Search results
1 – 10 of 24Vladimir Dženopoljac, Jasmina Ognjanović, Aleksandra Dženopoljac and Sascha Kraus
The employer brand is a crucial intangible asset for companies as it enhances the employer–employee relationship, leading to improved employee performance and overall company…
Abstract
Purpose
The employer brand is a crucial intangible asset for companies as it enhances the employer–employee relationship, leading to improved employee performance and overall company outcomes. This paper aims to investigate the contribution of the employer brand to the financial results of companies in southern Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of 266 companies operating in southern European countries during the year 2020. Secondary data on employer brand attributes, assessed from the perspective of current employees, were collected from the Glassdoor platform. Financial indicators were obtained from the companies' annual financial reports. The research hypotheses were tested using regression analysis.
Findings
The results of the regression analysis support the notion that the employer brand contributes to profitability indicators and management effectiveness indicators of southern European companies. However, the study did not find evidence supporting the contribution of the employer brand to market indicators and financial structure indicators of the observed companies.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first empirical investigations to assess the role of the employer brand as a human capital tool for enhancing the financial performance of companies in southern Europe. The study examines employer brand attributes from the perspective of current employees, who actively participate in shaping the employer brand and the company's image. In contrast to prior research, this study incorporates a more extensive set of financial indicators, categorized into four groups: profitability indicators, management effectiveness indicators, market indicators and financial structure indicators.
Details
Keywords
Fakhar Abbas, Syeda Hina Batool and Kanwal Ameen
In the ever-changing circumstances, library professionals need to maintain their competencies in line with the new trends. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a mechanism…
Abstract
Purpose
In the ever-changing circumstances, library professionals need to maintain their competencies in line with the new trends. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a mechanism out of these; social media (SM) is a major channel usually used by the professionals for CPD, more specifically the video conferencing mediums such as YouTube, Skype, Zoom and Google meet. These outreach mediums can be used by library professionals to communicate with each other irrespective of their location. This study aims to highlight the effective use of such channels by library professionals to meet the needs of CPD through a systematic review of prior studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The initial search was carried out in Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA) (n = 94), Google Scholar (n = 20), Search on hand (n = 13), Scopus (n = 1) and Web of Science (n = 0). The keywords combinations were used as a formula, i.e. [(Information professional) (Librarians) + CPD + Continuing Professional Development + Youtube + Skype + Zoom + Google meet + Video conferencing]. This search produced a cumulative of 128 results out of the five main databases and hand searches. Moreover, for the purpose of screening and identification of paper, the preferred-reporting of items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement was used.
Findings
The review findings show that the adoption of these channels for CPD purposes has a significant potential to hone up the skills of the professionals who are well proficient in using modern technologies. The results mentioned YouTube as a leading channel of SM used for CPD, followed by Skype. This review further provided practical implications for the information professionals and suggestions for future research.
Originality/value
This study will not only increase the body of knowledge but also attract the researchers to know about the current scenario that how much library professionals are using SM channels for their continuing professional development as well as assists the stakeholders to devise their policies accordingly.
Details
Keywords
Johnson Okoro, Ambrose Ekeroku, Benedicta Nweze, Tobechukwu Odionye, Joel Nkire, Martins Onuoha, Chinenye Ezeonwuka and Jude Owoh
COVID-19 remains a public health emergency of international concern. Efforts at the global and national levels are being made to control its spread. The Nigerian Correctional…
Abstract
COVID-19 remains a public health emergency of international concern. Efforts at the global and national levels are being made to control its spread. The Nigerian Correctional Service is also proactive in the fight against the disease by organizing COVID-19 awareness training for correctional officers. We conducted a pre- and post-test assessment of COVID-19 knowledge among correctional officers in Enugu State Command to determine the impact of awareness training on their knowledge level. The study also assessed correctional officers’ attitude and preventive practices towards the disease.
The mean knowledge score was 19.34 out of 25, and the awareness training significantly improved the participants’ COVID-19 knowledge. We found a significant moderate, positive correlation between knowledge and attitude/practice, and a significantly higher knowledge level among those with higher educational qualifications.
Regular hand washing with soap and water (87.9%), wearing face masks (84.4%), and social distancing (83%) were practiced by the majority of the participants. The majority of the participants (53.2%) received COVID-19 information from multiple sources including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
Details
Keywords
Eric Kwame Simpeh and John Julian Smallwood
The green building (GB) market is maturing after years of practice; therefore, incentives for promoting GB should be adapted to reflect the market transformation. Adapting…
Abstract
Purpose
The green building (GB) market is maturing after years of practice; therefore, incentives for promoting GB should be adapted to reflect the market transformation. Adapting incentives can positively influence stakeholders' motives, which in turn change stakeholders' behavioural intention towards GBs. Hence, this study aims to examine the parameters influencing the decision to adopt GB and to ascertain how incentive mechanisms promote the uptake of GB in South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a scoping literature review and a sequential mixed research method, primary data were acquired from GB experts in four South African provinces. In analysing the quantitative data, the factors were ranked hierarchically using the mean ranking technique and factor analysis was computed to identify the underlying GB incentives. The qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that incentive payment from a utility energy efficiency programme, rebates and discounts relating to environmentally friendly materials and products and providing grants to homeowners and developers to go towards certification were the most essential monetary incentives for promoting GB. In the category of non-monetary incentives, recognition of consultant team members and developers and free marketing/good publicity were the most important incentives. The incentive mechanisms were subsequently categorised as “Economic incentives” and “Reward scheme and technical support”.
Research limitations/implications
This study was confined to four metropolitan areas in South Africa. Nevertheless, the outcomes have practical implications for GB projects in general and may serve as a good reference for other provinces in South Africa.
Originality/value
The findings of the study are a valuable resource for stakeholders such as the government, municipal assemblies, professional bodies and the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) in developing effective incentive mechanisms to promote GB adoption. This study adds to the body of knowledge relevant to GB incentivisation in South Africa.
Details
Keywords
Johnson Okoro, Tobechukwu Odionye, Benedicta Nweze, Martins Onuoha, Chinenye Ezeonwuka, Jude Owoh and Joel Nkire
This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and knowledge level about the disease among inmates of a Custodial…
Abstract
This was a cross-sectional study to assess the psychological response to quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic and knowledge level about the disease among inmates of a Custodial Center in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of 66 new prison inmates were assessed for psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10); and inmates’ knowledge about COVID-19 using a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire developed by the researchers.
Participants had a mean age of 28.39±8.71 years; 63 (95.5%) were male inmates and 3 (4.5%) were female inmates. Sixty-one (92.4%) were awaiting-trial inmates, 43 (65.1%) had psychological distress, and 35 (53%) had completed at least secondary school. COVID-19 questionnaire mean score was 3.82±3.33. Thirty-one (21.8%) had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 (7-10 score), while 35 (53%) and 10 (15.2%) had poor (0-3) and average (4-6) knowledge, respectively. Adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was significantly higher among those that completed at least secondary school (48.6%) than those who did not (12.9%). Though not statistically significant, adequate COVID-19 knowledge level was commoner among those without psychological distress (43.5%) than those with psychological distress (25.6%).
Considering responses to specific questions contained in the questionnaire, knowledge about some questions was relatively high. For example, a majority of the participants 45 (68.2%) correctly responded that death can be a complication of COVID-19; whereas half of them 33 (50%) correctly responded that regular hand washing with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the disease. Nevertheless, responses to some questions showed poor knowledge about the disease as 18 (27.3%) correctly answered that COVID-19 can affect the lungs, while 20 (30.3%) correctly responded that COVID-19 is caused by a virus.
Our study highlighted the need to have all quarantined persons educated about the disease for which they are being quarantined. It also provided the opportunity to raise awareness of COVD-19 among the inmates.
Details
Keywords
Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed, Mohammed A. Al Doghan, Ummi Naiemah Saraih and Bahadur Ali Soomro
Entrepreneurship is one of the pillars of economic development and helps to green the economy. This study investigates the factors that affect green entrepreneurship (GE) in…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurship is one of the pillars of economic development and helps to green the economy. This study investigates the factors that affect green entrepreneurship (GE) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
Using quantitative modes, this study's findings are based on 334 valid cases from Saudi Arabian SME employees.
Findings
Using path analysis, this study’s findings reveal that green entrepreneurial skills (GES), green opportunities (GOs), entrepreneurial motivation (EM), green incentives (GIs), availability of capital (AoC) and green entrepreneurial self-efficacy (GESE) have positive and significant effects on GE. Moreover, GESE mediates GE's relationships with GES, GOs, EM, GIs and AoC.
Practical implications
This study's findings support the development of green business practices in terms of green business planning, training and skills. The research provides opportunities for green businesses. Policymakers and SME authorities would benefit from this study's findings in producing green goods and services.
Originality/value
This study empirically confirms the role of various factors such as GESE and GE among Saudi Arabian SMEs.
Details
Keywords
Sarah Nakaziba and Patrick Ngulube
This study aims to assess the extent to which Uganda university libraries have implemented digital transformation technologies and to determine the facilitators and barriers…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the extent to which Uganda university libraries have implemented digital transformation technologies and to determine the facilitators and barriers affecting the implementation of digital transformation in selected university libraries in Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a convergent parallel mixed methods design. It was conducted in six selected university libraries in Uganda, which were in three private and three public universities. The study sample included 103 librarians with a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree and six library directors.
Findings
The findings indicated that there was an average (n = 37, 48.7%) implementation of digital transformation in the selected university libraries in Uganda. Some of the barriers hindering digital transformation included inadequate funding, lack of awareness of digital technologies, inadequate ICT skills, insufficient ICT infrastructure and limited staff among others. There is a need for library management to provide support in the form of funds, policies and human resources to implement such digital transformation.
Research limitations/implications
The criteria for choosing universities were those that have been around for at least 10 years. The reason for this was that it was assumed that these universities would have well-established staff development programmes and procedures as well as be likely to have incorporated technology into their services, including libraries. This study’s limitations stem from the fact that this criterion for selection might not apply to all Ugandan university libraries, particularly those that are less than 10 years old and may not have been well represented in this study.
Originality/value
The magnitude of the problem of digital transformation in university libraries in Uganda is unclear because of the limited research available in the Uganda library and information science field. This study presents the status of digital transformation in Uganda university libraries.
Details
Keywords
Dmitri Williams, Sukyoung Choi, Paul L. Sparks and Joo-Wha Hong
The study aims to determine the outcomes of mentorship in an online game system, as well as the characteristics of good mentors.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to determine the outcomes of mentorship in an online game system, as well as the characteristics of good mentors.
Design/methodology/approach
A combination of anonymized survey measures and in-game behavioral measures were used to power longitudinal analysis over an 11-month period in which protégés and non-mentored new players could be compared for their performance, social connections and retention.
Findings
Successful people were more likely to mentor others, and mentors increased protégés' skill. Protégés had significantly better retention, were more active and much more successful as players than non-protégés. Contrary to expectations, younger, less wealthy and educated people were more likely to be mentors and mentors did not transfer their longevity. Many of the qualities of the mentor remain largely irrelevant—what mattered most was the time spent together.
Research limitations/implications
This is a study of an online game, which has unknown generalizability to other games and to offline settings.
Practical implications
The results show that getting mentors to spend dedicated time with protégés matters more than their characteristics.
Social implications
Good mentorship does not require age or resources to provide real benefits.
Originality/value
This is the first study of mentorship to use survey and objective outcome measures together, over time, online.
Details
Keywords
Naimatullah Shah, Abdul Wahid Zehri, Ummi Naiemah Saraih, Nadia A. Abdelmegeed Abdelwahed and Bahadur Ali Soomro
In this study, the researchers explored the roles played by digital technologies and digital innovation (DI) in Pakistan's Information, Communication and Technology (ICT…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, the researchers explored the roles played by digital technologies and digital innovation (DI) in Pakistan's Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) companies' firm performance (FP).
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers used a quantitative study to gather cross-sectional data from employees working in Pakistan's ICT companies. The authors based this study's findings on 396 valid samples.
Findings
The structural equation modeling (SEM) findings underline that digital capability (DC), digital orientation (DO) and digital transformation (DT) have positive and significant effects on DI and FP. Moreover, there is a positive and significant relationship between DI and FP. Finally, DI mediates DC's, DO's and DT's associations with FP.
Practical implications
By committing to embracing new digital technologies and updating existing DCs to become innovation leaders and to improve FP, the findings will help sectors to take advantage of developing digital technologies and the trend toward digitalization. The results are also valuable for policymakers when considering if SMEs should be provided with more money for the digital up-skilling of their employees. Finally, this study's findings enrich the depth of literature about companies' use of digital technologies.
Originality/value
This study's empirical findings confirm the roles played by DC, DO and DT in improving DI and FP in a developing country such as Pakistan.
Details
Keywords
Gaurav Deep Rai and Saurabh Verma
Principally, this study aims to test a conceptual framework of the moderating influence of fear of COVID-19 on the following hypothesized relationships (1) quality of work life…
Abstract
Purpose
Principally, this study aims to test a conceptual framework of the moderating influence of fear of COVID-19 on the following hypothesized relationships (1) quality of work life and bankers' commitment, (2) the mediating spillover effect of job satisfaction in the quality of work life (QWL) and affective commitment relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative cross-sectional research design is adopted on 318 bankers chosen from four prominent Indian cities. The mediation model is tested through SPSS, PROCESS macro, and AMOS. Conditional process modeling is also administered to test the moderating effect of fear of COVID-19.
Findings
The results suggest that the positive effect of QWL on commitment is completely mediated through job satisfaction. Further, the fear induced by COVID-19 negatively moderated the positive direct relation of QWL with commitment and the positive mediating spillover effect of job satisfaction.
Originality/value
The present research is virtually the first to introduce fear of COVID-19 as a psychological construct, to test a moderated mediation model for implications to organizational behavior and human psychology theory and practice. In coalescence of the need satisfaction, spillover, and COR theories, the authors postulate that as spillover between the domains of an individual's life (work, social, financial, personal, and overall life satisfaction) occurs, such effect is calibrated (augmented or attenuated) by the degree of risk/threat/depletion of their resources in the quest for attaining higher valued resources (overall life satisfaction). The moderated mediation mechanism is suggested for replication in other avenues for greater generalizability.
Details