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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of market orientation (MO) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on business performance among small retailers. In particular, the goal is to understand and determine to what extent MO and EO influence firm performance directly, and to what extent MO and EO are connected to performance via marketing capabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The developed conceptual model is tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) using a sample of 202 small retailers. Findings – The result of the SEM model shows that both MO and EO act as a basis for improved business performance among small retailers. However, the performance impact of MO and EO is not that straightforward. Based on the research findings, it can be argued that both MO and EO require marketing capabilities to more fully unlock their value-creating potential among small retail firms. Originality/value – This study has provided new insights regarding the impact of MO and EO on business performance in the context of small retail firms. In particular, the study has contributed to the literature by demonstrating the routes through which MO and EO impact on performance.

This study aims to shed light on the market-sensing capabilities of retail entrepreneurs and the effect of these capabilities on their business performance. A conceptual model based on a literature review is presented, followed by an Internet survey of 226 K-retailers from the Finnish K-alliance. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the conceptual model and to investigate the effect of market-sensing capability on growth and profitability. The study reveals that most of the studied retail entrepreneurs have relatively well-developed market-sensing capabilities. A weak positive relationship is found to exist between market-sensing capability and company growth. However, no positive relationship is found between market-sensing capability and profitability. Factors other than market-sensing capability were not considered in the present study. However, other factors that might affect business performance in the Contemporary Management Research 220 present research context are identified and discussed. The article sensitizes practitioners to think how entrepreneurs' market-sensing capabilities should be conceptualized and developed in the retail chain context. The paper presents a novel and distinctive empirical investigation of the relationship between entrepreneurs' market-sensing capability and firm performance in the retailing context.

Purpose – In the increasingly competitive retail environment, retailers’ ability to elevate frontline employees’ customer orientation (CO) can make the difference between the success and failure of their stores. However, the question of how to enhance employee CO is a tricky one. It has been stated that employee CO is a stable work value or disposition that is consistent over time, and therefore, difficult to manage. However, one factor that might be an important driver of employee CO is the retailers’ ethical leadership behaviour. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to focus on exploring the links between retailers’ ethical leadership, frontline employee CO and frontline employee job satisfaction, job-related stress and turnover intentions. Design/methodology/approach – For the purpose of this study, the authors develop five hypotheses about the retailers’ ethical leadership, frontline employee CO and frontline employee job satisfaction, job-related stress and turnover intentions. Using structural equation modelling, the authors test the hypotheses using a sample of 208 respondents from the Finnish retail industry. Findings – As a first important contribution, the findings of the present study indicate that frontline employee perceptions of their retailer’s ethical leadership are strongly linked to employee CO. As a second contribution, our results suggest that employee CO is positively related to job satisfaction. As a third contribution, this study shows that frontline employee job satisfaction is negatively related to their turnover intentions. Originality/value – This study contributes to service management and retail marketing literature by broadening the current understanding of the links between the ethical leadership of retailers, frontline employee CO and frontline employee job satisfaction, job-related stress and turnover intentions.

Purpose -This study seeks to analyse managers' perceptions of the effectiveness of both informal and formal surveillance in reducing vandalism, disturbance, and shoplifting in their shopping centers in Finland. Design/methodology/approach -The present study utilizes elements of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) in its theoretical approach. The data are based on an internet survey in Finland conducted in February and March of 2009. The sampling frame of the present study consistes of the 58 shopping centers and especially those managers who are responsible for security and safety management investments at these centers. All together 32 managers completed the survey. Findings -This study reveales that perceived effectiveness of both formal and informal surveillance in reducing all three types of crime is high. Security guard patrols are clearly perceived to be the most effective formal surveillance method. Also, activity of personnel and premises that are easily monitored, are perceived very effective in reducing incidence of crime at the shopping centers. Research limitations/implications -Qualitative studies could reveal issues that would enable more thorough operationalization of the concepts linked the surveillance and security in shopping center context. Practical implications -The paper sensitizes managers to think where informal and formal surveillance work best in shopping centers. Originality/value -Very little empirical research has evaluated the effectiveness of surveillance at shopping centers. The present study fills this research gap.