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Publications (10 of 82) Show all publications
Backman, M. & Karlsson, C. (2024). Ageing places: convergence and the role of the foreign population. Regional studies, 58(5), 922-937
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ageing places: convergence and the role of the foreign population
2024 (English)In: Regional studies, ISSN 0034-3404, E-ISSN 1360-0591, Vol. 58, no 5, p. 922-937Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Using data for over four decades, we examine the ageing of Swedish municipalities and if there has been convergence or divergence across time and space, where we differentiate across the urban–rural hierarchy. As migration is claimed to be a moderating factor in the ageing of places, we assess how the share of immigrants relates to ageing patterns. Our findings show that the share of older individuals increases in more peripheral localities and that there has been convergence across municipalities. However, the share of foreign population is negatively related to the ageing profile of a place.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024
Keywords
ageing, convergence, international migration, J10, J14, location, R11, R12
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-62258 (URN)10.1080/00343404.2023.2228347 (DOI)001043581800001 ()2-s2.0-85166920035 (Scopus ID)HOA;;898184 (Local ID)HOA;;898184 (Archive number)HOA;;898184 (OAI)
Available from: 2023-08-23 Created: 2023-08-23 Last updated: 2024-10-10Bibliographically approved
Nilsson, H. & Backman, M. (2024). An empirical application of herding behavior and compliance in the COVID-19 crisis. Kyklos (Basel), 77(2), 428-457
Open this publication in new window or tab >>An empirical application of herding behavior and compliance in the COVID-19 crisis
2024 (English)In: Kyklos (Basel), ISSN 0023-5962, E-ISSN 1467-6435, Vol. 77, no 2, p. 428-457Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

There is evidence that individuals engage in herding behavior in diverse settings, ranging from fashion choices to financial markets. By examining the exogenous shock caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 and unique data measuring the footfalls in downtown Jonkoping, Sweden, we empirically assess how individuals respond to the restrictions imposed by the government and to the behavior of others, that is, herding. To this end, a regression discontinuity analysis with time as the running variable is applied. We find a negative effect of the restriction on footfalls, indicating that individuals follow the imposed governmental restrictions. However, we also find indications that individuals imitate the actions of others and engage in herd behavior even when the cost of doing so is very high; that is, it could result in severe illness or even death. With the use the unique setting of Sweden, where there have been no enforced lockdowns, we contribute with knowledge related to how effective voluntary restrictions are and the influence of others on one's decision making. Although the nature of the studied sample limits the external generalizability of the results, it may offer guidance for future interventions in clearly delineated settings.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2024
National Category
Economics Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-63720 (URN)10.1111/kykl.12373 (DOI)001162202800001 ()2-s2.0-85185454477 (Scopus ID)HOA;;940263 (Local ID)HOA;;940263 (Archive number)HOA;;940263 (OAI)
Available from: 2024-03-01 Created: 2024-03-01 Last updated: 2024-04-10Bibliographically approved
Backman, M., Nilsson, H. & Öner, Ö. (2024). Career trajectories in retail and wholesale: turnover, retention, and labor status. International Review of Retail Distribution & Consumer Research
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Career trajectories in retail and wholesale: turnover, retention, and labor status
2024 (English)In: International Review of Retail Distribution & Consumer Research, ISSN 0959-3969, E-ISSN 1466-4402Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

This study evaluates career trajectories in the retail and wholesale sectors, focusing on individual attributes and the underlying factors influencing diverse career outcomes. Employing quantitative (sequence analysis and logit estimations) and qualitative (interview study) methodologies, we examine the pre-pandemic era to systematically map prevalent career trajectories in retail and wholesale. We identify personal traits associated with each career outcome, examine the reasons behind these trajectories, and explore strategies businesses can implement to retain their workforce. Our findings indicate that retail and wholesale sector employees typically experience either a prolonged career or a transient one, where initial jobs serve as a springboard to other industries or higher education. In retail, the likelihood of industry switching is lower among males, older individuals, those without children, and individuals with less education. In wholesale, a similar trend is observed, albeit without notable gender disparities. A key factor for employee turnover is the absence of skills development opportunities.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024
Keywords
Career trajectories, mixed methods, retail, sequence analysis, wholesale
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-66417 (URN)10.1080/09593969.2024.2411201 (DOI)001327525700001 ()2-s2.0-85205704771 (Scopus ID)HOA;;977501 (Local ID)HOA;;977501 (Archive number)HOA;;977501 (OAI)
Available from: 2024-10-14 Created: 2024-10-14 Last updated: 2024-10-21
Nilsson, H. & Backman, M. (2024). Retail employee turnover and turnover destinations–the role of human capital. International Review of Retail Distribution & Consumer Research
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Retail employee turnover and turnover destinations–the role of human capital
2024 (English)In: International Review of Retail Distribution & Consumer Research, ISSN 0959-3969, E-ISSN 1466-4402Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

This paper assesses the role of human capital in labor turnover and turnover destinations of full-time retail employees. We use register data that encompasses the full population of Swedes above the age of 16 and follow the career paths of those that have, at one point in time between 2002 and 2018, worked full-time in retail. We use logit- and multinomial logit-estimations to assess the role of firm-specific (proxied by establishment tenure) and worker-specific human capital (proxied by industry tenure, formal education, retail education, and occupational complexity) in the propensity to quit a retail establishment and the retail sector. Results indicate that establishment tenure, industry tenure, retail education, and occupational complexity decrease the probability of quitting, while formal education has the opposite effect. Moreover, we find that industry tenure, retail education, and occupational complexity increase the probability of staying in the retail sector. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024
Keywords
career paths, human capital, panel data, Retail, Sweden
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-65669 (URN)10.1080/09593969.2024.2370256 (DOI)001259267100001 ()2-s2.0-85197619999 (Scopus ID)HOA;;962847 (Local ID)HOA;;962847 (Archive number)HOA;;962847 (OAI)
Funder
Swedish Retail and Wholesale Development Council
Available from: 2024-07-16 Created: 2024-07-16 Last updated: 2024-07-16
Backman, M., Carpenter, C. S., Dujeancourt, E. & Mann, S. (2024). Sexual orientation, entrepreneurship, and firm survival. Small Business Economics
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sexual orientation, entrepreneurship, and firm survival
2024 (English)In: Small Business Economics, ISSN 0921-898X, E-ISSN 1573-0913Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

We provide new evidence on sexual orientation, entrepreneurship, and firm survival using Swedish population register data linked to business registry data from 1995 to 2020. Over this period, we study over 19,000 individuals who ever entered a legal same-sex union and compare their entrepreneurship and firm level outcomes with individuals exclusively in different-sex unions. We find that sexual minority men are 7.8% less likely than comparable heterosexual men to be entrepreneurs, while sexual minority women are 4.8% more likely than comparable heterosexual women to be entrepreneurs. Both differences are statistically significant. We also provide the first evidence regarding the survival of sexual minority founded firms compared to firms founded by heterosexual individuals. Our results show that firms founded by sexual minority women fail more quickly than observably similar firms founded by heterosexual women, with no significant survival difference observed for sexual minority men. We explore the role of several external and internal factors that may explain these underlying patterns and find that lack of a 'trapped market' may contribute to the higher failure rate of firms founded by sexual minority women. We also find suggestive support for a role of romantic partners in explaining differences in firm survival experienced by sexual minority women compared to heterosexual women. We find that sexual minority men are less likely than heterosexual men to be entrepreneurs. Sexual minority women are more likely to be entrepreneurs than heterosexual women, but their ventures fail more quickly. Customer discrimination against sexual minorities may play a role, suggesting the potential for an expanded scope of intervention to reduce such discrimination. Heterosexual women's access to a male partner's resources may also contribute to the differential firm survival gap.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2024
Keywords
Sexual orientation, Entrepreneurship, Firm survival, Sweden, Administrative population register data, Administrative firm survival data, Internal and external factors, J15, J22, L26
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-66523 (URN)10.1007/s11187-024-00976-2 (DOI)001335810700001 ()2-s2.0-85206971975 (Scopus ID)HOA;intsam;981271 (Local ID)HOA;intsam;981271 (Archive number)HOA;intsam;981271 (OAI)
Available from: 2024-11-04 Created: 2024-11-04 Last updated: 2024-11-04
Backman, M., Hagen, J., Kekezi, O., Naldi, L. & Wallin, T. (2023). In the Eye of the Storm: Entrepreneurs and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 47(3), 751-787
Open this publication in new window or tab >>In the Eye of the Storm: Entrepreneurs and Well-Being During the COVID-19 Crisis
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2023 (English)In: Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, ISSN 1042-2587, E-ISSN 1540-6520, Vol. 47, no 3, p. 751-787Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In this paper, we examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of entrepreneurs. We surveyed a representative sample of Swedish entrepreneurs and wage employees at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey data, combined with register data, show that the COVID-19 outbreak has a negative effect on the well-being of entrepreneurs in terms of increased perceived stress. However, this negative effect is weaker for entrepreneurs who feel younger than their chronological age and entrepreneurs who are geographically distant from the epicenter of the crisis. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2023
Keywords
crisis, entrepreneurs, location, subjective age, well-being
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-55494 (URN)10.1177/10422587211057028 (DOI)000731000100001 ()2-s2.0-85121421450 (Scopus ID)HOA;;1625914 (Local ID)HOA;;1625914 (Archive number)HOA;;1625914 (OAI)
Funder
Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, MMW 2018.0049
Available from: 2022-01-10 Created: 2022-01-10 Last updated: 2023-05-16Bibliographically approved
Backman, M. & Kohlhase, J. E. (2022). Labor force diversity and new firm formation. The annals of regional science, 68, 9-28
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Labor force diversity and new firm formation
2022 (English)In: The annals of regional science, ISSN 0570-1864, E-ISSN 1432-0592, Vol. 68, p. 9-28Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Many countries have experienced increases in the diversity of their labor forces. Our paper examines one such country—Sweden—and relates the diversity of the local labor force, in terms of demography, culture, education, occupation and industry, to new firm formation. We measure diversity using entropy measures that account for a wider range of differences than is typically used. Our empirical analysis finds a positive relationship between diversity of the labor force, in terms of demography, culture and education, and the rate of new firm formation. Our results add to the literature on the workings of agglomeration economies in urban growth through variations in human capital, information spillovers and innovation.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2022
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-55195 (URN)10.1007/s00168-021-01084-9 (DOI)000720806300001 ()2-s2.0-85119579371 (Scopus ID);intsam;1615405 (Local ID);intsam;1615405 (Archive number);intsam;1615405 (OAI)
Available from: 2021-11-30 Created: 2021-11-30 Last updated: 2022-04-08Bibliographically approved
Amato, S., Backman, M. & Peltonen, J. (2021). Are family firms more locally embedded than non-family firms?. In: R. Basco, R. Stough & L. Suwala (Ed.), Family business and regional development: (pp. 140-156). Abingdon: Routledge
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Are family firms more locally embedded than non-family firms?
2021 (English)In: Family business and regional development / [ed] R. Basco, R. Stough & L. Suwala, Abingdon: Routledge, 2021, p. 140-156Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Family firms are a keystone in many countries as they provide employment opportunities and help the economy grow and prosper. As a result, family firms have been extensively studied; however, there are important aspects that still need to be better understood. One of these is the relationship between family firms and the socio-spatial context in which they act, that is, their local embeddedness. This study adds to existing research by placing family firms in their regional context and assessing whether and to what extent they are more locally embedded than their non-family counterparts. We measure local embeddedness through place tenure and distance to the local firm for key firm stakeholders. Our findings show that family firms rely greatly on more enduring and spatially proximate stakeholders and therefore show a stronger link with the socio-economic milieu in which they dwell. Relevant contributions to family business and regional studies, together with public policy implications, are discussed.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Abingdon: Routledge, 2021
Series
Routledge Advances in Regional Economics, Science and Policy
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-51223 (URN)2-s2.0-85104169509 (Scopus ID)9780367178611 (ISBN)9780429058097 (ISBN)
Available from: 2020-12-14 Created: 2020-12-14 Last updated: 2021-04-26Bibliographically approved
Amato, S., Basco, R., Backman, M. & Lattanzi, N. (2021). Family-managed firms and local export spillovers: evidence from Spanish manufacturing firms. European Planning Studies, 29(3), 468-492
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Family-managed firms and local export spillovers: evidence from Spanish manufacturing firms
2021 (English)In: European Planning Studies, ISSN 0965-4313, E-ISSN 1469-5944, Vol. 29, no 3, p. 468-492Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

By combining arguments from regional economics and family business research, the aim of this article is to test the relationships among local export spillovers, management characteristics, and export propensity on a large sample of Spanish manufacturing firms over the 2003–2015 period. We find that family-managed firms, compared to their non-family counterparts, benefit more from being located in regions with a high density of exporters. Because of their firm-specific social capital and strong embeddedness in local networks, family-managed firms are better positioned to leverage the spatially bounded flow of knowledge and information in these regions, resulting in a higher likelihood to export than non-family firms. Additionally, our results show that the knowledge spillover effect is stronger for small and low-tech family firms’ export propensity. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2021
Keywords
Export spillovers, family firms, internationalization, manufacturing, regional context, Spain
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-48321 (URN)10.1080/09654313.2020.1743238 (DOI)000523710000001 ()2-s2.0-85082613988 (Scopus ID);intsam;1429356 (Local ID);intsam;1429356 (Archive number);intsam;1429356 (OAI)
Available from: 2020-05-11 Created: 2020-05-11 Last updated: 2021-12-19Bibliographically approved
Backman, M., Nilsson, P. & Nilsson, H. (2021). Karriärvägar inom partihandeln: Forskningsrapport 2021:1. Handelsrådet
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Karriärvägar inom partihandeln: Forskningsrapport 2021:1
2021 (Swedish)Report (Refereed)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Handelsrådet, 2021. p. 49
National Category
Economics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-54480 (URN)9789186508715 (ISBN)
Funder
Swedish Retail and Wholesale Development Council
Available from: 2021-09-02 Created: 2021-09-02 Last updated: 2021-09-02Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0001-6947-3859

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