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The purpose of this article is to identify the most effective governance configurations, including gender composition, for the creation and amplification of solidarity economy cooperative (SEC) members' income. It is known that the governance of these organizations affects their ability to provide work and income to millions of disfranchised people around the world. However, the relationship between the governance of SECs, their members' gender, and their income remains under‐investigated and under‐theorized. To bridge this gap, we employ the qualitative comparative analysis method to investigate different dimensions of the governance of 327 small Brazilian SECs. Our results indicate two governance configurations that are highly likely to lead to the production and increase of members' income. In general, our results show that the most successful SECs in this regard are those that adopt more traditional governance structures and have a prevalence of male members. Our findings also indicate that democratic aspect of SEC governance must be coupled with other governance structures in order to deliver the expected results. Our results will be of interest to both scholars and SEC leaders for better understanding and managing the connection between the governance of these organizations and their members' income generation.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between dynamic service innovation capabilities (DSICs) and startup growth in an emerging country. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a theoretical DSIC model to process data on 137 Brazilian startups, using a stepwise regression. Findings Service startup growth is related to the capability of enterprises to understand market signals, learn from customers and design a scalable, repetitive and profitable business model. Research limitations/implications Despite the innovative nature of startups, this paper found that technological and networking capacities are not a determinant of growth. Practical implications Managers should commit themselves to improve their competence in terms of understanding market signals, even when they already have a consolidated business model, products and service offerings. The findings also function as a warning about the dangers of an excessive focus on technological capabilities. Social implications Innovative startups, which achieve high growth create a disproportionate number of new jobs. Hence, by indicating the dynamic capabilities that are more conducive to firm growth, this paper contributes to society and the economy at large. Originality/value The findings challenge the myth of technological capacity and networking skills as the main sources of startup growth. This paper shows that founders and managers of service startups who want to achieve rapid growth should concentrate more effort on other skills. Marketing competence and building scalable business models – abilities that are common to successful traditional firms – are more relevant for short-term growth than technological innovation.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the configurations of working capital and customer and supplier diversification employed by successful small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a combinatory methodology to analyze how 124 Brazilian SMEs configured – before and during the pandemic – the size of their working capital and their levels of dependency on clients and suppliers.FindingsHigh levels of working capital and supplier diversification were found to be key to SMEs' ability to thrive before and during the pandemic. However, while SMEs that were growing prior to the pandemic depended on a few major customers, firms flourishing during this time have divided their sales among many clients.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on what configurations SMEs have adopted during the crisis. Qualitative studies are needed to identify how SMEs reconfigure themselves in the face of a major crisis.Practical implicationsThe results of this study indicate that SMEs hit by the pandemic should avoid retrenchment strategies. They might have better chances of success if they embrace their vulnerability and take risks to foster growth.Social implicationsThe results of the study can help SMEs respond to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, which has already caused the failure of millions of businesses worldwide.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical investigation of SMEs that are weathering the pandemic, and in this study, the authors have analyzed the three aspects of their operations, which have been struck the hardest by the crisis.