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1 – 10 of over 87000James J. Hoffman, Mark L. Hoelscher and Karma Sherif
This article attempts to begin the process of removing the cloak of causal ambiguity by examining the role that knowledge management has in the creation of the wide variety of…
Abstract
Purpose
This article attempts to begin the process of removing the cloak of causal ambiguity by examining the role that knowledge management has in the creation of the wide variety of competitive advantages found in some organizations. Specifically, this article aims to extend understanding in the field of knowledge management by examining how knowledge management can affect organizational performance, and by examining one possible determinant of an organization's capacity to manage knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
Reviews literature on resources‐advantage theory of the firm, social capital and knowledge management to propose ways within the organization to improve their ability to manage knowledge and achieve sustained superior performance. The paper is structured around the following constructs: resource‐advantage theory of the firm, social capital, and knowledge management.
Findings
Describes the relationship between social capital and knowledge management and how both help organizations achieve a sustained superior performance within the market. Suggests that organizations with high levels of social capital have more knowledge‐management capabilities than organizations with low levels of social capital.
Research limitations/implications
This article extends prior research of knowledge management by proposing how social capital can positively impact the ability of organizations to manage knowledge.
Practical implications
Since resources within all businesses are relatively limited, and particularly so when the business is small relative to its competitors, the revelation that social capital can lead to more effective knowledge management makes the decision to support and nurture social‐capital development much more credible.
Originality/value
Because there is no existing literature that has examined the relationship between social capital, knowledge management, and organizational performance, this paper provides a foundation for future studies that examine the relationship between social capital and knowledge management.
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This study aims to investigate the effects of social capital (defined as networks) on the performance of Chinese private enterprises.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of social capital (defined as networks) on the performance of Chinese private enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employ an econometric model to test relationships between social capital and firm performance, using a sample of private enterprises in a survey in China in 2000.
Findings
The analysis suggests two findings. First, memberships in various organizations do not appear to be significant in affecting the performance of Chinese private enterprises. Second, short‐time investment in, and the flow of, social capital are significant determinants of enterprise performance.
Research limitations/implications
The study examines only the effects of the short‐time investment in social capital. Further research is suggested to examine the effects of long‐term investments in social capital, the relationship between short‐time investment and long‐time investment in social capital, and the network as a whole, including informal networks.
Originality/value
The paper uses the survey data in China to test Krishna's hypothesis which suggests that short‐term investments can play a positive role in the financial performance of firms.
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Konstantinos I. Evangelinos and Nikoleta Jones
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the importance of the theory of social capital for the challenges presented during environmental management initiatives in higher education…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the importance of the theory of social capital for the challenges presented during environmental management initiatives in higher education institutions (HEIs). In particular, the paper utilises the fundamental components of social capital theory and assesses a hypothesis that higher stocks of social capital result in benefits for environmental management of HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach
An introduction of the concept of social capital and its components is presented followed by a brief review on its main connections with environmental policy and management in general. An analysis of the influence of each component on several issues occurring during the environmental management of HEIs follows.
Findings
Through the analysis, it is claimed that social capital is a useful concept for the environmental management of HEIs and may significantly facilitate such initiatives.
Research limitations/implications
The paper emphasizes the effect of community social capital in the internal functioning of organizations. Further research could also explore the influence of dealings with external actors.
Practical implications
The paper emphasises the importance of exploring the potential influence of social factors while planning environmental initiatives. Through such assessments, several obstacles may be overcome during implementation procedures.
Originality/value
This is a first attempt to explore the application of the theory of social capital for the functioning of the academic community during initiatives for the greening of HEIs.
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Iván Arribas, Penélope Hernández and Jose E. Vila
This paper aims to analyze the role played by two dimensions of entrepreneurs' private social capital in the survival, growth and innovativeness of entrepreneurial service…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the role played by two dimensions of entrepreneurs' private social capital in the survival, growth and innovativeness of entrepreneurial service ventures: local size and preferential attachment degree.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by a questionnaire, the unit of investigation being the private entrepreneur in the service sector in the city of Shanghai. The questionnaire allows the authors to identify the social network of the entrepreneurs, estimate the empirical degree distribution for the entire sample, and estimate local size and preferential attachment degree.
Findings
There is empirical evidence that entrepreneurs do not create social networks with preferential attachment structure and a large local size of the network increases the chances of survival of new ventures; however, the chance to become a dynamic venture is only related to entrepreneurs' preferential attachment degree.
Social implications
Any entrepreneurial strategy should include an investment plan to generate a minimum level of social capital or guanxi. Additionally, efficient strategy to generate social capital for dynamic entrepreneurship should focus on the creation of quality social capital. The underestimation of the role of social capital seems to have a deeper impact when analyzing the phenomenon of entrepreneurial innovation.
Originality/value
This conclusion suggests that the role of social capital in the entrepreneurial process could be underestimated systematically, since most of the literature only considers local measures of social capital. This underestimation seems to have a deeper impact when analyzing the phenomenon of entrepreneurial innovation.
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Siti Nor Suriana Hj Talip and Shaista Wasiuzzaman
The authors investigate the role of financial literacy in influencing the relationship between human capital and social capital, with access to finance of micro, small and medium…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors investigate the role of financial literacy in influencing the relationship between human capital and social capital, with access to finance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered from 337 MSMEs in Brunei Darussalam, and analysis on the data was carried out using a number of statistical methods. The relationships between human capital, social capital, financial literacy and access to finance were analyzed using PLS-SEM.
Findings
The results show that human capital does influence access to finance but contrary to previous studies, the influence is negative. Financial literacy is an important element in the relationship between human capital, social capital and access to finance, although it plays a greater role in the relationship between social capital and access to finance. Further analysis shows that financial knowledge is significant in moderating the relationships between human and social capital with access to finance. Financial skills is found to only moderate the relationship between social capital and access to finance.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first that integrates the human capital, social capital, financial literacy and access to finance in a single model. The authors also highlight the importance of enhancing the financial literacy of MSMEs so that the problem of access to finance can be alleviated, especially in developing countries.
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The significance of digital literacy in online social capital accumulation and surviving the contemporary society is widely recognised. Despite that the current generation is…
Abstract
Purpose
The significance of digital literacy in online social capital accumulation and surviving the contemporary society is widely recognised. Despite that the current generation is regarded as “digital natives”, their levels and nature of digital literacy vary. To generate educational insights, this study investigates the type(s) of digital literacy which are mostly related to the online social capital accumulation, and how one’s socio-economic background affects the connection between digital literacy and online social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 1,747 participants aged 13–30 were invited to take part in a quantitative study. Spearman's rank correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and mediation analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between participants' demographic background, engagement in the online platforms, digital literacy and online social capital.
Findings
The results showed that the creative dimension of digital literacy was mostly significantly predictive of online social capital accumulation. Also, education significantly affected the relationship between the creative dimension of digital literacy and online social capital more than demographic background.
Originality/value
Results suggest that education helps enhance digital literacy, offsetting the influence of socio-demographic background. The author examines the implications of how to implement training programmes in youth settings to enhance students' digital literacy and benefit those who are marginalised.
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Samuel Mongrut, Luis Berggrun, Klender Cortez Alejandro and Martha del Pilar Rodríguez García
The study aims to examine the impact of intellectual and social capital in funding businesses.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to examine the impact of intellectual and social capital in funding businesses.
Design/methodology/approach
The study made use of fixed-effects panel data models with a sample of 142 countries from the five continents during the period 1998–2018.
Findings
It was found that human capital (HC), relational capital, structural capital and social capital play a role in investors’ decisions to fund a business. The study revealed that investors’ funding decisions in low human development index countries are based mainly on education, while those in high human development index countries are based mainly on the creativity component of HC and on relational, structural and social capital.
Research limitations/implications
The study needs to be replicated using firm-level data within each country. Moreover, the search for new proxies for intellectual and social capital (although the list of variables is exhaustive) both at the country and firm level, constitutes an interesting avenue for future research.
Practical implications
Countries should pay attention to intellectual and social capital to encourage business activity. In particular, low human development countries should strengthen HC, such as the school enrollment rate, with early entrepreneurial training and increase research and development investments, while high human development countries should continue to foster strategic alliances, protect intellectual property and maintain or increase the level of trust in the country.
Originality/value
The study contributes to literature by being the first to explore such a variety of intellectual and social capital variables from a country-level perspective.
Objetivo
El estudio tiene como objetivo examinar el impacto del capital intelectual y social en la financiación de las empresas.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Utilizamos modelos de datos de panel de efectos fijos con una muestra de 142 países de los cinco continentes durante el periodo 1998-2018.
Resultados
Encontramos que el capital humano (CH), el capital relacional, el capital estructural y el capital social juegan un papel en las decisiones de los inversionistas para financiar un negocio. Encontramos que las decisiones de financiamiento de los inversionistas en los países con bajo índice de desarrollo humano se basan principalmente en la educación, mientras que las de los países con alto índice de desarrollo humano se basan principalmente en el componente de creatividad del CH y en el capital relacional, estructural y social.
Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación
Sugerimos replicar el estudio utilizando datos a nivel de empresa dentro de cada país. Por otra parte, la búsqueda de nuevos indicadores de capital intelectual y social (aunque nuestra lista de variables es exhaustiva) tanto a nivel de país como de empresa, constituye una vía interesante para futuras investigaciones.
Implicaciones prácticas
Los países deben prestar atención al capital intelectual y social para fomentar la actividad empresarial. En particular, los países con bajo desarrollo humano deberían fortalecer el CH, como la tasa de matriculación escolar, con una formación empresarial temprana y aumentar las inversiones en investigación y desarrollo, mientras que los países con un alto nivel de desarrollo humano deberían seguir fomentando las alianzas estratégicas, proteger la propiedad intelectual y mantener o aumentar el nivel de confianza en el país.
Originalidad/valor
El estudio contribuye a la literatura al ser el primero en explorar tal variedad de variables de capital intelectual y social desde una perspectiva a nivel de país.
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This qualitative study explores how technologically challenged Indian rural communities adjusted to the tech-driven work system successfully in the post-pandemic era.
Abstract
Purpose
This qualitative study explores how technologically challenged Indian rural communities adjusted to the tech-driven work system successfully in the post-pandemic era.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative semi-structured interviews with multiple Indian rural households conducted in the years 2021 and 2022 were employed.
Findings
The findings highlight the critical role played by the social capital in addressing the issues that Indian rural communities were facing in their work setting as a direct result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The embedded social network and social values in rural society came to the rescue when other tangible resources were not available for everyone.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to Bourdieu's theory of Social Capital by discovering that social capital can be utilized to gain existential advantages in extraordinary circumstances of (work) life.
Practical implications
Policymakers should acknowledge the presence of social capital in societies, especially rural ones. Social capital plays a significant role in the execution of relevant society-level tasks and can further help in dealing with certain materialistic impediments.
Social implications
Investments in community infrastructure, education and communication strategies can enhance social capital's role in crisis response.
Originality/value
This study is original as it is the first one that studies the significance of social capital in a post-pandemic environment, especially when the availability of required technological resources is rare.
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Shahid Hassan, Wai Chuen Poon and Ibiwani Alisa Hussain
This study aims to acknowledge the social capital challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), specifically the Maldives. As budding female…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to acknowledge the social capital challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), specifically the Maldives. As budding female entrepreneurs in a predominantly traditional culture are somewhat limited in their quest for economic empowerment, this study aims to clarify the role of social capital dimensions – structural, relational and cognitive – in shaping entrepreneurial intentions among women in the Maldives.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered from 325 female business students from ten tertiary educational institutions in the Maldives. After establishing its validity and reliability, the data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling, including hypothesis testing.
Findings
Structural social capital (SSC) has a significant positive influence on attitude (ATE), subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and entrepreneurial intention (EI). Relational social capital (RSC) has a significant positive influence on ATE and SNs and a significant negative influence on PBC and EI; cognitive social capital (CSC) has a significant positive influence on ATE, SNs and PBC, but does not significantly influence EI. Additionally, ATE, SNs and PBC are significantly associated with EI. The results also show that the indirect and direct effects through the mediation of ATE, SNs and PBC are significant in the relationship between SSC, RSC and EI. Furthermore, this study reveals an indirect effect on the relationship between CSC and EI.
Research limitations/implications
The findings outline the intricate mechanism by which social capital influences EI. These findings provide useful insights for establishing policies and organising relevant programmes to promote female entrepreneurship in SIDS.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine the role of social capital in a unique setting, such as SIDS. Moreover, this study integrates the heterogeneous role of social capital into the female EI model. This highlights the urgency of developing relevant social capital among women to promote EI.
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Ran Zhou and Kyriaki (Kiki) Kaplanidou
Mass participation sport events, such as running events, have the potential to foster social capital among event participants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Mass participation sport events, such as running events, have the potential to foster social capital among event participants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interrelationships among sport event participation, social capital and various (behavioral, psychological, informational and negative) outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
Following Putnam's social capital approach, a research model was developed and tested using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, based on survey data from 301 runners with varied running histories and event experiences.
Findings
Results showed a limited impact of sport event participation on participants' social capital, indicating that the temporary interactions within the event timeframe were insufficient to generate sustainable social capital among event participants. Nevertheless, significant relationships were found between social capital and behavioral, psychological and informational outcomes of social capital, suggesting that social capital can be converted to a range of benefits for participants and the event community.
Practical implications
Event marketers and sponsors should take strategic actions to enhance participants' social experience and cultivate social capital, which may help them gain support from the event community irrespective of past experiences with participation.
Originality/value
This study extends Putnam's social capital framework into mass participation sport event context. As an initial effort to quantitatively test the linkage among event participation, social capital and various outcomes, this study offers empirical insights into the role of sport event participation in generating long-term social benefits for event participants.
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