Elin Smith

The Sport of Governance—a Study Comparing Swedish Riding Schools

Abstract Swedish riding schools can conduct their business in one of several organisational forms. Two possible forms are the private firm and the not-for-profit association. These organisational forms apply different strategies and structures. According to previous research, there should be a fit between organisations’ strategies and structures, which would stimulate performance. This might be true for the large corporations for which the theories have been developed, but this paper shows that to apply the theories to other organisational forms, it is necessary to consider the incentives given to the participants. This study has been conducted using the theory of property rights, implying rights and liabilities for participants involved in the organisational forms. Hypotheses are derived and tested on empirical data collected from Swedish riding schools. Statistical tests indicate that there is not always a fit between strategy and structure. Regardless of whether business is conducted in a private or a non-profit riding school, the strategy is more or less the same, although the way of structuring the organisations differs.

Organizational Ambidexterity at the Local Government Level: The effects of managerial focus

Abstract The aim of this article is to explore how managerial focus influences organizational ambidexterity in different organizational forms at the local government level. An entrepreneurial, leadership, or stakeholder managerial focus will each find reflection in the simultaneous pursuit of exploration and exploitation of resources, and the influence will differ with the organizational form, i.e. whether a local government administration (LGA), or a local government corporation (LGC). Hypotheses are tested on Swedish public organizations operating in the waste management and water and sewerage industries. The findings indicate that LGCs have higher levels of organizational ambidexterity, and that the determinants differ from those in LGAs.

Gender influence on firm‐level entrepreneurship through the power structure of boards

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the gender composition and structure of the board of directors in not‐for‐profit organisations and their relation to firm‐level entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through a survey sent to Swedish riding schools. The paper focuses on not‐for‐profit associations and the analysis is based on 60 respondents. The data were analysed by multivariate methods.Findings – The overall gender composition of boards had no influence on firm‐level entrepreneurship. However, a high proportion of women in powerful positions were found to have a positive influence on one of the studys two dimensions of firm‐level entrepreneurship, i.e. strategic opportunism. No influence concerning gender in powerful positions was found on risk taking, the other dimension of firm‐level entrepreneurship.Originality/value – The attention to gender composition not only focuses on the board at large, but also highlights the specific positions of the chairperson, s...

Window of entrepreneurship : explaining the influence of corporate governance mechanisms on corporate entrepreneurship in two riding schools

The concept of window of entrepreneurship is used in order to explore the relationship between corporate governance and corporate entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a propensity, which can be triggered or terminated through the influence of corporate governance mechanisms. The window of entrepreneurship expresses the temporary character of entrepreneurship, indicating that a firm can open or close the firm for entrepreneurial action. We find indications of the window of entrepreneurship in two riding schools, one governed by a private firm and one governed by an association. The mechanism of the board of directors was found to be conducive for opening the window in the two cases. The mechanism of the product market and the market for managerial labour influenced the closing of the window. Thereby it has been indicated that corporate entrepreneurship is a propensity that can be triggered and terminated.

Mechanisms of corporate governance going international : testing its performance effects in the Swedish economy, 2004

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how internationalisation of corporate governance mechanisms influences firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the ...

Entrepreneurship at the Local Government Level: Stimulating and restraining forces in the Swedish waste management industry

Abstract This article explores influential forces on public sector entrepreneurship in two different organizational forms: the local government administration and the local government corporation. In arguing for the need to consider the context of organizational form, this article presents a development beyond existing research on public entrepreneurship (PE) which so far has been conducted only to a limited extent. The inductive analysis identifies factors not previously perceived as influential on PE. These findings support the importance of distinguishing between organizational forms. Finally, the findings can be used for formulating hypotheses possible to test in larger research designs.

Stages of PPP and principal–agent conflicts: the Swedish water and sewerage sector

ABSTRACT The focus of this article is on public–private partnerships (PPPs). The aim is to both theoretically and empirically illustrate PPP agency problems in four PPP stages, as well as to identify potentially relevant solutions to the agency problems. The study employed a longitudinal case study of one PPP in a municipality in southern Sweden. Through an analysis based on interviews, observations, and documents, the study illustrates a number of agency problems faced by PPPs and highlights the importance of resource allocation, stakeholder management, and the creation of a common identity in reducing these problems.

Top management teams’ shared leadership and ambidexterity : the role of management control systems

The study explores how top management teams’ shared leadership is related to organizational ambidexterity in public-sector organizations, theoretically and empirically considering how this relationship is contingent on the management control system. Using a sample of 85 Swedish municipal housing corporations, we find that shared leadership has a positive relationship with organizational ambidexterity in public-sector organizations. Moreover, increasing use of new public management control systems, based on combined reward and performance controls, positively moderates this relationship. The study also finds that traditional public management control systems, based on combined planning and administrative controls, do not moderate the relationship between top management teams’ shared leadership and organizational ambidexterity. Accordingly, this article contributes to the public and strategic management literature, as well as to managerial practice. Points for practitioners The article suggests that sharing leadership within top management teams can result in a balanced resource allocation in municipal corporations. To be more effective in achieving this balance, public sector managers might consider emphasizing new public management-inspired management control systems and de-emphasizing those of a more traditional type.

Corporate governance and corporate entrepreneurship in different organizational forms

This Handbook provides a unique collection of research addressing issues of corporate governance in entrepreneurial contexts, including start-ups, owner-managed firms, fast-growing firms, and IPOs, as well as how corporate governance and board leadership is associated with entrepreneurship and innovation in both small and large established companies. The chapters span a wide range of topics, methodologies, and levels of analysis, all designed to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of when and how corporate governance matters in different entrepreneurial contexts.