The purpose of this article is to discuss how minimum subsidy auctions have been implemented in Chile and India for Internet and mobile phone infrastructure to and identify…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to discuss how minimum subsidy auctions have been implemented in Chile and India for Internet and mobile phone infrastructure to and identify lessons for governments considering reverse auctions as a tool. In a minimum subsidy auction (also known as a reverse auction), the government starts by offering the maximum funds available for a given public project; the company requiring smallest subsidy wins.
Design/methodology/approach
The article investigates several case studies of subsidy auctions in both Chile and India.
Findings
When firms compete for subsidies in reverse auctions, they have incentives to get the most result for the least funds. This furthers the government’s goal to achieve maximum public policy impact with minimum budget.
Originality/value
For developing countries, very little research has been done on implementation of auctions in the communications sector.
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Martina G. Gallarza, Francisco Arteaga, Giacomo Del Chiappa, Irene Gil-Saura and Morris B. Holbrook
In the fertile line of research on consumer value from the services literature, a gap exists between theoretical and empirical knowledge, in particular regarding Holbrook’s…
Abstract
Purpose
In the fertile line of research on consumer value from the services literature, a gap exists between theoretical and empirical knowledge, in particular regarding Holbrook’s conceptual value framework. The purpose of this paper is to find construct validity for a multidimensional value scale based on Holbrook’s proposal.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review, a qualitative phase, and consultation with an expert, eight value scales (efficiency, service quality, play, aesthetics, status, esteem, ethics, and escapism as an adaptation of spirituality) are tested on a sample of 585 hotel customers and are further analyzed with simple and partial correlations, multiple regressions, and structural modeling.
Findings
Following the literature on the merits of Holbrook’s value typology, results are presented in three concatenated phases: validation of Holbrook’s eight value scales corresponding to his eight value types; interrelationships between these value types showing a predominance of the extrinsic-intrinsic and self-other dimensions; and construction of six indices based on the 2×2×2 matrix (self, other, extrinsic, intrinsic, active, and reactive) and a value index as a higher-order representation. The results support Holbrook’s typology, thereby supporting construct validity for the multidimensional scales.
Research limitations/implications
Implications for further conceptual research on value are presented. Meanwhile, the empirical study is context-specific, i.e. related to a hospitality experience.
Originality/value
Although Holbrook’s typology has gained widespread attention, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous research has tested all eight value types simultaneously in the same empirical work.
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Lee Li, Gongming Qian, Zhengming Qian and Irene R.R. Lu
Using behavioral theory of the firm, the purpose of this paper is to examine how a small firm’s performance relative to historical and social aspirations is related to its…
Abstract
Purpose
Using behavioral theory of the firm, the purpose of this paper is to examine how a small firm’s performance relative to historical and social aspirations is related to its international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO). This study also explores two environmental factors, liability of foreignness (LoF) and host-country market potential (HMP), as the moderators for the relationship of performance and IEO.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses survey for data collection from Canadian small firms and employs regression models for data analysis.
Findings
The results show that small firms demonstrate stronger IEO when their performance is below aspirations, but their IEO diminishes when their performance exceeds aspirations. The authors also found that a small firm’s LoF does not moderate the impact of its performance feedback on IEO. However, the authors found HMP plays a moderating role when a small firm’s performance is below aspirations.
Originality/value
This study investigates the relationship of IEO to aspiration and found that this relationship is moderated by HMP. The study advances our knowledge on small firms’ international behavior.
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Martina G. Gallarza, Francisco Arteaga-Moreno, Giacomo Del Chiappa and Irene Gil-Saura
Within the abundant and not always unanimous body or research on conceptual and methodological approaches to consumer value in services, there are two areas of relative consensus…
Abstract
Purpose
Within the abundant and not always unanimous body or research on conceptual and methodological approaches to consumer value in services, there are two areas of relative consensus: the multidimensional nature of value (intra-variable approach) and the existence of causal relations with other constructs (inter-variable approach). This work aims to contribute additional knowledge in both areas, with a joint approach in a structural model tested for hospitality services.
Design/methodology/approach
The study proposes four scales of intrinsic values (entertainment, aesthetics, ethics and spirituality as relaxation), based on Holbrook’s (1999) value typology, and a casual model to be used to measure the relationships between these four values and overall perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty. The model is tested with PLS on a sample of 585 hotel guests on the island of Sardinia (Italy).
Findings
The psychometric properties of all four value scales, created ad hoc, are tested and approved. Results on the causal model show contrasted links on the intra-variable approach, entertainment, aesthetics and spirituality (measured as relaxation), are positive antecedents of perceived value, while the path ethics-overall value is not confirmed. The value–satisfaction–loyalty chain is fully confirmed, with strong linkages.
Research limitations/implications
The authors acknowledge the use of a convenience sample, of mainly leisure tourists.
Practical implications
The implications for managers are derived on the need of considering extra drivers (intrinsic and therefore fully experiential) of satisfaction and loyalty.
Originality/value
Research on value has been qualified as not univocal and controversial. This study adds knowledge on the use of four less common value types (intrinsic ones) and sheds light on their nature as antecedents of the well-known value–satisfaction–loyalty chain.
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Irene Huertas-Valdivia, Thais González-Torres and Juan-José Nájera-Sánchez
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive, structured, objective bibliometric review of the main leadership styles investigated in the hospitality industry from 1977 to 2021…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive, structured, objective bibliometric review of the main leadership styles investigated in the hospitality industry from 1977 to 2021 (September) and depicts this field’s conceptual structure.
Design/methodology/approach
Bibliometric analysis techniques such as bibliographic coupling were used using several software applications (VOSviewer, BibExcel and Pajek, among others) to identify trends and research gaps in this literature. The paper provides an overview of the evolution of research activity on different leadership styles that yields important insights into research trends, most-researched themes, main authors and key journals.
Findings
A total of 287 publications on leadership from the Web of Science and Scopus databases were summarized. The number of studies on leadership has been growing since 2013, evincing persistent interest in the topic. Eleven main streams of leadership research in the hospitality literature were detected and characterized, with transformational and servant leadership emerging as the most common approaches. Possible evolution of the topics and future research lines were also identified.
Research limitations/implications
The findings can guide practitioners and scholars to further explore and implement emerging leadership styles in the hospitality sector. The paper also presents future research avenues to advance the field of leadership.
Originality/value
The current review provides a valuable framework for examining key leadership styles, understanding the most-researched styles and illustrating leadership's critical role in organizational and individual outcomes in hospitality businesses.
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Fang Liu, Irene Hau-Siu Chow and Man Huang
Drawing on both social identity theory (SIT) and social exchange theory (SET), the purpose of this paper is to theorize a moderated mediation model that links perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on both social identity theory (SIT) and social exchange theory (SET), the purpose of this paper is to theorize a moderated mediation model that links perceived high-performance work systems (employee-HPWS) to organizational identification (OID).
Design/methodology/approach
Findings are based on two-waved time-lagged data from a sample of 306 employees in four major state-owned commercial banks in South China. Hierarchical regression analyses and bootstrapping were used to analyze the data.
Findings
Distributive, procedural and interpersonal justice mediated the positive relationship between employee-HPWS and OID. Besides, perceived supervisor support moderated the relationship between employee-HPWS and organizational justice, the relationship between procedural justice and OID, and the indirect effect of employee-HPWS on OID through procedural justice.
Originality/value
This study considers the mediating and moderating mechanisms that link HPWS to OID, highlights differences between firm-level management-HPWS and individual-level employee-HPWS, and examines the antecedents of employee OID based on both SET and SIT.
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Fang Liu, Irene Hau-Siu Chow, Dan Xiao and Man Huang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediation role of psychological ownership for the organization (PO-O) in the relationships between human resource management (HRM…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediation role of psychological ownership for the organization (PO-O) in the relationships between human resource management (HRM) bundle and job satisfaction, affective commitment and job performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on multilevel data analysis, 705 employees from 162 small- and medium-sized enterprises in China, this study adopted an empirical design.
Findings
PO-O mediates the relationships between HRM bundle and job satisfaction, affective commitment and job performance.
Research limitations/implications
These findings highlight the importance of HRM bundle to contribute to employees’ feelings of ownership for the organization and their well-being and job performance. Longitudinal design and multiple sources at multi-stage for data collection in future research would be required for the further understanding of the relationships between the variables of this study. A single organizational and cultural context is not sufficient; broader testing in different organizational and cultural contexts is required.
Practical implications
Managers should develop employees’ feeling of ownership by using HRM bundle. They can thus gain a competitive advantage by enhancing employees’ skills, knowledge and abilities, as well as improving their well-being and performance.
Originality/value
This study extends the current literature by providing theoretical and empirical explanations of the mediating role of psychological ownership in the HRM bundle-employee outcomes relationship using a cross-level research design.
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María Fuentes-Blasco, Beatriz Moliner-Velázquez and Irene Gil-Saura
In tourism, the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (hereinafter ICT) and variables concerning firms’ links with suppliers have been recognized as key…
Abstract
Purpose
In tourism, the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (hereinafter ICT) and variables concerning firms’ links with suppliers have been recognized as key determinants to improve companies’ competitiveness. From the perspective of efficient management of company resources, segmentation has become a key tool and is particularly significant and current in the business-to-business context. The purpose of this paper is to study the segmentation of firms in the tourist industry according to perceived ICT use and relationship value and benefits. In addition, from the management approach, the authors seek to describe the segments that enable the development of differentiated strategies aimed at consolidating relationship benefits in the long term.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 310 travel agencies who evaluated the relationship with their main supplier, the authors attempt to examine the utility of these variables as segmentation criteria for identifying heterogeneous groups.
Findings
The estimation of a finite mixture model suggests that these bases are able to discriminate firms into four latent segments with different levels of ICT use and relationship variables.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the understanding of the role that ICT and relationship variables have in the segmentation processes of tourism companies. Literature on segmentation in the business-to-business (B2B) context is limited and it is hard to find studies which apply latent methodology using behavioral criteria related to the use of ICT and relationship variables.
Practical implications
Segmentation of the tourism organizational market based on valuations of supplier relations and ICT use can help suppliers to design or adapt differentiation marketing strategies. Since agencies place the most value on confidence and value, tourism service suppliers should focus their efforts on improving the elements of service provision that increase perceived trust/confidence and value (i.e. growing the number of contacts, proximity to customers or sincerity, etc.). If agencies feel they can rely more on their providers, they will value their relationship more positively thereby favoring its long-term continuity.
Originality/value
The novelty in this work lies in the application of latent segmentation methodology and the simultaneous use of bases associated with ICT and relationship variables in B2B tourism.
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Ncamsile Ashley Nkambule, Wei-Kang Wang, Irene Wei Kiong Ting and Wen-Min Lu
The main purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of intellectual capital efficiency on US multinational software companies' performance from 2012 to 2016 by…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of intellectual capital efficiency on US multinational software companies' performance from 2012 to 2016 by applying data envelopment analysis (DEA).
Design/methodology/approach
It adopts a new slacks-based measure (SBM) to obtain a more accurate performance estimation and rank between companies. Regression analysis is used to test the overall IC and each of its elements (Human Capital, Innovation Capital, Process Capital and Customer Capital).
Findings
The univariate result shows that multinational companies are more efficient than non-multinational companies. However, the regression result shows that multinationality can hardly explain the firm efficiency of software firms. Another interesting finding is that intellectual capital has a positive and significant impact on software firm performance in the US human capital influences firm efficiency directly. However, when human capital is combined with the other elements of IC, the contribution of human capital becomes less significant. This is because people may think that innovation capital, process capital and customer capital can replace human capital, but it is not. In short, human capital may affect firm efficiency through other elements of IC (innovation capital, process capital and customer capital) as it is the base of other elements.
Research limitations/implications
The results show that multinational companies have higher efficiency scores than non-multinational companies. In addition, Intellectual capital has a positive and significant impact on software firm performance in the US human capital influences firm efficiency directly. However, when human capital is combined with the other elements of IC, the contribution of human capital becomes less significant. This is because people may think that innovation capital, process capital and customer capital can replace human capital, but it is not. In short, human capital may affect firm efficiency through other elements of IC (innovation capital, process capital and customer capital) as it is the base of other elements.
Practical implications
Overall, the study highlights the needs of having intellectual capital and its elements (Human Capital, Innovation Capital, Process Capital and Customer Capital) to increase firm efficiency.
Originality/value
First, the authors use a more comprehensive elements of IC, which are human capital, innovation capital, process capital and customer capital for a better IC measurement. Second, this study makes the first attempt using the DSBM model via DEA to examine the operating efficiency of US multinational software firms.
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Raido Puust, Irene Lill and Roode Liias
This study aims to initiate an investigation into the drop-out rate from building information modelling (BIM) courses.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to initiate an investigation into the drop-out rate from building information modelling (BIM) courses.
Design/Methodology/Approach
During 2017-2018, BIM courses (16 weeks) have been developed as active learning modules. Peer instruction was used to engage students and improve the overall student’s performance. Students’ activity data were captured and analysed based on study groups and suggested study module completion dates.
Findings
By mapping students’ activity data against suggested completion date at various assessment milestones revealed a possible degradation of motivation throughout the course which, in turn, may have been a possible cause of drop-out.
Research Limitations/Implications
This paper presents ongoing research and a preliminary understanding about peer instruction effectiveness in BIM-related subjects as high intensity courses. It investigates whether a student’s active participation can improve their motivation to acquire a subject’s learning outcomes and reduce the drop-out.
Practical Implications
The peer instruction methodology that is used here is quite universal and can be successfully applied to various other subjects to increase the student’s involvement in the course.
Originality/Value
Results are drawn based on students’ involvement at the high intensity course and show the gradual increase of a learner’s motivation once they get continuous support from fellow learners and a teacher.