Michael Stoica

Organizational Absorptive Capacity and Responsiveness: An Empirical Investigation of Growth-Oriented SMEs

This study examines the relationship between firm absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness in the context of growth–oriented small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). By testing the different dimensions of absorptive capacity, external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination were found to be positively related to organizational responsiveness. In addition, the relationships between absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness were moderated by environmental dynamism and the SMEs’ strategic orientation. Results demonstrate that the responsiveness of growth–oriented SMEs is expected to increase if (1) they have well–developed capabilities in external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination; (2) they have a well–developed external knowledge acquisition capability and adopt a more proactive strategy, such as being a prospector; (3) they face a turbulent environment and have a well developed internal knowledge dissemination capability. Implications and future research directions are provided.

Comparing the effects of a photograph versus artistic renditions of a beach scene in a direct-response print ad for a Caribbean resort island: a mental imagery perspective.

This study compared the effects of a photograph versus two artistic renditions of a beach scene contained in a direct-response print ad for a fictional Caribbean resort island. The two impressionistic artistic renditions included a watercolour painting based on the photograph and an electronically altered version of the photograph. Results indicate that the artistic renderings of the scene were superior to the photograph in drawing attention. The photograph was found to be better for evoking greater quantity, more vivid and more affectively positive mental imagery. The photograph was also superior in generating more favourable attitudes towards the ad and the resort and stronger behavioural intent, but not better recall of the resort name. Theoretical explanations and managerial implications are offered for this pattern of results.

The relationship between innovation, knowledge, and performance in family and non-family firms: an analysis of SMEs

This study seeks to examine the relationship between innovation and knowledge in family versus non-family businesses with regard to performance. Data from 430 small and medium-sized enterprises were analyzed through hierarchical regression analysis, and innovation was found to be a significant factor in both family and non-family samples. However, knowledge in family firms was also found to be significant with innovation. Implications for theory and practice are discussed that may provide possible competitive advantage for small family firms.

New Technology Adoption, Business Strategy and Government Involvement: The Case of Mobile Commerce

SUMMARY This research focuses on understanding how business organizations are likely to adopt mobile commerce (m-commerce) technology. Mobile commerce adoption represents a complex process that draws in variables external to the firm such as the environment in which the business operates and the government involvement, as well as variables internal to the company such as its business strategy and its organizational culture. A model is formulated and several research propositions are offered. They will help understand the mobile commerce applications adoption process. Implications of this model and further research avenues are discussed.

Sustainable development in the rural US Midwest: the m-commerce solution. The wireless critical infrastructure

Economic and social sustainability represent a major problem in the rural Midwest US. In recent decades local economies lost numerous jobs and many businesses. The quality of life has eroded. The paper analyses the sustainability of the rural economy and identifies a strategy for reversing the downward economic and social spiral. The strategy, suggested by the analysis of responses to a survey administrated to over 900 businesses in rural Midwest, is to make a wireless infrastructure the key element of any plan for future development. Government involvement is essential for the success of this new strategy.

An examination of gender role portrayals in television commercials in Romania: A gender of nations approach

This study examines gender role portrayals in Romanian television commercials. Results reveal both progressive and traditional gender role portrayals for both women and men reflecting a society and economy in a state of transition toward European Union membership. The study also involves a test of the concept of gender of nations using Hofstedes Masculinity Index (MAS). Extending a methodological approach first used by Milner and Collins (1998, 2000) gender role portrayals in Romanian commercials (moderate MAS) were compared with those appearing in Japanese (high MAS) and Swedish (low MAS) commercials. The results, which are consistent with predictions based on the relative MAS scores of the three nations, are discussed along with managerial implications.

Modeling Consumer Responses to a Vignette Television Commercial Drama for a Vacation Resort

ABSTRACT This project involved the formulation and testing of a model the cognitive and affective responses to a vignette television commercial drama for a vacation resort. Results indicate that response to the commercial was affective in nature with sympathy, empathy, and attitude toward the ad mediating the influences of verisimilitude and homophily on attitude toward the brand. Results suggest that to effectively promote tourism services a commercials production value and realism must be high to produce sufficient verisimilitude. Also the behaviors and appearance of the actors chosen for the commercial should match those of the intended target audience in order to produce sufficient homophily.

Modeling Chinese Consumer Responses to a Vignette Television Commercial Drama for a Vacation Resort

ABSTRACT This study involved the formulation and testing of a model of Chinese consumers’ cognitive and affective responses to a vignette television commercial drama for a vacation resort area on the South China Sea. Results indicate that response to the commercial was cognitive in nature with perceived homophily, sympathy, beliefs and attitude toward the ad partially mediating the influence of perceived verisimilitude on attitude toward the brand. Unexpectedly, empathy did not play a mediating role. Possible reasons for this, including cultural factors, are discussed. The results also suggest that to effectively promote tourism services a commercial’s production value and realism must be high to produce sufficient verisimilitude. In addition, the behavior and appearance of the actors chosen for the commercial should match those of the intended target audience in order to produce sufficient homophily.

Family business contribution to the sustainable development in the rural US Midwest: the case of new technology adoption

Economic and social sustainability represent a major problem in the rural Midwest US. In recent decades, local economies lost numerous jobs and many businesses. The quality of life has eroded. The paper analyses the sustainability of the rural economy and identifies a strategy for reversing the downward economic and social spiral. The strategy, suggested by the analysis of responses to a survey administrated to over 900 businesses in rural Midwest, is to make a wireless infrastructure the key element of any plans for future development. Family and non-family businesses are compared from the point of view of new technology adoption.