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Content available
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2010

Abstract

Details

Reshaping the Boundaries of the Firm in an Era of Global Interdependence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-088-0

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2011

Joaquín Camps, Joaquín Alegre and Federico Torres

The present study aims to revalidate a measurement scale for organizational learning capability in the context of university faculty members. This is a particularly relevant…

1166

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to revalidate a measurement scale for organizational learning capability in the context of university faculty members. This is a particularly relevant context because it deals with knowledge‐intensive services. Following Chiva et al., organizational learning capability was conceptualized as a second factor construct including five dimensions: experimentation, risk taking, interaction with the external environment, dialogue and participative decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, a leading university in Costa Rica. The survey was addressed to faculty members. A total of 795 valid questionnaires were obtained. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the construct measurement model was tested and the scale was validated.

Findings

The results show the internal consistency and the satisfactory factorial structure of the scale within the context of knowledge‐intensive services.

Originality/value

This validation of organizational learning capability measurement instruments has considered cultural differences (Spain vs Costa Rica), sectorial differences (industrial vs services), and the different educational background distribution of the sample. Another contribution of our study is the consideration of the non‐independence of observations through the complex Mplus method, since the samples in human resource research are affected by multilevel influences.

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2010

Abstract

Details

Reshaping the Boundaries of the Firm in an Era of Global Interdependence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-088-0

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2009

Joaquín Alegre and Magdalena Cladera

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of tourist intentions to revisit a destination, paying special attention to the effects of satisfaction and the number of…

7785

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of tourist intentions to revisit a destination, paying special attention to the effects of satisfaction and the number of previous visits. In order to guarantee an incentive to improve the product, satisfaction must be the main determinant. A second objective is to analyse the contribution that satisfaction with different aspects of a destination makes on overall satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation model (SEM) has been estimated. Some of the variables involved in the model are ordinal. Thus, tetrachoric, polychoric and polyserial correlations were calculated and then used as the input for structural equation modelling.

Findings

Both satisfaction and the number of previous visits have a positive effect on intention to return. However, the main determinant is satisfaction. Satisfaction with different aspects of the destination has a differing effect on overall satisfaction. Attributes associated with the basic sun and sand tourist product are the main determinants of overall satisfaction.

Practical implications

To promote repeat visits, it is crucial to identify the determinants of the intention to return. The factors that influence this variable can be improved in order to increase the likelihood of repeat visits.

Originality/value

Methods to estimate SEM with categorical variables have not been applied before to the field of tourism. In comparison with previous studies of repeat visitation, the main contribution of the model is that it simultaneously takes into consideration two causal links with the number of previous visits, the first affecting overall satisfaction and the second having a direct effect on a tourist's intention to return.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 43 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Fermín Mallén, Ricardo Chiva, Joaquín Alegre and Jacob Guinot

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors, organizational learning capability and organizational performance.

1848

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors, organizational learning capability and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sampling frame consists of several databases or listings of business that consider people as a key element of the organization and are considered by their employees to be good firms to work for or organizational environments where human resources management has high priority (n=251). The authors use structural equation modeling to test if the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance is mediated by organizational learning capability.

Findings

Results suggest that organizational learning capability fully mediates between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance. Thus, organizational learning capability plays a key role in explaining how altruistic leader behaviors affect organizational performance, essentially because it facilitates the creation of a creative, participatory and dialogue-based environment that promotes organizational learning.

Research limitations/implications

The database used in the study is very heterogeneous. Future research might delimit the database by organization size or sector. Qualitative studies may also improve our understanding of the relationships studied and enable other concepts to be included.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence of the positive relationship between altruistic leaders and performance. However, recruiting and fomenting altruistic leaders is not sufficient on its own to improve performance, and should be accompanied by implementing other facilitating factors of organizational learning such as dialogue or experimentation.

Originality/value

In recent years some studies have linked leadership with organizational learning. However, this is one of the first studies to concentrate on altruistic leader behaviors as such, a concept that has received scant mention in the literature despite its importance in a number of leadership styles, and its relevance today as an alternative to the egotistic leader. The authors offer empirical evidence of the role of altruistic leader behavior as an antecedent of organizational learning capability and subjective measures of performance.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2010

Daniël Van Den Bulcke

The fifth volume of the Book Series Progress in International Business Research combines two basic themes in international business studies. On the one hand, global…

Abstract

The fifth volume of the Book Series Progress in International Business Research combines two basic themes in international business studies. On the one hand, global interdependence continues to rise, even though it looked as if the financial and economic crisis of 2008 and its aftermath would retard or stop the globalization process. On the other hand, firms engaged in international activities keep testing out new organizational structures that reconfigure their boundaries. Property rights over assets and control over decisions within and across these boundaries are central to the design of the multinational organization. Although the boundaries of the firm were originally stressed by Reginald Coase in his famous Economica article of 1937 (Volume 4, pp. 254–266) about The Nature of the Firm, the increasing complexity of international activities and the changing relationships between countries and regions make this into a continuous research challenge in international business.

Details

Reshaping the Boundaries of the Firm in an Era of Global Interdependence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-088-0

Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2010

Abstract

Details

Reshaping the Boundaries of the Firm in an Era of Global Interdependence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-088-0

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2010

Abstract

Details

Reshaping the Boundaries of the Firm in an Era of Global Interdependence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-088-0

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Anabel Fernández-Mesa, José Luis Ferreras-Méndez, Joaquin Alegre and Ricardo Chiva

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology competency (ITC) on internal and external learning competency and the relations among ITC, internal…

1548

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology competency (ITC) on internal and external learning competency and the relations among ITC, internal and external learning competency and the commercial success of innovation (CSI)

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses survey data from 186 companies. Through structural equation modeling the paper assesses the links between ITC, internal and external learning competency and the CSI.

Findings

First, this study finds that ITC plays a critical role in internal and external learning competencies. Second, internal and external learning competencies are directly related to the CSI. Third, internal and external learning competencies mediate the relation between ITC and the CSI.

Research limitations/implications

The research is cross-sectional, so cause-effect relation cannot be definitively inferred from the results.

Originality/value

This study contributes to organizational learning research, identifying a key antecedent of internal and external learning competencies – ITC – and analyzing the link between internal and external learning competencies and the CSI. Moreover, this study is relevant to IT literature because it shows that ITC, on its own, is insufficient to generate and maintain a competitive advantage. Firms need complementary strategic capabilities such as learning competencies to strengthen the effect of ITC on firm performance.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 114 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2007

Ricardo Chiva, Joaquin Alegre and Rafael Lapiedra

The present study sets out to propose and validate a measurement scale that aims to capture the organisational capability to learn, based on a comprehensive analysis of the…

6755

Abstract

Purpose

The present study sets out to propose and validate a measurement scale that aims to capture the organisational capability to learn, based on a comprehensive analysis of the facilitating factors for learning. The organisational learning capability scale consists of 14 items grouped into five dimensions: experimentation, risk taking, interaction with the external environment, dialogue, and participative decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from eight Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers. The survey was addressed to shop floor workers. A total of 157 valid questionnaires were obtained, representing a response rate of 61 per cent. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the construct measurement model was tested and the scale was validated.

Findings

The results of the study indicate that the operational measure developed here satisfies the criteria for unidimensionality, reliability, and validity.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the sample features, final results should be considered with caution. Further research is needed to validate the organisational learning capability scale in other contexts and addressed to other kinds of respondents. However, this study contributes to organisational learning research by providing a valid and reliable operational measure that is expected to help researchers in future theory testing.

Practical implications

The proposed measurement scale for organisational learning capability could be implemented as an audit tool. Thus, managers could unveil which organisational learning issues are strong and which are weak. This would provide guidance for improvement.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new measurement instrument for organisational learning capability.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 28 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

11 – 20 of 68