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Corporate entrepreneurship in Switzerland: evidence from a case study of Swiss watch manufacturers

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal volume 8, pages 355–372 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which Swiss companies engage in corporate entrepreneurship. To that end, a case study was undertaken to better understand how corporate entrepreneurship is practiced in the watch-making industry. Using a stratified sampling method, 18 corporate-level managers of Swiss watch manufacturers were interviewed over a 5-month period to determine their perception of their firm’s entrepreneurial orientation in terms of proactiveness, risk taking, innovativeness, competitive aggressiveness, and autonomy. Findings were mixed. As anticipated, given the conservative nature of Swiss culture and tradition, the executives reflected corporate values that inhibit proactiveness, risk-taking, and competitive aggressiveness. On the positive side, these executives espoused values that support a corporate culture of innovativeness and autonomy reflecting a resurgence of innovativeness in an otherwise mature industry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, School of Economics and Management, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Kayhan Tajeddini

  2. School of Management, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Japan

    Kayhan Tajeddini

  3. Northern Kentucky University, Haile/US Bank College of Business, Highland Heights, KY, 41009, USA

    Stephen L. Mueller

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  1. Kayhan Tajeddini
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Correspondence to Kayhan Tajeddini.

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Tajeddini, K., Mueller, S.L. Corporate entrepreneurship in Switzerland: evidence from a case study of Swiss watch manufacturers. Int Entrep Manag J 8, 355–372 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-011-0179-y

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Keywords

  • Corporate entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial orientation
  • Qualitative research
  • Case study
  • Swiss watch industry