Business Commons^™

Firm Culture And Performance: Intensity's Effects And Limits., Patrick Murphy, Robert Cooke, Yvette Lopez

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.

Prior Knowledge And New Product And Service Introductions By Entrepreneurial Firms: The Mediating Role Of Technological Innovation., Patrick Murphy, Jintong Tang

Patrick J. Murphy

Most research on new product and service development by entrepreneurial firms takes an individual-level, pre-launch perspective or firm-level post-launch perspective. Our study examines two components of the new product and service introduction process: how entrepreneurs’ prior knowledge underpins (1) firm technological innovation prior to the introduction of new products and services (pre-launch) and (2) post-launch viability of those new products and services. Our findings, based on a series of analyses of data from 158 entrepreneurial firms, show that formal technological innovation fully mediates the relation between prior knowledge and the introduction of viable new products and services.

A 2x2 Conceptual Foundation For Entrepreneurial Discovery Theory., Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Theories about entrepreneurial discovery are important to entrepreneurship. However, the dominant conceptual foundation underlying such theories hinders their development. It assumes that opportunities form based on either deliberate search or serendipitous discovery. I examine this unidimensional logic and identify a gap in its informative content. Then, I reframe it into orthogonal dimensions. The multidimensional model describes the same cases as the unidimensional model but also describes what the unidimensional model cannot, including cases that are high or low on both dimensions. This extension yields a 2x2 conceptual foundation for entrepreneurial discovery theory that promotes the development and coordination of distinct …

Using Historic Mutinies To Understand Defiance In Modern Organizations., Ray Coye, Patrick Murphy, Patricia Spencer

Patrick J. Murphy

Purpose: Guided by voice and leadership theory, we articulate the underpinnings of upward defiance (competence deficiency; ignorance of concerns; structural gaps between echelons) and describe the managerial actions that help depose those underpinnings. Design / Methodology / Approach: We analyze 30 historic narrative accounts of actual mutinies. The journalistic accounts from bygone eras provide unparalleled insight into the basic dynamics of mutiny and provide novel insights into organizational defiance. Findings: Our principal findings show that the underpinnings of mutiny in organizations derive from three foundations: disconnections between authority echelons, modes of addressing member disgruntlement, and the need for management to …

The Transgenerational Family Effect On New Venture Growth Strategy., D. Pistrui, Patrick J. Murphy, A. Deprez-Sims

Patrick J. Murphy

We examine family-based resiliencies and transgenerational phenomena in family business contexts and introduce the transgenerational family effect (TFE) construct. The TFE influences long-term strategy and culture in family-based entrepreneurial ventures. We clarify the boundaries of the construct based on evidence from 414 cases in the panel study of entrepreneurial dynamics. Then, we operationalise it with two-by-two permutations of family membership and strategic tradition. Finally, we develop and assess hypotheses about venture strategic vision, growth orientation and wealth orientation. Our findings suggest that the TFE promotes vision and wealth creation across generations in family businesses

A Model Of Social Entrepreneurial Discovery., Patrick Murphy, Susan Coombes

Patrick J. Murphy

Social entrepreneurship activity continues to surge tremendously in market and economic systems around the world. Yet, social entrepreneurship theory and understanding lag far behind its practice. For instance, the nature of the entrepreneurial discovery phenomenon, a critical area of inquiry in general entrepreneurship theory, receives no attention in the specific context of social entrepreneurship. To address the gap, we conceptualize social entrepreneurial discovery based on an extension of corporate social responsibility into social entrepreneurship contexts. We develop a model that emphasizes mobilization and timing as underpinnings of social entrepreneurial discovery and offer distinct conceptual aspects and theoretic propositions instrumental to …

Entrepreneurship Theory And The Poverty Of Historicism., Patrick Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Purpose – The author applies methodological concepts from The Poverty of Historicism to contemporary research in the area of entrepreneurship. This paper aims to explain why current theoretic models do not adequately explain entrepreneurial phenomena and to present outlines of a

distinct entrepreneurship research paradigm.

Design/methodology/approach – The author examines the essay from the perspective of a historian and then summarizes its concepts. Next, the author reviews the current state of entrepreneurship research and theory and applies concepts from the essay to its contemporary

challenges. Finally, the author presents five implications.

Findings – The five implications are that entrepreneurship research …

A Model Of The Discovery, Assembly, And Viability Of Entrepreneurial Opportunities., Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.

Entrepreneurial Alertness, Technological Innovation, And New Product Development [Article Published In Chinese]., Ren Hong Zhu, Jin Tong Tang, Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Alertness is a key precondition for opportunity recognition. However, models of alertness are still immature because of theoretic ambiguity and wide differences of definitions. This paper tries to re-define the concept of alertness from a perspective of information processing in terms of accumulation, transformation, and selection of opportunity-relevant information. It raises an assumption that alertness precedes innovation, while innovation plays a role of intermediary variable to breed business development of new products and services. During the empirical studies, data is collected in the two countries with different cultural backgrounds, and the findings of the hierarchical regression analysis give support to …

Attacking The Roots: Shiraishi Garments Company And An Evolving Thicket Of Business Ethics In China., Bin Jiang, Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

This case examines management underpinnings of conducting socially purposeful business in contexts where the labor conditions and ethics are questionable. Shiraishi Garments Company was a Japanese entrepreneurial venture in the clothing industry that evolved into a highly successful multinational company. After its supply chain had extended into China, some ethical labor issues emerged. The decision point is focused squarely on the company’s CEO, who must deal with conflicting forces stemming from his personal values and professional responsibilities. In exploring the issues, the case illustrates business risks of superficial standards auditing of international operations. The case also describes how multinational firms …

Southeast Asian Culture, Human Development, And Business, Patrick Murphy, H. Lavan

Patrick J. Murphy

Competition and entrepreneurship are driving forces in the development of economic systems. They create jobs, new opportunities to generate value, and lead to the fulfillment of personal career and life goals. As such, it is important to understand the basic economic and cultural factors that influence these activities in developing economies. We undertook a series of analyses in an examination of a heterogeneous sample of economic zones in Southeast Asia. Results illustrate relations between national culture, human development, and business and growth competitiveness. Implications hold that human development and power distance are enablers of entrepreneurial activities in these cultural and …

Do Business School Professors Make Good Executive Managers?, B. Jiang, Patrick Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Despite suggestions that business school professors do not understand what actually accounts for the performance of business organizations, the evidence is anecdotal at best. We review past work, develop expectations, and provide large-scale evidence for examining the validity of such suggestions. We accessed extensive data provided by Dun & Bradstreet and procured detailed information from 765 leading public and private North American businesses. Analysis of 215 closely matched pairs showed that companies with former business school professors as executives generated significantly greater revenues per employee than counterparts with non-former professors as executives. Companies with former professors in vice-president positions had …

If The Shoe Fits: Wenzhou Aike Shoes Company, Ltd., B. Jiang, Patrick Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

This case study addresses critical aspects of the strategic management decision to be made by Wenzhou Aike Shoes Company, Ltd., a Chinese multinational shoe manufacturer. The specific focus is on Aike’s operations in Elche, Spain. Over a period of several years, upheaval stemming from a multitude of Chinese new entrants to Elche’s revered shoemaking industry reached a flashpoint. The Chinese new entrants run operations significantly differently than the local Elche businesses in terms of daily practices, production, imitation, price competition, and supply chain management. All of these aspects derive from deep cultural differences and are highlighted in the case. Several …

Dealer Trade Group: High-Tech Venturing In A Low-Tech Industry., Patrick Murphy, C. Crockett

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.

The Golden Age: Service Management On Transatlantic Ocean Liners, Patrick J. Murphy, R. W. Coye

Patrick J. Murphy

Purpose – The paper seeks to explore lessons in service delivery from an industry that no longer exists. The transatlantic passenger liner dramatizes some of the most unique challenges of service delivery. The ship itself was a delivery mechanism completely separated from support services. Customers were essentially contained for extended periods. Whereas all customers received the same core transportation service, peripheral services varied substantially by service class.

Design/methodology/approach – Description of the historical context is followed by examinations of passenger and service provider perspectives to illustrate services expected and delivered. Primary and secondary source material is used to exemplify service …

The Opportunity-Based Approach To Entrepreneurial Discovery Research, Patrick J. Murphy, M. R. Marvel

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.

Expert Capital And Perceived Legitimacy: Female-Run Entrepreneurial Venture Signaling And Performance., Patrick J. Murphy, J. Kickul, S. D. Barbosa, L. Titus

Patrick J. Murphy

Research has shown that female entrepreneurs face unique barriers to entrepreneurial success, such as procuring funding and being perceived as credible. Limited past theory has addressed how these challenges can be met effectively by female-run entrepreneurial ventures. As a result, effective strategies for female entrepreneurs to overcome them are unclear. To address the need for research in this area, the authors use signalling theory to guide an empirical study utilizing panel study data based on 711 entrepreneurial ventures (334 female-run; 377 male-run). Signals perceived by outsiders pertaining to the risk preference, legitimacy and social capital of female-run ventures are examined …

Disease Epidemics And Entrepreneurial Tipping Points: Models Of Venture Viability From Customer And Financier Perspectives., Patrick J. Murphy, T. Long

Patrick J. Murphy

Whereas discovery is fundamental to entrepreneurship, there is low understanding of how and why some discovered opportunities spread through market systems. We draw from epidemiological theories of how contagious viruses spread through human populations and propose adaptations of epidemic principles to describe venture spread patterns. We profile venture ideas via epidemiological dimensions (contact rate, market size, adoption rate, useful life). Next, we cross-reference those dimensions to entrepreneurial and financier orientation dimensions. Implications are relevant to the strategic decisions of entrepreneurs and investment decisions of financiers.

A Conceptual History Of Entrepreneurial Thought., Patrick J. Murphy, J. Liao, H. P. Welsch

Patrick J. Murphy

Purpose – To interpret and explain evolution in entrepreneurial thought, using the application of history to unify the extant and wide-ranging concepts underlying the field to detect a conceptual foundation.

Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual approach is taken, the paper undertaking a delineation of how past theory has brought about the field’s current state and an identification of some conceptual areas for future advancement.

Findings – The importance and impact of the entrepreneurship field is increasing in academic and

practical settings. A historical view on the conceptual development of entrepreneurial thought provides a lens for scholars as well as practitioners to …

Developing And Validating A Construct Of Entrepreneurial Intensity., J. Liao, Patrick Murphy, H. Welsch

Patrick J. Murphy

I n this article we define, validate, and propose a construct of entrepreneurial intensity, or the degree of entrepreneurship in firms. First, in defining the construct, we explore theoretical differences between entrepreneurial intensity and orientation in order to distinguish it. Second, we empirically validate a measure of entrepreneurial intensity using data based on a sample of 563 entrepreneurs. Third, we propose avenues for research on how entrepreneurial intensity distinguishes entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial action. Finally, we detail theoretical implications of using entrepreneurial intensity as an antecedent and outcome.

Review Of Working For A Family Business: A Non-Family Employee's Guide To Success., Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.

A Conceptual History Of Entrepreneurial Thought., Patrick J. Murphy, J. Liao, H. P. Welsch

Patrick J. Murphy

We introduce a conceptual history of knowledge expansion in the entrepreneurship field based on a logical mechanism of conjecture and refutation. Our undertaking interprets and explains the emergence, rise, re-emergence, and decline of key problem situations and theories through prehistoric, economic, and multidisciplinary movements in entrepreneurial thought.

A Logic For Entrepreneurial Discovery., Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

This dissertation employs an epistemological approach to integrate several branches of social science (i.e., economics, marketing, sociology, psychology) that have contributed to the scholarly field of entrepreneurship. The integration yielded a novel theoretic framework with empirical implications for the study of the entrepreneurial opportunity recognition phenomenon. Empirical assessment of the framework revealed support for models of knowledge-based indicators as forecasters of three different forms of opportunity recognition identified in previous research and theory (i.e., idea-first, business-first, simultaneous). Marginal support was found for the same models as forecasters of the establishment of new business ventures. Ultimately, no support was found for …

Personality And Situations In Co-Worker Preference: Similarity And Complementarity In Worker Compatibility., R. P. Tett, Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Guided by fit-oriented personality theories, we asked with whom people prefer to work, given their own and others’ personality traits and in light of trait-relevant work situations. Participants (N = 185) completed the Personality Research Form (Jackson, 1989) and rated preference for hypothetical co-workers at opposite poles of Dominance, Affiliation, Autonomy, Defendence, and Abasement in simulated job settings varying in work proximity and supervisory status. As expected, judges preferred co-workers providing opportunity for trait expression (e.g., affiliative judges preferred affiliative co-workers), especially when expecting to work together and in light of who would be in charge (e.g., low-autonomous judges preferred …

Personality And Situations In Co-Worker Preference: Similarity And Complementarity In Worker Compatibility., Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

Guided by fit-oriented personality theories, we asked with whom people prefer to work, given their own and others’ personality traits and in light of trait-relevant work situations. Participants (N = 185) completed the Personality Research Form (Jackson, 1989) and rated preference for hypothetical co-workers at opposite poles of Dominance, Affiliation, Autonomy, Defendence, and Abasement in simulated job settings varying in work proximity and supervisory status. As expected, judges preferred co-workers providing opportunity for trait expression (e.g., affiliative judges preferred affiliative co-workers), especially when expecting to work together and in light of who would be in charge (e.g., low-autonomous judges preferred …

Development And Content Validation Of A Hyperdimensional Taxonomy Of Managerial Competence., R. P. Tett, H. A. Guterman, A. Bleier, Patrick J. Murphy

Patrick J. Murphy

No abstract provided.