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Article
Publication date: 3 July 2017

Amira Khattak, Nigel Haworth, Christina Stringer and Maureen Benson-Rea

This paper aims to examine the relationship between economic upgrading (implementing higher value-added activities) and social upgrading (improvements in workers’ rights and…

1025

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between economic upgrading (implementing higher value-added activities) and social upgrading (improvements in workers’ rights and employment) of supplier firms in global value chains (GVCs) governed by multinational enterprises (MNEs). This paper answers Buckley and Ghauri’s (2004) and Buckley and Strange (2015) calls to incorporate other theoretical approaches within the international business (IB) literature. Furthermore, the paper also responds to Lee and Gereffi (2015) argument, published in Critical perspectives on international business, of the need to incorporate the social impact of upgrading in the IB literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with representatives from five supplier firms each in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as with industry representatives.

Findings

Governance patterns within GVCs can create the conditions for economic upgrading leading to social upgrading achievements. Institutional factors also affect the conditions for social upgrading. Although moving to higher value-added activities is critical for supplier firms, this does not necessarily lead to social upgrading. This paper’s research findings suggest that the combination of economic and social upgrading is positively associated with suppliers manufacturing high value-added products and operating in relational networks. In contrast, economic upgrading, by itself, was limited to those firms manufacturing low value-added products, typically those in captive networks.

Originality value

This research is among an emerging body of literature seeking to integrate the GVC literature with the IB field. Importantly, it also contributes to the GVC literature by providing insight into an under-theorized aspect – the relationship between social and economic upgrading.

Article
Publication date: 9 November 2022

Dilnaz Muneeb, Amira Khattak, Karim Wahba, Shahira Abdalla and Syed Zamberi Ahmad

To cope with the existing pandemic situation and to be organizationally responsive, firms need to be strategically flexible, where they need to develop dynamic capabilities (DCs…

Abstract

Purpose

To cope with the existing pandemic situation and to be organizationally responsive, firms need to be strategically flexible, where they need to develop dynamic capabilities (DCs) by continuously reconfiguring their resource base. To address such challenges, firms heavily rely on information and communication technologies (ICT) because of advancement in disruptive technologies. This study aims to explore techniques used by higher education institutional (HEI) leaders to successfully address challenges posed by global disruption, i.e. COVID-19 with the help of advanced ICT software such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted to explore strategic factors such as strategic flexibility (SF) and DC that disclose shortcomings in the current extant literature. A total of 15 interviews were conducted with heads of departments of HEIs in the United Arab Emirates. Data were analyzed using NVivo software.

Findings

The findings suggested three dimensions of SF (resources, operational and collaborative) and four dimensions of DC (strategic planning, innovative, adaptability and technological) for firms to adopt to be strategically flexible, where DC serves as building blocks of SF.

Originality/value

This research provides a framework as an avenue for future researchers and practitioners on how to strategically manage their resources and be strategically flexible in turbulent environment such as pandemics. Theory-based investigations on strategic capabilities and DC from resource-based perspective are still under-researched, emphasizing the need for theoretically based research on strategic responsiveness, especially during the times of environmental complexities such as COVID-19 pandemics. This research enriches strategic management research by exploring the important antecedents of organizational responsiveness, including SF and DC together with the support of human factor, i.e. leadership qualities of HEIs managers. This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is among the first to systematically explore main dimensions of DC and SF based on the resource-based theory of strategic management in the Middle Eastern context.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 May 2021

Wen Jun, Muhammad Hamid Nasir, Zahid Yousaf, Amira Khattak, Muhammad Yasir, Asad Javed and Syed Hamad Shirazi

The purpose of this study is to investigate how digital platforms capability, improvisational capability and organizational readiness directly affect innovation performance. This…

3723

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how digital platforms capability, improvisational capability and organizational readiness directly affect innovation performance. This study also explores how organizational readiness acts as mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study is based on quantitative research design. Data were collected from 647 managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working in Pakistan. Correlations and regression techniques were used for analyses. The Preacher and Hayes technique, the Sobel test and Bootstrap techniques were used to test mediation effect.

Findings

The results reveal a significant and positive relationship of digital platforms capability, improvisational capability and organizational readiness with innovation performance. Organizational readiness fully mediates the relationships between digital platforms capability and innovation performance link as well as between improvisational capability and innovation performance link.

Originality/value

In the age of digital economy the achievement of innovation performance is very important for SMEs. Businesses are shifting from traditional operational activities to digitalization. This study is imperative to offer new realm of modern technologies by exploring the role of digital platform capability, improvisational capability and organizational readiness for achieving innovation performance in digital economy.

Article
Publication date: 19 November 2021

Amira Khattak, Mosab I. Tabash, Zahid Yousaf, Magdalena Radulescu, Abdelmohsen A. Nassani and Mohamed Haffar

This study aims to investigate the impact of digital platforms, frugal innovation and innovation culture (IC) on innovation performance (IP). The mediation role of IC between…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of digital platforms, frugal innovation and innovation culture (IC) on innovation performance (IP). The mediation role of IC between digital platforms and IP, as well as moderating role of frugal innovation between IC and IP is also tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is collected from 387 top management officials from the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) working in emerging economies, in the current study Pakistan. Quantitative research design was applied for the collection of data and analysis. Various statistical techniques, i.e. correlation and regression, were used.

Findings

The findings revealed that digital platforms positively affect IC and IP. The results proved that IC mediates the association between digital platforms and IP link.

Originality/value

The SMEs of emerging economies are working in a dynamic scenario, and their performance in term of innovation is critically needed. Only those businesses that update their products and services according to customers’ demand can achieve success. Hence, SMEs of emerging economies need IP to flourish their businesses. This study highlights an overlooked link of digital platforms with IP and also shows the mediating role of IC.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2017

Muhammad Kashif and Amira Khattak

Following the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between ethical decision-making attitude, perceived behavioral control…

Abstract

Purpose

Following the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between ethical decision-making attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and past behavior; to examine ethical intentions of frontline employees with their love of money as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 310 frontline employees (FLEs) in five US-based fast food chains (McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Hardees) across three cities of Pakistan, using self-administered questionnaires. The authors adopt the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique to test the theoretical model.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that LOM is a significant moderator. The relationships between two dimensions of TPB – the ethical attitude and subjective norms – and ethical intentions are much stronger for FLEs with a lower LOM orientation.

Originality/value

The inclusion of LOM to enrich TPB framework, investigation of ethical intentions of frontliners employed in US-based fast food chains and a developing country context are unique products of this study.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 119 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2021

Noor Ullah Khan, Ateeq-ur-Rehman Irshad, Adeel Ahmed and Amira Khattak

Organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) is vital for manufacturing firms' ability to improve their triple bottom line (TBL) performance. This study's…

Abstract

Purpose

Organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) is vital for manufacturing firms' ability to improve their triple bottom line (TBL) performance. This study's objective was to examine the direct relationship between three OCBE key dimensions, i.e. eco-initiatives (EIs), eco-civic-initiatives and eco-helping (EH) and TBL performance, i.e. economic (ECOP), social (SOP) and environmental (ENP).

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative design was used based on the positivist approach. A sample of 350 manufacturing firms was targeted using random probability sampling via a survey questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique employing AMOS 24 software.

Findings

Research findings confirmed a significant direct positive relationship between components of OCBE, i.e. EIs, eco-civic- initiatives and EH and TBL performance within ISO14001-certified Malaysian manufacturing firms.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents vital implications for both managers and organizations. The findings revealed that the three OCBE key dimensions, i.e. (EIs, eco-civic-initiatives and EH) are essential for enhancing TBL performance (ECOP, SOP and ENP), respectively. Manufacturing firms should modify the traditional OCB toward pro-environmental OCBE to improve TBL performance.

Originality/value

This research focuses on the impact of OCBE key types, i.e. EIs, eco-civic-initiatives and EH on TBL performance (ECOP, ENP and SOP) dimensions among ISO14001-certified Malaysian manufacturing firms.

Abstract

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

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