This study’s purpose is to measure entrepreneurial intention in near and distant time scales using temporal construal theory and the theory of planned behavior. It examines new patterns to measure individual intentions to become an entrepreneur, which are classified into short-term entrepreneurial intention and long-term entrepreneurial intention, using a two-country study. A cross-sectional study of 447 university students in business and non-business disciplines from Pakistan and Vietnam was conducted. Structural equation modeling and the partial least squares model were used to present path modeling and multigroup analysis. The proposed model for entrepreneurial temporal intention was tested using the theory of planned behavior dimensions with the potential temporal spectrum of short-term and long-term intentions. The results indicated differences in individual entrepreneurial temporal intentions across the two lower middle-income countries. The findings depict that short-term entrepreneurial intention significantly mediates the effect between the theory of planned behavior dimensions and long-term entrepreneurial intention, and more specifically, that long-term entrepreneurial intention is higher than short-term entrepreneurial intention in both countries. In comparison, the theory of planned behavior dimensions indicated more power in Pakistan’s student sample. This paper presents a new perspective to compare differences in entrepreneurial intention with time fluctuation and thus provides support in identifying potential nascent entrepreneurs based on their psychological distance in thinking and primitive action.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make an important contribution to their country’s economy, job creation and balance of trade. The government has supported their development through service providers and has encouraged them to participate in the international market. Despite its importance and the encouragement from the government, participation in the international market is low and studies have shown that SMEs struggle to overcome barriers to internationalization. Digital technologies are tools to accelerate internationalization. This study aimed to explore the collaboration between SMEs and service providers enabled by digital interactive platforms (DIP) to accelerate internationalization. Interviews were conducted with seven participants involving two SME food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing company owners, three government agencies and two experts to gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative process through DIP to accelerate internationalization. A thematic analysis of the triadic qualitative study was utilized to understand the themes that emerged from different data sources, including in-depth interviews, observation and documentation review. Our findings show that the co-creation process was more effective through DIP and that it helps service providers create more value towards the internationalization of SMEs. In addition, the triadic approach proved that there was a more prevalent use-value among actors when using digital technology as a platform, as it helped them to expedite internationalization. The service experience by SMEs is also more impactful to a firm’s performance and enables them to follow strategic sustainability practices. We also found that the symbiotic relationship between SMEs and service providers has an important role to play in generating value for both parties.

Manuscript type: Research paper Research aims: Risks can challenge the public sector’s service delivery system and growth sustainability. While the notion of modern accountability demands some display of risk management (RM) initiatives, less attention has been given to the impact of RM practices on organisational accountability as well as the effect of performance measurement system (PMS) use on RM practices. Drawing from the resource-based view, this study attempts to investigate the predictive effect of RM practices and (PMS) use on accountability by using a mediation framework. Design/Methodology/Approach: Cross-sectional survey is applied to collect data from the top management of the Malaysian Federal Statutory Bodies (FSBs). The research framework is tested by analysing the data of 110 Malaysian FSBs through the structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM). Research findings: The result of the study demonstrates that PMS use for monitoring and PMS use for attention-focusing have a significant positive effect on RM practices. Additionally, RM practices mediate the relationship between PMS use and accountability. Theoretical contribution/Originality: This paper is among the few to assess the effect of PMS use on RM practices and to determine the mediation effect of RM practices on the relationship between PMS use and accountability. Practitioner/Policy implication: These findings provide valuable insights for authorities in the public sector on the ways to enhance public sector governance through new mechanisms of accountability such as RM practices. Research limitation/Implication: This study uses a non-probability sampling. Considering the difference in design and use of control systems among the different sectors or industries, the results may not be generalised to other populations. However, the outcome of this study suggests that RM practices do strengthen public sector accountability with the appropriate use of the PMS. Keywords: Risk Management, Performance Measurement System, Accountability, Public Sector JEL Classification: M41