Deanna Anderlini, Luigi Agnati, Diego Guidolin, Manuela Marcoli, Amina S. Woods and Guido Maura
This conceptual paper aims to explore the possibility of human beings reaching a virtual form of immortality.
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper aims to explore the possibility of human beings reaching a virtual form of immortality.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is an investigation of the path from an early example of human knowledge to the birth of artificial intelligence (AI) and robots. A critical analysis of different point of views, from philosophers to scientists, is presented.
Findings
From ancient rock art paintings to the moon landing, human knowledge has made a huge progress to the point of creating robots resembling human features. While these humanoid robots can successfully undertake risky tasks, they also generate ethical issues for the society they interact with.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is conceptual, and it does attempt to provide one theory by which human beings can achieve the dream of immortality. It is part of a work in progress on the use of AI and the issues related to the creation/use of humanoid robots in society.
Originality/value
This paper provides an overview of some of the key issues and themes impacting our modern society. Its originality resides in the linking of human knowledge to collective knowledge and then of collective mind to the hyper-collective mind. The idea of humans reaching immortality is burdened by the imperative need to define ethical guidelines for the field of AI and its uses.
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Mohamed Ibrahim Nor and Tajul Ariffin Masron
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent at which Turkish foreign direct investment (FDI) contributes to the process of peacemaking in host country.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent at which Turkish foreign direct investment (FDI) contributes to the process of peacemaking in host country.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized a qualitative method and used a focus group discussion and an in-depth interview.
Findings
This study found that Turkish FDI contributes well to the process of peace building in Somalia.
Practical implications
A well-balanced FDI is expected to contribute to the process of peace building in host country because FDI is associated with job creation, technology transfer, private sector enhancement, infrastructure development and social responsibility. These factors increase household income of the host country and contribute to human capital development. By doing so, resource-centered conflicts are reduced and peace is established.
Originality/value
This study is considered as one of the unique studies that have been conducted in the context of post-conflict economy of Somalia. The study investigated the extent at which Turkish FDI contributes to the process of peace building in the host economy and found some interesting evidences, which makes it an appealing work that should be pursued further. This study is not only investigating a novel area of research but also contributes very much to the ongoing policy debate on the recovery and development of post-conflict economies.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of innovative work behavior (IWB) by examining the moderating role of transformational leadership in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of innovative work behavior (IWB) by examining the moderating role of transformational leadership in the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
The study surveyed 371 employees from SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina by adopting convenience sampling. Hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The findings supported the authors’ assumptions that IWB determinants such as psychological empowerment, participation in the decision-making process and organizational justice are positively related to IWB. Besides, transformational leadership moderates the relationship between organizational justice and IWB.
Research limitations/implications
The data for this study was collected by using convenience sampling as well as a cross-sectional survey method, which limits the generalization of results.
Practical implications
To spur the IWB among the employees in SMEs, an organization has to create an environment where psychological empowerment is high, employees have a chance to participate in the decision-making process and organizational rules and procedures are fair. In the case of organizational justice, the relationship shall be stronger if transformational leadership is present.
Originality/value
In SMEs, transformational leadership plays an important role. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates the moderating effect of transformational leadership on the relationship between one specific IWB determinant and IWB.
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Amina Raza Malik, Laxmikant Manroop and Parbudyal Singh
The purpose of this study is to examine the career transition experiences of three immigrants from Pakistan in Canadian organisations using Nicholson’s four-phase transition cycle.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the career transition experiences of three immigrants from Pakistan in Canadian organisations using Nicholson’s four-phase transition cycle.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study approach was used, and data were collected through three in-depth, semi-structured interviews to determine how immigrants experience career transitions in Canadian organisations.
Findings
The findings show that all three participants had almost the same level of expectations before coming to Canada; however, there were significant differences in their career transition experiences. These findings demonstrate that immigrants’ career experiences can be understood and examined through the lens of Nicholson’s transition framework; their expectations and experiences at one stage subsequently affected their experiences at later stages.
Research limitations/implications
A longitudinal research design would be an excellent approach to explore immigrants’ career transition over time.
Practical implications
Organisations hiring skilled immigrants need to be more supportive of their efforts in reducing immigrants’ feeling of underemployment and discrimination.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the immigrant literature by presenting a new way of looking at immigrants’ experiences in Canadian organisations. It also contributes to the career literature by extending the application of Nicholson transition cycle to an underrepresented population (i.e. immigrants) in careers research.
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Sajjad Nazir, Amina Shafi, Wang Qun, Nadia Nazir and Quang Dung Tran
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between extrinsic, intrinsic and social rewards and two components of organizational commitment and finally Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between extrinsic, intrinsic and social rewards and two components of organizational commitment and finally Chinese workers turnover intention in public and private sector.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was utilized as the method for data collection. Structural equation modeling was utilized to examine survey data obtained from 202 employees in the southern part of China.
Findings
The findings exhibit that extrinsic, social and intrinsic rewards were significantly related to affective and normative commitment. Findings suggest that satisfaction with extrinsic benefits, supervisor support, coworker support, autonomy, training and participation in decision making has substantial impact on employee’s affective and normative commitment. However, affective and normative commitment was negatively related to employee turnover intention.
Research limitations/implications
This study covers different public and private-sector organization employees working in China. Therefore other geographical areas could be designated for future research endeavors with a bigger sample size.
Practical implications
With the purpose of boosting employee commitment, managers must provide their employees with greater autonomy, appropriate training and participation in decision making in the organization, as well as enhancing supervisor and coworker support.
Originality/value
This research investigates how Chinese employees with different categories of organizational rewards react to different kinds of organizational commitment and turnover intention in Chinese organizational context.
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Salman Iqbal, Sami Ullah, Amina Rizwan, Naima Nazeer, Mamoona Rasheed and Ahmed Faisal Imtiaz Siddiqi
Microfinance institutions (MFI) must adapt to rapidly changing market conditions, including stringent regulations and diverse customer demands, necessitating a high absorptive…
Abstract
Purpose
Microfinance institutions (MFI) must adapt to rapidly changing market conditions, including stringent regulations and diverse customer demands, necessitating a high absorptive capacity. This research elucidates how organizational culture promotes knowledge sharing, thereby enhancing an organization’s ability to absorb and utilize new knowledge, with particular attention to the moderating role of MFI size.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 450 randomly selected employees of MFIs in Pakistan. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling in WarpPLS 8.0.
Findings
The findings show that knowledge sharing mediates the relationship between organizational culture and absorptive capacity. The impact is more pronounced in larger MFIs, while smaller MFIs exhibit greater agility in adapting to new knowledge.
Practical implications
MFIs, particularly in dynamic markets like Pakistan, should enhance their absorptive capacity by fostering an organizational culture that promotes knowledge sharing. While larger MFIs benefit from structured knowledge-sharing practices, they should address potential bureaucratic impediments to maintain agility.
Social implications
By improving absorptive capacity, MFIs can better innovate and tailor their services to underserved communities, contributing to financial inclusion and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. This research provides insights for policymakers and practitioners on fostering sustainable development through strategic organizational practices in MFIs.
Originality/value
The findings offer a practical framework linking theoretical concepts from the resource-based and knowledge-based views to real-world applications, particularly in developing economies. It emphasizes the crucial role of organizational culture in enabling MFIs to adapt and thrive in challenging environments.
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The Fruit Control Act, 1924, is an important one as it provides for the establishment of a Fruit Control Board, and is described as an “Act to make Provision for Control of the…
Abstract
The Fruit Control Act, 1924, is an important one as it provides for the establishment of a Fruit Control Board, and is described as an “Act to make Provision for Control of the Fruit Trade.” The following definitions are laid down :—Board is the Export Board of Control, or a Local Control Board established under this Act. Fruit: this term is applied to apples and pears only. Fruit Trees are apple trees and pear trees only. Producers are persons carrying on business as producers of fruit for sale and being the occupiers of orchards registered under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act of 1908. The Export Control Board may give directions as to grading, packing, handling, storage, shipment, sale, insurance against loss, display at exhibitions, and generally all matters relating to handling, distributing and disposal of fruit. It may also appoint overseas agents to act under its directions. To enable the Export. Control Board to control effectively the export of fruit, the Governor‐General may, under the Customs Act, 1913, prohibit the export of any fruit save in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister of Agriculture in terms approved by the Board. Part I. of the Act applies to fruit grown for export, and s. 3, i, states that this part of the Act shall come into operation by Proclamation approved by the Executive Council. It is, however, provided by s. 3, ii, that the Proclamation shall not issue unless a proposal has been carried at a poll of producers by a majority of valid votes recorded, and (sec. 4) if seventy per cent. of the producers in a district wish their district to be excluded from the operations of the Act, then the Minister of Agriculture shall by notice in the “ Gazette ” exclude that district. In this way the important Otago provincial district was excluded by notice on 15th January, 1925. Since it seems that no provision was made in Part I. of the original Act in the event of persons changing their minds, Otago presumably would have excluded itself for ever from the operations of the Act. The Act was designed to aid fruit growers and to further the interests of the apple exporters, for under s.s. 8–14, the Export Control Board has power to assume absolute or limited control over fruit intended for export after service on the owner of the fruit or by notice in the newspapers. It guaranteed, in fact, the quality of the fruit. Otago fruit growers seemed to have thought better of the matter, and an Amending Act (No. 6, 1932) was passed whereby (s. 2) Otago fell into line with the rest of the Dominion. Part II. of the Act applies to fruit for home consumption. It is not at present operative in any part of the Dominion, as the necessary authority under the Act has not been given by poll of fruit growers. Provision in this case, however, has been made for fresh polls to be taken if ten per cent. of the producers petition that this should be done. It is not as far as we know anywhere implied, still less expressly stated, that the Act shall be made to apply to any fruits other than apples or pears. Still, it seems only reasonable to see in this Act a basis for further legislation of the same kind which may in the future be applied to other fruits. It seems to have operated most successfully as far as apples for export are concerned. During the debate in the Legislative Council on the Fruit Preserving Industry Act of 1913, the then member for Nelson, which is perhaps the most successful apple‐growing district in the Dominion, stated that two years before—that is about the year 1911—there was a shipment of apples to England. “Nothing has been done as far as I can gather in following up that experiment.” The Minister for Agriculture was able to assure him that the apple consignment to England had turned out very satisfactorily. The export trade in apples has perhaps turned out to be far more satisfactory that anyone twenty years ago, either in New Zealand or in this country, could have supposed. The experimental shipment of 1911 was followed by the four years of war with its immense disorganisation, so that the industry, as we know it, may be said to have originated with this Act. In a word, the Act ensures uniformity of the consignments of fresh apples and pears exported from the Dominion to this and other countries. The export of fruit from New Zealand has, as everyone knows, been in operation, with varying success, for a number of years. Otago, for example, had established, through the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers' Council, its own system of shipping and marketing fruit grown in the Province and intended for export—this indeed appears to have been the chief reason for the refusal of Otago to vote itself into control under Part I. of the 1924 Act. Still, we agree with the member for Egmont when he stated in the course of the debate on the Bill that “ the export of fruit is virtually a new business.” It will be readily seen that the control and guarantee of fruit—apples and pears—for export, and the advice and assistance rendered to the fruit growers must in the long run react on the output of the growers of every kind of fruit in the Dominion, it appears to be only a question of time. The time will have come when New Zealand grows more fruit than it can consume. When the Dominion grows the surplus fruit the amount of imported fruit must very materially decrease. Fresh fruit will still be exported, but we venture to predict that canned fruit will form a not inconsiderable proportion of the fruit trade taken as a whole when that time comes. The jam‐making industry already absorbs a considerable quantity of fruit, and if jam can be made fruit can be canned. Thirty‐five years ago a Mr. W. J. Palmer stated “ Nature has in the most unmistakable manner destined New Zealand to be pre‐eminently a fruit‐growing country… . New Zealand can produce, without artificial aid, almost everything that California has to raise by the expensive agency of irrigation.” If New Zealand can do that, then it is in as good a position to supply us with some of our imported canned fruit, as are the Dominions of Canada, Australia and South Africa, and the United States. Indeed, climatically it is on the whole better equipped than are the other countries just mentioned. Still, things seemed to have moved slowly as regards fruit‐canning in New Zealand. In 1910 and in other years the Year Book observes “ a great deal more might be done in bottling fruits … if only for home consumption.” The total amount of apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums gathered in the Dominion amounts to 2,363 thousand bushels in round figures, and the last four named fruits make but 12·5 per cent. of this total. There would therefore seem to be plenty of room for expansion in the growth of these fruits which presumably form no inconsiderable amount of the fruit which is being canned for home consumption at the present time. Otago heads the list for production in all four, and markedly so for nectarines and apricots. It may be remarked that out of a total of 18 thousand acres returned as under fruit, the average size of a holding is about 7½ acres, the number of holdings decreasing rapidly after the 20–30 acre limit has been passed. New Zealand is therefore technically what we should describe as a land of small holdings as far as the fruit industry is concerned. In 1931 canned and bottled fruit valued at over £60,000 was imported into New Zealand—this figure does not include the value of imported pineapples. The country of origin was mainly Australia, and the fruits for the most part consisted of apricots and peaches. In 1931, 20,399 cwt. of fruit of New Zealand origin and valued at £45,691 was canned, and 16,086 cwt. valued at £29,337 was pulped. The Dominion has evidently still a very long way to go before it becomes self‐supporting in the matter of canned fruits, even though it may be able to grow the fruit itself, while an export trade in canned fruits is presumably still a long way below the commercial horizon.
Salman Iqbal, Sami Ullah, Amina Rizwan, Naima Nazeer, Mamoona Rasheed and Ahmad Faisal Imtiaz Siddiqi
The strict regulations and reporting requirements in microfinance institutions require a high level of knowledge and expertise in finance, accounting and risk management…
Abstract
Purpose
The strict regulations and reporting requirements in microfinance institutions require a high level of knowledge and expertise in finance, accounting and risk management. Therefore, microfinance institutions (MFIs) must possess a high absorptive capacity to understand their customers’ needs and develop appropriate products and services to meet them. This study explains how organizational culture influences absorptive capacity in MFIs, with a particular focus on the mediating role of knowledge sharing.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 450 randomly selected employees of microfinance banking institutions in Pakistan. The data were tested for reliability and validity, and hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling in WarpPLS 8.0.
Findings
The findings show that knowledge! sharing mediates the relationship between organizational culture and absorptive capacity. Thus, MFIs should promote knowledge sharing as a cultural value to improve their ability to acquire and utilize new knowledge, enhance absorptive capacity to drive innovation and facilitate the development of new products and services.
Practical implications
MFIs with higher absorptive capacity are more likely to be able to respond to changes in the market, such as new technologies or shifting customer demands. Therefore, managers should promote a culture of sharing knowledge and expertise to ensure adaptability in dynamic market conditions.
Originality/value
This research provides a framework for organizations to better understand the role of knowledge sharing in their success and how to leverage it to enhance their absorptive capacity. It is valuable for academics and practitioners seeking to improve organizational performance and competitiveness.
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Amina Zahafi and Mohamed Hadid
This paper aims to simplify a new frequency-independent model to calculate vertical vibration of rigid circular foundation resting on homogenous half-space and subjected to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to simplify a new frequency-independent model to calculate vertical vibration of rigid circular foundation resting on homogenous half-space and subjected to vertical harmonic excitation is presented in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed model is an oscillator of single degree of freedom, which comprises a mass, a spring and a dashpot. In addition, a fictitious mass is added to the foundation. All coefficients are frequency-independent. The spring is equal to the static stiffness. Damping coefficient and fictitious mass are first calculated at resonance frequency where the response is maximal. Then, using a curve fitting technique the general formulas of damping and fictitious mass frequency-independent are established.
Findings
The validity of the proposed method is checked by comparing the predicted response with those obtained by the half-space theory. The dynamic responses of the new simplified model are also compared with those obtained by some existing lumped-parameter models.
Originality/value
Using this new method, to calculate the dynamic response of foundations, the engineer only needs the geometrical and mechanical characteristics of the foundation (mass and radius) and the soil (density, shear modulus and the Poisson’s ratio) using just a simple calculator. Impedance functions will no longer be needed in this new simplified method. The methodology used for the development of the new simplified model can be applied for the resolution of other problems in dynamics of soil and foundation (superficial and embedded foundations of arbitrary shape, other modes of vibration and foundations resting on non-homogeneous soil).
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Amina Raza Malik and Parbudyal Singh
The purpose of this paper is to examine how diversity of cultural minority newcomers and transformational leadership affect the socialization process of cultural minorities in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how diversity of cultural minority newcomers and transformational leadership affect the socialization process of cultural minorities in organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual model is developed based on diversity theory and past research studies.
Findings
The authors highlight the roles of transformational leadership and diversity mindsets in facilitating their socialization process.
Research limitations/implications
Using quantitative studies, future research should attempt to test the propositions presented in this paper by conducting employee-level studies.
Practical implications
The focus of diversity training needs to be changed from preventing unfairness and discrimination to viewing diversity as an important informational resource. Leaders of cultural minority newcomers should be trained to lead in a more transformational manner.
Originality/value
Scholars suggest that research on cultural minorities is lacking and their integration in organizations is examined less extensively. In this paper, the authors fill this gap and present a conceptual model examining the socialization process of cultural minorities.