bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Follower characteristics and the perception of leader‐member exchange
Authors: Schyns Birgit , Kroon Brigitte , Moors Guy 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study aims to focus on the perception of leader‐member exchange (LMX). It is assumed that the perceived quality of the relationship is not only related to the actual quality of the relationship, but also to followers' expectancies and preferences. However, little is known about person characteristics that are related to LMX perceptions. This study seeks to examine how far followers' leadership‐related characteristics (romance of leadership, idealised supervisor, need for leadership and dependence) are related to the perception of LMX.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 588 Dutch employees from different professions filled in questionnaires on romance of leadership, idealised supervisor, need for leadership and dependence and their perception of LMX.FindingsResults indicate a positive relationship between need for leadership/dependence and the perception of LMX, thought not for romance of leadership/idealised supervisor and the perception of LMX. An interaction was found between idealised supervisor and dependence on the perception of LMX.Research limitations/implicationsThe study only focuses on four antecedents, although many others could have an effect on the perception of LMX. The study comprised a one‐dimensional assessment of LMX. For future research, a multi‐dimensional assessment is recommended.Practical implicationsThe results of this study imply that organisations need to address the expectations that followers have towards their leaders in order to avoid disappointments.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the perception of LMX and how follower characteristics are related to the perception of LMX. It extends prior research on the perception of leadership into LMX research. Similar to effect on the perception of leadership behaviour, effects on the perception of LMX are important to take into account when LMX is assessed through follower ratings in order to avoid making incorrect conclusions.
Perceived organizational support's role in stressor‐strain relationships
Authors: Richardson Hettie A. , Yang Jixia , Vandenberg Robert J. , DeJoy David M. , Wilson Mark G. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine when perceived organizational support (POS) may be more likely to play a mediator versus moderator role in stressor and strain relationships by considering POS relative to challenge and hindrance stressors, cognitive/emotional and physical strains.Design/methodology/approachThis cross‐sectional survey research was conducted in two samples (n=720, 829) of employees working for a large retail organization in the USA. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsAs hypothesized, results indicate POS mediates relationships between hindrance stressors and cognitive/emotional strains, but does not mediate relationships between challenge stressors and physical strains. POS does not moderate any of the relationships examined.Originality/valueThis paper is one of few studies to examine challenge and hindrance stressors and to examine POS relative to physical strains.
Now you see them, now you don't: gender differences in entrepreneurship
Authors: Malach‐Pines Ayala , Schwartz Dafna 
Published: September 2008

PurposeWhile the numbers of, and research on, women entrepreneurs have accelerated radically in recent years, the rates of women entrepreneurs remain significantly lower than men's. Research has shown that subjective perceptual variables have a crucial influence on the entrepreneurial propensity of women and account for much of the gender differences in entrepreneurial activity. The paper aims to describe three studies that addressed gender differences in entrepreneurial perceptions, testing predictions derived from Schneider's Attraction Selection Attrition (ASA) model.Design/methodology/approachEach study focused on a different subject population with different entrepreneurial activity. The first was a national telephone survey that involved 514 Israeli adults. The second involved 313 Israeli management students who responded to a self‐report questionnaire. The third involved interviews with 101 Israeli small business owners.FindingsThe results of the first study showed few gender differences in entrepreneurial traits and values. The results of the second study showed large gender differences in the willingness to start a business among management students and smaller differences among students who intend to start a business. Gender differences were far smaller among actual business owners. Alone and together the three studies support Schneider's ASA model.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of these findings are addressed.Originality/valueThe paper provides valuable information on gender differences in entrepreneurship.
The aftermath of organizational restructuring
Authors: Hetty Van Emmerik I.J. , Euwema Martin C. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the association of employee's evaluation of organizational restructuring with the destruction of old social capital, development of new social capital, and the mediating role of perceived organizational support (POS).Design/methodology/approachData were used from 419 teachers of Dutch secondary schools using hierarchical regression analyses.FindingsResults show that more positive employees' evaluation of the organizational restructuring are less likely to remain relying on old social capital resources, and score higher on development of new social capital. Moreover, POS mediated the association of employee's evaluation of the organizational restructuring with old and new social capital.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research, utilizing longitudinal designs and experiments that better lend it to causal inferences, are needed to examine relationships between organizational restructuring, POS, and social capital.Originality/valueThe results of this study provide a first step toward outlining the importance of organizational restructuring for social capital theory and how employees cope with transition to different work units. In organizations, having a shared language and narratives may allow team members to more easily integrate knowledge and provide better support to one another. Moreover, a common perspective and understanding among team members may allow employees members to anticipate the behavior of other members, thus promoting organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Financial contracts, risk and performance of Islamic banking
Authors: Siddiqui Anjum 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on various modes of Islamic finance and examines their risk and other characteristics by conducting a selective literature review.Design/methodology/approachDue to the Islamic prohibition of interest and in compliance with injunctions on permissible trade contracts, the savings and investment contracts offered by Islamic banks have a different risk profile than those of conventional banks. This gives rise to a number of regulatory issues pertaining to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements. Operational issues also arise as Islamic banks are limited in their choice of risk and liquidity management tools such as derivatives, options and bonds. All these issues are theoretically examined and various performance indicators of two Islamic banks are also examined to compare them with traditional banks that practice mark up pricing.FindingsThe balance sheets and various performance indicators show that there is evidence that Islamic banks in Pakistan tend to engage in little long‐term project financing. However, on the plus side these banks have shown good performance with respect to the returns on their assets and equity and have also demonstrated better risk management and maintained adequate liquidity.Research limitations/implicationsA larger set of banks across various countries needs to be examined before any substantive conclusions can be reached about the relative performance of Islamic versus conventional banks.Practical implicationsThese largely pertain to central bank prudential regulations which must ensure that a level playing field is created for Islamic banks to compete with traditional banks.Originality/valueThe paper is a commentary on the risk characteristics of Islamic banks and also analyzes for the first time the performance of the only two purely Islamic banks currently operating in Pakistan.
Risk‐return analysis of Islamic banks' investment deposits and shareholders' fund
Authors: Azhar Rosly Saiful , Ashadi Mohd. Zaini Mohammad 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the differences or variance in the yields of Islamic and conventional bank deposits and capital, respectively, in view of their contractual differences, namely the former which is based on equity and the latter on debt.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a financial ratio approach.FindingsIt was found that deposit yields in conventional banks were lower than return on equity (ROE), which truly reflect the contractual differences between fixed deposit and bank's capital. Also, it was found that Islamic banks' deposit yield and ROEs do not reflect their risk‐taking properties, as their variances were found to be smaller.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper adds to the literature on risk‐return relationship in Islamic capital theory, which currently lacks theoretical studies.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that increasing the level of risk taking in mudarabah investment account could increase its expected returns.Originality/valueSince both shareholders' capital and mudarabah investment accounts constitute risk capital, variance in yields should be proportional to risk. The paper is the first attempt to explore and compare yields from Islamic bank capital and mudarabah deposits.
Does issuing government debt needed as a Ponzi scheme in Islamic finance
Authors: Al‐Zoubi Haitham A. , Maghyereh Aktham , Al‐Zu'bi Bashir , Ishaq Bhatti M. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to theoretically describe the role of Zakah as a vital tool of fiscal policy in achieving Pareto optimality.Design/methodology/approachThe paper sets a general equilibrium model that describes the long‐run convergence to a Pareto optimal allocation in a theoretical Islamic economy. The model is based on Diamond criteria where the social planner maximizes the utility of all generations subject to the output of the economy.FindingsWhile the government in the capitalist economy issues debt like T‐bills and government bonds to insure Pareto optimality, the paper shows, theoretically, that constructing a Zakah fund can take the role of issuing debt in financial markets. Furthermore, the paper shows that Islamic economy converges to Pareto optimality by its nature without issuing debt in the financial market.Research implicationsThis result is very important in describing the strength of the theoretical Islamic economics in achieving dynamic efficiency with least possible interventions. More importantly, the results would help the government in setting an optimal tax rate that insures Pareto efficiency without issuing debt.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to model the actual effects of Zakah as a fiscal policy tool in wealth redistribution in an Islamic economy. In addition, the paper opens a wide channel for future research in conducting monetary and fiscal policy in a government's debt tools economies.
Improving the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students
Authors: Greenbank Paul , Hepworth Sue 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the extent to which economic factors influence the career decision‐making process of working class students.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved an initial survey of 165 final‐year students from a range of degree programmes. It was followed by in‐depth interviews with 30 working class students.FindingsIt is shown that many working class students are not actively involved in career enhancing activities that develop their employability. The majority of students are also failing to engage seriously in the career decision‐making process. Furthermore, most students indicate that they wish to remain within commuting distance of their home when looking for jobs. Existing research identifies limited economic capital as an important factor influencing such behaviour. However, this study suggests that the students' values and their non‐financial circumstances appear to have more effect on their career decision making.Practical implicationsIf economic factors were the most important influence on the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students there would be a limited role for careers education. However, because the students' values appear to be a more important influence there is scope for intervention. This paper suggests that activity based approaches using multiple case studies, analogical encoding and group work seem to provide the best way of encouraging students to critically evaluate the way they currently engage in career decision making.Originality/valueThis paper provides evidence to support interventions to improve the career decision‐making behaviour of working class students (and the wider student population). It also advocates a novel approach to such interventions.
The Portuguese youth labour market: a critical approach
Authors: Tomé Eduardo 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyse critically the youth labour market (YLM) and the YLM policies in Portugal. The analysis covers essentially the period after 1986, when Portugal entered the European Union.Design/methodology/approachThe paper consists of three main sections. In the first the main players dealt with (government, private sector, third sector) are defined, and the main theories on the YLM exposed. In the second section the evolution of the YLM and of the YLM policies in Portugal, are analysed in three main phases. In the third section the paper's conclusions are presented, and some further research is suggested.FindingsUntil 1986 YLM policy in Portugal was almost non‐existent. Then, as a consequence of the adhesion to the European Communities, massive investments began to be made. As a consequence, in the last 20 years, young persons (less than 25 years of age) have been given much more support in the labour market than older persons (more than 25 years‐of‐age). That advantage means that since 1986 quality, and not quantity, is the problem of YLM policies in Portugal.Research limitations/implicationsThe study should be complemented with a large microeconomic analysis of the “young” and “old” cohort. The findings suggest that, contrary to the conventional wisdom, “young” persons have been given too much support in the last years, and more support should be given to “older” members of the workforce, especially the least qualified. The problem with the support to “young” people is quality, not quantitiy.Originality/valueThe paper provides an analysis of the development of a Portuguese Education and Training (E&T) strategy. Few studies in the field of E&T and Human Resources Development (HRD) have emanated from Portugal and this paper presents an opportunity to gain an insight into Portuguese developments in the field.
A study of the drivers of commitment amongst nurses
Authors: McCabe Thomas Joseph , Garavan Thomas N. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this study is to highlight factors influencing the commitment of nurses, and particularly focuses on the role of training, development and career issues. It provides the basis for a HRD framework, outlining policy choices in developing high commitment amongst nursing staff.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design was used, involving 40 semi‐structured interviews with nursing staff, from acute and community hospitals. The main themes and sub‐themes relating to the drivers of commitment and the role of training, development and career issues were identified and explored employing a grounded theory, constant comparative approach.FindingsThe main “fault‐line” between nurses and the organization concerned resource management, and the introduction of general management concepts and practices. HRD practitioners should consider using the language and terms of reference familiar to nurses when devising HRD initiatives. Factors positively influencing the commitment of nursing staff included shared values, involving a sense of “vocational” commitment towards patient care and nursing. Strong leadership, particularly concerning the role of line management, was seen as important in influencing commitment. Teamwork and support, from both line management and colleagues, was also important. Training and development were highly regarded by nurses, and could be a useful way of recognizing and acknowledging their contribution to health care delivery. Career progression and greater involvement were viewed favourably by some nurses and unfavourably by others. The main issue concerned the possible substitution of nurse practitioner responsibilities with administrative and managerial responsibilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are solely based on interviews with nursing staff from two NHS organizations. In exploring the various drivers of commitment and the role of training, development and career issues the study's focus was towards depth, as opposed to breath, of investigation.Practical implicationsValuable information for HRD practitioners and researchers on the drivers of commitment amongst nursing staff and the role played by training, development and career issues is provided.Originality/valueThis paper is a useful study on exploring commitment amongst nursing staff and ways in which HRD practitioners and researchers can facilitate and develop commitment.
From craft to science
Authors: Fayolle Alain , Gailly Benoit 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this article is to offer a conceptual framework in entrepreneurship education largely inspired by education sciences and discuss its two main levels, the ontological and educational levels. This framework is then used to discuss various types of entrepreneurship teaching programs, focusing on three broad categories of learning processes.Design/methodology/appraochThis article uses intensive reviews of literature in the fields of education and entrepreneurship. The teaching framework and the derived propositions are intended to provide a bridge between education sciences and the field of entrepreneurship and seeks to stress the scientific legitimacy of entrepreneurship education.FindingsFinds that there is a need to reconsider entrepreneurship education in its wide diversity, both from an ontological and pedagogical point‐of‐view. The range of theoretical choices, objectives, publics, pedagogical methods and institutional context should be approached through the lenses of multiple teaching models and learning processes, which can be structured around a general framework.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework allows for the combination of both the concept of teaching models and learning process in a general theory‐driven framework and their applicability to specific entrepreneurship education situations.Practical implicationsThe authors' contribution sheds a new light, both on the design and on the implementation of entrepreneurship teaching programs. An explicit conceptual framework should help the effective and systematic design, management and evaluation of new or existing programs, along all the relevant dimensions.Originality/valueThe authors propose a conceptual framework, a canonic teaching model, in entrepreneurship education.
Goldratt's thinking process applied to the problems associated with trained employee retention in a highly competitive labor market
Authors: Taylor Lloyd J. , Poyner Ilene 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the problem of trained employee retention in a highly competitive labor market for a manufacturing facility in the oilfields of West Texas.Design/methodology/approachThis article examines how one manufacturing facility should be able to retain their trained employees by using the logic of Eliyahu M. Goldratt's thinking process.FindingsThe thinking process underscores the importance of a systematic process of problem‐solving by pinpointing the problem, determining a workable solution, and implementing the solution. By using this process, an organization would begin by looking for the underlying cause of the problem which produces undesirable effects (UDE) and develop a current reality tree highlighting these UDEs. Then the organization would develop a future reality tree which produces the desired effects.Research limitations/implicationsThe list of publications was not exhaustive and were all US publications, which might have limited its usefulness outside the USA.Practical implicationsThis paper is a useful source of ideas for training and retention of employees in a competitive labor market.
Preparation and characterisation of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene)/semiconductor nanofibres
Authors: Sun Z.Y. , Xie G. , Bai X.D. , Chen Y.J. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the preparation and characterisation of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene), PPV/TiO2 photoluminescent (PL) nanofibres, and the causes of the blue‐shift in PL spectrum of the as‐prepared composite nanofibres.Design/methodology/approachA simple method coupling sol‐gel method and electrospinning technology was used to prepare PPV/TiO2 nanofibres from precursory PPV solution.FindingsSmall‐angle X‐ray diffractometer showed that the nano‐TiO2 was mainly amorphous in composite nanofibres. The PL spectrum of the composite nanofibres confirmed the conclusion that there was a slight blue‐shift in the PL spectrum owing to the existence of TiO2 nanoparticles.Research limitations/implicationsThe nanofibres collected aligned in random orientation, if parallel nanofibres were obtained. Practical applications will be effected.Practical implicationsThe electrospinning method provides an effective strategy for preparing polymer composite nanomaterials.Originality/valueComposite nanofibres will have potential applications for green optical/electric devices such as LEDs, sensors, transducers and flat panel displays.
Effect of modified galactomannan on acrylic film properties
Authors: Shenoy M.A. , D'Melo D.J. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effect of acrylated guar gum (GG) compared with GG in acrylic emulsions with reference to its viscosity, film properties such as mechanical strength, weathering properties and clarity.Design/methodology/approachThe acrylate derivatives were synthesised and characterised and then incorporated in acrylic emulsions and their rheology studied. Films were analysed for their clarity and mechanical properties. The films were then subjected to UV radiation and the influence of these additives on the weathering properties was studied.FindingsThe viscosity of acrylated GGs in emulsions was lower than that of GG in emulsion because of the increased hydrophobic nature and hence reduced water‐binding capacity. The mechanical properties of acrylated GGs were superior compared with GG due to increased compatibility of the additive with the polymer binder. This was further confirmed with increased clarity of the films. Acrylated GG was found to act as a protective additive with reference to UV degradation of the coatings.Research limitations/implicationsThe performance of these additives was analysed on un‐pigmented coating formulations, which may not conform with pigmented coatings.Practical implicationsThese biodegradable additives synthesised from renewable resources could be used to increase the mechanical strength as UV stabilisers and in some cases also as rheology modifiers.Originality/valueThe use of acrylated polysaccharides to increase mechanical and weathering properties allows the use of biodegradable, renewable resources as opposed to petroleum‐based compounds.