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Book part
Publication date: 22 November 2024

Syed Far Abid Hossain, Kazi Mohiuddin, Hasanuzzaman Tushar and Blanca Luz

This study investigates the ubiquitous business model and e-commerce strategy of WeChat as a platform. The potential of WeChat as a tool for sustainable entrepreneurial…

Abstract

This study investigates the ubiquitous business model and e-commerce strategy of WeChat as a platform. The potential of WeChat as a tool for sustainable entrepreneurial development has received limited attention from researchers. The purpose of this study is to uncover the hidden issues associated with WeChat's role in e-commerce development. It also examines the opportunities and limitations of using WeChat for e-commerce. The study employs a qualitative research approach, including an extensive literature review and ethnographic study. The results demonstrate that leveraging mobile apps like WeChat can greatly enhance entrepreneurial tendencies and foster sustainable entrepreneurship, thus contributing to poverty eradication in emerging nations.

Details

Understanding the Multi-Dimensional Nature of Poverty
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-293-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 June 2024

Shan Jiang, Marcene Kinney and Christopher Yost

Assessing performance art has shifted toward an audience-centric approach, with various factors impacting audiences’ holistic experiences in a theater. Existing theater marketing…

Abstract

Purpose

Assessing performance art has shifted toward an audience-centric approach, with various factors impacting audiences’ holistic experiences in a theater. Existing theater marketing research has predominantly focused on servicescapes, leaving a research gap regarding audiences’ spatial experience within theater buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

To address this gap, this case study collected crowdsourced data from mainstream social media platforms, including rating scores, textual reviews and reviewer-uploaded photos. The aim was to explore to what extent the theater architecture design impacted audiences’ theatrical experience. The old and new facilities of the case study theater were compared, and a series of quantitative and qualitative techniques were applied for data analysis, including statistics, content analysis, sentiment analysis and thematic analysis.

Findings

The study identified five major themes in social media review: the show, architectural design and attributes, staff and service, neighborhood and amenities, and financial consideration. Comments about theater architecture constituted a substantial portion of reviews, with seating comfort, intimacy and stage visibility being frequently discussed features. Seven subthemes related to architectural design emerged as key contributors to audiences’ spatial experiences, including aesthetics, design and spatial configuration; the bar and lobby; the new facility; seats; sets and stage; acoustics; and intimacy and atmosphere.

Originality/value

The study places the individual experiences of audience members as central and uses an inductive approach to analyze their self-generated data. The research results offer valuable insights into theater design and confirm the belief that architectural design has a significant impact on the overall theatrical experience of audiences.

Details

Arts and the Market, vol. 14 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4945

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 November 2024

Martin Kwasi Abiemo, Edem M. Azila-Gbettor, Eli Ayawo Atatsi, Ben Q. Honyenuga and Christopher Mensah

This study, respectively, explored the mediating and moderating influences of psychological availability and ethical leadership on the relationship between occupational stress and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study, respectively, explored the mediating and moderating influences of psychological availability and ethical leadership on the relationship between occupational stress and project performance among construction workers in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4, this quantitative cross-sectional study analysed survey data from 677 construction project workers who were recruited through simple random sampling technique.

Findings

The results demonstrate that occupational stress negatively predicts both project performance and psychological availability of construction project workers. Psychological availability and ethical leadership mediate and moderate the stress-project performance relationship, respectively.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that ethical leadership and attention to psychological well-being are key to managing occupational stress and enhancing project performance in high-stress environments like construction.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding of occupational stress in project management by integrating psychological and leadership factors through conservation of resource theory, social exchange theory and the job demands-resources model.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 November 2024

Matthew Tickle, Claire Hannibal and Mieda Zapparoli

Fashion brands, including fast and luxury segments, receive harsh criticism for engaging in unethical practices such as poor working conditions and environmental damage. As a…

Abstract

Purpose

Fashion brands, including fast and luxury segments, receive harsh criticism for engaging in unethical practices such as poor working conditions and environmental damage. As a result, fashion supply chains are pressured by stakeholders to publicly disclose internal supply chain performance information and to show a high level of supply chain transparency. This paper compares supply chain transparency in fast and luxury fashion in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying the maturity curve of fashion supply chain transparency, developed by Muratore and Marques (2022), the websites of 20 fast and 20 luxury fashion brands were analysed and classified as Opaque, Translucent or Transparent.

Findings

Despite its reputation, fast fashion demonstrated higher levels of transparency than luxury fashion. Luxury fashion only performed better in terms of the accessibility of sustainability information. Luxury brands avoided disclosing key transparency information, suggesting that they may be operating in contradiction to that which is inferred on their websites.

Originality/value

The findings of the study shed light on the sustainability credentials of the fashion industry, which has the potential to influence the purchase intentions of consumers, particularly millennials and Generation Z. Implications for practice are developed to highlight how fashion can improve its supply chain transparency.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 August 2024

Sini Laari, Oskari Rintala, Juuso Töyli, Tomi Solakivi and Lauri Ojala

This paper aims to investigate how firms can enhance their resilience in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study focuses on assessing…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how firms can enhance their resilience in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study focuses on assessing responsiveness as an antecedent and logistics outsourcing as a boundary condition to resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected from 286 manufacturing firms in Finland during 2021 are analysed to examine the relationships between supply chain responsiveness, logistics outsourcing and resilience.

Findings

Firm responsiveness is found to improve resilience, while an increasing level of logistics outsourcing weakens this relationship. Surprisingly, geographic dispersion does not significantly affect supply chain responsiveness.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study include the focus on manufacturing firms in Finland and the reliance on survey data. Future research could explore additional factors influencing resilience and consider a broader range of industries and geographical regions.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable insights for managers seeking to enhance their firms’ resilience in the face of disruptions. By understanding the importance of responsiveness and the potential drawbacks of excessive logistics outsourcing, managers can make informed decisions to improve their firms’ ability to cope with unexpected challenges.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the understanding of resilience in supply chain disruptions by addressing fundamental questions related to efficiency, responsiveness, control and complexity. By examining the interplay between responsiveness, logistics outsourcing and resilience, the study enriches the understanding of how firms can effectively navigate unexpected challenges.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 June 2024

Frank Nana Kweku Otoo

A learning-focused culture promotes creativity, innovativeness and the acquisition of novel insights and competencies. The study aims to explore the relationship between human…

Abstract

Purpose

A learning-focused culture promotes creativity, innovativeness and the acquisition of novel insights and competencies. The study aims to explore the relationship between human resource development (HRD) practice and employee competencies using organizational learning culture as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 828 employees of 37 health care institutions comprising 24 (internationally-owned) and 13 (indigenously-owned). Construct reliability and validity was established through a confirmatory factor analysis. The proposed model and hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Data supported the hypothesized relationships. The results show that training and development and employee competencies were significantly related. Career development and employee competencies were significantly related. Organizational learning culture mediates the relationship between training and development and employee competencies. However, organizational learning culture did not mediate the relationship between career development and employee competencies.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research’s health care focus and cross-sectional data.

Practical implications

The study’s findings will serve as valuable pointers to policy makers and stakeholders of health care institutions in developing system-level capacities that promote continuous learning and adaptive learning cultures to ensure sustainability and competitive advantage.

Originality/value

By evidencing empirically that organizational learning culture mediates the relationship between HRD practices and employee competencies the study extends the literature.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

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