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Article
Publication date: 4 April 2016

Oxana Bulanova, Espen John Isaksen and Lars Kolvereid

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived desirability (attitude towards growth) and feasibility (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) of business…

1809

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived desirability (attitude towards growth) and feasibility (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) of business growth and women entrepreneurs’ continued business growth aspirations. Hypotheses are derived guided by the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM). The authors also address the following research question: what reasons do women entrepreneurs state for wanting or not wanting continued business growth?

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 93 of the largest independent businesses in Norway started by women entrepreneurs in 2004, 2005 or 2006 (response rate 57.5 per cent). The hypotheses are tested using logistic regression. The authors carry out a post hoc analysis of open-ended questions, containing a qualitative analysis of the reasons for not wanting or wanting the business to grow.

Findings

The results support the hypotheses. Controlling for industry, location and the women entrepreneurs’ age, perceived desirability and feasibility of business growth predict growth aspirations. Thus, the findings suggests that the EEM is an appropriate and useful model. Reasons are grouped in reasons relating to considerations for the entrepreneur, the business and the environment. The most common reason for not wanting the business to grow relates to business considerations, including that growth would jeopardize the quality of services offered by the business. Important reasons for wanting the business to grow include fun and excitement.

Research limitations/implications

Policy makers and educators can encourage business growth by efforts aiming to increase the desirability and feasibility of growth. Practitioners as well as scholars should be aware of the inducements and costs associated with business growth. The study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by exploring and identifying areas that both encourage and hinder further business growth among high-growth women entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Research on women-owned businesses is still scarce, and few if any previous studies have surveyed growth aspiration in new high-growth women-owned businesses. The combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques is also a novel contribution of this survey.

Details

Baltic Journal of Management, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5265

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2008

Robert Lieb

This study attempts to provide insight into the dynamics of the third party logistics (3PL) industry in the Asia‐Pacific (APAC) region.

2241

Abstract

Purpose

This study attempts to provide insight into the dynamics of the third party logistics (3PL) industry in the Asia‐Pacific (APAC) region.

Design/methodology/approach

The data reported in this paper were generated through a survey of the chief executive officer (CEOs) of ten of the largest 3PLs operating in the region.

Findings

Those companies anticipate substantial regional revenue growth, with nearly one‐quarter of that growth coming from acquisitions. Private equity (PE) investors have been active in the region, and the CEOs are divided as to whether that is a positive or negative development. Price compression, market entrance of foreign 3PLs, and increased pressure to internationalize services were identified as the most important regional market dynamics. Continued growth of intra‐Asian business and possible expansion of transportation services were cited as the most important regional opportunities. A continuing shortage of management talent, the region's regulatory structure, and inferior transportation services were cited as the most significant regional problems.

Practical implications

The region's growth prospects will promote further investments by 3PLs and PE companies. Regional transportation problems will continue to trouble 3PLs, and they must develop strategies to address shifting manufacturing patterns. The regional “talent shortage” will continue, and while 3PLs have taken steps to improve recruiting, training, and retention, there is little short‐term relief in sight. Regional buyers of 3PL services are becoming more sophisticated, and will likely place even more pressure on prices. Continued cost‐cutting measures and growing customer selectivity are the most likely reactions of 3PLs to that pressure.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the current status and future prospects of the third‐party logistics industry in the APAC region.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Channing Arndt, Sam Jones and Finn Tarp

We consider the relationship between external aid and development in Mozambique from 1980–2004, identifying the specific mechanisms through which aid has influenced the…

Abstract

We consider the relationship between external aid and development in Mozambique from 1980–2004, identifying the specific mechanisms through which aid has influenced the developmental trajectory of the country. We undertake both a growth accounting analysis and review the intended and unintended effects of aid at the micro-level. Sustained aid flows to Mozambique, in conflict and post-conflict periods, have made an unambiguous, positive contribution to rapid growth since 1992. However, proliferation of donors and aid-supported interventions has burdened local administration, indicating a need for deeper domestic government accountability. To sustain growth, Mozambique must maximize benefits from natural resources while promoting constructive international market integration.

Details

Theory and Practice of Foreign Aid
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-444-52765-3

Abstract

Details

Economic Growth and Social Welfare: Operationalising Normative Social Choice Theory
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-44451-565-0

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2017

Jonathan Brookfield

The author presents practitioners with an overview of experts’ outlook for China econmic future. While some observers see the likelihood of a decade of continued rapid growth

Abstract

Purpose

The author presents practitioners with an overview of experts’ outlook for China econmic future. While some observers see the likelihood of a decade of continued rapid growth ahead, others see major economic challenges on the horizon.

Design/methodology/approach

To better understand the forces at play, consider the rationale underpinning three experts’ different perspectives on the future of China’s economy.

Findings

The author looks at the thinking underlying three vies: Confidence in steady growth: optimism based on China’s continuing “latecomer advantage” and its plentiful investment resources. Cautionary warning: pessimism based largely on his perception of China’s debt load and structural economic limits to consumer spending. Why you shouldn’t bet on pessimism: a rebuttal to much of the reasoning underpinning gloomy growth forecasts.

Practical implications

Taken together, a weak renminbi, low interest rates, and restrained wage growth would signal efforts to maintain the viability of China’s “latecomer” economic model.

Originality/value

The article helps practitioners understand the logic behind optimistic and pessimistic view of China’s economy so that as events develop observers can better understand which future is unfolding and what risks increasing or decreasing.

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2007

Rick Ferguson and Kelly Hlavinka

This article aims to examine US loyalty marketing industry size and analyzes growth trends.

3404

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to examine US loyalty marketing industry size and analyzes growth trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The article provides a discussion on COLLOQUY's benchmark‐setting measurement.

Findings

US loyalty rewards program membership has reached 1.3 billion, according to COLLOQUY research that provides the first comprehensive census‐taking of loyalty marketing since the modern loyalty era began with frequent flyer incentives in 1981. COLLOQUY's benchmark‐setting measurement, based on a fourth‐quarter 2006 analysis of a dozen business sectors, reveals that the average US household belongs to 12 loyalty programs. In a key finding, the COLLOQUY census shows that “active participation” in loyalty programs is a blended average of 39.5 percent across all sectors analyzed, a number that COLLOQUY experts characterized as “dismal.” Of the 12 programs per average household, 4.7 yield active participation. The census results raise a major question. Does the participation data mean the loyalty empire has reached a saturation point? The response from COLLOQUY experts: “Loyalty memberships are flying dangerously high. Fat membership roles may look good in a press release, but active loyalty program members are the only members who count.”

Practical implications

The loyalty marketing industry has experienced significant growth. Low active participation rates signal that millions of customer files in a database do not signify a successful loyalty strategy. Smart enrollment strategies should suggest a finite population of best or highest potential spenders.

Originality/value

The article provides proprietary business‐to‐business research on the size and scope of the US loyalty marketing industry.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 24 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 March 2015

Jim Dator and Ian Yeoman

Futurist Jim Dator provides a personal insight of how he “sees” the past, present, and futures of Hawaiian tourism. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

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Abstract

Purpose

Futurist Jim Dator provides a personal insight of how he “sees” the past, present, and futures of Hawaiian tourism. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Ian Yeoman interviews one of the world's most prominent and respected futurists, Professor Jim Dator, from the Futures Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Political Science Department.

Findings

Like a climatologist, futurists discuss long‐term futures which are very uncertain, controversial, and often frightening stories. The past tells how the present occurred. Understanding that story is essential before considering the future. The growth of tourism is a fabulous story dependent on many developments whose future is uncertain. The tourism industry may want a “more of the same” trajectory of continued economic growth but a number changes are on the horizon which Dator calls “The Unholy Trinity,” namely the end of cheap and abundant energy; a profoundly unstable environment and a dysfunctional global economic system. Dator concludes that no government now governs satisfactorily, and so the future of tourism is extremely precarious and uncertain.

Originality/value

The interview provides both insight into how tourism has evolved and foresight of what could occur in the futures. Central to the interview is Dator's identification of the Unholy Trinity, Plus One, that suggests that the future will not neither be like the present nor like the future the tourism industry has hoped for in terms of continued economic growth. The originality and value of Dator's frank views are thought provoking, going beyond present wisdom and comfort.

Details

Journal of Tourism Futures, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-5911

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2018

Craig Anthony Zabala and Jeremy Marc Josse

The purpose of this paper is to review the continued development of the “shadow banking” market in the USA, namely, lending to the private middle market, defined as financings of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the continued development of the “shadow banking” market in the USA, namely, lending to the private middle market, defined as financings of $5-100m to non-public, unrated operating entities or pools of assets with not more than $50m in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis includes a continued review of an innovative segment of the financial markets and primary evidence from direct participation in four actual cases of private, non-bank lending between 2013 and 2015 and theoretical observations around that data.

Findings

Although there have been considerable challenges, historically, in providing credit for small and mid-sized businesses in the USA, the authors show further evidence that private middle market capital is growing (post credit crisis) at a dramatic pace, in part because of excessive constraints placed on the regulated depositary institutions. The authors also explain the nature of the shadow banking innovation and how it is intrinsically linked to “arbitraging” often excessively restrictive banking regulation. The growing US shadow banking market, while providing an important service to middle market companies, may pose a new systemic risk post 2007-2008 credit crisis in the USA.

Research limitations/implications

Any generalization is limited because of the difficulty in extrapolating from a small number of specific case studies and the absence of adequate survey data for the US capital markets and the limited examples examined.

Practical implications

This research calls for additional case studies, including participant observation research that offers a unique close-up view of financial behavior that is often beyond the view of regulators and the public. Data obtained may be useful in providing a deeper, more timely understanding of credit market behavior and contribute to efforts at formal financial modeling as well as the development of practical regulatory regimes.

Social implications

The shadow credit market is a key source of funding for the global financial system, thus contributing to job creation and economic growth. The authors demonstrate the value of financial innovations and show that shadow credit fills a void left by depository financial institutions, shifting much of the risk from the public to investors. This research increases transparency in the operation of this market, which is extremely important for the industry, the government and the public. The authors offer a modest attempt at understanding credit behavior to avoid a repeat of the 2007/2008 financial crisis.

Originality/value

Direct participation is unique to the firms studied. Value is in developing a general framework to analyze an emerging credit market in advanced economies.

Details

The Journal of Risk Finance, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1526-5943

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 November 2018

Dewan Md Zahurul Islam

Economic growth is defined as growth in the capacity to meet individual and collective consumption demands. Decline in economic growth for a longer period (i.e. recession) occurs…

Abstract

Purpose

Economic growth is defined as growth in the capacity to meet individual and collective consumption demands. Decline in economic growth for a longer period (i.e. recession) occurs as a part of the “The Limits of Growth” concept. During such an economic crisis, three policy concepts can be implemented: “austerity”; “business as usual”; and “fiscal stimulus”. The purpose of this paper is to examine the economic response to the 2008 recession, in the area of sustainable transport system development, in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assesses and identifies the need for investments in transport infrastructure, in particular rail, to remove barriers to developing a sustainable multimodal transport system. Towards this, by analysing secondary data collected from relevant online sources, the paper explores the prospects for sustainable rail freight transport development in Europe, during the recession period. For this, eight EU countries were selected, based on the length of railway lines in use: France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

Findings

Investment in five transport infrastructures were examined – road, rail, IWT, maritime ports and airports – and the research finds that overall, the “austerity” policy was implemented for investment in rail infrastructure, whereas a modest “stimulus” policy can be observed for investment in road infrastructure. The average investment in IWT infrastructure had a “stimulus” policy, whereas the average investment in Maritime port and Airport infrastructure suggests a “business as usual” policy. Of the various approaches taken in the recent recession period, European rail transport appears to have fared least well.

Research limitations/implications

To some extent, the research is limited by lack of some data (e.g. data unavailability on the UK airport infrastructure investment from year 2006).

Practical implications

The findings of the research will encourage policy makers in national government to invest in sustainable transport infrastructure.

Originality/value

The study suggests that there is a lack of uniform policy response to the recession, in terms of investment in transport infrastructure, and that there is a significant difference between the policy goals set by the EU – modal shift from road to rail and/ IWT to develop a sustainable transport system – and their practice. The author argues for an integrative, common and action-oriented approach to sustainable rail freight system development, by European countries, to develop effective, Europe-wide rail freight corridors, under schemes such as Horizon 2020 and Shift2Rail.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 25 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 November 2014

Jim Dator

This paper aims to offer real and explicit reasons for viewing the futures of humanity and Earth as positive, fulfilling and meaningful, if humans view it as such and act to make…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to offer real and explicit reasons for viewing the futures of humanity and Earth as positive, fulfilling and meaningful, if humans view it as such and act to make it so. The paper incorporates the results of several recent research projects and activities that were based on the assumptions of an earlier paper titled, “The Unholy Trinity, Plus One.” It argues that the conclusions of the original paper are even more obvious and urgent than they were originally, and that while an “alternative futures” perspective must always be the basis of any statements about or actions toward the futures, the concerns of The Unholy Trinity, Plus One, are now part of a “new normal” that must be incorporated in each of the alternatives. This paper emphasizes that this “new normal” is, and must be prepared for as, a splendid opportunity for humans to start on new adventures; that one episode of human history (based on cheap and abundant energy, a benign environment, effective government and continued economic growth) is over, and a world with different challenges and opportunities for New Beginnings has already opened up. It concludes by offering an example of how the transition might be approached and managed positively and effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

Both papers relied heavily on a combination of trend analysis and emerging issues analysis viewed through the lens of four generic alternative futures for understanding continuing trends and anticipating new, emerging issues, and for then formulating appropriate anticipatory responses to them.

Findings

The fundamental findings reconfirm and deepen the original findings – that it is far too late to prevent or postpone the transformative effects of The Unholy Trinity, Plus One; that one must and can prepare for and welcome them as providing humans now and in the immediate futures with an opportunity for innovation, identity, meaning and vibrant lives. The research and practical experiences and simulations illuminated ways in which these positive futures might be achieved.

Research limitations/implications

It is urgent that humans now turn their attention from either denying the fact of overwhelming change or trying to prop up old economic, governmental and educational systems, and begin to invent new systems that are appropriate for making the transition from the old environment to new ones.

Social implications

At the end of the paper, the authors offer one example of a successful transition, based on the research. It is presented as though humans are in Hawaii in the future, after oil has stopped flowing, along with the imported food, products and tourists upon which humans are now entirely dependent, and Hawaii has once again become entirely self-sufficient and prosperous.

Originality/value

The main focus of the paper, in contrast to most that deal with this issue, is to encourage readers not only to consider the inevitability of rapid and extensive social, environmental, resource and institutional change, but also, by viewing the situation as a positive, welcomed opportunity for innovation and improvement, actually to make it so.

Details

foresight, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

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