Mohammed Sani Abdullahi, Kavitha Raman, Sakiru Adebola Solarin and Adams Adeiza
The aim of this research is to investigate the mediating effect of employee engagement (EE) on the relationship between employee relation practice and employee performance in…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this research is to investigate the mediating effect of employee engagement (EE) on the relationship between employee relation practice and employee performance in Malaysian private universities (MPUs).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used a survey research design, and the study unit of the analysis consists of the academic staff of MPU. A sample of 314 teaching staff was used out of the target population (10,473) of the research, while simple random and stratified sampling techniques were used in order to determine the research sample. Data for the research were collected from the target participants via questionnaires, and partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to evaluate the research hypotheses.
Findings
The outcome of the research revealed that employee relation practice (ERP) has a substantial effect on employee performance (EP), and EE partially mediates the relationship between ERP and EP.
Practical implications
The outcome of this study has urged the universities' management to focus on building effective and sustainable ERP that will ensure academic engagement that can result to sound academic performance and university growth.
Originality/value
This research has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge by operationalizing EP, ERP and EE literature. In extension, this research contributes to develop the literature of leaders, acknowledging the ERP as an important tool for leadership growth.
Details
Keywords
Mohammed Sani Abdullahi, Kavitha Raman and Sakiru Adebola Solarin
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of succession planning practice (SPP) on employee engagement (EE) and employee performance (EP) in Malaysian private…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of succession planning practice (SPP) on employee engagement (EE) and employee performance (EP) in Malaysian private universities (MPU).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used a survey research design, and the study unit of the analysis consists of the academic staff of MPU. In the selection of the sample from the focused respondents (10,473) of the study, a stratified and simple random sampling method was used, and the study sample consists of 314 MPU academic staff. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the focused respondents while partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the study hypotheses.
Findings
The findings revealed that SPP has a significant effect on EP, and the relationship between SPP and EP is partially mediated by EE.
Practical implications
Sound succession systems for achieving academic staff performance should be put in place by the university management. Furthermore, the outcome of this research urges the policymaker to come up with a sound policy that can allow internal talents of the university to hold key leadership positions of any nature when the need arises before considering external talents, with that the talents will be satisfied and put decisive effort to achieve a positive result.
Originality/value
This paper has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and operationalization of the EE, EP and SPP literature. The research also assists the university management to mobilize qualified and talented staff for an unexpected and sudden resignation of staff which saves the university the cost of hiring and development, and at the same time, it encourages internal hiring.
Details
Keywords
Mohammed Sani Abdullahi, Kavitha Raman and Sakiru Adebola Solarin
The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of talent management (TM) practices on employee performance (EP) among academic staff of Malaysian private universities (MPU…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of talent management (TM) practices on employee performance (EP) among academic staff of Malaysian private universities (MPU) through employee engagement (EE).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper used both descriptive and quantitative approaches, while the research unit of analysis consists of MPU academic staff. A simple random and stratified sampling approach was utilized in this study while, the research sample consists of 314 MPU academic staff. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the target population, while partial least squares–structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the study hypotheses through a bootstrapping approach.
Findings
This paper results demonstrated that TM practices (succession planning practice, promotion practice and performance appraisal practice) have a significant effect on EP, while EE mediates the relationship between TM practices and EP in MPU.
Practical implications
This paper encourages university management to adopt and invest in TM practices for effective EE to achieve and sustain EP.
Originality/value
This paper has made a significant contribution to knowledge and to the operationalization of EE, EP and TM practices literature, which could help to develop theory, model, practice and research in areas of work performance.
Details
Keywords
Omar Ali, Anup Shrestha, Valmira Osmanaj and Shahnawaz Muhammed
The significance of cloud services in information technology (IT) is increasing as a means of achieving enhanced productivity, efficiency and cost reduction. Through cloud-based…
Abstract
Purpose
The significance of cloud services in information technology (IT) is increasing as a means of achieving enhanced productivity, efficiency and cost reduction. Through cloud-based service, the reliability and scalability of an organization’s systems can be enhanced since organizations such as local governments are able to concentrate on their main business strategies. This research seeks to identify critical factors that may have an impact on the acceptance of cloud-based services, where the organizational context is based on local governments in Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
To formulate a more comprehensive IT innovation adoption model for cloud technology, factors from the technology-organizational-environment framework, desires framework and diffusion of innovation model were integrated. Data was obtained from 480 IT staff working in 47 local government organizations.
Findings
The research results show that the factors which had a statistically significant and positive impact on the adoption of cloud-based services in local governments were compatibility, complexity, cost, security concerns, expected benefits and organization size. It is likely that the outcomes from this research will provide insights to any organization seeking to make investment decisions on the adoption of cloud-based services.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include generalizability of the findings since the data is restricted to local government areas in Queensland, Australia. Further, the sample mostly included individuals with managerial positions and may not completely capture the cloud adoption factors relevant for front line IT employees. Another limitation is the possible omission of factors that may be relevant but not considered due to the selected theories. Lastly, this research did not differentiate between different types of cloud adoption such as private, public, community and hybrid models that are possible in this context.
Originality/value
The paper provides a combination framework of cloud-based service adoption based on a literature review on cloud adoption from an IS perspective. It adapts integrated model to establish a more comprehensive innovation adoption framework for cloud technology.
Details
Keywords
Rekha Yoganathan, Jamuna Venkatesan and William Christopher I.
This paper intent to design, develop, and fabricate a robust cascaded controller based on the dual loop concept i.e. Fuzzy Sliding Mode concept in the inner loop and traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper intent to design, develop, and fabricate a robust cascaded controller based on the dual loop concept i.e. Fuzzy Sliding Mode concept in the inner loop and traditional Proportional Integral controller in the outer loop to reduce the unknown dynamics and disturbances that occur in the DC-DC Converter.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed Fuzzy sliding mode approach combines the merits of both SMC and Fuzzy logic control. FSMC approach reduces the chattering phenomena that commonly occurs in the sliding mode control and speed up the response of the controller.
Findings
In most of the research work, the inner current loop of cascaded controller was designed by sliding mode control. In this paper FSMC is proposed and its efficacy is confirmed with SMC -PI. In most uncertainties, FSMC-PI produces null maximum peak overshoot and a very less settling time of 0.0005 sec.
Originality/value
The presence of Fuzzy SMC in the inner loop ensure satisfactory response against all uncertainties such as steady state, circuit parameter variations and sudden line and load disturbances.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of the paper is to find the relationship between education and training and performance of women entrepreneurs (WEs). The present study found that entrepreneurial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to find the relationship between education and training and performance of women entrepreneurs (WEs). The present study found that entrepreneurial education stimulates women to take up entrepreneurship as a career option.
Design/methodology/approach
Also the findings of the study show that WEs lack the time for upgrading their skills and also need training for developing their skills. The methodology includes empirical study, collection of data and analysis with the help of SPSS, correlation method to find the relationship between education and training of WEs.
Findings
Getting appropriate education helps them with finding sources of innovative ideas and converting these ideas into enterprises. The study also revealed that due to constraints in the time availability and resources, WEs find it hard to train themselves and equip themselves with the recent developments in technology and the market.
Research limitations/implications
Moreover, the study findings suggest that providing them with professional training and skill development programme would help the women students to launch their businesses. The data colleted is only from India.
Practical implications
The paper also discusses the managerial implications and research implications of such a study. The study shows that there is a significant relationship between providing entrepreneurial platform and education to the women to start up their ventures.
Social implications
The study findings suggest that there is a lack of societal support for women entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is still expected to be a male-dominated field, and it may be difficult to gain the society's support for WEs. The women entrepreneurship can also provide a tool for social upliftment for below poverty line people.
Originality/value
Moreover, the study findings suggest that providing them with professional training and skill development programme would help the women students to launch their businesses. The paper also discusses the managerial implications and research implications of such a study.
Details
Keywords
Nianxin Wang, Huigang Liang, Shilun Ge, Yajiong Xue and Jing Ma
The purpose of this paper is to understand what inhibit or facilitate cloud computing (CC) assimilation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand what inhibit or facilitate cloud computing (CC) assimilation.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigate the effects of two enablers, top management support (TMS) and government support (GS), and two inhibitors, organization inertia (OI) and data security risk (DSR) on CC assimilation. The authors posit that enablers and inhibitors influence CC assimilation separately and interactively. The research model is empirically tested by using the field survey data from 376 Chinese firms.
Findings
Both TMS and GS positively and DSR negatively influence CC assimilation. OI negatively moderates the TMS–assimilation link, and DSR negatively moderates the GS–assimilation link.
Research limitations/implications
The results indicate that enablers and inhibitors influence CC assimilation in both separate and joint manners, suggesting that CC assimilation is a much more complex process and demands new knowledge to be learned.
Practical implications
For these firms with a high level of OI, only TMS is not enough, and top managers should find other effective way to successfully implement structural and behavioral change in the process of CC assimilation. For policy makers, they should actively play their supportive roles in CC assimilation.
Originality/value
A new framework is developed to identify key drivers of CC assimilation along two bipolar dimensions including enabling vs inhibiting and internal vs external.
Details
Keywords
Abdullah Alajmi and Andrew C. Worthington
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the link between boards and audit committees and firm performance in Kuwaiti listed firms in the context of recent and extensive corporate governance regulatory reform.
Design/methodology/approach
Panel data regression analysis with fixed effects and clustered standard errors of firm performance for 61–97 listed industrial and services firms in Kuwait over a seven-year period. The dependent variables are the returns on assets and equity, the debt-to-equity ratio and leverage and Tobin’s Q and the independent variables comprise board of directors and audit committee characteristics, including size, the number of meetings and the numbers of independent and outside board and expert committee members. Firm size, subsidiary status and cash flow serve as control variables.
Findings
Mixed results with respect to the characteristics of the board of directors. Board size and independent and outsider board members positively relate only to Tobin’s Q and insiders only to debt to equity. For audit committee characteristics, committee size, independence and expertise positively relate to the return on equity and committee size and expertise only to Tobin’s Q. Of the five performance measures considered, board and audit committee characteristics together best determine Tobin’s Q.
Research limitations/implications
Data from a single country limits generalisability and control variables necessarily limited in a developing market context. Need for qualitative insights into corporate governance reform as a complement to conventional quantitative analysis. In combining accounting and market information, Tobin’s Q appears best able to recognise the performance benefits of good corporate governance in terms of internal organisational change.
Practical implications
The recent corporate governance code and guidelines reforms exert a mixed impact on firm performance, with audit committees, not boards, of most influence. But recent reforms implied most change to boards of directors. One suggestion is that non-market reform may have been unneeded given existing market pressure on listed firms and firms anticipating regulatory change.
Social implications
Kuwait’s corporate governance reforms codified corporate governance practices already in place among many of its firms in pursuit of organisational legitimacy, and while invoking substantial change to audit committees, involved minor change to firm performance, at least in the short term. Some firms may also have delisted in expectation of stronger corporate governance requirements. Regardless, these direct and indirect processes both improved the overall quality of listed firm corporate governance and performance in Kuwait.
Originality/value
Seminal analysis of corporate governance reforms in Kuwait, which have rapidly progressed from no corporate governance code and guidelines to an initially voluntary and then compulsory regime. Only known analysis to incorporate both board of directors and audit committee characteristics. Reveals studies of the corporate governance–firm performance relationship may face difficulty in model specification, and empirical significance, given the complexity of corporate governance codes and guidelines, leads in changing firm behaviour and self-selection of firms into and out of regulated markets.
Details
Keywords
Sateesh V. Shet, Gaurav Raut, Pratima Shet, Padmaja Argade and Agnieszka Piekara
Informal female entrepreneurs in emerging economies operate in challenging business environments. This research examines the competencies of informal female entrepreneurs (IFEs…
Abstract
Purpose
Informal female entrepreneurs in emerging economies operate in challenging business environments. This research examines the competencies of informal female entrepreneurs (IFEs) to explore how they persist because and despite the unique set of challenges they face.
Design/methodology/approach
We undertake a qualitative study focusing on IFE in the Indian context. Using the abilities–motivation–opportunity (AMO) framework as a theoretical lens, we interviewed 14 IFEs to gain insights into their entrepreneurial challenges and understand how they address the challenges.
Findings
The results demonstrate that IFEs are prone to various challenges around the individual level, business challenges on an operating and functional level and other challenges rooted in their business environment. Further, the study sheds light on the competencies of IFEs on three fronts, namely, ability-enhancing competencies, including – technical skills, problem solving, communication and adaptability; motivation-enhancing competencies, including – self-motivation, resilience and optimism and lastly, opportunity-enhancing competencies, including – local-centric approach, networking and resourcefulness.
Research limitations/implications
The study highlights the nuanced settings of informal female entrepreneurship in an emerging economy context. By highlighting the challenges and competency interplay, our study opens novel avenues for the interrelationships to be studied in further detail.
Originality/value
Our study provides close insight into the everyday challenges of IFEs operating in informal economies. Their competencies and perseverance-related attributes contribute to the mainstream entrepreneurship literature, as these entrepreneurs exhibit unique competencies that allow them to thrive in challenging contextual settings. Their willingness to learn new skills, opportunity recognition, motivation and adaptability skills contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of informal female entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
Pulla Rao Chennamsetty, Guruvareddy Avula and Ramarao Chunduri buchhi
The purpose of the research work is to detect camouflaged objects in autonomous systems of military applications and civilian applications such as detecting insects in paddy…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the research work is to detect camouflaged objects in autonomous systems of military applications and civilian applications such as detecting insects in paddy fields, identifying duplicate products in different texture environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Camouflaged objects detection is performed by smoothing texture with nonlinear models and characterizing with statistical methods to detect the objects.
Findings
There are few challenges in existing camouflaged objects detection due to the complexities involved in the detection process. This work proposes a constructive approach with texture statistical characterization for camouflage detection. The proposed technique is found to be better than existing methods while assessing its performance using precision and recall.
Research limitations/implications
Even though there is lot of research work carried, there are few challenges for autonomous systems in camouflage detection due to the complexities involved in the detection process such as texture modeling and dynamic background problems and environment conditions for autonomous system.
Practical implications
Camouflage detection finds potential applications in security systems, surveillance, military and autonomous systems. The proposed work is implemented in different environments for camouflage detection.
Social implications
Social problems such as image acquisition environment, time of day, desert, forest and grass fields of paddy.
Originality/value
The proposed method detects camouflaged objects in autonomous systems where it is applied for images of different kinds. It is found to be effective on images recorded in battlefield and challenging environments.