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The paper presents a mathematical problem involving quasistatic contact between a thermo-electro-viscoelastic body and a lubricated foundation, where the contact is described using a version of Coulomb’s law of friction that includes normal damped response conditions and heat exchange with a conductive foundation. The constitutive law for the material is thermo-electro-viscoelastic. The problem is formulated as a system that includes a parabolic equation of the first kind for the temperature, an evolutionary elliptic quasivariational inequality for the displacement and a variational elliptic equality for the electric stress. The author establishes the existence of a unique weak solution to the problem by utilizing classical results for evolutionary quasivariational elliptic inequalities, parabolic differential equations and fixed point arguments.

The author establishes a variational formulation for the model and proves the existence of a unique weak solution to the problem using classical results for evolutionary quasivariational elliptic inequalities, parabolic difierential equations and fixed point arguments.

The author proves the existence of a unique weak solution to the problem using classical results for evolutionary quasivariational elliptic inequalities, parabolic difierential equations and fixed point arguments.

The author studies a mathematical problem between a thermo-electro-viscoelastic body and a lubricated foundation using a version of Coulomb’s law of friction including the normal damped response conditions and the heat exchange with a conductive foundation, which is original and requires a good understanding of modeling and mathematical tools.

The proposed model is implemented in a special finite element program for its three-dimensional solid elements (Lotfi, 2009), with its nonlinear dynamic analysis modified according to the HHT-α algorithm, which is fully described. Based on the prepared tools, nonlinear behavior of the Morrow Point dam is studied by applying the invoked damage plasticity concrete model in the presence of contraction joints. For this aim, four cases are considered for the present study. Case A (SF = 1.4), which is based on the linear model, is mainly used for comparative purposes. The other three cases (B, C and D) correspond to the nonlinear model (i.e. damage plasticity model for concrete and nonlinear behavior for contraction joints) with earthquake loading scaling factors of SF = 1.4, 2.0 and 2.6, respectively.

In the present study, the application of the damage plasticity model in nonlinear dynamic analysis of Morrow Point concrete arch dam is presented. This model is a single-surface isotropic damage plasticity concrete model based on decomposition of stresses and was proposed in a previous study. It should be emphasized that contraction joints are also considered in the model. The theoretical aspects of the model are initially reviewed, and preliminary verification examples are presented. Thereafter, the HHT-α algorithm is presented for nonlinear dynamic analysis of concrete dams.

(1) In relation with displacement response for nonlinear simulations (i.e. cases B, C and D with SF (i.e. Scaling Factor) = 1.4, 2.0 and 2.6), it is noticed that maximum value of response increases as scaling factor becomes larger. This is such that the maximum value reaches an amount −0.35 m (negative refers to upstream direction) for case D. Moreover, the period elongation becomes quite significant. (2) The nonlinear simulation reveals that Morrow Point arch dam can resist a loading scenario based on Taft earthquake excitation even with an scaling factor as high as SF = 2.6. In this case, the maximum value of upstream displacement at dam mid-crest point reaches −0.35 m which is quite high in comparison with usual linear analysis responses. The extension of tensile damages is quite widespread while for compressive damages, it is much less. Moreover, the maximum tensile and compressive stresses for this case are 3.07 MPa and −33.31 MPa, respectively.

(1) As for the damages plotted at the end of analysis in each case, it is noticed that tensile damage becomes widespread as scaling factor increases. This is such that for case D (SF = 2.6), tensile damage spreads throughout the top portion of the dam body above that initial D/S closed loop occurring for case B (SF = 1.4). This is in both D/S and U/S faces and actually through the whole dam thickness in most parts. In regard to compressive damages, it is observed that it is developed in quite limited portion of dam body for case B. However, it begins to become widespread as scaling factor increases. Of course, most extensive damages corresponds to case D with SF = 2.6 as expected. However, it should be emphasized that even for this case, the amount or extension of compressive damages are much less than corresponding tensile damages. (2) The nonlinear simulation reveals that Morrow Point arch dam can resist a loading scenario based on Taft earthquake excitation even with an scaling factor as high as SF = 2.6. In this case, the maximum value of upstream displacement at dam mid-crest point reaches −0.35 m which is quite high in comparison with usual linear analysis responses. The extension of tensile damages is quite widespread while for compressive damages, it is much less. Moreover, the maximum tensile and compressive stresses for this case are 3.07 MPa and −33.31 MPa, respectively.

This study aims to understand the kind of content and context that effectively create higher fan social media engagement (SME) through pre-match content posted by sports teams.

This research examines the effect of inspirational, informational, entertaining and warmth content appeal on affective and cognitive responses from fans in the form of likes and shares. Messages on X (previously Twitter), chosen as a representative social media platform, from the teams participating in the Indian Premier League, were analysed using regression models to validate the proposed model empirically.

For sports clubs, entertaining, warmth and inspirational content is more effective than information content in generating likes on social media. Content with high vividness is effective only for sports teams with high performance. Fans of low-performance teams exhibit higher responsiveness to content with inspirational appeal.

This research contributes to the sports marketing literature by examining the influential role of warmth and inspirational content in generating higher SME in the pre-match context.

This study provides prescriptions to sports clubs for leveraging social media platforms to engage their fans through appropriate content. Given the growth of sports leagues in developing and developed countries, this study provides guidelines to sports clubs for effective social media marketing.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to integrate social identity theory and elaboration likelihood model theoretical frameworks to study fan engagement with social media content posted by sports clubs.

This comparative book review is concerned with two recent studies of essential workers in Germany: Jana Costas’ Dramas of Dignity and Peter Birke’s Grenzen aus Glas [literally ‘borders made from glass’]. While Costas is interested in studying how individual cleaners preserve their sense of dignity despite their widely believed stigmatizing work roles, Birke is interested in the power resources migrant workers can potentially mobilize for improving their working conditions despite the multi-dimensional (inter-sectional) precarity they confront in their life situation. In the context of German industrial and organizational sociology, both studies represent comparatively rare exemplars of detailed qualitative and ethnographic work that illuminate the labour process from taking a workers’ perspective. Using different approaches to fieldwork, both studies reveal the precarious nature of being an essential worker in areas such as meat packing, warehouse work, and cleaning. This general observation gives rise to some concluding speculations about the emancipatory potential of ethnographic research, in labour studies and beyond.

To successfully implement omnichannel strategies, companies are required to use physical and online touchpoints effectively. This research aims to explore how consumers interact with various omnichannel touchpoints and identify the positive outcomes for firms.

Drawing on the perspective of MRT and UGT, this study developed a comprehensive framework based on hypotheses and employed structural equation modeling to test it in Study 1. To further examine the effects of omnichannel touchpoints on customer experience and shopping behavior intentions, Study 2 used a between-subjects experimental design.

The results reveal that particular touchpoints positively influence specific dimensions of customer experience, affecting brand attitude, purchase intention and experience sharing. Findings also indicate that product types moderate the relationship between omnichannel touchpoints and customer experience, as well as the relationship between customer experience and brand attitude.

This research enriches interactive marketing literature on customer experience and omnichannel shopping, providing companies seeking omnichannel touchpoint design with solid theoretical insights and empirical evidence.

This paper aims to investigate the concept of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) in the field of cross-cultural management.

The related literature has been analysed from various paradigmatic lenses.

As the VUCA world concept originates from business circles, several key articles were published in non-academic journals. Two distinct groups of publications can be identified: consulting literature and academic literature on the VUCA world. While both consulting literature and academic literature about the VUCA world can be associated with functionalism, alternative research paradigms can easily accommodate new studies in connection with the VUCA world: interpretive, critical and postmodern works would fit the features of the VUCA world, along with multi-paradigm studies.

It is advisable to investigate emergent contemporary issues, often labelled VUCA, according to multiple paradigms and to conduct multi-paradigmatic research.

While consulting literature on the VUCA world implicitly assumes functionalist paradigms, academic literature might provide alternative assumptions. Interpretative, critical and postmodern paradigms more accurately address the issues raised by VUCA.

Personnel, particularly frontline employees, represent the face of retailers and help promote the brand, enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction through positive interactions. This research examines retailing versus non-retailing marketing positions to uncover factors that can increase job satisfaction in retail: work environment factors, job characteristics and psychological factors. These factors allow for a holistic view of today’s competitive market that addresses human motivation theory and reveals important insights for attracting and retaining retail talent who can provide compelling, positive experiences for customers.

Survey research provided the means to collect data and compare retailing versus non-retailing marketing positions. A paid online panel of 2,334 marketing and retail professionals yielded 659 completed surveys. To capture workplace experience of retailers and other marketing professionals, the study measured work environment factors (compensation, customers, recognition received, supervisor support and co-workers), job characteristics (performance feedback, power and control, work variety, autonomy and altruistic opportunity) and psychological factors (job stress, work overload, role conflict and job burnout).

The findings suggest that job characteristics, psychological outcomes, organizational factors, family support and altruistic opportunity affect retail employee satisfaction. These findings offer actionable responses for retailers in their quest to attract and retain retail employees in today’s competitive job market and, in turn, enrich the customer experience journey.

Competition for the best marketing people to work in retail and avoiding negative interactions between retail employees and customers can be expected to increase brand competitiveness. This research was based on survey responses of individuals in marketing positions suggesting individuals that care about their marketing careers. This research has implications for marketing leadership with regard to critical issues of today’s retail personnel. There is an opportunity to make a difference. Without highly satisfied employees, retail will continue to face challenges in finding and keeping individuals who enhance the customer journey and promote desirable brand experiences. Research consistently shows that when job characteristics, satisfiers and stress are negative aspects of the job, people shift to other jobs that provide more personal career fulfillment (Leider et al., 2016; Stamolampros et al., 2019). Even carefully executed digital marketing, strategic data analytics, aesthetics and promotions cannot drive customers to become raving fans of a retail brand without satisfied employees. Retail personnel are critical as they represent the brand and have a significant impact on the customer experience. With limited resources available to retail management, a priority could be in recruiting and training managers to attract and retain the best retail workers and improve the customer experience. Creating positive customer connections is critical in retail.

Practically, this research provides insight into specific areas that need strategic management action to make retail more appealing.

The study provides an overview and comparison of the key aspects of job satisfaction in retail marketing positions compared with non-retail marketing positions.

The current study investigates the significance of ethics-oriented HRM systems (EHRMS) and ethical leadership in addressing the unethical behavior of Machiavellians in professional services firms.

Our study used a multi-source, multi-wave design to investigate the impact of EHRMS and ethical leadership on the unethical behavior of Machiavellians using a sample of 364 employees.

Our results reveal that EHRMS moderates the relationship between Machiavellianism and unethical behavior, while ethical leadership does not significantly moderate this relationship. Our results suggest that EHRMS has a significantly stronger impact on managing the unethical tendencies of Machiavellians than ethical leadership.

The study offers unique insights into the differential effects of EHRMS and ethical leadership in moderating unethical behavior among Machiavellians. The findings are also unique, as they highlight that the receptivity of ethical leadership depends on the individual differences of followers/employees.

This study broadens the understanding of how omnichannel service convenience, shopping value and channel congruence affect customer perceived trust and satisfaction and, in turn, affect selection intention after an omnichannel shopping experience.

Target participants were recruited based on previous purchases from the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo. A questionnaire was distributed via social media. In total, 341 valid responses were collected for structural equation modelling (SEM).

The results revealed that in omnichannel shopping context, perceived trust and satisfaction are positively affected by service convenience and shopping value and are especially affected by channel congruence. Further analysis showed that perceived trust and satisfaction have a positive effect on omnichannel selection intention, with satisfaction playing a mediating role in the relationships of omnichannel service convenience, shopping value and channel congruence with omnichannel selection intention.

This study contributes to the literature on omnichannel customer behaviour by shedding light on the antecedents of intention to select omnichannel retailers from the customer’s perspective.

Although the importance of entrepreneurial culture (EC) has been recognized, it remains unclear how EC affects sustainable competitive performance (SCP). This study aims to explore how EC affects SCP via the mediating role of innovation capability (IC) and the moderating role of digital marketing capability (DMC).

Based on data gathered from manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, the proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling via SmartPLS software.

The analysis results indicate that EC affects IC, which in turn has a positive effect on SCP. In addition, IC mediates the EC-SCP relationship. Importantly, DMC positively moderates the EC–SCP relationship.

This study combines IC, DMC and SCP under resource-based view and dynamic capabilities theory into a single framework. Results confirm EC's impact on SMEs' manufacturing sector SCP, with IC mediating this link. However, the cross-sectional design restricts deeper respondent analysis.

This study offers SME managers/owners and decision-makers insights on enhancing EC for better performance and competitive edge. It highlights IC's crucial role in translating EC into innovation and value creation. Policymakers can also use these findings to design programs for SMEs in emerging markets.

This study underscores the significance of EC adoption not only to generate a sustainable competitive advantage for the firm but also to increase the social as well as economic well-being of the firm, especially in the context of emerging economies, such as Malaysia; which are characterized by diverse ethnic groups contributing to their unique social fabric.

This work fills the knowledge gap by providing empirical evidence for the mediating and moderating role of IC and DMC, respectively, in the link between EC and SCP, thus significantly contributing to emerging markets, where managers seek to enhance their understanding of using EC for fostering SCP.