1,721,143 research outputs found
The market for nanotechnology applications and its managerial implications: an empirical investigation in the Italian landscape
No full textClé de détermination de huit espèces du genre Cassia L. (Caesalpiniaceae), adventices d'Afrique de l'Ouest
Full text linkHuit espèces du genre Cassia L (Caesalpiniacecae), adventices des cultures en Afrique de l'Ouest sont différenciées à partir de quelques caractères végétatifs. Un tableau de ces différents caractères, une clé de détermination pratique, un texte descriptif relatif à chaque espèce et des photographies sont présentés. Cette clé est facile d'accès pour les personnes confrontées aux problèmes d'enherbement sur le terrain
Innovazione nella comunicazione dell'impegno in responsabilità sociale e imprese familiari: un'analisi del corporate social reporting
No full textCorporate Social Responsibility: A Survey among SMEs in Bergamo
No full textThis study provides some insights on the topic of CSR in small- and medium-sized family vs. non-family firms. Though preliminary, the results emerged from an explorative survey on 19 SMEs show that they are generally unaware of the concept of CSR, do not report their initiatives, but are still engaged in social actions towards their closest stakeholders. Family business owners are especially found to be in charge of social activities towards employees and the local community, e.g. sport clubs, church, and local associations. We discuss this behavior in light of the social capital theory, according to which relationships and the interrelation with environment and communities are relevant for the sustainability of these businesse
Family Control and SMEs Characteristics: Empirical Evidence from the Province of Bergamo
No full textWe studied the effects of family control on firm’s characteristics by using a set of data on small and medium enterprises located in the Northern Italian province of Bergamo. We investigated the demographic characteristics, labour distinctiveness, financial structure, and performance of 745 SMEs. Family-controlled firms appeared to be a predominant organizational type in almost all the industries, and a number of remarkable differences were found between family-controlled and non-family firms. Ultimately, family-controlled firms in our sample outperformed their non-family counterparts in terms of return on sales, return on equity, and return on assets
Exploring the Effect of Family Control on the Characteristics of SMEs in Northern Italy
No full textWe studied the effect of family control on the characteristics of small- and medium-sized enterprises located in the Northern Italian province of Bergamo. The analysis included aspects such as demographic characteristics, cost and productivity of labour, financial ratios, and the performance of 745 SMEs. Family-controlled firms emerged as a predominant organizational type in almost all the industries and a number of relevant differences were found between family-controlled and non-family firms. In sum, family-controlled firms in our sample outperformed their non-family counterparts in terms of return on sales, return on equity and return on assets
Strategic Innovation and New Product Development in Family Firms: an Empirically Grounded Theoretical Framework
No full textPurpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the presence of the family variable within a business enterprise and the managerial factors affecting the success of new product development (NPD). This can be structured into three research questions: What is the relationship between the presence of the family variable within a business enterprise and the managerial factors affecting the success of NPD activities? How the managerial factors affecting the NPD process are faced in family firms? Which are the main differences (e.g. strengths and/or weaknesses) in dealing with the managerial factors affecting the NPD process between family and non-family firms? Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a grounded-theory and case-study approach to investigate the relationship between the presence of the family variable within a business enterprise and the managerial factors affecting the success of NPD. The starting point is an in-depth literature review on the managerial factors differentiating family from non-family firms, and the managerial factors affecting NPD success. Then, a multiple case-study on five Italian family firms and five Italian non-family enterprises is conducted. The case-studies lead to the development of an empirically grounded theoretical framework that outlines how the distinctive characteristics of family businesses are related to the managerial factors affecting NPD success. Findings: Family firms clearly emerge as more long-term oriented than non-family enterprises. The long-term orientation of family businesses vs non-family companies seems to play a pivotal role in originating NPD projects with long-term thrust. If a company is long-term oriented it is reasonable to expect that it will put its long-term vision in NPD programs, thus reaching a NPD long-term thrust. Research limitations/ implications: The study advances research on strategic innovation and NPD in family vs non-family firms. It develops new theory at the important intersection of family business and innovation/NPD research, filling a gap in the literature and providing justification and guidance for the design of more comprehensive studies. Future research could investigate and test the theoretical framework on a wider empirical base, using either qualitative or quantitative methods. Originality/ value: The paper addresses the failure of innovation management research to recognize, embrace, and deliberately incorporate family firms. It therefore fills a gap in the literature and extends prior research by introducing specific propositions that are supported by the case data and originally integrating them in the general research stream on NPD and family-firm characteristics. The originality of the study lies also in the fact that it appears to be the first comparative analysis on this specific topic involving both family and non-family enterprise
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