This study examines the role of public procurement in stimulating innovation in the United States, with particular attention to small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Public procurement of innovation (PPI) is widely regarded as a demand‐side policy instrument that can generate lead markets for emerging technologies, yet its scope and structural dynamics remain underexplored in large economies. To address this gap, we analyze more than 46 million procurement contracts (2007–2021) from USAspending.gov using a text‐mining approach informed by disruptive technology keywords from Bloom et al. We find that innovation‐related contracts constitute only 0.12% of the total, with SMEs securing around 41%. Nonetheless, SMEs face persistent difficulties in winning follow‐on contracts, reflecting resource limitations. Moreover, results reveal an inverted U‐shaped relationship between competition and innovation procurement, indicating that moderate competition fosters innovation most effectively. The study contributes to theory by extending the Resource‐Based View (RBV) to public procurement, demonstrating how resource heterogeneity and immobility shape outcomes in government‐led markets. Practically, we provide policy insights to strengthen SME participation in PPI through targeted support and simplified procedures, thereby advancing both innovation policy and SME competitiveness.

Although numerous studies have explored the electric vehicles (EVs) adoption, the theory of reasoned action (TRA) is underutilized, while the role of consumer innovativeness in predicting purchase intent and behavior remains unclear. This study focuses on the interplay among attitude towards EVs, subjective norm, consumer innovativeness, purchase intention and actual behavior. A structured survey was applied in 2024 to collect data, and a sample composed of 212 respondents from the United Arab Emirates was properly balanced across various characteristics. TRA was extended using the consumer innovativeness construct, which resulted in a new hypothetical model. Once evidence was provided for both validity and reliability of the measures, the hypotheses were tested. Structural equation modelling (SEM) results show that subjective norm does not have significant direct effects on purchase intention, while the consumer innovativeness affects attitude towards EVs. While both attitude towards EVs and consumer innovativeness appear to be direct predictors of purchase intention, attitude towards EVs played a significant mediating role in a relationship between consumer innovativeness and purchase intention. The results of logistics regression revealed that purchase intention directly affects purchase behavior. The paper contributes to significant theoretical and practical implications, which are further discussed.

PurposeThis study aims to assess the extent to which the constructs of theory of planned behavior drive the social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) of the youth and provide a nuanced understanding of the role of prosocial behavior in shaping this intention.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was used to collect data with a sample size of 690 students, regarded as youth, across higher education institutions in Oman. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 and partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results of the preliminary analysis confirmed that subjective norms toward social entrepreneurship (SE) and perceived behavioral control over SE were generally regarded as factors strongly associated with SEI. However, attitude toward SE did not affect the intention of the youth differently in this measure. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between prosocial behavior and SEI. Other results and implications were discussed.Originality/valueThe proposed SEI model sheds light on the possible influence of the prosocial behavior construct on the youth’s intention to be engaged in SE. The findings may help governments, policymakers and decision makers to promote positive youth development in three domains: education, labor market and community.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the dual impact of anger on decision-making, addressing the gap in understanding its paradoxical nature in entrepreneurial contexts. Design/methodology/approach Using an integrative approach, this study synthesises insights from the appraisal theory of emotion, affect infusion model, emotional intelligence framework, broaden-and-build theory and resource-based view to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of entrepreneurial anger and its psychological foundations. Findings Anger exhibits a paradoxical duality influencing entrepreneurial decision-making and behaviour. This duality manifests across several dimensions. Cognitively, it can sharpen focus or lead to fixation; emotionally, it may energise or overwhelm; motivationally, it can spur action or provoke recklessness; volitionally, it may enhance determination or induce impulsivity; and behaviourally, it can lead to strategic assertiveness or reactive aggression. Research limitations/implications Although this theoretical examination reveals the paradoxical nature of entrepreneurial anger, future empirical studies are needed to explore its temporal evolution, cross-cultural variances and interactions with other emotional states. This research should help validate the proposed dimensions and implications of entrepreneurial anger in real-world settings. Practical implications Understanding the paradoxical nature of entrepreneurial anger is vital for entrepreneurs. recognising its dual properties allows them to mitigate the anger’s negative consequences while leveraging its potential as a strategic asset. To transform anger into a strategic asset, entrepreneurs need to augment their self-awareness, hone emotion regulation skills and cultivate deliberation-based decision-making approaches. At an organisational level, entrepreneurs should foster a culture where emotions are openly acknowledged and addressed, as well as constructively managed. This can help turn anger into an entrepreneurial performance driver. Social implications By promoting a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial anger, this research can foster healthier entrepreneurial ecosystems where emotions are acknowledged, understood and managed effectively, leading to more sustainable and harmonious entrepreneurial ventures. Originality/value This work offers a holistic conceptual analysis of entrepreneurial anger elucidating its paradoxical properties and implications.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically examine the indirect effect of big data analytics capability (BDAC) on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by considering the moderating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized a quantitative method through a survey questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested with a sample size of 202 surveys completed by SME owners. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was administered to analyze data via the SmartPLS 4.0 software.FindingsThe analysis revealed that BDAC had an indirect effect on performance through innovativeness and risk-taking. ACAP strengthened the relationship between risk-taking and performance and also enhanced the link between BDAC and performance. Interestingly, ACAP weakened the connection between innovativeness and performance.Practical implicationsFrom a practical standpoint, our study offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs in the process of implementing BDAC. The mediating roles of innovativeness and risk-taking underscore their potential as drivers of SME performance. Also, it is crucial for managers to leverage lower-order capabilities (BDAC) to build higher-order organizational capabilities (innovativeness and risk-taking) and improve performance. Finally, managers are advised to utilize ACAP to identify external opportunities that contribute to performance.Originality/valueThe current study leverages the resource-based view (RBV) to provide new insights into the significance of innovativeness and risk-taking as key drivers to harness the benefits of BDAC for improving the performance of SMEs. Moreover, this study presents evidence of the moderating role of ACAP in the above relationships.

This research delves into the dynamic shifts in human resource management strategies prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It investigates the mediating influence of information technology (IT) challenges on the connection between pandemic-induced international human resource management (IHRM) practices and the competitiveness of multinational corporations (MNCs) in Malaysia with focusing on sustainable development. Through the analysis of data collected from 172 respondents via self-administered questionnaires in Malaysian MNCs across various sectors including education, general services, ICT, property, construction, and healthcare, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to validate the proposed hypotheses. The findings highlight the substantial impact of compensation and staffing practices on technology transfer challenges within MNCs. Furthermore, the study reveals that the implementation of remote work, particularly during and post-lockdowns, is associated with elevated compensation and enhances overall company competitiveness. These outcomes offer theoretical and practical insights, furnishing human resource managers, especially in multinational corporations, with valuable guidance for maintaining competitiveness amidst the disruptions of a pandemic and promoting sustainability in HR practices. By highlighting the potential benefits of working from home in terms of both IHRM outcomes and competitiveness, the study contributes to ongoing discussions about the future of work and the role of technology-enabled practices in driving organizational success and sustainable development.

Purpose This paper aims to reveal the role of two theories that impact seniors’ entrepreneurial intentions. Both the socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) and the self-determination theory (SDT) re-shape seniors’ intentions to create entrepreneurial opportunities and activities after they retire. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses secondary data resources for developing the research concept, which might leverage seniors’ ultimate goal of creating entrepreneurial activities. A comprehensive past-paper analysis was performed. One hundred papers were initially considered for inclusion in this research. However, after a rigorous synthesisation process, 80 publications were selected for further analysis. Findings This paper presents an investigation of seniors’ entrepreneurship, with a specific emphasis on the SST and the SDT. It suggests potential models that could gauge senior entrepreneurs’ propensity to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours to support the socioeconomic advancement of society. Furthermore, this research discussed the limitations of the enlightening concepts presented to scholars and decision-makers. Originality/value The originality of this paper is illuminated by its idea of integrating two theories (the SST and the SDT), suggesting that these theories can possibly better observe senior entrepreneurs’ intentions in creating an entrepreneurial venture after they retire.

In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, organizations around the world had the opportunity to assess the benefits and drawbacks of allowing the bulk of their employees to work from home (WFH). As a result, many organizations realize that by using technology, it is possible to shift a significant percentage of their workforce to permanently function from any location without being physically present at a designated workplace. Although the economic benefits for organizations that allow WFH seem to be clear, how factors related to perceptions of employees such as their work motivation (WM) and their work-life balance (WLB) caused by blurred boundaries between work and family at home are not clearly understood. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to determine how WFH impacts WLB through the possible mediating effects of work-family conflict (WFC) and WM. A cross-sectional survey instrument was developed using Likert type measurement scales that were adopted from top-tier journals. The data was collected through convenient sampling from 249 managerial and non-managerial employees in Omani business organizations. The relationships were tested through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that WFH increases WFC and WM, while the relationship between WFH and WLB is mediated by WFC, but not by WM. The findings of this study have implications for both theory and practice.

PurposeThis paper explores how entrepreneurial culture (EC) and organizational learning (OL) determine the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of new technology-based firms (NTBFs). These NTBFs are located in Isfahan Science and Technology Town (ISTT), Iran. These entities face substantial challenges in a highly-sanctioned economy, which makes adopting, acquiring or transferring new technologies daunting.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes a sample of 200 NTBFs. The participants were trained chief executive officers and observed by applying pre-test and post-test designs. As a final step, empirical data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed accordingly. The structural equation modeling (SEM) with the partial least squares (PLS) approach was used by the SmartPLS2 software.Findings OL was found to mediate the relationship between EC and EO in the studied NTBFs. Additionally, the indirect effect of EC on EO and the direct impact of OL on EO were significant (=1.96). Therefore, this study focuses on selected NTBFs within Iran's particular and distinctive context.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has several limitations. These were the time consuming nature, the lack of cooperation by managers and the COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges. Nonetheless, the findings offer several important implications for practitioners, scholars and policymakers.Originality/valueThe paper sought to explore how EC and OL determine EO in Iranian NTBFs. It, thus, investigates the case of a highly-sanctioned context during the coronavirus pandemic, which imposed several basic and technological limitations on their practices.