Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediator role of product innovation in the relationship between political and business ties (independent variables) and firm performance (dependent variable). Design/methodology/approach In this study, research hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling method. Findings The findings from 267 manufacturing companies in Iran show that business ties have an effect on firm performance through product innovation, while the role of innovation is not proved as a mediating variable in the relationships between political ties and firm performance. In addition, business ties have an effect on product innovation and firm performance, whereas political ties have no such effect. Practical implications These results provide useful points for developing economies, theoretically and practically. Originality/value Despite the increasing attention to the role of managerial ties (political and business ties) in improving product innovation and firm performance, there is no study conducted on the mediating role of product innovation in the relationship between managerial ties and firm performance.

New service development is increasingly becoming one of the most important aspects of business strategy in both service and non-service industries. In todays economical world where has become more service oriented, it can be said that the new service development (NSD) is one of the most important components of growth in dynamic environments. As new proposals lead to an increase in income, profit and develop in market share. The aim of the study was to survey new service development and factors affecting its financial performance in banking industry. In terms of research philosophy this is a demonstrative, in terms of research purpose and direction it's a practical and descriptive, and in terms of research implementation strategy it's a survey research that has been executed in cross-sectional time period. The purpose of the research sampling was to examine the new services, which are provided in the various banks. Stratified probability sampling method used is based on 150 questionnaires in headquarters and branches of different banks, which are located in Tehran city, and 118 questionnaires were gathered. Data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed in both descriptive and inferential level by using SPSS version 21 and Lisrel 8.8 Windows version. Structural equation modeling techniques (confirmatory factor analysis and structural analysis) have been used to test the research hypotheses. Results of the research showed that cross-functional teams and learning orientation have positive impact on the new service marketability. And indirectly have a positive impact on the financial performance of new service. Customer involvement and learning orientation have positive impact on the new service launch preparation, but the effect of new service launch preparation on new service financial performance has not been proved in the current study.

The aim of this research is identify effective factors of outsourcing line-operations in service branch of the agricultural bank in Guilan(Iran) province. In terms of the aim the present study is applied and in term of Implementation method is considered descriptive that in it the correlation was evaluated by using structural equation and collect data by survey research methods. Statistical population of this research is agricultural bank in Guilan Province that all of their employees consist of 540 people. In present study in order to collect data is used convenience sampling. Method of data collection is field and by questionnaire. Sample size based Factor analysis is obtained 253 employees that perfect 202 questionnaires were collected. Their validity has confirmed by professors of guide and consultant and Cronbach test results show that the questionnaire has been reliable. However, to answer the research questions by using factor analysis to identify key factors in the success of the outsourcing line-operation in agricultural bank of Guilan by taking advantage of a special software package inferential statistics is attempt to analyze data and conclusion of information obtained.

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