Repository logo
 

Business, Enterprise & Management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/5

Browse

Author: search.filters.author.Bent, RichardHas files: Yes

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 18
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Consciously contributing: Community engagement, philanthropy and family business
    (Routledge, 2022-04-08) Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard; Seaman, Claire
    Corporate citizenship is an area of the current study that considers, amongst other things, how the values of a business translate into socially responsible behaviour. Conversely, corporate citizenship can also consider the values individuals bring into the business and the impact these values may have on business behaviour. This chapter focuses on family business, taking the perspective that where the values of one family are concentrated in the leadership of a business, those values will tend to exert more influence on business behaviour, for good or ill. Family businesses vary widely in size, in sector of operation and indeed in the values they hold but family businesses are also astonishingly numerous and of considerable economic importance. Whilst there is an ongoing definitional debate, a consensus has been reached within the literature that somewhere between 65% and 80% of businesses are owned, managed, or led by family. Family businesses form the economic bedrock of economies and communities worldwide and their impact on corporate citizenship is therefore substantial. In considering how a research agenda for this area might be developed, this chapter seeks to advance thinking and to provoke both debate and ongoing research.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of vision in determining family, small business and minority ethnic business research
    (Edward Elgar, 2020-09-04) Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard; Calabro, Andrea
    Family business and migration pre-date written history and yet are relatively young fields of research, which has to some extent evolved in parallel with the fields of small business research and minority ethnic entrepreneurship. In practice, however, the strands often overlap and contain common issues and challenges, this overlap provides a hinterland currently not fully explored and contextualized within research. Drawing together current research from the three fields, this chapter will highlight and conceptualize the overlaps as a working model for future analysis and highlight a number of key areas for future research. This sometime artificial distinction is especially important where research is developed into practice. The development of appropriate support systems through formal and informal networks is a key priority for communities, economies and the success of the family themselves.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Business internet use in small, family owned and managed hotels in Scotland
    (Inderscience, 2020-02-05) Fyfe, Jo; Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard
    Tourism and thus hospitality is a key strategic priority for the Scottish Government which in many communities is still highly dependent on small, family owned and managed hotels. This exploratory study is designed to initiate dialogue and to explore the complexity of the operating environment and perceived business support needs in the ever-more complex and dynamic e-environment. The development of the internet has altered the manner in which the hospitality industry operates; offering global marketing opportunities, open-source review sites and perhaps crucially the opportunity to interact with and sell directly to the consumer. Results indicate that the positive aspects of the internet were perceived to outweigh the disadvantages; however, the learning challenges identified were primarily around the effective management of on-line resources and global reputation. The vital role of small family owned and managed hotels in the development of a coherent tourism offering for Scotland is acknowledged here and can be additionally allied to geography. There are areas in Scotland, and indeed much of the world, that draw tourists yet are not sufficiently populous to host hotel chains or even specialist boutique hotels. In part, the reason tourists are drawn to those areas is precisely their relatively undeveloped nature, yet this creates a challenge for business learning within small independent hotels.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Business support systems and cultural diversity : a knowledge transfer partnership with a manufacturer of South Asian spicy foods
    (2005) Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard; Campbell, Gordon; Miskin, David; Unis, A.
    This paper illustrates a successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership [KTP] carried out between Queen Margaret University College and Mrs Unis Spicy Foods, a manufacturer of South Asian Spicy foods based in Edinburgh. The project is believed to be one of the first of its kind to be carried out with a South Asian owned company and the unique cultural influences on project development and management. This paper highlights both the theoretical and practical processes of knowledge transfer and will illustrate the importance of business solutions that can be tailored to the culture within an individual company. Mrs Unis Spicy Foods is a company that manufactures samosas, pakoras, nan and curries which are distributed throughout Scotland. The products sell mainly to corner shops, cash and carries, delicatessens, hospitals and universities. In addition, food for local exhibitions and conferences and Indian party food for the general public are also supplied. The potential market size for Asian foods is difficult to estimate, due to the differing modes of supply. The restaurant trade is currently estimated to be worth over 2 billion per annum in the UK, but this market is currently lacking in growth opportunities. The pre-packaged convenience food sector, however, is seeing strong levels of growth and the increased demand for convenience foods across all sectors is predicted to continue. The increase in the amount of shelf-space now given to convenience foods of ethnic origin in food retailers is clearly visible and the continuing market for the development of new products for this market is acknowledged. The primary aim of the project was to facilitate long-term knowledge transfer of business expertise from the University to the company and to encourage academics to increase their practical business experience. The development of new fusion products that blended South Asian and Scottish cuisine was a part of this project, designed to facilitate company and sales development and the targeting of new market sectors [Seaman et al, 2005]. Much that is already apparent within the literature regarding business culture and the development of appropriate business support systems is born out by the experiences of this team, with the key role played by cultural aspects emphasised by the South Asian culture apparent within the company. In addition, whilst developing and managing projects and production in an environment where English is not the first language is well documented, a business where a variety of languages are spoken, far fewer are written and some employees cannot communicate directly with the business owner is a challenging proposition. In practice, the programme heralded important changes in the structure and development of the company providing a model for the future and raising important questions about change-management and decision making. The importance of this project is threefold: to businesses it illustrates the advantages of engaging in such projects; to academics it illustrates both the importance of the cultural dimension and the potential for success and for those engaged in the development of business support systems it emphasises the importance of the individually tailored response for diverse companies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Over the hedge: hidden networks in knowledge transfer
    (Inderscience, 2012-12) Bent, Richard; Seaman, Claire; Welsh, Rita; Pretious, Mike
    This paper develops the Edinburgh knowledge hedge (Bent et al., 2010) to introduce the largely hidden role formal and informal networks in the process of linking SMEs and business support agencies, presenting a model to assist in identifying remaining barriers to knowledge exchange. The model is applied to a detailed case study of primary business support experience, laying the foundation for practical and theoretical developments. It is proposed that the model will provide a basis for future qualitative research in this area. A conceptual framework is developed to capture the complexity of knowledge exchange between SMEs and business support agencies and providers. Within the case study SME owners and business advisors identify areas not resolved by formal/informal networks, aiding the development of case specific strategies to get both parties 'over the hedge'.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Family Values: Influencers in the Development of Financial and Non-financial Dynamics in Family Firms
    (Palgrave Macmillan, 2018-09-06) Seaman, Claire; Silva, Mauricio; Bent, Richard; Dibrell, Clay; Memili, Esra
    The role of family values is considered here as one potential contributor to heterogeneity. The pursuit of profit as an end goal may be key for many family businesses, but there are well-documented cases of businesses where corporate citizenship and philanthropy are integral to the business model. Earlier work has highlighted that where one family has a predominant level of control in a business, their family values may assume greater importance and thereby be more likely to influence strategy. Within this chapter, we propose that the concentration of family values that occurs when one family has a predominant level of control within the business may be a key contributor to the development of financial and non-financial dynamics, representing one way in which strategy is developed and implemented.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Fissures in the marketing strategies of South Asian restaurants in Edinburgh
    (Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2005-05) Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard; Ingram, Arthur; Welsh, Rita; Mederos, Mederos
    This exploratory study sought to investigate South Asian restaurants in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK in order to obtain a preliminary identification of marketing gaps compromising their future profitability. The aims of the study were to expose and understand the relative importance attached by owners and managers of South Asian restaurants in Edinburgh to the different elements of the marketing mix. South Asian restaurants form a small but important sector of the restaurant in market in towns throughout the UK and are characteristically of disproportionate financial and social importance to the communities who run them. South Asian restaurants in Edinburgh, as in most towns in the UK, are run primarily by the Bangladeshi community and are under increasing pressure as the variety of restaurants operating in the sector increases. The results of the study make evident that any initiatives taken to support South Asian restaurants should include awareness-raising actions. Building awareness, which is perceived to be currently partially understood, of the importance of studying markets, customers and competitors is essential before any advice is given on how to accomplish these monitoring tasks. Equally, a fundamental priority is to encourage self-critical and proactive approaches to business, thus increasing the capacity to identify possible problems and implement correcting measures.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Succession planning in minority ethnic family enterprises
    (Inderscience Publishers, 2013) Seaman, Claire; Welsh, Rita; Bent, Richard
    The paper presents interview findings derived from a sample of small Scottish businesses. Owners comments form case studies of succession planning and describe associated decision making processes of ownership, transfer and control, inter-generational relations and kinship networks. Timing, cultural knowledge and conflict resolution are seen as keys to successful succession. The units are located in the east of Scotland and are first/second generation South Asian owned enterprises. From this exploratory work, we question whether exiting formal models of support (based upon larger firms) can assist SME owner managers in planning their succession processes, and the paper highlights a need to embed support within government policy initiatives and delivery mechanism more appropriate to the needs of smaller companies.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Family entrepreneurship culture, entrepreneurial intent, futures and foresight in Scottish Pakistani communities
    (Elsevier, 2015-11-26) Seaman, Claire; Bent, Richard; Unis, A.
    Family businesses are an important sector of the economy and the Pakistani community in Scotland has as long been associated with the creation of family businesses, the vast majority of which remain in the first generation to settle in Scotland. Their future ownership remains unclear and is a matter of some economic and social importance. The current paper reviews the literature around culture, entrepreneurial intent and aspirations within this distinct community to provide foresight on the factors likely to influence future plans. By aligning this work with current literature from the field of family business, the paper develops foresight be considering both the community and business aspects as part of a coherent whole. The future for the businesses owned and managed by the Pakistani community in Scotland is likely to be mixed, as some develop toward heritage business status whilst others fall victim to changing economic conditions. Highly varied aspirations for the next generation also play a role as some but by no means all families see the continuation of the family business as the ideal.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in Rural Entrepreneurship and Regional Development
    (2008-05) Seaman, Claire; Graham, Stuart; Bent, Richard
    Family businesses provide a critical structure for economic activity and wealth-creation worldwide, existing and flourishing across geo-political frontiers, markets, areas and legal forms of business [Poutzioris et al, 2004]. Worldwide, family businesses are the most common type of business and despite much academic debate about the precise definition of a family business, estimates of the proportion of family businesses within the economies of developed countries remain remarkably constant at around two thirds of business operations [Poutzioris et al, 2004] and around half of GDP economic activity and private employment [Shanker and Astrachan, 2006]. One constant theme throughout the literature is the relatively private nature of family businesses, which in turn tends to mean that accurate information about them is not readily available [Astrachan and Shanker, 2006]. A second constant theme is the importance of the contribution that family businesses make to economic, social, cultural and community development, whether the be in the UK [Reid and Harris, 2004], the USA [Astrachan and Shanker 2006], in the Chinese economy [Chung and Yuen, 2003; Poutzioris et al, 2004] or amongst distinct and relatively discrete minority communities [Dhaliwal and Kangis, 2008]. The combination of a sector of clear and, to some extent, measurable, importance where robust data are nonetheless difficult to establish, illustrates both the dilemma of family business research and its importance Working with the Scottish Family Business Association and the Economic Development Unit at East Lothian Council, Queen Margaret University are currently researching the impact of family business in East Lothian on local communities, businesses and regional development. Family businesses frequently play a key role in Regional Economic Development, as they tend to be based within a community and prove relatively resistant to major geographic re-location. The methodology is currently being piloted, therefore, which is based around the use of semi-structured interviews with one or more members of a family business. The impact of family business culture on knowledge transfer and the implications of the relatively informal working practices often identified within family-based SMEs will be considered, alongside effective strategies for engagement and examples from current projects. Links between current KT policy and the specific needs of family businesses will be explored as part of both local and National strategies for engagement.