Keyu Chen, Guoquan Chen, Qiong Wu, Wei Liu and Huiqun Zhao
The literature on help-seeking at work has experienced significant growth in the past decades. However, our knowledge about this research domain remains fragmented and lacks…
Abstract
Purpose
The literature on help-seeking at work has experienced significant growth in the past decades. However, our knowledge about this research domain remains fragmented and lacks sufficient theoretical integration. Therefore, this paper aims to comprehensively integrate the extant literature on help-seeking behavior at work and propose an overarching, organized framework to propel this field forward.
Design/methodology/approach
A state-of-the-art review and theoretical development on help-seeking at work are conducted.
Findings
First, the authors provide the conceptual clarity of its definitions, key characteristics, types and measurement techniques. Second, the authors develop a fine-grained and integrative process-based framework consisting of antecedents, proximal psychological mechanisms, subsequent influencing processes and distal outcomes to advance our understanding of seeking help in the workplace. Third, the authors offer a detailed agenda for future research to target opportunities within the field.
Originality/value
The current study is comprehensive in surveying the full body of knowledge on help-seeking at work. It uniquely provides a coherent overarching framework that organizes prior findings and channels future research. Additionally, this review paints a complete picture of what has been done and what needs to be done in the field. More research can be spurred based on our conceptual framework.
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Shuting Xiang, Guoquan Chen, Wei Liu, Qiwei Zhou and Shuo Xing
Ambidexterity is the source of organizational sustainable development and long-term success. However, understanding the role of individual ambidexterity in organizations remains…
Abstract
Purpose
Ambidexterity is the source of organizational sustainable development and long-term success. However, understanding the role of individual ambidexterity in organizations remains underdeveloped. Recently, scholars have increasingly emphasized the importance of individual ambidexterity, calling for more research on the topic. This study aims to explore the factors influencing individual ambidexterity. It proposed that goal orientation would be related to individual ambidexterity, and perceived cooperative goal interdependence and constructive controversy would play moderating roles in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper opted for a survey study. Questionnaires were distributed to enterprise managers from a part-time MBA program at a university located in Beijing, China. They were also asked to bring copies to their colleagues, so they could fill them out. The authors obtained 229 valid questionnaires and used hierarchical regression analysis to test the relationships.
Findings
The results revealed that both learning goal orientation and performance goal orientation were significantly and positively related to individual ambidexterity. Perceived cooperative goal interdependence and constructive controversy positively moderated the relationship between learning goal orientation/ performance goal orientation and individual ambidexterity.
Practical implications
The paper provides beneficial suggestions for both managers and employees. It offers a reference for managers regarding how to promote employee ambidexterity. It also provides suggestions for employee career development.
Originality/value
The paper explored the factors influencing ambidextrous activities at the individual level, a very scare approach in extant studies. It also constructed a systematic process mechanism of individual ambidexterity, integrating both internal and external factors.
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Fan Wu, Guoquan Chen and Shuting Xiang
Existing research regarding the value of school education focuses primarily on the effects of educational level on core task performance after graduation. However, it is worth…
Abstract
Purpose
Existing research regarding the value of school education focuses primarily on the effects of educational level on core task performance after graduation. However, it is worth noting that knowledge, skills and abilities are not the only individual gains from school education. For part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) students, the impact of MBA education on their real-time work during their two-year or so study journey has not been reported. This study aims to provide theoretical reasoning and empirical insights to clarify the impact of psychological safety at school on psychological capital (PsyCap) at work for part-time MBA students and examines the moderating role of constructive controversy at school in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 286 part-time MBA students was conducted in a university located in Beijing to address the theoretical issue.
Findings
Students’ psychological safety at school is positively related to PsyCap at work. Constructive controversy at school acts as a positive moderator in the relationship between psychological safety at school and PsyCap at work.
Originality/value
This study establishes a link between the school and the workplace. It explores the relationship between an individual’s psychological states at school and at work and contributes to the literature on human resources and management education. Furthermore, the findings prove that students not only gain knowledge, skills and abilities from education but also positive psychological states, such as psychological safety.
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Shuting Xiang, Guoquan Chen and Wei Liu
This paper aims to explore the relationship between team learning and individual performance and examine the mediating effect of individual reflection on such relations. As a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the relationship between team learning and individual performance and examine the mediating effect of individual reflection on such relations. As a contextual factor, the moderating role of psychological safety is investigated in the team learning–individual reflection relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on a survey with 229 effective participants, which included enterprise managers and their colleagues from part-time MBA program in one university located in Beijing, China. Path model is conducted to test the hypotheses proposed in this paper.
Findings
The results indicate that team learning is positively associated with individual reflection and performance. Individual reflection plays a mediating role between the relationship between team learning and individual performance. Perceived team psychological safety positively moderates the relationship between perceived team learning and individual reflection, such that the positive relation is more significant when employees perceived higher psychological safety.
Originality/value
This paper has both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the authors establish the direct and indirect relationship between team learning and individual performance and aim to find additional support for Edmonson’s view suggesting that psychological safety would facilitate learning behavior. In terms of practical implications, the authors point the importance of developing learning teams and promoting individual learning.
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Guoquan Chen, Jingyi Wang, Wei Liu, Fen Xu and Qiong Wu
This paper aims to theoretically investigate a knowledge management model from the combined perspective of knowledge acquisition and knowledge application and its effect on…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to theoretically investigate a knowledge management model from the combined perspective of knowledge acquisition and knowledge application and its effect on organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reviews prior research on knowledge acquisition and knowledge application, puts forward the concepts of “the extensiveness of knowledge acquisition” and “the concentration of knowledge application” and more importantly proposes an integrated model by combining these two dimensions. Four case examples of enterprises are subsequently described and analyzed to illustrate the sources of knowledge acquisition, the objects of knowledge application and their influences on organizational performance.
Findings
Four knowledge management modes and their impacts are confirmed in this study. Specifically, the organization of the turbojet engine mode (high extensiveness of knowledge acquisition and high concentration of knowledge application) can achieve good performance. The pipeline mode (high extensiveness of knowledge acquisition and low concentration of knowledge application) is the second, which has limited influence on good organizational performance. Organizations with the flashlight mode (low extensiveness of knowledge acquisition and high concentration of knowledge application) can achieve limited performance under the appropriate environment. The candle mode (low extensiveness of knowledge acquisition and low concentration of knowledge application) is the worst, performance of which is poor due to the break of the knowledge chain.
Practical implications
This paper holds that organizations should actively use the turbojet engine mode, adopt the pipeline mode and the flashlight mode cautiously, and avoid falling into the candle mode.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to propose the concepts of “the extensiveness of knowledge acquisition” and “the concentration of knowledge application,” and provides a combined model for analyzing differences in organizational performance from the perspective of knowledge.
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Guoquan Chen, Qiwei Zhou and Wei Liu
Based on a review of previous research of organizational learning from experience, this paper aims to point out the notable gaps and unresolved issues in the research area and…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on a review of previous research of organizational learning from experience, this paper aims to point out the notable gaps and unresolved issues in the research area and proposes a “multilevel integrated model of learning from experience”, which could integrate current research findings and serve as the theoretical framework for further investigation.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a theoretical review.
Findings
From the individual, team, organizational and multiple levels, in an order of the outcome of success and failure, this study reviews previous research about organizational learning from experience down to the last detail and points out some of their limitations, including relative fragmented-wise, lack of grope about the underlying motivations, lack of overall framework, etc. Then, this study proposes the “multilevel integrated model of learning from experience”, which provides a systematic and fine-grained framework for studies in this field.
Research limitations/implications
This paper emphasizes that true underlying motivations impelling learning from experience shall be identified and exploration for the antecedents shall be further deepened. Besides, this study figures out that various factors played their parts in the process and outcome of learning from experience through both subjective perception and objective experience. Thus, future research shall distinguish the influence of learning from experience, respectively, into “knowing” and “doing”.
Originality/value
This study is an attempt to review and integrate current research of learning from experience in multiple levels and further differentiates the influences of different experience outcomes (success vs failure). The proposed theoretical model provides clear suggestions of where future research should be directed.
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This paper aims to establish an organizational learning system model based on both western and Chinese management thoughts.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to establish an organizational learning system model based on both western and Chinese management thoughts.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is a conceptual model which is based on research within the field.
Findings
The model consists of nine interrelated organizational learning sub‐systems including “discovering”, “innovating”, “selecting”, “executing”, “transferring”, “reflecting”, “acquiring knowledge from environment”, “contributing knowledge to environment”, and “building organizational memory” ones. The evidences in some famous Chinese traditional cultural classics (including Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, The Analects of Confucius, Book of Change, Tao‐Te‐Ching, The Art of War and Chuan‐Xi‐Lu) that support the rationale of the model are described and analyzed.
Originality/value
Several propositions are developed and it is hoped that the model is applicable in both eastern and western business environments.
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Aimin Jiang, Haojiang Ding and Guoquan Wu
Based on the governing equations of magneto‐electro‐elastic media, the general solutions in the case of distinct eigenvalues and is introduced and expressed in four harmonic…
Abstract
Based on the governing equations of magneto‐electro‐elastic media, the general solutions in the case of distinct eigenvalues and is introduced and expressed in four harmonic functions. Then, the Green’s functions for point forces, point charge and point current acting in the interior of a two‐phase infinite magneto‐electro‐elastic plane in the case of distinct or multiple eigenvalues are given using the method of mirror image source.
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Lujie Chen, Mengqi Jiang, Fu Jia and Guoquan Liu
The purpose of this study is to develop a synthesized conceptual framework for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the field of business-to-business (B2B) marketing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a synthesized conceptual framework for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the field of business-to-business (B2B) marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual development approach has been adopted, based on a content analysis of 59 papers in peer-reviewed academic journals, to identify drivers, barriers, practices and consequences of AI adoption in B2B marketing. Based on these analyses and findings, a conceptual model is developed.
Findings
This paper identifies the following two key drivers of AI adoption: the shortcomings of current marketing activities and the external pressure imposed by informatization. Seven outcomes are identified, namely, efficiency improvements, accuracy improvements, better decision-making, customer relationship improvements, sales increases, cost reductions and risk reductions. Based on information processing theory and organizational learning theory (OLT), an integrated conceptual framework is developed to explain the relationship between each construct of AI adoption in B2B marketing.
Originality/value
This study is the first conceptual paper that synthesizes drivers, barriers and outcomes of AI adoption in B2B marketing. The conceptual model derived from the combination of information processing theory and OLT provides a comprehensive framework for future work and opens avenues of research on this topic. This paper contributes to both AI literature and B2B literature.