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21 – 30 of 474
Article
Publication date: 14 August 2007

Connie Zheng, John Rolfe, Lee Di Milia and Phil Bretherton

This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework to explore the link between strategic human resource management (SHRM) and firm performance of the coal mining companies in…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework to explore the link between strategic human resource management (SHRM) and firm performance of the coal mining companies in Central Queensland (CQ), Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews literature relating to the process and issues of transforming human resource practices and industrial relations of the coal industry in Australia for the past decade. Theoretical development and empirical studies on the SHRM‐performance linkage are discussed. Based on the literature review, the paper develops an integrated model for testing the relationship between SHRM and firm performance in the context of CQ's coalmines and proposes a number of research propositions.

Findings

Three perceivable outcomes are likely derived from application of this framework in the field. First, a testing of the linkage between strategic HRM and firm performance in the coal industry, using an integrated approach, would complement the empirical deficiency of treatments on the prior SHRM models. Second, data at firm level could be collected to develop a better understanding of how the adoption of strategic HRM practices in coal companies can affect firm performance. Third, the extent of flexibility practices, use of contractors and associated management practices could be identified.

Originality/value

The coal industry is central to economic development of regional Queensland. The industry contributes substantially to GDP via employment, investment and product export. An exploration of the impact of SHRM on the coal industry will likely result in identifying some best practices that could be potentially adopted in the wider business community to foster regional economic development in Australia and worldwide.

Details

Management Research News, vol. 30 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0140-9174

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 October 2023

Xiaojing Zheng and Xiaoxian Wang

This study aims to examine the effect of board gender diversity on corporate litigation in China’s listed firms. The key questions this study addresses are: what are the effect of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of board gender diversity on corporate litigation in China’s listed firms. The key questions this study addresses are: what are the effect of board gender diversity on corporate litigation in terms of both the frequency and severity of consequence, is there any heterogeneous effects of the relationships across firm performance?

Design/methodology/approach

A sample consists of 25,668 firm-year observations from over 3,340 firms is examined using logistic regression analysis and negative binomial regression analysis. The authors also use event study method and ordinary least square (OLS) regression to explore female directors’ effects on reducing the negative consequences of litigation. The logistic regression and OLS regression are reestimated with interaction terms when examining the firm performance heterogeneity.

Findings

The authors document that firms with greater female representation on their boards experience fewer and less severe corporate litigations. Moreover, in high-performing firms, board gender diversity plays a more potent role in reducing the frequency and consequences of corporate litigation than low-performing firms.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to examine the relationship between board gender diversity and the comprehensive corporate litigations under Chinese context. It sheds new light on China’s boardroom dynamics, offering valuable empirical implication to Chinese corporate policymakers on the role of female directors.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2022

Li (Lily) Zheng Brooks, Susan Gill, Bernard Wong-On-Wing and Michael D. Yu

This study aims to examine the moderating effect of audit firm tenure on the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm value. Prior studies provide mixed…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the moderating effect of audit firm tenure on the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm value. Prior studies provide mixed results on this association, which may be due to differing theoretical expectations related to CSR and firm value. It is also possible that external stakeholders are unable to differentiate between positive and negative CSR investments, as CSR reports are generally not assured by independent third parties. Thus, the authors propose that audit firm tenure may be used by external stakeholders to evaluate CSR performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an ordinary least squares regression to examine the moderating effect of audit firm tenure on the relation between CSR and firm value after controlling for other determinants of firm value and various internal and external governance mechanisms documented in the literature. The sample consists of 15,707 firm-year observations from US firms during the sample period of 2000 to 2012. The authors measure CSR quality using rating scores from MSCI ESG STATS (formerly the KLD database), audit firm tenure as the number of years the incumbent auditor has served the client and firm value using Tobin’s Q.

Findings

The results indicate that CSR is positively associated with firm value when audit firm tenure is long but not when tenure is short. The results are robust to alternative measures of firm value, CSR performance scores, and individual CSR dimensions. The evidence supports the argument against mandatory audit firm rotation in the USA.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies could examine a similar issue in alternative settings and/or look at cross-sectional variations among firms on the association between CSR and firm value by other auditor traits such as auditor industry specialization and big-name reputation. Additionally, as auditor alone is unable to ensure the quality of management disclosures and their accountability, future studies could examine the moderating effect of internal and other external governance mechanisms on the association between CSR and firm value, exploring when the signaling effect of auditor tenure on CSR reporting quality and its effect on firm value is most salient.

Practical implications

The findings are important to regulators and investors. The authors provide evidence that longer audit tenure serves as a signaling device for external investors with regard to the quality of a firm’s CSR performance. Hence, the study facilitates regulators’ cost-benefit analysis related to mandating audit firm rotation. The evidence suggests that mandating a term limit on auditor tenure may have the unintended consequence of eliminating a signaling effect of auditor tenure on the quality of CSR disclosures under information asymmetry. This supports the Public Company Oversight Board’s decision to forgo the requirement of mandatory audit firm rotation in the USA.

Originality/value

Prior literature presents mixed findings on the association between CSR performance and firm value based on a variety of underlying theories (economic, stakeholder and contingency theory). Literature on mandatory auditor rotation has concentrated on the auditor tenure effect on perceived and actual audit quality as reflected in earnings quality. Relying on agency theory, this study posits that auditor tenure serves as a signal for the quality of CSR activities in the absence of CSR assurance reporting as CSR quality can be difficult to evaluate. The authors provide evidence that audit tenure moderates the association between CSR activities and firm value and longer audit tenure makes it more likely that the CSR activities are associated with increased firm value.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 37 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2019

Penelope Williams

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are routinely offered in organizational policy, yet employee access to FWAs is highly dependent upon support from their immediate supervisor…

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Abstract

Purpose

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are routinely offered in organizational policy, yet employee access to FWAs is highly dependent upon support from their immediate supervisor. There is little empirical research that specifically investigates the role of the human resource function (HR) in supporting managers to implement FWA policy. Through the lens of HR systems theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine how HR supports managers to implement FWAs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study in the Australian Insurance industry, this paper analyzes corporate documents and interviews with 47 managers, supervisors and HR staff across four diverse business units.

Findings

This study identifies supervisors’ perceived ability to implement FWAs as a potential barrier to utilization. Five mechanisms of HR support to overcome perceived barriers are identified in the data. An HR system that enables managers to support FWAs requires alignment of HR policies; the provision of supportive technology; an HR structure that facilitates proactive advice and support; HR business partners with influence; and managerial training on FWAs.

Practical implications

This paper provides HR practitioners with insights into the mechanisms that can support managers to implement FWAs or other devolved HR policies.

Originality/value

Applying HR systems theory, this case study utilizes the perspectives of senior managers, supervisors and HR staff to explain how the HR function supports or constrains managers in the effective implementation of FWAs.

Details

Employee Relations: The International Journal, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 25 September 2023

Mehmet Bağış, Mehmet Nurullah Kurutkan and Liridon Kryeziu

This research aims to determine the contribution of publications in the context of Türkiye to the international entrepreneurship literature between 2005 and 2022. We examined 471…

Abstract

This research aims to determine the contribution of publications in the context of Türkiye to the international entrepreneurship literature between 2005 and 2022. We examined 471 articles published in international journals in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database using bibliometric analysis techniques. We analyzed the data with the software Biblioshiny+Bibliometrix, SciMAT, and VOSViewer. We used performance, theme and evolution, co-authorship, and document analysis in data analysis. Performance analysis findings show that the most publications were made in 2021, the journal with the most publications was sustainability, and the author with the most publications was Bakır, C. Theme and evolution analysis revealed that the motor themes were corporate entrepreneurship, gender and entrepreneurial intentions in the first period (2005–2014), while institutional entrepreneurship stood out as the niche theme. In the second period (2015–2022), “corporate entrepreneurship” and “performance” emerged as the motor themes, while the niche themes in this period were “Syrian refugees” and “entrepreneurial intentions.” Document analysis findings show that the most studied entrepreneurship types are gender, family, corporate, social, and small business, respectively. In addition, immigrant/refugee entrepreneurship is emerging as a new topic, while indigenous entrepreneurship, informal entrepreneurship, sustainable entrepreneurship, and religion entrepreneurship are the most minor studied topics in entrepreneurship. Evidence-based decision-making inputs were obtained for those holding the resource allocation authority in Türkiye. Policymakers and funders, as well as individuals and institutions that want to design the future in terms of resources, can benefit from the findings and analysis of this chapter. Türkiye, which ranks 26th in the world regarding entrepreneurship, must develop a policy based on data.

Details

Entrepreneurship Development in the Balkans: Perspective from Diverse Contexts
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-455-5

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2022

Bashir Tijani, Xiaohua Jin and Robert Osei-Kyei

Due to the frenetic and dynamic working conditions ascribed to architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations, enormous research has addressed the poor…

Abstract

Purpose

Due to the frenetic and dynamic working conditions ascribed to architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations, enormous research has addressed the poor mental health propensity of project management practitioners (PMPs). However, research has not considered the distant factors related to organizational design causing poor mental health. Therefore, this study addresses the problem by integrating institutional theory, agency theory and resource-based theory (RBT) to explore the relationship between organizational design elements: project governance, knowledge management, integrated project delivery, project management skills and mental health management indicators. Examples of mental health management indicators include social relationships, work-life balance and project leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposive sampling method was adopted to collect survey data from 90 PMPs in 60 AEC firms in Australia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized to test the relationship between the variables.

Findings

The research found that project governance, knowledge management and integrated project delivery are positively correlated to mental health management indicators. However, the research finding suggests that project management skills have a negative impact on mental health management indicators.

Originality/value

The findings offer guidelines to AEC firms on achieving positive mental health management outcomes through concentration on project governance, knowledge management and integrated project delivery. It further calls for a reconsideration of existing project management skills causing poor mental health management outcomes.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 October 2017

Omer Topaloglu and David E. Fleming

The paper aims to provide a theoretical and empirical examination of the relationship between service expectation management, expectation inducing agent and customer satisfaction.

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Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a theoretical and empirical examination of the relationship between service expectation management, expectation inducing agent and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the disconfirmation paradigm in services and the promise-keeping premise in psychology, the hypotheses are developed and empirically tested using three experiments that manipulated expectations, expectation inducing agent and service outcome.

Findings

The findings provide reconciliation to the previous studies in services and show that effectiveness of expectation management strategy depends on the individual expectation thresholds and the expectation inducing agent. If customers patronize a firm expecting more, then over-delivering on the service promise results in a significant benefit. However, for those customers whose mental expectation threshold is exceeded, keeping promises is as effective as exceeding promises.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this paper is that services managers should be cognizant of the mental expectation threshold of customers and be wise in utilizing the under-promise, over-deliver strategy.

Originality/value

Using a threshold approach, this paper introduces a new perspective to service practitioners who are trying to manage expectations in a highly variable business environment. It also benefits service researchers who are trying to enhance the understanding of service expectation management.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 31 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 September 2020

Russel P.J. Kingshott, Sanjaya Singh Gaur, Piyush Sharma, Sheau Fen Yap and Yekaterina Kucherenko

This paper aims to investigate the individual and combined effects of three types of psychological contracts between customers and service employees (i.e. transactional…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the individual and combined effects of three types of psychological contracts between customers and service employees (i.e. transactional, relational and communal), resulting from the service organizations’ relational marketing efforts, on their customers’ service brand evaluations in terms of their satisfaction, trust and commitment toward the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a field-survey of 303 regular customers of beauty salons and hairdressers in Auckland, New Zealand. All the constructs were measured using adapted versions of well-established scales and data was analyzed using SmartPLS due to the relatively smaller sample size and the primary research objective being the prediction of the three outcome variables (i.e. satisfaction, trust and commitment).

Findings

Transactional and relational contracts have a negative and positive impact, respectively, upon communal contracts. Communal contracts mediate the impact of transactional and relational contracts on trust and commitment but not on satisfaction. Trust also mediates the relationship between satisfaction and commitment.

Research limitations/implications

This paper collected data from female customers of beauty salons and hairdressers in New Zealand, which may affect the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

This study provides practical insights into the differences in the roles of psychological contracts between the customers and service employees, which may help managers in service firms improve their customer relationship outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper extends the relationship and services marketing literature to reveal the individual and combined effects of the three types of psychological contracts on customer satisfaction, trust and commitment toward their service brand.

Details

Journal of Services Marketing, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0887-6045

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 24 February 2022

Ayodeji E. Oke, Seyi S. Stephen and Clinton O. Aigbavboa

Abstract

Details

Value Management Implementation in Construction
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-407-6

Article
Publication date: 28 October 2021

Ce Rong, Zhongbo He, Guangming Xue, Guoping Liu, Bowen Dai and Zhaoqi Zhou

Owing to the excellent performance, giant magnetostrictive materials (GMMs) are widely used in many engineering fields. The dynamic Jiles–Atherton (J-A) model, derived from…

Abstract

Purpose

Owing to the excellent performance, giant magnetostrictive materials (GMMs) are widely used in many engineering fields. The dynamic Jiles–Atherton (J-A) model, derived from physical mechanism, is often used to describe the hysteresis characteristics of GMM. However, this model, despite cited by many different literature studies, seems not to possess unique expressions, which may cause great trouble to the subsequent application. This paper aims to provide the rational expressions of the dynamic J-A model and propose a numerical computation scheme to obtain the model results with high accuracy and fast speed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes different published papers and provides a reasonable form of the dynamic J-A model based on functional properties and physical explanations. Then, a numerical computation scheme, combining the Newton method and the explicit Adams method, is designed to solve the modified model. In addition, the error source and transmission path of the numerical solution are investigated, and the influence of model parameters on the calculation error is explored. Finally, some attempts are made to study the influence of numerical scheme parameters on the accuracy and time of the computation process. Subsequently, an optimization procedure is proposed.

Findings

A rational form of the dynamic J-A model is concluded in this paper. Using the proposed numerical calculation scheme, the maximum calculation error, while computing the modified model, can remain below 2 A/m under different model parameter combinations, and the computation time is always less than 0.5 s. After optimization, the calculation speed can be enhanced with the computation accuracy guaranteed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first one trying to provide a rational form of the dynamic J-A model among different citations. No other research studies focus on designing a detailed computation scheme targeting the fast and accurate calculation of this model as well. And the performance of the proposed calculation method is validated in different conditions.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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