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Article
Publication date: 22 September 2022

Seun Oladele, Johnson Laosebikan, Femi Oladele, Oluwatimileyin Adigun and Christopher Ogunlusi

The purpose of this study is to explore the strength and value-relevance of social capital in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) provides a new…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the strength and value-relevance of social capital in an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) provides a new perspective to explaining the configurations and interactions that shape entrepreneurial outcomes in regions. Research on the nature of interactions in EEs is still an ongoing debate. The authors draw from “organisational fields” studies to critically examine the interactions among actors in a non-transparent EE using the case of the Lagos region.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on a qualitative study of 40 semi-structured interviews with various ecosystem actors in the Lagos region, including financiers, government officials, universities, founders and venture capitalists. Additionally, data from the semi-structured interviews were triangulated with data obtained from a two-day focus group discussion Summit where Lagos’ EE issues were raised. This study analysed both data using thematic analysis.

Findings

This study suggests that in a non-transparent EE, four types of interactions are apparent: collaborative, stratified, clustered and unleveraged. Authors argue that in a non-transparent EE, there are blockages and distortions in the flow of resources to entrepreneurs and a higher proportion of entrepreneurs are unable to plug into the ecosystem to extract value for their businesses without a strong social capital.

Practical implications

The authors argue that entrepreneurs require deliberate effort to improve structural and relational social capital to plug into their ecosystem to extract value for their businesses.

Originality/value

The focus on interaction in a non-transparent EE is a novel approach to studying interactions within EEs. In addition, the study is an early attempt to explore entrepreneurial interactions within the Lagos region.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2009

Tomasz Grzywacz, Jan Sikora and Stefan Wójtowicz

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a method for increasing imaging quality in impedance tomography. The paper presents an optical method of shape virtualization, processing…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a method for increasing imaging quality in impedance tomography. The paper presents an optical method of shape virtualization, processing algorithm draft and results of virtualization for sample objects.

Design/methodology/approach

In impedance tomography the image reconstruction algorithms must yield accurate images of impedance changes. One of the keys to producing an accurate reconstructed image is the inclusion of prior information regarding the physical geometry of the object. When the object under investigation is filled with transparent medium, optical methods can provide information about its interior and estimate the shape of non‐transparent interjections. Computer graphics methods (e.g. ray tracing) can be used to simulate propagation of the light transmitted along straight lines within the object, and thus yield geometric data to better imaging. The process of setting up boundary conditions is then supplied with additional information about interior of the object, which can significantly improve solution of the forward problem in impedance tomography.

Findings

The visibility matrix includes information about the interior of the object. However, the information is incomplete since the scanning is done along one axis. In order to obtain all remaining data, scanning along three axes is required. On the basis of the visibility matrix, the shape and volume of the non‐transparent interjections are recovered and then estimated.

Originality/value

The biggest novelty is indeed the combination of methods used in optical tomography with those in impedance tomography.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2019

Anna Lašáková and Anna Remišová

Unethical tone at the top (UTAT) carries a lot of risks and unsolicited results for both the people and companies. The purpose of this paper is to uncover the systematic…

Abstract

Purpose

Unethical tone at the top (UTAT) carries a lot of risks and unsolicited results for both the people and companies. The purpose of this paper is to uncover the systematic differences in managers’ perception of UTAT based on their demographic characteristics, and subsequently to specify some useful recommendations to inform how companies can assist in increasing managers’ sensitivity to the harmful top-down practices and thus support ethicality in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight demographic factors that, based on prior findings from the literature, might play a role in varying perception of UTAT were examined on data from 772 management professionals working in diverse industries. The Kruskal-Wallis test statistics was utilised to infer significant differences in perceptions of UTAT among managers.

Findings

Findings suggest that male managers tended to perceive UTAT as significantly less harmful than did their female counterparts. Similarly, top managers inclined to perceive UTAT as less detrimental than the middle and line management levels. Managers with higher tenure (10+ years of managerial experience) perceived UTAT as more detrimental in contributing to unethical leadership decisions and workplace culture. Respondents who have studied business-oriented programs perceived UTAT to be less harmful for the company than the non-business students. Interestingly, age, level of education, span of control and even the ethics training received during career were all found to be not relevant in this respect.

Originality/value

Based on solid empirical findings this study fills the gap in literature on the tone at the top and helps in understanding what can be done in organisational practice to improve managers’ awareness of the damaging effects of UTAT and thus to minimise threats to an ethical workplace culture.

Details

Journal of Management Development, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0262-1711

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2020

Julia V. Bondeli, Malena I. Havenvid and Hans Solli-Sæther

This paper aims to explore corrupt exchange as a type of socioeconomic interaction in private–public relationships and its effects on material flow in connected private-private…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore corrupt exchange as a type of socioeconomic interaction in private–public relationships and its effects on material flow in connected private-private relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a case study of a private–public network of an import firm in Russia. It focusses on corrupt exchange in routine interactions between the firm’s managers and officials in three regulatory authorities.

Findings

The study reveals how different types of corrupt exchange between firm managers, officials and intermediaries serve as a problem-solving tool that facilitates material flow through bureaucratic gates.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the industrial marketing and purchasing research by showing how the social capital concept is useful for explicating mechanisms of socioeconomic interaction in business networks and how the interaction context conditions actors’ roles and interdependencies.

Practical implications

The paper raises practitioners’ awareness of corrupt exchange in business networks and enables them to anticipate and manage upcoming challenges in bureaucratic procedures.

Social implications

The study shows how networks’ non-transparent and manipulative tendencies may provide favourable conditions for corruption in the business landscape.

Originality/value

The study provides a unique empirical insight into the socioeconomic mechanisms of corrupt exchange in business networks. It contributes theoretically by conceptualising corrupt officials as taking on the role of quasi-business actors in the personal possession of administrative authority as a resource and by using a novel conceptualisation of social capital to study private–public interaction in business networks.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 36 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2007

Ruth Hollies

The outlook for investment yields is one of the key uncertainties facing the real estate investor at any time. By examining the relationship of yields to other factors across a…

1287

Abstract

Purpose

The outlook for investment yields is one of the key uncertainties facing the real estate investor at any time. By examining the relationship of yields to other factors across a large number of office markets, in many countries, over five years, the paper aims to establish relationships with important explanatory factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a panel estimation to pick up both the relationship between yields and the explanatory variables both in different locations and at different times. By using both a time and location dimension it is thought that a “truer” generic relationship can be estimated. Using this method aggregates all the available information simultaneously to establish the relationship between office yields and explanatory variables.

Findings

The results show that: locations with higher short‐term interest rates will on average have higher yields; liquid markets tend to have lower yields and similarly, transparent markets and markets with longer leases have lower yields.

Originality/value

As well as the practical applications of this analysis, it makes an academic contribution as yields remain poorly understood and most studies examine time series data in only one country. This international study is the fist of its kind.

Details

Journal of Property Investment & Finance, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-578X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 May 2019

Johnson Adeoye Adetunji

This paper aims to evaluate the use of Intelligence gathering, especially the exercise of customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), know your customer (KYC) and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the use of Intelligence gathering, especially the exercise of customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), know your customer (KYC) and recordkeeping as effective anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) measures. It re-appraises the risk of breach of privacy associated with recordkeeping of clients’ information in countries where there are no data protection laws and the role of the EGMONT group against the backdrop of the recent suspension of Nigeria from the group; it argues that, in view of other existing liberal punitive measures, suspending a developing nation like Nigeria by the EGMONT group (arising from a rigid demand for an autonomous financial intelligence unit (FIU)) is draconian and counterproductive. Finally, it argues that the fundamental needs and challenges of developing member states of the EGMONT group, particularly members that are battling with weak and non-transparent investigation process and terrorism require, inter alia, technical and manpower assistance to disrupt financial crime and financing of terrorism.

Design/methodology/approach

A doctrinal approach is utilised to analyse AML and CTF from the social and historical perspectives. A comparative analysis of international control of money laundering and terrorist financing, appraising the challenges of developing member states in complying with the Financial Action Task Force regulations and the principles of the Egmont group.

Findings

There are liberal punitive measures than suspension which the EGMONT group could apply when dealing with developing members of the group, especially on the issue of rigid demand for an autonomy of a national FIU. The fundamental needs and challenges of developing member states of the Egmont group, particularly members that are battling with weak and non-transparent investigation process and terrorism require, inter alia, technical and manpower assistance to disrupt financial crime and financing of terrorism.

Originality/value

The paper queries the appropriateness of the decision to suspend Nigeria by the Egmont group for failure to comply with its policy autonomy of its FIU when there are other liberal disciplinary measures that could have been applied. And, it suggests the need to lay more emphasis on technical assistance for member states to achieve the objectives of the group.

Article
Publication date: 28 November 2019

Wafaa H. Shafee

This study aims to identify the challenges of Muslim women in terms of their dress code in Western society by including their clothing needs in the strategies of the fashion…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the challenges of Muslim women in terms of their dress code in Western society by including their clothing needs in the strategies of the fashion industry and marketing. The study focuses on wardrobe choices that have helped overcome these challenges and facilitated Muslim women’s integration into western society.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics were used in this study through a questionnaire that was distributed among 265 randomly selected Muslim women in London, UK. The results have been presented in charts showing the percentages and frequencies of the different behaviors and challenges that were faced by Muslim women in the west.

Findings

The majority of the study sample preferred to use a variety of modern fashion trends from global brands to integrate with the community. The essential criteria for the Muslim women’s clothing choices include head hair cover and conservative full-length clothes that are non-transparent that cover the neck and chest area.

Originality/value

A study has investigated the clothing needs and behaviors of Muslim women in the west for their community integration. It analyzed the results and linked them with the role and contributions of designers, producers and fashion marketers in accepting the western society of Muslims and their integration with its members.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Chinese Railways in the Era of High-Speed
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-984-4

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2023

Meryem Melis Cihan Yavuzcan and Elmira Ayşe Gür

This study aims to draw a general framework for recreating water-related urban places. It discusses design criteria and processes that will strengthen people's and the city's…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to draw a general framework for recreating water-related urban places. It discusses design criteria and processes that will strengthen people's and the city's relationship with the waterfront. It also explores the functional requirements of a participatory process to incorporate social and functional relations into place making.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a comprehensive case study of the Kabataş project process. Data collection methods include archive searches, questionnaires, interviews and analysis. The study analyses the architectural decisions, the role and perspectives of the key actors and the current dynamics that shape the process. It points out shortcomings and needs of communication and collaboration with different stakeholders, especially with the users.

Findings

The results show that political and power dynamics play an important role in shaping the process. Non-transparent processes increase the gap between the aspects of community and decision makers in current practices. Establishing holistic, waterfront-specific and collaborative approaches is a necessity. The results also show that the success of participation depends on procedural dynamics such as scope, method, timing, representativeness of the community, institutionalisation level, transparency and deliberation.

Originality/value

Despite the intense interest in waterfront regeneration, few studies have focused on the potential of the participatory process. The study examines the intersections of waterfront design decisions and collaborative participation at various scales and emphasises the importance of local actors in the social production of space.

Details

Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2631-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2019

Michal Plaček, Martin Schmidt, František Ochrana, Gabriela Vaceková and Jana Soukopová

The paper aims to deal with the analysis of the factor leading to the repeated selection of the specific supplier and the effect of this recurrent selection on overpricing of…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to deal with the analysis of the factor leading to the repeated selection of the specific supplier and the effect of this recurrent selection on overpricing of public contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods is used to achieve this goal. To analyze the chances of obtaining repeated contracts, the logistic regression method is used. To analyze the factor of overpriced contracts, the classic ordinary least squares regression model is used. The focus group method is then used to explain the factors acting on the part of the contracting authorities.

Findings

The results show that the prior procurement of a given contracting authority, or work for the public sector in general, has a statistically significant effect on the conclusion of contracts. The use of less-transparent forms of input has a strong impact. The non-transparent selection of suppliers rather than repetition of contracts generally results in the over-pricing of contracts. The IT sector is an exception.

Social implications

This research is also essential for real public policy. Given the amount of GDP allocated to the public procurement market, it makes sense to continually seek room for improvement. Here is an attempt to find this by examining the contracting authorities’ behavior when awarding repeated contracts.

Originality/value

This research is original because it looks at the problem of the contracting authority in the wider context and optics of the path dependency theory, which has not yet been applied to the public procurement environment. The focus is also on IT procurement, which according to this study has not been empirically investigated in this way, is also innovative.

Details

Journal of Public Procurement, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1535-0118

Keywords

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