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1 – 10 of over 4000Yi Zhang, Tianqi Zhang, Hang Zhou and Jian Qin
People usually try to avoid uncertainty. Recently, however, uncertainty has become an emerging marketing tool in the hedonic product industry. In the case of blind box…
Abstract
Purpose
People usually try to avoid uncertainty. Recently, however, uncertainty has become an emerging marketing tool in the hedonic product industry. In the case of blind box consumption, for example, the consumers become addicted to the uncertainty created by businesses, leading to repeat purchases and even indulgences. Previous research has, yet, to focus on the impact of uncertainty on indulgence and the role of emotions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper constructs and validates a chain mediation model of uncertainty triggering indulgent consumption based on the information gap theory, positive emotion theory and uncertainty resolution theory and examines the difference between resolved and unresolved uncertainty. This study also explores differences in the impact of whether uncertainty is resolved on emotions. The uncertainty-resolved group elicited a more positive emotional response than the uncertainty-unresolved group, leading to a more indulgent consumption.
Findings
The results of three studies show that uncertainty influences indulgent consumption through curiosity and positive emotion, and that curiosity and positive emotion play separate and chain mediating roles between uncertainty and indulgent consumption, respectively. We validate our central hypothesis with questionnaires among blind box consumer groups, examining the moderating role of perceived luck and risk preferences.
Originality/value
The findings shed new light on firms' use of uncertainty to promote consumer purchases.
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Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to systematically reveal the complex interaction between uncertainty and the international commodity market (CRB).
Design/methodology/approach
A composite uncertainty index and five categorical uncertainty indices, together with wavelet analysis and detrended cross-correlation analysis, were used. First, in the time-frequency domain, the coherency and lead-lag relationship between uncertainty and the commodity markets were investigated. Furthermore, the transmission direction of the cross-correlation over different lag periods and asymmetry in this cross-correlation under different trends were identified.
Findings
First, there is significant coherency between uncertainties and CRB mainly in the short and medium terms, with natural disaster and public health uncertainties tending to lead CRB. Second, uncertainty impacts CRB more markedly over shorter lag periods, whereas the impact of CRB on uncertainty gradually increases with longer lag periods. Third, the cross-correlation is asymmetric and multifractal under different trends. Finally, from the perspective of lag periods and trends, the interaction of uncertainty with the Chinese commodity market is significantly different from its interaction with CRB.
Originality/value
First, this study comprehensively constructs a composite uncertainty index based on five types of uncertainty. Second, this study provides a scientific perspective on examining the core and diverse interactions between uncertainty and CRB, as achieved by investigating the interactions of CRB with five categorical and composite uncertainties. Third, this study provides a new research framework to enable multiscale analysis of the complex interaction between uncertainty and the commodity markets.
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Hussein Abdoh and Aktham Maghyereh
This study aims to validate the link between production manipulation and a firm’s performance variability (fundamentals and stock returns). It explores whether executives'…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to validate the link between production manipulation and a firm’s performance variability (fundamentals and stock returns). It explores whether executives' risk-taking incentives encourage production deviations around the normal level during uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing panel data of manufacturing firms from Compustat over three decades, the study investigates production management practices during economic uncertainty. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index (EPU) is employed as a key metric. The empirical strategy involves documenting the effect of economic uncertainty on overproduction and underproduction, examining the role of executive compensation and assessing the impact on risk.
Findings
The research finds that risk-taking incentives increase over/underproduction, particularly amplifying the extent of underproduction during uncertainty. Production deviation rises, indicating that firms take greater risk by engaging in abnormal business operations. The study’s results are robust against various econometric methods, emphasizing the influence of risk-taking incentives on corporate production decisions.
Research limitations/implications
While providing valuable insights, the study acknowledges inherent limitations, including factors influencing production decisions beyond risk-taking incentives. Further research could explore additional determinants for a comprehensive understanding.
Practical implications
The findings highlight the potential dark side of executive compensation that motivates suboptimal risk-taking decisions, impacting risk, cost of capital and firm performance. Policymakers and compensation committees can use these insights to design efficient systems that mitigate moral hazard problems associated with productivity changes.
Social implications
The study emphasizes the broader social implications of production manipulation under uncertainty. It prompts discussions on the ethical considerations of managerial opportunism, its potential consequences for stakeholders and market dynamics.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by examining the role of economic uncertainty on production manipulation and the influence of risk-taking incentives. It extends the earnings management literature by considering real activity manipulation and emphasizing the importance of decomposing production deviation into positive and negative values.
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Tennakoon Mudiyanselage Maheshi Pabasara Tennakoon, Nicholas Chileshe, Raufdeen Rameezdeen, Jorge Ochoa Paniagua, Aparna Samaraweera and Larissa Statsenko
This paper aims to synthesise the latest literature on supply chain operations of offsite manufacturing in the construction industry to identify and evaluate the uncertainties at…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to synthesise the latest literature on supply chain operations of offsite manufacturing in the construction industry to identify and evaluate the uncertainties at each stage of the offsite construction supply chain (OSC-SC) to compile contributions to knowledge and thereby determine the future research directions to improve supply chain resilience (SCR).
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted as a systematic literature review. In total, 99 peer-reviewed journal papers published between 2015 and mid-2022 were shortlisted and analysed through the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Findings
The bibliometric analysis revealed that the research focusing on supply chain issues and developing best practices in offsite construction adopt case study approaches to investigate the research problems comprehensively. The content analysis revealed the lack of up-to-date knowledge in the construction workforce regarding OSC; low preparedness for the changes brought by the SC uncertainties; the lack of a proper procurement model for OSC; lack of end-to-end visibility of the supply chain to identify uncertainties and lack of national or government standards on OSC-SC, as some of the key problems instigating the identified the uncertainties.
Originality/value
This study clarifies the current knowledge by systematically presenting uncertainties at each stage of the OSC-SC. Moreover, it provides a framework and proposes that future research should focus specifically on individual/team, organisational, supply chain/network and sector/national/supranational levels to improve SCR.
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Liang-Xing He and Teng Li
The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial implementation intention and subsequent actions, addressing the isotropic issue under uncertain…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial implementation intention and subsequent actions, addressing the isotropic issue under uncertain entrepreneurship.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted two rounds surveys, a total of 2,350 individuals are surveyed, and 240 of whom expressed entrepreneurial intention but had yet to start a business comprised the sample.
Findings
This research finds that entrepreneurial implementation intention has a significant positive relationship with subsequent actions, affordable loss mediates the effect of implementation intention on subsequent actions, environmental uncertainty negatively moderates the relationship between affordable loss and subsequent actions, and the indirect effect of entrepreneurial implementation intention on entrepreneurial action can be enhanced at the low level of environmental uncertainty.
Originality/value
This study contributes new insights to the literature on Rubicon model of action phases in entrepreneurship field by using affordable loss and uncertainty. It also contributes to the literature on affordable loss by examining how environmental uncertainty conditions the effect of affordable loss on entrepreneurial action. Additionally, the negatively moderating role of environmental uncertainty offers a new possibility to explain entrepreneurial uncertainty.
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Anke Aarninkhof-Kamphuis, Hans Voordijk and Geert Dewulf
Health care organizations’ decision-making for the future relies on anticipating changes. Reliable predictions are becoming increasingly difficult, creating anxiety and requires…
Abstract
Purpose
Health care organizations’ decision-making for the future relies on anticipating changes. Reliable predictions are becoming increasingly difficult, creating anxiety and requires long-term adaptive planning to cope with unforeseen circumstances. The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the awareness of uncertainties that decision makers in healthcare have, particularly when making long-term investments.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a qualitative study with an explorative purpose. The data were collected through semi-structured and open interviews with board members of long-term care organizations.
Findings
The study revealed that respondents are most uncertain about the future financing of their real estate system. Another concern revealed is about the shortage of care professionals combined with an increasing demand for future care. Despite most decision makers do recognize uncertainties during the decision-making process, decision makers hardly address the level of these uncertainties. Although this study did find that some decision makers are aware of deep uncertainties, in terms of “unknown unknowns,” they have no actual approaches for dealing with such situations.
Originality/value
Decision makers at healthcare organizations are uncertain as to their ability to anticipate technological, economic, social and political developments, as well as predict future healthcare system transformations. Some decision makers are aware of deep uncertainties, in terms of “unknown unknowns” and “unidentified unknowns,” but they lack an actual approach to deal with such situations. This study examines how strategies adapt to unforeseen developments or how to deal with deep uncertainties in healthcare as complex adaptive system.
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Yi-Hsin Lin, Deshuang Niu, Yanzhe Guo and Ningshuang Zeng
This study examines how project uncertainties (environmental uncertainty and participant uncertainty) affect guanxi and contractual governance and assesses the mediating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how project uncertainties (environmental uncertainty and participant uncertainty) affect guanxi and contractual governance and assesses the mediating role of guanxi governance between project uncertainty and contractual governance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected in two stages from Chinese contractors. First, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine construction engineering project practitioners in different contracts as a pilot for questionnaire designing. Second, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with professionals and practitioners of construction enterprises to collect primary data. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test seven hypotheses based on data collected from 198 respondents.
Findings
Project environmental uncertainty promotes the use of guanxi governance, while project participant uncertainty hinders it; the relationship between both types of uncertainty and contractual governance is the same as with guanxi governance. Furthermore, guanxi governance promotes contractual governance and partially mediates project environmental uncertainty and contractual governance and a complete mediating role between project participant uncertainty and contractual governance.
Research limitations/implications
As the interviewed samples are mainly from China, the study should be replicated using large representative samples from East Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the influence of guanxi governance. Further, while the internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the questionnaire data in this study align with the standards, a larger sample size would improve the reliability and validity of the research results and better represent the overall work situation of contractors, owners and public policymakers.
Originality/value
The results provide insights into project governance research and have implications for construction practitioners in deploying governance-related resources.
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Juan Gabriel Brida, Bibiana Lanzilotta and Lucia Rosich
From these data, the authors construct an uncertainty index through the use of a vector autoregressive (VAR) model to measure the impact of uncertainty on GDP, controlling for…
Abstract
Purpose
From these data, the authors construct an uncertainty index through the use of a vector autoregressive (VAR) model to measure the impact of uncertainty on GDP, controlling for inflation, which may affect macroeconomic performance. Results indicate that uncertainty is negatively correlated with the economic cycle and the inter-annual variation of the biannual average product.
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically explores the dynamics of expectations of the Uruguayan manufacturing firms about industrial economic growth. This study explores the dynamics of the industrial economic growth expectations of Uruguayan manufacturing firms. The empirical research is based on firms' expectations data collected through a monthly survey carried out by the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU) in 2003–2018.
Findings
Granger causality tests show that uncertainty Granger-causes industrial production growth and a one standard deviation shock on uncertainty generates a contraction in the industrial production growth rate. Finally, the authors use statistical and network tools to identify groups of firms with similar performance on expectations. Results show that higher uncertainty is associated with smaller, more interconnected groups of firms, and that the number of homogeneous groups and the distance between groups increases with uncertainty. These findings suggest that policies focused on the coordination of expectations can lead to the development of stable opinion groups.
Originality/value
The paper introduces new data and new methodologies to analyze the dynamics of expectations of manufacturing firms about industrial economic growth.
Highlights
An empirical approach to compare expectations of firms is introduced.
The occurrence of groups of opinion is tested.
Central companies in the network of expectations are detected.
More uncertainty implies a higher degree of discrepancy between the overall firm’s opinions and more compact opinion groups.
An empirical approach to compare expectations of firms is introduced.
The occurrence of groups of opinion is tested.
Central companies in the network of expectations are detected.
More uncertainty implies a higher degree of discrepancy between the overall firm’s opinions and more compact opinion groups.
Details
Keywords
Ali Falaah Hassan and Rohaida Basiruddin
This study aims to investigate the influence of budgetary participation on budget quality on top of the moderating role of environmental uncertainty on the said relationship.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the influence of budgetary participation on budget quality on top of the moderating role of environmental uncertainty on the said relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The objectives of the current study were achieved through a survey conducted in 15 Iraqi states. Each state contains several municipalities. In total, 180 survey forms were disseminated to the heads of the municipalities, where ultimately 155 questionnaires proceeded to the data analysis stage. In this stage, statistical package for social sciences, analysis of moment structure and structural equation modelling were used to solve the research problem and achieve the objectives.
Findings
Through the results of the statistical analysis, this study concluded the significant and positive effect of budgetary participation on budget quality. In addition, the study confirmed the moderating role of environmental uncertainty in weakening the positive relationship between budgetary participation and budget quality.
Originality/value
The findings can be used to encourage municipal institutions and local governments to expand on the factor of employee participation in affecting the process of budget determination, hence mitigating budget failure.
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Niharika Varshney, Srikant Gupta and Aquil Ahmed
This study aims to address the inherent uncertainties within closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) networks through the application of a multi-objective approach, specifically focusing…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address the inherent uncertainties within closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) networks through the application of a multi-objective approach, specifically focusing on the optimization of integrated production and transportation processes. The primary purpose is to enhance decision-making in supply chain management by formulating a robust multi-objective model.
Design/methodology/approach
In dealing with uncertainty, this study uses Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (PFNs) to effectively represent and quantify uncertainties associated with various parameters within the CLSC network. The proposed model is solved using Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy programming, presenting a comprehensive and innovative methodology designed explicitly for handling uncertainties inherent in CLSC contexts.
Findings
The research findings highlight the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed framework for addressing uncertainties within CLSC networks. Through a comparative analysis with other established approaches, the model demonstrates its robustness, showcasing its potential to make informed and resilient decisions in supply chain management.
Research limitations/implications
This study successfully addressed uncertainty in CLSC networks, providing logistics managers with a robust decision-making framework. Emphasizing the importance of PFNs and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy programming, the research offered practical insights for optimizing transportation routes and resource allocation. Future research could explore dynamic factors in CLSCs, integrate real-time data and leverage emerging technologies for more agile and sustainable supply chain management.
Originality/value
This research contributes significantly to the field by introducing a novel and comprehensive methodology for managing uncertainty in CLSC networks. The adoption of PFNs and Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy programming offers an original and valuable approach to addressing uncertainties, providing practitioners and decision-makers with insights to make informed and resilient decisions in supply chain management.
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