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Article
Publication date: 16 August 2024

Vishag Badrinarayanan, Deva Rangarajan, Christine Lai-Bennejean, Melanie Bowen and Timo Arvid Kaski

Although organizations are investing heavily in digital transformation (DT) of the sales function, implementation and exploitation at the sales force level are ongoing challenges…

Abstract

Purpose

Although organizations are investing heavily in digital transformation (DT) of the sales function, implementation and exploitation at the sales force level are ongoing challenges. As sales managers serve as conduits of influence between top management and the sales force, the success of strategic initiatives, such as DT, hinges heavily on leveraging their influence to promote change adoption at the sales force level. Accordingly, this research is guided by the research question: how can sales organizations secure the buy-in of sales managers and induce their championing behaviors directed toward the sales force?. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how organizational and psychological resources influence sales managers' DT change champion through their change readiness.

Design/methodology/approach

Construing DT in sales as an organizational change that creates contextual job demands, the theoretical framework offers several hypotheses linking organizational and personal resources with sales managers’ change readiness and championing behaviors. The perceived impact of change is included as a moderating variable. Using data from a sample of 176 business-to-business sales managers, the hypotheses are tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The authors demonstrate that two change-related organizational resources (change communication and change mobilization) and a personal psychological resource (psychological capital) facilitate sales managers’ emotional and cognitive change readiness, which, in turn, enhances their championing behaviors toward DT initiatives. Further, the authors find that perceived change impact augments the effects of organizational and psychological resources on change readiness, thus highlighting the importance of effective positioning of the outcomes of change.

Practical implications

This study provides practitioners with actionable guidance on securing the buy-in of sales managers for change initiatives such as DT. Specifically, communication and mobilization are critical inducements. Managers who score high on psychological capital can be targeted as change agents. Further, the impact of change needs to be framed positively, as the resultant perceptions magnify the effects of organizational resources.

Originality/value

While prior research has examined salespeople’s response to change, very little is known about the antecedents of change readiness and championing behavior among sales managers. Based on the results, the authors identify theoretical and managerial implications as well as future research directions.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2024

Chris Lonsdale and Nicholas le Mesurier

This paper aims to explore how social procurement (SP)-related capabilities might be developed within public authorities.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how social procurement (SP)-related capabilities might be developed within public authorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes qualitative research, based upon an inductive research design. This leads to a model to inform future research and practice.

Findings

Within the context of a “disconnected and nascent institutional field of practice” (Loosemore et al., 2023), the research generated rich data illustrating how certain English public authorities have developed relatively mature SP capabilities and applied them within the procurement process. The former included the appointment of “champions”; the founding of groups/units; training using webinars, online resources and case studies; “toolkits”, including policy documents, process guidance and measurement tools and networking. The latter included consultation with social value recipients and close engagement with both internal stakeholders and suppliers. The research also revealed the internal political skills of “champions”, as SP challenges incumbent logics regarding procurement objectives and practices.

Practical implications

First, the paper provides a potential roadmap for organisational capability development. Second, the research makes clear that public authorities should not seek to reinvent the capability wheel. Engagement with peers, advisory bodies, established “toolkits”, etc. is imperative, with much expertise publicly available. Third, it also suggests that smaller public authorities might seek to act as part of a consortium rather than go it alone, given the investment required for effective SP. Fourth, the research showed that practitioners need to understand SP as not simply a development challenge but also a political one.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by analysing SP from the largely overlooked resource-based perspective, by providing rich data on buy-side practice, by usefully adding to the literature's emerging “practice theme” and by offering guidance to buy-side managers within public authorities.

Details

International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3558

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 August 2024

Rehema Namono, Odoch J.P. Hojops and Simon Tanui

The current diversity in organizations requires innovative employees to cope up with the dynamism. A burgeoning body of literature has established the antecedent role of…

Abstract

Purpose

The current diversity in organizations requires innovative employees to cope up with the dynamism. A burgeoning body of literature has established the antecedent role of self-efficacy in employee innovativeness. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the influence of self-efficacy on the different types of innovative work behaviour. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of self-efficacy on the different types of innovative work behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an explanatory design to examine the hypothesized relationship between the study variables. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and different types of innovative work behaviour using a sample drawn from public universities in Uganda.

Findings

The study findings reveal that self-efficacy significantly influences the four types of innovative work behaviour. However, the magnitude of the influence is not uniform across the four types of innovative work behaviour. Idea implementation was highly influenced by self-efficacy, followed by generation of ideas. Championing and exploration are the least determinants of self-efficacy.

Originality/value

This research has both empirical and theoretical value. Empirically, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to show a direct relationship between self-efficacy and individual facets of innovative work behaviour in a public university setting in a developing nation like Uganda. Theoretically, the study expands on the applicability of the social cognitive theory by revealing that the influence of an individual's personality characteristics (such as self-efficacy) varies with the type of innovative work behaviour because the tasks involved in the various types of innovative work behaviour differ and are thus affected by self-efficacy differently. The study limitations and areas for further research are discussed.

Details

International Journal of Innovation Science, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-2223

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 September 2024

Chun Sing Maxwell Ho, Ori Eyal and Thomas Wing Yan Man

Literature on teacher leadership highlights a significant gap in understanding the role of teacher leaders (TLs) as entrepreneurs. This research aims to bridge this gap by…

Abstract

Purpose

Literature on teacher leadership highlights a significant gap in understanding the role of teacher leaders (TLs) as entrepreneurs. This research aims to bridge this gap by examining the multifaceted entrepreneurial dimension of teacher leadership. It specifically focuses on providing a comprehensive profile of these leaders and assessing their perceived influence on teachers’ outcome, which are important for improving school performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step clustering procedure was utilized to discern profiles of teacher leaders’ entrepreneurial behaviours, sampling 586 participants in a teacher leader training program. To assess mean differences in relation to perceived influence on teacher outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction, intrateam trust and innovative teaching practices) among these clusters, two-way contingency table analysis and MANOVA were conducted.

Findings

We identified three teacher-leader profiles: congenial facilitators, champion-leaders and executors. Our findings reveal the unique strengths and weaknesses of each profile and their contributions to job satisfaction, intrateam trust and innovative teaching practices.

Originality/value

This study is innovative in its detailed examination of teacher leadership through the lens of Teacher Entrepreneurial Behaviour (TEB), providing new perspectives on the intricate relationships between teacher leaders' TEB and their perceived influences. This deeper insight emphasizes the important role of entrepreneurial behaviours within teacher leadership, suggesting new directions for further research and development in educational leadership practices.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2024

Hojops J.P. Odoch, Barbara N. Kayondo, Robinah Nabafu and Gorden Wofuma

The contemporary changes in learning institutions, such as new teaching methods like online teaching that emerged as a result of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic…

Abstract

Purpose

The contemporary changes in learning institutions, such as new teaching methods like online teaching that emerged as a result of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, require higher education institutions to activate employee creative behaviour to thrive. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a disruptor and catalyst for traditional teaching methods in universities, leading to the introduction of new teaching methods, which underscores the urgency of creativity research to generate new ideas for work execution. Despite the dynamic education environment that has resulted in new work practices that necessitate creativity, little empirical research stimulating creativity in higher institutions of learning following a pandemic has been done. This research seeks to determine the role of self-efficacy in enhancing creativity and the various types of creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory research methodology was used to investigate the hypothetical influence of self-efficacy on creativity.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that self-efficacy significantly enhances the different dimensions of creative behaviour. However, the magnitude of the influence varies significantly among the three categories of creative behaviour. The magnitude of influence of self-efficacy was highest on idea implementation, preceded by generation and championing of ideas.

Research limitations/implications

We collected data from employees in Uganda’s universities, which were public, and the application of the findings may be limited to public universities because of the difference in the work environment settings in private and public university settings, which may affect the efficacy of the employees. Given that the data were collected in a university setting, the results may be limited to universities. This research adopted a cross-sectional design and employees' efficacy and creative behaviour may change over time. The current study opens the ground for longitudinal research in a related field to establish the causal role of self-efficacy on individuals' creativity over time.

Practical implications

Organisations must enhance positive organisational behaviour like self-efficacy to enhance university employees' cognitive ability to manage uncertainty associated with creativity. While enhancing self-efficacy, organisations need to consider the strategic actions geared towards enhancing the required type of creative behaviour since findings reveal that the causal effect of self-efficacy significantly differs across the different types of creativity.

Originality/value

This research has both theoretical and empirical value. From an empirical perspective, this is a novel investigation to determine the direct effect of self-efficacy and the individual dimensions of creativity in a public university setting in a developing country like Uganda. By establishing the antecedent role of self-efficacy on creativity, the study provides new insights into how educational systems can maintain operational continuity and adaptability during unprecedented disruptions like the one of COVID-19. This research extends the applicability of social cognitive theory from a theoretical standpoint by affirming that the influence of personality characteristics on an individual (such as self-efficacy) varies with the type of creative behaviour. This is because the tasks involved in the various dimensions of creative behaviour are different and, as a result, are affected by self-efficacy in different ways.

Details

Continuity & Resilience Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-7502

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 3 June 2024

Sydney Pons, Jalayer Khalilzadeh, Melvin R. Weber and Ruth Annette Smith

This project inquires whether transitioning to adopting sustainable practices involves emphasizing the significance of education and skill development that aligns with employees'…

Abstract

Purpose

This project inquires whether transitioning to adopting sustainable practices involves emphasizing the significance of education and skill development that aligns with employees' knowledge. Additionally, this project explores whether soft skills can act as a means for effective communication, collaboration and ethical decision-making when addressing the intricate and socially interconnected nature of sustainability challenges. Thus, this research explores employee sustainability knowledge and soft skills to gain a more nuanced understanding to provide evidence-based recommendations to enhance organizational sustainability initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a form of chain-referral sampling with two populations. A two-step cluster analysis with a log-likelihood distance measure and Schwarz’s Bayesian criterion was employed to identify communities of employees with different levels of sustainable practices and soft skills knowledge. A corresponding analysis was conducted to better understand different communities in terms of industry and managerial experience. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using a covariance-based measurement model to establish measurement validity and reliability and to impute latent variables (i.e. constructs) scores.

Findings

Aligning human resource (HR) strategies with these identified knowledge communities enables organizations to strategically enhance comprehensive training programs promoting sustainable practices and soft skills. Tailored training and workforce development programs for each community are recommended, with the proposal of active training methods like Lego Serious Play to dynamically engage employees. As organizations increasingly invest in training, this research offers valuable insights for educators and industry professionals to better cultivate and apply soft skills to develop employee sustainability practices and enhance employee development.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study’s findings are not generalizable to the population, they are useful when considering critical sustainability knowledge and soft skills necessary for employees in the hospitality industry. The convenience sample of this study could have been more robust, with participants with greater tenure in the industry or a better understanding of sustainable practices and soft skill competencies. This research used a Qualtrics survey to gather subject responses. This may have caused biases in responding to the survey, such as a central tendency, immediacy, the rater’s knowledge about each criterion or boredom with the survey length.

Practical implications

The practical implications drawn from this study’s findings offer actionable insights for organizations seeking to enhance sustainability practices within their workforce. As one navigates the diverse landscape of employee categories, including sustainable champions, emerging learners and skillful initiators, it becomes evident that a one-size-fits-all approach to training and workforce education is not conducive to cultivating a sustainable culture. In this section, some possible practical strategies tailored to each employee category are suggested, ensuring that organizations can effectively harness the unique strengths and development needs within their workforce.

Social implications

Using a social cognitive theoretical lens (Bandura, 1977), sustainable catalysts' elevated knowledge levels make them influential contributors to the organization’s sustainability goals, while their adeptness in soft skills positions them as effective communicators, collaborators and leaders in fostering a culture of sustainability. Figure 1b displays this idea. As such, sustainable catalysts were present four times in the effectiveness of the top five soft skills, meaning these sustainable catalysts should be the area of primary focus as they can assist organizations by educating other employees due to their enhanced soft skills and level of sustainability knowledge.

Originality/value

Rooted in social cognitive theory, this study investigated how HR practices can effectively shape sustainability-related workforce development in the workplace. The results identified distinct knowledge communities – sustainable catalysts, skillful initiators, emerging learners and sustainable champions – aligned with quadrants of sustainable practice effectiveness. Aligning HR strategies with these identified knowledge communities enables organizations to strategically enhance comprehensive training programs promoting sustainable practices and soft skills.

Details

International Hospitality Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-8142

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 December 2023

Patricia McHugh, Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Christine T. Domegan and Noirin Burke

This paper aims to describe a case between practitioners and social marketing academics to grow and scale a programme that engages with primary schools, teachers, children and the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a case between practitioners and social marketing academics to grow and scale a programme that engages with primary schools, teachers, children and the education network, inspiring students to become marine leaders and ocean champions.

Design/methodology/approach

Over a six-year period, the authors first applied collective intelligence to work with stakeholders across society to better understand the barriers and solutions to teaching children (6–12 year olds) about the ocean in schools. Following this, a Collective Impact Assessment of the Explorers Education Programme took place to grow the impact of the programme.

Findings

The Explorers Education Programme has grown its numbers higher than pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, the Explorers Education Programme had the largest number of participating children, reaching 15,237, with a growth of 21% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and 79% compared to 2021. In 2023, the programme won the “Best Education Outreach Award” category of the Education Awards in Ireland.

Research limitations/implications

This research stresses the importance of measuring impact. The long-term impact of the Explorers Education Programme at societal, environmental and economical levels takes a much longer time frame to measure than the six years of these research collaborations.

Practical implications

The collaborative approach between academics and practitioners meant that this research had practical implications, whereby necessary and effective changes and learnings could be directly applied to the Explorers Education Programme in real time, as the practitioners involved were directly responsible for the management and coordination of the programme.

Originality/value

The value of collaborations and engagement between academia and practice cannot be underestimated. The ability to collectively reflect and assess impact moves beyond “an” intervention, allowing for more meaningful behavioural, social and system changes for the collective good, inspiring the next generation of marine leaders and ocean champions.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 February 2024

Ian Pepper, Carol Cox, Ruth Fee, Shane Horgan, Rod Jarman, Matthew Jones, Nicoletta Policek, Colin Rogers and Clive Tattum

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education in the UK focuses on maintaining, enhancing and standardising the quality of higher education. Of significant impact are…

Abstract

Purpose

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education in the UK focuses on maintaining, enhancing and standardising the quality of higher education. Of significant impact are the development of subject benchmark statements (SBS) by the QAA, which describe the type and content of study along with the academic standards expected of graduates in specific disciplines. Prior to 2022, the QAA did not have a SBS to which higher education policing programmes could be directly aligned.

Design/methodology/approach

Over 12-months, a SBS advisory group with representatives from higher education across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, The College of Policing, QAA, Police Federation of England and Wales and policing, worked in partnership to harness their collective professional experience and knowledge to create the first UK SBS for policing. Post publication of the SBS, permission was sought and granted from both the College of Policing and QAA for members of the advisory group to reflect in an article on their experiences of collaborating and working in partnership to achieve the SBS.

Findings

There is great importance of creating a shared vision and mutual trust, developed through open facilitated discussions, with representatives championing their cause and developing a collaborative and partnership approach to completing the SBS.

Practical implications

A collaborative and partnership approach is essential in developing and recognising the academic discipline of policing. This necessarily requires the joint development of initiatives, one of which is the coming together of higher education institutions, PSRBs and practitioner groups to collaborate and design QAA benchmark statements.

Social implications

The SBS advisory group has further driven forward the emergence of policing as a recognised academic discipline to benefit multiple stakeholders.

Originality/value

The SBS for policing is the first across the UK. The authors experiences can be used to assist others in their developments of similar subject specific benchmarking or academic quality standards.

Details

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-3896

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 September 2024

Liam Spencer, Sam Redgate, Christina Hardy, Emma A. Adams, Bronia Arnott, Heather Brown, Anna Christie, Helen Harrison, Eileen Kaner, Claire Mawson, William McGovern, Judith Rankin and Ruth McGovern

Mental health champions (MHCs) and young health ambassadors (YHAs) are two innovative public health interventions. MHCs are practitioners who work in schools and other youth…

Abstract

Purpose

Mental health champions (MHCs) and young health ambassadors (YHAs) are two innovative public health interventions. MHCs are practitioners who work in schools and other youth settings and aim to be the “go to” person for mental health in these settings. YHAs are a linked parallel network of young people, who champion mental health and advocate for youth involvement, which was co-produced with young people across all stages of development implementation. This paper aims to identify the potential benefits, barriers and facilitators of these interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 19) were undertaken with a purposive sample of n = 13 MHCs, and n = 6 YHAs, between June 2021 and March 2022. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and then analysed following a thematic approach. Ethical approval was granted by Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee.

Findings

The findings are organised under five key themes: motivating factors and rewards for MHCs and YHAs; outcomes for children and young people (CYP) and others; impact on youth settings and culture; facilitators of successful implementation; and implementation challenges and opportunities.

Practical implications

These findings are intended to be of relevance to practice and policy, particularly to those exploring the design, commissioning or implementation of similar novel and low-cost interventions, which aim to improve mental health outcomes for CYP, within the context of youth settings.

Originality/value

The interventions reported on in the present paper are novel and innovative. Little research has previously been undertaken to explore similar approaches, and the individual experiences of those involved in the delivery of these types of interventions.

Details

Journal of Children's Services, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-6660

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2023

Nazia Keerio and Abd Rahman Ahmad

Succession planning is an emerging area for research in higher education institutions worldwide; however, literature is scarce in the context of developing countries like…

Abstract

Purpose

Succession planning is an emerging area for research in higher education institutions worldwide; however, literature is scarce in the context of developing countries like Malaysia. The factors that have an influence on the execution of succession planning in public universities are the primary goal that has been set for achieving the study's goal. Moreover, the development of leadership in institutions has been taken by adopting formal succession planning. This study aims to be explore the factors that can contribute to the successful execution of the plan, particularly in higher education institutions in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the qualitative approach. The registrars have been selected by using purposive sampling technique for face-to-face interviews from five public research universities of Malaysia. The in-depth data can be collected at research universities as they are old and comprehensive universities of Malaysia. The data were analysed through thematic analysis.

Findings

The number of factors that have been revealed through the findings are as follows: organisational culture, the support of top-level management, the strategic plan, the reward, the champion from top-level management and the budget. Further, the public universities of Malaysia required ensuring that all employees were aware of succession plan initiatives taken by institutions, although the system was challenged by not taking these factors into account.

Originality/value

The primary data have been collected to provide the insight regarding opportunities and challenges encountered in the implementation of succession planning in Malaysian public universities.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

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