Search results

Active participation is critical to the survival and development of the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game community. However, this issue has not received much attention in the information systems literature. To address this issue, we develop a tripartite model that accounts for the roles of behavioral dedication, constraint, obligation mechanisms on active participation in the MOBA community.

The research model is empirically validated by online survey data among 971 users of a popular MOBA community.

The results show that perceived enjoyment, perceived escapism, and affective commitment are key behavioral dedication factors, which further promote active participation in the MOBA community. In addition, past investment, self-efficacy for change, and calculative commitment are important behavioral constraint factors, which ultimately influence active participation in the MOBA community. Finally, subjective norm, group norm, social identity, and normative commitment are influential behavioral obligation factors, which in turn facilitate active participation in the MOBA community.

This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of active participation in the MOBA community and offers practical guidance for promoting active participation in the community.

This article proposes that survival can be a legitimate organizational goal, challenging a common view that dismisses it as unambitious or contrary to innovation. Drawing parallels from nature and survival strategies across various systems, it advocates that organizations, much like living organisms, should prioritize survivability (i.e. ability to survive) to ensure long-term success. Contrary to being seen as limiting, survival, when understood in its broad sense, can encompass and enhance performance goals such as growth. The article outlines the ERP factors —efficiency, resilience and prominence—as key to achieving survivability, offering a framework for organizations to manage resources, adapt to external forces and balance visibility to thrive amidst challenges.

Conceptual framework.

This model introduces the significance of survivability as an organizational goal.

This article argues for the consideration of survival as an overarching organizational goal, challenging the prevalent view that dismisses it as unambitious or contrary to innovation.

The study addresses gaps in sustainable luxury consumption research by analyzing the role of social norms in different cultural settings. It investigates how social norms, self-control, conspicuousness and future orientation shape sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic (UK) versus collectivist (China) national cultures.

The study was based on survey data from British and Chinese luxury product consumers collected through online panels. The final sample included 452 valid responses from the UK and 414 from China. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

The study found that descriptive norms positively influence sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic (UK) and collectivist (China) cultures. Injunctive norms affect sustainable consumption only in the UK. Future consequences universally impact sustainable consumption. Conspicuous consumption negatively affects preferences for sustainable luxury brands. Self-control enhances the impact of descriptive norms in the UK but reduces the impact of injunctive norms in China.

This study uniquely explores how social norms and cultural influences impact sustainable luxury consumption in individualistic and collectivistic societies. It highlights the moderating role of national culture, providing actionable insights for luxury brands to enhance sustainable consumption with culturally tailored strategies. The research challenges the universality of the theory of normative social behavior, advocating for its refined application across different cultures.

The ancient settlements of the M'zab Valley in Algeria, called ksour, are still being used by local inhabitants a thousand years after their construction. The main objective of this study was to discover why, despite the formation of new residential areas, these settlements have been able to survive and maintain their original functions.

The authors used the concept of living heritage sites as an analytical framework. The field data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through qualitative content analysis.

This study revealed that the reasons for the survival of these settlements were cultural and social rather than physical. Four main factors play a role in the survival of these settlements: (1) solidarity and unity among the inhabitants, (2) built environment as an ancestral heritage and a symbol of identity, (3) comfort and convenience in ksour and (4) social control and adherence to tradition. However, some concerns have arisen in recent decades that may endanger the viability of these settlements in the future, requiring more attention from the government.

While previous studies on urban heritage and World Heritage Sites (WHSs) have mainly focused on tourism development and conservation issues, this paper emphasized a less-studied aspect of these sites, i.e. continuity and sustainability. All previous studies on the WHSs of the M'zab Valley have addressed the traditional architecture and the climatic design of houses without sufficiently addressing other factors that have contributed to the sustainability and resilience of these settlements.

To overcome economic hardship and survival, informal entrepreneurs must continually activate specific resilience capabilities and reassess their entrepreneurial intentions (EI). Accordingly, they may develop transformational characteristics to design a model supporting intersectorial business growth. This study aims to examine the EI ecosystem of change resulting from the above endeavors and proposes an entrepreneurial intention transformation model (EITM).

Using the EI questionnaire developed by Liñán and Chen, data was collected from street vendors in the main markets of the Cameroonian capital (N = 307) to capture the determinants of behavior reflecting the propensity to activate entrepreneurial events within informal ventures.

It was uncovered that perceived collective support, resilience, orientation capability and inferred policies influence the dynamics of EI in the informal sector. Additionally, while revisiting current entrepreneurial lifecycle models, the study distinguished between the entrepreneurial events of “renegare” and formalization. Furthermore, the construction of an informal entrepreneurial lifecycle model confirms the need to acknowledge the formalization and “deformalization” processes as integrative parts of an intersectorial entrepreneurial lifecycle model.

This study extends existing research by proposing an intersectorial entrepreneurial lifecycle to recognize the dynamics of EI on ventures’ formalization. The EITM encompasses the EI dynamic process model and the proposed entrepreneurial lifecycle.

This study aims to explore the interplay between regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive factors in the context of sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Using qualitative research methods, data were collected through interviews with key stakeholders from eight SMEs in Mexico. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore how regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces influence sustainability initiatives within these organisations.

The findings reveal a dynamic relationship between regulatory frameworks and broader societal norms, with SMEs strategically aligning with evolving expectations to drive sustainability. Influenced by consumer preferences, normative forces play a pivotal role in shaping internal and external organisational norms. Cultural-cognitive forces, including organisational values and leadership practices, further reinforce this interplay, highlighting the importance of organisational culture in driving sustainable practices.

This study contributes to understanding institutional dynamics driving sustainability initiatives among SMEs, particularly in the Mexican context. Explaining the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces offers a holistic framework for comprehending the complexities of sustainability-driven organisational change.

The findings provide practical insights for SMEs seeking to navigate sustainability initiatives. Emphasising the proactive role of regulatory compliance, fostering a culture of sustainability and leveraging collaborative opportunities within industries are recommended strategies for driving meaningful organisational change towards sustainability.

This study’s value lies in its development of a conceptual framework illustrating the complex interactions among regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive forces driving sustainability-driven organisational change in Mexican SMEs. Elucidating these dynamics provides a nuanced understanding of how these forces intertwine, offering valuable insights for navigating sustainability initiatives for SMEs in Mexico.

Este estudio explora la interacción entre factores regulatorios, normativos y cultural-cognitivos en el contexto del cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad en las pequeñas y medianas empresas mexicanas.

Utilizando métodos de investigación cualitativa, se recopilaron datos a través de entrevistas con partes interesadas clave de ocho PYMES en México. Se llevó a cabo un análisis temático para explorar cómo las fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas influyen en las iniciativas de sostenibilidad dentro de estas organizaciones.

Los resultados revelan una relación dinámica entre los marcos regulatorios y las normas sociales más amplias, con las PYMES alineándose estratégicamente con las expectativas cambiantes para impulsar la sostenibilidad. Influenciadas por las preferencias de los consumidores, las fuerzas normativas desempeñan un papel fundamental en la formación de normas organizacionales internas y externas. Las fuerzas cultural-cognitivas, incluidas los valores organizacionales y las prácticas de liderazgo, refuerzan aún más esta interacción, destacando la importancia de la cultura organizacional en el impulso de prácticas sostenibles.

Este estudio contribuye a la comprensión de las dinámicas institucionales que impulsan las iniciativas de sostenibilidad entre las PYMES, particularmente en el contexto mexicano. Explicar las complejas interacciones entre fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas ofrece un marco holístico para comprender las complejidades del cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad.

El valor de este estudio radica en el desarrollo de un marco conceptual que ilustra las complejas interacciones entre fuerzas regulatorias, normativas y cultural-cognitivas que impulsan el cambio organizacional impulsado por la sostenibilidad en las PYMES mexicanas. Elucidar estas dinámicas proporciona una comprensión matizada de cómo estas fuerzas se entrelazan, ofreciendo valiosas ideas para navegar iniciativas de sostenibilidad para las PYMES en México.

Los hallazgos proporcionan ideas prácticas para las PYMES que buscan navegar las iniciativas de sostenibilidad. Se recomiendan estrategias como enfatizar el papel proactivo del cumplimiento regulatorio, fomentar una cultura de sostenibilidad y aprovechar las oportunidades de colaboración dentro de las industrias para impulsar un cambio organizacional significativo hacia la sostenibilidad.

Este estudo explora a interação entre fatores regulatórios, normativos e cultural-cognitivos no contexto da mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade em pequenas e médias empresas mexicanas.

Utilizando métodos de pesquisa qualitativa, os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas com partes interessadas de oito PMEs no México. Foi realizada uma análise temática para explorar como as forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas influenciam as iniciativas de sustentabilidade dentro dessas organizações.

Os resultados revelam uma relação dinâmica entre as estruturas regulatórias e as normas sociais mais amplas, com as PMEs alinhando-se estrategicamente às expectativas em evolução para impulsionar a sustentabilidade. Influenciadas pelas preferências dos consumidores, as forças normativas desempenham um papel crucial na formação de normas organizacionais internas e externas. As forças cultural-cognitivas, incluindo valores organizacionais e práticas de liderança, reforçam ainda mais essa interação, destacando a importância da cultura organizacional na promoção de práticas sustentáveis.

Este estudo contribui para a compreensão das dinâmicas institucionais que impulsionam iniciativas de sustentabilidade entre as PMEs, particularmente no contexto mexicano. Explicar as complexas interações entre forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas oferece uma estrutura holística para compreender as complexidades da mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade.

Os resultados fornecem insights práticos para PMEs que buscam navegar em iniciativas de sustentabilidade. Recomenda-se enfatizar o papel proativo do cumprimento regulatório, fomentar uma cultura de sustentabilidade e aproveitar as oportunidades de colaboração dentro das indústrias como estratégias para impulsionar uma mudança organizacional significativa em direção à sustentabilidade.

O valor deste estudo reside no desenvolvimento de um quadro conceitual que ilustra as complexas interações entre forças regulatórias, normativas e cultural-cognitivas que impulsionam a mudança organizacional impulsionada pela sustentabilidade nas PMEs mexicanas. Elucidar essas dinâmicas fornece uma compreensão diferenciada de como essas forças se entrelaçam, oferecendo insights valiosos para PMEs no México.

This study aims to examine how women entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan's male-dominated sectors utilize the concept of positionality to navigate and redefine gender norms, focusing on their engagement with entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities. It explores the transformative potential of their strategic actions on gender dynamics within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Employing qualitative research through 27 in-depth interviews, this study adopts constructivist grounded theory to delve into how women entrepreneurs interact with gender norms within their entrepreneurial context. This approach highlights the dynamic interplay between gender norms and the strategies employed by women entrepreneurs to navigate these challenges.

The findings reveal that women entrepreneurs actively employ and navigate entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities as strategies to challenge traditional gender roles. Their approaches vary from conforming to, challenging and creatively redefining the gendered expectations encountered in their entrepreneurial journey. This demonstrates their agency in reshaping gender norms and contributing to the diversity of gender performances within the domain of entrepreneurship.

While focused on Kazakhstan, the study's findings suggest broader implications for understanding gender dynamics in entrepreneurship across different cultural contexts. Future research could extend this inquiry to varied sociocultural settings, employing post-structuralist and ethnographic methodologies to further explore the performance of gender roles and the negotiation of belonging in entrepreneurial contexts.

By foregrounding the concept of positionality, this study enriches the dialogue on gender dynamics within entrepreneurship, offering fresh perspectives on the agency of women entrepreneurs in male-dominated sectors. It illustrates how gender identities and performances are not fixed but are actively constructed and negotiated, contributing to the evolving landscape of entrepreneurial masculinities and femininities.

An increase in informal job advertisements has been attributed to high unemployment. However, less scholarly attention has been placed on the experiences of victims of advertised job scams.

This explorative study investigates the lived experiences of victims of advertised job scams in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, adopting Durkheim’s Functionalism and Anomie Theory. Around 35 victims were purposively engaged in in-depth and telephone interviews.

The findings of the study indicated the link between functionalism and anomie, an increasing rate of advertised job scams and a high rate of unemployment and poverty as well as the desperation of victims in getting jobs. The value orientation of an individual is determined by the dynamics of the social institutions. The pattern of job scammers revealed extremists conditioned by the large number of youths seeking employment. The advertised scam jobs are usually unavailable. In addition, employers, through informal job advertisements, subject victims to extortions, exploitation, street begging, kidnapping and rituals as well as sexual harassment and rape. Owing to the high rate of unemployment, many genuine job offers are characterised by bribes, besides trivializing merit.

The government should design measures to tackle the rate of corruption and unemployment. This can be achieved by introducing entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programmes in the nation’s education system.

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose effective strategies for recovery and resilience of this sector.

The study analysed the challenges encountered by the tourism and hospitality industry post-pandemic and identified key strategies for overcoming these challenges. The study utilised the modified Delphi method to finalise the challenges and employed the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to rank these challenges. Additionally, solution strategies are ranked using the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method.

The study identified significant challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry, highlighting the lack of health and hygiene facilities as the foremost concern, followed by increased operational costs. Moreover, it revealed that attracting millennial travellers emerged as the top priority strategy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.

This research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers valuable insights into practical strategies for recovery. The findings provide beneficial recommendations for policymakers aiming to revive and support these industries.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether business growth intention (BGI) and entrepreneurial motivations enhance the explanatory power of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict environmental intention (EI) among nascent entrepreneurs.

In the context of nascent entrepreneurship, the authors collected data from 193 nascent entrepreneurs in France. To test the hypotheses, stepwise multiple regression was performed.

The results show that BGI has a positive influence on EI. This indicates that it is possible for French nascent entrepreneurs to plan the simultaneous pursuit of business growth and environmental goals. However, entrepreneurial motivations have a mixed effect on EI. If necessity motivations negatively influence EI, opportunity motivations have no significant effect on the latter.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first to extend the TBP model with additional factors, namely, BGI and necessity/opportunity motivations, to study EI. Moreover, the extended TBP model is validated in the under-research context of nascent entrepreneurship.