Gayan Wedawatta, Udayangani Kulatunga, Dilanthi Amaratunga and Ahmed Parvez
Development of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for communities at risk of being affected by natural disasters is considered essential, especially in the wake of…
Abstract
Purpose
Development of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for communities at risk of being affected by natural disasters is considered essential, especially in the wake of devastating disaster events reported worldwide. As part of a wider research study investigating community perspectives on existing and potential strategies for enhancing resilience to natural disasters, community perspectives on infrastructure and structural protection requirements were investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Patuakhali region in South-Western Bangladesh is a region significantly at risk of multiple natural hazards. In order to engage local communities and obtain their perspectives, focus group discussions were held with local community leaders and policy makers of at-risk communities in Patuakhali region, South-Western Bangladesh.
Findings
Infrastructure and structural protection requirements highlighted included multi-purpose cyclone shelters, permanent embankments and improved transport infrastructure. Much of the discussions of focus group interviews were focused on cyclone shelters and embankments, suggesting their critical importance in reducing disaster risk and also dependence of coastal communities on those two measures.
Originality/value
The research design adopted sought to answer the research questions raised and also to inform local policy makers on community perspectives. Local policy makers involved in DRR initiatives in the region were informed of community perspectives and requirements, thus contributing to community engagement in implementing DRR activities.
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Md. Shahin, Maruf Billah, Md. Mozahidul Islam, Ahmed Parvez and A.K.M. Mostafa Zaman
The coastal zone of Bangladesh that is in the front line of the battle against climate change faced over 200 natural disasters in the past 40 years, and most of the disasters were…
Abstract
Purpose
The coastal zone of Bangladesh that is in the front line of the battle against climate change faced over 200 natural disasters in the past 40 years, and most of the disasters were cyclones. The inevitable cyclone shelter (CS), the backbone of disaster management (DM), provides short-term safety for the disaster victims in Bangladesh. This study aims to explore the community-based limitations and sustainable development features of CSs including the gender issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was carried out among 230 community people to identify the requirements and sustainable development features of CSs. A field visit was carried out in 23 CSs to capture its existing facilities. Key informant interviews were conducted in the office of Upazila Engineers to strengthen survey data.
Findings
This research found that the plan of CSs, quality of construction, capacity, facilities, entrance and exit, space allocation, management and policy were not capable enough to fulfill the needs and requirements of the community people. Due to lack of separate facilities, women and girls avoided shelters for fear of sexual and mental harassment in CSs, as they had experiences in the earlier events of cyclones. Insufficient facilities discourage community from using the shelters.
Research limitations/implications
Women and girls were shy to share their experience in CSs. The historical data were limited in the study area. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research presents the actual community-based outcome. During CCRIP training program, the authors met 3,625 community people, and participatory discussions were made to explore the participants’ experiences and perceptions about the sustainable development of CSs.
Practical implications
South-Asian coastal zones are prone to natural, quasi-natural hazard and disasters, where shelters are required for protecting lives of community people during such disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, and floods. Therefore, this study can help in making sustainable development decisions in terms of constructing shelters in disaster-prone countries like Bangladesh.
Social implications
The outcomes of this investigation are useful for uplifting psychosocial status to protect lives during disasters such as cyclones, storm surges and floods and increase accessibility to shelters, and users will consider CSs as a social asset. In turn, the acceptability of CSs into community level are expected to be increased for combating against cyclones, storm surges, and floods.
Originality/value
This study introduces the bottom-up approach that refers to the community-based decision-making to identify the limitations and sustainable improvement of CSs. This research contributes to bridging the gaps between decision-makers and users of CSs. From the authors’ field experience, it can be said that this is the first fieldwork regarding the objectives.
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Parvez Ahmed, Kristine Beck and Elizabeth Goldreyer
This paper studies the efficacy of using moving average technical trading rules with currencies of emerging economies. If technical trading rules are successful, they can become a…
Abstract
This paper studies the efficacy of using moving average technical trading rules with currencies of emerging economies. If technical trading rules are successful, they can become a risk management tool for multinational firms and investors in emerging markets. Typical risk management tools such as forwards, futures, and options are not sufficiently active in emerging currency markets. In this paper we use four Variable Length Moving Average (VMA) trading models and compare them to a simple buy and hold strategy. Results support the effectiveness of our trading models, which imply the presence of strong serial correlation among currency returns for emerging markets. As a result, the predictability of future currency prices will allow investors to create effective hedges in the often volatile emerging markets.
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Parvez Ahmed, Kristine Beck and Elizabeth Goldreyer
Outlines previous research on stock market efficiency and technical trading rules in both developed and emerging markets. Uses variable moving average (VMA) models to develop five…
Abstract
Outlines previous research on stock market efficiency and technical trading rules in both developed and emerging markets. Uses variable moving average (VMA) models to develop five technical trading rules and applies them to markets in Taiwan, Thailand and The Phillippines 1994‐1999. Compares results with the US and Japan indices and a simple buy and hold strategy. Finds the VMA rules gave higher returns in Taiwan and very much higher returns in Thailand and The Phillippines, even after transaction costs, but not in Japan and the USA. Considers the reasons why and calls for further research.
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Elizabeth F. Goldreyer, Parvez Ahmed and J. David Diltz
Outlines increased interest from investors in corporate social policies over the last ten years and previous research comparing the investment performance of “socially…
Abstract
Outlines increased interest from investors in corporate social policies over the last ten years and previous research comparing the investment performance of “socially responsible” (SR) portfolios with others. Measures performance for a US sample of SR and conventional mutual funds using a variety of methods (including Jensen’s Alpha, the Sharpe Ratio and the Treynor ratio), analysing the funds by investment strategy, size, systematic risk and the use of inclusion screens. Presents the results, which do not give a clear advantage to either group, but show that funds with inclusion screens consistently outperform those without. Calls for further research on the relationship between corporate social performance and portfolio performance and comparisons between SR and conventional funds.
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Muhammad Adeel Anjum, Dapeng Liang, Ammarah Ahmed and Anjum Parvez
While the performance consequences of workplace ostracism (WO) have been examined in many studies, relatively little is known about WO's relationship with work effort (WE), which…
Abstract
Purpose
While the performance consequences of workplace ostracism (WO) have been examined in many studies, relatively little is known about WO's relationship with work effort (WE), which is a vital part of the performance domain. Moreover, the literature is largely silent regarding how WO translates into reduced effort and when such effects are less likely. The purpose of the study is to bridge these gaps. Specifically, the paper examines the relationship between WO and WE, taking into account the mediating role of emotional exhaustion (EE) and the moderating role of work centrality (WC).
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the study came from an online survey of 310 full-time employees of service-sector organizations in Pakistan. The PROCESS macro, a robust computational tool for research models involving both mediating and moderating mechanisms, was used for analysis.
Findings
WO was found to be a risk factor for organizations in that it not only induces/aggravates strain in employees, but also hampers them in expending effort in given roles. Findings further highlight that the negative relationship between WO and WE is mediated by EE and moderated by WC.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the cross-sectional data and correlational research design, the study has limited power to make causal inferences about the relationships between the constructs (e.g. WO and WE). Further, the study is conducted in a collectivist culture where people are particularly sensitive to WO; it is, therefore, possible that the strength of relationships between the constructs might differ in individualistic cultures.
Practical implications
Apart from informing management practices in relation to minimizing the occurrence of WO, the study also offers valuable insights into how employees can protect themselves from the negative effects of WO.
Originality/value
The study is among the very few empirical works that simultaneously explicate how and when WO jeopardizes employees' WE.
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Foziya Farooq, Sheikh Sajid Mohammad, Nazir Ahmed Nazir and Parvez Ahmad Shah
This study aims to systematically review the literature on happiness at work (HAW) by analysing existing studies, identifying relevant themes in HAW research and evaluating the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to systematically review the literature on happiness at work (HAW) by analysing existing studies, identifying relevant themes in HAW research and evaluating the methodologies used in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a systematic review process, following the guidelines and principles outlined in the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement 2020 and checklist. Articles were collected from six databases: Emerald insight, Taylor & Francis Online, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Springer and MDPI. Subsequently, systematic review was performed on 41 HAW articles published in 29 different journals between 2010 and 2022. The authors only considered articles that were either indexed by Scopus or in the Academic Journal Guide (AJG) list.
Findings
The study identified six major themes, assessed the operationalisation of HAW and analysed the research methodologies and statistical tools used in the sample studies. Majority of the articles discussed the antecedents of HAW followed by the HAW as a mediator. There is a high heterogeneity in the operationalisation of HAW in the reviewed articles. Moreover, majority of the studies have prioritised service sectors over the industrial sectors.
Originality/value
This study represents the first comprehensive review of the existing literature on HAW by using a systematic review methodology.
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Asmita Asmita, Anuja Akhouri, Gurmeet Singh and Mosab I. Tabash
The review paper aims to understand the development of workplace ostracism as a field in organizational studies from 2000 to the present. The study provides a comprehensive…
Abstract
Purpose
The review paper aims to understand the development of workplace ostracism as a field in organizational studies from 2000 to the present. The study provides a comprehensive synthesis of the current state of the domain by exploring its antecedents, consequences, underlying mechanisms and buffering mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study analyses 134 published peer-reviewed empirical and non-empirical articles retrieved from the Scopus database. A systematic literature review and bibliometric analyses (using VOS viewer) have been used to gain insights into the development and trends within the field. Bibliometric analyses involved science mapping techniques such as co-citation analysis, co-occurrence of keywords and bibliographic coupling. Combining these three techniques, the study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the workplace ostracism research domain's historical, current and future landscape.
Findings
In the present study, through descriptive analyses, the authors uncovered publishing trends, productive journals, countries and industries that contribute to this research field. The systematic review enabled the showcasing of the current landscape of workplace ostracism. The bibliometric analyses shed light on major authors, influential articles, prominent journals and significant keywords in workplace ostracism.
Originality/value
This study enriches the existing literature by offering a comprehensive research framework for workplace ostracism. It goes beyond that by presenting significant bibliographic insights by applying bibliometric analyses. Furthermore, this study identifies and emphasizes future research directions using the theory, characteristics, construct and methodologies framework, aiming to expand the knowledge base and understanding of this topic.
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Md Karim Rabiul, Md Mahmudul Alam and Rashed Al Karim
Using conservation of resources (CoR) theory, this study investigates the role of emotional energy as a mediating mechanism in the relationship between workplace ostracism and…
Abstract
Purpose
Using conservation of resources (CoR) theory, this study investigates the role of emotional energy as a mediating mechanism in the relationship between workplace ostracism and employees' service-oriented behaviour, as well as the moderating result of workload on the relationship between emotional energy and service-oriented behaviour.
Design/methodology/approach
The opinions of 554 customer-contact employees working in Bangladesh are collected via convenience sampling. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is performed to test the model.
Findings
Workplace ostracism and emotional energy are negatively related. Emotional energy is positively associated with service-oriented behaviour and mediates the link between ostracism and service-oriented behaviour. Workload significantly and negatively moderates the association between emotional energy and service-oriented behaviour.
Practical implications
Hoteliers need to improve employees' emotional energy, distribute workload appropriately and fairly and implement effective strategies to minimise workplace ostracism.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the CoR theory by explaining the mediating role of emotional energy and moderating role of workload in the Bangladeshi hospitality industry.
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Military leadership transition -- and its impact on security policy.