– Reports on a case study of a 15-month coaching-development program in a Hong Kong-based organization. This paper outlines the purpose, processes and outcomes of the program.
Abstract
Purpose
Reports on a case study of a 15-month coaching-development program in a Hong Kong-based organization. This paper outlines the purpose, processes and outcomes of the program.
Design/methodology/approach
Draws on the material obtained from internal coaches through structured interviews and focus groups that were held throughout the program.
Findings
Reveals that the internal coaches reported that the coaching program improved their skills and enhanced their capacity to help others and develop managerial talent in the organization.
Practical implications
Advances the view that a well-designed, long-term and continuously monitored coaching program using an external moderator/facilitating coach can develop professional managerial and leadership skills and support talent management.
Originality/value
Describes a coaching-development program that has the potential to be applied in organizations that face talent-management and recruitment problems.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and scope of corporate public reporting of human resource management (HRM) practices in selected Hong Kong companies, to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and scope of corporate public reporting of human resource management (HRM) practices in selected Hong Kong companies, to identify the extent and emphasis in the reporting systems.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis was used as a primary method. Company official Annual Reports and web sites were employed as data sources. The paper builds on the process of evaluating HRM reporting by Vuontisjärvi.
Findings
Insufficient HRM practice was reported with inconsistency in the reported items across the public documents. There was an absence of reporting on HRM metrics. Training and development was the most frequently reported item.
Research limitations/implications
This study was biased toward larger corporations in Hong Kong. The samples were not representative.
Practical implications
This study showed that there was considerable potential for Hong Kong companies to develop more informative and comprehensive public HRM reporting. While there has been a strong pressure for companies to engage in more extensive public reporting, this pressure did not appear to have had an effect on the selected Hong Kong companies.
Originality/value
The paper is one of the first to examine public HRM reporting practice in major Hong Kong companies.
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Zhixiu Wang, Junying Liu and Xinya Guan
Although the global construction industry has made great contributions to economic development, industry corruption is a challenge for governments all over the world. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Although the global construction industry has made great contributions to economic development, industry corruption is a challenge for governments all over the world. This paper aims to investigate the causal complexity of organizational corruption by exploring the configuration effect of multiple induced conditions of corruption in the construction sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is focused on bribery, a specific form of corrupt behavior through a scenario-based survey role-playing game in which participants encounter bribery. A total of 400 Chinese construction sector participants were randomly recruited to complete this survey.
Findings
Compared with studies that have identified a number of factors associated with corruption in the construction sector, this study found asymmetry and complexity in the causality of organizational corruption. That is, when a variable causing corruption changes from one condition to its opposite – for example, from fierce to mild competition – the degree of corruption is not necessarily reduced as one may expect.
Practical implications
Anti-corruption measures should not rely solely on the net effects of discrete conditions and the interactions between multiple factors should not be ignored. In other words, anti-corruption strategies should not be implemented in isolation of their context, and pairing control measures with configurations is critical in controlling corruption. Finally, multiple configuration paths should be reconsidered when considering the degree of corruption reduction.
Originality/value
This study proposes a comprehensive analysis framework for addressing organizational corruption in the construction sector by investigating configuration effects of multiple induced conditions and offers a useful method for addressing corruption.
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Xueyao Du, Junying Liu, Yuxuan Chen and Zhixiu Wang
This study examines whether and how the age-inverse relationship between the chief executive officer (CEO) and the top management team (TMT) affects corporate misconduct in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines whether and how the age-inverse relationship between the chief executive officer (CEO) and the top management team (TMT) affects corporate misconduct in China’s construction industry. Drawing on social identity theory, we propose that the age-inverse relationship in CEO–TMT may diminish their social identity and further decrease the likelihood of corporate misconduct in construction firms.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a longitudinal dataset of firms in China’s construction industry covering the years 2003 through 2021, this study adopted a logit regression model with fixed effects.
Findings
The results show that the age-inverse relationship in CEO–TMT is negatively related to corporate misconduct. Further investigations suggest that performance feedback moderates the relationship between the age-inverse relationship in CEO–TMT and corporate misconduct. Firms with an age-inverse relationship between CEOs and TMTs are more likely to engage in fraudulent behavior when performance is above aspirations and less likely to commit fraud when performance is below aspirations.
Research limitations/implications
The sample of this study is limited to China’s construction firms. Drawing on social identity theory, this study explores the relationship between the age-inverse relationship and corporate misconduct in China’s construction industry, which enriches the antecedents of corporate misconduct and contributes to CEO–TMT interface research within construction firms.
Practical implications
This study provides a guideline for construction firms on how to regulate and reduce misconduct. It will offer insights into human resource arrangements within the management of construction firms in an aging context.
Originality/value
Considering that few studies explore fraudulent behavior of construction companies at the upper echelon level, this study focuses on a novel and new antecedent (i.e. age-inverse relationship in CEO–TMT) and its boundary conditions. The findings extend the research on corporate misconduct and strategic leadership in the construction industry.
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Junying Liu, Yuqing Wang and Zhixiu Wang
This research aims to build a three-tiered driver system that entices contractor rule violations and explores the importance and the relationships among these drivers, hence…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to build a three-tiered driver system that entices contractor rule violations and explores the importance and the relationships among these drivers, hence providing theoretical support for the contractor rule violations governance.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review based on fraud diamond theory identified drivers from Pressure, Opportunity, Rationalization and Capability that drive contractor rule violations. In the Chinese context, through feedback, discussion and analysis of semistructured interviews with ten experts, an improved three-tiered driver system was drafted. Based on this system, a survey was conducted and scored with experts to provide the data for this research. The decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was used to determine relationships and influences between factors, and the DEMATEL-based analytic network process method was used to weigh these factors.
Findings
This paper systematically studied the drivers of contractor rule violations, specifically, the results showed that pressure had an important driving effect across the driver system, and those five factors – poor cultural atmosphere, weak internal control, prior experience, moral disengagement and information asymmetry – had the most influence on contractor rule violations. The results also indicated the strong effect pressure has on enticing rule violations and revealed that culture atmosphere and internal company governance played crucial roles in the occurrence of rule violations.
Practical implications
This study provided construction practitioners with a robust tool to analyze the drivers of contractor rule violations. The rule violation drivers in the construction practice scenes identified in this study can provide more direct and effective violation-related guidance for contractors, regulators and the industry.
Originality/value
Based on the new perspective of fraud diamond, this paper systematically bulit a three-tiered driver system combining theory with practice. This study contributed to understand the driver mechanism of contractor rule violations especially the importance of internal factors of contractors, which provided theory reference for compliance governance of construction industry.
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Junying Liu, Ying Wang and Xueyao Du
Foreign construction subsidiaries play an important role in the global construction market. How to establish and maintain long-term sustainable performance has attracted increased…
Abstract
Purpose
Foreign construction subsidiaries play an important role in the global construction market. How to establish and maintain long-term sustainable performance has attracted increased attention, but only a few studies have considered this issue. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between autonomy and the sustainable performance of subsidiaries and to provide support for their management control modes.
Design/methodology/approach
From an institutional logics perspective, empirical research using a questionnaire survey was conducted following the methodological framework of this study. Relevant data were collected from 106 experienced managers of foreign construction subsidiaries, and the hypotheses were tested through a regression model.
Findings
The results show that foreign construction subsidiaries have a high degree of operational autonomy, which tends to strengthen their embeddedness in the host country and improve their sustainable performance. However, the role of strategic autonomy is not found to be significant. The moderation results show that the positive impact between operational autonomy and external network embeddedness is strengthened by institutional distance. Institutional distance has no significant moderating impact on the relationship between strategic autonomy and external network embeddedness, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
Geographical limitations may exist as the survey is focused on the Chinese construction foreign subsidiaries. However, based on an institutional logics perspective, this study discusses the management control mode of foreign subsidiaries, which enriches the antecedents of sustainable performance and can provide an in-depth explanation of the effects of the organizational strategies of multinational construction enterprises.
Practical implications
This study provides beneficial information for the sustainable performance of foreign construction subsidiaries. It will provide detailed guidance to managers located in different institutional environments on optimally promoting the sustainable development of subsidiaries.
Originality/value
This study identifies autonomy as an important antecedent, making it one of the first studies investigating autonomy on the sustainable performance of foreign construction subsidiaries. The findings of this study can contribute to the construction subsidiaries' sustainable performance literature and provide novel, comprehensive knowledge for academia and practice.
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Junying Liu, Zhipeng Cui, Yingbin Feng, Srinath Perera and Jie Han
Cultural differences have been frequently cited as a major source of risks for international joint ventures (IJVs). Cultural differences may cause extensive conflicts in…
Abstract
Purpose
Cultural differences have been frequently cited as a major source of risks for international joint ventures (IJVs). Cultural differences may cause extensive conflicts in technology, norms and emotion among the international joint venture (IJV) partners. The purpose of this study is to explore the interactive effects of national culture differences (NCDs) and conflict management approaches on the performance of international construction joint ventures (ICJV).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected using a questionnaire survey method with 143 valid responses. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
It was found that ICJV performance declined with a high degree of NCDs. The negative effect of NCDs on ICJV performance was mitigated by adopting the cooperative conflict management approach; while it was aggravated by adopting the competitive conflict management approach. The findings may provide an alternative way (i.e. adopting the cooperative conflict management approach rather than avoiding or competitive approaches) to address the cultural conflicts in the multicultural project management teams.
Practical implications
Firstly, as NCD negatively impacts performance of ICJVs, project managers should pay attention to cultural issues and learn how to manage them; Secondly, as cooperative and competitive conflict management approaches have different moderating effects on the relationship between NCD and ICJV performance, project managers must choose appropriate conflict management styles in multination teams. Thirdly, as the avoiding approach has no significant moderating effect on the negative relationship between NCD and ICJV performance, it is important for Chinese partners not to employ avoiding approach to deal with conflicts in ICJV.
Originality/value
This study uniquely adds to the literature on cultural issues in managing ICJVs by integrating the moderating effects of conflict management approaches. The interactive effects of conflict management approaches and national cultural differences on ICJV project performance may contribute to the theories regarding conflict management theory in the context of cross-cultural management.
Details
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Li Feng, Junying Liu, Zhixiu Wang and Yanyan Hong
The regulatory landscape surrounding international construction projects presents significant challenges, and contractors are still struggling to pay a painful price for their…
Abstract
Purpose
The regulatory landscape surrounding international construction projects presents significant challenges, and contractors are still struggling to pay a painful price for their performance in the project. While existing research has identified various causes of contractor compliance, the intricate interplay of these factors and their impact on compliance remain largely elusive. The motivation-opportunity-ability (MOA) framework may hold the key to determining what factors can foster induced contractor compliance in international projects.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected 124 valid data samples from practitioners involved in large-scale international contracting projects through expert interviews and questionnaire surveys. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to analyze the diverse combinations of contractor compliance factors.
Findings
The study identifies seven key factors that contribute to compliance behavior among international construction contractors: economic motivation, social motivation, normative motivation, legal completeness, deterrent sanctions, organizational learning and compliance management ability. The interplay of these factors promotes compliance in the following ways: When international construction contractors are influenced by both social and normative motivations, they exhibit a higher level of compliance. In situations where regulatory systems are relatively weak, the ability to manage compliance becomes the primary driver of compliance behavior for businesses. A comprehensive legal framework creates a conducive environment for contractors to improve their compliance through organizational learning.
Research limitations/implications
The findings offer guidance for international construction contractors in enhancing compliance by considering factors such as motivations, legal frameworks, organizational learning and compliance management. This can lead to improved risk management and performance in international projects.
Social implications
This research enhances fair and ethical practices in international construction by identifying compliance drivers, fostering positive social impact, mitigating negative consequences and empowering local communities. It informs legal and regulatory reform, encourages improved business practices and contributes to knowledge advancement in the field. Overall, the findings have the potential to positively impact the social fabric of international construction projects.
Originality/value
This study has made an important contribution to the field of compliance theory by integrating theories from multiple disciplinary domains and constructing a new theoretical framework from the perspectives of motivation, opportunity and capability. By elucidating how these factors interact and influence compliance behavior among international construction contractors, this research aids in understanding the complex dynamics of contractor compliance behavior and provides theoretical reference for compliance governance within the construction industry.