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The study aims to investigate the relationship between transformational, transactional leadership and employee retention with the mediating effect of employee engagement.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to investigate the relationship between transformational, transactional leadership and employee retention with the mediating effect of employee engagement.
Design/methodology/approach
Using judgemental sampling, data were collected from 650 employees serving at different levels in the pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships using AMOS.
Findings
The study found that transformational and transactional leadership significantly impact employee retention. The direct effects of transformational leadership (TFL) on employee engagement were found to be significant, while transactional leadership (TSL) has no significant direct influence on employee engagement. The output of the mediation analysis revealed that employee engagement significantly mediates the relationship between TFL and employee retention, whereas it showed an insignificant relationship between TSL and employee retention.
Practical implications
Based on the findings and the literature support, it can be postulated that an appropriate leadership style, especially TFL, that drives employee engagement can influence employees to stay with the organization longer. The study recommends that managers and leaders comprehend the importance of leadership and its appropriateness to retain valued employees by ensuring high workplace engagement.
Originality/value
The study would provide a unique insight into TFL and TSL practices and their impact on the pharmaceutical industry’s employee retention. This study also extends the research on employee engagement as a mediator between TFL and TSL and employee retention.
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Seyed Jalil Masoumi, Ali Kohanmoo, Mohammad Ali Mohsenpour, Sanaz Jamshidi and Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari
Normal-weight obesity (NWO), characterized by normal body mass index (BMI) but excess body fat, is a potential contributor to chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the…
Abstract
Purpose
Normal-weight obesity (NWO), characterized by normal body mass index (BMI) but excess body fat, is a potential contributor to chronic diseases. This study aims to assess the relationship between this phenomenon and some metabolic factors in a population of Iranian employees.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian employees from the baseline data of Employees Health Cohort Study, Shiraz, Iran. Anthropometric measures, including weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat, were obtained from the cohort database. The participants were divided into three groups: healthy, normal-weight obese and overweight/obese. Metabolic variables including blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, liver function enzymes and metabolic syndrome were assessed in relation to the study groups.
Findings
A total of 985 participants aged 25–64 years were included. Males with NWO had significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to the healthy group in the fully adjusted model. Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly lower among females with overweight/obesity than healthy group when adjusted for age and energy intake. Furthermore, after adjusting for age and energy intake, both genders in the overweight/obese group showed significantly elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while this was not observed for the NWO group. Lastly, metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in NWO as well as overweight/obesity.
Originality/value
These findings further encourage identification of excess body fat, even in normal-weight individuals, to prevent chronic metabolic diseases. Special attention should be paid to subgroups with sedentary occupations, as they may be at increased risk for NWO-related health issues.
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Mohammad Vahid Ehteshamfar, Amir Kiadarbandsari, Ali Ataee, Katayoun Ghozati and Mohammad Ali Bagherkhani
Stereolithography (SLA) additive manufacturing (AM) technique has enabled the production of inconspicuous and aesthetically pleasing orthodontics that are also hygienic. However…
Abstract
Purpose
Stereolithography (SLA) additive manufacturing (AM) technique has enabled the production of inconspicuous and aesthetically pleasing orthodontics that are also hygienic. However, the staircase effect poses a challenge to the application of invisible orthodontics in the dental industry. The purpose of this study is to implement chemical postprocessing technique by using isopropyl alcohol as a solvent to overcome this challenge.
Design/methodology/approach
Fifteen experiments were conducted using a D-optimal design to investigate the effect of different concentrations and postprocessing times on the surface roughness, material removal rate (MRR), hardness and cost of SLA dental parts required for creating a clear customized aligner, and a container was constructed for chemical treatment of these parts made from photocurable resin.
Findings
The study revealed that the chemical postprocessing technique can significantly improve the surface roughness of dental SLA parts, but improper selection of concentration and time can lead to poor surface roughness. The optimal surface roughness was achieved with a concentration of 90 and a time of 37.5. Moreover, the dental part with the lowest concentration and time (60% and 15 min, respectively) had the lowest MRR and the highest hardness. The part with the highest concentration and time required the greatest budget allocation. Finally, the results of the multiobjective optimization analysis aligned with the experimental data.
Originality/value
This paper sheds light on a previously underestimated aspect, which is the pivotal role of chemical postprocessing in mitigating the adverse impact of stair case effect. This nuanced perspective contributes to the broader discourse on AM methodologies, establishing a novel pathway for advancing the capabilities of SLA in dental application.
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Mohammad Ali Fallah, Mehrdad Agha Mohammad Ali Kermani, Alireza Moini and Javad Mashayekh
The present research is trying to construct the network of relationships between different department of an organization during the design and development of car engine. Analyzing…
Abstract
Purpose
The present research is trying to construct the network of relationships between different department of an organization during the design and development of car engine. Analyzing the structure of the network, finding the patterns of collaborations, and determining the important departments are the main purposes of the present research.
Design/methodology/approach
Improving relationships during a project life is an effective way to enhance employee performance in project-oriented organizations. This paper examines the collaborative relationships between internal project stakeholders through social network analysis (SNA) in a project for the design and development of car engine. In the first step of the research, the network of internal stakeholders was studied based on collaboration in the common activities performed by the resources. Then, the network of correspondences between internal stakeholders was studied. Finally, the two networks were integrated into a single network.
Findings
In the integrated network, the “fuel and combustion department” had the largest degree centrality (i.e. highest collaboration with others). The “integration department” was found to have the highest closeness centrality (i.e. more rapid access to other nodes). Furthermore, the “procurement department” had the highest betweenness centrality (i.e. the most strategic department). Our results revealed the potential capabilities of SNA method for the project management in the vehicle industry.
Originality/value
The obtained results of the present research show us the value of applying SNA methods and concepts to analyze the inter-organizational network of the Project Stakeholders relationship.
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The rising global competition and uncertainty in business environment has led logistics firms to redesign supply chain strategies which boost disaster immunity. Therefore, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The rising global competition and uncertainty in business environment has led logistics firms to redesign supply chain strategies which boost disaster immunity. Therefore, the current study develops an integrated research framework that combines big data analytics capability, HR practices, resilience and resource reconfiguration to investigate logistic firm disaster immunity. In addition to that, the moderating effect of data-driven culture is tested between disaster immunity and supply chain performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design of this study is based on quantitative techniques and followed by positivist research paradigm. Data are collected through structured questionnaires. Overall, 219 managers have participated in this logistics research survey. Data are computed with structural equation modeling approach.
Findings
Statistical findings have revealed that collectively HR practices, innovation capability, proactive capability, reactive capability, resource configuration and supply chain resilience explained R2 71.5% variance in disaster immunity. Therefore, in the extended model, disaster immunity and data-driven culture have depicted R2 49.2% variance in manufacturing firm supply chain performance.
Practical implications
The integration of big data analytics capability factors with HR practices, supply chain resilience and resource configuration has enriched logistic literature in the disaster immunity setting. Practically, this study has concluded that factors such as data analytics capabilities, resource reconfiguration, supply chain resilience and HR practices need policymakers’ attention to boost disaster immunity and supply chain performance.
Originality/value
This research is original as it unveils three core factors of big data analytics capability, namely proactive, reactive and innovative capability, and examines firm disaster immunity. Similarly, research is unique as it combines capability factors with resilience, HR practices and resource reconfiguration and investigates logistic firm disaster immunity.
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Ali Hassanzadeh Mohassel, Reza Hesarzadeh and Mohammad Ali Bagherpour Velashani
This paper aims to examine how leadership style in audit firms influences audit quality. The paper further explores the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how leadership style in audit firms influences audit quality. The paper further explores the mediating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between leadership style and audit quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The present paper studies the effects of transformational and servant leadership styles on audit quality through knowledge sharing. Data are collected from 396 Iranian external auditors via a questionnaire.
Findings
The results show that both transformational and servant leadership style significantly influence audit quality through knowledge sharing. Moreover, the impact of transformational leadership style is stronger than the impact of servant leadership style.
Originality/value
In audit quality literature, little attention has been devoted to both leadership style and knowledge sharing. This paper develops a parsimonious model which shows how leadership style improves audit quality, and how knowledge sharing strengthens the impact of leadership style on audit quality. The results have important implications particularly for audit industry.
研究目的
本文探討審計公司內的領導風格會如何影響審計質量; 本文亦進一步探索、在領導風格與審計質量的關聯上、知識共享所扮演的調節角色。
研究設計/方法/理念
本文旨在研究透過知識共享、轉型領導風格和僕人式領導風格會如何影響審計質量。數據取自396名伊朗外聘審計員,方法是透過一份調查問卷而進行的。
研究結果
研究結果顯示、轉型領導風格和僕人式領導風格兩者均會透過知識共享、影響著審計質量,而且,這影響是頗為顯著的。就影響的程度而言,轉型領導風格的影響則較僕人式領導風格的更為強烈。
研究的原創性/價值
在研究審計質量的文獻裡,學者對領導風格和知識共享這兩個課題均沒多大關注。本文建立了一個簡約模型,去顯示領導風格如何能改善審計質量,以及知識共享如何能增強領導風格對審計質量的影響。研究結果給予我們重要的啟示,尤對審計行業而言。
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Mohammad A. Ali, Faiza Abbas and Rhoda Joseph
This paper intends to argue against the idea of an asocial business arena by reiterating the original philosophical underpinnings of theories on the creation of society, societal…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper intends to argue against the idea of an asocial business arena by reiterating the original philosophical underpinnings of theories on the creation of society, societal institutions and the relationship between society and societal institutions. This paper posits that business and ethics, though initially aligned, have been systematically maligned and distorted. The authors present a theoretically justified argument that business and ethics can and should seamlessly exist in the same realm.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a theoretical study that endeavors to go back to the original theories on business and society to challenge the view that business ethics is an oxymoron. For this purpose, the authors survey and interpret the scholarly works of Adam Smith, Aristotle and John Locke.
Findings
Given the economic debacles faced by the USA and the world economy in the past two decades, this study argues that one significant factor for these financial disasters could be that the original ideas about self-interest, societal interest, the free market system and the relationship between society and its constituting components, i.e. individuals, groups and institutions, have been distorted over time. Based on the interpretation of the original ideas around business and society, the authors find that some distortion of the original theories have indeed occurred.
Originality/value
This study is going against a well-established prevalent idea that business ethics is an oxymoron. It is claimed that the endoxa about business and its place in society often represents misinterpretations of the original ideas on the relationship between business and society. The originality of this work lies in challenging this dangerous idea by revisiting by journeying back in philosophical history to cut through the ideological scar tissue and reach the original arguments surrounding society and societal institutions.
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Reza Salehzadeh, Mehran Ziaeian, Pooria Malekinejad and Mohammad Ali Zare
This study aims to identify the factors influencing the creation of a toxic workplace and to examine how to improve a toxic workplace in the electronics industry.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the factors influencing the creation of a toxic workplace and to examine how to improve a toxic workplace in the electronics industry.
Design/methodology/approach
First, the factors that influence the creation of a toxic work environment were identified by reviewing the research literature. Then, the current status of each identified factor in Iran’s electronics industry was evaluated by developing a questionnaire. Based on the survey data, a relationship map between the factors influencing the toxic workplace was created using the fuzzy cognitive mapping technique. Finally, scenarios were designed to improve the toxic workplace.
Findings
The results show that the “workplace bullying” factor is the factor with the highest centrality in relation to other factors. The results of the scenario design indicate the effectiveness of the “unrealistic expectations at work” factor as a scenario trigger.
Originality/value
This study helps reduce the toxic workplace in the organization, which plays an important role in improving the employees’ work performance and the organization’s development.
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Ali Mohammad Mirzaee, Towhid Pourrostam, Javad Majrouhi Sardroud, M. Reza Hosseini, Payam Rahnamayiezekavat and David Edwards
Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are notoriously prone to disputes among stakeholders, some of which may unduly jeopardize contract performance. Contract disputes arising in…
Abstract
Purpose
Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are notoriously prone to disputes among stakeholders, some of which may unduly jeopardize contract performance. Contract disputes arising in Iran are often due to inefficiency of PPP concession agreements and practice. This study presents a causal-predictive model of the root causes and preventive measures for inter-organization disputes to enhance the likelihood of achieving desirable performance in PPP projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical “causal-predictive” model was developed with fourteen hypotheses based on extant literature and contractual agency theory, which resulted in the creation of a pool of 110 published items. Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey with 75 valid responses, completed by 4 stratified groups of Iranian PPP experts. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for validating the proposed model via a case study.
Findings
Results reveal that the main three factors of PPP desirable performance are as follows: on-time project completion, high quality of activities/products and services for public satisfaction. Further, the most influential factors of the lifecycle problems, construction stage, and preferred risk allocation included risk misallocation, improper payment mechanism and failure to facilitate a timely approval process.
Originality/value
For researchers, the findings contribute to the theory of contractual agency; specifically, how different influences among the model's elements lead to better PPP performance. In practical terms, proposed outcome-based strategies will inform PPP stakeholders to avoid dispute occurrence and thus improve the time, quality and services of projects.
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Tika Widiastuti, Sulistya Rusgianto, Imron Mawardi, Sunan Fanani, Mohammad Mahbubi Ali, Muhammad Ubaidillah Al Mustofa and Aufar Fadlul Hady
This study aims to propose priority solutions for mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic through the Social Safety Net (SSN) based on the Islamic objectives.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose priority solutions for mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic through the Social Safety Net (SSN) based on the Islamic objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The analytic network process method is used in this study. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders were used to collect data and supplemented by a literature review to explore comprehensive information.
Findings
The findings indicate different opinions among experts, including regulators, practitioners, associations and academics regarding the most important priority solutions to the impact of Covid-19. However, experts agree that the highest priority solution is the SSN program in the lineage sector, specifically the distribution of the Family Hope Program. A program in the field of protecting the mind is the second priority solution. The program in the field of soul and wealth is the third priority solution.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the development of government policy to deal with the socioeconomic impact of Covid-19 based on the Islamic objectives by mapping the SSN through the five elements of protection, namely, faith, soul, mind, lineage and wealth protection based on priority solution.
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