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Article
Publication date: 7 July 2022

Hatice Akpinar and Didem Özer-Çaylan

The global business environment causes different and difficult kinds of problems that threaten organizational survival. As an important solution, the organizational resilience…

Abstract

Purpose

The global business environment causes different and difficult kinds of problems that threaten organizational survival. As an important solution, the organizational resilience concept arises and offers holistic philosophy. The resilience concept offers multidisciplinary and valuable eclectic literature to organizational studies that help to produce a wide variety of solutions but causes a lack of consensus to measure and apply resilience at an organizational level. To fill this gap, this paper aims to offer the complex adaptive systems (CAS) approach as a lens to organizations. This paper aims to offer that CAS provides a suitable toolkit to address the organizational resilience concept as it has the potential to offer more generalizable guidance.

Design/methodology/approach

To reach that goal, this research follows a two-phase systematic literature review. In the first phase, the purpose is to search past five years’ studies (2015–2020) to figure out current trends in organizational resilience concepts. In the second phase, organizational resilience studies, which include the CAS approach, are checked to analyze the alignment procedures of two concepts.

Findings

Literature shows that the organizational resilience concept has rarely worked from the CAS lens.CAS are more resilient via adaptation and learning as they depend on local interactions that shape and co-evolve together with their dynamic environment, which helps the emergence of self-organization in an unpredictable future. To achieve organizational resilience, the CAS lens proposes a generalizable and applicable framework to organizational studies.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should also explore the impact of the interrelationship between two concepts; quantitative and qualitative methods should be applied to be able to get empirical results.

Practical implications

CAS lens could be used as a contemporary design idea. The CAS approach enables the learning and adaptation requirement of the organizational resilience concept, which helps to create dynamic capabilities to handle turbulent changes and gain long-lasting competitiveness. Designing organizations’ agents from CAS viewpoint helps to understand and be ready for new trends, such as digitalization or Industry 4.0.

Social implications

Evaluating organizations from the CAS lens as living systems that co-evolve with their environments reveals different ways to achieve organizational resilience management philosophy. Designing organizations as CAS promotes organizational adaptation and learning, which improves organizational decision-making, increasing organizational resilience in organizations.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies in proposing to achieve organizational resilience via CAS lenses and offering a conceptual framework to achieve organizational resilience.

Propósito

El entorno empresarial global genera distintos problemas que amenazan la supervivencia de la organización. Como solución relevante, surge el concepto de resiliencia organizacional que ofrece una filosofía holística. El concepto de resiliencia ofrece una literatura ecléctica multidisciplinaria y que es valiosa para los estudios organizacionales que ayudan a producir una amplia variedad de soluciones, pero existe una falta de consenso para medir y aplicar la resiliencia a nivel organizacional. Con el fin de llenar este vacío, este documento ofrece el Enfoque de Sistemas Adaptativos Complejos (CAS) como una lente para las organizaciones. El objetivo de este estudio es demostrar que los Sistemas Adaptativos Complejos (CAS) proporcionan un conjunto de herramientas adecuado para abordar el concepto de resiliencia organizacional, ya que tiene el potencial de ofrecer una orientación más generalizable.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Para alcanzar ese objetivo, esta investigación sigue dos fases de revisión sistemática de la literatura. En la primera fase, el propósito fue buscar en cinco años (2015–2020) para investigar las tendencias actuales en los conceptos de resiliencia organizacional. En la segunda fase, se verifican los estudios de resiliencia organizacional que incluyen el enfoque CAS para analizar los procedimientos de alineación de dos conceptos.

Hallazgos

La literatura muestra que el concepto de resiliencia organizacional no se vincula a los Sistemas Adaptativos Complejos (CAS). Los sistemas adaptativos complejos son más resistentes a través de la adaptación y el aprendizaje, ya que dependen de las interacciones locales que dan forma y coevolucionan junto con su entorno dinámico que ayuda a emerger como auto-organización en un futuro impredecible. Para lograr la resiliencia organizacional, la lente CAS propone un marco generalizable y aplicable a los estudios organizacionales.

Originalidad

La originalidad del estudio radica en proponer lograr la resiliencia organizacional a través de los Sistemas Adaptativos Complejos (CAS) y ofrece un marco conceptual para lograr la resiliencia organizacional.

Palabras clave

Resiliencia organizacional, Enfoque de sistemas adaptativos complejos (CAS), Revisión sistemática de la literatura, Modelo conceptual

Tipo de papel

Documento conceptual

Objetivo

O ambiente de negócios global gera diferentes problemas que ameaçam a sobrevivência da organização. Como solução relevante, surge o conceito de resiliência organizacional que oferece uma filosofia holística. O conceito de resiliência oferece uma literatura multidisciplinar eclética e é valioso para estudos organizacionais que ajudam a produzir uma grande variedade de soluções, mas há falta de consenso para medir e aplicar resiliência a nível organizacional. Para colmatar esta lacuna, este trabalho oferece a Abordagem Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) como uma lente para organizações. O objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar que os Sistemas Adaptativos Complexos (CAS) fornecem um conjunto adequado de ferramentas para abordar o conceito de resiliência organizacional, uma vez que tem o potencial de oferecer orientações mais generalizadas.

Design/metodologia/abordagem

Para atingir este objetivo, esta investigação segue duas fases de revisão sistemática da literatura. Na primeira fase, o objetivo foi procurar em cinco anos (2015–2020) investigar as tendências atuais nos conceitos de resiliência organizacional. Na segunda fase, verifica-se estudos de resiliência organizacional que incluem a abordagem CAS para analisar os procedimentos de alinhamento de dois conceitos.

Conclusões

A literatura mostra que o conceito de resiliência organizacional não está ligado a Sistemas Adaptativos Complexos (CAS). Os sistemas adaptativos complexos são mais resistentes através da adaptação e da aprendizagem, pois dependem de interações locais que moldam e co-evoluem juntamente com o seu ambiente dinâmico que ajuda a emergir como auto-organização num futuro imprevisível. Para alcançar a resiliência organizacional, a lente CAS propõe um quadro generalizável aplicável aos estudos organizacionais.

Originalidade

A originalidade do estudo consiste em propor a obtenção de resiliência organizacional através de Sistemas Adaptativos Complexos (CAS) e oferece um quadro conceptual para alcançar a resiliência organizacional.

Palavras-chave

Resiliência organizacional, Abordagem de sistemas adaptativos complexos (CAS), Revisão sistemática de literatura, Modelo conceptual

Tipo de manuscrito

Papel conceitual

Details

Management Research: Journal of the Iberoamerican Academy of Management, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1536-5433

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 December 2021

Katrin Schwaiger, Anita Zehrer and Boris Braun

This study targeted hospitality family business owners as essential pillars of the tourism industry. How they perceive aspects of the crisis and what they derive organizational…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study targeted hospitality family business owners as essential pillars of the tourism industry. How they perceive aspects of the crisis and what they derive organizational resilience from, including the role of their human resources, are explored. Internal and external factors of resilience are analyzed alongside different levels of resilience action.

Design/methodology/approach

The World Health Organization announced coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. In Tirol, the hospitality industry has particularly been affected as tourism businesses find themselves in the challenging times of returning to normal business, corresponding to the fourth phase in Faulkner’s (2001) Tourism Disaster Management Framework. The authors used a qualitative exploratory approach, using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

In taking on a holistic explorative approach, the authors determined several methods used by entrepreneurs in dealing with a pandemic crisis to increase business resilience at a specific stage. Internal and external resilience factors have been detected among three levels of resilience action (personal, regional and governmental). The most surprising result of the semi-structured in-depth interviews was the entrepreneurs’ rather positive outlook.

Originality/value

Generally, this study creates an in-depth understanding of the tourism businesses in their dealing with a global crisis, using family business owners as an exemplary stakeholder group. The authors bridge a gap in the literature by applying a holistic explorative approach in the early stage of a never seen worldwide crisis and by addressing organizational resilience. Three levels of resilience action give new insight into how the beginning of a pandemic crisis is handled and perceived by hospitality family business entrepreneurs.

目的

本研究的重点是作为区域旅游业骨干的酒店业家庭企业业主。探讨了他们如何应对危机, 以及他们如何看待自己的组织复原力, 包括其人力资源的作用。该研究进一步确定了企业业主的具体角色, 即在处理危机时的不同性格和个人处事方法。

设计/方法/途径

世界卫生组织(WHO)于2020年3月11日宣布了COVID-19的大流行。在蒂罗尔州, 酒店业尤其受到政府措施和旅行禁令的影响。在本研究中, 旅游企业发现自己正处于恢复正常业务的挑战期, 相当于Faulkner(2001)的旅游灾难管理框架中的第四阶段。本研究采用半结构化访谈的定性探索方法来研究问题并得出结论。

研究结果

在采取全面的探索性方法时, 我们发现企业家在特定阶段有几种处理大流行病危机的方法, 以提高企业的复原力。半结构化深度访谈得到最令人惊讶的结果是企业家们相当乐观的心态。

原创性/价值

总的来说, 这项研究以家庭企业业主为示范性的利益相关者群体, 取得了对旅游业处理诸如Covid-19大流行病等危机的更好理解。由于小型家庭企业对旅游和酒店业的重要性, 本研究以Faulkner(2001) 的旅游灾难管理框架为指导工具, 为旅游背景下的危机管理提供了新的视角。

Objetivo

Este estudio se centra en los propietarios de empresas familiares de hostelería que funcionan como la columna vertebral de la industria turística regional. Se explora cómo afrontan la crisis y cómo perciben su propia resiliencia organizativa, incluido el papel de sus recursos humanos.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) anunció una pandemia de COVID-19 el 11 de marzo de 2020. En el Tirol, la industria hotelera se ha visto particularmente afectada por medidas gubernamentales y prohibiciones de viaje. En el presente estudio, las empresas turísticas se encuentran en tiempos difíciles para volver a sus actividades normales, correspondientes a la cuarta fase del Tourism Disaster Management Framework de Faulkner (2001). Se utilizó un enfoque exploratorio cualitativo mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas para responder a la pregunta de investigación y sacar conclusiones.

Resultados

Al adoptar un enfoque exploratorio holístico, encontramos varias formas en las que los empresarios se enfrentan a una crisis pandémica para aumentar la resiliencia empresarial en una etapa específica. El resultado más sorprendente de las entrevistas en profundidad semiestructuradas fue el estado de ánimo bastante optimista entre los emprendedores.

Originalidad/valor

En general, el estudio crea una mejor comprensión de cómo la industria del turismo está lidiando con una crisis como la pandemia Covid-19, utilizando a los propietarios de empresas familiares como un grupo de partes interesadas ejemplar. Cubrimos una brecha en la literatura aplicando un enfoque exploratorio holístico y abordando la resiliencia organizacional abiertamente, lo que lleva a tres perspectivas que van desde el gobierno, la región y el individuo (percepciones de los propietarios de empresas familiares) en el contexto del Marco de gestión de desastres turísticos de Faulkner (2001).

Article
Publication date: 28 December 2021

Ibrahim A. Elshaer and Samar Kamel Saad

This study aims to explore the dynamics of resilience in tourism and hospitality enterprises by investigating the influence of internal and external contextual factors (i.e…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the dynamics of resilience in tourism and hospitality enterprises by investigating the influence of internal and external contextual factors (i.e. adaptive performance and institutional orientation) on the relationship between entrepreneurs’ resilience and business continuity indicators (i.e. perception of career insecurity and business exit intention).

Design/methodology/approach

In the Covid-19 pandemic context, quantitative data were collected using self-administrated questionnaires from entrepreneurs (founders of small-sized restaurants and travel agents in Egypt) using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study reveals that entrepreneurs’ resilience under adversities directly correlates with business continuity indicators, with adaptive performance and institutional orientation functioning as mediators.

Research limitations/implications

The socio-demographic characteristics of entrepreneurs could be further investigated to observe the differences based on age, education and region. The type of business (i.e. restaurants and travel agents) could have an impact on the examined relationships. Therefore, further studies can use multi-group analysis to examine such differences between various sub-sectors of the hospitality business. Finally, the cross-sectional sample method used in this study is another limitation. In any study in which causality is inferred, longitudinal research confirms stronger inferences (Morgan & Hunt, 1994).

Practical implications

An instant implication is that entrepreneurs can take proactive actions to enhance their resilience. Entrepreneurs should seek to influence their own skills and abilities through various educational and training programs. For example, they can take advantage of business seminars, workshops and executive education courses. Entrepreneurs who have the chance of enhancing their skills in solving complex problems, identifying their strengths, managing their emotions are better able to adapt to unfavorable circumstances.

Social implications

The inhabited environment. Entrepreneurs should be institutionally oriented by building strong communications and networks with key actors and business-to-business customers. This would help entrepreneurs to understand the rules of the game, adapt to the environment, gain market legitimacy and accordingly acquire the social and financial support when hazards occur.

Originality/value

The extant literature lacks evidence about the internal and external contextual factors underlying the process of resilience in small and medium-sized enterprises and its outcomes. Research on entrepreneurship has rarely discussed the antecedents of business withdrawal. This study contributes to addressing this research gap.

目的

本研究通过考察内部和外部环境因素(即适应性绩效和制度导向)对企业家弹性与企业持续经营指标(即职业不安全感与离职意愿)。

设计

在Covid-19大流行的背景下, 采用结构方程模型, 通过对企业家(埃及小型餐馆和旅行社的创始人)的自我管理问卷收集定量数据。

研究发现

企业家逆境韧性与企业持续经营指标直接相关, 适应性绩效和制度导向发挥中介作用。

原创性/价值

现有文献缺乏中小企业弹性过程及其结果的内外部环境因素的证据。关于创业的研究很少讨论企业退出的原因。本研究有助于解决这一研究差距。

Propósito

Esta investigación explora la dinámica de la resiliencia en las empresas de turismo y hotelería mediante la investigación de la influencia de factores contextuales internos y externos (es decir, desempeño adaptativo y orientación institucional) en la relación entre la resiliencia de los emprendedores y los indicadores de continuidad empresarial (es decir, percepción de carrera inseguridad e intención de salida del negocio).

Diseño

En el contexto de la pandemia de Covid-19, se recopilaron datos cuantitativos mediante cuestionarios autoadministrados de empresarios (fundadores de pequeños restaurantes y agentes de viajes en Egipto) utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales.

Hallazgos

El estudio revela que la resiliencia de los emprendedores ante las adversidades se correlaciona directamente con los indicadores de continuidad del negocio, con el desempeño adaptativo y la orientación institucional funcionando como mediadores.

Originalidad/valor

La literatura existente carece de evidencia sobre los factores contextuales internos y externos que subyacen al proceso de resiliencia en las pequeñas y medianas empresas y sus resultados. La investigación sobre el espíritu empresarial rara vez ha discutido los antecedentes de la retirada de empresas. Este estudio contribuye a abordar esta brecha de investigación.

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 June 2021

Anderson Betti Frare and Ilse Maria Beuren

This study aims to analyze the influence of job autonomy and unscripted agility on ambidextrous innovation in startups in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the influence of job autonomy and unscripted agility on ambidextrous innovation in startups in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with founders and managers of Brazilian startups in the e-commerce segment, resulting in a sample of 84 startups. Symmetric (structural equation modeling) and asymmetric (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis) analyses were performed. The variables' external financing and institutional ties were controlled.

Findings

The symmetric findings indicate that unscripted agility is a full mediator between job autonomy and ambidextrous innovation. The asymmetric findings offer two solutions for startups to achieve high ambidextrous innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the research for the literature are discussing elements associated with ambidextrous innovation, exploring the context of innovation in startups in times of crisis, specifically in the Covid-19 pandemic, and considering the role of resilience in startups.

Practical implications

The study provides informational inputs to founders and managers of startups on how job autonomy and unscripted agility can propel incremental and radical innovations.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights and success factors into startups, based on the discussion of entrepreneurship in times of crisis, as in the case of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Details

Revista de Gestão, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1809-2276

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 December 2023

Alejandro Ríos-Hernández, Joel Mendoza-Gómez and Luz María Valdez–de la Rosa

This study empirically tests a model of human capital (HC) factors affecting the organisational competitiveness (OC) of automotive parts suppliers in the Industry 4.0 framework…

Abstract

Purpose

This study empirically tests a model of human capital (HC) factors affecting the organisational competitiveness (OC) of automotive parts suppliers in the Industry 4.0 framework, including concepts such as Toyota Kata (TK), Kaizen and Quality 4.0, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

An instrument was created to measure emotional intelligence (EI) and analytical skill (AS) as input variables and OC as the output variable. The instrument was distributed electronically to Tier 1 non-technical employees in Nuevo León and Querétaro, México. A total of 195 surveys were obtained. The instrument used stepwise multiple linear regression.

Findings

This study proposes a model to strengthen the OC of Tier 1 automotive parts supply industry from the perspective of HC factors. Furthermore, it is shown that EI and AS have a positive and significant impact on OC.

Practical implications

From an HC perspective, this study provides a useful basis to improve OC for researchers, industry experts and managers at different levels of the automotive industry, including the triple helix (academia, industry and the government).

Originality/value

No studies simultaneously test the relationship of EI and AS to OC; therefore, this study fills a gap in the literature. Furthermore, the study explored the literature on individual Kaizen (IK) and TK, leading to a contrast between the definitions of EI and AS. Finally, for EI, a reference to motivation was found in the IK. In the case of AS, an orientation to ability of problem solving was found in TK.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2021

Gloria Jiménez-Marín, Araceli Galiano-Coronil and Luis Bayardo Tobar-Pesántez

The purpose of this study is to understand the perception and purchase intentions of Spanish consumers towards sustainable fashion and to see if this can guide the marketing…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the perception and purchase intentions of Spanish consumers towards sustainable fashion and to see if this can guide the marketing strategy for sustainable fashion.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology has been designed to test the categories: knowledge, environmental concern, product-related features and social influence.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that some implications and advice on sustainability marketing strategy could help companies to develop sustainable fashion for Spanish consumers.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in the focus on sustainability to achieve happiness and satisfaction of people as a form of governance from a social point of view.

Details

Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-0701

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 8 March 2021

Daniel Magalhães Mucci, Fábio Frezatti and Diógenes de Souza Bido

This study aims to investigate the influence of budgeting design characteristics on perceived budgeting usefulness, based on the enabling-coercive framework.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of budgeting design characteristics on perceived budgeting usefulness, based on the enabling-coercive framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a survey in one large publicly-listed Brazilian company that operates in the electric utility industry. The sample comprises 75 middle managers from different areas of this organization. This study uses structural equation modeling as the data analysis method.

Findings

The results indicate that internal and global transparencies determine middle managers’ perceptions of budgeting usefulness, while no relationship was found for repair capacity and flexibility characteristics. This paper shows that managers, when provided with global and internal transparencies and independently of their level discretion regarding target revisions or the reallocation of resources, perceive budgeting systems as being useful for decision-facilitating and decision-influencing roles.

Practical implications

The findings might be relevant for budgeting professionals to review or design the budgeting system in terms of dribbling potential flaws and increasing its use in the organization.

Originality/value

The study explores the multidimensionality of the enabling-coercive budgeting design construct. This study provides a theoretical contribution to the literature by showing that budget alignment, integration, learning and information sharing are relevant such that an organization could improve the assertiveness using budgeting systems. Besides, this paper provides an opposing view about the supposed relation between flexible budgeting design and budgeting usefulness. Frequently, some management directions are offered by the literature and no guarantee is provided in terms of the connection between the adoption and the usefulness of those mechanisms. Therefore, the findings shed more light on the practical developments in budgeting.

Details

RAUSP Management Journal, vol. 56 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2531-0488

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2022

Fredy Vargas Lama

Identificar los aspectos que los Actores Sociales consideran en la construcción de futuros compartidos en las comunidades. En su aplicación en los países emergentes, especialmente…

Abstract

Propósito

Identificar los aspectos que los Actores Sociales consideran en la construcción de futuros compartidos en las comunidades. En su aplicación en los países emergentes, especialmente en el Sur Global, a menudo se pasan por alto las particularidades socioculturales de las comunidades y los actores, generando fricciones o conflictos sociales. Este artículo presenta dos elementos críticos que contribuyen al debate: a) la importancia de entender a los Actores Sociales dentro de un modelo de generación de futuros comunitarios en los países emergentes; b) los factores relevantes que influyen en los actores en un ejercicio de construcción de futuros en las comunidades.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

A partir de la investigación cualitativa, se utilizó un estudio de caso de prospectiva comunitaria del futuro: El futuro de Puerto Gaitán 2037 (Meta, Colombia). Se aplicó un método de recolección de información a partir de la observación de los participantes y el análisis de la documentación. El método de análisis fue el DQA (Análisis Cualitativo Deductivo).

Hallazgos

La participación de Los Actores Sociales presenta un modelo de cinco elementos relevantes que influyen en los actores para la construcción exitosa de futuros en las comunidades. Los primeros cuatro factores, revelados por la teoría, existen en la realidad. Asimismo, se demuestra un quinto factor: el Pensamiento a Largo Plazo, que se evidencia en un Modelo de aplicación de Estudios de Futuros para el contexto específico, aplicable al caso de comunidades en países del Sur Global.

Originalidad/valor

Si bien existen ejemplos aislados de recomendaciones respecto a estudios para generar el futuro de las comunidades, este es el primer estudio que presenta factores concretos que contribuyen a orientar la construcción de futuros comunitarios desde Actores Sociales, especialmente en países del Sur Global como Colombia. También es uno de los primeros estudios en utilizar el DQA como método de análisis en un tema de Estudios de Futuros.

Details

foresight, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 July 2021

Alba Yela Aránega, Rafael Castaño Sánchez and José Santiago Fernández-Vázquez

The present research seeks to increase the resilience of the employees of a company dedicated to the harvesting of oranges to reduce stress levels and eating disorders in the work…

Abstract

Purpose

The present research seeks to increase the resilience of the employees of a company dedicated to the harvesting of oranges to reduce stress levels and eating disorders in the work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The mindfulness and outdoor training tools are used in order to become aware of personal purpose and role, accept situations and face daily conflicts. After the delivery of a designed mindfulness and outdoor training program of six (6) weeks, the results obtained after the application of the methodology are presented to a sample of 119 employees from the distribution sector and a control group that does not undergo to the program. Through a resilience questionnaire designed by the authors and the external evaluation of the higher command, it is analysed how it acts as a measurement model to obtain a report composed of 30 items. The evaluation questionnaire measures the general tendency to show low or high resilience and tolerance for frustration.

Findings

The results show that there are improvements in resilience capacity by 30%, with a higher level of significance in women than in men. In conclusion, resilience greatly influences business success.

Originality/value

Workers who have learned to take on new challenges and adapt to the new environment are more likely to lead work teams and promote in the organisation. It is detected that their technical training does not matter so much, but that their emotional intelligence (EI) has more impact, gaining greater confidence in themselves to adapt to uncertain environments.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2018

Priscila Gasperin Pellegrini, Júlia Gonçalves and Suzana da Rosa Tolfo

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of workplace bullying on the marital relationship of three Brazilian couples.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of workplace bullying on the marital relationship of three Brazilian couples.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a qualitative approach with multiple cases. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with the victims, followed by interviews with each couple. Then, the information obtained was categorised and analysed according to the content analysis approach.

Findings

The findings indicate that the experience of workplace bullying by one of the spouses influenced their marital relationship, since there were periods of estrangement, conflicts, and changes in sexual behaviour, and subsequent reconciliation. At the same time, the marital relationship played a protective role against workplace bullying.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study which aims to understand the repercussions of workplace bullying on marital relationships, rather than draw conclusions about all bullied workers and their marital relationships. The identification and analysis of these repercussions may contribute to deepen the understanding of the importance of the victim’s significant other when facing bullying.

Practical implications

This research expands the perception of the consequences and influences of workplace bullying, which are not restricted to the victim. Furthermore, the detailed information demonstrates the importance of including multiple participants in the research, and additional tools to collect data.

Originality/value

By providing a deeper understanding of the impact of workplace bullying on the victims and their families, in particular on the marital relationship of these workers, the study shows that workplace bullying does not affect only those who are directly linked to the organisation.

Details

Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5648

Keywords

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