Leader commitment: owner’s motivations for involvement in their small business

Management Decision, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 16, 2025

Purpose This study explores the motivations and decision-making processes of small business leaders engaging in societal commitment, using sensemaking theory as a conceptual framework. While existing research has extensively examined corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, role individual decision-makers initiating structuring these engagements remains underexplored. addresses this gap by investigating how interpret, construct meaning, integrate their personal values into company’s strategy. Design/methodology/approach Adopting qualitative approach, draws on semi-structured interviews shadowing conducted with 22 leaders, capturing perceptions, motivations, strategic underlying commitment. The findings highlight that alignment between objectives is critical shaping authentic impactful engagement. Leaders do not engage causes solely for economic or benefits, such market differentiation consumer expectations, but also part deeply retrospective process integrates identity, past experiences, collective within organizations. From managerial perspective, provides practical guidance seeking to design genuine sustainable commitments businesses. Findings contributes demonstrating process’s structure decisions engagement, bridging identity construction organizational outcomes. challenge traditional perspectives activism showing commitment can be visible, discreet, even hidden, depending perceived risks, legitimacy concerns, stakeholder dynamics. Research limitations/implications Given exploratory nature our study, it presents certain inherent limitations, which turn open up avenues future research. First, while methodology adopted an in-depth understanding does allow comprehensive assessment evolution dynamics from temporal perspective. Accordingly, current longitudinal aimed at analyzing executives’ engagement over several years. work will deepen relationship committed practices, particular focus resilience face adversity strategies implemented manage dilemmas responsibility. Second, issue generalizing results represents another limitation work. sample, relevant analysis, limited executives currently position, without considering decision-makers, namely students management entrepreneurship. However, academic training plays fundamental practices (Lobre-Lebraty Heimann, 2024; Ratten Jones, 2021; Secundo et al. , 2019). A promising avenue would thus examine perceive issues vision. could specifically analyze impact education (Wyness 2015) behaviors regarding Likewise, observing young entrepreneurs early stages ventures help identify whether embedded initial decisions, well its influence (Di Prima 2023). In sum, aims provide dynamic perspective leadership Practical implications Most risk factor. As founders initiators commitments, history often heightened perception. lead them adopt discreet approach maintain level confidentiality around actions. they must navigate inaction, limit initiatives, excessive discretion, may hinder mobilization reduce reach commitments. too-cautious driven fear controversy financial consequences, weaken effectiveness actions organization. To maximize actively stakeholders definition implementation initiatives. By co-constructing employees, customers, suppliers, foster ownership, ensuring longevity extends beyond include audiences, potential customers evolving teams, contributing embedding Finally, creates bridge company. develops connects essential anchoring lasting meaningful way. Social terms theoretical implications, enrich Weick’s dimension complement concept “parliament selves”. Historically, Weick evokes idea multiple aspects facets person who coexist have different opinions desires, like parliament members. We develop integrating classifying dimensions: self relation ideology (1), other real supposed (2), individual-organizational dialectic (3). Our reinforces there are internal discussions torn desire achievable desire, ideal confrontation reality market. (1) allows giving elements perception meaning values, what say want transmit through organization give reading results. These read under prism. Originality/value originality lies fact explains greater depth notion made. way, managers wishing take able understand done gives

Language: Английский

How Startups Can Decode Shifting Consumer Preferences in the Digital Era: Leveraging Behavioral Insights for Agile Business Model Innovation

Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 24, 2025

Language: Английский