Mehrgan Malekpour, Oswin Maurer, Vincenzo Basile and Gabriele Baima
This study aims to enhance our understanding of customer expectations and experiences in grocery shopping within the metaverse. It investigates factors influencing customer…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to enhance our understanding of customer expectations and experiences in grocery shopping within the metaverse. It investigates factors influencing customer satisfaction and driving continued engagement with metaverse platforms, offering insights into the drivers of customer adoption and barriers to usage.
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting a qualitative netnographic approach, this study analysed customer reactions to Walmart’s virtual store demonstration. Data were collected from user comments on YouTube, TikTok, Twitter and Reddit. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key factors contributing to satisfaction and dissatisfaction with metaverse grocery shopping experiences.
Findings
The study reveals three major drivers shaping customer satisfaction and subsequent positive intentions toward grocery shopping in the metaverse: social, functional and hedonic stimuli. Eight critical barriers affecting the metaverse shopping experience are identified: functional, hedonic, social, financial, privacy, safety, ownership and store atmospherics concerns, including tactile, acoustic and visual elements.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are derived from a qualitative analysis of customer comments on social media platforms, which may limit generalisability. Future studies could adopt a mixed-methods approach to validate these findings across broader datasets.
Originality/value
This work is the first research to examine customer satisfaction with grocery shopping in the metaverse. It offers valuable insights into customer expectations, adoption drivers and critical barriers, laying the groundwork for further exploration of metaverse applications in retail.
Details
Keywords
Jorge Linuesa-Langreo, Pablo Ruiz-Palomino and Pedro Jiménez-Estévez
Entrepreneurial orientation is critical to staying ahead in the current competitive hospitality industry. Drawing on the theories of social capital, socioemotional wealth and…
Abstract
Purpose
Entrepreneurial orientation is critical to staying ahead in the current competitive hospitality industry. Drawing on the theories of social capital, socioemotional wealth and upper echelons, this study aims to highlight the mechanisms through which CEO servant leadership enhances entrepreneurial orientation. Moreover, this paper examines (1) the mediating role of internal social capital in the CEO servant leadership–entrepreneurial orientation relationship and (2) the moderating role of family and non-family firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Our hospitality industry sample frame was based on several databases (SABI, Camerdata, INE). Large and medium-sized hotels with more than 30 employees in the Canary and Balearic Islands (Spain) were targeted. After eliminating duplicate cases and entities no longer in business, 597 hotels remained. Complete information was obtained for 176 hotels. To test our hypotheses, structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (PLS) and Smart PLS 4 was used.
Findings
Our results revealed that CEO servant leadership was positive for entrepreneurial orientation, mediated by internal social capital through its three dimensions: structural, relational and cognitive. In addition, the results also showed that the relationships observed were generally stronger in family firms than in non-family firms.
Practical implications
Our study shows that CEOs of family and non-family firms can improve the practice of servant leadership through implementing appropriate management selection and training policies.
Originality/value
Our findings advance the servant leadership literature, currently dominated by individual- and group-level research, by providing empirical evidence that CEO servant leadership has a positive impact on firm-level variables (internal social capital and entrepreneurial orientation). In addition, using multigroup analysis, we are able to study the moderating role of family and non-family firms.
Details
Keywords
This study links the notion of responsible strategic communication to the field of lobbying at the European (EU) level. It provides empirical findings on the relevance of informal…
Abstract
Purpose
This study links the notion of responsible strategic communication to the field of lobbying at the European (EU) level. It provides empirical findings on the relevance of informal interaction and communication in EU public affairs (PA). Focusing on functional expectations and uses tied to informality from an actors’ perspective, this study not only includes lobbyists and their attempts to gain influence on political actors but also attempts of lobbyists to control journalistic output through informal relationships and exchange mechanisms. The results are discussed with a view to further inform the concept of “responsible lobbying.”
Design/methodology/approach
Building on a theoretical background from strategic communication, informal politics and interest group research, findings from a qualitative content analysis of 43 semi-structured interviews with actors from PA (n = 27) and journalism (n = 16) at the EU level are reported, focusing on one policy case.
Findings
The study shows motives for establishing and using informality for both actor types. Functional expectations relate to a range of tasks at the core of the respective actors’ day-to-day activities: monitoring political developments, pre-negotiating policy options in protected, confidential spaces with political decision-makers, receiving relevant sectoral background information and “technical coaching” on legislative dossiers directed to journalists.
Originality/value
Studies on lobbying have rarely been conducted from a strategic communications perspective, especially focusing the EU level. Albeit widely accepted, the understanding of lobbying and PA as an informal activity has not been scrutinized by academic research.
Details
Keywords
Beatrice Audifasi Nyallu, Xiaopeng Deng and Melckzedeck Michael Mgimba
Knowledge loss (KL) is still an unfortunate fact, causing many challenges, including poor organisational performance, despite prior efforts to investigate knowledge retention…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge loss (KL) is still an unfortunate fact, causing many challenges, including poor organisational performance, despite prior efforts to investigate knowledge retention methods. Therefore, this study identifies early approaches to combat KL and poor organisational performance, shifting focus on employee personality traits.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on the social exchange theory (SET) cross-section data from 400 Chinese construction knowledge employees were used to investigate the role of internal work locus of control (IWLC) on job rotation (JR), KL and organisational performance. The data were analysed through IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and SmartPLS 4 software.
Findings
The results demonstrated that IWLC minimises KL and positively influences JR. Then, JR negatively influences KL and decreases in organisational performance. The negative mediating effect of JR in the relationship between IWLC, KL and decreased organisational performance were also found. Finally, KL proved to positively influence a decrease in organisational performance.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the new understanding of individual behaviour and its influence on organisational outcome variables. Specifically, for ultimate KL prevention and organisational performance improvement, an organisation should understand its employees' behaviours to establish progressive collective learning and knowledge sharing.
Practical implications
This study contributes to the new understanding of individual behaviour and its influence on organisational outcome variables. Specifically, for ultimate KL prevention and organisational performance improvement, an organisation should understand its employees’ behaviours to establish progressive collective learning and knowledge sharing.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to explore the influence of personality traits in the early minimisation of KL, particularly the role of IWLC and JR in combating KL and improving organisational performance.
Details
Keywords
Juliet Owusu-Boadi, Ernest Kissi, Ivy Maame Abu, Cecilia Dapaah Owusu, Bernard K. Baiden, Kenneth Eluerkeh and Stephen Nana Opoku Ware
Workforce diversity is essential for success from the perspectives of economic development and intellectual property. However, the construction industry is losing out on these…
Abstract
Purpose
Workforce diversity is essential for success from the perspectives of economic development and intellectual property. However, the construction industry is losing out on these gains due to the low diversity among them. The study aims to identify challenges impeding workforce diversity in construction literature through a mixed review approach.
Design/methodology/approach
The study desk reviewed 188 relevant construction peer-reviewed articles and conference papers with no restrictions on the time range. The study adopted the mixed methodology review approach through bibliometric and systematic content analyses.
Findings
The study identified 67 challenges and further classified them into 4 broad categories. These were industry-related, organisational-, personal or attitudinal- and health-related challenges. Organisational challenges were the most prevalent challenges of diversity uptake in the construction industry. The publications' most influential sources, countries/regions and annual trends were also discussed.
Practical implications
Classifying the challenges hindering diversity contributes to the existing knowledge base. The framework's interrelationships among categorised barriers will enable construction professionals to make informed decisions in promoting diversity in the industry.
Originality/value
This study has a broad geographical reach, allowing the findings to be widely applicable to the diverse practice of the worldwide construction sector.
Details
Keywords
Tri Minh Cao and Loc Thi Vy Nguyen
This study aims to assess the factors that impact the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the human resource (HR) recruitment procedure in Vietnam’s medium-sized firms.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the factors that impact the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the human resource (HR) recruitment procedure in Vietnam’s medium-sized firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a quantitative approach, this paper collected data of 297 hiring managers, HR directors and top-level executives from Vietnam’s medium-sized firms with a structured questionnaire. The partial least squares structural equation model was used to analyze the data and evaluate the hypothesis model (on platform Smart PLS 3.0).
Findings
The results show that in Vietnam’s medium-sized companies, both perceived benefits and perceived sacrifices directly impact on perceived value, which leads to organizations’ adoption of AI. HR readiness also has a moderating effect between perceived value and AI adoption.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can compare AI adoption between large and medium companies, as well as other criteria in Asian countries. Other organizational constructs can be considered moderators between perceived value and AI adoption.
Practical implications
This study offers a context-specific understanding of the practice of using AI to acquire talent in Vietnam. Both of AI technology’s perceived benefits and perceived sacrifices directly impact its perceived value, therefore indirectly impacting its adoption. In this study, HR readiness serves as an inhibitor to adoption. Some essential managerial implications are suggested.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable insights into applying AI to Vietnam’s medium-sized companies, especially in the recruitment process. It adds to a substantial body of work on applying AI to HR management.
Details
Keywords
Francis Lanme Guribie, Dr. De-Graft Owusu-Manu, Edward Badu and David John Edwards
The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the influences of three dimensions of social capital (the structural, relational and cognitive dimensions) on five situated learning…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the influences of three dimensions of social capital (the structural, relational and cognitive dimensions) on five situated learning processes (institutionalization, socialization, knowledge articulation, experience accumulation and knowledge reuse) in projects.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a cross sectional survey, data were drawn from 203 construction professionals in Ghana who have hands-on experience in managing projects. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to conduct both confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis of the structural model of the relationship between these two constructs.
Findings
In relation to the research questions, all three dimensions of social capital have effects of the situating learning processes. However, the research’s key finding is that the relational dimension of social capital exerts much influence on the situated learning processes in projects, with the structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital exerting medium and small effects, respectively.
Practical implications
The study’s key finding implies that – addressing the “relational” conditioners that moderate project participants’ behaviour in social relationships is critical for increasing situated learning activity in projects. These must, however, be complemented by both structural and cognitive factors.
Originality/value
The research findings expand existing frontiers of knowledge by addressing the gap in the literature on the lack of practical demonstration of the influences exerted by the various dimensions of social capital on a situated learning activity in projects.
Details
Keywords
This research aims to investigate whether, in a principal–agent relationship, personal characteristics of the agent (seniority, locus of control (LOC), self-efficacy (SE), risk…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate whether, in a principal–agent relationship, personal characteristics of the agent (seniority, locus of control (LOC), self-efficacy (SE), risk appetite (RA)) have an impact on their performance, on costs for the principal and on organizational justice (distributive justice (DJ) especially) in a sample of insurance brokers.
Design/methodology/approach
The adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis highlights the different role that personal characteristics play in affecting or moderating the agent’s performance. Moreover, the mediation analysis highlights the role played by gender and tenure in moderating the relationship between personal characteristics and work outcomes.
Findings
The findings of this study suggest that an agency relationship is not based only on rational choices made by the principal and agent in their own self-interest, but also by other idiosyncratic factors that influence the outcome of the relationship.
Research limitations/implications
In order to better understand the agent’s behaviour, agency relationship investigation should consider other psychological variables in addition to the traditionally considered risk orientation, uncertainty and information asymmetry.
Practical implications
This study gives specific insights into preventing undesired behaviours, e.g. organizational withdrawal, opportunism, high staff/employee turnover, as advocated by current literature.
Originality/value
By systemically investigating and analysing personal characteristics of the agent such as LOC, agent’s SE and RA, this study provides an original contribution to the knowledge on the determinants of costs and effectiveness in the agency relationship.
Details
Keywords
Manuel F. Suárez-Barraza, José Ángel Miguel-Davila, Kodo Yokozawa and Julissa E. Cosme-Castorena
Understanding work and its improvement from the individual’s perspective has become a critical issue in the 21st century. We are witnessing an overwhelming amount of information…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding work and its improvement from the individual’s perspective has become a critical issue in the 21st century. We are witnessing an overwhelming amount of information that is contributing to high stress levels among workers worldwide, which in turn has a significant impact on their physical health. From Imai's (1986) concept of Kaizen-Individual and Ohno’s (1978) idea of Manual Kaizen, the individual has always been at the heart of Kaizen philosophy. Recent research continues to explore this concept, focusing on aspects such as a sense of urgency or self-improvement. In this way, the purpose of this research is to explore and understand in depth Individual Kaizen in the micro work of Japanese companies; for this, the following research question is available: How is Individual Kaizen implemented in the work processes of the Japanese manufacturing companies examined?
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used was qualitative due to its exploratory nature. To this end, the strategy of multiple case studies was used during stays in manufacturing companies in Japan. Methods of direct observation, documentary analysis, and in-depth semi-structured interviews were used.
Findings
The study in Japanese companies shed light on the micro work environment and how workers execute their processes through operational standards focused on visual control (mieruka), individual and manual Kaizen as well as quality at the source. With all this context, the result was that Individual Kaizen is made up of four major elements: willingness to improve (Jishusei), life purpose (Ikigai), sense of urgency and commitment to work (Kodawari).
Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge that this study may have certain limitations due to its exploratory nature. Although a case study methodology was employed, limitations are always possible, primarily due to the small sample size and the bias that may arise from leaving out certain companies or key actors. Furthermore, the interviews were conducted only in a few Japanese companies, most of which are large and have an international presence.
Originality/value
Few studies have analyzed Kaizen in Japan, perhaps those by Brunet and New (2003), Macpherson (2015) and Yokozawa et al. (2021). However, delving deeper into the term Individual Kaizen in the micro-work of Japanese companies is novel and unique, in the sense of generating more theoretical constructs of Kaizen. First article that attempts to explain this work dynamic in micro work through Individual Kaizen.
Details
Keywords
Biju P.R. and Gayathri O.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of implementing accountable artificial intelligence (AI) systems in India, focusing on the need for algorithms to justify…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of implementing accountable artificial intelligence (AI) systems in India, focusing on the need for algorithms to justify their decisions, especially in subjective and complex scenarios. By analyzing various government projects, documented biases and conducting empirical case studies and experiments, the study highlights the limitations of AI in recognizing the nuances of India’s unique social landscape. It aims to underscore the importance of integrating political philosophy to ensure that AI systems are held accountable within India’s sociopolitical context, urging policymakers to develop frameworks for responsible AI decision-making.
Design/methodology/approach
The research adopts a mixed-methods approach to address the five research questions. It begins with an extensive literature review, focusing on AI’s transformative potential, algorithmic bias and accountability in the Indian context. Data is collected from 15 AI use cases in health care, education and public safety, 13 government automated decision tools and five bias cases, including facial recognition and caste-based discrimination. Additionally, ten case studies and three experiments on ChatGPT are analyzed. Content analysis is used to interpret and categorize the data, identifying patterns and themes. Specific case studies and experiments on autocompletion in search engines further support the findings.
Findings
The study revealed significant limitations in current AI systems when applied to India’s complex socio-cultural landscape. Analyzing 15 AI applications and 13 government projects, the research identified multiple instances of algorithmic bias. Experiments with Google’s autocomplete and ChatGPT showed that these systems often reinforce social stereotypes and struggle with nuanced, subjective situations. The findings emphasize the accountability gap in AI-driven decisions, highlighting the need for rigorous oversight, particularly in welfare projects where errors could lead to severe consequences. The study recommends developing regulatory frameworks, improving AI design and raising public awareness to address these challenges.
Originality/value
In the context of complex societies like India, a pressing concern arises: who should assume responsibility for the repercussions stemming from algorithmic failures to comprehend subjective complexities? To this end, there exist no serious scholarly works toward which present paper tries to shed new insights. It draws upon insights from the corpus of political philosophy literature, encompassing both classical and contemporary notions of responsibility, and seeks to establish connections between these concepts and the unique sociopolitical structure of India. The work is unique in the focus of the paper and is original in the direction projected.