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The purpose of this paper is to assess the use of two innovative job analysis techniques. First, a graphic‐based approach is used to collect job classification data. Second, the results are presented in a graphical representation to decision makers. In addition, the paper examines two concepts, similarity and relatedness, often confused by subject matter experts (SMEs) and decision makers in the context of job classification.

A case study approach was used. Focus groups of SMEs used a graphic‐based tool to group jobs into occupational clusters based on the concepts of similarity and relatedness. To effectively communicate the results to organizational decision makers a graphic presentation technique was used.

The paper found that SMEs were highly engaged in the graphical approach. Decision makers were also intrigued by the graphical presentation. In addition, the paper found confusion between the concepts of similarity and relatedness throughout the process. This confusion had important implications for the grouping of jobs into occupational clusters.

The graphic presentation of results highlighted issues around which the agency had been previously struggling. The approach allowed decision makers to examine and understand meaningful data and reach consensus on complex, multi‐faceted issues. The results also showed that people often confuse the similarity and relatedness of jobs, and that this confusion should be taken into consideration when communicating with non‐job analysts.

Job analysis and classification has changed little over the past several decades. This paper applies innovative ideas to job classification which are equally applicable to job analysis offering interesting avenues for future research and practice.

The purpose of this paper is to examine innovative practices and emphasize the mechanism of knowledge transfer across knowledge boundaries. By comparing and discussing the emerging boundary issues in knowledge transfer among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in the incubation centers in China, this paper identified the main knowledge transfer approach and several contextual and organizational factors impacting knowledge transfer.

The authors conduct 39 semi-structured in-depth interviews with employees working within business incubation centers in China. The study uses thematic analysis for data analysis.

Our results contribute to the literature of knowledge transfer and in particular to our understanding of boundary conditions and knowledge transfer approaches in emerging economies. The results also highlight several contextual and organizational factors which impact knowledge transformation across the pragmatic boundary in the context of China.

First, organizations need to establish an effective process with tools to accommodate novelty; second, organizations should be aware of the impact of entrepreneurial orientation on innovative performance; and third, it will help organizations if they adopt and integrate information-rich media in managing innovative practices.

This research highlights the impact of contextual and organizational factors of SMEs on knowledge transfer in emerging markets and chooses incubation centers as study subjects, which is an organizational context that has not been thoroughly studied due to its unique nature and emerging complexity.

The purpose of this paper is to report the development and validation of the entrepreneurial behaviour inventory (EBI), an instrument for measuring the entrepreneurial behaviours of corporate managers.

Through actual consulting experience, interviews and discussions with business owners and company managers, 40 incidents were written to describe ten of the most commonly identified entrepreneurial attributes. The response options were developed using behaviourally anchored rating scales and were validated by rank‐order correlation analysis and t‐tests. The authors then conducted a study to examine the dimensionality of the EBI via principal component analysis and to reduce the number of situations from 40 to 12. A confirmatory factory analysis was further conducted using the data from a second sample of corporate managers.

Through an integrated series of studies, the authors identified a reliable and valid four‐factor structure of the EBI. The dimensions are innovativeness, risk taking, change orientation, and opportunism.

The EBI is an effective and objective instrument for assessing entrepreneurial behaviours applicable to both business owners as well as corporate entrepreneurs. Using a simulated incident method with behaviourally anchored rating scales, the EBI provides a sophisticated means of assessing actual behaviours rather than traits or attitudes. The EBI is useful for classifying types of entrepreneurs and forming the basis for training and developing entrepreneurial corporate managers.

This article aims to offer empirical evidence pertaining to the relationship among entrepreneurship, market orientation and business performance within the context of disadvantaged socio‐economic regions of the European Union.

Two groups of hypotheses investigate the relationship between entrepreneurship and market orientation and the joint effect of these dimensions on performance. All questions are approached using survey data from 183 firms located in the Castilla y Leon region, Spain.

A strong relationship exists between entrepreneurship and market orientation. Although these orientations may be implemented separately, firms emphasise entrepreneurship when they are market‐oriented. Therefore, the strong relationship and complementarities between entrepreneurship and market orientation reduce the effort involved in the joint adoption of both orientations. Both orientations also demonstrate a strong relationship with performance, such that each contributes specifically.

The article shows that, despite little evidence of synergic effects of the joint adoption of both orientations, the specific aspects that differentiate entrepreneurship and market orientation both contribute to improving performance, and therefore, firms should foster a market‐oriented, entrepreneurial organisational culture.

Provides a review of the gap between student's entrepreneurial needs and aspirations and the entrepreneurship education offerings within higher education institutions (HEIs) in Leicestershire, UK. Utilises data from three surveys of university fresher students, held in 2001. Uses the findings as the basis to assess the gap between fresher students' entrepreneurial needs and aspirations and the capability of HEIs to meet them. Draws on multiple surveys from universities in Leicestershire and so will be of relevance to other HEIs with similar student demographics. Fulfils a need to take a strategic review of how HEIs can develop the capability to meet the entrepreneurial needs of new students in supporting their future aspirations.

Since policemen have a highly demanding job, they have a high risk of developing mental health problems, which may have a negative influence on their private life. The purpose of this paper is to present a new questionnaire for measuring the functioning of rescue workers in life tasks outside of work.

The internal consistency, factor structure and concurrent validity of this life tasks test (LTT) were examined in a group of 108 policemen.

The test measures perceived effectiveness in the following five domains: social life, maintaining mental health, household and finance, giving meaning and maintaining positivity. Cronbach’s α was acceptable for two scales (>0.60) and good for the other three (>0.70). The hypothesized five-factor structure of the LTT was corroborated in a confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating the scores on the LTT with two established questionnaires, one for personality characteristics and one for work characteristics and work stress. All LTT scales, with the exception of social life, showed significant correlations with social support, workload and personality.

This provides support for the concurrent validity of the questionnaire. Practical uses and future research are discussed.

The items are close to everyday clinical practice. It adds valuable information to the commonly used questionnaires on mental health complaints. The test may also provide insight on which life tasks domains are functioning well and which are in need of attention to improve the effectiveness.

In both preventive and curative mental health support, it is important to enhance the effectiveness in life tasks, because it works as a buffer for the adversity of rescue work. Moreover, it gives rescue workers mastery of their personal life, makes self-management stronger, as well as it gives feelings of confidence and positive energy.

This is the first questionnaire to be designed and implemented for rescue workers.

Political skill is measured with the political skill inventory (PSI), and the construct is composed of four distinct dimensions. Previous validation studies of the PSI found evidence in support of the four‐factor structure, but only using self‐reports. Furthermore, no efforts have been made to also identify a single, higher‐order factor solution through second‐order factor analysis. The present research aims to expand on prior work and report on a two‐study investigation of both the construct validity and antecedents and consequences of the political skill construct.

To test construct validity, Study 1 combined self‐ and other reports of political skill from 467 employees in a confirmatory factor analysis. Study 2 used longitudinal data from 202 employees to constructively replicate Study 1 results and to test hypotheses regarding the antecedents and consequences of political skill.

The results of Study 1 confirmed both a four‐factor and a single higher‐order factor solution of the political skill construct, thus supporting our hypothesis. Study 2 constructively replicated the Study 1 factorial validity results, and supported hypotheses regarding the dispositional and developmental experience antecedents, career‐related consequences, and mediation of these antecedents and outcomes by political skill.

These two studies test the construct validity of political skill using both self‐ and other‐reports. Further, this is the first research to test the Ferris et al. conceptualization of political skill, by examining its antecedents, consequences, and mediation of the antecedents‐consequences relationships.