bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of banks in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand
Authors: Mohd Khan Shazida Jan , Samsudin Shamzaeffa , Islam Rabiul
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the concept of meta-frontiers data envelopment analysis (DEA) to compare the technical efficiencies of banks in selected Southeast Asia countries in the periods of 1998-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluate bank efficiency in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines by means of DEA, and the authors employ a meta-frontiers approach to calculate efficiency scores in a cross-country setting.

Findings

The analysis shows that even there are some similarities in the process of financial reforms undertaken in the selected countries, the observed efficiency levels of banks vary substantially across the market.

Originality/value

It is crucial to take into consideration of different technologies in explaining the efficiency differences.
Inheritance and inequality, and aggregate demand and policy issues
Authors: Soldatos Gerasimos T.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

When the policy maker contemplates the current aggregate demand (AD), she/he does so given implicitly the current state of income inequality. And, policy goals should be set based on the distance between this demand and some “optimal” AD from the viewpoint of optimal income inequality. The purpose of this paper is to relate this policy concern to the sources of modern inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

To characterize optimality, recent research in inequality reveals that paternalistic inheritance is the decisive source of it. Inequality is the outcome of an intergenerational externality according to which the current entrepreneurs (physical-capital formation agents) bequeath to descendants who use the inheritance as rentiers rather than as entrepreneurs. Several policy measures have been proposed to correct for this externality. Yet, it is found that if the “dynastic” character of inequality is disregarded, the distance between actual and optimal AD will be ever increasing.

Findings

Policy should be addressing the motive of the descendants to act as rentiers, which is found to be easy to attain once the policy maker adopts a natural-resource view of sizeable inheritance and proceeds to reassign property rights over it across generations.

Originality/value

Optimality is identified with the Cantorian (total) ordering of the social economy, which is inhibited by the institution of dynastic property rights. One way to deal with this problem is to view inheritance as a depletable natural resource.
Loan demand by microfinance borrowers
Authors: Singh Vijeta , Padhi Puja
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore what determines the loan size/demand in a micro-finance group and makes comparative account of self-help groups and joint liability groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Using primary data and carried out survey (questionnaire and focus group discussion) for data collection. While for econometrics OLS regression has been used.

Findings

The study finds that employment, landownership and years spent by members in group has positive impact on loan demand by micro finance borrowers.

Research limitations/implications

This study points out the fact that economic variables along with group characteristics has positive implication on loan demand by borrowers.

Practical implications

This study would propel further research in group dynamics in micro-finance area.

Social implications

This study attempts to bring out the fact that economic position of micro-finance members along with its group status has bearing on its loan demand position.

Originality/value

The authors conducted this study using primary data, and all the collected data and study bring out the fact that older membership in groups are positive for loan demand by borrowers.
Impact of the production of underutilized vegetables on the livelihood of farmers in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adejoke Oyedele Oluwatosin , Adenegan Kemisola O.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

African indigenous vegetables have high nutritive value which contains high levels of minerals. The current status of indigenous vegetable production in developing countries shows that these crops are “under-recognized” and “underutilized” with respect to nutritional value and opportunities for food security. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the production of underutilized vegetables on the livelihood of farmers in South Western Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The population for the study includes all the vegetable farmers in South Western Nigeria with a special focus on farmers’ groups formed by the NICANVEG project in Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze the objective.

Findings

Perceptions on individual household income reveal that the majority of participating respondents perceived higher production and harvesting density. This is due to the fact that harvesting is done by cutting the stems of the vegetables. The probability score shows that the dependent variables have an average effect of 44.6 percent on the probability of farmers participating in NICANVEG project. The PSM results reveal that average treatment effect on the treated is ₦269,254.87. Average treatment on the untreated is ₦11,990.63 while average treatment effect is ₦139,336.43. The total income of the participants from all the various livelihood strategies is increased by 29.73 percent because of their participation in the NICANVEG project.

Originality/value

This work has not been carried out by any other person before. This work will add to the existing knowledge on the impact of evaluation in agricultural economics.
Altruism or exchange: what motives inter-household transfers in Burkina Faso?
Authors: Alia Didier Yélognissè , Ponty Nicolas , Tchwaket Ignace Kamga
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The economic literature identifies two families of motives for private transfers: altruism and exchange. Altruistic models postulates that transfers are unselfish assistance to vulnerable and poor households. Exchange models, however, explain transfers as temporary assistance to households with the expectation of being paid back. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the motives of inter-households transfers in Burkina Faso and identify which model better explains observed transfers’ decisions. The findings can be useful to provide a information on the profile of households receiving and donating transfers and a better understanding of their roles in local communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a nationally representative household survey in Burkina Faso that collects detailed information on inter-household transfers. It combines descriptive analysis with various econometric models to identify the type of behavior that better explain the receipt and donation of private transfers. To account for the non randomness of the receipt and donation of transfers in the population, the study estimates a Heckman model to address selection bias.

Findings

Preliminary analyses suggest that one-third of households have participated in transfers’ exchange, either as recipients or donors with the amount received or given representing a substantial share of household income or expenditure. The econometric analyses show that the primary driver of the receipt of transfers is households’ degree of vulnerability. This result indicates that altruism is the underlying model explaining the receipt of transfers. However, the authors also find that affluent households tend to give and receive larger amounts of money suggesting that some elements of exchange are also at play.

Originality/value

The analysis contributes to a large and growing literature on migration, transfers, and remittances in developing countries. It provides insights into the motives of these non-market transactions in the specific context of Burkina Faso, a developing country, where migration and transfers have been historically important social behaviors. The analysis makes an effort to address the potential bias resulting from households’ self-selection into the donation or receipt of transfer. The findings shed additional light on the double role of transfer as a safety net for the vulnerable and social insurance for the non-poor.
Economic benefits of savings groups in rural Mozambique
Authors: Brunie Aurélie , Rutherford Diana , Keyes Emily B. , Field Samuel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of savings and loan groups (SGs), alone and combined with a rotating labor scheme (Ajuda Mútua), on the economic conditions of the rural poor in Nampula province in Mozambique.

Design/methodology/approach

Three pairs of districts were randomized into receiving SG, SG and AM, or no intervention. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Data from a longitudinal survey of 1,276 households were analyzed using difference-in-difference estimation to assess the impact of SGs on income and asset ownership. Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 72 program participants explored specific contributions of SGs to economic outcomes.

Findings

Survey results show that program participation had a significant, positive impact on income and asset ownership. Qualitative results indicate that SGs allowed households to bridge seasonal food consumption gaps and meet cash needs during crises. Accumulated savings supported asset purchases. Program activities supported agricultural activity, but enterprise development had limited scope. Challenges to economic development included cultural aversion to risk, inadequate agricultural inputs, low market integration, and limited business opportunities.

Practical implications

SGs helped reduce vulnerability to stress events. Programs should analyze the wider structural context to foster a positive enabling environment, and combine SGs with relevant enterprise development services for additional benefits.

Originality/value

The importance of savings is increasingly acknowledged, but the contributions and limitations of SGs are not fully understood. This paper also highlights the role of structural context, which remains undervalued in the literature.
Economic growth, public expenditure on health and IMR in India
Authors: Mohapatra Subhalaxmi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to employ a two-step approach to investigate the bi-directional causal linkage between: economic growth (measured by GDP) and public expenditure on health; public expenditure on health and infant mortality rate (IMR); and economic growth and IMR in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses econometric analysis, namely, panel cointegration and Granger causality on 20-year panel data on 16 major Indian states to investigate the causality.

Findings

The results suggest GDP to Granger cause public expenditure on health both in the short run and in the long run, but public expenditure on health to Granger cause GDP only in the long run. Further, public expenditure on health and economic growth were found to Granger cause IMR in the long run. However, the reverse linkage from IMR to public expenditure on health and/or economic growth was not significant.

Research limitations/implications

The present study provides support to the existing literature on the effects of economic growth on health expenditure and health outcomes but also raises a question on the time required to realize the same.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for policy makers on the time frame and application of health expenditure to achieve better results.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the first to test the tripartite linkage between economic growth, public health expenditure and health outcomes at a state-level analysis.
Cost efficiency among rice millers in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Busayo Bidemi , Okoruwa Victor Olusegun , Ikudaisi Adesola
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficiency of rice millers and determine factors influencing cost efficiency in Southwest Nigeria using the cost route approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses cost efficiency of rice millers using primary data collected from 62 respondents through a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed for this purpose. The profile of rice millers and mills were derived using the descriptive analysis. Cost efficiency of the millers was obtained using the quadratic cost function analysis, and Tobit regression was used to determine factors that influence cost efficiency.

Findings

The results showed that cost efficiency indexes range from 1 to 57 percent averaging at 20.2 percent. Large rice mills were found to be most efficient with the mean cost efficiency of 25 percent. Paddy, transport and energy costs contributed positively and significantly (p=0.05 andp=0.01) to cost efficiency. Milling capacity and machine age increase cost efficiency while the distance to purchase paddy and quantity of diesel used reduces cost efficiency.

Social implications

The paper shows that there is enough potential for rice millers to improve their cost efficiency based on the available technology. This has a direct implication on the economy through the increased domestic production and processing of rice to meet the increasing demand for locally produced rice.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to bridge the gap in the literature of cost efficiency among rice millers in Nigeria, and specifically in the application of the normalized quadratic cost function in estimating cost efficiency in the rice milling sector in Nigeria.
Welfare implications of minimum wage increase in Nigeria
Authors: Aderemi Taiwo , Ogwumike Fidelis
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The primary motive of a minimum wage policy is to provide a wage floor for poorly paid workers and improve their welfare. In Nigeria, real minimum wage declined by 60 per cent between 1974 and 2011, thus reducing the welfare of workers. The wage gap between low skilled and high skilled workers have also widened over the years in favour of the latter. There are concerns that the series of minimum wage increase in Nigeria may not be welfare-enhancing. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the welfare effects of minimum wage increase in Nigeria using a computable general equilibrium model. The model was calibrated using a 2006 Social Accounting Matrix and four sets of scenarios (20, 35, 50 and 140 per cent wage increases), were simulated.

Findings

The findings show that employers substituted other labour categories for minimum wage workers. This increases the wage rates of other labour. The consumer price index also increased as firms partly pass-on increased labour cost to consumers. Generally, the simulations show that minimum wage policies worsen the welfare of its intended beneficiaries, due to negative impact on prices and employment.

Originality/value

This study deviates from existing studies on minimum wage in Nigeria, by providing a proper disaggregation of the labour market that represents the Nigerian economy. In this regard, the informal sector was accommodated and the potential impact of the minimum wage on this sector determined. It also adopted the equivalent variation welfare measure which incorporates price and consumption effects in measuring welfare.
To sell or not to sell: the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of role ambiguity, norms of reciprocity and ethical policy on the insurance agents’ attitude and intention toward selling insurance to high-risk customers.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed partial least squares regression analyses to test the hypothesized relationships in the conceptual model. To ensure that the questionnaires captured the concept as intended, customer risk status and the level of insurance premium were mentioned literally in the scenario.

Findings

The findings indicated that the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers has a significant association with the insurance agents’ behavioral intention. Norms of reciprocity and ethical policy have a significant relationship with the attitude and intention.

Originality/value

High-risk customers may want to buy more insurance. In this case, an adverse selection problem could occur when the insurers lack customer information prior to the insurance transaction. The insurance agents are important marketing channels in the insurance industry. They seek out new customers, gather customer information, and are expected to act in the best interest of the customers. Yet, the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers is seldom mentioned in the studies on insurance marketing and regulation. This research may make some contributions to the relevant literature because there are few studies in this field.
Practices of corporate integrity and accountability of non-profit organizations in Malaysia
Authors: Atan Ruhaya , Alam Md. Mahmudul , Said Jamaliah
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the five dimensions of corporate integrity systems (CISs) and their effects on accountability outcomes of non-profit organizations (NPOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 550 surveys conducted among NPOs in Malaysia registered under Registrar of Society. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between five dimensions of CISs and accountability outcomes.

Findings

The findings revealed that all five dimensions of CISs (compliance, policies and rules, organizational culture, leadership, ethics training and education, and whistle blowing) significantly contribute to positive accountability outcomes of NPOs.

Practical implications

In order for NPOs to deliver greater accountability outcomes to their stakeholders, serious emphasis on CISs is vital.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first empirical study to examine the role of CIS dimensions and accountability outcomes in the case of NPOs in Malaysia.
Sustainable development and spirituality: a critical analysis of GNH index
Authors: Gupta Kanupriya , Agrawal Rajat
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between sustainable development (SD) and spirituality. Bhutan, a country believing deeply in Buddhist spiritual values has created a model of Gross National Happiness (GNH) where it is believed that the holistic evolution of human being can take place with a balance of material as well as non-material aspects of spiritual, cultural, societal and environmental. The paper critically analyzes GNH to establish the role of spirituality in SD.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the GNH concept using literature review. Further, personal meetings with authorities in Bhutan and interaction with citizens of Bhutan used to gather primary data. A critical approach has been applied to understand the practical implication of the concept.

Findings

Good governance, sustainable socioeconomic development, cultural preservation and environmental conservation formed the four basic pillars of the GNH index, further elaborated into 9 domains and 33 clustered indicators. The concept has been commendable in giving new direction to the understanding of SD. Nevertheless, certain discrepancies create ambiguity and limitations around the validity of adoption of the concept in other countries.

Research limitations/implications

A balanced and holistic, yet practical model of SD is necessitated. Bhutan has been a pioneer to suggest the different dimensions that can be acted upon to produce a more honest and sustainable path of being in concord with nature, community and other-related surroundings.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights to researchers and practitioners in understanding the basic essentials required for the SD agenda. The paper derives the learnings from the GNH model which can help in understanding the areas where the western three-pillar model of development needs more refinement. At the same time, the paper also helps in creating the insights for Bhutanese practitioners and policymakers about the areas where the GNH model still needs to be worked upon to improve its efficacy.

Originality/value

The paper proposes that SD can only be achieved through spirituality.
Correlates of poverty in Africa
Authors: Dwumfour Richard Adjei , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Abor Joshua Yindenaba
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how remittances, financial development (FD), and natural resources and their different transmission channels can be used to reduce poverty in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Human Development Index (HDI) as the measure of welfare, the authors specify these relationships using the System GMM estimator approach.

Findings

The authors hypothesise that for remittance to effectively improve welfare, the recipient of remittances must have access to credit to profitably utilise the monies. Again, the authors assert that FD can be effective in improving welfare when development of the sector actually benefits the poor. The authors provide empirical support for these hypotheses using 54 African countries covering the period 1990-2012. The findings also show that the North African region has been able to utilise its oil rents in particular to improve welfare unlike the Sub-Saharan counterpart.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to jointly estimate the impact of remittances, FD, and natural resources on welfare using a comprehensive measure of poverty – HDI.
Is the performance improvement effect of social capital contingent on life cycle stages of professional athletes? Evidence from motorboat racing in Japan
Authors: Fukugawa Nobuya
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether bonding and bridging social capital of professional athletes affect their performance and whether the impacts vary according to their life cycle stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study establishes an unbalanced panel of motorboat racers in Japan, and estimates a fixed-effects negative binomial regression model to analyze determining factors in the number of wins in a final, focusing on not only physical factors but also social capital.

Findings

Bridging social capital, measured by the number of racers in the same regional division, has no impact on performance. Bonding social capital, measured by the number of racers who graduated the training institute in the same period, has positive impacts on performance. This positive effect is more salient among racers who are less experienced, and thus need to extract benefits from social capital to augment limited internal resources.

Originality/value

This study adds statistical evidence to previous literature on the contingency theory that different types of social capital have different impacts on performance under different environments.
An evaluation of uplift mapping languages
Authors: Crotti Junior Ademar , Debruyne Christophe , Brennan Rob , O’Sullivan Declan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the state-of-the-art in CSV uplift tools. Based on this evaluation, a method that incorporates data transformations into uplift mapping languages by means of functions is proposed and evaluated. Typically, tools that map non-resource description framework (RDF) data into RDF format rely on the technology native to the source of the data when data transformation is required. Depending on the data format, data manipulation can be performed using underlying technology, such as relational database management system (RDBMS) for relational databases or XPath for XML. For CSV/Tabular data, there is no such underlying technology, and instead, it requires either a transformation of source data into another format or pre/post-processing techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate the state-of-the-art in CSV uplift tools, the authors present a comparison framework and have applied it to such tools. A key feature evaluated in the comparison framework is data transformation functions. They argue that existing approaches for transformation functions are complex – in that a number of steps and tools are required. The proposed method, FunUL, in contrast, defines functions independent of the source data being mapped into RDF, as resources within the mapping itself.

Findings

The approach was evaluated using two typical real-world use cases. The authors have compared how well our approach and others (that include transformation functions as part of the uplift mapping) could implement an uplift mapping from CSV/Tabular into RDF. This comparison indicates that the authors’ approach performs well for these use cases.

Originality/value

This paper presents a comparison framework and applies it to the state-of-the-art in CSV uplift tools. Furthermore, the authors describe FunUL, which, unlike other related work, defines functions as resources within the uplift mapping itself, integrating data transformation functions and mapping definitions. This makes the generation of RDF from source data transparent and traceable. Moreover, as functions are defined as resources, these can be reused multiple times within mappings.
Application of leadership style in government organizations: a survey in the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Hidayat Sutan Emir , Rafiki Ahmad , Aldoseri Marwa Mohamed
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the excecution of various leadership styles, namely, transactional, transformational and laissez-faire that are being practiced among the government organizations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The study compares and differentiates these three leadership styles with that of the major Islamic leadership concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a descriptive analytical method. A number of 100 government employees participated in the survey which has been selected as the sample of the study using the snowball sampling technique.

Findings

The study detects that the transactional leadership is the most highly applied leadership style in the government organizations of Bahrain. The finding is identified on the basis of the employees’ attributes based on their gender (male and female); current positions (employee and manager); work experience (less than a year, from one to five years, from 6 to 10 years); and age (less than 20 years, from 20 to 35 years, from 36 to 50 years, more than 50 years). Meanwhile, the second style mostly applied among the employees is the transformational leadership style. It is perceived that this style has been applied by employees with 10 years of work experience and are in the age group of more than 50 years. The least applied leadership style is the laissez-faire.

Originality/value

The study can be used by the Government of Bahrain to set up policies on how to improve efficiency within the government organizations in the Kingdom. This study also fills up the gap in the leadership styles literature, as no prior studies of this manner involving the government organizations of the Island have ever been conducted.
Comparing face-to-face and electronic word-of-mouth in destination image formation
Authors: Jalilvand Mohammad Reza , Heidari Ali
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the following question: which type of word-of-mouth (WOM) communication, face-to-face vs electronic, has the stronger influence on destination image and attitude?

Design/methodology/approach

A multidimensional model is developed with eight constructs. After the validation of measurement scales, hypotheses are contrasted through structural modeling to test the model fit and estimate the model coefficients. The model was tested empirically using a sample of 678 tourists who had experience within the online tourist community, tripadvisor.com. Tourists were required to complete a survey regarding their information search from the virtual sharing platform and face-to-face communications.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that electronic WOM (eWOM) has a more powerful effect on destination image, attitude, and travel intention rather than face-to-face WOM.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to develop and empirically test a comparative model for information search behavior, namely, face-to-face WOM vs eWOM, and destination image/attitude in the context of tourism industry.
Why do you adopt social networking sites?
Authors: Jan Muhammad Tahir
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate those factors that are associated with the adoption of social networking sites from the perspective of Muslim users residing in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A complete self-administered questionnaire was collected from 223 Muslim users of social networking sites in Malaysia. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to sort the significant items for the constructs and to check the validity. Structural equation modelling was applied in testing the hypotheses and the fitness of the proposed model.

Findings

The results of full structural model attest that technological and social factors are the most significant factors behind the adoption of social networking sites. However, this is followed by an educational factor. Among Muslim users in Malaysia, the study does not find significant influence of brand or product communication behind this adoption.

Originality/value

The paper investigates those factors that are considered inevitable in the adoption of social networking sites. Invaluable findings were offered in the form of a structural model for the stakeholders of social networking sties. These findings can be used in planning and making decisions that may benefit all parties associated with it.
Common and distinguishing historical, criminal and current environmental and psychological characteristics in male inmates with a history of suicidal and/or non-suicidal self-injury
Authors: Barton Jennifer , Cumming Steven R. , Samuels Anthony , Meade Tanya
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is distinguishable from suicide attempts (SAs) on a number of psychological and motivational factors. However, in corrective services settings, NSSI and SA are not clearly distinguished in assessment impacting on intervention. The purpose of this paper is to examine if any attributes differentiate lifetime history of SA+NSSI, NSSI and SA presentations in inmates who had recently been assessed in custody by a risk intervention team.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive clinical assessment and file review was conducted with 87 male inmates (including a no self-injury control group) in two large correctional centres in New South Wales, Australia, to determine if three self-injury groups differ from the control group and if the three self-injury groups differ from each other across a range of static, trait, environmental and clinical characteristics.

Findings

The SA+NSSI group was most different from the control group (27/59 variables), and from the SA group (10/59 variables), predominantly across trait and clinical correlates. The SA group was least different from the control group (2/59 variables: suicide ideation, childhood physical abuse).

Originality/value

It was found that the presence of SA+NSSI history is an indicator of increased psychopathology. A history of SA only appears not readily associated with psychopathology. The self-injury subgroups reflected different clinical profiles with implications for risk assessment and treatment planning.
New service system as an information-seeking context
Authors: Li Guihua , Wu Longlong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are to understand the user information seeking (IS) process under a new service system, to explore how users construct strategies and to identify the influences of the new service system on the IS process and behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A quality research study design that included questionnaires survey, observation, thinking-aloud and interviews was employed. In all, 20 participants from 12 social science disciplines at Sichuan University, Chengdu, China were observed using the proposed Discovery Service system. The user IS process characteristics and taxonomy were analysed, and the stages matrix of IS under new system was built.

Findings

Users’ IS processes under the new system proved to be very complex. The features of three process stages, i.e. searching, scanning and verifying stages, and four different behaviour patterns were identified. Moreover, characteristics of IS behaviour under the new service system were described.

Originality/value

User IS behaviour was addressed in a new service system context in this study, as has seldom been done in previous IS research. A comprehensive and user-centred understanding of users’ exploratory practices in a new service system context was obtained, which will inform the development of information services for digital libraries. In addition, it indicated that the uncertainty of the IS process should be addressed by considering the relationships among IS, information retrieval and user-computer interaction.
Deciphering the implementation of green human resource management in an emerging economy
Authors: Yusliza Mohd-Yusoff , Othman Nur Zahiyah , Jabbour Charbel Jose Chiappetta
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) theory, the purpose of this paper is mainly to show how electronic human resource management (HRM), green employee empowerment, and human resource (HR) business partner role may influence green HRM practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was proposed to test the direct effect of the three independent variables – and key HR factors – on green HRM. Self-administered questionnaire was adopted in a systematic collection of data from manufacturing and service organizations in Malaysia. The partial least squares method was used to test the conceptual framework of the study.

Findings

The empirical results demonstrate that green employee empowerment has a significant positive relationship with all dimensions of green HRM practices; the added value of HR business partner role is an important aspect in ensuring the successful implementation of green HRM practices; and surprisingly, electronic HRM was not significantly related with all dimensions of green HRM practices.

Originality/value

As revealed by searches of ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus, there is no similar work which tested a similar framework based on evidence from an emerging economy. Based on RBV, it is possible to suggest that green employee empowerment and the role of HR as a Business Partner constitute unique resources when adopting green HRM practices.
Impact of self-efficacy and retention on transfer of training
Authors: Iqbal Kamran , Dastgeer Ghulam
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Training plays a vital role in the success of an organization as it provides the employees an opportunity to improve their competencies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effects of motivation to transfer between self-efficacy, training retention and transfer of training.

Design/methodology/approach

Research hypotheses were tested using quantitative research technique. The data were collected through self-administered questionnaire from 300 employees working in the banking sector of twin cities (Rawalpindi and Islamabad), of Pakistan. In total, 215 questionnaires were finally used for analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that motivation to transfer mediates the relationship between self-efficacy, training retention and transfer of training.

Practical implications

Although previous studies have tested the impact of self-efficacy and training retention on the transfer of training, but the mechanism through which self-efficacy and retention influence transfer of training remained underexplored. Knowing the role of self-efficacy and training retention as the antecedents of motivation to transfer can help the training managers to design an effective and efficient training plan.

Originality/value

This study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge especially in the Pakistani context by testing the role of trainee’s characteristics in transfer of training. Also, this study has empirically tested the mediating role of motivation to transfer between trainee’s characteristics (self-efficacy and retention) and transfer of training which has not been tested before.
The effect of OCB in relationship between personality, organizational commitment and job satisfaction on performance
Authors: Indarti Sri , Solimun  , Fernandes Adji Achmad Rinaldo , Hakim Wardhani
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to know whether organizational citizenship behavior mediates the effects of personality, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted in the city of Makassar with the entire population being lecturer with the status from a permanent lecturer foundation. By using the Slovin formula, a sample of 295 respondents was obtained. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as an inferential statistical analysis technique to test the hypothesis of the research.

Findings

The results of the study found the mediating effect (indirect effect) of variable organizational citizenship behavior was found in between personality, organizational commitment and job satisfaction on performance, which thus indicates that the higher the personality, organizational commitment and job satisfaction the higher the performance, and if mediated, organizational citizenship behavior is also higher.

Originality/value

Organizational citizenship behavior research has been conducted on student classroom and career success. Additionally, organizational citizenship behavior has been researched for a critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature, which has provided suggestions for future research. Thereby, on paper originality the variables shown to be used are personality, organization commitment, job satisfaction, organizational citizenship behavior, and performance. Furthermore, the method used in this research is the SEM. The investigation was performed at two private colleges in Indonesian Muslim University and Muhammadiyah University Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where no studies were conducted on the same topic previously.
Factors influencing organization commitment
Authors: Schulz Steven A. , Martin Thomas , Meyer Heather M.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of internal marketing orientation, external marketing orientation, and subjective well-being on the affective organizational commitment of frontline employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous research was used to develop hypotheses and develop a questionnaire for this project. An online survey was completed by 108 frontline employees.

Findings

The hypothesized model of all three variables having positive effects on organization commitment was supported. Internal marketing orientation, external marketing orientation, and subjective well-being were significant predictors of affective organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation of this study is the cross-sectional, data collection design. A longitudinal study would allow for increased confidence when evaluating causal inferences with this type of data.

Practical implications

This paper identifies how managers may be able to use internal marketing orientation, external marketing orientation, and subjective well-being as potential tools to increase the affective organizational commitment of frontline employees.

Social implications

This paper demonstrates the importance of subjective well-being as an important component of life for an employee and success of the organization.

Originality/value

This paper extends current research on affective organizational commitment by testing a new model that includes internal marketing orientation, external marketing orientation, and subjective well-being as predictor variables.
Aligning organizational culture and strategic human resource management
Authors: Harrison Teresa , Bazzy Joshua D.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

As strategic human resource management (SHRM) continues to grow as an important issue for organizations, it is imperative to examine all factors that contribute to the success and failure of the organization’s human resources (HR) and strategy implementation. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that organizational culture should be an integral factor when considering SHRM. The authors also present a model for the strategy-culture-SHRM linkage and propositions to guide future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a conceptual model proposing organizational culture as a moderator of the relationship between an organization’s strategy and SHRM.

Findings

In addition to the conceptual model, the authors present a number of testable propositions for determining how firm performance and effectiveness may depend on the linkage between strategy and the utilization of HR as a competitive advantage.

Originality/value

Currently, there is a lack of research regarding the conceptualization of organizational culture as a moderator between an organization’s strategy and SHRM. We discuss the importance of the alignment of HR both as a source of competitive advantage and an influence on an organization’s strategy. The authors integrate the current research to create arguments for testable propositions and future research directions. The authors also argue that misalignments may occur which may prove detrimental to the organization.
Three strikes and you are out?
Authors: Carriger Michael
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Much has been written in both the management and finance literatures about the impact of downsizing on the financial health and market valuation of companies. However, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the frequency of downsizing and the impact of frequent downsizings. The purpose of this paper is to look at trends in downsizing, asking the question are companies that downsize once more likely to downsize again. The paper also looks at the impact of frequent downsizing, asking the question are frequent downsizers differentially impacted compared to less frequent downsizers.

Design/methodology/approach

Companies that appeared on the Fortune 500 in 2014 and were also on the list in 2008 were assessed for the impact of repeat downsizings on financial measures (profitability, efficiency, debt, and revenue) and market valuation. A trend analysis was conducted to assess the trend in downsizing and repeated downsizing from 2008 through 2014. A series of univariate analysis of variances were conducted to assess the impact of repeated downsizings on the financial and market valuation indicators.

Findings

Findings indicate that companies that downsize between 2008 and 2009 were more likely to downsize again in future years. And this repeat downsizing happened at a higher rate than would be expected by the percentage of companies that initially downsized. Findings also indicate that multiple downsizings had a significantly negative impact on the company’s financial performance as measured by two profitability ratios (return on assets and return on investment) and a borderline significant negative impact on the company’s market valuation as measured by stock equity, regardless of industry or initial financial health of the company.

Originality/value

Two competing theories were considered and the evidence found here support both. However, the “band-aid solution” theory, that downsizing may function as a band-aid addressing the symptoms that lead to the downsizing but not the underlying disorder or cause may be a more parsimonious explanation for the results here. It is hoped that these findings will inform both scholars and practitioners, giving both a clearer picture of the impact of multiple downsizings on corporate performance.
From state fetish to community fetish: a spatial analysis of 15M and Podemos in Spain
Authors: Díaz-Parra Ibán , Roca Beltran
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Over the last four years in Spain, a strong autonomist movement (15M), based on radical democracy and mistrust of any kind of instituted politics, seems to be turning toward statist and institutionalized politics. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following questions: Can we speak of a community fetishism, as opposed to State fetishism? Do autonomist social movements have a spatial project as opposed to a State spatial project? Why do horizontal and self-management-oriented social movements turn to the conquest of the State in the current framework?

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical evidence for this study stems from a qualitative methodological approach. The authors used two different types of sources. First, direct observations from the authors’ own engagement in social movements in Spain from 2011 to the present are used. Second, this work is part of a systematic research on spatial dynamics and the evolution of collective action in Spain. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with activists involved in social movements from 2012 to 2015, in which time informal interviews were conducted, and documents and observational notes were also collected.

Findings

Social movements have tended to develop alternatives to state spatial projects, partially as a result of an institutional setting that has been progressively closed to political alternatives to the neoliberal state. This last point leads to the posing of politics as completely independent of the political arena of the State (community fetish). From the first square occupations to the subsequent organization in local meetings, the 15M movement was the last expression of this tendency in Spain, while the turn on State political institutions responds to the obvious limitations of community fetishism in the context of the social and political tensions of the Spanish crisis.

Originality/value

This analysis contributes to the current debates on social movements in two ways. First, the authors investigate a usually neglected agent in the production of spatial political projects and strategies such as social movements. Second, the specific case of the 15M movement in Spain strongly shows the contradictions and limitations of the movements, which supposedly do not aspire to replace the State’s sovereign power through the idea of community fetishism.