The possible role of job satisfaction (JS) on organizational commitment (OC) has been a very important and hotly debated topic among experts. However, existing studies have yielded mixed results potentially due to utilization of small datasets, different methodological designs, estimation techniques that do not control for potential endogeneity between the variables, or a combination of these issues. Using a large matched employer-employee dataset from Britain (WERS2011), we find that increases in employees' JS positively influence OC. We also show that this relationship holds when an instrumental variable framework (IV ordered probit/IV probit) is adopted to take into account the potential endogeneity of JS. However, throughout the analysis, the IV estimates are smaller in magnitude in comparison to where JS is considered as an exogenous variable. Moreover, utilising a two-stage probit least square (2SPLS) estimator, we support our previous findings i.e. increased JS is likely to lead to enhanced OC, but we also show that greater OC leads to higher levels of JS suggesting that JS and OC are likely to be reciprocally related. Overall, the IV estimates confirm the importance of addressing the endogeneity issue in the analysis of the relationship between JS and OC.

Exchange rate volatility, Investment, External exposure, Market structure, E22,

This article uses panel data methods for stationary and non‐stationary data to examine whether self‐employment rates converge for 21 OECD European countries from 1990 to 2011 (the period covered by the COMPENDIA database). This article shows that there is a process of conditional convergence of self‐employment rates particularly within Southern, Northern and Western Europe. These regional groups were characterized by a decreasing trend in their average self‐employment rates. However in Central Europe we find more mixed results across the tests used and observe a rising trend in the average self‐employment rates. Finally, we find some weak evidence of convergence among all European countries.

PurposeDrawing on motivation theory and family business literature, we investigate the influence of family effect in growth behavior of small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Design/methodology/approachWe first compare the actual and expected growth of family and non-familyowned SMEs. We then compare the growth behaviour of small family firms managed by owner-directors and small family businesses co-managed by family and non-family directors with the non-family-owned SMEs. FindingsWe find a negative effect of family ownership on actual and intended small business growth behaviors. In addition, our findings also suggest that small family firms co-managed by non-family and family directors are no different from non-family owned firms, in terms of reporting past actual growth in employment size and turnover as well as expecting growth in workforce size and turnover. We also observe a significant difference in anticipating sales growth between family-controlled and non-family-controlled firms. However, this difference is not explained by the heterogeneity of a top management team. Practical implicationsThe study has important implications for managerial practice to family firms and on policies that improve the growth of SMEs. Specifically, the competence of managers and decision-makers matters considerably in evaluating the efficient operation of the business and maximising economic growth in SMEs. Originality/valueThe study makes two important theoretical contributions to small business growth literature. Firstly, our findings underline a negative family effect in the actual and expected growth behaviour of SMEs. Secondly, the mode of family ownership alone may not sufficiently capture family effect and offer a thorough understanding of growth behaviour in SMEs.

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the relationship between national and regional output growth in Mexico, and the impact of domestic and international shocks on national, regional and state output movements. Our results suggest that there are similarities, but also significant differences, in real output dynamics across the regions and states of Mexico and that it would be wrong to regard the Mexican economy as a homogeneous entity. The results show that real output growth in Mexico and the United States are linked, but there is no common output trend for the two countries. At the regional level, it appears that North and Central Mexico share similar features, but the path of output growth is more distinctive in South Mexico. Overall, our results suggest that assessments of macroeconomic performance, and related discussions of policy, should pay greater attention to the potential diversity in regional performance.