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1 – 10 of 202Carla Houkamau and Peter Boxall
The purpose of this paper is to examine the “other-group orientation” (OGO) of New Zealand (NZ) workers as a way of measuring their attitudes to the growing ethnic diversity in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the “other-group orientation” (OGO) of New Zealand (NZ) workers as a way of measuring their attitudes to the growing ethnic diversity in the contemporary workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 500 randomly selected NZ employees were surveyed through computer-assisted telephone interviews. Males, females and ethnic groups were included according to their current proportions in the NZ workforce. Analysis is based on 485 useable cases.
Findings
While New Zealanders generally have a high level of OGO, minority ethnic groups and graduates score higher on OGO. Among people under 38 years, males tend to have a higher OGO, while among those over 38, females tend to be higher.
Research limitations/implications
The study shows the value of studying the attitudes of workers in relation to diversity and OGO. Workers bring their own orientations into the workplace, affecting the way they relate to their co-workers.
Social implications
The pathway to more inclusive workplaces in NZ lies largely in influencing the attitudes and behaviour of NZ Europeans. The study suggests that inclusive educational experiences may be a key part of that process.
Originality/value
While the research shows that NZ workers are generally very positive about ethnic diversity, it reveals variations among ethnic and educational groups in terms of their openness to others.
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Deborah L. Kidder, Melenie J. Lankau, Donna Chrobot‐Mason, Kelly A. Mollica and Raymond A. Friedman
This study used a scenario design to examine whether there are different reactions among whites based on how a diversity program is justified by an organization. A reactive…
Abstract
This study used a scenario design to examine whether there are different reactions among whites based on how a diversity program is justified by an organization. A reactive justification (affirmative action) was proposed to result in greater backlash than a competitive advantage justification (diversity management). In addition, this study examined the effects of personal and group outcomes on backlash and explored two individual difference variables, gender and orientation toward other ethnic groups, as potential moderators of the proposed relationships. Backlash was operationalized in four ways: an affect‐based measure (negative emotions), two cognitive‐based measures (attitude toward the diversity program, perceptions of unfairness of promotion procedures), and a behavioral‐intentions‐based measure (organizational commitment). Results indicated that the diversity management justification was associated with more favorable support of the diversity initiative, and that unfavorable personal and group outcomes adversely affected backlash reactions. There was no empirical support for the influence of the moderator variables on the proposed relationships, however, a main effect for gender was found. Implications of the study's findings and future research directions are discussed.
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Dennis Gabriel Pepple and Eleanor Davies
As public sector managers implement the policy of employing people that broadly reflects the social make up of a local society, there is a need to ensure that employees have a…
Abstract
Purpose
As public sector managers implement the policy of employing people that broadly reflects the social make up of a local society, there is a need to ensure that employees have a positive perception of ethnic diversity. Perceived environment of ethnic diversity (PEED) is conceptualised as employees’ view of how they are treated at work irrespective of where they come from. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between PEED and organisational identification (OID).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected by means of a survey of 908 employees from four public sector organisations in a state in Nigeria. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Findings showed that OID may be fostered among multi-ethnic employees through the following framework: first, PEED had a direct relationship with OID and support was found, which was explained by the mediating role of co-worker social support (CWSS). Second, the effect of CWSS mediation was moderated by employees’ ethnic self-identification (ESI) such that those with strong ESI experienced lower OID.
Practical implications
As employee compositions in organisations increase in diversity, CWSS is presented in this study as a veritable measure for managers to foster OID.
Originality/value
This study is novel as it is one of the first to examine the mechanisms for linking PEED to OID through mediating effect of CWSS at different levels of ESI. Other contributions are discussed in detail in the study.
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Dennis G. Pepple and Eleanor M.M. Davies
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of socially supportive relationships between co-workers in fostering organisational identification (OID). Adopting a Social…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of socially supportive relationships between co-workers in fostering organisational identification (OID). Adopting a Social Identity Theory perspective, the study investigates how employees’ ethnic self-identification (ESI) may influence co-worker social support (CWSS)–OID relationship depending on whether they are indigenes or non-indigenes.
Design/methodology/approach
Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between CWSS (independent variable) and OID (dependent variable) at different levels of ESI (moderator variable). Data were collected from 1,525 employees from public and private employers in Nigeria.
Findings
Findings supported a positive relationship between CWSS and OID that is moderated by an employee’s ESI. Specifically, the study finds that ESI matters in the strength of CWSS–OID relationship such that the relationship is weaker for indigenes compared to non-indigenes.
Practical implications
As organisations develop policies that increase the representation of various ethnic groups or other forms of social identities at work, there is need to create an environment that fosters socially supportive relationships among co-workers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by adding a level of boundary conditions to the overall findings that workplace relationships are important for OID. The study also addresses how employees of different ethnic groups are influenced by the ethnicity of the context prevailing where an organisation is located.
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The current study seeks to explore ethnic diversity in Britain by investigating the strength of ethnic identity and acculturation levels of two British ethnic minority groups …
Abstract
Purpose
The current study seeks to explore ethnic diversity in Britain by investigating the strength of ethnic identity and acculturation levels of two British ethnic minority groups – Indians and African Blacks. The study also aims to examine the role of demographic characteristics in explaining the strength of ethnic identity and acculturation levels between the surveyed ethnic groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilized a survey research design. Data was collected using a personally administered structured questionnaire from a convenience sample of 365 married ethnic members.
Findings
The results of t‐tests revealed that both Indians and African Blacks are strong ethnic identifiers and highly‐acculturated. Further results based on step‐wise regressions showed that age and income offer more explanatory power of ethnic diversity among African Blacks and Indians respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The study highlights the complexity and importance of ethnicity in the development of multicultural strategies in Britain.
Originality/value
Research relating to ethnic diversity in Britain is relatively limited and of the very few studies available, there has been more emphasis on qualitative research approaches. This study also offers findings on ethnicity at a time when there is growth in the population of ethnic markets in Britain.
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Shaheen Mansori, Murali Sambasivan and Samsinar Md-Sidin
The purpose of this paper is to establish and test the role of religiosity, ethnicity, individual basic values, and consumer innovativeness in influencing consumer acceptance of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish and test the role of religiosity, ethnicity, individual basic values, and consumer innovativeness in influencing consumer acceptance of novel products. This paper specifically addresses: the driving force of religiosity and ethnicity and mediating roles of individual basic values and consumer innovativeness in influencing acceptance of novel products.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was constructed and distributed to 700 respondents in the urban area of Malaysia based on convenience sampling. The data collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Findings show that religiosity and ethnicity are the main drivers that influence the acceptance of new products. Specifically, religiosity and ethnicity have negative relationship with openness to change (stimulation, self-direction, and hedonism) and positive relationship with conservation value (traditions and conformity); conservation values have negative effects on consumer innovativeness and acceptance of new products; openness to change values show the positive relationship with innovativeness and acceptance of new products; openness to change and conservation value mediate the relationship between religiosity and consumer innovativeness; conservation value mediates the relationship between ethnicity and consumer innovativeness; and consumer innovativeness mediates the relationship between individual basic values and acceptance of novel products. The model has been able to explain 34 percent of the variance in acceptance of novel products.
Originality/value
Different from previous research that often focussed on demographic and observable (e.g. age, race, religion) antecedents of innovation acceptance, the current research emphasized on the influence of behavioral and psychological characteristics (e.g. religiosity, ethnicity, values and innovativeness) on the consumer acceptance of novel products.
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Yung-Lien Lai, Fei Luo, Chia-Cheng Kang and Tzu-Ying Lo
While a substantial amount of research has been conducted in western societies exploring public attitudes toward police (ATP) among immigrants in recent decades, the question of…
Abstract
Purpose
While a substantial amount of research has been conducted in western societies exploring public attitudes toward police (ATP) among immigrants in recent decades, the question of how recently arrived immigrants view the police in Asian societies has been largely overlooked. This study aims to explore Southeast Asian immigrants' ATP in Taiwan and how assimilation, discrimination, affirmation, procedural justice, bifocal lenses and contact experiences – viewed simultaneously – impact their perceptions.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a combination of convenience and snowball sampling methods, a total of 579 completed survey responses were collected in Taiwan with a response rate of 89%. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine key factors that impact immigrants' attitudes toward the Taiwanese police.
Findings
The findings suggest that procedural justice and assimilation are two robust and direct predictors of immigrants' attitudes toward Taiwanese police. Immigrants from Southeast Asian countries who perceive that they have been treated fairly by Taiwan police tended to report more positive ATP. Likewise, higher levels of assimilation boosted confidence in the police. In addition, both nationality and marital status had a significant impact on perceptions of the police.
Originality/value
This pioneering study examines immigrants' ATP among four groups of Southeast Asians in Taiwan —namely, immigrants from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. The use of SEM strengthens the robustness of the findings derived from this study.
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Esi Elliot, Robert Spencer Smith and Pelin Bicen
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how Chambers of Commerce enhance networking among ethnic small businesses and enable the co-creation of value. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how Chambers of Commerce enhance networking among ethnic small businesses and enable the co-creation of value. This study contributes to extant research through the emergence of the concept of cultural networking competence. This study highlights how Chambers of Commerce in the USA ensures the continuation, growth and replication of ethnic small businesses through cultural networking competence.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the research question by conducting qualitative research and adopting an interpretive approach of investigation in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Chicago. Subjects were recruited using purposive sampling techniques via community links.
Findings
Findings show the existence of four different types of value in line with Holbrook’s typology of value – utilitarian, social, emotional and altruistic value. Because these values are culturally related, this study regards these values as cultural networking competence, which differs from general networking competence due to its focus on culture. With cultural networking competence, ethnic firms benefit from access to new domains, the creation of new opportunities, an improved effectiveness in achieving objectives beyond their own ethnic networks and the resources of other actors that can be leveraged for wider impact.
Originality/value
This study contributes to extant research through the emergence of the concept of cultural networking competence. This study highlights how Chambers of Commerce in the USA ensures the continuation, growth and replication of ethnic small businesses through cultural networking competence.
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Zhiyi He and Xiaoyun Chen
This study investigates the structure of China’s market by examining the profiles of consumption values from a large scale national survey of 6250 respondents. The study…
Abstract
This study investigates the structure of China’s market by examining the profiles of consumption values from a large scale national survey of 6250 respondents. The study identifies four consumer segments that pursue distinct patterns of consumption values, including: purchase value, social status, performance and aesthetics, and “satisfi cing” needs. These distinct consumption value profiles help to provide a much needed understanding of China’s consumer market that complements existing studies on sociodemographic characteristics. These four distinct segments provide useful positioning and marketing implications for multinational firms operating in the China market.
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Denni Arli, Fandy Tjiptono and Warat Winit
The present study aims to examine the similarities and differences between young consumers in Indonesia and Thailand based on actionable and strategy-yielding marketing variables…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to examine the similarities and differences between young consumers in Indonesia and Thailand based on actionable and strategy-yielding marketing variables (e.g. Machiavellianism, ethical orientations, trust, opportunism and materialism) and, second, it examined the impact of these variables on consumer ethics.
Design/methodology/approach
A convenience sample of university students from a large private university in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) and a large public university in Chiang Mai (Thailand) were asked to complete a survey that incorporated scales to measure consumers’ ethical beliefs, specifically, Machiavellianism, ethical orientation, opportunism, trust and materialism, as well as demographic classification questions.
Findings
The findings showed that young Indonesian and Thai consumers display similarities on most of the constructs. Moreover, the study found that personal moral philosophies (i.e. idealism and relativism) and trust strongly influence their judgment in ethically intense situations in both countries.
Research limitations/implications
The current study has several limitations, especially the use of convenience sampling that may limit the generalizability of the findings. Students in Indonesia and Thailand may behave differently from general consumers or other cohorts with regards to their ethical judgments.
Practical implications
Because personal ethical positions are developed over a lifetime of experiences in dealing with and resolving moral issues, schools and universities should intervene and educate youth on acting in ways that are consistent with moral rules. Currently, universities and schools in Indonesia and Thailand and many other countries in developing countries do not promote this knowledge to students.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies exploring consumer ethics in Indonesia and Thailand.
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