The significant contributions of female entrepreneurs to both the social and economic development of their various countries have been recognized over the past two decades. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) found that between 17 and 41 percent of the female adult population set up new businesses in developing economies. However, these females owning businesses in developing economies generally exhibit limited aspirations for growth, with 84.6 percent of the female entrepreneurs indicating that they expect to add fewer than five employees in the coming five years. Moreover, most of the literature on female entrepreneurs in developing economies has focused on the business start-up phase; limited knowledge exists on the post start-up phase. This study addresses this gap by using institutional theory to investigate the development of businesses run by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Qualitative interviews were used to collect data from Nigerian female entrepreneurs. The data gathered was analysed using the thematic method. The finding reveal ways in which Nigerian female entrepreneurs transform their creative ideas into products and services that have potential for growth. Nigerian female businesses exhibit growth characteristics through the concern they have for quality and reputation, organizational design, earlier preparation for business growth, response to changes in technology and strong commitment to business success. The major factors facilitating the development of businesses run by Nigerian female entrepreneurs are membership of clubs and societies, a supportive husband, operating from home as well as their network affiliation with their relatives, friends, professionals, religious groups and NGOs. The factors inhibiting the development of businesses run by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria include poor savings culture, inappropriate business practice, lack of qualified artisan workers, lack of honest and reliable staff, balancing business and family, high-based thinking and fear of pseudo growth. The thesis contributes to the institutional theory framework through the addition of components in three key areas: funding barriers (such as female entrepreneurs in polygamous home, lack of ethical mortgage arrangements, lack of inheritance right by women and loan officers’ perception on women lifestyle), profitability (such as high import and export taxes on raw materials, high cost of transportation and illegal fees charges by government officials), and networking (such as support from NGOs and religious bodies). Methodologically, the present study adds to the growing body of qualitative research in entrepreneurship notably to our understanding of the issues that female small business owners in Nigeria face in sustaining and growing their businesses. The current study has practical implications for policy makers and female entrepreneurs. Areas for further research are also identified.

Teachers working in international schools can be understood as gearing a student’s disposition towards the ability and preparedness to handle and value differences and diversity. The process of internationalisation of education implies a process of change pertaining to the mission, vision and delivery of education. In an effort to cope with a number of challenges from within and outside of the Netherlands, a Dutch School Group in Amsterdam embarked on a process of change by adopting an international dimension to the students’ experience. Instead of these schools becoming more similar to each other, i.e. converging towards an internationalising ‘master-viewpoint’, the schools’ alignment under pressure showed a process of ‘anisomorphism’: their education’s primary function, approach, tasks, role and objectives for society were changing into different internationalising directions. However, the pragmatic expectations and actions, particularly of the parents and the students, were creating new boundaries and rationales for the schools as bargaining zones. The ‘shifting borders’ between the schools were becoming more connected with a growing international focus, yet had different pragmatic and ideological implications for each of them. The result was that these borders became permeable, a nominal erosion of differences between the ‘international’ school selectively catering for children of internationally mobile families and the other schools catering for all children in the Netherlands. ‘International schools’ became places where students were trained to engage with difference and diversity and where the students had not necessarily been crossing geographical borders. This raises the issue of the role of education in a multicultural and globalising society, as –in this case- an increase in institutional diversity within the specific Dutch national context, and an increased uncertainty about the multiple aims of education, stretched the educational as well as social boundaries which constrain the futures for which students are being prepared.

Financial Non-Governmental Organisations (FNGOs) are regulated microfinance institutions (MFIs) that operate with the social welfare logic in the delivery of Microcredit (MC) and Entrepreneurship Training (ET) to the poor in Ghana. The provision of these two capitals (MC and ET) is aimed at supporting the poor to create sustainable Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) which is aimed at generating both skilled and unskilled employment. The major aim of this study is to investigate the impact of MC and ET delivered by FNGOs on the performance of MSEs in Ghana. Theoretically, the study adopts both the Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View theory as the underlying theoretical frameworks, assuming that institutional and resource factors have a great influence on FNGOs in their delivery of MC and ET to MSEs in Ghana. The research design adopted in undertaking this study is based on the pragmatic research philosophy. Specifically, the mixed strategy with an explanatory triangulation method has been used. The mixed method has been adopted purposely for model testing as well as for exploring various issues on FNGOs and their role in the performance of MSEs. Primary data were collected through a quantitative method using a survey as well as through qualitative interviews. Adopting a stratified random sampling method, a total of 720 self-administered questionnaires were sent out in March 2017 to MSEs in the Volta Region of Ghana to collect primary data. Out of the number sent, 506 questionnaires were retrieved generating a response rate of 70.2%. Also, interviews were conducted with 10 MSEs. A multiple regression model was applied in measuring the impact of MC and ET on the performance of MSEs. The findings suggest that firm characteristics such as gender, managers educational level, industry category and business age correlate positively with employment sales and profitability growth which are statistically significant at 1% level. Secondly, the study also found that both MC and ET factors have a significant impact on MSE performance in the areas of employment, sales and profitability at 1% significant level. The qualitative findings also support the model tested in this study in the sense that the combined approach of both MC and ET have a significant impact on MSE performance in Ghana. This study has made two main contributions. Firstly, the provision of MC by FNGOs can only have the desired impact on the performance of MSEs if it is combined with entrepreneurship training, thereby leading to a sustainable employment, sales and profitability growth. Therefore, by using the 506 MSEs financed by FNGOs in the Volta region of Ghana, this study has for the first time in the Ghanaian microfinance landscape tested an empirical model and came out with meaningful findings for effective integration of ET into microfinance to improve the delivery of financial services to MSEs in Ghana by FNGOs and other socially oriented MFIs. The study has therefore developed a practical framework for ensuring that ET is provided alongside the delivery of MC in order to have the desired impact on the performance of MSEs. The study provided implications for policy and practice for making MC and ET more accessible to MSEs to achieve the desired goal of creating employment. Secondly, even though FNGOs play a very important role in providing entrepreneurial finance to MSEs particularly in developing countries, it has received insufficient research attention. This study has, therefore, added to the scanty research available about FNGOs and their contribution to entrepreneurship development and poverty reduction in developing countries.

Este estudo teve como objetivo diagnosticar e analisar características corporativas associadas à realização de múltiplas escolhas contábeis em empresas de grande porte no Brasil, um ambiente peculiar de transição contábil para o IFRS em mais de uma etapa. As características corporativas refletem incentivos econômicos, contratuais e institucionais para a realização de escolhas contábeis. Foi feito um diagnóstico das escolhas contábeis de mensuração, reconhecimento, classificação e apresentação de 75 empresas de grande porte no Brasil (companhias abertas e fechadas) durante o período de transição para o IFRS (2008-2009) e nos quatro anos subsequentes à convergência completa (2010-2013). Foram observadas as características corporativas que podem estar associadas a essas escolhas contábeis. As técnicas estatísticas análise de correspondência simples e múltipla foram usadas para detectar associações entre escolhas contábeis e características corporativas. O estudo partiu de certas hipóteses derivadas de estudos anteriores sobre escolhas contábeis e fundamentadas em três teorias principais: Teoria Contratual da Firma, Teoria Positiva da Contabilidade e Teoria Institucional. A hipótese central (tese) propõe que em ambiente de transição contábil para o IFRS em mais de uma etapa as características institucionais se associam em maior grau às escolhas contábeis de empresas de grande porte. A partir das análises desenvolvidas foi possível concluir que as características econômicas, contratuais e institucionais se associam a uma ou mais escolhas contábeis realizadas nas empresas de grande porte estudadas, durante e após a adoção do IFRS, ou seja, explicam parcialmente as escolhas contábeis em tais empresas. Adicionalmente, verificou-se que as características institucionais se associam a um maior número de escolhas contábeis realizadas nas empresas pesquisadas, isto é, têm um potencial maior para explicar a realização de escolhas contábeis, se comparadas às demais características corporativas analisadas, o que apoia a tese apresentada. Isso significa que nem sempre as escolhas contábeis efetuadas nas empresas seguiram a racionalidade econômica, e sim, refletiram mais o ambiente institucional do que as relações contratuais e econômicas estabelecidas. Possíveis explicações para esse resultado podem estar relacionadas com o nível de desenvolvimento do mercado brasileiro e com a curva de aprendizado institucional contábil. Ainda que o IFRS seja voltado especialmente para o mercado de capitais, nas empresas de grande porte analisadas as escolhas contábeis explícitas no IFRS podem ser explicadas por características econômicas e contratuais, porém de forma parcial e em menor grau, se comparadas às características institucionais, conforme previsto na hipótese central do presente estudo. Dadas as hipóteses levantadas, as escolhas contábeis podem ter sido realizadas, nas empresas pesquisadas, para atender spectos de eficiência ou mesmo por oportunismo dos gestores, porém, há evidências de que foram mais incentivadas por pressões institucionais e pela busca da legitimidade das práticas contábeis. Em linhas gerais, sugere-se que variáveis institucionais sejam incluídas em estudos futuros sobre escolhas contábeis, no Brasil e em outros países, especialmente aqueles que experimentaram um processo de mudança institucional, como o advindo da adoção do IFRS. / This study aimed to diagnose and analyze corporate characteristics associated with the performance of multiple accounting choices in large companies in Brazil, a peculiar environment of accounting transition to IFRS in more than one stage. Corporate characteristics reflect economic, contractual and institutional incentives to perform accounting choices. A diagnosis of measurement, recognition, classification and presentation accounting choices was made, of 75 large companies in Brazil (public and private companies) during the period of transition to IFRS (2008-2009) and in the following four years of the complete convergence (2010-2013). The corporate characteristics, which may be associated with these accounting choices, were observed. The statistical techniques, simple and multiple correspondence analysis, were used to detect associations between accounting choices and corporate characteristics. The study was based on certain hypothesis derived from previous studies of accounting choices and based on three main theories: Contract Theory of the Firm, Positive Accounting Theory and Institutional Theory. The central hypothesis (thesis) proposes that in accounting transition environment to IFRS in more than one stage the institutional characteristics are associated in a greater extent to the accounting choices of large companies. From the developed analysis it was concluded that the economic, contractual and institutional characteristics are associated with one or more accounting choices made in large companies studied, during and after the adoption of IFRS, i.e. partially explain the accounting choices in such companies. Additionally, it was found that institutional characteristics are associated with a greater number of accounting choices performed in search companies, i.e., have a greater potential to explain performing accounting choices, compared to other corporate characteristics analyzed, which supports presented thesis. This means that not all the accounting choices made in companies followed the economic rationality, but, reflected more the institutional environment than the contractual and economic relations established. Possible explanations for this result may be related to the level of development of the Brazilian market and the accounting institutional learning curve. Although IFRS is especially headed to the capital market, in large companies analyzed explicit accounting choices in IFRS can be explained due to economic and contractual characteristics, however partially and to a lesser extent compared to institutional characteristics, as provided in the main hypothesis of this study. Given the hypothesis made in the study, accounting choices may have been made in the surveyed companies to comply with efficiency aspects or even the opportunism of managers, however, there is evidence that they were more encouraged by institutional pressures and the search for legitimacy of accounting practices. In general, it is suggested that institutional variables are included in future studies of accounting choices in Brazil and other countries, especially those who experienced an institutional changing process, as the one with the IFRS use.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-04-08T15:10:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Caroline de Oliveira Orth.pdf: 852269 bytes, checksum: 7aff34bdbaa23ed31195e887905fef3b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-08T15:10:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Caroline de Oliveira Orth.pdf: 852269 bytes, checksum: 7aff34bdbaa23ed31195e887905fef3b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-01-31 / Nenhuma / Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar a perspectiva de institucionalização das organizações Family Offices nos Estados do Rio Grande do Sul e de Minas Gerais. A Family Office, no contexto deste trabalho, seria a organização utilizada pelas famílias empresárias com o intuito de, entre outras finalidades, preservar o patrimônio familiar. Mediante a revisão da literatura, identificou-se que o tema ainda é pouco explorado academicamente, justificando um estudo de caráter exploratório. À luz da Teoria Institucional, tanto pelo viés econômico (preservação da propriedade) quanto pelo viés social (busca pela legitimação - isomorfismo), foi realizada a análise de conteúdo de 22 entrevistas efetuadas com pessoas relacionadas a 13 organizações Family Offices distintas, dois executivos de empresa familiar e um private banker, o que possibilitou identificar que as organizações Family Offices são de dois tipos: organizações Single Family Offices e organizações Multi Family Offices. As organizações Family Offices possuem estágios de desenvolvimento distintos e, geralmente, estão vinculadas à governança familiar. As regras de governança são estabelecidas mediante dois mecanismos: protocolo de família e conselho de família, e, em algumas situações, as organizações Family Offices confundem-se com esses mecanismos. Além disso, as famílias buscam formalizar valores que devem nortear a conduta de seus membros tanto nas relações internas quanto nas externas. As organizações Family Offices não precisam necessariamente possuir uma estrutura jurídica, exceto nos casos em que prestam serviços financeiros. Nesta situação, além de observarem as regras estabelecidas pelo protocolo de família, também estão sujeitas à regulamentação específica imposta pelo Estado. Esta regulamentação, embora incipiente, seria um fator característico do isomorfismo coercitivo. Contudo, a busca pela legitimação decorre da utilização de consultoria especializada, fator característico do isomorfismo normativo, ou pela troca de experiências com outras famílias empresárias, fator característico do isomorfismo mimético. / This study aimed to identify the institutionalization of organizations Family Offices in Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais. The Family Office, in the context of this thesis, would be the organization used by entrepreneurs’ families in order to, among other purposes, to preserve the family estate. Through literature review it was identified that the issue is still little explored academically, justifying an exploratory study. From the prospective of the Institutional Theory, both by economic bias, (property preservation) and the social bias (search for legitimacy - isomorphism) it was performed a content analysis of 22 interviews conducted with people related to 13 different organizations Family Offices, two executives of a family company and a private banker, which became possible to identify that organizations Family Offices are of two types: organizations Single Family Offices and organizations Multi Family Offices. The organizations Family Offices have distinct development stages and are usually linked with the family governance. The governance rules are established through two mechanisms: family protocol and family council, and in some situations, the organizations Family Offices are mixed with these mechanisms. Additionally, families seek to formalize values that should guide the conduct of its members both in internal and external relationships. The organizations Family Offices do not necessarily have a legal structure, except in cases where they provide financial services. In this situation, in addition to observing the rules established by the family protocol, are also subject to specific regulations imposed by the state. These regulations, despite incipient, would be a characteristic factor of coercive isomorphism. However, the search for legitimacy occurs from the use of specialized consultant, a characteristic factor of normative isomorphism or by exchanging experiences with other entrepreneurs’ families, a characteristic factor of mimetic isomorphism.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-06-17T14:21:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Kurtz Pasini_.pdf: 1750334 bytes, checksum: fc258faf85e2c4b9fde98d5203a49295 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-17T14:21:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adriana Kurtz Pasini_.pdf: 1750334 bytes, checksum: fc258faf85e2c4b9fde98d5203a49295 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-20 / Nenhuma / Este estudo analisou o impacto das IFRS no reconhecimento e mensuração do goodwill, representado em aquisições, fusões e incorporações de empresas, sob a perspectiva da teoria institucional. Para isso, elaborou-se o índice do goodwill de 90 empresas brasileiras de diversos segmentos, listados na CVM, observando se os mesmos registraram diferenças significativas, considerando as mudanças ocorridas nos quatros anos antes e nos quatros anos após adoção das IFRS. Para avaliar as diferenças de médias identificadas nos índices do goodwill, utilizou-se o teste Anova – Fator único e o Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados revelaram que a adoção das IFRS impactou no índice do goodwill das empresas, havendo diferenças significativas entre os valores desse índice, reconhecido e mensurado antes e posterior a adoção das IFRS para as empresas, não financeiras, brasileiras de capital aberto. Insere-se, assim, a mudança institucional que decorre da IAS 38, normatizando o tratamento contábil dos ativos intangíveis, quer no contexto internacional, quer, especificamente, no cenário brasileiro. Também o resultado revelou que, se existem diferenças significativas no índice entre o goodwill reconhecido e mensurado nas empresas com classificação de governança distinta, não houve influência significativa. / This study examined the impact of IFRS on the recognition and measurement of goodwill, represented in acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions of companies, from the perspective of institutional theory. For this, we elaborated the goodwill index 90 Brazilian companies from various sectors, listed in the CVM, noting whether they reported significant differences, considering the changes in the four years before and four years after adoption of IFRS. To evaluate the mean differences identified in the goodwill of the indices, we used ANOVA - single factor and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results revealed that the adoption of IFRS impact on goodwill index of companies, with significant differences between the values of this index, recognized and measured before and after the adoption of IFRS for companies, non-financial, Brazilian publicly traded. Falls, so institutional change which arises from IAS 38, regulating the accounting treatment of intangible assets, whether in the international context, or, specifically, in the Brazilian scenario. Also the result showed that if there are significant differences in the index between the goodwill recognized and measured in companies with distinct governance rating, no significant influence.

O mercado de transporte individual de passageiros (TIP), como o conhecemos hoje, feito por taxistas, existe há mais de cem anos ao redor do mundo. Desde a invenção do taxímetro no início do século passado, quando o nome "taxi" apareceu pela primeira vez, esta indústria sofreu modificações como regulamentações, redução no número de frotas e criação de associações de rádio táxi. Aqueles que tentaram competir diretamente com motoristas de táxi foram eliminados do mercado. Com a recente proliferação de smartphones e aplicativos de celular, novas empresas estão entrando neste setor, trazendo grandes mudanças para esse mercado. O presente estudo tem como objetivo compreender como ocorreu essa transformação de mercado no período de abril de 2012 a abril de 2017, através de um estudo multimétodo, envolvendo dados qualitativos e quantitativos. As seguintes técnicas de coleta de dados foram utilizadas entre 2016 e 2017 em duas cidades brasileiras – São Paulo e Porto Alegre: (1) Observação participante em uma audiência pública, (2) entrevistas em profundidade e (3) coleta de artigos de jornal. Além disso, teve-se acesso (4) a gravações e transcrições das audiências públicas realizadas em São Paulo; e (5) uma palestra do gerente geral da empresa Uber no Brasil. Este estudo contribui para as teorias sobre a evolução do mercado através da detecção de três fases distintas de transformação do mercado: Preparação de Mercado, Abertura de Mercado e Expansão de Mercado. A primeira fase ainda não foi abordada pela literatura e pode ser caracterizada como uma fase de melhorias no mercado, onde empresas facilitadoras começam a atuar usando novas tecnologias e são apresentadas pela mídia aos usuários. A segunda fase é marcada pela entrada de uma empresa concorrente inovadora no setor e por discussões sobre clandestinidade e regulamentação. Nesta fase, surgem conflitos entre os tradicionais prestadores do serviço no setor e os novos entrantes. Esses conflitos podem envolver violência física. Já na terceira fase, o tema regulamentação, em menor grau, permanece em evidência e surgem novos concorrentes diretos, expandindo o mercado. Além dessas três fases, este estudo explica a trajetória de mudança radical do mercado, os gatilhos que permitem a evolução de uma fase para outra e os papéis dos vários stakeholders envolvidos nesta transformação. Foram encontrados seis tipos de gatilhos que, combinados, contribuíram para a evolução desse mercado: fatores tecnológicos, sociais, políticos, econômicos, demanda do mercado não atendida e força da marca. / For more than a hundred years, taxi drivers have comprised the market for individual passenger transport (IPT) around the world. Since the invention of the taximeter at the beginning of the last century, when the name “taxi” first appeared, this industry underwent modifications such as regulations, fleet reduction, and creation of radio taxis associations. Those who tried to compete direct with taxi drivers were eliminated from the market. With the recent proliferation of smartphones and mobile applications, new companies are entering this sector, bringing great changes to this market. This study attempts to understand this market transformation. A multi-method research, involving qualitative and quantitative data, was undertaken to understand how the transformation of the individual passenger transport market occurred in the period from April 2012 to April 2017. The following data collection techniques were used between 2016 and 2017 in two Brazilian cities – São Paulo and Porto Alegre: (1) Participant observation at a public hearing, (2) in-depth interviews, and (3) collection of newspaper articles. In addition, the researcher had access (4) to recordings and transcripts of public hearings held in São Paulo; and (5) a lecture by the general manager of Uber in Brazil. This study contributes to theories on market evolution by detecting three distinct phases of market transformation: Market Preparedness, Conflicting Market Openness, and Market Expansion. The first phase was not address by the literature and can be characterized as a phase where facilitating companies begin to act using new technologies and are presented by the media to users. The second phase is characterized by the entry of an innovative competitor in the sector and by discussions about clandestine and regulation. At this stage, there are conflicts between traditional service providers in the sector and new entrants. These conflicts may involve physical violence. Already in the third phase, the regulatory issue, to a lesser degree, remains in evidence and new direct competitors appear, expanding the market. Besides these three phases, this study explains the path of radical market change, the triggers that allow the evolution from one phase to another and the roles of the various stakeholders involved in this transformation. Six types of triggers were found that combined contributed to the evolution of this market: technological, social, political, economic factors, unmet market demand and brand strength.

The rapid development of information and telecommunication technologies (ICTs) in the 21st century has changed society at all levels: individual, group, company and government. As a result, there has been a significant rise in the availability of ICTs and related technologies around the globe, including in developing countries. ICTs include internet infrastructure such as the use of mobile devices, the internet connection and the affiliated platforms of online social networks (OSNs). The provision of online products and services by the government is known as electronic e-government. From a theoretical literature review it was found that research emphasising the use of OSNs in e-government and OSNs in Oman was scarce. Further, studies investigating and explaining the use of OSNs in the public sector and government were few. This motivated the researcher to explore and understand this issue, leading to the formation of the aim of this research: To explore and understand the use of e-government/OSNs in a public sector organisation in a developing country, in this case, government organisations in Oman. To achieve this, a comprehensive and detailed literature review of e-government/OSN research in developed, developing and Gulf countries was completed. Additionally, related theories on ICT diffusion and adoption, institutional theory and culture theory were used as a lens through which a better understanding of e-government/OSNs would be provided and to develop the initial conceptual framework that was then applied in practice. To acquire the data for this research a qualitative research approach involving the use of a case study was employed. The data collection techniques used included observations, interviews and a review of related archival documents. A total of 44 people were interviewed and an additional 37 participants assisted with the observational part of this study. The research results revealed that government organisations adopted OSNs to explore the use of the technology and to cope with the increasing public demands of government. The study revealed many benefits for government organisations after OSNs were adopted, including greater public interaction and participation, increased information transparency, better understanding and increased public awareness of government services, leading to better work efficiency and effectiveness. Further, public interaction and participation was noted to be important for the government as it helped government employees be more responsible and accountable for their work actions. Additionally, due to the application of OSNs, organisational and national cultural changes were identified that led to government work process and procedures being amended such that there was more public participation and interaction. This led to an influence of government policies and decision-making with regards to public services. After the applied part of this study, the initial conceptual framework was revised to reflect the practical aspects of this research. The contributions of this study are: for e-government research, it will add to the increasing body of knowledge in this area. For Omani theoretical literature, it will widen the boundaries of knowledge and OSN use, particularly for the Omani government and other governments in developing countries that seek to use e-government solutions. In countries where cultural aspects are important, this study can provide insights that may not have been considered before. Further, this study has shown that understanding organisational changes and the cultural contexts with respect to e-government and OSN use is important; therefore, more knowledge in this area can be provided by this study. For policymakers, the contribution of this research is the provision of an understanding of a wide range of issues surrounding the adoption of new technologies. In turn, this can assist policymakers with policy-formation such that their institutional purposes and roles can be fulfilled. This study contributes to private sector organisations including internet and OSN providers by explaining and illustrating the benefits of using OSNs in a developing country with an autocratic regime that seeks to provide citizen benefits.

The purpose of this research was to examine how social issues are perceived and addressed in the food and drink sector, focusing on the narrower context of Nigerian purchasing practices, identifying the drivers, and barriers to the adoption of socially responsible purchasing (SRP) in the organisational supply chains. This research is underpinned by the stakeholder and institutional theories with the use of Carroll's CSR pyramid to explain the perceptions of stakeholders and the level at which each of the practices is in the pyramid. An in-depth study was conducted in multinational and indigenous food and drink organisations in Nigeria. Data was gathered from practitioners comprising of employees, managers, and executives by means of questionnaires and semi-structured face-to-face interviews to triangulate data sources. Drawing on the data collected, respondents' perspective of the meaning of socially responsible purchasing provided new insights into the phenomenon with various meanings and contestations. The findings suggest that socially responsible purchasing practices have a moderate positive influence on the organisations' supply chains within an unstable economic environment. Some of the practices were perceived to be voluntary and having an ethical underpinning while others were related to legal responsibilities. The findings suggest that the moderate influence is due to internal and external factors within the institutional environment. This research context was restricted to private organisations in the food and drink sector in Nigeria which might limit the generalisation of the findings. However, the findings may be transferable to other sectors of the economy where socially responsible purchasing issues are addressed in the supply chains. In practice, SRP is perceived to be an important element of CSR and supply chains despite the barriers to its implementation. The practices should be properly implemented to help in the sustenance of organisational supply chains. This research will be insightful for other industrial sectors as well as developing economies in Africa. The findings advance the stakeholder and institutional theories by providing an in-depth perception of various stakeholders and SRP practices within the institutional environment of organisations' supply chains. The research has contributed to enriching the literature on CSR and supply chains sustainability in Nigeria which has a relative shortage of literature on CSR and supply chain.

This thesis investigates why accountancy graduates are not preferred by large accountancy firms. This investigation is underpinned by two key factors sought by large accountancy recruiters: the ability of trainees to pass professional examinations (paper 1) and the development of non-technical skills by prospective trainees at the recruitment stage (paper 2 and paper 3). Paper 1 investigates the factors influencing the performance of Big 4 trainees in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland’s (ICAS) Test of Professional Skill Examinations with the key finding being that there is no significant difference in performance between accounting and non-accounting graduates. Through a questionnaire to Big 4 trainees, paper 2 finds that non-accounting graduates perceive their development of intellectual skills at university significantly higher than accounting graduates although accounting graduates perceive their development of team working skills superior to non-accounting graduates. These findings are explored further through interviews with 11 Scottish academics who have oversight of accountancy degrees. The interviewees identify that they needed to prioritise which non-technical skills to develop due to limited space available after satisfying the normative pressure of accreditation. In the remaining unaccredited space, interviewees revealed a priority for interpersonal and communication skills which may detract from intellectual skill development. Paper 3 expands on the interviews from paper 2 to establish the existence of economic and education logic in Scottish undergraduate accountancy education and investigates how the balance of these impacts on course content decisions made by Scottish accountancy degree providers. Accreditation, a carrier of economic logic, is identified as the key driver of course content. In addition, Paper 3 identifies and explores a number of institutional conflicts between accreditation and carriers of education logic, along with coping strategies employed in relation to these conflicts.