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The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of gender composition in the workplace on employee job satisfaction and commitment.

The data were collected on both the organizational and employee levels at three different points in time in organizations with more than 70 employees. Multi-level mixed-effects ordered logistics regressions were used to account for the multi-level nature of the data and the ordered nature of the dependent variables.

Employees in gender-balanced workplaces show higher levels of job satisfaction and commitment than those in female-dominated or male-dominated workplaces. The relationship is also based on the gender of the individual, as men show a significantly lower level of both job satisfaction and commitment when working in male-dominated workplaces than others, while for women, the effect is only significant for commitment.

Aiming for a balance in the gender composition of the workplace may improve employee attitudes, especially for men. The results also indicate that further research is warranted into why job satisfaction and commitment are significantly lower among men in male-dominated workplaces.

The relationship between gender and job satisfaction and commitment is well established, but less is known about the effects of gender composition on job satisfaction and commitment. Previous papers have focused on job satisfaction. This paper extends prior studies by estimating the effects of gender composition on both job satisfaction and commitment using multi-level regressions on a rich dataset.

The effects of board composition on performance have long been discussed in management research using fractionalization measures. In this study, we propose an alternative measurement approach based on board polarization.

Using an exploratory analysis and applying the polarization measure to German Deutscher Aktienindex (DAX)-, Midcap-DAX (MDAX)- and Small Cap-Index (SDAX)-listed companies, this paper applies the polarization index to examine the relationship between board diversity and performance.

The results show that the polarization concept is well suited to measure principal-agent problems between the members of the management and supervisory boards. We reveal that board polarization is negatively associated with firm performance, as measured by return on investment (ROI).

This exploratory study shows that the measurement of board polarization can be linked to performance differences between companies, which offers promising starting points for further research.

This paper aims to explore the relationship between board composition and a firm’s commitment to combatting climate change. Specifically, this study investigates how various characteristics of the board, namely its size and presence of independent directors, and of the directors themselves, including gender diversity, age, educational background and national homogeneity, affect the corporate-level climate change orientation. From a theoretical standpoint, the authors take a cross-fertilizing perspective, bridging upper echelons theory with agency, resource dependence and critical mass theories.

The study uses ordered probit regression models on a hand-collected multi-country and multi-industry sample of 35 listed firms included in the Global Climate Change Liquid Equity Index (GALPLACC) provided by ECPI. This index is particularly relevant as it focuses on firms that have demonstrated a commitment to climate change, providing a robust dataset for the analysis.

The findings underscore the importance of disentangling various characteristics of corporate boards and directors. Specifically, the orientation toward climate change is negatively influenced by both board size and having a higher number of independent directors, while it is positively affected by reaching a critical mass of women on the board. Conversely, factors such as average age, educational background and the level of national homogeneity do not show significant effects.

This paper has an exploratory nature and contributes to the ongoing debate on the crucial, yet controversial role played by board-level and directors’ sociodemographic characteristics in shaping a firm’s environmental stance. Moreover, this study offers potential recommendations for policymakers regarding board composition to enhance firms’ climate change orientation.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of perceived group inclusion on the innovative work behavior of consulting team members, as well as to analyze its subsequent impact on team performance. In addition, the authors investigate whether the effect of perceived group inclusion on innovative work behavior could be moderated by two aspects of team characteristics: team size and the gender composition of its members.

The authors collected questionnaire data from 229 team members from 24 consulting firms located in Bangkok, Thailand. Team performance was assessed by team leaders to prevent common method bias. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

The results support the positive association between perceived group inclusion and innovative work behavior among consulting team members. Innovative work behavior also mediates the positive association between perceived group inclusion and team performance. Moreover, the authors found that the degree to which perceived group inclusion affects innovative work behavior is stronger in larger teams than smaller teams. However, the degree to which perceived group inclusion affects innovative work behavior tends to be weaker in teams that have a higher proportion of female members than in teams that have fewer female members.

Because employees are the most valuable asset contributing to the innovative performance of consulting firms, it is crucial to understand how members within a team should be properly managed so that the firms can maximize the benefits from their human capital. Essentially, management and practitioners in the consulting business can use the insight from this research regarding the essential roles of group inclusion and team composition to create a favorable and effective team environment that enhances collaboration and helps their firms to gain the full benefits of team synergy. In particular, group inclusion is the issue that management should emphasize. Moreover, the team should be large enough and have a decent level of gender diversity to strengthen the benefit of group inclusion.

The research extends the knowledge boundary in inclusion research, which still lacks evidence about the moderating role of team characteristics that might strengthen/weaken the effect of perceived group inclusion on innovative behaviors.

The purpose of this study is to develop black pigmented ceramic stoneware bodies that integrate various aspects of material composition and color potential. Recent research has explored black pigmented calcium aluminosilicate glass (BPCG), a specialized material known for its unique properties, which holds promise for transforming the color capabilities of traditional ceramics.

In this investigation, initially composite ceramic sample (B-1) was prepared by milling process prior to sieve analysis to attain the particle size within 44 microns. Microanalysis and morphology and thermography were studied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and thermogravimetric analysis and found Sample-B-1 received attractive properties like firing shrinkage, porosity, bulk density and firing strength along with good pyro-plastic properties at various temperatures like 950°C, 1050°C, 1000°C and 1180°C. Furthermore, BPCG-assisted pigmented ceramic composites were synthesized with B-1 matrix. CIE lab investigation of the attributed composites (C-series) within selective soaking range of 5–20 min was performed, and the investigation found that prominent black hue appeared (L: 24.09, a*: −0.17, b*: −0.49) for C-10 containing appeared phases of Di-Co-Silicide (26%), Ni-Chromite, Stilpnomelane (rich in iron) as obtained by X-ray diffraction studies.

Ceramic material played a significant role in the realms of art and craft, as well as in technology. The artistic facet reveals concepts or ornamentation, while the craft echoes both traditional and functional appeal. Technology, on the other hand, involves the logical implementation behind the creation.

This C-10 Sample comprised the lower percentage of mullite which attributed that the BPCG homogeneously mixed in the matrix of base (B-1) and appeared as spinal staff. Therefore, BPCG was a potential candidate for ceramic metallization, and this traditional metallization processes often faced some challenges like uniformity and mixing in the ceramic composite domain practices. This study aimed to open up new avenues for artistic decoration and bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. Furthermore, BPCG’s role in color assessment through shocking techniques added an exciting concept for the ceramic practitioners, designers or ceramic educators.

Marine seaweeds, characterised by high-valued bioactive compounds, are used worldwide for several applications, including human food, animal feed, pharmaceutics and cosmetics, bioplastics, agricultural fertilisers, biofuels, and others. Seaweed production can be carried out through different approaches, from on-land or sea-based cultivation to the harvesting of wild stocks. The latter can be of particular importance in the case of seasonal algal over-proliferations, often caused by eutrophic conditions associated with intensive human industrial activities, and which wreak havoc with ecosystem functioning and hinder economic activities. In Europe, Italy experiences seaweed blooms in several coastal basins, such as the Lagoon of Venice and the Lagoon of Orbetello (Tuscany). Here, the proliferating seaweed represents a disturbance to the natural ecosystem and to local business and touristic activities. These biomasses hold no economic value in the country and are systemically removed and disposed of. Re-purposing the biomass to produce seaweed-derived commercial goods would provide benefits for the environment and local economic activities while promoting a sustainable business within a Circular Economy framework and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals number 12 (‘Responsible consumption and production’), and number 14 (‘Life under water’), among others.

To examine objective measures of economic job quality for a broad sample of workers in the US spectator sports industry and compare job quality in spectator sports to other industries.

Logistic and linear regressions are performed on American Community Survey (ACS) data collected from 2015 to 2019. Earnings and employer provision of health insurance are the outcomes.

Earnings and employer-provided health insurance are lower in the spectator sports industry than in other industries after controlling for relevant factors. Differences are partly explained by the occupational composition of the industry and the higher incidence of part-time work. Many but not all occupational groups have lower earnings and less employer-provided health insurance in sports.

ACS data only reports one job, so the results likely underestimate the prevalence of part-time work in the US spectator sports industry. The study finds support for a micro-class occupational composition effect and a pulsating organization effect. Some support is also found for a sports industry compensating wage differential, but the effect is not industry wide, counter to some depictions.

This is the first study to examine objective, economic measures of job quality across all occupational sub-groups in the sports industry. This is the first study to propose theoretical explanations for poor economic job quality in sport.

This study aims to investigate the effects of board cultural diversity (BCD) and board gender diversity (BGD) of the board of directors on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the European banking sector using resource-based view (RBV) theory. In addition, this study analyses the linkages between BCD and BGD and knowledge sharing on the board of directors to improve ESG performance.

This study selected a sample of European-listed banks covering the period 2021. ESG and diversity variables were collected from Refinitiv Eikon and analysed using the ordinary least squares model. This study was conducted in the European context regulated by Directive 95/2014/EU, which requires sustainability disclosure. The original population was represented by 250 banks; after missing data were excluded, the final sample comprised 96 European-listed banks.

The findings highlight the positive linkages between BGD, BCD and ESG scores in the European banking sector. In addition, the findings highlight that diversity contributes to knowledge sharing by improving ESG performance in a regulated sector. Nonetheless, the combined effect of BGD and BCD negatively impacts ESG performance.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to measure and analyse a regulated sector, such as banking, and the relationship between cultural and gender diversity for sharing knowledge under the RBV theory lens in the ESG framework.

This study aims to analyse the political connections of Portuguese companies through the members of the board of directors, exploring how these connections influence, in particular, the composition and characteristics of the boards.

The research used a strategy based on analysing the financial statements and curriculum vitae of the directors of Portuguese companies listed on Euronext Lisbon from 2014 to 2019. The political connections of board members were examined, considering the variables identified in the existing literature.

The results indicate that companies with political connections maintain these relationships for long periods and have a greater number of members on the board of directors compared to companies without such connections. Directors with political experience tend to occupy non-executive positions, suggesting that companies may value political contacts more than the management skills of these directors. It was also found that there are politically connected directors who belong to multiple boards and that women appointed to the board are less likely to have a political background, reflecting male dominance in Portuguese politics.

The main limitations of this study include the small number of listed companies in the sample, which may affect the statistical robustness of the results, as well as the use of secondary sources, which may not capture all relevant policy linkages. In addition, the results are specific to the Portuguese context and may not be generalisable to other countries or other regions of the world.

This study contributes to the understanding of political connections in Portuguese companies, offering valuable insights into how these connections influence board composition and can impact corporate strategy and governance. The findings of this study can be especially useful for business leaders looking to optimise the formation of their boards of directors.

The digital marketing landscape is rapidly evolving, but the integration of visual content still heavily depends on human expertise. Driven by the quest for innovative marketing strategies that resonate with family-oriented consumers, this study seeks to bridge this gap by applying machine learning to analyze visual content in the maternity and baby care product sector.

This study incorporates a range of machine learning techniques – including open science framework feature detection, panoptic segmentation, customized instance segmentation, and face detection calculation methods – to analyze and predict the appeal of images, thereby enhancing user engagement and parent-child intimacy.

The exploration of various ML models, such as DT, LightGBM, RIPPER algorithm, and CNNs, has offered a comparative analysis that addresses a methodological gap in the existing literature, which frequently depends on isolated model evaluations. According to our quadrant analysis with respect to engagement rate and parent-child intimacy, the selection of a model for real-world applications depends on balancing performance and interpretability.

The proposed system offers a series of actionable recommendations designed to enhance customer engagement and foster brand loyalty. This study contributes to image design in maternity and baby care marketing and provides analytical insights for recommendation systems.