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Article
Publication date: 3 January 2022

Sana Mumtaz and Sadia Nadeem

This article examines the impact of expatriates' interaction adjustment and conducive work environment (i.e. trust, shared vision and intercultural communication) on the…

Abstract

Purpose

This article examines the impact of expatriates' interaction adjustment and conducive work environment (i.e. trust, shared vision and intercultural communication) on the development of a common social identity between expatriates and host country nationals (HCNs) using the social identity theory (SIT). It also investigates whether increased trust, shared vision and intercultural communication mediate the relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and development of a common social identity.

Design/methodology/approach

Dyadic data were collected from 93 Chinese expatriates and 239 Pakistani HCNs using a three-wave time-lag design. A multilevel model was estimated using Bayesian estimation technique in the Mplus software.

Findings

Empirical evidence suggests an inverse relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and the development of a common social identity between expatriates and HCNs. Further, trust and intercultural communication led to a positive impact on the group memberships between expatriates and HCNs. However, no support was found regarding the mediating role of trust, shared vision and intercultural communication in this empirical research.

Originality/value

The existing literature focuses mainly on change experiences of expatriates during international assignments. However, the current study goes beyond this and investigates the individualized change experiences of HCNs. Further, empirical evidence in this research found a negative relationship between expatriates' interaction adjustment and the development of a common social identity between expatriates and HCNs, which needs to be examined further.

Article
Publication date: 19 January 2023

Tanzeela Aqif and Sana Mumtaz

This research paper aims to investigate the impact of pharmaceutical marketing on the prescription behavior of physicians. It further examines whether the use of various…

Abstract

Purpose

This research paper aims to investigate the impact of pharmaceutical marketing on the prescription behavior of physicians. It further examines whether the use of various promotional techniques including advertisements, sales promotions, personal selling and direct marketing by pharmaceutical companies influences the prescription behavior of doctors. Based on the increasing ethical concerns regarding the promotion of specific drugs for personal gains, the research also investigated the moderating role of ethical ideology in the above relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish the research goals, quantitative research methods were used. Using the online questionnaire, data were collected from 93 doctors working in government and private hospitals in Pakistan, and structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze the impact of pharmaceutical marketing techniques on the prescription decisions of physicians.

Findings

The findings suggested that marketing strategies of pharmaceutical companies positively influences the prescription behavior of doctors. Further, physicians having weak ethical standards are likely to be strongly influenced by the marketing and promotional practices of companies.

Practical implications

The research is pivotal in understanding the perspective of doctors and the ethical considerations that need to be addressed while devising the marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies. Further, these findings provide important implications regarding the essential linkage between ethical values and the development of right marketing tools.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first few to empirically develop and test the role of moral values followed by physicians when they take prescription decisions. Based on the findings, future researchers are encouraged to further investigate the need of setting boundaries for pharmaceutical companies and restricting their usage regarding the promotional tactics.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2024

Sana Mumtaz and Sadia Nadeem

New technologies, digitalization tools, and the changing world of work have created a virtual, multicultural, and crossborder environment within organizations. Consequently, a…

Abstract

Purpose

New technologies, digitalization tools, and the changing world of work have created a virtual, multicultural, and crossborder environment within organizations. Consequently, a growing body of international business literature is focusing on global virtual teams. However, the research so far has focused more on work-based challenges and outcomes of global virtual teams, with limited attention to long-term trust development between members in these teams. This gap is the key focus of the present research.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data were collected from 19 interviewees of various nationalities who were part of global virtual teams to understand trust development and identity changes. Afterwards, the NVivo software was used, and findings were generated using the “thematic analysis approach.”

Findings

The findings suggested that individuals working in global virtual teams perceived that such a work arrangement had a positive effect on their work performance; however, it had several negative consequences for their social and nonwork lives. Further, while many team members were able to develop swift and cognitive trust with their global virtual team members, the development of affective trust was less common. Also, exposure to multicultural team members, albeit remotely, resulted in most of the individuals embracing (perceived positive) changes in their behaviors and attitudes, thus reflecting a gradual move toward globalization of the workforce values, yet simultaneously creating greater uncertainty and complexity in their identity and work values.

Originality/value

Using the findings, a novel process model, i.e. “the social identity perspective of trust development in global virtual teams” has been proposed, which offers a step-wise guidance regarding how affect-based trust may be developed in global virtual teams in various stages.

Details

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5794

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 August 2022

Sana Mumtaz

This research focuses on the distinct group of high-status employees commonly referred to as workplace vigilantes, and conceptually investigates how unethical requests by these…

1692

Abstract

Purpose

This research focuses on the distinct group of high-status employees commonly referred to as workplace vigilantes, and conceptually investigates how unethical requests by these individuals impact the behavior and attitude of other employees over time using the social identity theory.

Design/methodology/approach

For developing a conceptual model, literature from the domains of social identity, organizational behavior and general management was searched through Google Scholar. To search the literature, some key terms such as “unethical activities”, “Islamic work ethics” and “social identity” were searched and analyzed.

Findings

Using the social identity theory, a conceptual process model is developed which suggests that when high-status employees propose unethical requests to employees, individuals with high morality are likely to refuse those unethical requests to protect their self-categorizations. However, taking the unfair advantage of their illegitimate powers, high-status employees are likely to eventually make wrong judgments and give unnecessary punishments to moral employees. It is further argued that consistent victimization is likely to negatively impact the social identity of such employees and leads to irritability in moral employees, particularly when such individuals are unable to get the requisite social support from their leaders.

Originality/value

While a considerable body of literature has focused on the antecedents and consequences of intense unethical business practices and the crucial role of leaders in such activities, limited attention has been given to the role of other employees and how they engage in mild unethical misconduct regularly, which is the key focus of this research. The novel conceptual framework needs to be tested in diverse contexts for further development and validation.

Details

PSU Research Review, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2399-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2018

Sadia Nadeem and Sana Mumtaz

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through integrating the U-curve model and social identity theory. It has…

1064

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through integrating the U-curve model and social identity theory. It has also highlighted the importance of engaging in strong social ties and their contribution in expatriates’ adjustment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from 30 Chinese expatriates working as directors, deputy directors, senior managers, managers and assistant managers in Chinese organizations in Pakistan. After verbatim transcription of all the interviews, data were analyzed using the NVivo software.

Findings

The findings of this paper indicate that expatriates’ identities somewhat changed in terms of their behaviors and work habits, while fewer changes were observed in their belief and value system. These changes were related to expatriates’ perceptions of host country groups, attraction to these groups and similarity in beliefs, which resulted in the development of interdependent beliefs and depersonalization. However, a few Chinese expatriates predominantly interacted among themselves at work, and their reduced socialization with Pakistanis lessened their chances of change.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the study suggest that expatriates’ adjustment is a multi-stage process and social identity change is one of the powerful mechanisms through which they adjust in the host country’s environment; hence host organizations should facilitate expatriates in strengthening their bond with local people.

Originality/value

This paper has proposed a model that explains the mechanism of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through improved interactions between expatriates’ and host country nationals, resulting in minor social identity changes, leading to further positive relationship building, and then major social identity changes.

Details

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2024

Muhammad Ijaz Khan, Muhammad Riaz, Khaled Abd El-Aziz, M. Sana Ullah Sahar, Mumtaz Ahmed Qaisrani and Hafiz Tauqeer Ali

The study highlights our findings, including the confirmation of phase stability through XRD analysis, the characterization of optical properties revealing high absorption and…

Abstract

Purpose

The study highlights our findings, including the confirmation of phase stability through XRD analysis, the characterization of optical properties revealing high absorption and conductivity and the analysis of mechanical stability through elastic constants. Additionally, we present detailed results on the band gap, EELS analysis and the suitability of SrZrO3 perovskite oxides for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Design/methodology/approach

Cubic SrZrO3 perovskite oxides were designed within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) via the CASTEP code under varying stress conditions (0–100 GPa), aiming to explore the key properties for diverse applications. The phase stability was confirmed by XRD analysis. From 0 to 40 GPa, there is an increase in the band gap from 3.330 to 3.615 eV, while it narrows from 3.493 to 3.155 eV beyond 60 GPa. The optical characteristics revealed high absorption, superior conductivity and a lower loss function. Significantly, the elastic constants (C11, C12 and C44) satisfy the Born-stability criterion, ensuring the mechanical stability of the compound. Additionally, the Poisson’s ratio, Pugh ratio (B/G), Frantsevich ratio, Cauchy pressure (PC) and anisotropy factor ensured both ductile and anisotropic characteristics. Higher values of Young’s modulus and shear modulus signify a superior ability to withstand longitudinal stresses. In the EELS analysis, distinctive energy-loss peaks resulting from absorption and emission correlated with diverse electronic transitions and energy levels associated with Sr, Zr and O atoms are used to probe the precise exploration of the electronic and optical characteristics of materials with a high degree of accuracy. Based on these findings, the designed SrZrO3 perovskite oxides are particularly suitable for applications in various optoelectronic devices.

Findings

CASTEP codes were utilized to design the cubic SrZrO3 perovskite under varying stress conditions ranging from 0 to 100 GPa. The phase stability was confirmed through XRD analysis. A distinctive trend in the band gap was observed: an increase from 3.330 eV to 3.615 eV as the stress increased from 0 to 40 GPa and a decrease from 3.493 to 3.155 above 60 GPa. A higher absorption and conductivity and a lower loss function were found for the optical properties. The mechanical stability was ensured by elastic constants (C11, C12, and C44) satisfying the Born-stability criteria. Additionally, the Poisson’s ratio, Pugh’s ratio (B/G), Frantsevich ratio, Cauchy pressure (PC) and anisotropy factor were used to verify the ductility and anisotropy of the materials. Higher values of Young’s modulus and shear modulus indicate a superior ability to withstand longitudinal stresses. EELS analysis revealed distinctive energy-loss peaks associated with Sr, Zr and O atoms, enabling precise exploration of the electronic and optical characteristics with a high degree of accuracy. As expected, the designed SrZrO3 perovskite oxides exhibit favorable properties, making them particularly suitable for next-generation optoelectronic devices.

Originality/value

In this study, we utilized DFT within the CASTEP code framework to investigate the properties of cubic SrZrO3 perovskite oxides under varying stress conditions ranging from 0 to 100 GPa. Our research aimed to explore the key properties of SrZrO3 for diverse applications, particularly in optoelectronic devices.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2022

Sana Khan, Muhammad Asif Naveed and Mumtaz Ali Anwar

This paper aims to investigate the relationship of information-seeking anxiety (ISA) with socio-academic variables of business students in the digital environment.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship of information-seeking anxiety (ISA) with socio-academic variables of business students in the digital environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire, composed of 47 items of Information Seeking Anxiety Scale along with certain socio-academic variables, was administered personally among business students by visiting their classrooms at the Lahore School of Economics, Pakistan. The received 283 responses were analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean, standard deviation, t-test and one-way analysis of variance.

Findings

The results revealed that a large majority of business students were less comfortable in information seeking and experienced anxiety from mild to moderate levels. There were only a few respondents who faced either low or severe levels of ISA. In relationship testing, the students’ socio-academic variables such as program type, gender, school background, geographical background, information communication technology skills and English language competence did not appear to be the predictors of their ISA.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study should carefully be used while making generalizations for all the business students in Pakistan and abroad as this research collected data from the business students of a single university in Pakistan.

Practical implications

These results have greater implications for the future directions of information literacy as creating awareness and building capacity for skills about the information search process will help in reducing ISA. These findings provided a pragmatic insight that can be used as a guide by information professionals, especially those engaged in information services, to develop a need-based curriculum of information literacy which would ultimately help in the alleviation of anxiety and combating its effects on students’ academic performance.

Originality/value

This study address specifically ISA of business students that would make a worthy contribution to the existing research on ISA as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such study has appeared so far.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 51 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 15 March 2022

Toyoharu Takahashi

This chapter explores the yield curve movements in the interest rate swap markets of four major currencies, the Japanese yen (JPY), the US dollar (USD), the pound sterling (GBP)…

Abstract

This chapter explores the yield curve movements in the interest rate swap markets of four major currencies, the Japanese yen (JPY), the US dollar (USD), the pound sterling (GBP), and the Swiss franc (CHF), by principal component analysis (PCA), focusing on the explanatory power of each driver. Comparing the cumulative proportions of the first three principal components, the “level” changes seem to explain the yield curve movements far better than the “ratio” changes in the case of the JPY (96.1% vs. 38.3%) and CHF (97.2% vs. 41.9%), and they are only marginally worse for the USD (97.7% vs. 98.5%) and GBP (96.5% vs. 98.3%). In all markets, the explanatory power (proportion) of the first PC (PC1) is over 82%, and most of the movements can be explained by it. Furthermore, the explanatory power (cumulative proportion) from PC1 up to the third PC (PC3) is over 96%. Thus, it can be considered that most of the movements can be explained by the first three PCs. In addition, we investigate whether there is a structural change in yield curve movements before and after the global financial crisis of 2007–2008 (GFC). If we use daily “level” changes for the PCA, the GFC has no impact on the yield curve movements for all major currencies. The three PCs retain good explanatory power.

Details

Advances in Pacific Basin Business, Economics and Finance
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80117-313-1

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 November 2024

Xiaorong He, Bo Xiang, Zeshui Xu and Dejian Yu

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of two-sided matching (TSM) research, an interdisciplinary field that integrates both theoretical and practical perspectives…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of two-sided matching (TSM) research, an interdisciplinary field that integrates both theoretical and practical perspectives. By examining 756 research articles from the Web of Science database, this paper seeks to identify key trends, collaboration patterns and emerging research topics within the TSM domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes bibliometric analysis combined with a structural topic model to analyze TSM-related articles published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2022. The study identifies leading subfields, journals, countries/regions and institutions based on publication volume, total citations and average citations per article. Interaction and collaboration patterns among these entities are examined through co-occurrence and coupling networks. Additionally, five major research topics are identified and explored using topic modeling and co-word networks. This hybrid knowledge mining approach better reveals the inherent structural changes in topic clusters. Topic distribution and network analysis are beneficial in capturing the attention allocation of different entities to knowledge.

Findings

The analysis reveals five prominent research topics in TSM: communication resource allocation, stable matching research, computing task assignment, TSM decision-making and market matching mechanism design. These topics represent the main directions of TSM research. The study also uncovers a shift in research focus from theoretical aspects to practical applications. Furthermore, the distribution of knowledge and interaction patterns among key entities align with the identified research trends.

Originality/value

This study offers a novel and detailed overview of TSM research highlighting significant trends and collaboration patterns within the field. By integrating bibliometric methods with structural topic modeling the study provides unique insights into the evolution of TSM research making it a valuable resource for both academic and professional communities.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

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