Obesity and obesity-related health problems are a growing concern for many immigrants in the USA. The literature that examines the linkages between acculturation, resilience…
Abstract
Purpose
Obesity and obesity-related health problems are a growing concern for many immigrants in the USA. The literature that examines the linkages between acculturation, resilience, obesity health risks, and obesity outcomes among Black African immigrants is sparse. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether the predictor variable of acculturation showed a significant association with two criterion variables, obesity health risk symptoms, and obesity; and whether resilience acted as a moderator between acculturation, obesity health risk symptoms, and obesity among Black African immigrants living in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
The study consisted of a quantitative correlational survey research design. Participants of the study were 55 Black African immigrants residing in three metropolitan areas of the USA.
Findings
Higher levels of acculturation were associated with fewer obesity health risks. Higher levels of resilience were associated with the fewest obesity health risks when the participant also had high-acculturation levels. Resilience moderated between acculturation and obesity health risk symptoms. Neither acculturation nor resilience significantly predicted obesity. Furthermore, resilience did not moderate between acculturation and obesity.
Research limitations/implications
A primary limitation was the very small sample size of the study. Future research would be needed to examine the overall determinants of obesity among immigrant populations. Furthermore, one limitation is that some of the questions on the Weight-Related Symptom Measure (Patrick et al., 2004) were sensitive in nature, and participants might have felt uncomfortable providing information about their weight. As a result, while self-reporting, they could have underestimated their body mass index status. For example, individuals who were already overweight or obese might have reported their body weights with lower accuracy than those who were of normal weight, thereby creating error in the dependent variable.
Practical implications
Results from this study will help to promote health initiatives in Black African immigrant communities to link individuals to needed healthcare services.
Originality/value
The literature that examines the linkages between acculturation, resilience, obesity health risks, and obesity outcomes among Black African immigrants is sparse. This study is the first to use the Reserve Capacity Model for a sample of Black African immigrants.
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The idea of business clusters is used more and more in public policy as businesses and governments are noticing their advantages. The purpose of this study was to determine if a…
Abstract
Purpose
The idea of business clusters is used more and more in public policy as businesses and governments are noticing their advantages. The purpose of this study was to determine if a business cluster would be possible in an energy sector of Albany, New York, since energy is so diverse.
Design/methodology/approach
The method utilized for this research was a case study approach, whereby data were accumulated through first hand knowledge in a particular study done on a potential cluster in Albany, New York. The aim of the literature review was to decipher which elements would be necessary to develop a cluster.
Findings
The findings concluded that the basic elements of a cluster consist of: geography, the role of government, entrepreneurship, SME's, trust, cooperation and networking. All are necessary for a cluster to succeed. The researcher documented the birth of the cluster by attending several meetings and a trade show. Interviews were conducted with the leaders who were involved in the cluster, which included government, educational and business officials. The results concluded that most of the elements were present in the Albany area to develop a cluster, and therefore the cluster could be possible.
Research limitations/implications
Clusters can take years before they are successful, and this study was not nearly long enough to determine this. Further research will be needed to determine if the cluster could be fully operational.
Originality/value
This study is valuable because it offers a model for future clusters to follow. It is original in nature as there have never been any studies done on this particular topic; especially in an energy sector of Albany, New York. It also serves as foundational and historical evidence for future research.
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Earlier work has suggested that assumptions, values and beliefs about the importance of cooperating with competitors (a coopetition-oriented mindset) should manifest into…
Abstract
Purpose
Earlier work has suggested that assumptions, values and beliefs about the importance of cooperating with competitors (a coopetition-oriented mindset) should manifest into behavioural forms of coopetition, such as resource and capability-sharing activities. Yet, limited research surrounds the complexities of this link. The purpose of this study is to unpack the relationship between a coopetition-oriented mindset and coopetition-oriented behaviours under the moderating roles of industry experience and degree of internationalization, guided by resource-based theory and the relational view.
Design/methodology/approach
The chosen empirical context was the Canadian wine industry because wine producers are often involved in coopetition strategies and have varying degrees of internationalisation. Preliminary interview data were collected from 18 managers to shape the operationalisations. Then survey data were collected from 195 Canadian wine producers. After checking the statistical data for all major assessments of reliability and validity (together with common method variance), the hypothesised and control paths were tested through hierarchical regression.
Findings
A coopetition-oriented mindset had a positive and significant association with coopetition-oriented behaviours. Surprisingly, this link was negatively moderated by industry experience. Additionally, degree of internationalisation yielded a positive moderation effect. These moderators highlight situations where a coopetition-oriented mindset is (and is not) likely to manifest into coopetition activities.
Practical implications
If firms aim to engage in behavioural forms of coopetition, they should manage assumptions, values and beliefs associated with the advantages of collaborating with their competitors. Industry experience can limit the extent to which business’ coopetition-oriented mindsets manifest into coopetition-oriented behaviours. This could be explained by decision makers possessing information that discourages them from working with certain (untrustworthy) rivals because of the potential harmful effects on their performance. Companies should use their industry experience to avoid working with rival entities that will create negative outcomes, such as tensions (e.g., conflict, power imbalances and opportunistic behaviours), lost intellectual property and diluted competitive advantages. Nonetheless, industry experience might signify that there are more risks than rewards linked with these business-to-business marketing strategies. Higher levels of internationalisation can help firms to recognise that coopetition-oriented behaviours may lead to performance-enhancing opportunities in their overseas markets.
Originality/value
This investigation contributes to the business-to-business marketing literature with new evidence on how organisations can foster a coopetition-oriented mindset to engage in coopetition strategies. The negative moderation effect from industry experience highlights that knowledge of competitors’ activities can limit the extent to which coopetition-oriented behaviours are implemented. Moreover, the positive interaction effect from degree of internationalisation extends the growing body of knowledge pertaining to coopetition in an international arena. Collectively, these results show that while a coopetition-oriented mindset is a critical driver of coopetition-oriented behaviours, there are certain contingencies that can strengthen or weaken this association. Finally, by integrating resource-based theory and the relational view, this paper could explore the different forms of coopetition, in terms of organisation-wide mindsets and firm-level behaviours. This paper concludes with some managerial recommendations, alongside a series of limitations and avenues for future research.