Search results
1 – 10 of 12Haiyan Kong, Sujuan Wang and Xingxing Fu
This paper aims to explore the influence of career expectations on job satisfaction of Generation Y, as well as the mediating effect of career expectations on the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of career expectations on job satisfaction of Generation Y, as well as the mediating effect of career expectations on the relationship between hotel career management (HCM) and job satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from the main tourist cities in China with Generation Y employees working in the hospitality industry as the target population. A total of 442 valid questionnaires were obtained, and structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships among the constructs.
Findings
HCM contributed positively to employees’ career expectation and job satisfaction. Career expectation was positively related to job satisfaction, as well as mediated the relationship between HCM and job satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited by the use of self-reported data in the cross-sectional design because all participants filled out the questionnaires by themselves. The use of convenience sampling method presents another limitation for this study.
Practical implications
This study may serve as a guide for managers and policymakers. First, this study highlights the importance of effective career management activities. Second, this study may help hotels retain the qualified staff members. Third, this study may help hotel managers respond to the career expectation of their young employees.
Social implications
The meditating effect of career expectation highlights its importance in the career management system. The main force of market labor is Generation Y, who are known for their high career expectation and their emphasis on their career development. The findings indicate that both extrinsic and intrinsic value factors provide greater contributions to job satisfaction than prestige and stability factors. Therefore, hotels must provide a stable working environment, and care more on employees’ intrinsic value. Aside from providing high compensation, employers should also provide career growth opportunities and challenging job to their employees, as they are important motivational factors. By providing tailor-made career activities, hotel managers may satisfy the career expectations and enhance the job satisfaction of young employees, which, in turn, leads to a mutually beneficial situation for both managers and employees.
Originality/value
This study explores the predictors and outcomes of career expectations of Generation Y employees. It highlights the importance of meeting the career expectations and also shows initial evidence on the mediating effect of career expectation. The findings of this study may provide useful guidance to both hotel operators and employees.
Details
Keywords
Lihan Zhang, Bo Liu, Tianhuan Ding, Sujuan Zhang and Yongcheng Fu
Conflicts frequently occur in construction projects. Matching appropriate contractual and relational governance with conflict features to promote cooperation and thus minimize the…
Abstract
Purpose
Conflicts frequently occur in construction projects. Matching appropriate contractual and relational governance with conflict features to promote cooperation and thus minimize the negative influences of conflict is an issue that deserves attention. Our study classifies conflict types into task, process and relationship conflict and defines their combinations as conflict profiles. By conceptualizing contractual governance as the complexity of contract provisions and the strictness of contract enforcement and relational governance as trust, our study aims to explore the configurational impacts of conflict profiles and these governance mechanisms on parties’ cooperative behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted, and 238 valid questionnaires were received. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis was performed.
Findings
Four configurations produce cooperative behaviors. The combined use of detailed contracts, rigid enforcement and high trust enhances cooperation and such a governance arrangement is not subject to any conflict profile. A relatively low level of conflict requires detailed contracts and high levels of trust. For the conflict profile characterized by high task and process conflict and low relationship conflict, parties can select contractual governance-dominant or relational governance-dominant approaches.
Originality/value
Theoretically, our study reveals the matching relationships between conflict profiles and governance mechanisms, enriching the research on conflict profiles in construction projects and the interrelation between contractual and relational governance. Practically, the findings provide project managers guidance for conflict management and selecting governance mechanisms.
Details
Keywords
Zhentao Wang, Pai Peng, Sujuan Zhong, Yafang Cheng and Dong Xu
The purpose of this paper on the one hand is to reduce the sintering temperature, shorten the sintering time and improve the electrical properties of the sample through the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper on the one hand is to reduce the sintering temperature, shorten the sintering time and improve the electrical properties of the sample through the two-step flash sintering method and on the other hand is to study the effect of electric field on the phase structure, microstructure and electrical properties of the flash sintering sample.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, (Mg1/3Ta2/3)0.01Ti0.99O2 giant dielectric ceramics were prepared by conventional sintering and two-step flash sintering, respectively. Further, the effect of electric field (600–750 V/cm) on the electrical properties of (Mg1/3Ta2/3)0.01Ti0.99O2 giant dielectric ceramics was studied.
Findings
The results show that compared with the conventional sintering, the sintering temperature of the two-step flash sintering can be reduced by 200°C and the sintering time can be shortened by 12 times. All sintered samples were single rutile TiO2 structure. Compared with conventional sintering, two-step flash sintering samples have finer grain size. The two-step flash sintered sample has similar dielectric properties to the conventional sintered sample. The dielectric constant of flash sintered samples decreases with the increase of electric field. When the electric field is 700 V/cm, the ceramic sample has the optimal dielectric properties, where the dielectric constant is approximately 5.5 × 103 and the dielectric loss is about 0.18 at 1 kHz. Impedance spectroscopy analysis shows that the excellent dielectric properties are attributed to the internal barrier layer capacitance model.
Originality/value
This paper not only provides a new method for the preparation of co-doped TiO2 giant dielectric ceramics but also has great potential in greatly improving efficiency and saving energy.
Details
Keywords
The sustainable development of contractor organizations depends highly on bidding decision-making of projects. This current study, leveraging the risk decision-making theory…
Abstract
Purpose
The sustainable development of contractor organizations depends highly on bidding decision-making of projects. This current study, leveraging the risk decision-making theory, attempts to elucidate the process of contractors’ bid/no-bid decision-making and reveal how the process is influenced by their perception of risk. In particular, this study aims to explore the multiple mediating effects of contractors’ trust in owners and risk perception in explaining the relationship between contractual governance outlined in owners’ bidding documents and the bid/no-bid decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was used to obtain data from the Chinese construction industry. The PLS-SEM technique was employed to analyze a dataset of 557 available questionnaires.
Findings
The findings indicate that (1) the contractual governance provided by owners’ bidding documents positively impacts contractors’ bid/no-bid decisions; (2) both risk perception and trust serve as multiple mediators in this relationship and (3) trust mediates the relationship between contractual governance and contractors’ risk perception.
Originality/value
Drawing upon the risk decision-making theory, this study proposes a multiple mediation model for understanding contractors’ bid/no-bid decision-making processes. It contributes to a better understanding of contractors’ bidding decision-making mechanisms, thereby offering theoretical guidance for contractors to make reasonable and informed risk decisions.
Details
Keywords
Pengcheng Pan, Yu Wang, Yumiao Yang and Sujuan Zhang
Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities have been studied at the individual, project, organizational, and even industry levels to ensure the realization of BIM value in…
Abstract
Purpose
Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities have been studied at the individual, project, organizational, and even industry levels to ensure the realization of BIM value in the architectural, engineering, construction, and operation industry. However, limited research has focused on a project owner organization perspective to investigate owner BIM capabilities that are required to ensure effective project management and delivery. This present study aims to propose an indicator framework to evaluate owner BIM capabilities at the organizational level.
Design/methodology/approach
Leveraging the existing literature on BIM capabilities and synthesizing insights from the resource-based view and information technology capabilities research, this study conceptualizes the BIM capabilities of project owner organizations and offers a framework of indicators for measurement. Semi-structured interviews with BIM experts and a questionnaire survey were conducted to identify key indicators affecting owner BIM capabilities. A six-dimensional structural equation model with 29 indicators was then established.
Findings
The findings highlight the multidimensionality of owner BIM capabilities and show that process capabilities play a crucial role in enhancing owner BIM capabilities, while technical capabilities are considered as the least important aspect.
Research limitations/implications
The study sheds light on the key role of project owner organizations in ensuring BIM value and suggests that project owners focus more on the organizational processes of introducing BIM in managing projects.
Originality/value
This study reconceptualizes owner BIM capabilities drawing on the idea of resource-based view and information technology capabilities and highlights the important dimensions and indicators of owner BIM capabilities at the organizational level.
Details
Keywords
Xueji Liang, Lu Dai and Sujuan Xie
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is a widely accepted procedure for firms to disclose their performance in multiple domains, including environmental protection…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is a widely accepted procedure for firms to disclose their performance in multiple domains, including environmental protection, labour welfare, protection of human rights, community services, contribution to society and pursuit of product safety. This study aims to investigate whether and how board interlocks affect firms’ decisions with respect to CSR reporting. This study argues that board interlocks act as an important source of social pressure and firms are influenced by their peer firms to adopt CSR reporting.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper sampled listed companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2009 to 2015. The data were collected from Runling database and China Stock Market and Accounting Research database. A multi-period logit model was used to conduct the main regression analysis and the propensity score matching method was used in the robustness checks.
Findings
A study based on a sample of Chinese publicly listed firms from 2009 to 2015 confirms the argument and shows that sharing a common director on the board with a previous CSR reporter facilitates the firm’s engagement in CSR reporting. Furthermore, this study shows that the influence of board interlocks on CSR reporting depends on the following three characteristics: status of the interlocking director, size of the linked CSR reporter and performance implications of previous CSR activities.
Research limitations/implications
The interpretation of the current findings should be considered in light of these limitations. First, while board interlocks are an important social aspect of institutional pressure, other types of social pressure exist. Second, the focus is on CSR reporting decisions. However, CSR reporting can also be symbolic, with little substantive quality to improve CSR-related activities. Third, this study argues that both regulatory and social pressures influence the decision to report on CSR. However, this study was unable to determine the weight of each pressure. Future research should follow this direction. Finally, the influence of certain behaviours through interlocks is stronger in the initial stage of the institutionalisation process.
Practical implications
The findings of this study have important implications for practitioners. First, the messaging role of interlocking directors suggests that director selection should consider the effectiveness of information transfer. Knowing and analysing specific interlock and its links with the firm’s strategy is very important. Meanwhile, firms should be vigilant that the balance between the access to information and loss of autonomy because searching for information related to firms’ strategic decisions might challenge current strategy. Second, the results of the study suggest that to effectively urge companies to engage in CSR reporting, government and policy makers should consider beyond institutional pressure, but also be sensitive to the social pressure exerted upon the companies.
Social implications
The positive role of board interlocks on corporate voluntary CSR reporting can not only make valuable contributions to the Chinese society but also, as an important participant of global economy and trade, the Chinese interlocking directors’ contribution to CSR reporting have global benefits.
Originality/value
This study extends the institutional perspective on CSR reporting by uncovering the effect of social pressure. It advances the literature on the antecedents of CSR reporting by linking board interlocks to CSR reporting. Finally, the study enriches the broader interlock literature by delineating three specific characteristics of interlocks that influence CSR reporting.
Details
Keywords
Fansheng Jia, Yilin Zhang, Kam C. Chan and Sujuan Xie
This paper aims to examine the relation between religiosity and formal financing in the context of long- and short-term corporate loans.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relation between religiosity and formal financing in the context of long- and short-term corporate loans.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses archival methodology to conduct a multiple regression analysis with the amount of long- and short-term corporate loans as the dependent variable and a measure of religiosity as the key explanatory variable.
Findings
This paper offers four findings. First, when a private firm locates in a high religiosity region, it is more likely to get more corporate loans and the amount of corporate loans is positively correlated with the extent of religiosity. Second, religiosity drives a private firm getting more (less) short-term (long-term) loans. Third, a private firm in a high religiosity region is able to incur lower interest cost associated with more short-term loans. Finally, the results are confined to Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity.
Practical implications
Overall, the findings are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them are borrowers and lenders, show the religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship.
Originality/value
Overall, findings of this paper are consistent with the notion that religiosity shapes the local culture so that individuals, some of them being borrowers and lenders, show religious traits in the formal lending and borrowing relationship.
Details
Keywords
Wenxue Lu, YuanYuan Hua and SuJuan Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors of cost performance of design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) projects and comparing the differences of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors of cost performance of design-bid-build (DBB) and design-build (DB) projects and comparing the differences of influencing factors between these two delivery methods.
Design/methodology/approach
This research identified and refined 14 influencing factors through literature review and academic expert discussions. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data about the influencing factors and project cost performance. Then those factors were reduced to four components by factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis is used to investigate the relationship between four principal components and project cost performance.
Findings
The results indicate that the significant influencing factors of project cost performance of DBB projects and DB projects are different. For DBB projects, owner abilities, such as owner team ability, owner experience, and owner finance, are important influencing factors causing cost overruns, while for DB projects cost performance is more sensitive to the contractor abilities, namely, contractor team ability, contractor finance, contractor experience, etc.
Research limitations/implications
The results of the paper are mainly derived by quantitative research method based on the survey of 144 samples, so the results may need validation by qualitative studies. Further research could apply case study or interview to validate the findings in this research. In addition, project type and location are not considered as control variables due to the limited number of samples, future research could be conducted to investigate their relationship with project performance.
Practical implications
The findings of this research not only help practitioners have a better understanding of the factors influencing project cost performance, but also provide some guidelines for practitioners to pay attention to different factors to better control the cost performance within different delivery systems.
Originality/value
Owner ability and contractor ability are found to be of different importance in influencing cost performance of DBB and DB projects. This research extends previous research on cost management by considering different significant factors in influencing project cost performance within DBB and DB projects.
Details