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1 – 4 of 4Job Momoh, Benachir Medjdoub, Obas John Ebohon, Olubisi Ige, Bert Ediale Young and Jin Ruoyu
Sustainable urbanism is the study of both cities and the practices to build them, which focusses on promoting their long-term viability by reducing consumption, waste and harmful…
Abstract
Purpose
Sustainable urbanism is the study of both cities and the practices to build them, which focusses on promoting their long-term viability by reducing consumption, waste and harmful impacts on people and place while enhancing the overall well-being of both people and place. This paper analyses the implications of adopting sustainable urbanism principles and developing resilient places with Abuja as the area of focus to tackle the highlighted issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on qualitative research which is centred on an extensive literature review and archival retrieval of historical documents. This includes the emergence of urbanism, sustainable urbanism definition and current issues surrounding its adaptation. The paper also focusses on a case study area in the capital city of Abuja, Nigeria which is currently undergoing massive urban development. Interviews are conducted with academics (13), practitioners (12) and government officials (10) making a total of 35 participants.
Findings
The main findings will create an understanding of the definition of sustainability and sustainable urbanism with a special focus on Abuja city. It was realised from the interviews that sustainable urbanism in broad terms encompasses economic, social, and environmental sustainability, and that these dimensions vary across different contexts even in the developing world. Also, sustainability can be achieved through deploying the right combination of measures, policies, assessment tools, sustainability assessment, good governance, and training/education and incentives.
Originality/value
By reviewing the selected studies which explore a wide range of disciplines and research areas, and conducting this qualitative research, this paper shares insights into how sustainability and sustainability urbanism can be achieved in the development of urban spaces in Abuja environs.
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Mine Aksoy, Mustafa Kemal Yilmaz, Metin Canci and Alp Ay
Building on resource dependence theory and contingency theory (CT) and focusing on an emerging market setting, this study investigates how demographic board diversity (BD…
Abstract
Purpose
Building on resource dependence theory and contingency theory (CT) and focusing on an emerging market setting, this study investigates how demographic board diversity (BD) influences the export intensity (EI) of firms listed on Borsa Istanbul (BIST), with the moderating effect of firm size, as a contingency factor, on this interaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 65 exporting firms listed on the BIST Industrials Index, this study explores how demographic attributes of board members, represented by the board diversity index (BDI), affects EI by employing panel data analysis over the period of 2016–2020.
Findings
The results suggest that there is a negative relationship between BD and EI, but firm size has a positive moderating effect on the association of BD and EI, indicating that large firms with diverse boards are more prone to access foreign markets and make export. The findings further indicate that board size and CEO duality have a negative and significant effect on EI, while marketing intensity has a positive and significant impact.
Research limitations/implications
The sample covers only public companies listed on the BIST Industrials Index, and the impact of board characteristics on the EI is analyzed for a limited time frame, i.e. from 2016 to 2020.
Practical implications
The findings help business executives better understand the contribution of the firm size on the interaction of BD and EI and offers valuable insights to companies to gain a competitive edge in international markets.
Originality/value
The study provides evidence on the effects of board attributes on the EI from the perspective of emerging countries. It also helps to gain a deeper understanding of how board dynamics contribute to the internationalization of companies.
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A learning-focused culture promotes creativity, innovativeness and the acquisition of novel insights and competencies. The study aims to explore the relationship between human…
Abstract
Purpose
A learning-focused culture promotes creativity, innovativeness and the acquisition of novel insights and competencies. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource development (HRD) practice and employee competencies using organizational learning culture as a mediating variable.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 828 employees of 37 health care institutions comprising 24 (internationally-owned) and 13 (indigenously-owned). Construct reliability and validity was established through a confirmatory factor analysis. The proposed model and hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Data supported the hypothesized relationships. The results show that training and development and employee competencies were significantly related. Career development and employee competencies were significantly related. Organizational learning culture mediates the relationship between training and development and employee competencies. However, organizational learning culture did not mediate the relationship between career development and employee competencies.
Research limitations/implications
The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research’s health care focus and cross-sectional data.
Practical implications
The study’s findings will serve as valuable pointers to policy makers and stakeholders of health care institutions in developing system-level capacities that promote continuous learning and adaptive learning cultures to ensure sustainability and competitive advantage.
Originality/value
By evidencing empirically that organizational learning culture mediates the relationship between HRD practices and employee competencies the study extends the literature.
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Patrick Amfo Anim, Emmanuel Arthur and George Kofi Amoako
This study examines the role of social media adoption (SMA), opportunity recognition (OR) and opportunity exploitation (OE) in mediating the relationship between entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the role of social media adoption (SMA), opportunity recognition (OR) and opportunity exploitation (OE) in mediating the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and the performance of newly established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies, with a particular emphasis on Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a post-positivist philosophical stance and uses a quantitative approach and a survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 336 SME owners and managers from Ghana’s manufacturing, trading and service sectors. Questionnaires were administered to source the empirical data for this study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results reveal that EO positively and significantly influences the performance of new-born SMEs. SMA, OR and OE partially mediated this relationship.
Practical implications
This study is a wakeup call to policymakers, practitioners, managers and owners of recently established businesses. Policymakers should provide support and resources for newly established SMEs to adopt effective social media marketing strategies, bolstering their online presence and customer engagement. Simultaneously, they should invest in entrepreneurship education and create an environment conducive to innovation to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among fresh SMEs. Business owners and managers should proactively monitor market trends and consumer preferences, adapting their strategies to identifying and seizing emerging opportunities.
Originality/value
This study introduces a significant novelty to previous literature and one of the first to employ the dynamic capability theory to examine the interplay between EO, SMA, OR and OE in influencing the performance of new SMEs in the context of emerging markets. Furthermore, it extends the scope of understanding of the mechanisms through which SMEs can prosper in these dynamic environments. This unique combination of theoretical framework, comprehensive variables and contextual focus sets this study apart from existing research, enriching the literature on SME performance in emerging markets.
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