by self‐administered questionnaire, to two secondary student classes, with several groups of questions related to demographic characteristics, behavioural and psychological constructs and entrepreneurial intention. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The results show that need for achievement, self‐confidence, and personal attitude positively affect entrepreneurial intention. Furthermore, subjective norms and personal attitude affect perceived behavioural control. These findings could have a significant impact on knowledge of the contributions of behavioural and psychological theories to the entrepreneurial intention.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding of the ways in which several psychological and behavioural characteristics influence the entrepreneurial intention could help to advance our knowledge of the entrepreneurial process. Educational systems need to be oriented to emphasize and value entrepreneurship in order to promote an enterprise culture. Methods to teach entrepreneurship should also be explored further.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to provide evidences of the entrepreneurial intention explained by several constructs related to psychological and behavioural characteristics in a 14‐15‐year‐old student population. Additionally, most studies of the entrepreneurial intention associated to these approaches have been mostly conceptual, and the few empirical studies have not used structural equation modelling. The use of these statistical tests helps to overcome the limitations evident in conceptual studies and provide evidence of the relationships between behavioural and psychological traits simultaneously.

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Isabel Brás, Luis Teixeira Lemos, Arminda Alves and M. Fernando R. Pereira

Nowadays trace organic pollutants represent a major concern in water treatment systems. Activated carbon has been used for most applications aiming at the reduction of these kind…

1002

Abstract

Nowadays trace organic pollutants represent a major concern in water treatment systems. Activated carbon has been used for most applications aiming at the reduction of these kind of compounds in aqueous effluents, but regeneration needs and high operation costs led to a renewed interest in the search for alternative sorbents. Pine bark is an excedentary raw material from sawmills in Portugal, and therefore a profitable natural resource that has already been successfully tested in the adsorption of organochlorines from contaminated water. This study aims at characterizing the pine bark surface structurally and chemically, to understand the nature of sorption occurring when a trace organic contaminant is present in aqueous effluents. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was the trace contaminant used in the experiments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury porosimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were the techniques used, in addition to classical chemical analysis and solid phase micro extraction (SPME) prior to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) for PCP quantification. The pine bark proved to be a material of very low porosity, low specific surface area, strong carbon aromatic content probably relative to polyphenols and lignin composition. Sorption experiments showed a good correlation for the linear adsorption isotherm, as well as the desorption experiments. In the conditions tested, the average PCP removal after 24 h was above 98 per cent. This material proved to be an encouraging sorbent for cheap water remediation solutions.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2021

Ana Nave, Arminda do Paço and Paulo Duarte

This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review to identify the factors stimulating the adoption of sustainable practices by wine tourism companies, from two…

1240

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review to identify the factors stimulating the adoption of sustainable practices by wine tourism companies, from two perspectives: supply and demand.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out the systematic literature review, a search in two databases – ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS – was performed to collect wine tourism and sustainability-related papers. This search allowed to identify 60 papers published during the period 2005–2020.

Findings

The analysis revealed three factors explaining the adoption of sustainable practices by wine tourism companies, from the supply perspective: competitiveness, innovation and territorial development. From the demand perspective, two factors that emerged are as follows: awareness and recognition. Sustainability strategies contribute to improving companies’ competitiveness; innovation is associated essentially with reducing the ecological footprint, whereas adaptation to new forms of consumption and territorial development is connected to economic and social development. Consumers are increasingly aware and choose sustainable and responsible lifestyles; this being reflected in their new preferences and the recognition given to firms that implement sustainable practices. The findings also show that companies are increasingly establishing goals and objectives taking sustainable development into consideration, and consumers are also aware of sustainability issues at the moment of acquiring products and services. In addition, the wine tourism sector was found to be growing worldwide.

Originality/value

The originality of the current study is based on focussing the supply and demand sides simultaneously. Furthermore, as no previous review was made in the subject of sustainability in the wine tourism sector, the findings are both innovative and original and provide valuable guidance for future research.

Details

International Journal of Wine Business Research, vol. 33 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1751-1062

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 July 2021

Hashem Abdullah Alnemer

The purpose of this paper is to explore the start-up intention among the female population in Saudi Arabia using the social cognitive theory (SCT).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the start-up intention among the female population in Saudi Arabia using the social cognitive theory (SCT).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor nationwide survey of 1,835 adult females in 2017. This is one of the most comprehensive surveys for assessing the start-up climate across the globe including Saudi Arabia. The data have been analyzed using simple techniques such as chi-square statistics, correlation, and logistics regression. The factors affecting start-up intentions have been identified using the social cognitive theory (SCT).

Findings

Out of 1,835 adult females surveyed under Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, 568 of them have reported start-up intention, i.e. 31.9 percent. The profile of females with and without start-up intention has been mapped in terms of age, family size, working status, education level, region, and citizenship to understand the potential group. The results of the correlation coefficient indicated a significant and positive relationship between start-up intention (SI) among females and self-efficacy (SE), career choice (CC), employment generation (EG), and social welfare (SW). The regression estimates proved that both the constructs, i.e. self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations of the social cognitive model are positive and significant.

Practical implications

The result of this paper provides empirically meticulous evidence for understanding the start-up intention of females in Saudi Arabia based on the social cognitive theory. This study provides a key strategy for changing the start-up ecosystem for females in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By focusing on the required knowledge, skill, and experience among females belonging to young, small family size, not-working and having higher family income may provide better start-up intention for all those who are willing to venture into a new business as a career choice, have the intention to create jobs and wish to solve social problems.

Originality/value

Considering the current focus of the government for establishing a knowledge-based economy by promoting new programs in the kingdom for start-ups and SMEs, the findings of this research can be valuable for the rapid acceleration of a new model of growth supported by the grass-root rise of women entrepreneurs.

Details

World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5961

Keywords

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