Vinh Q. Nguyen, G. Stephen Taylor and Erich Bergiel
A recent major development in the turnover literature is the introduction of the job embeddedness (JE) construct. Although it has been shown to impact organizational outcomes such…
Abstract
Purpose
A recent major development in the turnover literature is the introduction of the job embeddedness (JE) construct. Although it has been shown to impact organizational outcomes such as voluntary turnover, there is very limited research on how JE develops or its generalizability. In an effort to begin addressing this gap, this paper aims to investigate a range of presumed organizational antecedents of JE in the context of Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
A written survey questionnaire was used to collect data from employees in a state-owned company in Hanoi, Vietnam. Of the 473 survey questionnaires distributed to company employees, a total of 292 were determined usable surveys, producing an effective response rate of 61.7 per cent.
Findings
The results indicated that organizational rewards, growth opportunities and procedural justice directly influence JE. In addition, perceived organizational support was found to mediate the relationships between these organizational factors and JE.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on both perceived organizational support and JE. In addition, this study is the first to empirically test the relationships among these two constructs and other organizational variables in the country of Vietnam.
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G. Stephen Taylor, Michael S. Garver and Zachary Williams
Owner operators are an important group of truck drivers, yet have been the subject of very little academic research. Specifically, no research has explored retention issues among…
Abstract
Purpose
Owner operators are an important group of truck drivers, yet have been the subject of very little academic research. Specifically, no research has explored retention issues among owner operators. Thus, this paper aims to employ a segmentation approach to owner operator retention, examining important independent variables that include: pay and compensation, top management support, time at home, and safety.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from a large truckload (TL) carrier. The drivers surveyed were irregular route long‐haul drivers. A total of 239 responses were obtained, for a response rate of 74.6 per cent. Latent class regression (LCR), a technique new to logistics and supply chain management (SCM) research, was utilized for data analysis.
Findings
The results show there are four different need‐based driver segments, which means that specific driver retention programs must be developed for each segment.
Research limitations/implications
The major limitation of this paper is that an attitudinal measure (intent to stay) was used to assess turnover instead of actual behavior. Additionally, only one demographic variable was collected. Implications of this paper include demonstrating the existence of unique segments within the same sample; the specification of the major attitudinal drivers for each segment; and the need to further study a largely neglected but very important group in the supply chain.
Practical implications
From a practitioner viewpoint, knowing that different groups of owner operators exist will help in developing programs to improve driver retention. Specific recommended actions for each segment are presented. These results will help managers with the retention of owner operators.
Originality/value
Owner operators are an important group when it comes to making the global supply chain function smoothly and efficiently. Yet, little research in logistics and SCM address this group. Driver turnover continues to plague the TL industry and understanding owner operators, and their segments, is critical to improve driver retention, cost structure, and profitability. Also, to determine if segments of this under‐researched group exist, LCR was deployed.
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Michael D. Richard, Stephen A. LeMay, G. Stephen Taylor and Gregory B. Turner
Driver turnover is one of the most pressing issues facing the trucking industry. Low job satisfaction has been identified as a major reason for turnover among employees…
Abstract
Driver turnover is one of the most pressing issues facing the trucking industry. Low job satisfaction has been identified as a major reason for turnover among employees. Conventional wisdom in the trucking industry is that low pay and lack of home time are the factors that cause driver dissatisfaction. This manuscript investigates this conventional wisdom and draws on the theory of met expectations to help identify other factors that lead to driver dissatisfaction. The results indicate that conventional wisdom is only partially correct, and that the factors that cause driver dissatisfaction are directly controllable by the firm.
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Erich B. Bergiel, Vinh Q. Nguyen, Beth F. Clenney and G. Stephen Taylor
The purpose of this paper is to test the whether job embeddedness is a mediator of the relationship between human resource practices and employees’ intention to quit. The study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the whether job embeddedness is a mediator of the relationship between human resource practices and employees’ intention to quit. The study presented here used job embeddedness, a new construct, to investigate its mediation effect on the relationship between employees’ intentions to leave and four areas of human resource practices: compensation, supervisor support, growth opportunity and training.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was given to employees at a state department of corrections asking their attitudes about their job, their place of employment, and the agency as a whole. The results of this questionnaire were analyzed utilizing the four‐step method for mediation analysis.
Findings
Job embeddedness fully mediated compensation and growth opportunity, partially mediated supervisor support, and did not mediate training in relation to employees’ intention to quit. Research limitations/implications –A self‐reported, cross‐sectional questionnaire was used to collect all measures. Additionally, this study used a single sample. Future research needs to obtain more diversified samples and continue to expand current research by examining additional areas of human resource practices.
Practical implications
Managers can utilize several strategies and tactics from a variety of human resource practices in order to build deeper links, make a better fit, and create greater potential sacrifices for employees should they decide to look for or pursue other employment opportunities.
Originality/value
This paper presents one of the first studies to examine how job embeddedness develops, and what factors cause employees embedded in their jobs to keep them from leaving the organization.
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Michael S. Garver, Zachary Williams, G. Stephen Taylor and William R. Wynne
Much of the research conducted in logistics/SCM has focused on satisfaction/retention of customers. This has left a critical gap for managers: before customers can be satisfied…
Abstract
Purpose
Much of the research conducted in logistics/SCM has focused on satisfaction/retention of customers. This has left a critical gap for managers: before customers can be satisfied and ultimately retained, a purchase choice of logistics services has to occur. To date, very little research has addressed how logistics customers make purchase choice decisions about logistics services. The purpose of this paper, using logistics research methods, is to introduce adaptive choice modelling (ACM) to address this gap and put forth a research method that is useful for academic researchers and logistics/SCM managers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper provides an overview of ACM, along with a discussion of its important research advantages, limitations, and practical applications. Additionally, an empirical demonstration of this research technique is provided to illustrate how academic researchers and logistics managers can use ACM to better understand the decision‐making process of customers when selecting logistics services.
Findings
In order to demonstrate this research technique, a research project was designed and implemented that analyzed the choice process of consumers selecting parcel carriers to ship a textbook. The results show that price, speed of delivery, and tracking are the three most important variables in the selection decision. The results also show that consumers are not homogeneous, but can be divided into five distinct need‐based segments. Recognizing and understanding the nature of these segments should help managers better meet the needs of parcel shippers.
Research limitations/implications
The main research limitation with this study is that it is based on a convenience sample; thus future research will need to replicate this study to confirm the research findings. However, the ultimate purpose of the study is to present a new research method and discuss how to apply this method, so that logistics/SCM practitioners and academic researchers can better understand customers of logistics/SCM services. Thus, while the nature of the sample is a limitation, it should be viewed in this context.
Originality/value
While conjoint analysis has existed for decades, this technique has rarely been implemented by logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners. Instead, logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners have focused more on retention methods and have virtually ignored modelling the actual purchase choice of logistics/SCM services. New advancements in conjoint analysis, specifically the ACM approach, have many important and unique advantages and applications for logistics/SCM researchers and practitioners. ACM has not been used in a logistics/SCM context.
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Rachid Zeffane and Bruce Cheek
Because information is vital to effective decision making, the fostering of conditions which promote effective use of existing channels of information is therefore seen as a prime…
Abstract
Because information is vital to effective decision making, the fostering of conditions which promote effective use of existing channels of information is therefore seen as a prime element contributing to organizational survival and success (Fulmer et al, 1990). In particular, the way in which characteristics of individuals and the attributes of the tasks they perform, affect the use of different information sources is a pertinent issue in organizational analysis. It is also an important consideration in information systems development and management. Much of the existing research in this area has been dominated by attempts to define appropriate modes of information processing and the construction of models that might enhance effective communication (O'Reilly, 1982; Schick et al, 1990; Kim 8c Lee, 1991). The importance of this area of research has been heightened by the dynamics and complexities of industrial organizations and the need for various modes of information processing to address these dynamics (Kim & Lee, 1991). Also, because the appropriate use of information is the ‘life‐blood’ of organizational dynamics, the identification of aspects that might affect differential use of various channels (of information) is fundamental to an understanding of the area.
Loren Kendall Webb and Brian H. Kleiner
Throughout America most managers complain about conducting performance appraisals. Most directors dread the time of the year when they must undergo increasingly strict and…
Abstract
Throughout America most managers complain about conducting performance appraisals. Most directors dread the time of the year when they must undergo increasingly strict and stressful reviews and then perform the same for their subordinates.
Flexibility in the workplace is increasingly considered an important aspect of human resource strategy aimed at attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce. The purpose of…
Abstract
Purpose
Flexibility in the workplace is increasingly considered an important aspect of human resource strategy aimed at attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce. The purpose of this study is to explore the direct relationships between both employee- and employer-centered flexible work arrangements and turnover intentions, specifically focusing on Generation Z employees. In addition, this study also examines the mediating role of supervisor support and total rewards in these relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey method to gather data from employees born from 1995 across three industries – logistics, retail sales, and manufacturing. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The survey was conducted online, ensuring a diverse geographical spread and adherence to the representativeness of Generation Z within these sectors.
Findings
Contrary to existing literature, the findings reveal no direct correlation between flexible working arrangements (FWAs) and turnover intentions in this demographic. Instead, the results highlight the significant mediating roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards. Specifically, these factors were found to influence turnover intentions in relation to the availability of employee-centered FWAs. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications, suggesting an adaptation of human resource strategies to better align with the preferences and expectations of Generation Z in the workplace.
Originality/value
In contrast to existing literature, this study examines the relationship between the availability of two different types of flexible work arrangements (employee- and employer-centered) and turnover intentions, specifically among Generation Z employees. In addition, this research introduces mediation analysis to investigate the roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards – constructs that have been rarely considered in the context of these relationships.