infonet-economy

The main challenge of microfinance institutions and social economy firms remains their survival, and to meet this challenge, MFIs need to be compet-itive. The poor performance of MFIs is usually attributed to their decision-making and operational processes. The governance of MFIs is therefore identified as one of their main risks. Despite this, governance is still little explored in…

Despite the presence of a regional innovation system, the gross value added attributed to tourism in the Swiss region of Valais is declining. Innovation policies fostering private initi-atives and collaboration between companies, researchers, and coaching services have been reinforced recently, and policy instruments are in place to support strategic indus-tries. However, no…

Aufgrund zahlreicher Gespräche und Interviews mit Verwaltungsräten, Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern sowie dank eigener VR-Tätigkeiten stellten wir das Bedürfnis nach einem einfachen Leitfaden für die KMU Praxis für die Rekrutierung und die Zusammenarbeit mit externen Verwaltungsräten fest. Dieser Leitfaden soll eine Übersicht über zentrale Themen geben, die sich bei der Einsetzung…

The greatly improved economic fundamentals of the major emerging economies over the last decade have propelled several emerging banks into the ranks of the world’s largest. Despite their importance in the global economy, the internationalization of emerging market banks remains an understudied phenomenon. This article examines factors that may influence the internationalization…

This research aims to uncover three forms of communities of practice (CoPs), based on a set of six governance mechanisms. The focus is on the specific question of how organizations combine different governance mechanisms to balance autonomy and control in the management (steering) of CoPs. This paper is based on a study of 16 CoPs in nine multinational organizations.

This article explores knowledge search strategies of technology-based small firms (TBSFs) and the role that informal and proximate relationships play in the development of knowledge networks, through which knowledge exchange occurs. Drawing on interfirm relationship and social network theory, we contend that TBSFs participate in informal networks to exchange technology, market and…

In the current study, we contend that to enhance their competitiveness and performance, hotel properties need to develop and implement internal policies and procedures such as strategic management accounting that are consistent with their business strategies and account for changing competitive demands. We employ a sample composed of 80 hotel properties to investigate the key…

This paper analyzes optimal prevention in a situation of multiple, possibly correlated risks. We focus on probability reduction (self-protection) so that correlation becomes endogenous. If prevention concerns only one risk, introducing a second exogenous risk increases the level of prevention expenditures, even if correlation is negative. If prevention expenditures may be invested…

Marketing instructors have traditionally sought to use experiential and active learning methods in their teaching. The flipped classroom is a learner-centered innovative pedagogical approach that moves the delivery of class material outside the classroom to focus on collaborative activities during class sessions. This qualitative exploratory research aims at understanding how…