bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studying where the jobs are: Mainland Chinese students in Hong Kong
Authors: Yuen Timothy Wai Wa , Cheung Alan Chi Keung , Wong Ping Man 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Mainland Chinese students (hereafter called Mainland students) are a major source of international student applications. Some countries have initiated policies to enable Mainland students to stay and work after graduation. Additions to the literature, particularly more country-specific studies, are much needed to cast light on the employment issues for such Mainland students overseas. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by focussing on Mainland students who have completed teacher education programmes in Hong Kong and then served as teachers in Hong Kong schools (Mainland teachers). The incentives that attracted them to stay and work in Hong Kong and the challenges they faced were examined. Their future plans were also probed.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a mixed methodology. Data collection comprised both a questionnaire survey and interviews. The semi-structured interviews provided opportunities for respondents to explain their answers, to narrate and widen the scope of data to areas hitherto unanticipated by the researchers.

Findings
Mainland teachers were attracted to stay on in Hong Kong to work for both intrinsic and extrinsic reasons. They were in fact settlers. They found the programmes they had taken to be practical and believed that they had acquired a niche situation in the teaching profession. Working and living in Hong Kong was satisfying, but some experienced social distance from local colleagues.

Originality/value
The paper can be read with reference to countries that recruit Mainland students and there is a possibility that some of them may stay behind to work. It sheds light on the selection criteria of such students, on ways to enrich their programmes, as well as their employment, living and social integration issues.
The effect of female participation in top management teams on the growth performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Wu Peiyan , Yao Xiaofang , Muhammad Shakeel 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to examine the relationship between the female participation in top management team (TMT) and the growth performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Chinese economic environment.

Design/methodology/approach
Adopting resource dependence theory, this paper tests the hypotheses using panel data from 469 Chinese-listed SMEs during the period of 2011 to 2013.

Findings
The results show that female participation in TMT significantly promotes the growth performance of SMEs, and there is significantly inverted U-shaped relationship between these two variables.

Originality/value
This paper finds that education level weakens the inverted U-shaped relationship between the female’s participation in TMT and the growth performance of SMEs.
Women in the boardroom and their impact on default risk: a pitch
Authors: Ali Searat 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this pitch research letter (PRL) is to apply the pitching template developed by Faff (2015) to an academic project on boardroom gender diversity and default risk.

Design/methodology/approach
The pitching template helps the pitcher to identify the core elements that form the framework of the research project. The PRL encloses a brief background about the pitcher and pitch, followed by a brief commentary on the pitch and personal reflections of the pitcher on the pitch exercise itself.

Findings
One of the best aspects of the pitching template is that it forced the researchers to think each item over and over, enabling a synthesis of scattered ideas in a systematic way. Hence, it is strongly recommend learning and applying the pitching template as a tool to refine embryonic research ideas and to track the progress on the research projects.

Originality/value
This PRL is novel as it highlights the worth of performing the pitching exercise (i.e. quality publication), potential adoptability challenge and solutions (i.e. unfamiliarity and training), systematic process of learning the pitching template and application of the “rule of three” in pitching research. Such reflections are believed to be useful for early career researchers (ECRs).
No advertising, but more sponsorship?
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wu Chao , Qiao Han , Wang Shouyang 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper is dedicated to answer two questions: What is the business model of interactive television (iTV) ad at China’s Spring Festival Gala; and Why the business model of iTV ad creates different commercial values for different firms.

Design/methodology/approach
The two questions can be summarized as what and why problems; so, this paper adopts the method of the qualitative case study. For the first question, this paper uses the method of system activity diagram to design the business model. For the second question, this paper proposes a new analytical method – voice, incentive and convenience (VIC) model, which is used to analyze the commercial value of iTV ad. The proposal of VIC model is based on Wang et al.’s Iceberg theory.

Findings
The effect of interactive advertising is significantly better than that of traditional advertising, and interactive advertising is becoming the first choice for marketers. The business model innovation of iTV ad brings new business opportunities. In addition, the larger the area of the triangle surrounded by the three elements of VIC, the higher the commercial value of iTV ad.

Originality/value
Current business model studies focus on business model definitions and innovations, whereas the studies on business model evaluation and its influential factors are rare. A new analytical model named VIC is proposed. It explores the effect of VIC on the commercial value of iTV ad and provides a reference for the quantitative empirical analysis. The combination of activity system theory and VIC model contributes to the understanding of the explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge of iTV ad business model. This framework can be used to guide TV stations and stakeholders for business model innovations and optimizations.
How middle managers’ participation in decision-making influences firm innovation performance
Authors: Cheng Hong , Song Feifei , Li Dandan 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to re-examine the effect of middle managers’ participation in decision-making (DM) on the innovation performance of Chinese manufacturing firms. It also testifies the intermediation channels regarding how middle managers’ participation influences firm innovation performance by testing the mediating effect.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper constructs a model that determines firm innovation and tests the hypotheses with econometric regressions using first-hand data from the China Employer–Employee Survey. Semiparametric and intersectional regressions are used to show how middle managers’ participation in DM influences Chinese firm innovation after controlling for the characteristics of middle manager personnel, entrepreneurs, frontline workers, firm, industry and country.

Findings
This paper empirically shows that middle managers’ participation in DM has a significantly positive effect on firm innovation. After testing the mediating effect, the findings show that the improvement of middle managers’ DM participation leads to a certain increase in technicians and a reduced dependence on government. In this regard, middle managers’ participation is complementary to the human capital of entrepreneurs.

Originality/value
This paper measures the degree of middle managers’ participation in DM according to four indicators. It focuses on the influence mechanisms of middle managers’ participation in DM on firm innovation performance, based on their ability to allocate external and internal resources. These findings will be useful for investigating management resource reallocation within firms for developing countries.
Purchase decision: does too much choice leave us unhappy?
Authors: Tang Yun-Chia , Hsieh Yi-Ching , Chiu Hung-Chang 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine how and when choice variety influences consumers’ willingness to purchase, according to a personal emotion perspective. The choice paradox indicates that although having many choices can be beneficial, it can also cause customer decision paralysis and unhappiness. This article proposes that the desire and motivation to process information vary from person to person, and emotional factors are relevant.

Design/methodology/approach
With a 2 × 2 experimental design, this study examines the influence of the interaction of choice variety with need for cognition (NFC) on positive and negative emotions, and then tests the mediating effects on purchase intentions. The sample includes 214 college students, assigned randomly to self-assessment questionnaires.

Findings
Both high NFC respondents in the high variety condition and low NFC respondents in the low variety condition exhibit more positive emotions than low NFC respondents in the high variety condition but not more than high NFC respondents in the low variety condition. Positive (negative) emotions increase (decrease) consumers’ purchase intentions.

Research limitations/implications
The experiment was conducted in a virtual store, which may not match real-life store environments or reflect participants’ actual purchase behaviours, so additional research should consider the influence of involvement further.

Practical implications
The results offer suggestions for developing more effective communication with emotions, increasing involvement to maintain consumers’ positive emotions and relieve their confusion, and managing product variety.

Originality/value
This article meets the identified need to study how choice variety influences consumers’ willingness to purchase from a personal emotion perspective.
Closed-ended and open-ended fit articulation
Authors: Skard Siv , Thorbjornsen Helge 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Previous research suggests that firms should articulate incongruent sponsorships to provide a rationale for the relationship between sponsor and sponsorship object. Fit articulation is a strategy that communicates shared associations between sponsor and object. Based on conclusion explicitness theory, this paper aims to conceptualize and tests two fit articulation strategies in sponsorships: open-ended and closed-ended.

Design/methodology/approach
Research hypotheses were tested in two experiments.

Findings
Only open-ended fit articulation improved brand attitudes. Mediation analyses show that while open-ended articulation influenced brand attitudes through brand image (Study 1 and Study 2) and altruistic motive attributions (Study 2), there was an indirect effect of closed-ended articulation on brand attitudes through global fit perceptions (Study 2).

Practical implications
The results from two experiments suggest that incongruent sponsors should use open-ended conclusions about a shared image dimension. Although explicit arguments may increase global perceptions of fit, they may impede a positive impact on the articulated brand image dimension and generation of altruistic motive attribution. Therefore, sponsorship managers should be careful in terms of using explicit arguments for fit when the sponsorship is incongruent because such arguments may hinder articulation from generating goodwill and a positive brand image.

Originality/value
This is the first paper to develop and test different types of fit articulation strategies in sponsorships.
Mobile masculinities: performances of remasculation
Authors: Cruz Angela Gracia B. , Buchanan-Oliver Margo 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to explore how marketplace-enabled performances help reconstitute masculinity in the context of transnational mobility.

Design/methodology/approach
Grounded in consumer acculturation theory, this paper draws on theories of gender performance to inform a hermeneutic analysis of depth interviews with skilled migrant men.

Findings
To navigate experiences of emasculation, participants performed three remasculation strategies: status-based hypermasculinity, localised masculinity and flexible masculinity.

Research limitations/implications
This study offers insights for the design of migrant settlement policy. Further research should investigate the remasculation strategies of low resource migrant men.

Originality/value
This paper makes two contributions to theories of gendered acculturation. First, while studies of acculturation as a gendered performance have shown how marketplace resources support the gendered identity projects of female migrants and the children of migrants, this paper provides the missing perspective of skilled migrant men. Beyond acting as “resistant” cultural gatekeepers of their family members’ gendered acculturation practices, first-generation migrant men emerge as creative, agentic and skilled negotiators of countervailing gender regimes. Second, transnationally dispersed families, migrant communities and country of origin networks emerge not only as acculturating agents which transmit gender regimes but also as audiences which enable the staging of remasculating performances.
Analysing information security in a bank using soft systems methodology
Authors: Damenu Temesgen Kitaw , Beaumont Chris 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the use of soft systems methodology (SSM) to analyse the socio-technical information security issues in a major bank.

Design/methodology/approach
Case study research was conducted on a major bank. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key stakeholders in the business, comprising senior managers, security professionals and branch employees were conducted.

Findings
SSM was particularly useful for exploring the holistic information security issues, enabling models to be constructed which were valuable analytical tools and easily understood by stakeholders, which increased the receptiveness of the bank, and assisted with member validation. Significant risks were apparent from internal sources with weaknesses in aspects of governance and security culture.

Research limitations/implications
This research uses a single case study and whilst it cannot be generalised, it identifies potential security issues others may face and solutions they may apply.

Practical implications
Information security is complex and addresses technical, governance, management and cultural risks. Banking attacks are changing, with greater focus on employees and customers. A systemic approach is required for full consideration. SSM is a suitable approach for such analysis within large organisations.

Originality/value
This study demonstrates how important benefits can be obtained by using SSM alongside traditional risk assessment approaches to identify holistic security issues. A holistic approach is particularly important given the increasing complexity of the security threat surface. Banking was selected as a case study because it is both critical to society and is a prime target for attack. Furthermore, developing economies are under-represented in information security research, this paper adds to the evidence base. As global finance is highly interconnected, it is important that banks in such economies do not comprise a weak link, and hence, results from this case have value for the industry as a whole.
The fair sex and unfair treatment in management of community-based organizations
Authors: Freund Anat 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of gender on the organizational commitments of managers in community-based organizations.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 327 managers in community-based organizations were asked about their work attitudes. LISREL analysis was performed. The dependent variable was the intention to withdraw from the organization. The questionnaires were mailed to the sampled population. In all, 202 questionnaires were returned, representing a 62 percent response rate.

Findings
Findings show that for women, job involvement was related to affective organizational commitment and to career commitment, but not to continuance organizational commitment. The current research offers an alternative path structure to that of Randall and Cote’s (1991) original model, which does not relate job involvement to continuance organizational commitment. As for men, the author found a significant relationship between job involvement, career commitment, and affective organizational commitment. Hence, men’s work attitudes in this study are consistent with those elicited in the original research model. Regarding the factors influencing withdrawal intentions among women, the author found that career commitment influenced the initial intention to withdraw from the organization and thinking of quitting. The author also found that affective organizational commitment influenced initial intention to withdraw, thinking of quitting, and search intentions. Among men, there was a significant relationship between job involvement, career commitment, and affective organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications
Future research should use multiple informants for assessing the model as well as a longitudinal design. Another potential avenue of research is to examine whether the findings hold true across professions and sectors.

Practical implications
The findings are important for community-based organizations because they are not-for-profit organizations; therefore, the provision of good service to the community is based on managers’ high levels of commitment. In addition, results could assist managers in developing a policy to bolster adequate work attitudes by considering the differences between men and women, in order to retain high-quality workers in the organization.

Social implications
The social contribution of this study derives from the demographic differences found between men and women, and according to the literature that supports the inclusion of different genders, cultures, and social groups in community-based organizations.

Originality/value
The findings are important for community-based organizations because they are not-for-profit organizations and therefore good service to the community is based on high commitment of managers.
Organisational learning in SMEs: a process improvement perspective
Authors: Matthews Rupert Lawrence , MacCarthy Bart L. , Braziotis Christos 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how organisational learning (OL) can occur through process improvement (PI) activities, leading to sustained improvements over time in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach
The authors study PI practices in six engineering-oriented SMEs via interview-based case studies. The authors draw from a range of literature and use an OL conceptual framework informed by Crossan et al.’s (1999) 4I framework as an analytical lens.

Findings
The OL perspective provides new insights to conceptualise the nature of PI as a multi-level practice in SMEs. Effective PI practices within SMEs are shown to be consistent with OL concepts, enabling firms to translate individually identified improvement opportunities into organisational-level changes that result in sustained benefits. A new conceptual model is presented that explains how SMEs can learn through improvement activities. The key role of management support, both operational and strategic, is highlighted. It is necessary for management to provide sufficient PI opportunities to enable and sustain beneficial learning.

Research limitations/implications
The study is based on a sample of engineering-oriented SMEs located in the UK. Further case-based, longitudinal, and survey-based research studies with firms of different types will enhance the generalisability of the findings, allowing the confirmation and extension of the new conceptual model.

Practical implications
The findings provide a theoretically underpinned framework for achieving OL in engineering-oriented SMEs through PI activities. The new model highlights the key mechanisms that enable learning from improvement activities. The findings highlight the key role played by management in introducing additional learning opportunities in the form of new business that requires exploratory learning. Without this, the reduction in improvement opportunities reduces the benefits that can be realised from PI.

Originality/value
OL provides a multi-level perspective to understanding how smaller firms are able to undergo systematic improvements and the support required to continually improve.
Manufacturer-supplier relationships and service performance in service triads
Authors: Karatzas Antonios , Johnson Mark , Bastl Marko 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the manufacturer-supplier relationship in service performance within service triads.

Design/methodology/approach
An abductive case-research approach was adopted, using three embedded cases and 26 interviews in complex, multilevel manufacturer-supplier relationships within the same service network. Cannon and Perreault’s (1999) multidimensional relationship framework was deployed to achieve granular and nuanced insight.

Findings
This study corroborates the idea that relational relationships within service triads and servitization improve performance. The role of each relationship dimension in service performance is discerned and their interplay is captured in an analytic model. Information exchange, supplier relationship-specific adaptations, and the degree of formalization of the relationship directly influence performance, while cooperative norms and operational linkages are further back in the causal ordering. The study also highlights the importance of contingent factors (the size of the service site, the proportion of its revenues coming from service contract activities) and how they affect the relationship dimensions.

Research limitations/implications
The work was conducted in one network and the findings were generalized to theory rather than additional empirical settings.

Originality/value
This study is the first to derive a contextualized causal ordering of the Cannon and Perreault (1999) framework of relationship connectors and link it with service performance.