Open Access
The influence of entrepreneurs’ social referents on start-up size
(Springer, 2018) Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Martín Sánchez, Víctor; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
This paper uses social comparison theory to explore the effect that the average size of established businesses at the regional (provincial) level may have on start-up size. It is argued that established entrepreneurs at the regional level become referents of new entrepreneurs, influencing not only the decision to become entrepreneurs but also the characteristics of the new venture, such as its initial size. Specifically, the greater the average size of established businesses at the provincial level, the bigger the start-up size of new ventures. This paper further considers how this effect is moderated by two key individual level variables: knowing an entrepreneur personally (i.e., close social referent), and being the owner and manager of an existing business (i.e., past entrepreneurial and managerial experience). Predictions are tested using data that combine individual- and provincial-level information in Spain over the period 2008–2014. The results show the positive relationship of the average size of established businesses on new venture start-up size, and that this effect decreases when the entrepreneurs have previous entrepreneurial experience.
Open Access
Regional and individual determinants of entrepreneurial growth aspirations
(Universitat de Barcelona: Facultat Economia i Empresa., 2018) Capelleras Segura, Joan Lluís; Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Martín Sánchez, Víctor; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE
This paper investigates the unique and joint effects of population density and early-stage entrepreneurs’ human capital endowments (higher education, entrepreneurship training and owner-manager experience) on entrepreneurial growth aspirations. We test a number of hypotheses using data that combine individual and province level information in Spain over the period 2008-2010. We argue that growth aspirations of early-stage entrepreneurs are higher in more densely populated regions, but that such environmental influence is stronger for individuals with greater human capital. This is because they will be more aware that denser regions offer more favorable conditions for new businesses and also requires greater firm growth to compensate for a higher risk of business failure. Consistent with our view, we find that the growth aspirations of entrepreneurs with higher education are higher in densely populated provinces.
Open Access
Publicly funded pre-start support for new firms: who demands it and how it affects their employment growth
(SAGE, 2011) Capelleras Segura, Joan Lluís; Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
This paper examines pre-start determinants of the demand for publicly funded external support to new ventures. It also investigates the effects of different types of such support on subsequent firm growth. Adopting resource-based and information asymmetry approaches, the paper argues that the entrepreneurs who ask for publicly funded pre-start support are more likely to face information asymmetries with regard to resource providers, which in turn depend on their level of human and social capital. It also suggests that intangible support oriented towards knowledge generation would be the most beneficial. A series of two-stage treatment effects models applied to a representative sample of new firms in Navarra (Spain) offer considerable support to our predictions. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
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.
Open Access
Langile publikoen Lan Bizitzaren Kalitatea (LBK)
(Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea, 2017) Gastearena Balda, María Lourdes; Ollo López, Andrea; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
Lan honen helburua da aztertzea zein diren determinatzaileaklangile publiko eta pribatuen Laneko Bizitzaren Kalitatea (LBK), ikusteko diferentziak ote dauden, eta ikusteko, halaber, kontratu finkoa edo behin-behinekoa izateak eragina ote duenlangileen LBKn. Horretarako aurkezten dugu Laneko Eskakizunen eta Baliabideen Teoria (LEB) izeneko erreferentzia esparrua, zeinaren bidez azaltzen baita, lan inguruneko eskakizunek eta baliabideek sortzen dituzten efektuen bidez, nola nabaritzen dituen langileak ondorio zuzenak eta zeharkakoak bere osasunean eta ongizatean. Emaitzek erakusten dute handiagoa dela langile publikoen eta kontratu finkodunen LBK, gogobetetasunaren arabera neurtzen badugu.
Open Access
HPWS, technology and flexibility in the Spanish manufacturing industry: the moderating role of social capital
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2015) Shijaku, Elio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Urtasun Alonso, Ainhoa; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
The purpose of this paper is to analyze a specific pattern of social capital and its pivotal role in the HPWS utilization. The paper uses Spanish cross-sectional data from the manufacturing industry to examine the moderating effects of external social capital derived from buyer-supplier relationships on HPWS, technology and flexibility. We propose a model of HPWS in which external social capital not only favours the use of HPWS but also moderates the incidence of other common facilitators such as technology and flexibility. Firms yielding external social capital use HPWS more intensely and that the effect of technology constituents on HPWS utilization is contingent to social capital accumulation. The findings are consistent with existing HR literature on the subject but broaden its perspective by analyzing a specific pattern of social capital and its pivotal role in the HPWS utilization process.
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
Do entrepreneurial role models influence the nascent entrepreneurial activity of immigrants?
(Wiley, 2015) Contín Pilart, Ignacio; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Gestión de Empresas; Enpresen Kudeaketa
This paper examines how the influence of entrepreneurial role models in the individual’s decision to become a nascent entrepreneur is moderated by their socio-cultural fit. By looking at the entrepreneurial activity of immigrants, the paper proposes that, because of their lower sociocultural fit, immigrants are less likely to be influenced in their entrepreneurial activity by past and present entrepreneurs in the region where they live compared with the native population. Using a large database of 28,306 individuals in 50 Spanish provinces, the results confirm our hypothesis. The moderating effect of cultural distance and time of residence is also analyzed.
Open Access
Managerial family ties and employee risk bearing in family firms: evidence from Spanish car dealers
(Wiley, 2018) Gómez Mejía, Luis R.; Larraza Kintana, Martín; Moyano Fuentes, José; Firfiray, Shainaz; Enpresen Kudeaketa; Institute for Advanced Research in Business and Economics - INARBE; Gestión de Empresas
This article discusses that family firms in which the top management team (TMT) is dominated bynonfamily managers are more likely to shift risk to employees through incentive pay schemesthan family firms with TMTs dominated by family members. We also argue that this tendencyis aggravated in firms of bigger size, as this condition makes nonfamily managers more vulnerable. We further note that differences between family- and non-family-dominated TMTs maylessen when the sales trend is negative. The analyses conducted on a sample of 219 family-controlled car dealerships in Spain confirm our expectations.