Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the process by which nonfinancial performance measures affect employee perceptions of how fair are their organizations'…
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the process by which nonfinancial performance measures affect employee perceptions of how fair are their organizations' performance evaluation procedures. With increased interest in performance measurement systems that rely heavily on nonfinancial measures (e.g., balanced scorecard), it is important to understand the ramifications of these measures.
Methodology – Data are drawn from mail survey questionnaire responses of 121 Australian managers and analyzed by structural equation modeling.
Findings – The results provide support for the proposition that employees perceive the use of nonfinancial measures as fair. However, these effects are found to be indirect through (1) the enhancement of employee role clarity, and (2) the enhancement of the trust the employees have in their supervisors.
Research limitations and practical implications – This study does not directly address the issue of whether nonfinancial measures will ultimately lead to improved overall organizational performance. However, the results do suggest that the use of nonfinancial measures for employee performance evaluation is beneficial. Hence, there may scope for increasing their role in the workplace. This may ultimately lead to improved organizational performance.
Value of paper – The current interest in multidimensional performance systems clearly necessitates systematic empirical investigation to ascertain their effectiveness and benefits. This study contributes in this regard by focusing on nonfinancial measures, a key component of multidimensional performance measurement systems. It also adds to our understanding of the process by such systems influence employee reactions and ultimately overall organizational performance.
Martin George Wynn, Phillip Turner and Erin Lau
– The purpose of this research paper is to explore the impacts of e-business technology adoption at process level in SMEs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to explore the impacts of e-business technology adoption at process level in SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews a range of literature and mainstream models relating to e-business impacts in SMEs and then focuses on two in-depth case studies. The cases draw their empirical material from the involvement of the authors in e-business project management in these two companies.
Findings
The two case studies show significant impacts of e-business technology at process level. They also illustrate how contrasting information systems strategies can successfully embrace e-business process change, and suggest the importance of organisational issues in determining the degree of benefits delivery.
Research limitations/implications
The paper suggests a framework for analysing the impact of e-business at process level that can be used with other SME case studies.
Practical implications
The suggested assessment framework can be used for comparison with e-business implementations in other SMEs.
Originality/value
The value of the case studies lies in their originality and the paper highlights the potential impacts and benefits of e-business at process level. The suggested assessment framework builds on existing models and concepts but provides an update and customisation relevant to today's e-business technologies and business environment.
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Brian J. Collins, Timothy P. Munyon, Neal M. Ashkanasy, Erin Gallagher, Sandra A. Lawrence, Jennifer O'Connor and Stacey Kessler
Teams in extreme and disruptive contexts face unique challenges that can undermine coordination and decision-making. In this study, we evaluated how affective differences between…
Abstract
Purpose
Teams in extreme and disruptive contexts face unique challenges that can undermine coordination and decision-making. In this study, we evaluated how affective differences between team members and team process norms affected the team's decision-making effectiveness.
Approach
Teams were placed in a survival simulation where they evaluated how best to maximize the team's survival prospects given scarce resources. We incorporated multisource and multirater (i.e., team, observer, and archival) data to ascertain the impacts of affect asymmetry and team process norms on decision-making effectiveness.
Findings
Results suggest that teams with low positive affect asymmetry and low process norms generate the most effective decisions. The least effective team decision performance occurred in teams characterized by high variance in team positive affectivity (high positive affect asymmetry) and low process norms. We found no similar effect for teams with high process norms and no effect for negative affect asymmetry, however, irrespective of team process norms.
Originality
These findings support the affect infusion model and extend cognitive resource theory, by highlighting how affect infusion processes and situational constraints influence team decision-making in extreme and disruptive contexts.
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P.S. Braterman, J.L. Marshall, J. Sees, C. Tan and J. Zhao
The unique advantages of confocal microscopy are used to explore four cases of interest: (i) voids in solder (depth and surface texture determined), (ii) steam vs ambient aged…
Abstract
The unique advantages of confocal microscopy are used to explore four cases of interest: (i) voids in solder (depth and surface texture determined), (ii) steam vs ambient aged solder coupons (significant differences detected), (iii) integrated circuit construction (sub‐surface contamination by µm‐size particles observed) and (iv) circuit boards and solder pads (non‐destructive optical sectioning through no‐wash flux layers). It is shown that confocal microscopy strongly complements SEM (scanning electron microscopy); SEM alone presents an incomplete description of a solder surface and in fact can sometimes produce misleading results.
William A. Gentry, Karl W. Kuhnert, Scott P. Mondore and Erin E. Page
Using “districts” nested within “regions”, this multi‐level analysis research aims to examine whether a climate of supervisory‐support at a “district”‐level (as measured by…
Abstract
Purpose
Using “districts” nested within “regions”, this multi‐level analysis research aims to examine whether a climate of supervisory‐support at a “district”‐level (as measured by perceived supervisor support (PSS)), and “region”‐level unemployment rates were related to “district”‐level retention rates of blue‐collar part‐time employees (PTEs).
Design/methodology/approach
Blue‐collar PTE retention rates (from company records) and PSS levels (from a company‐wide survey) of a large global service provider were gathered. “Regional” unemployment rates were collected via publicly‐accessible government statistics.
Findings
The study finds that PSS levels of blue‐collar PTEs were related to retention rates. Additionally, through the nested relationship of the study, the “region”‐level unemployment rate was also related to PTE retention levels.
Research limitation/implications
Limitations of the study included generalization to other companies, inability to collect demographic data, sample size and sampling issues, and concerns about the measurement of retention.
Practical implications
This study revealed that supervisory‐support climate was important in PTE retention. This paper gives mechanisms that managers can use to improve PSS levels of employees. Additionally, since organizations exist in environments, results show that the external environment may affect organizational outcomes, no matter what occurs internally in the organization.
Originality/value
This study is unique since it focused specifically on blue‐collar PTEs, a much‐needed group of people to research. The paper gave ways for managers to enhance their relationship with PTEs, thereby having special value for managers and those who study managerial development. Additionally, the study gave evidence that organizations exist in environments, and factors outside the organization may affect retention within organizations.
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Dimitar Karadzhov, Graham Wilson, Sophie Shields, Erin Lux and Jennifer C. Davidson
The purpose of this study was to explore 232 service providers’ and policymakers’ experiences of supporting children’s well-being during the pandemic, across sectors, in 22…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore 232 service providers’ and policymakers’ experiences of supporting children’s well-being during the pandemic, across sectors, in 22 countries – including Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, India, Scotland, Sweden, Canada and the USA, in the last quarter of 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
A smartphone survey delivered via a custom-built app containing mostly open-ended questions was used. Respondents were recruited via professional networks, newsletters and social media. Qualitative content analysis was used.
Findings
The findings reveal numerous system-level challenges to supporting children’s well-being, particularly virus containment measures, resource deficiencies and inadequate governance and stakeholder coordination. Those challenges compounded preexisting inequalities and poorly affected the quality, effectiveness and reach of services. As a result, children’s rights to an adequate standard of living; protection from violence; education; play; and right to be heard were impinged upon. Concurrently, the findings illustrate a range of adaptive and innovative practices in humanitarian and subsistence support; child protection; capacity-building; advocacy; digitalisation; and psychosocial and educational support. Respondents identified several priority areas – increasing service capacity and equity; expanding technology use; mobilising cross-sectoral partnerships; involving children in decision-making; and ensuring more effective child protection mechanisms.
Practical implications
This study seeks to inform resilience-enabling policies and practices that foster equity, child and community empowerment and organisational resilience and innovation, particularly in anticipation of future crises.
Originality/value
Using a novel approach to gather in-the-moment insights remotely, this study offers a unique international and multi-sectoral perspective, particularly from low- and middle-income countries.
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Babajide Oyewo, Vincent Tawiah and Syed Tanvir Hussain
This study aims to investigate corporate governance mechanisms affecting environmental and social sustainability accounting practice (SAP). Four internal (quality of information…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate corporate governance mechanisms affecting environmental and social sustainability accounting practice (SAP). Four internal (quality of information technology [QIT], market orientation, business strategy and structure of accounting department) and two external (environmental uncertainty and market competition) governance mechanisms were examined.
Design/methodology/approach
The population of the study is comprised of 56 publicly listed manufacturing companies on the Mainboard of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was completed by senior finance personnel in each company in the sample. Structural equation modelling, logistic regression and quantile regression analysis were used to analyse data.
Findings
The results show that the extent to which Nigerian companies have implemented SAP is moderate. The authors find that the level of SAP implementation is significantly associated with market orientation and business strategy, but not with the QIT and structure of accounting department. The results also show that both external corporate governance mechanisms (i.e. environmental uncertainty and intensity of competition) have no significant effect on SAP.
Practical implications
The insignificant influence of external corporate governance mechanisms on SAP corroborates the contention that external pressure on companies to implement sustainability initiatives in developing countries is weak.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on sustainability in developing countries and incrementally adds to knowledge on the corporate governance mechanisms driving SAP in jurisdictions characterised by lax regulatory framework and weak institutional apparatus on sustainability.