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This chapter discusses how the real options theory can be useful for understanding the adoption of human resources management (HRM) practices. The authors review how the real options theory has provided insights into the processes through which firms manage uncertainties involved in the adoption of HRM practices. The authors offer propositions for future HRM research from the real options perspective. The authors contend that analyzing HRM practice adoptions through the lens of real options theory can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms through which firms choose which HRM practices to adopt and how they adjust the timing, scale, and methods of investment in these practices. Specifically, the authors suggest that differences in information relevant to valuation of HRM options are the source of distinct choices of HRM options across firms. Finally, the authors propose advancing knowledge on HRM practice adoptions by using a portfolio of options approach, as well as considering factors like competitors, path dependence, and switching options.

Miller (2011) revisited his influential 1983 work on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and remarked that its underlying drivers are fully open to debate, fresh scholarship and connection with new theories. Indeed, the genealogy of the EO construct is rarely questioned. We take a “making masculinity visible” approach, engaging with a lens of masculinity, precarious manhood theory (PMT) and double standards of competency, to define and test the masculine elements of EO in the setting of family business CEOs.

Using the 2019 Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Project (STEP) dataset, a comprehensive database of family business chief executive officers (CEOs), we examined the construct of EO, in whole and in its masculine elements. Stepwise multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Control variables entered the equation first, followed by the variable of interest for this study.

We find differences by gender when EO is tested as a whole construct. Further in testing its masculine dimensions, we find that being male is significant to the elements of autonomy and competitive aggressiveness and that gender is not significant to risk-taking.

Although research on the widespread and influential EO continues to proliferate (Covin and Wales, 2019), there is not an understanding of its applicability across genders (Fellnhofer et al., 2016). It is possible that EO may not explain how women do business. Our study contributes to the understanding of between-gender differences in EO, and our findings suggest that the masculine elements of EO vary by gender.

Organizational scholars studying compensation often place an emphasis on certain employee groups (e.g., executives). Missing from this discussion is research on the compensation systems for low-wage jobs. In this review, the authors argue that workers in low-wage jobs represent a unique employment group in their understanding of rent allocation in organizations. The authors address the design of compensation strategies in organizations that lead to different outcomes for workers in low-wage jobs versus other workers. Drawing on and integrating human resource management (HRM), inequality, and worker literatures with compensation literature, the authors describe and explain compensation systems for low-wage work. The authors start by examining workers in low-wage work to identify aspects of these workers’ jobs and lives that can influence their health, performance, and other organizationally relevant outcomes. Next, the authors explore the compensation systems common for this type of work, building on the compensation literature, by identifying the low-wage work compensation designs, proposing the likely explanations for why organizations craft these designs, and describing the worker and organizational outcomes of these designs. The authors conclude with suggestions for future research in this growing field and explore how organizations may benefit by rethinking their approach to compensation for low-wage work. In sum, the authors hope that this review will be a foundational work for those interested in investigating organizational compensation issues at the intersection of inequality and worker and organizational outcomes.

This chapter examines the relationship between media consumption during COVID-19 and its effect on trust in experts. Successful crisis management requires risk assessment and rapid decisions, and decision-making in the crisis is often based on multidimensional and conflicting information, which highlights the importance of trust. Here, the aim is to examine how daily media consumption is associated with trust in experts and satisfaction with government response during the pandemic. Media consumption was defined by how many different media platforms respondents used daily, grouped into three broad categories: (1) broadcast media, including television and radio; (2) journalistic media, including newspapers and periodicals; and (3) social media, including social network sites and discussion forums. The results of the analyses show that trust in experts strengthened as the crisis progressed, but satisfaction with the government declined. Omnivorous media consumption – those who consumed several different forms of media – increased trust in experts as well as satisfaction with the government. Particularly, one-sided and social media-based media consumption was related to declined trust. That is, those who used only one form of media and those who relied heavily on social media alone expressed lower levels of trust in experts. The mediation analysis showed that the association between media consumption and government satisfaction was partly indirect through trust in experts. Overall, the study reinforces the importance of media as a moderator of messages during crisis management.

The literature concerning higher- and degree-level apprenticeships (HDAs) in the post-levy era (2017–) is sparse and fragmented. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the international landscape of higher education work-based learning by identifying barriers to effective HDA programmes and outlining a future research agenda to address these.

This study employs a systematic literature review methodology to explore barriers in HDAs. Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review follows a three-stage process to develop the sample. A meticulously designed search strategy uses targeted queries on the SCOPUS database, focusing on terms related to HDAs and their challenges. Inclusion criteria is set to papers from 2017 to 2024, covering book chapters and peer-reviewed journals in the English language. Articles were cross-checked with the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) database, which refines the total to 68 papers. Data from these sources is then extracted and tabulated for qualitative content analysis.

The systematic literature review of 68 manuscripts finds challenges are faced by apprentices, employers and training providers alike. This includes, but is not limited to, ethnically correlated performance, stigma, careers advice, job design, mentoring practices and the incorporation of technology. Two additional themes of pedagogy/andragogy and policy emerge.

Based on the analysis, the paper suggests an extensive portfolio of future research focused on collaborative practices. If addressed, this yields the power to influence future legislation and subsequent implementation.

Although corporate restructuring has the potential to provide performance benefits to firms, it can also bring upheaval and challenges to the restructuring firms’ employees. Further, the frequency of corporate restructuring across the business landscape shows no signs of abating. The purpose of this review paper is to identify and synthesize what is known about the selection, implementation and outcomes of the human resource management (HRM) practices that firms deploy in the context of corporate restructuring, with the additional aim of distilling fertile research areas for scholars and best-practice guidance for practitioners.

This paper is based upon a systematic review of 110 articles published in highly-ranked, peer-reviewed journals from 2003 to 2023.

This review surfaces the predominant ability-, motivation- and opportunity-enhancing HRM practices employed by restructuring firms. It further elucidates the major themes and challenges associated with the use and outcomes of these practices across firms and restructuring settings. The analysis illuminates gaps and opportunities in the literature to suggest future directions for the study of HRM practices and corporate restructuring.

This paper identifies, categorizes and integrates the extant literature on HRM practices and outcomes in corporate restructuring, which is a topic that is salient to both researchers and managers. Papers are classified using the Ability, Motivation and Opportunity framework. An inclusive definition of corporate restructuring, which includes organizational, portfolio, governance and financial restructuring, is applied across two decades of research to provide a comprehensive and holistic assessment.

This paper aims to confront the rising threat of deepfake videos, focusing on the limited research on deepfake detection strategies among seniors. The study thus investigates seniors’ video credibility conceptualizations and identifies their deepfake detection strategies.

This study employed semi-structured interviews with 20 seniors aged 55 to 70. Areas covered include their perceptions of video information credibility and identification strategies undertaken. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to interpret interview responses.

Seniors emphasized the importance of objectivity, trustworthiness, believability, reliability and truthfulness in terms of video credibility. Regarding strategies for assessing video credibility, seniors employed five categories: character appearance, non-human visuals, audio, personal knowledge and external sources.

This study contributes to the literature on human-oriented deepfake detection strategies by uncovering diverse methods employed by seniors. It enhances the understanding of how individuals assess video credibility in the context of deepfakes. Furthermore, this study offers practical and applicable strategies for real-world deepfake detection.

To explore the role of human resources (HR), specifically ability, motivation and opportunity practices (AMO) framework and supply chain orientation top management support (SCO-TMS), in driving the dynamic capabilities of the Triple-A (agility, adaptability and alignment), which help to overcome the challenges faced by global supply chains (SC).

A survey is answered by managers from different functions in a sample of 287 manufacturing plants (three manufacturing sectors) and 14 countries (nine developed and five developing). The database is analyzed by PLS-SEM. In-sample and out-of-sample model predictive capacity is assessed by PLSPredict and CVPAT. A multigroup analysis (MGA) has been done to assess the possible influence of the countries’ economic development context in the model.

This research confirms significant positive relationships between AMO and SCO-TMS and AAA capabilities, with SCO-TMS showing a stronger relationship. This highlights the importance of HR aspects (AMO and SCO-TMS) as drivers of Triple-A SC, and particularly the importance of top management’s strategic vision to support SCO and develop collaborative relationships with suppliers and customers. The wide multi-country/multi-sector sample, reinforced by a good model’s in-sample and out-of-sample predictive capacity, makes these results more reliable and generalizable to other settings than other research in the field.

Managers are encouraged to develop AMO practices and SCO-TMS (focusing on SCO-TMS as the main lever) to enhance Triple-A SC capabilities. The analysis of the country’s economic development context still encourages the use of SCO-TMS as the main lever since its effect is higher than that of AMO. This knowledge is crucial to improving the allocation of limited resources toward developing appropriate capabilities.

Following the DCV and ROT perspectives, this research pioneers the analysis of HR practices (AMO) and SCO-TMS as antecedents of the Triple-A SC capabilities, making relevant contributions to the knowledge on the drivers of these relevant dynamic capabilities, an area with limited prior research.

This study aims to propose a comprehensive framework for assessing circular economy (CE) performance in the agri-food sector. It identifies those indicators that should be used to measure circularity regarding CE strategies, applies them at a microeconomic level and examines the impact of key business determinants (financial, internalization, knowledge, awareness and digitalization).

A literature review was conducted with a focus on CE strategies and related indicators. The framework obtained is applied on a Spanish agri-food sector survey to provide an empirical CE analysis at firm level. A partial least squares based-structural equation modelling method is applied.

The research suggests a set of circularity indicators to assess CE strategies at micro level. The findings reveal the heterogeneity of CE sub-indicators related to narrowing, slowing, closing and regenerating strategies. It also highlights the strong effects that the drivers tested have on CE, especially awareness and knowledge.

This study provides a framework that can guide public policies and business decisions in sectors with significant environmental impacts. It provides a conceptual framework that explains which CE indicators should be considered by governments and regulators when developing policies that seek to promote circular strategies.

In the case of companies, the results show that acquiring more environmental awareness and knowledge is essential for promoting more sustainable work habits that enhance CE.

The paper offers a novel contribution to the CE literature by introducing a multidimensional indicator framework comprehensively applied to the agri-food sector, integrating miscellaneous pillars of circular strategies and business determinants.

This study explores technology trends and challenges in the liner shipping industry through the lens of blockchain technology, addressing gaps in the literature with a comprehensive analysis. By examining blockchain applications in shipping and port contexts, the research fills a significant void, covering trend identification, legal considerations, and implementation challenges. This study extends to examining links between current blockchain projects, revealing trends and challenges in technology applications. The conclusion synthesizes implications and future trajectories of this transformative technology within the broader context of Industry 4.0, positioning this research at the forefront of advancements in maritime technology and supply chain management (SCM).