bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing students’ satisfaction in using wireless internet in higher education
Authors: Islam A.Y.M. Atiquil , Mok Magdalena Mo Ching , Xiuxiu Qian , Leng Chin Hai
Published: December 2017

Purpose

In this age of exponential knowledge growth, where wireless internet is playing a dominant role, the concerned authorities of higher education have to ensure that this tool remains within the reach of the students. However, there has been as yet little research indicating its success in China. This paper aims to examine factors that influence students’ satisfaction (SAT) in using wireless internet in higher education for the purpose of learning. The second aim of this study is to identify if gender has a moderating effect on students’ SAT in using wireless internet in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a total of 283 students from five colleges of a comprehensive public university in China (Foreign Language Studies, Business, Education, Biology and Chemistry, and Mathematics and Engineering) were collected for this study. The reliability and validity of the measurement scale were established through a Rasch model using Winsteps version 3.94. The technology satisfaction model (TSM) was validated applying structural equation modelling (SEM) using AMOS to test the causal relationships among the constructs.

Findings

The results of this study revealed that students’ SAT was directly influenced by perceived usefulness (PU) and ease of use of wireless internet. Besides, students’ perceived ease of use (PEU) and usefulness were directly affected by their computer self-efficacy. On the other hand, students’ computer self-efficacy had an indirect effect on their SAT mediated by ease of use and perceived usefulness, respectively. The findings also discovered that gender did exert effect as a moderating variable towards students’ SAT in using wireless internet in higher education.

Practical implications

The TSM was shown to be a useful model to measure students’ SAT in using wireless internet in a different culture.

Originality/value

To achieve this aim, a TSM on the potential factors contributing to student SAT was developed from the literature and validated in this study. Whereas, the TSM has been developed and validated in Malaysia.
A study on a content-based image retrieval technique for Chinese paintings
Authors: Hung Chia-Ching
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to build a database of digital Chinese painting images and use the proposed technique to extract image and texture information, and search images similar to the query image based on colour histogram and texture features in the database. Thus, retrieving images by this image technique is expected to make the retrieval of Chinese painting images more precise and convenient for users.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a technique is proposed that considers spatial information of colours in addition to texture feature in image retrieval. This technique can be applied to retrieval of Chinese painting images. A database of 1,200 digital Chinese painting images in three categories was built, including landscape, flower and figure. The authors develop an image-retrieval technique that considers colour distribution, spatial information of colours and texture.

Findings

In this study, a database of 1,200 digital Chinese painting images in three categories was built, including landscape, flower and figure. An image-retrieval technique was developed that considers colour distribution, spatial information of colours and texture. Through adjustment of feature values, this technique is able to process both landscape and portrait images. This technique also addresses liubai (i.e. blank) and text problems in the images. The experimental results confirm high precision rate of the proposed retrieval technique.

Originality/value

In this paper, a novel Chinese painting image-retrieval technique is proposed. Existing image-retrieval techniques and the features of Chinese painting are used to retrieve Chinese painting images. The proposed technique can exclude less important image information in Chinese painting images for instance liubai and calligraphy while calculating the feature values in them. The experimental results confirm that the proposed technique delivers a retrieval precision rate as high as 92 per cent and does not require a considerable computing power for feature extraction. This technique can be applied to Web page image retrieval or to other mobile applications.
Twitter sentiments related to natural calamities
Authors: Gul Sumeer , Shah Tariq Ahmad , Ahad Muzaffer , Mubashir Mir , Ahmad Suhail , Gul Muntaha , Sheikh Shueb
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The study aims to showcase public sentiments via social media, Twitter, during 2014 floods of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on content analysis of tweets related to Kashmir floods. Search was performed with “#kashmirfloods” and was confined to tweets posted from 4 September 2014 through 3 November 2014. A naturalistic approach was applied to examine the content and classify tweets into 5 major and 25 sub categories. Data as such collected were tabulated in SPSS 21 for analysis.

Findings

During the study period, individuals, news channels, and organisations posted a total of 36,697 tweets related to Kashmir floods. It all started with an outburst of tweets which goes on declining (exponentially) with every passing day. People express themselves in a number of ways with informational tweets used more during the time of disaster. Individuals expressing their sentiments outscore other types of sentiments with text-based tweets ranking high. About 44 per cent of tweets were retweeted, and nearly 31 per cent tweets were marked favourite. Comparatively, more number of informational and help tweets were retweeted or marked favourite. Contextual richness of tweet (i.e. number of embedded expressions) enhances its visibility by means of getting liked and/or retweeted. A statistically significant positive association is observed between the number of expressions in a tweet and the number of times it is liked (favourite) or retweeted.

Research limitations/implications

Twitter plays a pivotal role during natural calamities like Kashmir floods to connect people in the hour of need and help. It provides a platform where the plight of people is heard across the globe and which encourages people to unite and overcome hurdles together.

Originality/value

This study examines the sentiments of people expressed during Jammu and Kashmir (India) Floods 2014 on social media – Twitter.
Corporate boards, ownership structures and corporate disclosures
Authors: Alnabsha Abdalrhman , Abdou Hussein A. , Ntim Collins G. , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate board attributes, ownership structure and firm-level characteristics on both corporate mandatory and voluntary disclosure behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate regression techniques are used to estimate the effect of corporate board and ownership structures on mandatory and voluntary disclosures of a sample of Libyan listed and non-listed firms between 2006 and 2010.

Findings

First, the authors find that board size, board composition, the frequency of board meetings and the presence of an audit committee have an impact on the level of corporate disclosure. Second, results indicate that ownership structures have a non-linear effect on the level of corporate disclosure. Finally, the authors document that firm age, liquidity, listing status, industry type and auditor type are positively associated with the level of corporate disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could investigate disclosure practices using other channels of corporate disclosure media, such as corporate websites. Useful insights may be offered also by future studies by conducting in-depth interviews with corporate managers, directors and owners regarding these issues.

Practical implications

The evidence relating to the important role that corporate governance mechanisms play in shaping the expectations relating to the level of corporate voluntary and/or mandatory disclosures may be useful in informing investor decisions, as well as future policy and regulatory initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by examining the governance-disclosure nexus relating to both mandatory and voluntary disclosures in both listed and non-listed firms operating in a developing country setting.
Leadership styles and self-efficacy in determining transfer intentions of safety training
Authors: Vignoli Michela , Mariani Marco Giovanni , Guglielmi Dina , Violante Francesco Saverio
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors that can influence the transfer process of training in open skills, i.e. non-technical skills (NTS). Specifically, according to the model of the transfer process, the aim of this paper is to analyse the effects of both personal (e.g. self-efficacy) and work environment (e.g. safety leadership styles) antecedents of intention to transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 88 workers belonging to two different plants of the same chemical company filled in a questionnaire at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the training intervention. The majority of the sample was composed of men (95.5 per cent), with the mean age being 45.19 years old, and they had worked in the same company for an average of 17.2 years. Personal (self-efficacy) and organizational (transformational and passive leadership) factors were measured at T1, while intention to transfer was measured at T2. To investigate the combined effect of both personal and environmental characteristics on the transfer process, a moderation analysis was conducted following the Preacher and Hayes approach.

Findings

Results showed that all the antecedents investigated (except for passive leadership) impacted on the intention to transfer. Furthermore, high levels of self-efficacy combined with higher levels of transformational leadership resulted in higher levels of intention to transfer.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is quite small, and effective transfer of NTS has not been measured.

Practical implications

Results suggest that organizations should focus on fostering self-efficacy of the trainees and transformational leadership of the supervisors so as to facilitate the transfer process of NTS.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which has considered both individual and contextual characteristics to analyse the transfer process of NTS.
Leader-member exchange, learning orientation and innovative work behavior
Authors: Atitumpong Aungkhana , Badir Yuosre F.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of leader–member exchange (LMX) and employee learning orientation on employee innovative work behavior (IWB) through creative self-efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data have been collected from 337 employees and 137 direct managers from manufacturing sector. A hierarchical linear model has been used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed that LMX and employee learning orientation are positively related to employees’ IWB, and these relationships are mediated by creative self-efficacy.

Originality/value

This study expands previous results by empirically testing how LMX and employee learning orientation influence employees’ IWB through creative self-efficacy.
Learning to learn differently
Authors: Olsen Trude Høgvold , Glad Tone , Filstad Cathrine
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the formal and informal learning patterns of community health-care nurses changed in the wake of a reform that altered their work by introducing new patient groups, and to explore whether conditions in the new workplaces facilitated or impeded shifts in learning patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through interviews with experienced nurses in community health care to learn whether and how they changed their learning patterns and the challenges they experienced in establishing new work practices.

Findings

In established learning patterns among nurses, the most experienced nurse passes on the knowledge to novices. These knowledge boundaries were challenged and they created new contexts and tasks calling for more cross-disciplinary cooperation. The informants acknowledged the need for formal and informal learning activities to change their learning pattern in addressing new knowledge challenges. Structural and cultural factors in community health care impeded changes in individual and collective learning patterns.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reports a single case study. Further study is needed on how changes in structural and contextual conditions challenge the established formal and informal learning patterns.

Practical implications

It is crucial that managers facilitate the development of new routines, structures and cultures to support individual initiatives and the growth of necessary changes in established practice to implement a new reform.

Originality/value

This study’s contribution to the literature primarily concerns how changes in structural conditions challenge formal and informal learning patterns, and the structural and cultural conditions for these learning patterns.
Impacts of organizational knowledge sharing practices on employees’ job satisfaction
Authors: Malik Muhammad Shaukat , Kanwal Maria
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically impacts of organizational knowledge-sharing practices (KSP) on employees’ job satisfaction (JS), interpersonal adaptability (IA) and learning commitment (LC). Indirect effects of KSP on JS are also confirmed through mediating factors (LC and IA).

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Knowledge workers from service sector organizations were taken as population of study. Therefore, three types of institutes (banks, insurance and telecom companies) from services sector of Pakistan were selected for sampling purpose. A sample size of 435 employees, comprising 145 employees from each type of institute, was selected. Linear regression analysis and mediation analyses were performed for statistical analysis.

Findings

Organizational support for knowledge sharing fosters learning commitment (LC), and interpersonal adaptability (IA) among workforce that ultimately grounds employees’ job satisfaction. Therefore, in our findings, the mediating role of IA is greater than the mediating effect of LC.

Research limitations/implications

This study presents a firm reasoning to decision makers for implementation of KSP in the organizations. Findings of study offer several subjects for discussion in the field of KS by academics and research. Present research is limited to test the composite effect of KSP for some selected employee outcomes only.

Originality/value

This research attempts to provide empirical evidence about impacts of KSP on employee outcomes. Research work on such issues was lacking in Pakistani context. Therefore, this paper supplies ample of theoretical base for future research as well as management decision makers to maximize the benefits of implementing KSP at their organizations.
Corporate ethics, governance and social responsibility in MENA countries
Authors: ElGammal Walid , El-Kassar Abdul-Nasser , Canaan Messarra Leila
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Studies show that corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are driven by ethical practices. The relationships between corporate ethics, CG and CSR have been heavily studied indicating significant associations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through questionnaires from small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. The results were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that ethical practices have positive impact on CG, and in turn CG has a positive impact on CSR. The results also reveal a mediating effect of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The sample selected is based on two countries in the MENA region, Egypt and Lebanon. Only SMEs are considered.

Practical implications

The innovative capabilities of SMEs in developing and emerging economies could be enhanced through corporate ethical practices which guide management for more CSR engagement through good CG.

Originality/value

The study contributes to corporate ethics, CG and CSR literature by providing evidence from a significant region, with both developing and emerging economies, on the mediating role of CG on the relationship between ethics and CSR.
A model for the comparison of business units
Authors: Dobrodolac Momčilo , Švadlenka Libor , Čubranić-Dobrodolac Marjana , Čičević Svetlana , Stanivuković Bojan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology for the comparison of business units and to illustrate its implementation. Job stress is introduced as a mediator variable. A postal company is taken as a case study and its three business units are compared. The units (i.e. employees who have direct contact with customers) analyzed are postal clerks, couriers and call center operators.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were collected using two questionnaires: the first to assess the state of predefined organizational parameters, and the second to measure the stress levels of employees. Theχ2test of independence (χ2test) and Fisher’s exact test are used to calculate correlation. Work stress score and stress distribution index, which are proposed in this study, are used to quantify the levels of stress, the state of organizational parameters and possible improvement points, as well as to compare the business units.

Findings

According to the results, the most demanding job is that of couriers, followed by postal clerks and call center operators.

Originality/value

The proposed model could be used to assess and improve businesses and to reduce the stress levels of employees. Further, a model for the comparison of business units might be a useful tool for managers in defining working hours, breaks, length of holiday periods and even in creating a wage structure.
The performance effects of attitudes of managementvis-à-visemployee representatives in Belgium
Authors: van den Berg Annette , van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Boone Christophe , Van der Brempt Olivier
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to move beyond the usual analysis of the effects of worker representation. Instead of estimating the impact of the mere presence of works councils on business achievements, the focus is on the performance effects of managerial attitudesvis-à-visworker representation. More precisely, the authors study whether managerial willingness to cooperate with employee representatives and giving them a (timely) say in company policies translates into better company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

After an introduction of the typical Belgian workplace representation, the authors briefly discuss the relevant literature and the sample, leading to several hypotheses. The data are from a survey in Belgium complemented with annual report information. Hypotheses are tested with hierarchical OLS regression. Special attention is given to moderating and mediating effects.

Findings

The authors find that especially the timing of involving worker representatives in company decision making has a significant impact on labor productivity. More broadly, the authors reveal that these managerial attitudes matter more in larger establishments.

Research limitations/implications

Although nationwide, representative, and statistically valid, the data set is quite small (142 usable observations), which obstructs the application of refined estimation techniques.

Practical implications

Practical advice should be conditional on country context and size class. In Belgium, smaller enterprises can boost their performance by involving the works council rather late in the process. Probably, this has to do with the powerful position of Belgian unions in works councils. The managerial implications for larger Belgian establishments are very different, however. In these cases, earlier involvement of the works council is advised, as this will enhance the establishment’s performance.

Originality/value

Belgian works councils reflect a specific employee representation system that is rarely studied. More broadly, attitudinal effects are under-researched. The data set is unique, combining subjective with objective data, so reducing the risk of respondents’ bias.
Creating strategic fit
Authors: Eva Nathan , Sendjaya Sen , Prajogo Daniel , Cavanagh Andrew , Robin Mulyadi
Published: December 2017

Purpose

While research and adoption of servant leadership are on the increase, little is known about the mechanisms through which it affects organizational performance. Drawing on the contingency theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which organizational strategy and structure affect the relationship between servant leadership and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 336 direct reports of CEOs/GM/MDs in Australian SMEs, and multiple regression analysis was used in the hypotheses testing.

Findings

The study found that the relationship between servant leadership and performance is moderated by the three-way interaction effects of differentiation and centralization as well as cost leadership and formalization.

Practical implications

This study shows that the positive effects of servant leadership on performance are more pronounced in organizations with minimal organizational structure that are not fixated on cost minimization. To that end, ensuring that there is a fit among organizational strategy, structure, and leadership is a key priority for senior executives.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first to examine the boundary conditions of servant leadership, demonstrating the effects organizational structure has on servant leadership’s influence. Further, this research extends the contingency theory by focusing on strategy and structure, rather than just structural impacts.
Perception of politics and job outcomes: moderating role of Islamic work ethic
Authors: Rawwas Mohammed Y.A. , Javed Basharat , Iqbal Muhammad Naveed
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand previous theories of motivation and religious ethics by examining the moderation effect of Islamic work ethic (IWE) on the relationship between perception of politics (POP) and job satisfaction, and turnover intention and negligent behavior (NB).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 260 workers employed in various sectors in an Asian country. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to test the main effect of the five hypotheses. In addition, moderated models are used to identify factors (IWE) that may change the relationship between independent and dependent variables.

Findings

Results revealed that POP was negatively related to job satisfaction, and positively related to turnover intention and NB. IWE was positively related to job satisfaction, and negatively related to turnover intention (confirming previous research findings), and NB (a contribution of the current study). Furthermore, when the moderator variable of IWE was introduced to the relationship between POP and job outcomes, the influence and direction of the POP were altered (a major contribution of this study). In other words, the moderator variable strengthened job satisfaction and reduced both turnover intention and NB of organizational workers.

Originality/value

When the moderator variable of IWE was introduced to the relationship between the POP and job outcomes, the influence and direction of the POP were altered (a major contribution of this study).
HRM practices of MNEs and domestic firms in Ghana: divergence or convergence?
Authors: Ayentimi Desmond Tutu , Burgess John , Brown Kerry
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt the convergence-divergence perspective to examine the extent of similarities and differences in human resource management practices between multinational enterprise subsidiaries and local firms in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from multiple case study evidence using in-depth face-to-face interviews and document analysis. The data were analyzed in four stages using both thematic analysis and cross-case analysis techniques.

Findings

The authors found both convergence and divergence, however, the evidence points to more convergence and direction toward convergence between MNEs and local firms’ HRM practices.

Research limitations/implications

Even though there was evidence of cultural embeddedness within local firms in the adoption of certain HRM practices, the influence of national culture on HRM practice convergence between MNEs and local firms has been limited. Thus, the convergence-divergence debate through the lens of national culture may need to be re-examined.

Practical implications

The evidence of convergence and direction toward convergence tendencies within the context can be argued to be less underpinned by local isomorphism limited host-country influence. Practically, there is something to learn from indigenous Ghanaian organizations that can contribute to HRM advancement, the Ghanaian concept of annual durbars, annual or semi-annual gatherings to take stock of past activities and to award hard working staff, could provide the platform to strengthen the employer-employee relationship at the firm level.

Originality/value

This study fills an important contextual gap (a less developed country’s context) within the convergence-divergence debate and contributes to informing new knowledge of the convergence-divergence debate, which points to more convergence and direction toward convergence between MNEs and local firms’ HRM practices.
How does managerial coaching affect individual learning? The mediating roles of team and individual reflexivity
Authors: Matsuo Makoto
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of team and individual reflexivity in linking managerial coaching with individual learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Data obtained from 506 individuals in 98 engineering teams in the automobile and electronic industries were used to investigate specific hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that managerial coaching directly influenced team learning and individual learning, team reflexivity acted as substantial mediator for the relationship between managerial coaching and team learning, as well as the relationship between managerial coaching and individual reflexivity and team reflexivity and individual reflexivity co-acted each other as mediators for the relationship between managerial coaching and individual learning.

Research limitations/implications

As the subjects of this study were engineering teams in which tasks are interdependent, there is a possibility that the task trait may have affected the results.

Practical implications

Managers should recognize the importance of collectively reflective activities in promoting both individual and team learning. Facilitating coaching skills are indispensable to enhance reflexivity within teams.

Originality/value

This study extends prior research by demonstrating the mediating role of team and individual reflexivity as mediators in linking managerial coaching to team and individual learning, which has never been investigated in previous studies.
Personality traits, social support, and training transfer
Authors: Ng Kueh Hua , Ahmad Rusli
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Substantially few or no known empirical studies have explicitly focused on the higher-order construct of motivation in human resource development (HRD), namely, motivation to improve work through learning (MTIWL) as a mediator linking personality traits and social support to training transfer. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to redress the inadequacy by exploring the role of MTIWL as a mediator on such relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Consistent with positivism, quantitative data based on self-rating were collected from 131 trainees attending management training programs organized by a public sector training provider in Malaysia.

Findings

The findings indicate that personality traits (i.e. conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness) and social support (i.e. perceived organizational support and peer support) influenced training transfer via the mediating role of MTIWL. Supervisor support, nonetheless, was not a significant predictor of training transfer through MTIWL.

Originality/value

This study focuses on a more holistic motivational construct than simple motivation in HRD. The focus on MTIWL extends the existing understanding of the underlying motivational influences that link dispositional and situational factors to training transfer in occupational settings.
How and when team regulatory focus influences team innovation and member creativity
Authors: Li Ci-Rong , Li Chun-Xuan , Lin Chen-Ju
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test how team regulatory focus may relate to individual creativity and team innovation; and address the fit/misfit issue of team regulatory focus and team bureaucracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 377 members and their leaders within 56 R&D teams in two Taiwanese companies.

Findings

A team promotion focus was positively related, whereas a team prevention focus was negatively related, to both team innovation and member creativity through team perspective taking and employee information elaboration, respectively. Furthermore, team bureaucracy played a moderating role that suppressed the indirect relationship between team regulatory focus and creativity.

Originality/value

This is one of first studies to explore an underlying mechanism linking team regulatory focus and both team innovation and member creativity. The authors provide a more complete view of the creative and innovation implications of team-level self-regulation.
Worker participation in union activities: a conceptual review
Authors: Chawla Ginni , Singh Tripti , Singh Rupali , Agarwal Sonal
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Viewed in the context of liberalization, privatization and globalization, the socio-economic and legal environment facing the unions have changed, throwing them into clutches of adversity and destitution. The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons (i.e. antecedents) behind workers’ participation in union activities (such as strikes, rallies, demonstrations) in today’s scenario, and to understand how these participation tactics influence workers’ performance (i.e. worker behavior effectiveness) at work.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published sources is drawn on, including quantitative, survey based and qualitative, case-study and other evidence for building the conceptual review.

Findings

The investigation clearly indicates that contemporary challenges facing unions in the present scenario prompt industrial actions. Only specific and genuine grievances and justifiable demands motivate workers to form a strong emotional attachment to their unions and engage in union participation activities such as strike activity (Darlington, 2006; Bean and Stoney, 1986).

Originality/value

Contrary to the traditional view, which sights unions as detrimental to worker productivity, turnover, and attendance at work (via restrictive work rules, featherbedding and disruptive strikes or other adversarial tactics), the investigation, through extensive review of literature proposes that unions positively influence worker behavior at work. The model, however, requires empirical testing to validate the proposed relationships.
Stereotype threat and older worker’s attitudes: a mediation model
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo , Cabral Cardoso Carlos
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Taking a social identity approach, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which age-based stereotype threat mediates the relationships between older workers’ negative age-based metastereotypes and two negative work attitudes: organizational disidentification and work disengagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave cross-sectional design was adopted to collect data from 423 blue-collar older workers of the Portuguese manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model.

Findings

The analyses show that age-based stereotype threat partially mediates the relationship between negative age-based metastereotypes and negative work attitudes. Moreover, findings suggest that older workers respond to negative age-based metastereotypes through threat reactions, and undesirable work attitudes.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by showing the importance of negative age-based metastereotypes and age-based stereotype threat in workplace dynamics. It also provides evidence that age threats impair the relationship older workers keep with their organization and their work.
The relationship between the enabling use of controls, employee empowerment, and performance
Authors: Baird Kevin , Su Sophia , Munir Rahat
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between Simons’ (2000) enabling (beliefs and interactive) use of controls with employee empowerment, and the subsequent influence on organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey questionnaire was distributed to 636 Australian manufacturing organisations.

Findings

The findings indicate that the enabling use of controls is associated, both directly and indirectly, through the level of employee empowerment, with organisational performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides an initial empirical insight into the relationship between the use of controls with the level of employee empowerment. The findings highlight the significant interrelationship between the enabling use of controls and employee empowerment and the importance of both facets in enhancing organisational performance.
The impact of strategic transformation on employee productivity
Authors: Oliver John J.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a strategic commentary on the interconnected areas of corporate strategy and employee performance by illustrating how two organizations adapted and transformed their businesses to the demands of digitalization and new media.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal analysis (1995-2015) of employee productivity was calculated as operating income per employee for each firm and benchmarked against industry data.

Findings

Both firm’s corporate objectives and strategies were focused on ambitious levels of growth and the opportunities provided by an increasingly digital environment. However, the firms had transformed their businesses in different ways with distinct employee productivity performance outcomes.

Practical implications

This paper provides case studies of strategic transformation and argues that HR management strategies and practices need to be continually evaluated to assess their employee productivity in an uncertain digital operating environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides a longitudinal analysis of how media firms, Sky Plc and Pearson Plc, adapted, reconfigured and transformed their businesses to meet the demands of an operating environment characterized by inexorable changes in digital technologies. It presents data and conclusions on how the management of “human resources” had delivered different employee productivity outcomes over the long term.
So you’ve just hired a killer chief digital officer – now what?
Authors: Doonan Michael
Published: December 2017

Purpose

In 2017, companies woke up to realize that they were in the process of being disintermediated by West Coast technology players, from Google, Uber and Amazon to Facebook and Apple. Boardroom conversations were all about the need to make a play in technology, and CEOs, CHROs and heads of Talent all began recruiting Chief Digital Officers. However, newly minted Chief Digital Officers have found themselves in new, often strange, and overly ornamental and nonfunctional environments. This paper aims to discuss how to set a Chief Digital Officer up for success.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents interviews with over 100 senior Digital and Workforce Technology executives.

Findings

The emergence of the Chief Digital Officer is fast tracking the evolution of old industries as they compete in a tech-first world. However, without creating a proper support function, many CEOs, CHROs and Heads of Talent will find themselves cleaning up a mess rather than basking in the sun of a digital transformation. Being able to spot what type of workplace IT executive fits your company, along with having the right expectations and support in place for them to be successful, will allow you to have happy, more engaged and more productive employees for years to come.

Originality/value

If you plan to operate in a world of digital innovation and in the process hire a Chief Digital Officer, here are the things you need to know to ensure this executive’s success.
The future of HR and information capability
Authors: Brockbank Wayne , Ulrich Dave , Kryscynski David G. , Ulrich Michael
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact that HR departments have on alternative stakeholders when they focus on improving the organization’s information capability instead of focusing their information agenda on human resource (HR) departmental activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on the 2016 offering of the HR Competency study that is sponsored by the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and the RBL Group. The data set consists of over 36,000 respondents from around the world. Data were gathered through a 360 methodology that includes self-ratings and HR and non-HR associate ratings.

Findings

The findings show that HR’s involvement in leveraging business information has more impact than any other HR department activity on creating value for key external stakeholders. When controlling for other HR activities, the analysis shows that 77.4 per cent of HR total impact on customer value and 55.6 per cent of shareholder value occurs through HR’s involvement in information management. This impact occurs as HR departments contribute to identifying important external information (including customer and competitive information), importing important external information into the firm, analyzing information through both quantitative and qualitative algorithms, disseminating key facts and findings throughout the firm and ensuring the full utilization of information in decision making. The authors provide examples of how HR departments in leading companies are contributing to each of these phases of organization information management.

Originality/value

These findings have potentially important implications for how HR professionals add value to their key stakeholders. It suggests that HR departments will add greater value to their firms as they shift the focus of their information agenda from application to internal HR processes and practices to creating competitive advantage through organization-wide information management capability.
How HR execs can use technology to connect a divided workforce
Authors: Hicks Mike
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer HR leaders ideas and solutions for connecting their increasingly divided workforces through technology and automation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines major changes occurring in the workplace and how a digital workplace can solve those challenges, divided into several points.

Findings

The dynamics of work are changing, but the way we connect our workers has not kept pace. As a result, various factors of the changing workplace, from widening generational employee gaps to lower retention rates, present serious challenges to employee productivity and engagement. The digital workplace is the antidote. It improves productivity by unifying employees’ favorite tools in a single, user-friendly space. Digital workplace platforms have emerged as a mission-critical tool to band people, technologies, processes and information together. And when everyone’s in it together, everyone.

Originality/value

HR leaders are flooded with technology solutions. This paper offers insight into the benefits of a digital workplace so they can make an informed decision.
How the employee benefits market is going digital
Authors: Dunderdale Nicky
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Nicky Dunderdale, Director of Digital at Psyon, says there is a growing industry demand for intuitive, digital solutions to drive change and transformation in employee benefits to improve the management and communication of employee benefits – a demand that is set to accelerate.

Design/methodology/approach

In her paper, Nicky examines the following: Why is technology required for employee benefits? What can be done to improve engagement with employees? How can companies use data to deliver more tailored benefit packages to their employees and make the most of their benefit spend? How are companies measuring ROI on their technology investment?

Findings

In the words of David D’Souza, Head of Engagement at the CIPD, “The credibility of HR in the future will depend upon its ability to utilise traditional skills in combination with tech capability to deliver enhanced performance. There is no longer an opt out of the technology conversation”.

Originality/value

This paper is an essential reading for HR professionals and employers looking to use their reward and employee benefits strategies to recruit and retain the best talent.
Application of alternative digital rock physics methods in a real case study: a challenge between clean and cemented samples
Authors: Karimpouli Sadegh , Khoshlesan Sadegh , Saenger Erik H. , Koochi Hamed Hooshmand
Published: December 2017

High‐resolution three‐dimensional images are used in digital rock physics to numerically compute rock physical properties such as permeability and elastic moduli. These images are not widely available, and their preparation is both expensive and time consuming. All of these issues highlight the importance of alternative digital rock physics methods that are based on two‐dimensional images and use different approaches to compute effective properties of three‐dimensional samples. In addition, the scale of study in both standard and alternative digital rock physics is very small, which applications of its results are questionable at wells or reservoir scale. The aim of this study is to use two‐dimensional images and alternative digital rock physics techniques for computing seismic wave velocity and permeability, which are compared with well and laboratory data. For this purpose, data from one well in a reservoir located in the southwestern part of Iran are used. First, two clean (carbonate) and two cemented (limy sandstone) samples were collected from well cores at different depths. Then, two‐dimensional images by scanning electron microscope and conventional microscope were captured. In the next step, two alternative digital rock physics methods, namely, empirical relations and conditional reconstruction, have been employed to compute P‐wave velocity and permeability of a three‐dimensional medium. Results showed that, in clean (mono‐mineral) samples, velocity values were reasonably close to well data. However, permeability values are underestimated compared with laboratory data because laboratory data were obtained at ambient pressure, whereas alternative digital rock physics results are more representative of reservoir pressure conditions. Nevertheless, permeability–porosity trends are valid for both samples. In the case of cemented samples, a two‐scale procedure, along with a method for two‐scale computation and grain‐cement segmentation, is presented and developed. Results showed that P‐wave velocity is overestimated probably due to random sampling in this method. However, velocity–porosity trends are in agreement with well data. Moreover, permeability results obtained for cemented samples were also similar to those obtained for the clean samples.
MiR‐96 regulates bone metabolism by targeting osterix
Authors: Liu Hua , Liu Qing , Wu Xian‐Ping , He Hong‐Bo , Fu Lei
Published: December 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in bone metabolism and aging. Here we show that miR‐96 was markedly up‐regulated in serum of elderly patients with osteoporosis by miRNA microarray analysis and qRT‐PCR. Moreover miR‐96 was also up‐regulated in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of aged humans and mice. Our results show that the over‐expression of miR‐96 reduced osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, whereas the inhibition of miR‐96 increased osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. At the molecular level, miR‐96 regulated osteogenesis by targeting osterix. Interestingly, over‐expression of miR‐96 in young mice by intravenous injection of agomiR‐96 developed a low bone mass due to impaired osteogenesis. However, inhibition of miR‐96 in aged mice attenuated the age‐related bone loss. Thus, our data suggest that miR‐96 regulates osteogenesis and may represent a potential diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for age‐related bone loss.
Multi‐allelic exact tests for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium that account for gender
Authors: Graffelman Jan , Weir Bruce S.
Published: December 2017

Statistical tests for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium are important elementary tools in genetic data analysis. X‐chromosomal variants have long been tested by applying autosomal test procedures to females only, and gender is usually not considered when testing autosomal variants for equilibrium. Recently, we proposed specific X‐chromosomal exact test procedures for bi‐allelic variants that include the hemizygous males, as well as autosomal tests that consider gender. In this study, we present the extension of the previous work for variants with multiple alleles. A full enumeration algorithm is used for the exact calculations of tri‐allelic variants. For variants with many alternate alleles, we use a permutation test. Some empirical examples with data from the 1,000 genomes project are discussed.