Business, Enterprise & Management
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Item Female directors, family ownership and firm performance in Jordan(Sciedu Press, 2019-11-06) Saidat, Zaid; Seaman, Claire; Silva, Mauricio; Al-Haddad, Lara; Marashdeh, ZyadThis study examines the impact of female directors on the financial performance of family and non-family Jordanian firms. A sample of 103 Jordanian public firms listed on Amman Stock Exchange for the time period 2009-2015 was selected. The study had a quantitative approach and used a panel data methodology. The data analysis was conducted using Ordinary Least Square Regression. ROA and Tobin’s Q were deployed as measurement of financial performance. The appointment of female directors does not have any significant impact on the financial performance of family firms. However, with regard to non-family firms, female directors appeared to have a negative impact on the performance of these firms. The impact of female directors on family firm performance merits further research in the context of different countries and cultures. Appointments based on qualifications and expertise is more likely to have a positive impact. Jordan is an under-researched area where the impact of female directors on the firm performance would merit further research. Differentiating between the impact of female directors on family and non-family firms would also merit further research, especially in the context of the conditions under which they are appointed.Item Extending cross-gender succession theories: Mother–son succession in family business(Emerald, 2018-12-10) Seaman, Claire; Ross, Susanne; Bent, Richard; Higgins, David; Jones, Paul; McGowan, PauricThe importance of succession in family business is well documented and there is general agreement that successful succession represents a key factor in the success or otherwise of individual businesses owned and run by families. The importance of gender in family business succession is a much more recent topic, where initial work has focussed very much on the increasing tendency for women to take on the family business as a successor. Far less research, however, considers the scenario where a female leader passes on the business, whether that takes the form of family succession, a new leader from out with the family or indeed business sale. This dearth of research is not entirely surprising: whilst female leaders in a family business context are not new, their numbers have been relatively small and often mediated through the lens of co-preneurship with a male partner. As women increasingly succeed to and found family businesses however, the gender dimension within family business succession develops and the research response forms the basis for this chapter.Item Factors contributing to familiarity degree in family firms(Inderscience, 2019-03-26) Barroso Martínez, Ascensión; Sanguino Galván, Ramón; Seaman, Claire; Bañegil Palacios, Tomás M.This research proposes a measuring instrument to determine the intensity of family engagement in meeting the defining and distinguishing criteria of family businesses. This proposed method enables the assessment of the different degrees of familiarity of a business on a continuous scale, where the extremes represent the companies with lower and higher degree of familiarity. The instrument, therefore, allows classify firms in function of its familiarity degree. The study was conducted in 180 Spanish family businesses. We have used a latent variable model (Rasch model) which has allowed us to define the familiarity degree construct from the existence or not of a set of items. This methodology also enables managers and institutions to identify the most uncertain perceived items. The article contributes to the existence of an objective characterisation when exploring the extent to which family members are involved in the family business, identifying its degree of familiarity.Item Financing decisions of migrant family businesses: The case of a Ghanaian-owned shop in Kent(Emerald, 2018-12-05) Boateng, Bernard; Silva, Mauricio; Seaman, ClaireThe analysis of new enterprise funding and the financial strategies once in operation has been usually associated to mainstream sources of finance for which there is a standard quantitative method of analysis that relies on readily available information such as interest rates, credit risk analysis, collateral and guarantees, business and sector performance metrics among others. These variables are usually considered at the detriment of other qualitative factors that are difficult to measure and adapt to the rational analysis methodologies generally used and accepted by financial markets and institutions: these include but are not limited to the influence of family ties, cultural traditions, social networks, human capital, and individual attitudes towards money management and financial institutions. Thus we can hypothesise that the influence of social and cultural elements will tend to be more nuanced when the financial decision-making process within the realm of an immigrant family business with transnational social networks and distinct financial goals. The aim of the paper is to share the preliminary findings of a study on the social and cultural factors influencing the financial decision making process of Ghanaian migrant family businesses in the UK. The overarching goal of the research project is to deepen our understanding of immigrant Ghanaian family businesses in the UK and the strategies they adopt when interacting with mainstream financial institutions and informal sources of funding to start up and manage their ventures. The data was obtained through face-to-face interviews with a Ghanaian shop owner in Kent and her observations and thoughts on the process of making financial decisions and developing their enterprise. This was analysed through the prism of Social Network theory and focused on influences such as family, cultural and social factors. The main elements identified as having perceptible yet varying effects on the business owner’s decision making included but were not limited financial decisions being influenced to family, cultural, social networks, and individual attitudes towards mainstream institutions. Significantly, ‘Family ties and Influence’ was the factor identified as having the most influence in the financial decision making process. The key finding of this initial research exercise was that ‘non-rational’ drivers of financial decision-making were skewed towards an internally generated process unrelated to commonly accepted business growth strategies. This is of course a very limited finding as the case study by definition signifies the information is insufficient to support a clear conclusion; however the next phase of the research exercise should provide deeper and richer data for analysis.Item Artisan food production, small family business and the Scottish food paradox(Emerald, 2019-05-13) Quinn, Bernie; Seaman, ClairePurpose This paper draws together three strands of work currently being carried out at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh to take an overview of food in Scotland and on-going local interventions. The provision of ‘artisan’ food, defined here as food that forms part of the established tradition of its local area, usually produced on a relatively small scale, has become prominent in Scotland in recent years and is seen by many as part of a developing food culture that begins to address the Scottish Food Paradox. Design/Methodology/Approach A review of current research that considers artisanal food production and work that researches small and family enterprises was undertaken Findings Small business support within the UK and indeed tailored support for businesses owned and managed by families is in a developmental phase at present. While there are numerous sources from which businesses can seek support, there are also acknowledged challenges for businesses in identifying the most appropriate sources of support and the opportunity cost of engaging with business support agencies remains a serious concern for many. Further, much business support prioritizes high growth businesses effectively de-prioritizing artisanal food producers. Research Limitations/Implications The development and promotion of appropriate business support systems tailored to artisanal food production is an area that would merit further development Originality/Value The value of this piece lies in its blending of two distinct areas of work, considering both the challenges faced by artisanal food producers and recent research in family and smaller enterprises.Item The relationship between corporate governance and financial performance: Evidence from Jordanian family and nonfamily firms(Emerald, 2018-12-10) Saidat, Zaid; Silva, Mauricio; Seaman, ClaireThe main objective of this article is to attempt to fill a research gap in the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and financial performance of family and nonfamily firms’ by using a sample of non-financial firms listed on Amman Stock Exchange for a period 2009 to 2015. Although, the concerns of corporate governance and firm’s ownership structure have recently attracted serious attention from scholars, policymakers, and academic institutions, a large number of empirical works found no clear link between corporate performance and corporate governance. In addition, the research into how the corporate governance has an influence on family firms, especially in emerging countries is still unclear. In particular, Jordan as an emerging market has not been the focus of previous studies, particularly with regard to corporate governance in family firms.Item Seduced into the Family Business: editorial(Emerald, 2010) Seaman, Claire; Graham, Stuart; Bent, RichardItem Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be: a micro-level examination of retail exchange(2009) Pretious, Mike; Bent, Richard; Seaman, ClaireItem 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.Item Creating Competitive Advantage in Scottish Family Businesses: Managing, Sharing and Transferring the Knowledge In(IDI International Publishers, 2009) Seaman, Claire; Graham, Stuart; Haromonina, D.