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1 – 10 of over 44000Christina Heidemann and Mikael Søndergaard
The main purpose of this paper is to test the effects of a classical intercultural simulation on participants' ability to modify their behavior in response to collectivistic and…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to test the effects of a classical intercultural simulation on participants' ability to modify their behavior in response to collectivistic and individualistic contexts. Moreover, the paper aims to examine moderating effects based on experiential learning and social identity theory.
Design/methodology/approach
The learning effects are evaluated through two separate quasi-experimental studies with 152 master students in business economics at a Danish university and 190 bachelor students in international business at a German university.
Findings
The analysis shows that intercultural simulations with artificial cultures significantly improve participants' ability to modify their behavior depending on cultural context. Participants who identify with an artificial culture that differs radically from their own take greater advantage of the simulation. The overall duration of international experience moderates participants' learning with a U-shaped effect. Culture-specific experience strengthens the positive effect of the simulation. The comparison of the two conducted studies indicates that previous cognitive teaching enhances learning.
Practical implications
The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of intercultural simulations that guide participants through all phases of the experiential learning cycle. Moreover, they underline the importance of assessing participants' cultural backgrounds before the assignment of training groups.
Originality/value
Prior research on intercultural simulations is often based on qualitative methods and mostly limited to affective outcomes, such as motivation and enjoyment of intercultural interactions. By contrast, this paper quantitatively tests to what extent intercultural simulations improve participants' ability to modify behavior depending on culture.
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Carol Azab, Terry Clark and Cheryl Burke Jarvis
This paper aims to explore the influence of frontline employees’ (FLEs’) positive psychological capacities (PPCs) (optimism, hope, resilience and self-efficacy) on service…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of frontline employees’ (FLEs’) positive psychological capacities (PPCs) (optimism, hope, resilience and self-efficacy) on service recovery.
Design/methodology/approach
A model of FLE PPCs is tested using two studies: a field study (Nretail = 205; Nrestaurant = 160) and between-subject experimental design (Neducation = 206) in three service settings.
Findings
Results show that positive emotions mediate the relationship between PPCs and problem-solving adaptability, and that authenticity of positive emotions moderates the relationship between positive emotions and interactional justice. Surprisingly, problem-solving adaptability positively influences perceptions of distributive justice and interactional justice. A small interaction effect between positive emotions and problem-solving adaptability also was found.
Research limitations/implications
The dependent variable (problem-solving adaptability) was measured using an open-ended question evaluated by objective, independent raters rather than a self-reported structured metric, to minimize social desirability bias.
Practical implications
Given that the customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau in 2016 were close to one million, most of them occurring in the service sector, service firms need continuous research into improving service recovery. This study argues that firms can improve FLEs’ problem-solving adaptability behavior by training existing FLEs to strengthen PPCs, hiring FLEs that have strong PPCs and fostering positive emotions.
Originality/value
This is the first study that examines the effect of PPCs on service recovery outcomes. By incorporating PPCs as antecedents of positive emotions, this paper explains how FLEs can offer a better recovery rather than dictating what they ought to display and say. An explanation of how FLE PPCs influence customer outcomes via the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and emotion contagion theory is offered, highlighting a novel path/relationship between FLE positive emotions and problem-solving abilities, and extending emotion contagion to service recovery.
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J. Kiarash Sadeghi, Elisabeth Struckell, Divesh Ojha and David Nowicki
Service organization supply chains provide a context that amplifies the complexity of interorganizational interdependencies and the need to build unique capabilities and…
Abstract
Purpose
Service organization supply chains provide a context that amplifies the complexity of interorganizational interdependencies and the need to build unique capabilities and innovative solutions, especially when confronted with man-made or natural disasters. Using the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS), this study aims to investigate the role of absorptive capacity (AC), change management capability and information quality in improving a firm’s ability to cope with disasters – disaster immunity (DI). The study uniquely parses absorptive capacity into a three-variable, second-order construct (absorptive human resource management, absorptive complementary knowledge and absorptive infrastructure).
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected from 264 US service firms in a supply chain context, this paper evaluates the research model using the structural equation modeling approach.
Findings
The second-order, three-dimensional framework for AC has far superior psychometric properties as compared to the previous unidimensional conceptualizations. Results show that AC influences a firm’s DI through change management capability and information quality – two DI enhancing resources.
Originality/value
The paper builds on previous conceptual discussions of absorptive capacity as a multidimensional construct by operationalizing AC as a latent variable with three dimensions (above). Moreover, this paper shows that AC, change management capability, information quality and DI are interrelated parts of a CAS.
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In this chapter, I suggest three conceptual tools developed by William R. Freudenburg and colleagues that characterize the failure of institutions to carry out their duties …
Abstract
In this chapter, I suggest three conceptual tools developed by William R. Freudenburg and colleagues that characterize the failure of institutions to carry out their duties – recreancy, atrophy of vigilance, and bureaucratic slippage – are of use beyond environmental sociology in the framing of the September 11, 2001 disaster. Using testimony and findings from primary materials such as the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Joint Inquiry hearings and report (2002, 2004a, 2004b) and the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (2004) alongside insider accounts, I discuss how Freudenburg’s tools have the potential to theorize institutional failures that occur in national security decision making. I also suggest these tools may be of particular interest to the U.S. intelligence community in its own investigation of various types of risk and failures.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation among transformational leadership, job satisfaction and adaptive performance of health-care professionals and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation among transformational leadership, job satisfaction and adaptive performance of health-care professionals and administrative personnel of Portuguese non-profit health-care organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collects data using an online survey sent to a nationwide database. This study uses a structural equation modeling approach to specify and estimate models of linear relations among the variables. This study tests the direct and mediated effects proposed by the hypotheses using a sample of non-profit 192 health-care organizations.
Findings
The results show (regardless of being direct health-care professionals or employees performing support functions) that job satisfaction fully mediates the relation between transformational leadership and adaptive performance. Transformational leadership alone and directly seems to have no effect on adaptive performance.
Research limitations/implications
The theoretical implications of this study concern the influence that transformational leadership has on job satisfaction and the consequent indirect influence on performance regardless of being direct health-care professionals or employees performing support functions.
Practical implications
The main managerial contribution of the study regards how health-care organizations’ leaders may contribute to increase employees’ performance by ensuring job satisfaction.
Originality/value
Despite the numerous studies that relate transformational leadership to job satisfaction and performance, there is a gap on research run in health care settings involving both health care and administrative personnel. Transformational leadership can increase the satisfaction of health-care professional and consequently job satisfaction has a positive influence on employees’ adaptive performance.
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Noreen Heraty and Michael J. Morley
Using a pre‐test‐post‐test control group experimental research design, this paper seeks to examine the effects of the 20‐week structure of intellect (SOI) training programme on…
Abstract
Using a pre‐test‐post‐test control group experimental research design, this paper seeks to examine the effects of the 20‐week structure of intellect (SOI) training programme on the critical thinking skills of a group of participants in a manufacturing facility in Ireland as measured by both Watson‐Glaser critical thinking skills assessment (CTSA) and Raven’s standard progressive matrices (SPM). The results demonstrate no statistically significant difference in the experimental group pre‐ and post‐test scores on the Watson‐Glaser CTSA, but the results derived from the administration of Raven’s SPM were significant (p = 0.003). As expected, no statistically significant difference was found between the pre‐ and post‐test performance of the control group on either test. A number of possible reasons for the results are advanced.
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Abstract
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Focuses on entrepreneurship in the fashion industry in Singapore, especially in the business of apparel fashion designing and retailing. Examines the factors that contribute to…
Abstract
Focuses on entrepreneurship in the fashion industry in Singapore, especially in the business of apparel fashion designing and retailing. Examines the factors that contribute to that success of this industry. Considers the support given to the fashion entrepreneur and the fashion schools in Singapore, including the difficulties encountered in starting and running such a business and the success factors. Concludes that the limited domestic market and lack of capital are the major difficulties. Suggests that whilst support has increased over the years, talent, the availability of capital and hard work seem to be the deciding factors determining success.
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Nasser Mohammed Al-Fannah and Chris Mitchell
Browser fingerprinting is increasingly being used for online tracking of users, and, unlike the use of cookies, is almost impossible for users to control. This has a major…
Abstract
Purpose
Browser fingerprinting is increasingly being used for online tracking of users, and, unlike the use of cookies, is almost impossible for users to control. This has a major negative impact on online privacy. Despite the availability of a range of fingerprinting countermeasures as well as some limited attempts by browser vendors to curb its effectiveness, it remains largely uncontrolled. The paper aims to discuss this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides the first comprehensive and structured discussion of measures to limit or control browser fingerprinting, covering both user-based and browser-based techniques.
Findings
This study discusses the limitations of counter browser fingerprinting measures and the need for browser vendor support in controlling fingerprinting. Further, a somewhat counterintuitive possible new browser identifier is proposed which could make cookies and fingerprint-based tracking redundant; the need for, and possible effect of, this feature is discussed.
Originality/value
This study provides the first comprehensive and structured discussion of measures to limit or control browser fingerprinting. Also, it proposes a new browser identifier that could make cookies and fingerprint-based tracking redundant.
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Ranjit Kaur and Jagwinder Singh
The purpose of the paper is to empirically examine the impact of environmental factors and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in addition to the intention on modified littering…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to empirically examine the impact of environmental factors and perceived behavioral control (PBC) in addition to the intention on modified littering behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study followed a quantitative approach. The empirical data for the present study were drawn from 750 individuals across the states of Delhi and Punjab in India. The predictors of the antecedents of the modified behavior have been examined using confirmatory factor analysis in AMOS 21.0. The hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results of the current research found that the modified littering behavior was significantly influenced by intention, PBC and environmental factors. Among these predictor variables, environmental factors have been found influencing the modified littering behavior to the highest extent.
Practical implications
Considering the highest influence of environmental factors, social marketing interventions need to focus on cleaning the already littered areas, convenient placement of trash bins, regular cleanliness, sanitization and emptying of trash bins.
Originality/value
Looking at the uniqueness of the present study in the Indian context, this paper is the first to empirically examine the predictive ability of environmental factors and PBC in addition to the intention that may help close the intention–behavior gap.
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