bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart production systems drivers for business process management improvement
Authors: Queiroz Maciel M. , Fosso Wamba Samuel , Machado Marcio C. , Telles Renato
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The Industry 4.0 phenomenon offers opportunities and challenges to all business models. Despite the literature advances in this field, little attention has been paid to the interplay of smart production systems (SPSs), big data analytics (BDA), cyber-physical systems (CPS), internet of things (IoT), and the potential business process management (BPM) improvements. This study aims to identify the main drivers and their implications for improved BPM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a narrative literature review of studies concerning smart-production-systems-related issues in the context of Industry 4.0.

Findings

The study identified 26 drivers from the literature associated with SPSs that have an impact on improved BPM. These drivers are presented in an integrative framework considering BDA, CPS, and the IoT.

Research limitations/implications

The framework's component integration is yet not tested. However, this study offers a significant theoretical contribution by presenting drivers that can be utilised to develop constructs, exploring critical factors related to the interplay of SPSs and improved BPM, and shading light on Industry 4.0's main elements. The study also makes suggestions for further research.

Practical implications

The proposed framework, with its 26 drivers, provides insights for practitioners and decision-makers interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of the complexities of SPSs and improved BPM.

Originality/value

This study integrates BDA, CPS, and IoT into a framework with 26 drivers associated with SPSs to improve BPM.
Fisheries Department - Government of Mizoram
Authors: Singh Amit Kumar
Published: February 2020

Director, Fisheries Department, Mizoram Government, wanted to develop the fisheries sector by utilizing natural land water & fish resources, not only for augmenting food production of state to reach a stage of self dependency for fish requirement, but also to generate employment, developing leadership, team building & entrepreneurial skill among the people. He was particularly examining the scope of training, innovation & initiatives that could be implemented to provide a market oriented focus for the Department.
Starbucks - 2007
Authors: Karthik D. , Dixit M. R.
Published: February 2020

This case describes the financial and non-financial performance of Starbucks, a large organisation provided as on 2007. Howard Schultz, the promoter and chairman of the corporation is disturbed by the decline in the performance of Starbucks, especially the dilution of customer experience. He is required to analyse what happened and adopt a course of action to strengthen Starbucks' performance vis a vis competitive attacks. The participants are required to analyse the situation, generate options for Starbucks and make recommendations for the future, including whether Jim Donald, the current incubent, needs to retained as the CEO of Starbucks.
Elucidating ethnographic expressions
Authors: Downey Hilary
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Narrative accounts of subjective consumer experience are, in one form or another, an essential of qualitative market research. Ethnographic research and ethnographic poetry have obvious connections with the literary form, yet this form has had limited application. Based on the assumption that poetry as a craft is a somewhat limited narrative in ethnographic studies and specifically in studies that attend a consumer vulnerability agenda, this paper aims to contribute to a literary-based perspective. This paper advocates for ethnographic poetry as a consideration of disseminating qualitative data for those researchers immersed in ethnographic research with diverse and vulnerable populations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a range of extant literature to draw out the distinguishing features of ethnographic poetry, in which to situate ethnographic narratives of two studies of consumer vulnerability. To assist in this, scholarly discussion in the paper is interposed with a series of interludes written in the ethnographic poetic style. These interludes are intended to epitomise merits of such an interpretive research approach.

Findings

This is a research paper seeking to draw attention to, and develop a relatively neglected research approach, ethnographic poetry. Researcher reflections, drawn from two ethnographic studies, suggest some tangible consequences of this research to generate further discussion of consumer vulnerability.

Research limitations/implications

The overall aim is to extend discussion of the particular qualities of ethnographic poetry that might contribute to better serve qualitative research approaches, when conducting ethnographic research.

Practical implications

The paper advocates a stronger focus on ethnographic poetry to liberate the imagination of researchers and readers alike to enrich and compliment the analysis of narrative forms of qualitative data drawn from an ethnographic approach.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the concept of ethnographic poetry, stemming from narrative-based qualitative research, which will be entirely new to many researchers and practitioners. It suggests tangible benefits that this new perception could bring to ethnographic research.
Competencies for sustainability in hotels: insights from Brazil
Authors: Alberton Anete , Kieling Ana Paula , Lyra Franciane Reinert , Hoffmann Estela Maria , Lopez Mariana Pires Vidal , Stefano Silvio Roberto
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study analyzes the competencies toward sustainability in hotel facilities in order to identify the level of implementation of sustainability practices, as well as individual competencies for sustainability in the hospitality companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews and a survey with hotel employees were conducted in two important touristic Brazilian cities, Florianopolis, and Rio de Janeiro, considering the TBL (triple bottom line) dimensions. The data were analyzed with content analysis and descriptive statistics and conjoint analysis.

Findings

Preventive competencies in the companies' management were identified. The research also revealed that competencies for sustainability are fairly present in the hospitality context yet, which demonstrates the urgency to discuss the theme in both academic and business practices.

Research limitations/implications

The access to the hotel managers impaired the performing of a robust statistical analysis; the study provided new insights about the topics investigated and generated information for the theoretical framework about competencies for sustainability.

Practical implications

The research results emphasized the need for the hotel industry to invest in sustainable strategies to meet its target audience, but also to raise the level of its staff and reduce costs in the long term, offering benefits to society, the environment, and, to their businesses.

Social implications

The research socially contributes through promoting discussion on sustainability, which is one of the most challenging and relevant issues for society. Besides, it can assist the diffusion of the competencies for sustainability in the hotel industry, as an attempt to decrease their negative externalities on the environment and primary audiences.

Originality/value

It was identified a distance between practice and the triple bottom line concept, which is linked only to environmental practices. Besides, it was found limited knowledge about the concepts of competencies in the companies.
Careless whispers: confidentiality and board-level worker representatives
Authors: Franca Valentina , Doherty Michael
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The article focuses on the role that ‘confidential information’ plays in relation to the work of board-level worker representatives, and their interaction with other worker participation mechanisms. Thus, the purpose of the paper is to explore the implications of confidentiality of board-level information for effective worker participation. The main argument is that if board-level worker representatives are excessively constrained by confidentiality provisions, their capacity to work effectively is brought into question.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research was undertaken on a sample of 12 public limited companies in Slovenia. In each company, three interviews were conducted: with the CEO or board member, with a board-level worker representative and with a works councilor, who was not a board-level worker representative (36 interviews in total). Each of these interviewees has a particular role, and interest, in handling confidential information. Thus, a method of triangulation by groups was employed. The interviews were conducted at the company premises during October and November 2017. The results were analysed by the content analysis method.

Findings

This research confirms that in the majority of companies, nearly all of the material and information discussed by the board is deemed to be ‘confidential’. Consequently, communication between board-level worker representatives and the works council is rendered difficult, if not impossible. The results indicate an urgent need to redefine the concept of confidentiality and to reinforce the level of communication between management boards and works councils.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to one country, which, by no means, is fatal, as international comparisons, although of greater breadth, often lose some depth of analysis (especially, for example, where there are differences in legal contexts). Although the issues discussed in the paper are of relevance to all those with an interest in worker participation mechanisms, they cannot be generalised mostly due to national specificities.

Originality/value

The question of confidentiality as between the board, board-level worker representatives, works councils, trade unions and other form of worker representation, despite its importance, has been raised quite rarely in research. In this research, three groups of stakeholders (CEO/board member, board-level workers representative and works council members) have been covered, with the aim to extend the understanding of how confidentiality obligations impact relationships between these.
New times for HRM? Well-being oriented management (WOM), harmonious work passion and innovative work behavior
Authors: Salas-Vallina Andres , Pozo Manoli , Fernandez-Guerrero Rafael
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure and conceptualize the concept of well-being-oriented management (WOM), and to investigate the relationship between well-being oriented management (WOM), harmonious work passion, and innovative work behavior (IWB).

Design/methodology/approach

In a sample of 362 senior managers, the authors used a two-wave structural equation model to verify whether the relationship between WOM and IWB was mediated by harmonious work passion.

Findings

This study reveals that human resource practices (HRM) oriented toward well-being, namely WOM, can be measured and conceptualized. In addition, WOM implemented over a period of one year, subsequently fostered IWB. Further, the role of harmonious passion as a catalyst in the relationship between these HRM practices and IWB was also examined.

Originality/value

Drawing upon the social exchange theory and the Job Demands-Resources model, our contributions are threefold: to conceptualize and empirically measure WOM; to discover the effect of WOM on IWB, and to assess the mediating role of harmonious work passion in the relationship between WOM and IWB.
Coping with mental health conditions at work and its impact on self-perceived job performance
Authors: Hennekam Sophie , Richard Sarah , Grima François
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This exploratory qualitative study examines both the impact of mental health conditions on self-perceived job performance and how individuals with mental health conditions cope with their conditions at work.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 257 responses to a qualitative questionnaire and 17 in-depth interviews with individuals with mental health conditions are analyzed.

Findings

The findings show that mental health conditions can negatively impact self-perceived job performance in the form of lower quality of one's work, slower pace, and more mistakes. In addition, the findings reveal coping strategies that positively and negatively affect one’s performance at work. Strategies that negatively influence one’s performance include substance abuse and self-harm, suppressing and hiding one's symptoms, and forcing oneself to continue to work when feeling unwell. Coping strategies that tend to positively affect their performance include accepting one's condition and taking time off, medication and counseling, mindfulness activities, transparent communication, humor, and a compensation strategy.

Originality/value

A growing number of individuals struggle with mental health conditions at work, impacting both organizations and employees. However, little is known about the influence of mental health conditions on one's performance at work, how individuals cope with their mental health conditions at work, and what effect those coping strategies have on organization-relevant outcomes.
Do compassionate firms outperform? The role of organizational learning
Authors: Guinot Jacob , Miralles Sandra , Rodríguez-Sánchez Alma , Chiva Ricardo
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Based on a new management paradigm rooted on care and compassion, this study explores the consequences of compassion at work on organizational learning and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the research model by using data from two different samples.

Findings

Results confirm that compassion increases firm performance through organizational learning capability; however, compassion do not enhances directly firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings indicate that when compassion is propagated among organizational members, organizations are better able to learn so they obtain a competitive advantage that is difficult to imitate and leads to higher firm performance.

Originality/value

This study takes a step forward on literature by providing empirical evidence for a promising area of management research such is compassion in organizations.
Integrated methodology for industrial facilities management and design based on FCA and lean manufacturing principles
Authors: Guillen Diego , Gomez Diego , Hernandez Ingrid , Charris Daniela , Gonzalez Juan , Leon Daniel , Sanjuan Marco
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive methodology and a case study about the successful integration of FCA with continuous improvement tools for strategic decision-making processes. Reliable knowledge of the condition of tangible assets and their ability to fulfill their target activities over time are required for an assertive strategical decision process. Facility condition assessment (FCA) is a recognized methodology that allows the systematic evaluation of this performance. For those companies whose primary objective is the production of goods, decisions associated with improvements on the productive system or re-adaptation of existing assets may also require the implementation of alternative methodologies, with a direct impact on the indicators of the company and therefore on the FCA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a methodology for the integration of FCA and lean manufacturing (LM) as a tool in strategic decision-making process that involves the integration of continuous improvement processes or significant changes in the production process, in which the condition of the installation impacts decisively the productivity of the system.

Findings

The results of the implementation on an insecticide and herbicide production plant indicate an increase of 33 per cent in the capacity of the formulation process and over 20 per cent reduction in the internal quality claims associated with the packaging system.

Practical implications

Those methodological stages are applicable to facilities in which the FCA shows the need for significant reconditioning of assets, the need to increase the efficiency and/or the production capacity. This methodology integrates elements of continuous improvement and redesign of production systems.

Originality/value

The original value of this paper is oriented to the capacity to integrate different FCA and LM tools through the company indicators of productivity key performance indicators and, in addition, of a comprehensive illustration based on a study case.
A systematic framework for understanding environmental design influences on physical activity in the elderly population
Authors: Gharaveis Arsalan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize the published literature regarding the impact of environmental design on the improvement of elderly residents’ physical activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To provide convergent evidence about the association between facility design/management and physical activity of elderly population, searches were conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, as well as in specific active living design journals such as Applied Gerontology, Aging and Physical Activity, Housing for the Elderly and Sports Sciences. The inclusion criteria for the final list were the articles that were qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies as well as systematic reviews; written in English; related to the built environmental design; wholly or partially focused on physical activity in elderly population; and published in peer-reviewed journals between 1984 and 2019.

Findings

Overall, 30 studies were included in the final list. The results of this review demonstrate that design interventions can raise physical functioning inside and outside of long-term residential facilities. Increasing opportunities for walkable spaces and reducing physical barriers can result in higher levels of physical activity for the elderly population.

Research limitations/implications

This systematic review discloses the design strategies to enhance the level of physical activity by the elderly population based on the findings of the published literature. Overall space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces were addressed to generally promote the moderate levels of physical activity in elderly population.

Practical implications

Increasing opportunities for walkable spaces and reducing physical barriers result in higher level of activity for the elderly population. Corridor design and interior design ergonomic considerations were highlighted in the literature. Space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces promote the moderate levels of physical activity.

Social implications

Environmental design considerations are unique aspects of enhancement of activity level in the elderly population.

Originality/value

This systematic review discloses the design strategies to enhance the level of physical activity by the elderly population based on the findings of the published literature. Overall space layout and accessibility to outdoor walkable spaces were addressed to generally promote the moderate levels of physical activity in elderly population.
Clarice Irwin’s visions for education in Australia in the 1920s and 1930s: “what might be”
Authors: Kass Dorothy
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The paper is a study of Clarice McNamara, née Irwin (1901–1990), an educator who advocated for reform in the interwar period in Australia. Clarice is known for her role within the New Education Fellowship in Australia, 1940s–1960s; however, the purpose of this paper is to investigate her activism in an earlier period, including contributions made to the journal Education from 1925 to 1938 to ask how she addressed conditions of schooling, curriculum reform, and a range of other educational, social, political and economic issues, and to what effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary source material includes the previously ignored contributions to Education and a substantial unpublished autobiography. Used in conjunction, the sources allow a biographical, rhetorical and contextual study to stress a dynamic relationship between writing, attitudes, and the formation and activity of organisations.

Findings

McNamara was an unconventional thinker whose writing urged the case for radical change. She kept visions of reformed education alive for educators and brought transnational progressive literature to the attention of Australian educators in an overall reactionary period. Her writing was part of a wider activism that embraced schooling, leftist ideologies, and feminist issues.

Originality/value

There has been little scholarly attention to the life and work of McNamara, particularly in the 1920s–1930s. The paper indicates her relevance for histories of progressive education in Australia and its transnational networks, the Teachers Federation and feminist activism between the wars.
A conservative method of lines for advection-reaction-diffusion equations
Authors: Ramos J.I.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a new method of lines for one-dimensional (1D) advection-reaction-diffusion (ADR) equations that is conservative and provides piecewise analytical solutions in space, compare it with other finite-difference discretizations and assess the effects of advection and reaction on both 1D and two-dimensional (2D) problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A conservative method of lines based on the piecewise analytical integration of the two-point boundary value problems that result from the local solution of the advection-diffusion operator subject to the continuity of the dependent variables and their fluxes at the control volume boundaries is presented. The method results in nonlinear first-order, ordinary differential equations in time for the nodal values of the dependent variables at three adjacent grid points and triangular mass and source matrices, reduces to the well-known exponentially fitted techniques for constant coefficients and equally spaced grids and provides continuous solutions in space.

Findings

The conservative method of lines presented here results in three-point finite difference equations for the nodal values, implicitly treats the advection and diffusion terms and is unconditionally stable if the reaction terms are implicitly treated. The method is shown to be more accurate than other three-point, exponentially fitted methods for nonlinear problems with interior and/or boundary layers and/or source/reaction terms. The effects of linear advection in 1D reacting flow problems indicates that the wave front steepens as it approaches the downstream boundary, whereas its back corresponds to a translation of the initial conditions; for nonlinear advection, the wave front exhibits steepening but the wave back shows a linear dependence on space. For a system of two nonlinearly coupled, 2D ADR equations, it is shown that a counter-clockwise rotating vortical field stretches the spiral whose tip drifts about the center of the domain, whereas a clock-wise rotating one compresses the wave and thickens its arms.

Originality/value

A new, conservative method of lines that implicitly treats the advection and diffusion terms and provides piecewise-exponential solutions in space is presented and applied to some 1D and 2D advection reactions.
Engaging visitors of science festivals using augmented reality: asymmetrical modelling
Authors: Olya Hossein , Jung Timothy Hyungsoo , Tom Dieck Mandy Claudia , Ryu Kisang
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore a complex combination of four realms of the experience economy in formulating memories and satisfaction among festival visitors by using augmented reality (AR), thus engaging visitors in the physical science experience. This study also identifies necessary conditions to achieve desired responses from visitors.

Design/methodology/approach

Asymmetrical modelling with fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to investigate causal recipes of two configurations of the experience economy and evaluation of experience leading to both high and low scores from visitor engagement. Necessary condition analysis was applied to examine necessary predictors in visitor engagement. The proposed configuration model was tested by using data obtained from visitors to science festivals in the UK.

Findings

Five causal recipes explained the complex conditions in which visitors were more likely engaged in AR. Aesthetics, education, entertainment and satisfaction were necessary for high engagement among festival visitors.

Research limitations/implications

The results from fsQCA and analyses of necessary conditions help festival organizers improve visitor satisfaction and engagement in a memorable AR experience.

Originality/value

This empirical study deepens current festival understanding of how visitors experience AR by exploring combinations of complex configurations of the experience economy and evaluations of visitor experience based on memories and satisfaction. Unlike symmetrical approaches, asymmetrical modelling by using fsQCA can explore recipes for both high and low scores of visitor satisfaction and engagement. This is the first empirical study investigating necessary predictors of festival visitor behaviour.
Recognizing events 4.0: the digital maturity of events
Authors: Ryan William Gerard , Fenton Alex , Ahmed Wasim , Scarf Phillip
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore and define the digital maturity of events using the Industry 4.0 model (I4.0) to create a definition for Events 4.0 (E4.0) and to place various relevant technologies on a scale of digital maturity.

Design/methodology/approach

In a mixed methods approach, we carried out a qualitative social media analysis and a quantitative survey of tourism and events academics. These surveys and the thorough literature review that preceded them allowed us to map the digital technologies used in events to levels of a digital maturity model.

Findings

We found that engagement with technology at events and delegate knowledge satisfactorily coexists for and across a number of different experiential levels. However, relative to I4.0, event research and the events industry appear to be digitally immature. At the top of the digital maturity scale, E4.0 might be defined as an event that is digitally managed; frequently upgrades its digital technology; fully integrates its communication systems; and optimizes digital operations and communication for event delivery, marketing, and customer experience. We expect E4.0 to drive further engagement with digital technologies and develop further research.

Originality/value

This study has responded to calls from the academic literature to provide a greater understanding of the digital maturity of events and how events engage with digital technology. Furthermore, the research is the first to introduce the concept of E4.0 into the academic literature. This work also provides insights for events practitioners which include the better understanding of the digital maturity of events and the widespread use of digital technology in event delivery.
Economic growth, renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption nexus in India
Authors: Shastri Shruti , Mohapatra Geetilaxmi , Giri A.K.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nexus among economic growth, nonrenewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption in India over the period 1971-2017.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses nonlinear autoregressive distributed lags model and asymmetric causality test to explore nonlinearities in the dynamic interaction among the variables.

Findings

The findings indicate that the impact of nonrenewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption on the economic growth is asymmetric in both long run and short run. In long run, a positive shock in nonrenewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption exerts a positive impact on growth. However, the negative shocks in nonrenewable energy consumption produce larger negative effects on the growth. The results of nonlinear causality test indicate a unidirectional causality from nonrenewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption to economic growth and thus support “growth hypothesis” in context of India.

Practical implications

The findings imply that policy measures to discourage nonrenewable energy consumption may produce deflationary effects on economic growth in India. Further, the findings demonstrate the potential role of renewable energy consumption in promoting economic growth.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to explore nonlinearities in the relationship between economic growth and the components of energy consumption in terms of renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption.
Eco-innovation practices’ adoption in the automotive industry
Authors: Maldonado-Guzmán Gonzalo , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Eco-innovation is a relatively recent construct in the literature, which nowadays more and more researchers and academics consider as one of the strategies that generate a higher level of sustainable and business performance. However, little is known about the influence of eco-innovation practices on sustainable performance and business performance, particularly in the automotive and auto parts industry. Therefore, this paper aims to fill this knowledge gap and explore the aforementioned interdependence.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of eco-innovation practices on sustainable performance and business performance is investigated through a research framework consisting of 5 constructs, 25 items and 6 hypotheses derived from an extensive review of the literature. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 460 companies in the automotive and auto parts industry in Mexico. The data were analyzed through a confirmatory factor analysis, descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results obtained indicated that eco-innovation practices have a positive influence on both sustainable performance and business performance in the automotive and auto parts industry.

Originality/value

This paper provides further insightful evidence of the influence of eco-innovation practices on sustainable performance and business performance, particularly in the automotive and auto parts industry.
Supplying resilience through assessing diversity of responses to disruption
Authors: Kahiluoto Helena , Mäkinen Hanna , Kaseva Janne
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theory and practice of supply chain management in terms of how an organisation should structure its supply base to be resilient to supply uncertainties and disruptions. An empirical assessment of supplier response diversity is demonstrated, and the following research question posed: Is response diversity of suppliers positively associated with supply chain resilience, more positively than mere supplier diversity is?

Design/Methodology/Approach

Resilience is operationalised as the maintenance of sales of two food products in 27 southern Finnish retail stores during two distinct disruptions. Response diversity is operationalised as 1) diversity in the personnel sizes of slaughterhouse suppliers of pork under domestic strikes and as 2) evenness in the proportions of imports and domestic supply of food oil under global price volatility. A five-step quantitative assessment is performed.

Findings

Response diversity is positively related to the maintenance of sales, more positively than diversity of individual suppliers is.

Research limitations/Implications

Response diversity is an advancement to the theory of supply chain resilience and supply base management, and access to big data increases practical potential.

Practical implications

Empirical assessments of response diversity of suppliers provide buyer companies an effective means to enhance their supply base management for resilience.

Social implications

The proposed approach is useful for teaching and for authorities to enhance food security.

Originality/value

This first assessment of response diversity of supply chain operations presents an important advancement in the theory and practice of supply base management for resilience.
Sustainability of a university’s quality system: adaptation of the EFQM excellence model
Authors: Medne Aija , Lapina Inga , Zeps Arturs
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Modern trends show that universities are searching for new solutions to increase efficiency and improve quality by considering approaches of quality system development that link with strategy and include extensive analysis of risks, processes and stakeholders. The approach that best fits the institution has to be in line with the institution’s strategic objectives, quality culture and policy and key performance indicators. The purpose of this paper and case study is to discover if sustainable development may be achieved by using an appropriate quality system development approach, such as the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyse sustainability and development of the quality system adapted in a higher-education institution, a literature review of different quality management approaches and models was performed. The research includes a case study of the university’s quality management framework based on an adapted EFQM excellence model emphasising on strategic development in the context of sustainability. The key focus of the research is to discover how universities could better focus on sustainable development and benefit from a quality system based on an adapted EFQM excellence model.

Findings

Literature analysis indicated that some of the sustainability development activities a university may use are possible to be integrated through quality system models and development approaches. The findings from the literature suggest that the EFQM excellence model may provide a management framework and a comprehensive overview of a university for identifying necessary improvements and promoting the implementation of advancement activities on the road to sustainable development. The principles of the EFQM excellence model may guide in setting a strategic focus on sustainable development of universities.

Originality/value

Sustainability and sustainable development of a university are analysed in terms of quality aspects of higher education, and the research results reveal the main sustainability elements to be analysed and implemented through a university’s strategy and improvement processes. The Riga Technical University quality system called “RTU Excellence Approach” development analysis is given as a case study.
The inclusion of sustainability in management education institutions
Authors: Sekhar Chandra
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the barriers to including sustainability in management education institutions (MEIs) in India, and subsequently, to analyze the structure of the causal relationships among the barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory methodology are applied to analyze the structure of the causal relationships among the identified sustainability barriers.

Findings

Through an extensive literature review and expert interviews, this paper identified 4 primary barriers and 46 sub-barriers. Encompassing sustainability in Indian MEIs results in changes in behavior involving increased respect for the environment, hence, leading to improved sustainable efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited to MEIs in India.

Practical implications

The inclusion of sustainability in MEIs equips future managers with the economic, ecological and technical knowledge required to demonstrate sustainable behavior in the workplace. It assists also equips managers with the ability to affect social change at an organizational level. MEIs has been acknowledged as playing a crucial role in societal transformations, including the need for transformation toward sustainability.

Originality/value

The present study adds to the current knowledge base regarding the structure of the causal relationships among the identified sustainability barriers. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to identify such barriers to including sustainability in an Indian MEI context.
Enterprise social media: combating turnover in businesses
Authors: Moqbel Murad , Bartelt Valerie L. , Topuz Kazim , Gehrt Kitty L.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how enterprise social media (ESM) use combats turnover by impacting work perceptions, and ultimately turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

This study undertook a survey at a major information technology (IT) corporation. Data from a total of 276 working professionals were collected to test the proposed research model.

Findings

The structural equation modeling results show that ESM increase workplace integration; workplace integration decreased turnover intention, augmented job satisfaction and also reduced job tensions (perceived work stress) – job satisfaction and work stress perceptions influenced turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

Low response bias is one of the limitations in this study, although this study useda prioriandpost hocmeasures to mitigate non-response bias. This study contributed to the theory by improving our understanding of the role of ESM in combating turnover by impacting work perceptions through the lens of social capital and emotional dissonance theories. This study also has practical implications for managers. The results suggest that incorporating ESM within organizations improves employees' perceptions and behaviors – providing an option for managers to consider it as a way to save costs associated with employee turnover.

Originality/value

Although several studies have been conducted on ESM, our understanding of the impact of ESM on work perceptions and turnover is still far from complete. This paper helps to close the gap in literature by improving our understanding of how ESM combats turnover by influencing work perceptions in an organization, which provides an essential contribution to research and practice in the field.
Cybercrime in Europe: surprising results of an expensive lapse
Authors: Roškot Martin , Wanasika Isaac , Kreckova Kroupova Zuzana
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of ransomware cyber-attacks “WannaCry” and “Petya” on stock prices of publicly traded companies in the European Union. The study analyses a set of case studies related to largest recent cybercrime events, which happened in the first half of 2017. The study answers two questions, what is the impact of cybercrime to public companies? How do cybercrime announcements and publications affect stock prices?

Design/methodology/approach

Using archival financial data, an event study methodology was used to assess the impact of cybercrime activity on market value of European companies affected during WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks in 2017.

Findings

The results suggest that announcements of information breaches because of ransomware exploits have impact on stock market returns. There is evidence of positive investors` reactions to the announcements. Specifically, there was little impact of “Wannacry” ransomware attack on market returns. Although stock market reactions differ by the sector, the market was positively affected in general. Our analysis of the impact of the more aggressive “Petya attack,” aimed at destroying affected data found evidence that such information security breach leads to increased market returns. There were significant abnormal returns starting from the third day of the announcement. These findings contradict previous results and the literature related to the impact of cyber-attacks.

Originality/value

Contrary to previous findings, the results suggest that ransomware attacks lead to positive market returns. However, cybercrime and other types of cyber-attacks pose serious threats whose implications deserve further investigation. Different attacks may have different consequences and could be potentially damaging to a firm’s reputation. Thus, it is necessary for companies to avoid becoming victim of cybercrime. Information systems should be continuously monitored for vulnerabilities.
Evaluating mental health literacy in medical students in the United Kingdom
Authors: Marwood Marrison Rebecca , Hearn Jasmine Heath
Published: February 2020

Purpose

There is urgent need to explore medical students’ understandings of mental illness to better support this high-risk group. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate mental health literacy in medical students using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and provide validation of the measure.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 251 participants were recruited from medical schools across the UK. Participants completed demographic details and the MHLS. This paper reports total MHLS scores and their relationships with demographics and experiences with mental illness.

Findings

The mean MHLS score was 127.69. MHL was significantly higher in females, and students in later years of study (p<0.05). Over 40 per cent of respondents reported having personal experience of mental illness. This, as well as having a close friend or family member with a mental illness, was associated with higher MHL (p<0.05).

Originality/value

This study is the first to use the MHLS and provide validation of this measure in medical students. Despite high rates of personal experience with mental health issues, medical students’ average MHLS scores were comparable to studies of non-medical student groups. Medical schools should aim to build students’ confidence in recognising and seeking help for mental health issues from the first year of medical training. MHL is a multi-faceted issue; further work is required to improve awareness of risk factors, to better understand why males demonstrate poorer MHL scores than females, and to work towards improving MHL in males.
How modularity influences product innovation
Authors: Sun Yaowu , Zhong Qi
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer novel and complementary insights into the relationship between product modularity and product innovation by investigating the mediating role of module suppliers' relationship-specific investments which include both property-based relationship-specific investment (PRSI) and knowledge-based relationship-specific investment (KRSI).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an empirical study based on structural equation modelling, with a sample of 121 core firms of high-tech modular cooperation in China.

Findings

The findings indicated that product modularity had a significant positive effect on product innovation; product modularity was positively related to module suppliers' PRSI; module suppliers’ KRSI had a direct effect on product innovation while PRSI had an indirect effect on product innovation through KRSI; the relationship between product modularity and product innovation was serially multi-mediated by module suppliers’ PRSI and KRSI.

Practical implications

Modular product design and modular cooperation governance guidance for core firms and cooperative investment strategies guidance for module suppliers were provided.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to analyse how product modularity affects product innovation in the context of inter-firm modular cooperation by revealing the mediating role of module suppliers' relationship-specific investments.
The antecedents and outcomes of environmental management based on the resource-based view
Authors: Hamdoun Mohamed
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), the aim of this research is to identify the main antecedents and outcomes of environmental management in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to analyze and synthesize the articles published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in the Scopus database until 2018 based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Findings

The systematic literature review identified the main antecedents and outcomes of environmental management. The main antecedents are resources and capabilities, institutional and stakeholders' pressures, firm size, and role of managers. The main outcomes are competitive advantage, firm performance particularly financial performance, economic performance, and environmental performance, and resources and capabilities. Furthermore, this paper offers guidance for further research on the subject.

Practical implications

This research may assist professionals by understanding the factors that foster the implementation of environmental management practices and their benefits. In addition, the findings are useful for policymakers in taking effective institutional measures in order to offer a conducive context for environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

This research illustrates the state of the art of the main antecedents and outcomes of environmental management in the literature based on the RBV and then determines research gaps in order to offer new and interesting research perspectives.
CEO compensation and firm performance in the insurance industry
Authors: Bhuyan Rafiqul , Butchey Deanne , Haar Jerry , Talukdar Bakhtear
Published: February 2020

Purpose

We investigate the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) compensation and a firm's financial performance in the insurance industry to determine CEO pay policies that are more effective in promoting specific financial corporate goals.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering different components of executive pay, we investigate the latter’s relationship with the corporate performance of the insurance industry using the generalized method of moments (GMM) model developed for dynamic panel estimation. Our data encompasses the periods before and after the 2008 financial crisis.

Findings

We observe that after the crisis the insurance industry experienced a major change in executives’ compensation packages. While CEOs’ compensation was primarily based on bonuses pre-crisis, the average size of the bonus was reduced to one-third of the level, stock awards and nonequity incentives were doubled and option awards increased almost 70 percent in the post-crisis period. It is also evident that the work experience of CEOs and the firm's financial performance play a significant role in determining CEO compensation. As the CEO becomes more experienced, stock awards and option awards replace cash bonus.

Originality/value

The paper finds supporting evidence for the agency-related problem in the insurance industry and the convergence of interest hypothesis, suggesting that a firm's market valuation rises as its managers own an increasingly large portion of the firm. To align the interest of owners with that of management, managers should be converted into owners via stock ownership. The paper addresses a topical issue regarding pay and performance and the effect of the financial crisis in the insurance industry.