Determinants of Entrepreneurial Risk among Young Emiratis
, Mouawiya Alawad 2, Aleciane da Silva Moreira Ferreira 3, Jorge López Puga 4 and Ana MarÃa Ruiz-Ruano GarcÃa 5Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. Need to improve introduction section of the manuscript by incorporating significance/importance of study.
2. Please highlight possible knowledge gap in introduction section.
3. Need to improve/enhance literature review section and add support hypotheses with latest citations.
4. Please justify how Theory of planned behaviour ( TPB) is aligned with your study frame work.
5. Please add research framework in manuscript.
6. please cite following relevant studies in manuscript
a. Abbas, J., Raza, S., Nurunnabi, M., Minai, M. S., & Bano, S. (2019). The impact of entrepreneurial business networks on firms’ performance through a mediating role of dynamic capabilities. Sustainability, 11(11), 3006.
b. Hussain, I., Nazir, M., Hashmi, S. B., Shaheen, I., Akram, S., Waseem, M. A., & Arshad, A. (2021). Linking green and sustainable entrepreneurial intentions and social networking sites; the mediating role of self-efficacy and risk propensity. Sustainability, 13(13), 7050.
7. Need to improve academic writing
Author Response
Reviewer 1:
- Need to improve introduction section of the manuscript by incorporating significance/importance of study.
- Please highlight possible knowledge gap in introduction section.
- Need to improve/enhance literature review section and add support hypotheses with latest citations.
- Please justify how Theory of planned behaviour ( TPB) is aligned with your study frame work.
- please cite following relevant studies in manuscript
- Abbas, J., Raza, S., Nurunnabi, M., Minai, M. S., & Bano, S. (2019). The impact of entrepreneurial business networks on firms’ performance through a mediating role of dynamic capabilities. Sustainability, 11(11), 3006.
- Hussain, I., Nazir, M., Hashmi, S. B., Shaheen, I., Akram, S., Waseem, M. A., & Arshad, A. (2021). Linking green and sustainable entrepreneurial intentions and social networking sites; the mediating role of self-efficacy and risk propensity. Sustainability, 13(13), 7050.
Answer: We added sections to the introduction to talk about the importance of the study, knowledge gap, and support hypotheses with latest citations.
We also considered the articles suggested by the reviewers, we thank you them for this suggestion.
As indicated by Abbas et al. (2019), the formation of a business network provides the construction of business relationships, identification and development of opportunities, information sharing, and a search for potential business partners. The authors have identified that the entrepreneurial business network has a significant positive relationship with dynamic capabilities, which in turn has a positive relationship with sustainable small business performance. Another study by Hussain et al. (2021) confirms the importance of these networks as promoters of business sustainability, as well as the intention to undertake.
- 7. Need to improve academic writing:
Answer: The paper was read and edited by a professional from MDPI (certificate available).
- Please add research framework in manuscript.
We added a section entitled Econometric Model along with the below conceptual framework as advised.
2.3. Conceptual Framework
Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework for our study based on the literature review cited above. This study investigates possible relationships between fear of failure, risk aversion, and entrepreneurial intention. It also explores the impact of the country's support and the variables that precede behavioral intention, such as self-efficacy.
Figure 1. The proposed Conceptual Framework of the study
(Kindly see attached answers of the paper itself for the figure)
2.4 Econometric Models
We rely on both the Ordered Probit Model and Structural Equation Modeling in our analysis. The use of Ordered Probit Regression is due to the categorical nature of the dependent variable, which is ordered, and its actual values reflect a ranking. In this case, the variables in the analysis would have different coefficients for every level of the ordered variable. In other methods—for example, multinomial logistics—the information contained in the ordering is lost.
As for SEM, it is superior to the traditional path analysis methods, which assume that all variables are estimated without errors. SEM accounts for measurement errors when estimating linear relationships. It is also more powerful than the classical OLS as it allows us to investigate causal mechanisms with direct and indirect effects; furthermore, it allows us to incorporate our assumptions about variables’ links directly into the model.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
please revise English from some expert that shows significant of your quality research.
Author Response
Reviewer 2:
please revise English from some expert that shows significant of your quality research.
Answer: The paper was read and edited by a professional from MDPI (certificate available)
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Thank you for giving me the opportunit to read the paper. Nevertheless, the paper needs some significant and major changes in order to justify publication.
First the Literature Review section is limited and needs to be expanded a lot. More papers need to be taken into consideration, such as:
“Cash Holdings, Corporate Performance and Viability of Greek SME: Implications for Stakeholder Relationship Management”. EuroMed Journal of Business
"A values framework for measuring the influence of ethics and motivation regarding the performance of employees. Business & Entrepreneurship Journal
"Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Marketing Strategy: Exploring the Consumer “Attitude–Behavioural-Intention” Gap in the Sport Sponsorship Context”, chapter in book: Ratten V. (eds) Entrepreneurial Innovation. Studies on Entrepreneurship, Structural Change and Industrial Dynamics. Springer, Singapore.
“Empowerment and performance in SMEs: Examining the effect of employees' ethical values and emotional intelligence”, chapter in book: A Guide to Planning and Managing Open Innovative Ecosystems, Emerald Publishing Limited, ISBN 9781789734102
It would add to the depth of Methodological overview if the authors also clearly articulate the following:
(a) advantages/benefits of their chosen statistical analysis methodology, and a clear reason for their particular application;
(b) Briefly mention the different scales used, if any
(c) Some better distinction between methodology and results is not necessary, but would be welcome.
Another desirable area which I liked particularly is the detailing on the sample size. The approach to the authors' choice of sample size and anticipated effect should be articulated prior to completion of the survey instrument, and before its circulation.
For network SEM path analysis methodologies, Westland, JC (2010 provides formulas, as well as a history of rules of thumb, such as the five indicators per latent variable of Bentler (1989) and Bollen (1989).
These are available online through Daniel Soper's A-priori Sample Size Calculator for Structural Equation Models at https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danielsoper.com%2Fstatcalc%2Fcalculator.aspx%3Fid%3D89&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23aadf7f36cf42eb6a1808d858d6501c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637357024770787548&sdata=Fzmo9VpDWC73adKl8ljZCTiFNE69ljrQaVHRhlGVp5E%3D&reserved=0
Sample Size: The sample design needs to be clearly articulated, with an objective of assuring that the sample analyzed represents the population as a whole. This typically involves a random sample from the entire population, without replacement; but other approaches can be used, but should be discussed and justified in the research.
Author Response
Reviewer 3:
- First the Literature Review section is limited and needs to be expanded a lot. More papers need to be taken into consideration, such as:
“Cash Holdings, Corporate Performance and Viability of Greek SME: Implications for Stakeholder Relationship Management”. EuroMed Journal of Business
"A values framework for measuring the influence of ethics and motivation regarding the performance of employees. Business & Entrepreneurship Journal
"Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Marketing Strategy: Exploring the Consumer “Attitude–Behavioural-Intention” Gap in the Sport Sponsorship Context”, chapter in book: Ratten V. (eds) Entrepreneurial Innovation. Studies on Entrepreneurship, Structural Change and Industrial Dynamics. Springer, Singapore.
“Empowerment and performance in SMEs: Examining the effect of employees' ethical values and emotional intelligence”, chapter in book: A Guide to Planning and Managing Open Innovative Ecosystems, Emerald Publishing Limited, ISBN 9781789734102
Answer:
We added sections to the introduction to talk about the importance of the study, knowledge gap, and support hypotheses with latest citations, we also took into consideration some of the suggested reading by the reviewer such as:
- Konstantinos, K., Lazaros, N., Panagiotis, D., Ratten, V. (2022). Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Marketing Strategy: Exploring the Consumer “Attitude–Behavioural Intention” Gap in the Sport Sponsorship Context. In: Ratten, V. (eds) Entrepreneurial Innovation. Studies on Entrepreneurship, Structural Change and Industrial Dynamics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4795-6_5
- Konstantinos, K., Panagiotis, D., Kriemadis, A., Douvis, J., Papaloukas, M.and Ratten, V. (2020), "Empowerment and Performance in SMEs: Examining the Effect of Employees’ Ethical Values and Emotional Intelligence", Leitão, J., Ratten, V. and Barroca, J. (Ed.) A Guide to Planning and Managing Open Innovative Ecosystems, Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 83-98.
- It would add to the depth of Methodological overview if the authors also clearly articulate the following:
(a) advantages/benefits of their chosen statistical analysis methodology, and a clear reason for their particular application;
Answer: We added a section entitled Econometric Model along with the below conceptual framework as advised.
2.3. Conceptual Framework
Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework for our study based on the literature review cited above. This study investigates possible relationships between fear of failure, risk aversion, and entrepreneurial intention. It also explores the impact of the country's support and the variables that precede behavioral intention, such as self-efficacy.
Figure 1. The proposed Conceptual Framework of the study
(Kindly see attached answers or the paper itself for the figure)
2.4 Econometric Models
We rely on both the Ordered Probit Model and Structural Equation Modeling in our analysis. The use of Ordered Probit Regression is due to the categorical nature of the dependent variable, which is ordered, and its actual values reflect a ranking. In this case, the variables in the analysis would have different coefficients for every level of the ordered variable. In other methods—for example, multinomial logistics—the information contained in the ordering is lost.
As for SEM, it is superior to the traditional path analysis methods, which assume that all variables are estimated without errors. SEM accounts for measurement errors when estimating linear relationships. It is also more powerful than the classical OLS as it allows us to investigate causal mechanisms with direct and indirect effects; furthermore, it allows us to incorporate our assumptions about variables’ links directly into the model.
(b) Briefly mention the different scales used, if any?
Answer: We updated the Instruments section by adding details and the scale used. We also added an appendix with all variables/questions details.
Instrument:
A survey was used to collect the data. It collected first the respondent’s demographic information, such as age, gender, high school type, years of education and experience, parents' entrepreneurial background, residence, and field of study. Then, it asked questions about their understanding of entrepreneurship and their entrepreneurial background. Moreover, the survey had several questions to assess the entrepreneurial intention and the risk aversion attitudes among the students and also evaluated students’ perceptions of the external factors that affect entrepreneurship. The survey included questions about the entrepreneurial environment in the UAE and within the university itself, entrepreneurial opportunities, and the limitations of starting a new business in the country. In each question, students were able to choose their answers on a Likert scale of 1 to 5, with 5 denoting “strongly agree” and 1 denoting “strongly disagree” (see Appendix I).
We used the scales from (Ruiz-Ruano and Puga 2019; Moriano et al. 2012; Luiz and Mariotti 2011; Abualbasal and Badran 2019; Al-Mohammad 2010; Moriano et al. 2008). We reformulated, added, and rephrased some of the items to suit our population.
The survey was translated into Arabic by a professional translator, and the content §validity was ensured by experts in the field. The measure of internal consistency and reliability of the Arabic version of the survey on Cronbach’s scale was .98, based on a pilot study of 10 students who were not included among the final surveyed individuals.
(c) Some better distinction between methodology and results is not necessary, but would be welcome.
Answer: We have now two separate sections one about the methodology that sample size computations was added two and results as a separate section.
- Another desirable area which I liked particularly is the detailing on the sample size. The approach to the authors' choice of sample size and anticipated effect should be articulated prior to completion of the survey instrument, and before its circulation.
For network SEM path analysis methodologies, Westland, JC (2010 provides formulas, as well as a history of rules of thumb, such as the five indicators per latent variable of Bentler (1989) and Bollen (1989). These are available online through Daniel Soper's A-priori Sample Size Calculator for Structural Equation Models at
https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.danielsoper.com%2Fstatcalc%2Fcalculator.aspx%3Fid%3D89&data=02%7C01%7C%7C23aadf7f36cf42eb6a1808d858d6501c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637357024770787548&sdata=Fzmo9VpDWC73adKl8ljZCTiFNE69ljrQaVHRhlGVp5E%3D&reserved=0
Answer:
For the computation of a-priori sample sizes for structural equation models we used the number of observed (6) and latent variables in the model (1), the anticipated effect size (0.1), and the desired probability (0.1) and statistical power levels (0.80). We obtained both the minimum sample size required to detect the specified effect (87), and the minimum sample size required given the structural complexity of the model which was 200.
For a statistical power level of 0.95, the minimum sample size required to detect the specified effect was 200, and the minimum sample size required given the structural complexity of the model which was 328. Therefore, we added the below statement: This sample size permitted the minimum sample size of 200 for the effect size and for the structural complexity of the models (Soper 2022; Westland 2010; Cohen 1988).
- Sample Size: The sample design needs to be clearly articulated, with an objective of assuring that the sample analyzed represents the population as a whole.
This typically involves a random sample from the entire population, without replacement; but other approaches can be used, but should be discussed and justified in the research.
Answer: We added a statement to explain that Students were recruited randomly and without replacement from the whole university students body
A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 324 Emirati students attending a public university in the UAE. Students were recruited randomly and without replacement from the whole university student body between June 2020 and September 2020, and participation was on a voluntary basis. This recruitment procedure permitted the minimum sample size of 200 for the effect size and for the structural complexity of the models (Soper 2022; Westland 2010; Cohen 1988).
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The paper is significantly improved after the revisions. A few more changes are needed. First, some of the references need further check, as are mistakenly written (e.g. reference 18 & 19, Konstantinos is a name not a surname).
Second, some editing mistakes are noticed (different fonts in some paragraphs).
After these modifications, the paper will be ready for acceptance.
Author Response
The paper is significantly improved after the revisions.
Answer: Thank you, reviewers comments helped a lot.
A few more changes are needed. First, some of the references need further check, as are mistakenly written (e.g. reference 18 & 19, Konstantinos is a name not a surname).
Answer: Thank you, we addressed this as it was confusing to us the way it was cited in 2 different articles including Springer Link.
Second, some editing mistakes are noticed (different fonts in some paragraphs).
Answer: Thank you, we addressed this. It was difficult to see those under editing format.
After these modifications, the paper will be ready for acceptance.
Answer: Thank you, feedback was really helpful
