Open Access
The relationship between the institutional environment and job satisfaction: a multilevel approach
(Springer, 2025-06-24) Gastearena Balda, María Lourdes; Ollo López, Andrea; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Rodrigues, Ricardo; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
An extensive body of literature has explored the key determinants of employee job satisfaction placing particular emphasis on individual differences and job characteristics. However, variations in job satisfaction levels persist across countries, highlighting the importance of contextual and institutional factors across different national contexts. This study investigates the role of formal and informal institutions in shaping job satisfaction. Based on a sample of 10.822 employees from 26 European countries, the study employs a multilevel methodology to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that national institutions significantly contribute to cross-country differences in job satisfaction. In particular, the positive impact of labour freedom on job satisfaction is more pronounced in countries characterised by low power distance, low uncertainty avoidance, and high individualism. Conversely, in countries with high power distance, high uncertainty avoidance, and low individualism, the relationship between labour freedom and job satisfaction is weaker. These results emphasise the critical role of cultural and institutional contexts.
Open Access
Entrepreneurs’ human capital and growth aspirations: the moderating role of regional entrepreneurial culture
(Springer, 2019) Capelleras Segura, Joan Lluís; Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Martín Sánchez, Víctor; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Gestión de Empresas
This paper investigates the impact of entrepreneurs’ human capital on their growth aspirations and the moderating role of regional entrepreneurial culture in this relationship. Based on human capital theory, we argue that growth aspirations will be higher for individuals with higher educational attainment and lower for those with prior entrepreneurial experience. Drawing on an institutional perspective, we also suggest that regional social acceptance of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial role models will positively moderate these effects. Using data that combines individual and province level information in Spain over the period 2008–2014, we find support for the differential effect of formal education and entrepreneurial experience. The results also show that both social approval of entrepreneurship and role models tend to increase the growth aspirations of experienced entrepreneurs, whereas aspirations of the more educated ones are only affected by the presence of role models. Implications from the findings are discussed.
Open Access
When do women make a better table? Examining the influence of women directors on family firm's corporate social performance
(SAGE Publications, 2019) Cruz, Cristina; Justo, Rachida; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Garcés Galdeano, Lucía; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Gestión de Empresas
Our paper seeks to further understand the influence of gender board diversity on firms' corporate social performance (CPS) in the context of publicly held family firms. Grounded on corporate governance and family firm literature, we argue that the influence of women directors on CSP will be contingent on their relative power and legitimacy within the board, and that such dynamics are particularly important in family firm boardrooms. Our empirical results show that increases in CSP associated with the presence of women in the boards of family firms are due mainly to the presence of outsider nonfamily and insider family women directors. Implications for the theory of family firms are discussed.
Open Access
Emotional heterogeneity and intergenerational knowledge transfer in family firms
(Elsevier, 2023) Caicedo Leitón, Ana Lucía; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
With this study, we attempt to understand how emotions influence the intergenerational transfer of knowledge in family businesses from the perspective of emotional heterogeneity. We use a qualitative methodology of multiple case studies to comprehensively address theissue. The results indicate that emotions influence knowledge transmission and learning, sotransmission is more effective in Enmeshed and Balanced family businesses than in Disengaged ones.
Open Access
Psychological ownership in family firms: a perspective article
(Emerald, 2024-02-12) Caicedo Leitón, Ana Lucía; Garcés Galdeano, Lucía; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
Purpose: This article explores psychological ownership (PO) in family firms (FFs); its impact on interpersonal relationships, attitudes and behaviors within the organization; and its importance for long-term success. It also highlights the factors that contribute to PO in these types of businesses. Design/methodology/approach: The article conducts a literature review that utilizes existing research to delve into the phenomenon of PO within the context of FFs. Findings: The article emphasizes that PO significantly impacts employee behavior and attitudes toward FFs. It shows the favorable influence of PO on employees' conduct and mindset. However, excessive PO can lead to disputes and obstruct the transfer of control. Practical implications: The success of family businesses depends on nurturing strong, positive PO in future generations and among nonfamily members. Originality/value: The article contributes to PO literature in FFs by analyzing its influence on FFs. It highlights factors affecting PO formation and its consequences and highlights novel lines of future research.
Open Access
Network centrality and organizational aspirations: a behavioral interaction in the context of international strategic alliances
(Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2020-07-01) Shijaku, Elio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Urtasun Alonso, Ainhoa; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
Considerando que el análisis de redes sociales ha estado asociado con aspiraciones organizacionales, poco es conocido sobre cómo el posicionamiento estructural de la empresa y particularmente la centralidad de la red afecta las aspiraciones internacionales para participar de alianzas estratégicas internacionales (AEI). Este estudio examina el impacto de la centralidad de la red en el comportamiento de internacionalización de la empresa dentro del dominio de las alianzas estratégicas internacionales como respuesta a la brecha entre desempeño y aspiración. Desarrollamos las perspectivas sociales y comportamentales para predecir que la centralidad de la red y las aspiraciones basadas en desempeño serán asociadas con el número de alianzas estratégicas internacionales en que la empresa participa. Usando una muestra de 7.760 colaboraciones de alianza de las principales 81 empresas farmacéuticas global para el periodo 1991–2012, encontramos evidencia para apoyar la mayoría de nuestros argumentos.
Open Access
Emprendimiento y empresa familiar: ¿dos disciplinas hermanas o distintas?
(Universidad de Deusto, 2023) Garcés Galdeano, Lucía; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
El emprendimiento y la empresa familiar ¿son dos disciplinas hermanas o distintas? Ambas son disciplinas con entidad propia, pero desde el inicio ambas han estado fuertemente conectadas. De hecho, las empresas familiares han sido consideradas como un elemento central del proceso emprendedor donde la influencia de la familia es particularmente relevante en las primeras etapas de la creación de la empresa. Sin embargo, la etapa inicial de estas empresas ha sido poco explorada. Este artículo tiene un doble objetivo. En primer lugar, proporciona una pequeña perspectiva histórica de la evolución de las dos disciplinas académicas y sus interrelaciones, y, en segundo lugar, trata de resumir las principales conclusiones de la escasa literatura sobre la perspectiva del arraigo familiar que estudia el binomio familia-emprendimiento. Por último, el trabajo propone diferentes líneas de investigación para futuros estudios relacionados con la empresa familiar y el emprendimiento.
Open Access
The role of entrepreneurial orientation and family control of the firm in the economic recovery of underperforming firms
(Emerald, 2019) Capelleras Segura, Joan Lluís; Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Garcés Galdeano, Lucía; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Gestión de Empresas
Objetivo – El artículo analiza cómo la orientación emprendedora y el control familiar de la empresa influyen en el desempeño de las empresas con bajo rendimiento y cómo contribuyen a su recuperación económica. Diseño/metodología/enfoque – Testamos nuestras hipótesis utilizando una muestra única y representativa de 1,500 pequeñas empresas españolas en industrias de fabricación y servicios de alta y media tecnología. Dada la naturaleza de nuestra variable dependiente, estimamos una serie de modelos de regresión para probar nuestras hipótesis. Además, consideramos dos términos de interacción donde la variable de las empresas de bajo rendimiento interactúa con las empresas familiares y la orientación emprendedora. Hallazgos – Los resultados de nuestros análisis muestran que las empresas con mayor orientación emprendedora y cuya propiedad sea familiar aumentan, por separado, el rendimiento posterior de las empresas, especialmente para las de bajo rendimiento. Originalidad/valor – El estudio contribuye a expandir la literatura sobre las empresas con bajo rendimiento al analizar cómo los factores estratégicos y estructurales impactan en el desempeño de las empresas que enfrentan una recesión económica. También brinda orientación a los profesionales sobre la decisión y los contextos que mejor sirven para la recuperación económica de las empresas con bajo rendimiento.
Open Access
Entrepreneurs' planning behavior and new firm performance
(Emerald, 2020-08-27) Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Martín Sánchez, Víctor; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, PA03018
Purpose: Drawing on institutional logics theory, this paper aims to examine the determinants of entrepreneurs’ planning behavior in the first years of 212 Spanish new firms. Additionally, this study identifies four different planning profiles: systematic planner, early planner, late planner and non-planner. Design/methodology/approach: This study’s data structure is a (yearly) pooled cross-sectional time series. This paper investigates the determinants of planning behaviors among entrepreneurs, as well as the impact of that activity on new firm performance (i.e. employment growth). Findings: The results confirm the relevance of institutional forces in explaining the involvement of founders of new firms upon planning activities. Institutional factors, in the form of public external support seem to explain early- and systematic-planner behavior while the influence of entrepreneurial family background does so with late-planner behavior. Originality/value: The authors focus their attention on two key moments of a new venture’ life: the first year of operation and once the firm has overcome the four-year hurdle that is often used to distinguish new from established businesses. Four different patterns emerge: systematic planner (those who consistently plan over time), early planner (those who engage in planning activities in the early moments of the firm’s life but not later), late planner (those who do not plan at the beginning but end up conducting planning activities a few years later) and non-planner (those who never get involved in planning activities). This new division is an interesting additional feature of this study.
Open Access
Are public employees more satisfied than private ones? The mediating role of job demands and job resources
(Emerald, 2021) Gastearena Balda, María Lourdes; Ollo López, Andrea; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
Purpose – This paper aims to compare job satisfaction in public and private sectors and the mediating role of several job demands and resources on the relationship between the employment sector and job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the job demands-resources model, this study argued that differences in job satisfaction were explained largely by the job characteristics provided in each sector. Data comes from the quality of working life survey, a representative sample of 6,024 Spanish public and private employees. Findings – This study revealed that public employees were more satisfied than private ones. This relationship was partially mediated by job demands and job resources, meaning that the public and private employment sectors provided different working conditions. Public employees, in general, had fewer demands and more job resources than private ones, which resulted in different levels of job satisfaction. Additionally, partial mediation indicated that public employees are more satisfied than private ones, despite accounting for several job demands and job resources. Research limitations/implications – While the findings of this study highlighted the relative importance of job demands and job resources in affecting job satisfaction of public and private employees, the generalizability of the results to other countries should be limited as the study only used data from a single country. Practical implications – A significant portion of the positive effect on job satisfaction of public employees is channeled through the lower levels of routine work and lower number of required working hours and through better job resources such as higher salary, more telework, greater prospects at work and more training utility. To improve job satisfaction, it is apparent that managers should pay special attention to things such as routine work, working hours, training and telework. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the comprehension of how several job demands and resources simultaneously play a mediating role in explaining the relationship between the employment sector and job satisfaction.