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Article
Publication date: 15 February 2016

Kristine Kuhn, Tera Galloway and Maureen Collins-Williams

The purpose of this paper is to examine small business owners’ informal advice-seeking from peers, with a focus on the opportunities afforded by the internet for owners to acquire…

2026

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine small business owners’ informal advice-seeking from peers, with a focus on the opportunities afforded by the internet for owners to acquire assistance from other owner-managers outside their local community.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 600 owner-managers in a rural US state were surveyed about their advice-seeking during the previous year from peers in the same community, from non-local peers they had met in person, and from peers known only online. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis was used to test both main effects of business and owner characteristics on advice-seeking and interactions with type/location of peer advisors.

Findings

Most owners had received advice from peers, and one-third had received advice online from a peer whom they had never met in person. Business performance was not associated with overall use of peer advice, but did interact significantly with source; the use of online-only advisors was associated with business growth, suggesting the possible benefit of weak ties. Over two-thirds of respondents reported having used social media and/or online forums to access advice or support from other owners (both those met in person and those not), with women and younger owners more likely to rely on such tools.

Originality/value

This study shows that entrepreneurial research needs to consider peer advisors beyond local networks as potential resources for small business owners. While previous research has examined entrepreneurs’ use of social media for marketing, this study shows its utility for accessing advice.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2021

Ankita Bhatia, Arti Chandani, Rizwana Atiq, Mita Mehta and Rajiv Divekar

The purpose of this study is to gauge the awareness and perception of Indian individual investors about a new fintech innovation known as robo-advisors in the wealth management…

3119

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gauge the awareness and perception of Indian individual investors about a new fintech innovation known as robo-advisors in the wealth management scenario. Robo-advisors are comprehensive automated online advisory platforms that help investors in managing wealth by recommending portfolio allocations, which are based on certain algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a phenomenological qualitative study that used five focussed group discussions to gather the stipulated information. Purposive sampling was used and the sample comprised investors who actively invest in the Indian stock market. A semi-structured questionnaire and homogeneous discussions were used for this study. Discussion time for all the groups was 203 min. One of the authors moderated the discussions and translated the audio recordings verbatim. Subsequently, content analysis was carried out by using the NVIVO 12 software (QSR International) to derive different themes.

Findings

Factors such as cost-effectiveness, trust, data security, behavioural biases and sentiments of the investors were observed as crucial points which significantly impacted the perception of the investors. Furthermore, several suggestions on different ways to enhance the awareness levels of investors were brought up by the participants during the discussions. It was observed that some investors perceive robo-advisors as only an alternative for fund/wealth managers/brokers for quantitative analysis. Also, they strongly believe that human intervention is necessary to gauge the emotions of the investors. Hence, at present, robo-advisors for the Indian stock market, act only as a supplementary service rather than a substitute for financial advisors.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the explorative nature of the study and limited participants, the findings of the study cannot be generalised to the overall population. Future research is imperative to study the dynamic nature of artificial intelligence (AI) theories and investigate whether they are able to capture the sentiments of individual investors and human sentiments impacting the market.

Practical implications

This study gives an insight into the awareness, perception and opinion of the investors about robo-advisory services. From a managerial perspective, the findings suggest that additional attention needs to be devoted to the adoption and inculcation of AI and machine learning theories while building algorithms or logic to come up with effective models. Many investors expressed discontent with the current design of risk profiles of the investors. This helps to provide feedback for developers and designers of robo-advisors to include advanced and detailed programming to be able to do risk profiling in a more comprehensive and precise manner.

Social implications

In the future, robo-advisors will change the wealth management scenario. It is well-established that data is the new oil for all businesses in the present times. Technologies such as robo-advisor, need to evolve further in terms of predicting unstructured data, improvising qualitative analysis techniques to include the ability to gauge emotions of investors and markets in real-time. Additionally, the behavioural biases of both the programmers and the investors need to be taken care of simultaneously while designing these automated decision support systems.

Originality/value

This study fulfils an identified gap in the literature regarding the investors’ perception of new fintech innovation, that is, robo-advisors. It also clarifies the confusion about the awareness level of robo-advisors amongst Indian individual investors by examining their attitudes and by suggesting innovations for future research. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the awareness, perception and attitudes of individual investors towards robo-advisors.

Details

Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4179

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2004

Mike Simpson and Anthony J. Docherty

The small business sector of the UK economy is extremely important and the government expends considerable resources in providing support services for this sector. This paper…

13463

Abstract

The small business sector of the UK economy is extremely important and the government expends considerable resources in providing support services for this sector. This paper investigated the reasons why SMEs move from traditional commerce to e‐commerce, the efficacy of the support services and the barriers encountered by SMEs adopting e‐commerce. The research methodology involved literature review and interviews with SMEs’ owner‐managers and a UK Online business adviser. It was found that at least two “e‐commerce stars” used by the government to promote its support services had in fact not used those services. The historical relationship problems between Business Link and SMEs were still causing problems. Cost was not seen as an inhibitor to adopting e‐commerce. Some evidence was emerging that e‐commerce may be able to save failing or struggling businesses. Other unexpected outcomes were that e‐commerce had social benefits for SMEs’ owners in reducing working hours yet still increased sales.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 11 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2007

Mark Jaques and Barry Povey

This paper aims to examine the changing attitudes to diagnostic benchmarking tools of UK business advisors over the last five years, during a period of considerable restructuring…

1402

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the changing attitudes to diagnostic benchmarking tools of UK business advisors over the last five years, during a period of considerable restructuring in business support, aimed at focusing support on small business and start‐ups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reviewed business support from the advisor's and client's perspective prior and during this restructuring and conducted a follow up study to that carried out in 2000, allowing direct comparisons to be made with the earlier results. Quantitative advisor demographic data was also collected for comparison.

Findings

The authors conclude that though business link has been restructured towards start‐ups and small businesses and that advisors knowledge of the benchmarking has improved, the tools available to advisors have not changed to reflect this and cannot be used by the majority of the advisors' clients. As a result the use of diagnostic benchmarking tools, as a proportion of total business support, has dropped over the previous five years.

Originality/value

In order to give some structured best practice support to immature businesses and pre‐start‐ups new business support tools need to be developed that recognise the change in client maturity that has taken place.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 May 2005

Jeanne H. Yamamura and Fritz H. Grupe

For the business community, the Internet is a new frontier, offering unparalleled opportunities for expansion and growth. Businesses can and do offer their services throughout the…

Abstract

For the business community, the Internet is a new frontier, offering unparalleled opportunities for expansion and growth. Businesses can and do offer their services throughout the world, with the range of services multiplying daily. This paper discusses ethical issues related to the online provision of business and financial information and advice, reviews problems encountered and ethical issues raised, and proposes an ethical code to help address such problems. It begins by identifying differences occurring in an online advice‐giving environment and extending them to identify ethical issues. Specific problems that have occurred are reviewed and ethical issues are discussed. Finally, existing ethical codes addressing Internet practice are then utilized to identify elements in a proposed set of ethical standards for online business advisors and their professional organizations.

Details

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-996X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2020

Yung-Ming Cheng

The purpose of this study is to propose a synthetic post-adoption model based on the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and flow theory to examine whether the fit factor…

1308

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a synthetic post-adoption model based on the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and flow theory to examine whether the fit factor, network factors and psychological factors as antecedents to end-users’ beliefs can affect their continuance intention of the robo-advisor.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the research model based on ECM and flow theory to examine the effects of the fit factor, network factors and psychological factors on end-users’ beliefs and continuance intention of the robo-advisor. Sample data were collected from end-users at three financial services companies in Taiwan. A total of 450 questionnaires were distributed and 360 (80.0%) usable questionnaires were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study proposes a solid research model that based on ECM and flow theory, three types of factors, namely, fit factor, network factors and psychological factors, as antecedents to end-users’ continuance intention of the robo-advisor have been examined and this study’s results strongly support the research model with all hypothesized links being significant.

Originality/value

It is particularly worth mentioning that a synthetic post-adoption model can be proposed in this study by introducing the fit factor extracted from task-technology fit model, network factors originated from the theory of network externalities and psychological factors derived from uses and gratifications theory as antecedents to perceived usefulness, confirmation, satisfaction and continuance intention referred in ECM and flow experience derived from flow theory. Thus, this study’s research model and findings can reveal deep insights into the evaluation of determinants in the field of end-users’ continuance intention of the robo-advisor.

Abstract

Details

Investment Traps Exposed
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-253-4

Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

John P. McAvoy Jr and Russell Thacker

Within the USA, current trends in higher education show more women than men achieving graduate degrees. Among the potential reasons for this disparity is that fathers are…

Abstract

Purpose

Within the USA, current trends in higher education show more women than men achieving graduate degrees. Among the potential reasons for this disparity is that fathers are reporting challenges in balancing their additional responsibilities while increasing their housework and childcare investment. Many fathers are turning to online graduate education to more effectively balance home and school responsibilities. However, limited portrayals of fathers' experiences in online education exist.

Design/methodology/approach

In this duoethnography of two online doctoral student fathers, the authors add to the limited literature on both fathers and online students in navigating home, school and work responsibilities. The authors use Goode’s role strain theory to examine the challenges to achieving a balance between each sphere of responsibility and explore strategies for managing these tensions.

Findings

The authors discuss the need for ongoing flexibility and change, the process of navigating feelings of guilt and self-doubt and the ability to engage in daily role bargains. They argue that online education is generally not a panacea for easing role conflict and find that integration is an effective strategy to aid online students' persistence in their programs.

Practical implications

The authors conclude with policy and practice recommendations for future online doctoral student fathers and doctoral program designers.

Originality/value

Little research has been conducted from the online doctoral student father lens. This research fills in this gap and lends a voice to fathers who are navigating the doctoral journey.

Details

Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4686

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2001

Fahri Unsal and Hormoz Movassaghi

Outlines the internet’s contribution to the US economy with particular reference to the growth of online investing since 1994. Presents a study of the factors leading to this…

1809

Abstract

Outlines the internet’s contribution to the US economy with particular reference to the growth of online investing since 1994. Presents a study of the factors leading to this growth and its impact on the industry. Tabulates the market shares and stock commissions of the top ten online brokers, discusses their competitive strategies and identifies their key growth drivers. Suggests that they examplify McNair’s (1978) “wheel of retailing” by moving from a new, discounted service to a range of services like those of traditional brokers. Considers the online industry’s current problems (technical, legal, regulatory etc.), gives some advice on choosing an online broker and ranks the top ten by various criteria. Predicts that customers will benefit from increasing competition in the future and that the most successful firms will be middle‐tier ones offering a good combination of cost and service.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 27 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Investment Traps Exposed
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-253-4

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