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1 – 10 of 256Atif Saleem Butt, Syed Hamad Hassan Shah and Abdullah Zafar Sheikh
The purpose of this paper is to unveil negative outcomes associated with an absence of guanxi in a buyer–supplier relationship in Chinese logistics industry.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to unveil negative outcomes associated with an absence of guanxi in a buyer–supplier relationship in Chinese logistics industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a case study methodology using 16 semi-structured interviews with managers engaged in the process of buying and selling logistics services in China.
Findings
Based on the qualitative interviews, managers experience lack of trust, lack of communication flow and reduced business volume when guanxi is absent in a buyer–supplier relationship in the Chinese logistics industry.
Research limitations/implications
This study has some limitations. First, the results of this study are not generalizable to a broader population. Second, this study explores behavioral patterns with respect to Chinese business culture only.
Practical implications
Firms can use the findings from this study to understand the consequence they can face when guanxi is absent in a buyer–supplier relationship.
Originality/value
This study attempts to offer a balanced perspective on the role of guanxi in a buyer–supplier relationship, particularly in the Chinese logistics industry, by considering how an absence of guanxi generates negative outcomes for firms.
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Basharat Hussain, Abdullah Zafar Sheikh, Julie Repper, Theodore Stickley, Stephen Timmons and Mahmood Hussain Shah
This study aims to investigate how British Pakistani people talk about their social identity, in the context of mental health, and how this shapes their experiences and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how British Pakistani people talk about their social identity, in the context of mental health, and how this shapes their experiences and perceptions of care delivered by the National Health Service, UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight narrative interviews were conducted among members of the Pakistani community living in a city in the UK. The data were analyzed using a narrative analysis approach using “social identity” as a theoretical lens.
Findings
Considering Pakistani service users as a single social entity, and responding with generic approaches in meeting their mental health needs, may not be helpful in achieving equitable treatment. Study participants reject a simple conceptualization of race and ethnicity and how a response based upon stereotypes is woefully inadequate. The study revealed that people from one ethnic or national background cannot be assumed to have a fixed social identity.
Originality/value
This study broadens understanding of how people from a single ethnic background may construct and view their social identities markedly different to others from the same ethnic group. This has implications for service providers in understanding how their clients’ social identity is treated and understood in practice.
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Obed Rashdi Syed, Saeed Siyal, Abdullah Zafar, Munwar Hussain Pahi and Shahid Rasool
Drawing on the equity theory, this study examines the influence of ethical leadership on counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, it tests the mediating influences of…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the equity theory, this study examines the influence of ethical leadership on counterproductive work behaviors. Furthermore, it tests the mediating influences of organizational citizenship behavior and psychological entitlement on the relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a survey questionnaire employing a random sampling technique to collect the data from hotels and restaurants. Data were collected from 329 supervisors and employees working in different hotels and restaurants in Karachi, Pakistan. For the purpose of analysis and to predict hypothesized relationships, the study used PLS-SEM techniques.
Findings
The study’s results indicated support for all hypothesized relationships. We found a negative relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior. The findings also suggest that organizational citizenship behavior positively mediates between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior, which was unexpected. Furthermore, the findings also reveal that psychological entitlement positively mediates between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behavior.
Originality/value
The study examines the direct relationship between ethical leadership and counterproductive work behaviors and through the lens of organizational citizenship behavior and psychological entitlement. The relationships were founded on the theoretical underpinning of equity theory.
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Elias Abu Al-Haija, Mohamed Chakib Kolsi and Mohamed Chakib Chakib Kolsi
The purpose of this case study is to explore whether Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) complies with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards in terms of corporate social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to explore whether Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) complies with the Global Reporting Initiative Standards in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices for the period 2014–2019.
Design/methodology/approach
By analysing both annual and sustainability reports of the bank using content analysis for each Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) category, 100 universal standards, 200 economic standards, 300 environmental standards, 400 social standards. The authors then compute and discuss the degree of compliance of ADIB disclosures by using annual charts and graphs.
Findings
Results show that, although ADIB issues sustainability reports, numerous GRI standards do not appear in the bank’s reports such as general disclosures GRI 102, economic disclosures items such as anti-competitive behaviour GRI 206 and environmental disclosures such as gas emissions GRI 305 due to the nature of bank’s activities. However, the bank focuses mainly on social standards GRI 400 including community services, training and development. Hence, ADIB partially complies with the GRI standards (2016) especially social disclosures.
Research limitations/implications
The study encompasses some limitations: first, due to the discretionary nature of CSR reporting, many items were ignored or missed for the full period. Second, the disclosure of a sustainability report by the company was only available for the year 2017, which, in turn, makes it difficult for comparison.
Practical implications
The findings of this study have important implications for academics and researchers, and practitioners as they pave the way for further investigation regarding CSR compliance of Islamic financial institutions. The results also have important implications for Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions in developing a CSR reporting standard if Islamic banks are to enhance their image globally and to maintain competitive advantages.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the growing debate on CSR disclosures in the Islamic banking industry by comparing ADIB practices with regard to the GRI standards.
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Kessington Okundaye, Susan K. Fan and Rocky J. Dwyer
The purpose of this (qualitative, multiple-case) study is to determine how small-to medium-sized enterprise (SME) leaders in Nigeria use information and communication technology…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this (qualitative, multiple-case) study is to determine how small-to medium-sized enterprise (SME) leaders in Nigeria use information and communication technology (ICT) adoption as a business strategy to increase profitability and compete globally.
Design/methodology/approach
The participants for this study consisted of executive-level SME leaders who had the authority to approve ICT implementation within their respective organizations. Individual interviews were undertaken with participants to gain an understanding of their experience of determining the merits of and implementing ICT. The technology acceptance model, which specifies the relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward computer use and intention to use technology, was applied as a framework to explain the Nigerian SME’s ICT adoption strategies.
Findings
Four major themes emerged from the data analysis: ICT adoption factors, ICT roles and benefits, role of government and SME success factors. The findings of this study may help SME leaders and government leaders address many of the factors inhibiting the adoption of ICT in SMEs in Nigeria.
Practical implications
This study may ensure that SMEs are successful and able to create jobs, which in turn may help to promote socioeconomic development through adoption of ICT.
Originality/value
The findings from this study contribute to the knowledge base regarding factors that affect ICT adoption by SME leaders as a business strategy to increase profitability and compete globally, particularly within SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria. It further addressed the gap in existing literature regarding other factors such as the influence of culture on ICT adoption, cost of ICT implementation, available ICT skills, infrastructure and ICT knowledge gap as the primary impeding factors of ICT adoption in Nigerian SMEs.
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Mustanir Hussain Wasim and Muhammad Bilal Zafar
The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on Shariah governance and Islamic banks.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on Shariah governance and Islamic banks.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature was searched from Scopus and Web of Science using various queries related to Shariah governance and Islamic banks. Through a screening process, 93 articles were considered fit for the systematic literature review.
Findings
The paper provides a systematic review based on different themes, including measurement of Shariah governance in Islamic banks, disclosure of Shariah governance and its determinants, the impact of Shariah governance on performance, risk management and other outcomes of Islamic banks. Finally, issues and challenges of Shariah governance in Islamic banks are discussed, followed by conclusions and recommendations related to future research.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind, to the authors’ knowledge, to provide a comprehensive systematic literature on Shariah governance and Islamic banks by exploring different themes and highlighting multiple future avenues of research.
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Jorge Peña and Percy Caruajulca
Considering the entrepreneurship nature and the high number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Latin American region, this study seeks to empirically test the…
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the entrepreneurship nature and the high number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Latin American region, this study seeks to empirically test the relationship between organizational culture (OC), transformational leadership (TF) and organizational performance (OP) to support their long-term survival.
Design/methodology/approach
Under a post-positivism paradigm, quantitative approach and correlational scope, this research analyzed the interrelationship between OC, TF and OP across Peruvian SMEs. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the hypotheses based on the responses of 276 SMEs’ top executives from the commerce, services, manufacturing, construction and agriculture industries.
Findings
OC fully mediates the relationship between TL and OP. Although TF solely does not drive OP, the mediating effect of OC is crucial for SMEs’ long-term survival, especially considering their contribution to employment, poverty reduction and GDP in developing countries. Entrepreneurial transformational leaders inspire their followers to achieve goals, strive to develop individual skills, transmit confidence and leave aside their own interests to focus on the common goal of growing their entrepreneurship competitively.
Originality/value
The three variables under analysis have been applied to large companies and SMEs. However, this research enriches previous findings, highlighting the necessity for an adequate OC derived from an entrepreneur with TL, contributing to the survival of SMEs, whose results are critical for developing countries’ economies.
Propósito
Considerando la naturaleza emprendedora y el elevado número de pequeñas y medianas empresas (PYMES) en Latinoamérica, este artículo busca probar empíricamente la relación entre cultura organizacional (OC), liderazgo transformacional (TF) y desempeño organizacional (OP), con el fin de contribuir a su sobrevivencia en el largo plazo.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Bajo el paradigma post-positivista, con un enfoque cuantitativo y un alcance correlacional, esta investigación analiza la interrelación entre las variables OC, el TF y el OP en PYMES peruanas. Para ello se utilizó análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA) y modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) considerando las respuestas de 276 altos ejecutivos de PYMES provenientes de las industrias de comercio, servicios, manufactura, construcción y agricultura.
Resultados
La cultura organizacional media completamente la relación entre el liderazgo transformacional y el desempeño organizacional. Aunque el liderazgo transformacional por sí solo no influye en el desempeño organizacional, el efecto mediador del TF es clave para la supervivencia a largo plazo de las PYMES, especialmente si se tiene en cuenta su contribución al empleo, su impacto en la reducción de la pobreza y el PBI, en los países en desarrollo. Los emprendedores con liderazgo transformacional inspiran a sus seguidores para alcanzar objetivos, se esfuerzan por desarrollar las habilidades de cada individuo, transmiten confianza y dejan de lado sus intereses personales para centrarse en el objetivo común del crecimiento de su emprendimiento con competitividad.
Originalidad/valor
Las tres variables en estudio han sido aplicadas en empresas grandes y PYMES. Sin embargo, esta investigación enriquece los hallazgos previos, destacando la necesidad de contar con una adecuada cultura organizacional derivada de un emprendedor con liderazgo transformacional, contribuyendo con la supervivencia de las PYMEs, cuyos resultados son críticos para la economía de los países en desarrollo.
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Muhammad Bilal Zafar and Ahmad Azam Sulaiman
This paper aims to understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) narrative under the Islamic banking paradigm by three aspects, narrative review of the literature, review of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to understand corporate social responsibility (CSR) narrative under the Islamic banking paradigm by three aspects, narrative review of the literature, review of the definitions of CSR and review of factors that cause divergence from conventional percepts.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a theoretical paper based on literature and aims to understand the CSR narrative under the paradigm of Islamic banking.
Findings
Religion brings new dimensions of ethics and expands the scope of morality in business. Islamic banking is a new wave of corporation whose social goals are as much important as making profit. There are diverse narrations and definitions prevailing in the literature of CSR under the Islamic paradigm which also encounters the aspects of divergence from conventional percepts. The academic debate of CSR-Islamic banking brings on surface a plausible CSR paradigm, that is to guide the role of Islamic banking in society under the Islamic provisions, ethics and axioms. This paper also paves the way for future direction, particularly in terms of a holistic understanding of CSR narrative under the Islamic banking paradigm.
Research limitations/implications
This is a theoretical paper; it primarily discusses the theoretical aspects of CSR narrative under the paradigm of Islamic banking, while it does not give insight into the empirical narrative or disclosure of CSR in Islamic banking.
Practical implications
The theoretical review of literature brings plausible understanding, that Islamic banking is a new wave of corporate and has standings on divine guidance. The structure of the institution in its foundation insists on real economic activity. The legitimacy of Islamic banking has roots in ethical compliance and in inculcating the broader interests of stakeholders. There are several social responsibilities, which are expected from the practitioners of Islamic banking. The practitioners as well must understand that the CSR of Islamic banking is far beyond the conventional percepts of CSR.
Originality/value
There are several normative and theoretical studies in the domain of CSR-Islamic banking. It is hard to find a comprehensive narrative review of such literature. This review is unique, which brings a holistic understanding of CSR narrative under the Islamic banking paradigm.
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Muhammad Zafar Yaqub, Rana Muhammad Shahid Yaqub, Abdullah Alsabban, Fahad Javed Baig and Saleh Bajaba
Appealing to the resource-based view and the resource advantage theory, this research aims to ascertain the complementarity of entrepreneurial and market orientation in enhancing…
Abstract
Purpose
Appealing to the resource-based view and the resource advantage theory, this research aims to ascertain the complementarity of entrepreneurial and market orientation in enhancing the performance of small and medium enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a survey design, a self-administered questionnaire containing scales adapted from leading previous studies was used to collect data from 400 executives working in small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the measurement and the structural models and test the significance of the hypothesized relationships.
Findings
It has been found that market orientation and entrepreneurial orientation enhance firm performance directly and indirectly with marketing capabilities and competitive strategies (partially or fully) mediating these causes and effects relationships.
Practical implications
The study adds to the literature on entrepreneurship, marketing and strategy and has significant ramifications for managers and public policymakers desiring to boost the performance of small and medium enterprises, which is crucial to the economic growth of developing nations, through nurturing and leveraging intangible resources such as market orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and marketing capabilities.
Originality/value
It is one of the rare attempts to investigate the complementarity of entrepreneurial orientation and market orientation, channeled through marketing capabilities and competitive strategies to boost SME performance, that too in the context of a developing country.
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Aman Kumar, Amit Shankar, Ankit Mehrotra, Muhammad Zafar Yaqub and Ebtesam Abdullah A. Alzeiby
Metaverse is one of the decade’s most exciting and transformative technological innovations. While the metaverse holds immense promise, it has potential risks and dark sides. This…
Abstract
Purpose
Metaverse is one of the decade’s most exciting and transformative technological innovations. While the metaverse holds immense promise, it has potential risks and dark sides. This research aims to investigate and identify the crucial dark dimensions associated with the metaverse platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
Employing a qualitative phenomenological methodology, the authors interviewed 45 metaverse users to unravel dark dimensions related to the metaverse. Analyzing the themes extracted from the participants' insights revealed an alignment with the underpinnings of the Technology Threat Avoidance (TTA) theory.
Findings
The findings of this study revealed seven major dark dimensions: addiction and dependency, isolation and loneliness, mental health issues, privacy and security, cyberbullying and harassment, digital identity theft and financial exploitation.
Practical implications
The study helps organizations and metaverse platforms understand the crucial dark dimensions of the metaverse. This study concludes by synthesizing prevalent themes and proposing propositions, offering insights for practical application and policy considerations.
Originality/value
This study provides a deeper understanding of the dark side of the metaverse environment from a user perspective using the underpinnings of TTA theory.
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