Neuza Ribeiro, Daniel Gomes, Ana Rita Oliveira and Ana Suzete Dias Semedo
The incompatibility between the sphere of work and the family is a reality that plagues many workers today. The difficult articulation of these two domains leads to the experience…
Abstract
Purpose
The incompatibility between the sphere of work and the family is a reality that plagues many workers today. The difficult articulation of these two domains leads to the experience of the phenomenon called work–family conflict (WFC). This paper aims to assess the impact that WFC may have on employee engagement and performance, as well as on their turnover intention. It is also intended to test the mediating effect of engagement on the relationship between WFC and performance, and between WFC and the turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
One hundred and sixty-seven employees from various Portuguese organizations were surveyed. Respondents reported their perceptions of own WFC, engagement, performance and turnover intention.
Findings
The results revealed that employees who feel a higher WFC have lower levels of engagement and greater intention to leave the organization. The WFC showed no relation to performance. Engagement takes on the mediating role in the relationship between WFC and the turnover intention.
Practical implications
The relevance of this study is related to the implications that it may bring to companies in the context of implementing work–family balance strategies to reduce the referred conflict.
Originality/value
This study contributes to WFC literature by attempting to integrate in the same model four concepts in a single study to provide a model that depicts the chain of effects between WFC, engagement, individual performance and turnover intention, which has never been done in the Portuguese context.
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Sónia Maria Martins Caridade, Rosa Saavedra, Rita Ribeiro, Ana Cristina Oliveira, Manuela Santos, Iris Sofia Almeida and Cristina Soeiro
This paper aims to characterize the type of support provided to victims of violence against women and domestic violence (VAWDV) during the first lockdown, assessing the training…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to characterize the type of support provided to victims of violence against women and domestic violence (VAWDV) during the first lockdown, assessing the training of professionals to use remote support (RS).
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study involves a sample of 196 support professionals, mainly women (91.8%) and who integrate the Portuguese National Support Network for victims of domestic violence (NSNVDV) (Mean age = 36.49; SD = 10.52).
Findings
Telephone emerges as the main RS communication media used in the lockdown (43.9%) and the emergency state periods (57.1%). Participants reported to have never used any social applications (41.8% vs 41.8%) or videoconference (46.4% vs 58.2%), in both periods assessed, i.e. lockdown and emergency state, respectively, and 82.7% assumed to have no training with RS to assist VAWDV victims. However, support professionals recognized several advantages in using RS such as dealing with isolation, reducing inhibition, fear and shame and in promoting the victims’ empowerment.
Research limitations/implications
Given the exploratory nature of this study, only descriptive analyzes were conducted.
Originality/value
During the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about effective RS given by professionals to victims of VAWDV in the Portuguese context. The paper aims to add knowledge to the studied field.
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Jorge Oliveira, Cláudia Pereira and Ana Oliveira
This study aims to investigate the footwear industry’s resilience to external changes in an attempt to provide insights into strategies that can define effective organizational…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the footwear industry’s resilience to external changes in an attempt to provide insights into strategies that can define effective organizational responses to environmental stimuli. In this sense, it is important to understand how companies have adapted to the exogenous shocks. Thus, this paper addresses the impact of the exogenous shocks like COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war and energy crisis in the European Union and focuses on the potential resilience strategies implemented by the footwear industry.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a qualitative approach, 3 interviews were carried out on the structural basis of the footwear industry, namely at an associative and technological level, and 11 in footwear companies.
Findings
This study shows that the exogenous shocks forced changes in the nature of business, namely: (1) manufacturers entered the B2C segment, shortening the supply chain; (2) it provided changes at the strategic level (greater focus on the development of operational and logistics strategies) and digitization (digital transformation to support the execution of essential activities); (3) development of new products (emergence of a market opportunity that combines the concepts of sporty and classic shoes).
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to the footwear industry, does not address how cultural, social or behavioral differences in specific markets may impact adaptation to exogenous shocks, and focuses on recent exogenous shocks, without analyzing similar past events for historical comparisons. It also does not explore the direct financial impact of the suggested strategies.
Practical implications
This study focuses on strategic business adaptation in crisis scenarios, showing the importance of flexibility and resilience, suggesting specific practices to improve supply chain resilience. This can help companies reduce vulnerabilities in the face of global disruptions.
Social implications
This study provides an important contribution to contingency theory, by demonstrating that companies need to adjust their structures and strategies in response to exogenous shocks.
Originality/value
This study focuses on the concept of resilience to find out what strategies should be adopted to respond to external changes.
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Luis M. Camarinha-Matos, Ana Ines Oliveira, Filipa Ferrada and Victor Thamburaj
The purpose of this paper is to support effective business services provision along the life cycle of complex service-enhanced products, such as the case of solar power plants…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to support effective business services provision along the life cycle of complex service-enhanced products, such as the case of solar power plants, and to explore collaborative approaches for multi-stakeholder business services.
Design/methodology/approach
Design and implementation of adequate collaboration strategies and cloud-based support mechanisms to facilitate creation and management of collaborative networks in this sector. For this purpose, a conceptual framework, a cloud-based platform and a set of collaboration support tools are proposed. Validation is based on a pilot implementation and interactions with a large group of end users.
Findings
Validation results confirmed the suitability of the collaborative networks approach in this sector, which often involves multiple small and medium size enterprises.
Originality/value
The interplay between long-term strategic networks and goal-oriented collaborative networks and their interaction with the various phases of the product-services life cycle correspond to a novel approach in this sector, traditionally focused on a sub-contracting model. This opens new opportunities for enhancing the value of complex products through collaborative value-added services. Of particular relevance is also the adoption of collaborative approaches for service co-creation.
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Ana Oliveira, Filipa Teixeira, Félix Neto and Ângela Maia
Being a first responder involves facing a wide variety of stressful situations that could affect health and well-being. Peer support appears as a beneficial strategy to deal with…
Abstract
Purpose
Being a first responder involves facing a wide variety of stressful situations that could affect health and well-being. Peer support appears as a beneficial strategy to deal with work-related stress. Despite this support approach have been implemented in a variety of contexts, these interventions must to be adapted to specific needs. In this sense, the aim of this study was to explore, from a first responders' perspective, what they think about peer support and how it can be put into practice
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed in-depth 14 first responders of Portuguese Red Cross branches from the north of Portugal. Data was analyzed according to Thematic Analysis procedures.
Findings
The authors found two main themes: (1) a valuable, sustainable and ongoing support and (2) overcome barriers and rooted resistances. Participants highlighted the importance of peer support along the Red Cross path, and as daily routine. Moreover, they considered that peers should have some personal characteristics, skills and training in order to provide support to colleagues more effectively. Additionally, they made suggestions to overcome some anticipated barriers.
Practical implications
By considering mental health and well-being of workers, a priority and by being developed based on international recommendations and professionals testimonies, peer support appears as a valuable tool possible to be implemented and able to tailor the emergency branches' needs.
Originality/value
This is the first qualitative study about the first responder's perceptions of peer support.
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Keywords
Ana Cristina Oliveira, Félix Neto, Filipa Teixeira and Ângela Maia
Ambulance personnel face a diversity of stressful events that could be potentially traumatic, putting their health and well-being at risk. The purpose of this paper is to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
Ambulance personnel face a diversity of stressful events that could be potentially traumatic, putting their health and well-being at risk. The purpose of this paper is to explore, from this group perspective, sources of stress, coping strategies and support measures.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed 14 ambulance workers of Portuguese Red Cross local structures from the north of Portugal. Data were analyzed according to thematic analysis procedures.
Findings
The authors identified three themes: operational and organizational factors, control and predictability; anticipating scenarios, focusing on procedures and dealing with reactions; and from undervalued support to support as routine. Dealing with human lives, the unpredictability of calls and working under pressure are the main sources of stress, causing, in some of them, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Road accidents, situations involving children and cardiac arrest are the most distressing events. During events, they cope focusing on technical procedures, but after them they prefer to talk with colleagues and seek support from family and friends. All participants emphasize the inexistence of structured support measures.
Practical implications
It is important to develop support measures tailored to ambulance personnel’s needs, leading to enhancements of theirs work performance, health and well-being.
Originality/value
Contrarily to most of the studies that explore mostly PTSD and/or burnout, the authors explored, from the perspective of professionals, other dimensions such as sources of stress, coping strategies and support measures, adopting a qualitative approach, which has been rarely used.
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Tânia Ferraro and Ana Cristina de Oliveira Lott
The present study aims to present the adaptation and validation of the empowering leadership questionnaire (ELQ) for a sample of Brazilian workers (N = 827).
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to present the adaptation and validation of the empowering leadership questionnaire (ELQ) for a sample of Brazilian workers (N = 827).
Design/methodology/approach
The procedures of items translation, adaptation and back-translation of the original instrument were carried out. Data collection was performed using the snowball method. Data were evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis.
Findings
The results showed that the factor structure was maintained as in the portuguese (from Portugal) and English versions (original). Convergent validity was tested using the ethical leadership at work questionnaire (ELW). The analyses showed that the measure has good psychometric qualities, reliability indices and convergent validity results with the ELW.
Research limitations/implications
The ELQ can still be used to identify the presence of empowering leadership (diagnostic phase) and contribute to proposing organizational interventions that lead to healthier and more productive work environments. Its convergent validity with ethical leadership suggests that managers can apply both (empowering and ethical leadership complementarily) to create quality interactions between leaders and team members that increase workers’ autonomy and allow them to respond promptly to organizational challenges.
Originality/value
Using the ELQ can represent an important tool for the theoretical and practical development of studies of empowering leadership with Brazilian samples.
Propósito
El presente estudio tiene como objetivo presentar la adaptación y validación del Cuestionario de Liderazgo Empoderador (CLE) para una muestra de trabajadores brasileños (N = 827).
Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque
Se realizaron procedimientos de traducción de ítems, adaptación y retrotraducción del instrumento original. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo mediante el método de bola de nieve. Los datos se evaluaron con el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC).
Hallazgos
Los resultados mostraron que la estructura factorial se mantuvo como en las versiones en Portugal e inglés (original). La validez convergente se probó utilizando el Cuestionario de Liderazgo Ético en el Trabajo (CLET). Los análisis realizados mostraron que la medida tiene buenas cualidades psicométricas, buenos índices de confiabilidad y buenos resultados de validez convergente con el CLET.
Originalidad/valor
El uso del CLE puede representar una herramienta importante para el desarrollo teórico y práctico de estudios de liderazgo empoderador con muestras brasileñas.
Implicaciones de la investigación
El CLE aún puede ser utilizado para identificar la presencia de liderazgo empoderador (fase de diagnóstico) y contribuir a proponer intervenciones que conduzcan a la creación de entornos de trabajo más saludables y productivos. Su validez convergente con el liderazgo ético sugiere que los gerentes pueden aplicar ambos tipos de liderazgo, complementarmente, para crear interacciones de calidad entre líderes y miembros del equipo que aumenten la autonomía de los trabajadores y les permitan responder con prontitud a los desafíos organizacionales.
Objetivo
O presente estudo tem o objetivo de apresentar a adaptação e validação do Questionário de Liderança Empoderadora (QLE) para uma amostra de trabalhadores brasileiros (N = 827).
Design/método/abordagem
Foram realizados os procedimentos de tradução, adaptação e retroversão dos itens do instrumento original. A recolha de dados foi realizada utilizando o método bola de neve. Os dados foram avaliados com a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC).
Resultados
Os resultados mostraram que a estrutura fatorial se manteve como nas versóes portuguesa e inglesa (original). A validade convergente foi testada com a aplicação do Questionário de Liderança Ética no Trabalho (QLET). As análises realizadas mostraram que a medida possui boas qualidades psicométricas, bons índices de confiabilidade e bons resultados de validade convergente com o QLET.
Originalidade/valor
A utilização do QLE pode representar uma importante ferramenta para o desenvolvimento teórico e prático dos estudos da liderança empoderadora com amostras brasileiras.
Implicações da pesquisa
O QLE ainda pode ser utilizado para identificar a presença da liderança empoderadora (fase diagnóstica) e contribuir para proposição de intervenções que levem a criação de ambientes de trabalho mais saudáveis e produtivos. Sua validade convergente com a liderança ética sugere que os gestores podem aplicar os dois tipos de liderança, complementarmente, de modo a criar interações de qualidade entre líderes e liderados que aumentem a autonomia dos trabalhadores e permitam que respondam prontamente aos desafios organizacionais.
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Rodolfo Nicolay and Ana Jordânia de Oliveira
Studies about the determinants of the clarity of central bank communication are still scarce. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies regarding emerging economies. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Studies about the determinants of the clarity of central bank communication are still scarce. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies regarding emerging economies. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature in the following aspects: to analyze the determinants of the clarity of the central bank communication in an inflation targeting emerging economy; observe the influence of inflation volatility over the clarity; and observe the effect of the monetary policy signaling over the clarity.
Design/methodology/approach
The work uses readability indexes to measure the clarity of central bank communication. The empirical analysis uses ordinary least squares and the Generalized Method of Moments with one- and two-step estimations.
Findings
The findings suggest the inflation volatility reduces the clarity of central bank communication. Moreover, the monetary policy signaling also affects the clarity, but the effect depends on the direction of the signal.
Practical implications
This paper observes the determinants of the clarity considering an emerging economy environment. The clarity of central bank communications is an important tool to access transparency. Hence, the analysis of what determines the clarity of central bank communication is a debate about the level of transparency accessed by the central bank.
Originality/value
There are no studies about the determinants of the clarity of central bank communication in emerging economies. Moreover, the novelty are the effects of inflation volatility and monetary policy signaling over the clarity.
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Alan Bandeira Pinheiro and Ana Lidia de Oliveira Silva Ramalho
Framed under the upper echelons theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board characteristics on the adoption of the global reporting initiative (GRI…
Abstract
Purpose
Framed under the upper echelons theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board characteristics on the adoption of the global reporting initiative (GRI) guidelines for corporate disclosure and, consequently, their effect on the company’s market value.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the research objective, the authors investigated the impact of certain important board characteristics, such as board independence, size, gender diversity and director skills. The authors examined the adoption of GRI guidelines by 371 companies based in Latin America. Using logistic regression and panel data analysis, the authors tested five hypotheses.
Findings
The findings can confirm the upper echelons theory, showing that directors have an important role in determining environmental policies and strategies in their companies. The authors confirm that three characteristics affect GRI adoption in Latin America: independence, gender diversity and skills of board directors. The authors also found that companies that adhere to the GRI tend to perform better in terms of market capitalization.
Practical implications
Managers who want their organization to perform better in terms of GRI disclosure must understand that characteristics such as board independence, gender diversity and directors’ skills play a significant role in the company adopting the GRI for corporate disclosure. Furthermore, managers must be aware that by adopting the GRI, the company increases its market value through market capitalization.
Originality/value
The literature is still unaware of how the adoption of GRI can bring financial returns to organizations that adopt this type of standard to disclose their corporate reports. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical paper to investigate the antecedents and consequences of GRI adoption in Latin America.
Details
Keywords
- Global Reporting Initiative
- Board of directors
- Upper echelons theory
- Board structure
- Latin America
- Global Reporting Initiative
- Directorio
- Teoría de los escalones superiores
- Estructura del directorio
- América Latina
- Global Reporting Initiative
- Conselho de administração
- Upper Echelons Theory
- Estrutura do conselho
- América Latina
- Palavras-chave Global Reporting Initiative
- Conselho de administração
- Upper Echelons Theory
- Estrutura do conselho
- América Latina
Martha Canfield, Polly Radcliffe, Ana Flavia Pires Lucas D’Oliveira and Gail Gilchrist
The purpose of this paper is to examine frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) severity perpetrated by heterosexual men receiving treatment for substance use…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) severity perpetrated by heterosexual men receiving treatment for substance use towards a current partner in the past 12 months.
Design/methodology/approach
A secondary analysis of a self-reported questionnaire (n=162) completed by men receiving treatment for substance use in England and Brazil was conducted. Types of IPV perpetration (emotional, physical and/or sexual IPV) and frequency of occurrence were assessed. A five level ordinal variable for IPV perpetration severity was created: no IPV, minor; moderate, low severe and high severe. Psychological and cultural correlates of perpetration severity were explored using ordinal logistic regression.
Findings
Approximately four in ten men reported perpetrating IPV towards their partner in the past 12 months, one in ten reported perpetrating severe IPV (including hitting with something, kicking or beating, choking or burning, threatening with/using a weapon, sexual IPV and frequent emotional IPV) during this period. A number of correlates of perpetration severity were identified: experiencing childhood physical abuse, witnessing IPV in childhood, perpetrating IPV in previous relationships, committing violence towards another man, controlling behaviours, technology-facilitated abuse, depressive symptoms, having a substance using partner, receiving treatment for illicit drug use, hazardous drinking and poly-drug use.
Research limitations/implications
Despite the small sample size, small to large positive associations were observed between reporting IPV perpetration and several factors. These factors could be targeted to improve identification and assessment of IPV among men receiving treatment for substance use.
Originality/value
A strength of this study methodology is the use of a specific 12 months time frame for the perpetration of IPV towards current partner. The categorisation of levels of IPV perpetration based on types and frequency of violence occurrence was an additional valuable contribution of this study.