bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling human boredom at work: mathematical formulations and a probabilistic framework
Authors: Azizi Nader , Liang Ming , Zolfaghari Saeed 
Published: June 2013

PurposeBoredom is believed to be the common cause of workers' absenteeism, accidents, job dissatisfaction, and performance variations in manufacturing environments with repetitive jobs. Effectively measuring and possibly predicting job boredom is the key to the design and implementation of appropriate strategies to deal with such undesirable emotional state. The purpose of this paper is to present new methodologies to measure and predict human boredom at work.Design/methodology/approachTwo series of mathematical formulations, linear and nonlinear, to describe the variation of human boredom at work are first presented. Given the complexity of human emotions, the authors also present a probabilistic framework based on state‐of‐the‐art Bayesian networks to model employees' boredom at work.FindingsThe proposed methods centre on the prediction and measurement of human boredom at work. They enable managers to take proactive actions to deal with human boredom at work. Examples of such actions are task rotation and job redesign.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methods are verified using a number of cases describing a set of phenomena that may occur in the real world. However, further research is required to demonstrate the validity of the models using real world data.Originality/valueAccording to accessible literature, human boredom is being measured by self reporting scales thus far. This study describes and demonstrates analytical approaches to model human boredom at work.
Climate change risk perceptions and environmentally conscious behaviour among young environmentalists in Australia
Authors: Chamila Roshani Perera Liyanage , Rathnasiri Hewege Chandana 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe paper's aim is to investigate environmentally conscious behaviour among young individuals in Australia with special attention given to their climate change risk perceptions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 20 in‐depth interviews were employed in this qualitative investigation. The informants of the investigation are young individuals (aged between 19‐25 years) in a major city in Australia. Twenty semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews ranging from 1.5‐3 hours were conducted. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to ensure informant diversity and access to “information rich” cases of youth engaged in environmental groups, activism and environmental behaviour.FindingsFour thematic categories were derived. They are: unperceived adverse effects of climate change, disassociation between adverse effects of climate change and environmentally conscious behaviour, challenges to the dominant economic model and, redefined environmental paradigmResearch limitations/implicationsBased on the implications of the findings, several recommendations for communicating climate change remedial actions and encouraging environmentally conscious behaviour among young individuals are made.Originality/valueThe study contributes toward enhancing the understanding of climate change risk perceptions and environmentally conscious behaviour among young environmentalists in Australia where studies on young consumers are scarce. Findings of the study are useful in gaining young individuals' support for the successful implementations of climate change remedial actions.
Structural equation modeling (SEM) based trust analysis of Muslim consumers in the collective religion affiliation model in e‐commerce
Authors: Azam Afshan , Qiang Fu , Abbas Syed Ali , Ibrahim Abdullah Muhammad 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop, test and argue in support of the parsimonious, yet explanatory, collectivistic religion affiliated trust model in e‐commerce.Design/methodology/approachThis article develops an integrated model by using consumer religio‐centrism and religious commitment to identify the collectivistic religion respondents and its impact on initial trust on web‐site. The sample 81 respondents consist of foreign and Chinese Muslim students from various departments of Chongqing University. The research model was then tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The statistical approach incorporates path analysis, factor analysis, and linear regression into a theoretical causal model for analysis of latent constructs and measurable variables.FindingsThe main finding of this paper is to show that initial trust in a web‐based retailer is influenced by culture, at least as represented by affiliation to a religion. Within a collectivist culture, identification with the Muslim religion, it has been shown that in‐group trust effects can transfer to the web context. Muslim respondents in this study were found to be more trusting of a Muslim site compared to a neutral site.Originality/valueTo date, this is the first research that has been conducted to analyze trust factor from a religion point of view by using structural equation modeling in entire Islamic e‐commerce research.
Branding Islamic studies: exploratory study in the Middle East
Authors: Mourad Maha , El Karanshawy Hatem 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to enhance the academic understanding of the perception of brand dimensions in the Islamic Higher Education Institutions (IHEIs) and explore the implications for managerial practice. The main objective of this research is to identify the branding aspects that apply to higher education branding in general and Islamic higher education in particular. The empirical setting is the Middle East, which has a mixture of public and private Islamic institutions working on spreading the moderate Islamic thoughts internationally.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used to guide the research is based on exploratory qualitative research approach composed of 45 in‐depth interviews with academicians and executives from five Gulf countries. The adopted qualitative approach is based on inductive logic to help reveal the main criteria influencing the perception of IHEIs' brands.FindingsThe results provide partial support for the proposed conceptual framework of the dimension of branding in the Islamic higher education market, with the functional dimension being far more significant than the social, mental and spiritual dimensions. Findings indicate that internationalisation will be the key element that influences the perception of the brand in the new competitive environment. The research also reveals the respondents' ideal definition of a good brand, the perception of brand's determinants and the general characteristics of the ideal higher education institution.Practical implicationsRecommendations are provided to decision makers in IHEIs, in order to develop their educational services and enhance their institutions' brand image.Originality/valueThis research helps in structuring what defines a good IHEI brand, from the perspective of academicians and experts in the labour market.
Religiosity and Muslim consumers' decision‐making process in a non‐Muslim society
Authors: Abdur Razzaque Mohammed , Nosheen Chaudhry Sadia 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to empirically investigate the impact of religious commitment of Muslim consumers in a non‐Muslim country on their purchase decision‐making process and develop a broad‐based taxonomy of these consumers based on that. It also aims at identifying the sources of information that Muslim consumers perceive to be most important in influencing their decision making and then measuring them in terms of consumer trust and influence. Finally, it intends to examine the effect of product information/labelling on the decision making of different categories of Muslim consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses responses obtained from a convenient sample of Muslim consumers living in various suburbs of Sydney metropolitan area, who are the main grocery buyers of their respective households. It utilizes a single cross‐sectional design employing a combination of computer assisted and self‐completion survey.FindingsThe research reports that food and personal hygiene products, generally viewed as low‐involvement products in the non‐Muslim cultures, are actually high involvement products to religious Muslims. Religious commitment appears to be an antecedent to Muslim consumers' involvement in the brand decision but not in the product decision. There are four decision segments within the Muslim market; each tends to vary with respect to information search for the purchase of food and personal hygiene products, depending on their trust on information presented on labels and product packaging.Research limitations/implicationsConsideration of only three decision‐making outcomes, use of a convenient sample drawn from a single Australian city are the two major limitations which might have resulted in overestimation of research results, reducing their generalizability.Practical implicationsThe research results suggest the importance of adopting marketing strategies to stimulate product/brand purchase or trial for Muslim consumers. Results also show how product labelling impacts purchase decisions of Muslims and how best to design labels and product packaging for them.Originality/valueThis is an original research that both marketing practitioners and researchers would find useful. It also identifies certain areas for future research.
Developmental networks at work: holding environments for leader development
Authors: Ghosh Rajashi , Haynes Ray K. , Kram Kathy E. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to elaborate how an adult development perspective can further the understanding of developmental networks as holding environments for developing leaders confronted with challenging experiences.Design/methodology/approachThe article utilizes constructive developmental theory (C‐D theory) to explore and address the implications of an adult development lens for leader development, especially as they confront complex leadership challenges that trigger anxiety.FindingsTheoretical propositions suggest different kinds of holding behaviors (e.g. confirmation, contradiction, and continuity) necessary for enabling growth and effectiveness for leaders located in different developmental orders.Research limitations/implicationsPropositions offered can guide future researchers to explore how leaders confronted with different kinds of leadership challenges sustain responsive developmental networks over time and how the developers in the leader's network coordinate to provide confirmation, contradiction, and continuity needed for leader development.Practical implicationsLeaders and their developers should reflect on how developmental orders may determine which types of holding behaviors are necessary for producing leader effectiveness amidst challenging leadership experiences. Organizations should provide assessment centers and appropriate training and development interventions to facilitate this reflection.Social implicationsThis paper demonstrates the important role that developmental relationships play in leadership effectiveness and growth over time. Individuals and organizations are urged to attend to the quality and availability of high quality developmental relationships for purposes of continuous learning and development.Originality/valueThis article re‐conceptualizes developmental networks as holding environments that can enable leader's growth as an adult and, hence, increase their effectiveness as leaders amidst complex leadership challenges.
The leading spirits and beer companies and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Jones Peter , Hillier David , Comfort Daphne 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an exploratory general review of both the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agendas being publicly reported by the world's leading spirits and beer producers and the nature of their reporting CSR processes, and then to offer some wider reflections on the ways these producers are addressing and pursuing CSR strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a short discussion of the characteristics of CSR, then draws its empirical material from the most recent CSR reports posted on the websites of the world's top five spirits and top five beer producers.FindingsThe findings reveal that the leading spirits and beer producers are moving towards integrating CSR into their core business, and while they particularly emphasise their commitment to foster responsible drinking, they also address a wide range of impacts within the marketplace, the communities in which they operate, the environment and the workplace. Although the leading producers generally adopt a very positive approach in their CSR reports, independent external assessment of the reporting process is very limited. More generally, the paper offers some critical reflections on the CSR agendas currently being pursued by the leading spirits and beer producers.Originality/valueThe paper provides an accessible review of, and some reflections on, the CSR agendas being pursued by some of the world's leading spirits and beer producers, and as such it will interest academics in business and management and hospitality departments, a range of people working in management positions within the drinks industry, and those professionals who work with the industry.
The ISO 26000 guidance on social responsibility international standard: what are the business governance implications?
Authors: Hemphill Thomas 
Published: June 2013

PurposeOn November 1, 2010, the Geneva‐based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) launched ISO 26000:2010, Guidance on Social Responsibility (hereafter ISO SR international standard), a document that integrates international expertise on the concept of the social responsibility of organizations in society. The purpose of this paper is to identify and critically analyze the reasons for and against business enterprises implementing the ISO 26000 SR international standard.Design/methodology/approachThis analysis identifies the following reasons for business enterprises to implement the ISO SR international standard: first, the positive image of ISO as a globally reputable and credible organization for establishing international technical standards; second, the development of an international consensus among stakeholders regarding the definition and objectives of social responsibility as it pertains to the economic, environmental, and social impacts of business enterprises on society and the natural environment; and third, as a holistic reference for a management team interested in integrating social responsibility principles into enterprise operations.FindingsFrom a general business governance perspective, the ISO 26000 SR international standard is handicapped by it being too broad in scope to be useful in the context of specific industries and sectors, too costly and time‐consuming for many small and medium‐sized enterprises to implement, and, unlike most other ISO international standards, it is not a certifiable management system – therefore leading to weaknesses in assessing its efficacy.Originality/valueThis article provides a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the “strengths and weaknesses” of the recently published ISO 26000 SR international standard as a viable business governance document.
Do women in top management affect firm performance? Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Darmadi Salim 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between gender diversity on the management board and the financial performance of Indonesian listed companies.Design/methodology/approachCross‐sectional regression analysis was conducted based on a sample comprising 92.4 percent of public firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). The dependent variable was firm performance, measured by return on assets (ROA) and Tobin's q. The explanatory variable was gender diversity, proxied by the proportion of women, the presence of women, and a gender heterogeneity index.FindingsIt was found that the representation of female top executives is negatively related to both ROA and Tobin's q, suggesting that female representation is not associated with an improved level of performance. From correlation analysis, the results also reveal that smaller firms, which tend to be family‐controlled, are more likely to have a higher proportion of female members on management boards. This implies that large firms are “tougher” for women in terms of opportunities to hold seats on the board.Research limitations/implicationsThe data only cover one single financial year (2007); hence, the results may lack generalizability.Originality/valueStudies on the relationship between board gender diversity and financial performance have been conducted in the context of a few developed economies. This study contributes to the literature by examining such an issue in a developing economy that has a different environment from that of developed economies.
The effect of governance on performance of commercial banks in Kenya: a panel study
Authors: Morekwa Nyamongo Esman , Temesgen Kebede 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of corporate governance on the performance of 37 commercial banks in Kenya over the period 2005‐2009.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses two measures of performance, i.e. return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE), and the dependent variables and three measures of governance – namely the board size, independent directors, and CEO duality – as the key independent variables. The study follows a panel econometrics technique to investigate the relationship between governance variables and bank performance.FindingsThe main findings are as follows: a large board size tends to impact performance negatively; the existence of independent board directors tends to enhance the performance of the banks; and there is no evidence that CEO duality or otherwise has impact on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya.Practical implicationsThe study therefore recommends that for commercial banks in Kenya to register high performance they need to check the size of their board of directors and also increase the number of independent directors.Originality/valueTo the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study on Kenya that has used advanced panel data techniques.
Tie diversity, ambidexterity and upgrading of the latecomer firm in global production networks
Authors: Peng Xin‐min , Wu Dong 
Published: June 2013

PurposeGlobal production networks (GPN) propel process and product upgrading of the latecomer firm (LCF), promoting its present operating efficiency on one hand, but, on the other hand, probably hindering the LCF's function and chain upgrading, resulting in the undermining of its future adaptive capability. Previous studies have suggested that ambidexterity is influential to the upgrading of the LCF. However, little is known about how the LCF builds ambidexterity to upgrade in GPN. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the LCF constructs ambidexterity resulting from tie diversity to break through the upgrading dilemma.Design/methodology/approachThis paper intends to fill relevant gaps in the literatures on the LCF and explore the emerging fields of ambidexterity. The authors employ a longitudinal case study by examining how a manufacturer – Haitian Group – originating from China's plastic equipment industry has managed its diverse ties to build ambidexterity over the past 20 years.FindingsThe research reveals that: the key to successfully transferring from process and product upgrading to function or chain upgrading in GPN for the LCF is to establish its ambidexterity over time; LCF could achieve ambidexterity through creating diverse ties in GPN, namely develop diverse cooperative partners and patterns in different value functions over time; and the process of the LCF building ambidexterity in GPN is incremental, which needs the previous exploitation as a basis.Originality/valuePrevious studies have paid little attention to how the LCF makes use of tie diversity to build ambidexterity to sustainable upgrading in GPN. This paper fills the gaps and contributes to the theory of upgrading in GPN.
The adoption of social media marketing in South African banks
Authors: Tsitsi Chikandiwa Sarah , Contogiannis Eleftherios , Jembere Edgar 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine social media adoption models and social media implementation models being used by South African banks when adopting social media marketing. Challenges and opportunities faced are addressed in the paper.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews were conducted with key informants, which were comprised of five South African social media experts and 28 managements within the banking sector.FindingsSocial media is still at its infancy level in South Africa. The ACCESS model and the OASIS model are the most commonly used implementation models in South African banks. Further to that, findings indicate that Facebook and Twitter are the main tools used by banks and they are used for reactive customer service and advertising. Legal and regulatory issues were identified as obstacles to the adoption of social media. All respondents agreed on the need to integrate social media with traditional media. This might be because South African customers are consumers of both the new and traditional media.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was limited to South African banks and focused on Facebook, Twitter, MXit, YouTube and Blogs.Originality/valueThe research adds theoretical knowledge on social media adoption models, thus giving a foundation on how other industries can effectively implement social media marketing.
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust creates an internal‐coaching culture
Authors: Abington Ali 
Published: June 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of an independent, solution‐focused evaluation of the Expert Internal Coach program, accredited at level 5 by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and delivered to managers at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust.Design/methodology/approachExplains the reasons for the program, the form it took and the results it has achieved.FindingsReveals that the program is designed to give participants a solid foundation in core coaching skills, to increase their knowledge and confidence so that they can create an internal team of coaches in the organization – one that can provide a confident, credible, ethical and professional service to support improved performance, change and leadership development.Practical implicationsDescribes how the program gives participants a better appreciation of their personal style and the capacity to implement this immediately in the organization.Social implicationsHighlights how employees' new skills are helping Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to provide a more individual service to patients.Originality/valueExplains that the program has made a significant impact at individual level and the building blocks are in place to move towards provision of a more formalized internal‐coaching service at Croydon.