bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exploration of employer perceptions of graduate student employability
Authors: Chhinzer Nita , Russo Anna Maria
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore employer perceptions of graduate student employability. This study is novel since existing research focused on employability is largely theoretic, remains focused on defining employability of undergraduates and largely fails to determine employer perceptions of factors that increase or decrease employability of graduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a two-phased approach, the authors analyzed 122 employer assessments of graduate students at a Canadian university who completed a work-term with the employer in either 2014 or 2015. The authors also collected individual data (e.g. academic achievement, work experience) from student files at the university. Phase 1 involved an exploratory factor analysis to derive factors influencing employer perceptions of employability. Phase 2 expand on factors identified in phase 1 through assessment of 153 written comments using a critical incident technique.

Findings

Phase 1 results demonstrate that professional maturity, soft skills + problem solving, continuous learning and academic achievement secure a positive relationship with employer perceptions of graduate employability. Phase 2 results indicate that employers consider generic skills (time management, working in a team, attention to detail), general mental ability, subject-specific knowledge, willingness to work, attitudes and behaviors, and responsiveness to feedback when assessing employability of graduate students.

Research limitations/implications

Collectively, the results of phase 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive awareness of the factors that employers consider when assessing employability of graduate students. Researcher, educational institution, and employer implications are presented.

Originality/value

The authors provide a holistic and empirically grounded understanding of employer perceptions of graduate student employability through reviewing quantitative and qualitative indicators of employability from the employer perspective.
Development of a computer-aided design software for smart garments
Authors: Kim Sungmin
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a computer-aided design software for smart garments.

Design/methodology/approach

A circuit design software with graphical user interface and an automatic Arduino code generator has been developed.

Findings

Complex circuit design for smart garment can be performed using an intuitive graphical user interface. Sophisticated C codes for activating the smart garment can be generated without in-depth knowledge of C language and electronic devices.

Research limitations/implications

Circuit wiring is performed manually. Further work will be focused on the generation of an algorithm that can find the overlap-free design of complex circuit.

Practical implications

Smart garments with complex functions are expected to be designed more easily without in-depth knowledge of electronic circuits and computer programming.

Social implications

Researchers of smart garment will be able to concentrate on the actual function of smart garments rather than coding the complex C programs.

Originality/value

This is the first computer-aided smart garment design software that can not only design the circuit but also generate the computer codes.
Relationship between resilience and personality traits in paramedics
Authors: Froutan Razieh , Mazlom Reza , Malekzadeh Javad , Mirhaghi Amir
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Resilience can be of assistance to paramedics in order to maintain their own mental balance in stressful work environments. Since it is not well defined which personality traits are correlated with resilience in these personnel, the purpose of this paper is to explain the relationship between personality traits and levels of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study was conducted on paramedics in Eastern Iran through field research. The study participants were selected by convenience sampling method. The data collection instruments included NEO-Five Factor Inventory-Short Form and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The data obtained were also analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) through the SPSS 16.0 software.

Findings

A total of 252 paramedics with a mean age of 28.9±5.1 years participated in this study. The personality traits of neuroticism (r=−0.24), openness to experience (r=−0.22), and agreeableness (r=−0.18) were significantly correlated with resilience. In contrast, extraversion (r=0.26) and conscientiousness (r=0.32) were in a significant relationship with resilience. In this respect, the given personality traits could account for 31.5 percent of changes in resilience.

Research limitations/implications

It was concluded that the paramedics with lower scores of neuroticism had higher levels of resilience and they could similarly show better compliance with their work conditions in stressful situations and consequently maintain their mental health.

Practical implications

It is recommended to conduct psychological examinations of personality traits in recruitment and selection stages of medical emergency personnel and to implement psychological interventions for those medical emergency staff with the personality trait of neuroticism.

Social implications

Resilient paramedics may also perceive less stress and it may be negatively associated with burnout.

Originality/value

The study examined the relationship between personality traits and resiliency in order to clarifying recruitment criteria in emergency medical services.
Mood, religious experience and the Ramadan effect
Authors: Wasiuzzaman Shaista , Al-Musehel Noura Abdullah
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the influence of mood/emotions and religious experience on Islamic stock markets during the Ramadan month.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses stock returns data of two countries – Saudi Arabia and Iran – from January 2008 to September 2014 and the ARMA-GARCH models to study impact of the Ramadan month on the return and volatility of the stock market in these two countries.

Findings

The results of this study show some differences in the impact of the Ramadan month on the return and volatility of the stock market in these two countries. While the Ramadan month has a significant positive influence on the mean returns and the volatility of the Saudi market, its influence on the Iranian market is found to be insignificant. Further analysis on the last ten days of the Ramadan month provides a similar result for the Saudi market. However, for the Iranian market, volatility is significantly negatively affected during these last ten days.

Originality/value

Most prior studies have found significant changes in returns during the Ramadan month but a deeper understanding of this stock market anomaly is needed. The results point toward the influence of mood/emotions and religious experience in explaining the existence of the Ramadan anomaly.
The determinants of corporate profitability: an investigation of Indian manufacturing firms
Authors: Nanda Swagatika , Panda Ajaya Kumar
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the firm-specific and macroeconomic determinants of profitability of Indian manufacturing firms. It assesses the main determinants of firm’s profitability in the pre-crisis and post-crisis period from 2000 to 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

This methodology splits the factors that influence firm profitability in two groups: firm-specific (internal) factors and macroeconomic indicators. It further aims to look at the consistency of the factors in the pre-crisis and post-crisis period. The return on assets and the net profit margin are considered as proxy for corporate profits. The panel generalized least square and panel vector auto-regression model have been employed, and it is observed that the exchange rate seems to have played a major role in the crisis period by explaining the earning quotient for Indian firms.

Findings

This paper concludes that the firm-specific variables and exchange rate channels are quite relevant in explaining the profitability of Indian manufacturing firms. It accepts the hypotheses that size and liquidity enhances whereas leverage discourages the profitability. Few exceptions have been observed during the crisis period. The study also concludes that in the short run, the changes in exchange rate are not increasing profitability, but in the long run, it increases profitability as the volatility of nominal exchange rate is positively impacting profitability. Moreover, the study finds that the nominal exchange rate index is more informative and explains that profitability is better than real exchange rate index in the case of Indian manufacturing firms over the study period.

Research limitations/implications

The managers and the policy makers should give utmost importance to the firm-specific determinants, especially after the crisis period, and consider the appropriate exchange rate to evaluate firm performance for making any change in the policy to make any business profitable.

Originality/value

This study has been conducted over a longer time by using advanced panel data analysis techniques on the recent data. The study period properly captures the crisis time and the research includes different selection of profitability that highlights corporate earnings pattern. Moreover, validation of the exchange rate sensitivity of profitability over nominal and real exchange rate increases the robustness of the study. Moreover, on Indian manufacturing firms, the study is very significant and unique.
Network position of independent director in cross-border mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Guo Chenxi , Lv Ping
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of network position of independent directors on the decision-making process of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs).

Design/methodology/approach

With 912 CBMAs constructed by 431 Chinese-listed corporations from 2006 to 2015, the authors provide graph-theoretical methods to quantify directors’ networks and build logistics models of CBMA success and generalized linear model for transaction value.

Findings

The authors find that independent directors in central positions of board networks of CBMA significantly strengthen the possibility of success of CBMA and react more positively to large CBMA. The results reveal that state-owned enterprises reduce the importance of independent directors in central positions in assisting successful CBMA, but strengthen the importance in promoting large CBMA. Specifically, majority shareholders counteract the importance of independent directors in central positions in assisting successful CBMA, but improve the importance in promoting large CBMA.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that independent directors in central positions, which are embedded in sets of board relationships and interactions, lead to efficient external corporate governance as a mechanism to facilitate a Chinese-listed firm’s CBMA decision making.
Bank regulatory capital and liquidity creation: evidence from BRICS countries
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Sun Gang , Shahzad Khurram , Rao Zia-ur-Rehman
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between bank regulatory capital and liquidity creation in banks of BIRCS countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from all publicly listed banks of BRICS nations for the period 2003-2014 have been collected and analyzed. Two-stage least-squares regression has been used to control endogeneity. The econometric model includes different control variables that have been selected based on the extant literature.

Findings

Increase in bank capital negatively affects bank liquidity creation which implies that “financial fragility-crowding out” hypothesis holds for banks of BRICS countries.

Originality/value

This study provides the evidence of the inverse relationship between bank regulatory capital and liquidity creation from emerging economies. The findings show that there is a trade-off between curtailing bank risk taking and liquidity creation. Therefore, the regulators must formulate policies to strike a balance between the two.
Exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices in Ghana: is there asymmetry?
Authors: Amoah Lordina , Aziakpono Meshach Jesse
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the speed and magnitude of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to consumer prices in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The Johansen Maximum Likelihood approach is employed in the estimation of different models of symmetric and asymmetric ERPT. Specifically asymmetric ERPT models with respect to the direction and size of exchange rate changes are estimated.

Findings

Results reveal that even though a depreciation in the nominal effective exchange rate will lead to an increase of consumer prices in the long-run, it is not statistically significant. Evidence also suggests a significant asymmetry with respect to direction and size of exchange rate changes. This indicates that the right ERPT model is an asymmetric model. Specifically ERPT is found to be incomplete but relatively higher in periods of depreciation than in periods of appreciation; that is 53 percent against 3 percent. ERPT is also higher during episodes of large changes (about 51 percent).

Research limitations/implications

It would have been interesting to analyze the impact on consumer prices through changes in import prices. That approach was not adopted due to lack of consistent data on import prices in Ghana.

Practical implications

It is imperative that the monetary authorities critically monitor exchange rate movements in order to be able to take swift policy action so as to counteract any inflationary pressures from the external sector. In particular, much attention should be paid to events and arrangements that could result in large depreciation of the exchange rate.

Originality/value

While previous studies have assumed a symmetric ERPT model for Ghana, this paper is unique in that it investigates the most appropriate model for examining ERPT in Ghana whether symmetric or an asymmetric.
Dividend policy and stock price volatility of industrial products firms in Malaysia
Authors: Zainudin Rozaimah , Mahdzan Nurul Shahnaz , Yet Chee Hong
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between stock price volatility (SPV) and dividend policy of industrial products firms listed on Bursa Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises 166 industrial products public-listed firms covering a time span from year 2003 to 2012. Using Baskin’s framework, firm’s SPV is related to dividend payout, controlling for earnings volatility, firm size, leverage and growth of assets. Further, the impact of the global financial crisis on the relationship between SPV and the tested variables is examined.

Findings

Earning volatility significantly explains SPV of industrial product firms during the crisis period, while dividend payout ratio (PR) predominantly influences volatility during pre- and post-crisis sub-periods. The empirical results indicate that dividend policy is a strong predictor of SPV of industrial products firms in Malaysia, particularly during the post-crisis period.

Originality/value

The paper explores the firm’s SPV and dividend policy for a new set of data focussing on industrial products firms listed on the Malaysian Stock Exchange.
Bank loan loss provisions, investor protection and the macroeconomy
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the non-discretionary determinants of bank loan loss provisions in Africa after controlling for macroeconomic fluctuation, financial development and investor protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses static and dynamic regression estimation to test for the determinants of bank loan loss provisions.

Findings

The author finds that non-performing loans (NPL), loan-to-asset ratio and loan growth are significant non-discretionary drivers of bank provisions in the African region. The author observes that bank provision is a positive function of NPL up to a threshold beyond which bank provisions will no longer increase as NPL increases. Also, bank loan-to-asset ratio is a significant driver of bank provisions when African banks have higher loan-to-asset ratios. The author finds that larger banks in financially developed African countries have fewer loan loss provisions while increase in bank lending leads to fewer bank provisions in countries with strong investor protection. Finally, higher bank lending is associated with higher bank provisions during economic boom.

Originality/value

This study is the first to assess the determinants of non-discretionary bank provisions in Africa as part of micro-prudential surveillance of banks in the African region.
Research on the delamination wear properties of the pure carbon strip at the high-sliding speed with electric current
Authors: Yang Hongjuan , Fu Lin , Liu Yanhua , Qian Weiji , Hu Bo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the delamination wear properties of a carbon strip in a carbon strip rubbing against a copper wire at the high-sliding speed (380 km/h) with or without electrical current.

Design/methodology/approach

The friction and wear properties of a carbon strip in a carbon strip rubbing against a copper wire are tested on the high-speed wear tester whose speed can reach up to 400 km/h. The test data have been collected by the high-speed data collector. The worn surfaces of the carbon strip are observed by the scanning electron microscope.

Findings

It was found that there was a significant increase of the delamination wear with the decrease of the normal load when the electric current is applied. The size of the flake-like peeling also increases with the decrease of normal load. The delamination wear extends gradually from the edge of the erosion pits to the surrounding area with the decrease of the normal load. However, the delamination wear never appears in the absence of electric current. It is proposed that the decreased normal load and the big electrical current are the major causes of the delamination wear of the carbon strip.

Originality value

The experimental test at high-sliding speed of 380 km/h was performed for the first time, and the major cause of the delamination was discovered in this paper.
Effect of axial piston pin motion on tribo-dynamics of piston skirt-cylinder liner system
Authors: Meng Fanming , Du Minggang , Wang Xianfu , Chen Yuanpei , Zhang Qing
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the axial piston pin motion on the tribological performances of the piston skirt and cylinder liner vibration for an internal combustion engine (ICE) under different operation conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic equation for the piston incorporating into axial piston pin motion is derived first. Then, the proposed equation and associated lubrication equations are solved using the Broyden algorithm and difference method, respectively. Moreover, the axial motion of the piston pin and its slap on the cylinder liner are studied under different operation conditions.

Findings

The axial piston pin motion leads to an overall increase in the friction power consumption. Increments in the ICE speed and lubricant viscosity can augment the axial pin motion and cylinder liner vibration, especially in the power stroke. The said increments cause the instability of the piston motion in the cylinder. The axial motion of piston pin can be restrained through the eccentricity of the piston pin close to the thrust side of the cylinder liner.

Originality/value

This study conducts detailed discussions of the effect of axial piston pin motion on tribological and dynamic performances for piston skirt-cylinder liner system of an internal combustion engine and gives a helpful reference to analyses and designs of internal combustion engines.
Analysis of bearing failures in a typical high-power marine gearbox
Authors: Gu Haigang , Feng Guang , Lin Yonggang , Wang Chaozhu
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze fatigue failures of a typical marine gearbox under harsh ocean conditions, and these failures are reasonably attributed to the bearing fretting fatigue damages.

Design/methodology/approach

Two typical FAG cylindrical roller bearings mounted on this marine gearbox are particularly used for analysis, as they are most vulnerable to these failures. A series of simulations have also been conducted to verify the analysis results and failure reasons by reproducing the fretting fatigue damages for the same shaft-bearing system under the same manufacturing error conditions.

Findings

The analysis results indicate that manufacturing errors are the most possible reasons for the bearing failures, and these errors have more effects on the FAG cylindrical roller bearing as compared to other bearings mounted on the same shaft system. The simulations results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis results and test results and hence validate that manufacturing errors are the dominant reasons for bearing fretting fatigue damages in this typical marine gearbox.

Originality/value

Fatigue failures of a typical marine gearbox. Manufacturing errors are the most possible reasons for the bearing failures. A series of simulations have been conducted to verify the analysis results and failure reasons. The simulations results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis results and test results.
Grease thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication properties of tripod sliding universal couplings
Authors: Zhou Ye , Chang Degong , Li Songmei
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the grease thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) properties of the tripod sliding universal coupling (TSUC) under automotive practical conditions. For this purpose, the effect of effective radius was theoretically investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the simplified geometric model, the effect of effective radius on the pressure distribution, film thickness and temperature distribution of the TSUC was theoretically investigated using the multigrid and stepping methods. The TEHL properties were compared with the results obtained using the isothermal calculation method.

Findings

The results show that the thermal effect has a great impact on the film thickness and the pressure distribution of grease lubrication properties. Moreover, larger effective radius results in a wider but lower pressure distribution, a wider and thicker lubricating film and a lower temperature distribution.

Originality/value

The TSUC can be widely used in the front drive automotive transmission because it can transmit larger torque than before. The effect of effective radius on the thermal grease lubrication properties under automotive practical conditions provides a new direction for designing it.
Tribological effects of laser surface texturing and residual stress
Authors: Wang Shuwen , Yan Feiyan , Chen Ao
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological effects of laser surface texturing (LST) and residual stress on functional surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different surface textures (circular dimple, elliptical dimple and groove) with two different textured area ratios (10 and 20 per cent) are designed and fabricated by a Picosecond Nd YAG Laser machine. The friction and wear performance of textured specimens is tested using a UMT-2 friction and wear testing machine in mixed lubrication.

Findings

Test results show that elliptical dimples exhibit the best performance in wear resistance, circular dimples in friction reduction and grooves in stabilization of friction. The surfaces with larger textured area density exhibit better performance in both friction reduction and wear resistance. The improved performance of LST is the coupled effect of surface texture and residual stress.

Originality/value

The findings of this study may provide guidance for optimal design of functional surface textures in reciprocating sliding contacts under mixed or hydrodynamic lubrication, which can be used in automotive and other industrial applications.
Stability characteristics of lubricating film in mill oil-film bearings
Authors: Wang Jianmei , Li Zhixiong , Mohammadkazem Sadoughi , Cai Min , Kang Jianfeng , Zhang Yanan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The stability characteristics of an oil film directly influence the safety and service life of mill oil-film bearings. However, very limited work has been done to address the stability characteristics of mill oil-film bearings. To this end, this paper aims to investigate the stability characteristics of mill oil-film bearings through theoretical and experimental analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

For the first time, a special designed experiment platform was developed to investigate the stability characteristics of mill oil-film bearings. In addition, a theoretical model of lubricating film of the tested bearings was established to analyze the oil-film stability. The theoretical results were compared with the experimental results.

Findings

The comparison results demonstrate that the critical influential factors on the bearing stability were the eccentricity ratio and the ratio of bearing length to diameter. The mill bearing was likely to be unstable under a small load and at a high rotational speed.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for suitable operation conditions in practical use of mill oil-film bearings.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to investigate oil-film stability of mill bearings for practical applications.
Brokering, buffering, and the rationalities of principal work
Authors: LeChasseur Kimberly , Donaldson Morgaen , Fernandez Erica , Femc-Bagwell Michele
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Brokering and buffering represent two ways in which principals may respond to hyperrational elements of policy demands in the current era of accountability. The purpose of this paper is to examine how some principals broker more efficient, measurable, and predictable evaluation practices for teachers and others buffer their teachers from inefficient, immeasurable, and unpredictable aspects of policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were obtained from 37 school principals and 363 teachers across 12 districts participating in a new teacher evaluation policy in one state of the USA. Principal interviews and teacher focus groups were conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of 2012-2013. Transcripts were coded to identify hyperrational elements of the policy and principals’ brokering and buffering practices.

Findings

All principals described elements of the new evaluation policy as inefficient, incalculable, or unpredictable – hallmarks of hyperrationality. Principals brokered efficiency by designing schoolwide parent goals and centralizing procedures; brokered transparency of calculation methods and focused teacher attention on measuring effort, rather than outcomes; and encouraged collective sensemaking to facilitate predictable procedures and outcomes. Principals buffered teachers by de-emphasizing the parent-based component; minimizing the quantitative nature of the ratings; ceding responsibility over calculations to district leaders; and lowering expectations to make ratings controllable.

Originality/value

The paper provides new understanding of principals’ strategic leadership practices, which represented rational responses to hyperrational policy demands. Therefore, the paper includes recommendations for principal preparation, district support for policy implementation, and further research on principal practice.
Customer brand engagement behavior in online brand communities
Authors: Gong Taeshik
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating role of cultural value orientations on the relationship between brand ownership and customer brand engagement behavior through brand responsibility and self-enhancement.

Design/methodology/approach

Respondents came from firm-managed online smartphone brand communities in South Korea and the USA. Convenience sampling yielded 197 valid responses, with 98 coming from South Korea and 99 coming from the USA.

Findings

The study results provide empirical evidence that cultural value orientations influence customer brand engagement behavior. As expected, the findings indicate that individualism-collectivism and power distance significantly moderate the indirect effect of brand responsibility and self-enhancement on the relationship between brand ownership and customer brand engagement behavior.

Originality/value

Prior research has focused mainly on customer engagement behaviors that target the firm, employees and other customers, with little research examining customer engagement behavior that targeted the brand (customer brand engagement behavior). This exploration is important because customers could serve as brand missionaries, become less apt to switch brands and provide feedback, leading to a sustainable competitive advantage.
Smart neighbourhood
Authors: Kumar Harish , Singh Manoj Kumar , Gupta M.P. , Madaan Jitendra
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the key factors to design efficient, healthy and potentially economical neighbourhood places in the surroundings of smart cities to reduce the urban polarization for the sustainable urban development.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage methodology is followed. First, the key factors for neighbourhood are identified from literature studies. The selected factors are validated by sample t-tests. Second, the total interpretive structural modeling is used to interpret the complexity of relationships among various factors. Further, cross-impact matrix multiplication is applied for classification analysis to find the most driving factors for neighbourhood design.

Findings

The contribution of this research is to show hierarchical relationships among the various factors to design the neighbourhood places as smart from the perspectives of city planners and decision makers.

Research limitations/implications

The applicability of the research findings is limited to developing countries mainly where population is large and most of cities have high pressure on its infrastructure to fulfil the citizens’ demands.

Practical implications

This paper will aid policymakers, city planners and government officials to design a sustainable smart city model in which smart neighbourhood would also be the potential solution to decrease pressure on a city’s critical infrastructure especially in developing countries.

Social implications

A smart city could be considered as the centre point of smart initiatives to develop a place smart, and it should continue beyond the city boundaries to enhance the facilities, services, resources utilization and working environment in neighbourhood places also.

Originality/value

The study explores the various literature on neighbourhood planning and then link with smart city development as current need of urban development scenario. The authors propose a hierarchical relation framework to develop the neighbourhood places as smart places to meet the future demand of urbanization in developing countries like India.
The mechanism underlying the empowering leadership-creativity relationship
Authors: Chow Irene Hau Siu
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how and under what condition empowering leadership is related to employee creativity from the social exchange and motivational perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 535 supervisor-subordinate dyads using online questionnaire survey.

Findings

Employee openness to experience (a creative personality) moderated the indirect effect of empowering leadership on employee creativity via either motivation to learn or trust in leader. The indirect effect of empowering leadership on creativity via motivation to learn occurs only for employees with lower level of openness to experience, whereas that via trust in leader occurs only for employees with higher level of openness to experience.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional research design is a major concern.

Practical implications

The findings offer guidance to help practitioners or executives to stimulate subordinates motivation to increase their creative performance through learning and trust that matched with the individual’s openness to experience, thereby improving the effectiveness of empowering leadership.

Originality/value

This study extend our understanding on the mechanism linking empowering leadership and employee creativity by testing the mediating influences of motivation to learn and trust in leader and the moderating influence of openness to experience.
Empowering women and stimulating development at bottom of pyramid through micro-entrepreneurship
Authors: Chatterjee Susmita , Dutta Gupta Sangita , Upadhyay Parijat
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to address the sustainability issue of Self-help groups by means of developing small business/micro-entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The causal relationship between empowerment through SHG and micro-entrepreneurship is being investigated by estimating empirical data through structural equation modelling with second-order latent factor.

Findings

Empirical examination supports the causal relationship between empowerment through SHG and small business.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conforming the policy of group forming and, at this stage, develops a conceptual framework but with real implications for comprehensive policy decisions.

Originality/value

There are many studies on the women empowerment aspect of SHGs. However, few attempted to find out how the micro-entrepreneurs emerging from SHGs.
Risk analysis in introduction of new technologies by start-ups in the Brazilian market
Authors: Teberga Pedro Marins Freire , Oliva Fábio Lotti , Kotabe Masaaki
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The volatile scenario of technological innovation demonstrates the need for risk control processes, in order to ensure its viability. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework for risk management in the introduction of new technologies by start-ups, aiming to provide the guidelines for the improvement of this process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comes up with conceptual categories related to risk management in start-ups, mainly based on the NPVR approach. The methodology included two comparative case studies: MercadoPago and GuiaBolso, which had their data collected through interviews with key managers and documents provided by the organizations. Data analysis was based on the Mileset al.(2014) model, whereby data were condensed; data were visualized, and conclusions developed and checked.

Findings

Among the main results, there is the proposition of a deductive-inductive matrix for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups, which brings elements that provide the calculation of the NPV adjusted for the risk of developing a new product (NPVR), process or service, as well as the contribution of the level of risk management maturity of the companies, setting up the Risk Management Matrix (RMM).

Practical implications

The authors propose a matrix for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups.

Social implications

The authors present comparative case studies of MercadoPago and GuiaBolso which help the entrepreneurs to develop their start-ups.

Originality/value

As the main contribution, this paper proposes the start-up RMM, a model for the management of uncertainties and risks in start-ups, which brings elements that provide the calculation of the NPV adjusted for the risk of developing a new product (NPVR), process or service, as well as the contribution of the level of risk management maturity of the companies.
Market competition, green technology progress and comparative advantages in China
Authors: Song Malin , Wang Shuhong
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Technical progress is an important technique within improving China’s comparative advantages, as new and renewable technologies will be beneficial for energy security. Productive technical progress and green technical innovation are necessary to improve working conditions and productivity of industries. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study technical progress in China under such harsh competitive circumstances, as well as types of technical progress that can be promoted, productive technical progress or green technology progress, and how technical progress will affect China’s competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform a multi-index multi-factor constitutive model based on a sample of 468 Chinese industries, and divide the industries into four categories.

Findings

The results indicate that there is a “U”-shape relationship between green technology progress and comparative advantages and an inverted “U”-shape relationship between the intensity of market competition and comparative advantages.

Research limitations/implications

China has crossed the inflection point of the “U”-shaped curve. This, coupled with the slowing of economic growth, demonstrates the need for advocating green technology in China to decrease the pollutant discharge. Establishing Chinese national brands within overseas markets and earning a profit through the downstream of production chain enhance China’s international competitiveness.

Originality/value

One of the most original findings of this paper points out that China is faced with a situation in which exports are severely decreased and domestic environment pollution is increased. Vigorous promotion of green technology progress, improvement of the quality and the technical content of exported products, the establishment of national brand within the overseas market, as well as enhancement of China’s international competitiveness, is needed.
The core competence of successful owner-managed SMEs
Authors: Ng Hee Song , Kee Daisy Mui Hung
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of transformational leadership, entrepreneurial competence and technical competence on firm performance via innovativeness in owner-managed small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 178 owner-managers of SMEs operating in Malaysia using a self-report questionnaire. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that, except in the link between transformational leadership and process innovativeness, all relationships linking transformational leadership, entrepreneurial and technical competence with innovativeness, and linking innovativeness with firm performance are significant.

Research limitations/implications

The self-report questionnaires that were administered to owner-managers of SMEs constitute a limitation for this research, as they may not always produce reliable and valid responses due to single informant response and common method bias.

Practical implications

The study findings have strong theoretical and managerial implications for owner-managed SMEs seeking to adopt the four core metrics, namely, transformational leadership, entrepreneurial competence, technical competence and innovativeness, as the management core, all of which are necessary for meaningful, sustainable, disruptive transformation to do well in business, even with limited resources.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in its effort to focus on the core competence of owner-managed SMEs, which remains relatively underexplored in the context of developing countries. Moreover, little is yet known about their combined effects on firm performance.
Charismatic leadership and public service recovery performance
Authors: Tuan Luu Trong , Thao Vo Thanh
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Public service failures need to be recovered to sustain citizen satisfaction with public services. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of charismatic leadership in leveraging public service recovery performance (PSRP) as well as a moderated mediation mechanism underlying such an effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Public employees and their managers from local governments were recruited to provide the data for this research. Data analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling.

Findings

From the research results, charismatic leadership demonstrated the positive association with PSRP via public service motivation (PSM) as a mediator. Besides, serving culture was also found to play a moderating role to strengthen the positive links between charismatic leadership and PSRP as well as PSM.

Originality/value

The research model adds further insights into charismatic leadership and service recovery knowledge through the relationship between these two concepts as well as a moderated mediation mechanism underpinning this relationship.
The impact of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity
Authors: Suifan Taghrid S. , Abdallah Ayman Bahjat , Al Janini Marwa
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of transformational leadership on employees’ creativity in the Jordanian banking sector through the mediating effect of perceived organizational support.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on survey data collected from 369 employees working in Jordanian banks. Validity and reliability analyses were performed, and direct and indirect effects were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that transformational leadership positively affects some dimensions of employees’ creativity and perceived organizational support. However, perceived organizational support is found to not be significantly related to some dimensions of employees’ creativity. Additionally, the mediating effect of perceived organizational support on the relationship between transformational leadership and some dimensions of employees’ creativity is found to not be significant.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and employees’ creativity through perceived organizational support, especially in an Arab country and in the banking sector.
Brand addiction conceptual development
Authors: Mrad Mona
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Although emerging literature has discussed different consumer–brand relationships and addictive behavior constructs, to date, it has not explored the brand addiction phenomenon. This study aims to undertake a conceptual inspection to better understand the nature of the brand addiction phenomenon, thereby providing a clear and concise conceptual definition.

Design/methodology/approach

To develop a concise definition of brand addiction, the researcher applies a conceptual development procedure, which identifies potential attributes of brand addiction by assembling a descriptive set of definitions, collecting the construct’s key attributes, generating a preliminary definition of brand addiction, identifying unique and shared attributes of brand addiction with other constructs in related areas and, finally, refining the conceptual definition based on a set of guidelines.

Findings

This study defines brand addiction as a psychological state that entails an emotional attachment to a particular brand, driven by compulsive urges that generally provide pleasure. This involves dependence, habit formation, loss of control, failure to withstand impulses and tension before starting the behavior related to the addicted brand. In addition, some of the following attributes might also characterize brand addiction: social, mental and behavioral preoccupation with the brand, tolerance development, frequent engagement in activities related to the brand, restlessness or irritability when unable to engage in activities/behaviors related to the addicting brand, repeated efforts to stop the behavior and dismissal of occupational, social and recreational activities to engage in activities related to the addicting brand.

Originality/value

Since the concept of brand addiction has not been empirically tested, this paper has the potential to append a compulsory conceptual understanding of the concept of brand addiction by developing an accurate definition that serves in discriminating the focal concept from other constructs in related areas, and helps advance subsequent work for theory development.
Consumed by the real
Authors: Rossolatos George
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper furnishes an inaugural reading of abjective consumption by drawing on Kristeva’s psychoanalytic theory of abjection within the wider terrain of consumer cultural research. It offers a conceptual framework that rests on three pillars, viz. irrationality, meaninglessness, dissolution of selfhood.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research design that adopts a documentary ethnographic approach, by drawing on a corpus of 50 documentary episodes from the TV series “My Strange Addiction” and “Freaky Eaters”.

Findings

The findings from this analysis point to different orders of mediatized discourse that are simultaneously operative in different actors’ frames (e.g. moralizing, medical), in Goffman’s terms, yet none of which attains to address the phenomenon of abjective consumption to its full-blown extent.

Research limitations/implications

Although some degree of bias is bound to be inherent in the data because of their pre-recorded status, they are particularly useful not in the least because this is a “difficult sample” in qualitative methodological terms.

Practical implications

The multi-order dimensionalization of abjective consumption opens up new vistas to marketers in terms of adding novel dimensions to the message structure of their communicative programs, in line with the three Lacanian orders.

Social implications

The adoption of a consumer psychoanalytic perspective allows significant others to fully dimensionalize the behavior of abjective consumption subjects, by becoming sensitive to other than symbolic aspects that are endemic in consumer behavior.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the extant consumer cultural research literature by furnishing the novel conceptual framework of abjective consumption, as a further elaboration of my consumer psychoanalytic approach to jouissance consumption, as well as by contrasting this interpretive frame vis-à-vis dominant discursive regimes.