Hefu Liu, Weiling Ke, Kwok Kee Wei and Zhongsheng Hua
The present paper aims to investigate the impact of two different dimensions of supply chain integration on two aspects of firm performance in the emerging economy of China. In…
Abstract
Purpose
The present paper aims to investigate the impact of two different dimensions of supply chain integration on two aspects of firm performance in the emerging economy of China. In addition, the moderating effects of market orientation on the relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance are explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from a survey administered to 246 firms in the manufacturing and services industry in China. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
Operational coordination is positively associated with operational performance and business performance. Information sharing affects only operational performance; it has no impact on business performance. Furthermore, the results provide empirical support for the moderating effects of market orientation on the association of supply chain integration and firm performance.
Originality/value
The current paper contributes knowledge on the value‐realizing mechanism of supply chain integration from a resource‐based view. It presents a multidimensional explanation of the relationship among supply chain integration, market orientation, and firm performance in the context of China.
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Yixiang Zhang, Yulin Fang, Kwok‐Kee Wei and Zhaohua Wang
Online forums are increasingly deployed as important e‐learning tools for facilitating student learning in classrooms. However, building an online forum does not guarantee…
Abstract
Purpose
Online forums are increasingly deployed as important e‐learning tools for facilitating student learning in classrooms. However, building an online forum does not guarantee participation by students. The purpose of this paper is to advance our knowledge of facilitating student participation in this context by studying the role of communication environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The model was tested using data collected from a survey administered in a university in Hong Kong.
Findings
Results revealed that psychological safety communication climate influenced the intention of students to continue their participation both directly and indirectly through perceived responsiveness and self‐efficacy.
Originality/value
This study builds on social cognitive theory and extends the existing understanding of participation in e‐learning by highlighting the roles of psychological safety communication climate and perceived responsiveness, two communication environment factors critical to student learning but not yet addressed seriously in the e‐learning context.
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Chunhui (Maggie) Liu, Grace O'Farrell, Kwok‐Kee Wei and Lee J. Yao
Firms in different countries operate in different business environments and prepare financial statements following, by necessity, their own countries' accounting standards…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms in different countries operate in different business environments and prepare financial statements following, by necessity, their own countries' accounting standards. Benchmarks for assessing financial ratios of firms in different countries are likely to be different. In conducting financial ratio analyses, each country's unique cultural, business, financial, and regulatory characteristics have to be taken into consideration, for these external factors may exert significant effects on measurements of financial data. This study aims to investigate challenges in comparing financial ratios between Japanese firms and Chinese firms.
Design/methodology/approach
This study compares ten major financial ratios of 75 Chinese firms with financial ratios of 75 matched sample Japanese firms to determine if a common benchmark for each of the financial ratios can be applied to firms in both countries.
Findings
The results show significant differences in liquidity, solvency, and activity ratios between firms from these two countries. Further examination of differences in accounting standards, economic, and institutional environments between these two countries suggests that these external factors have significant effects on financial ratios and may have contributed to the observed differences.
Originality/value
This study is among the first to investigate the comparability of ratios between Japanese firms and Chinese firms to uncover potential challenges and warn investors of such challenges.
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Ebrahim Vatan, Gholam Ali Raissi Ardali and Arash Shahin
This study aims to investigate the effects of organizational culture factors on the selection of software process development models and develops a conceptual model for selecting…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the effects of organizational culture factors on the selection of software process development models and develops a conceptual model for selecting and adopting process development models with an organizational culture approach, using 12 criteria and their sub-criteria defined in Fey and Denison’s model (12 criteria).
Design/methodology/approach
The research hypotheses were investigated using statistical analysis, and then the criteria and sub-criteria were selected based on Fey and Denison’s model and the experts’ viewpoints. Afterward, the organizational culture of the selected company was measured using the data from 2016 and 2017, based on Fey and Denison’s questionnaire. Due to the correlation between the criteria, using the decision-making trial and evaluation technique, the correlation between sub-criteria were determined, and by analytical network process method and using Super-Decision software, the process development model was preferred to the 12 common models in information systems development.
Findings
Results indicated a significant and positive effect of organizational culture factors (except the core values factor) on the selection of development models. Also, by changing the value of organizational culture, the selected process development model changed either. Sensitivity analysis performed on the sub-criteria implied that by changing and improving some sub-criteria, the organization will be ready and willing to use the agile or risk-based models such as spiral and win-win models. Concerning units where the mentioned indicators were at moderate and low limits, models such as waterfall, V-shaped and incremental worked more appropriately.
Originality/value
While many studies were performed in comparing development models and investigating their strengths and weaknesses, and the impact of organizational culture on the success of information technology projects, literature indicated that the impact of organizational sub-culture prevailing in the selection of development process models has not been investigated. In this study, new factors and indicators were addressed affecting the selection of development models with a focus on organizational culture. Correlation among the factors and indicators was also investigated and, finally, a conceptual model was proposed for proper adoption of the models and methodologies of system development.
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Hong Li, Changhong Li and Zhan Wang
The effective transfer of knowledge within an organization is critical for its sustainable competitive advantage. Based on the norm of reciprocity, it can be concluded that…
Abstract
Purpose
The effective transfer of knowledge within an organization is critical for its sustainable competitive advantage. Based on the norm of reciprocity, it can be concluded that individuals’ primary motivation to transfer their treasured knowledge can be summarized as “trust,” that is, the individuals trust their selfless transfer behavior can be reciprocated by the recipients in the future.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a simulation model based on knowledge transfer behavior and reciprocal trust between individuals is built through agent-based modeling and simulation to investigate the factors that influence the efficiency of knowledge transfer within an organization.
Findings
Experiments are performed to test the impact of reciprocal trust and organizational structure on the efficiency of knowledge transfer.
Originality/value
The results indicate a significant role of key elements of reciprocal trust and organizational structure, which provides relevant practical guidance for both individuals and organization managers in the context of knowledge transfer.
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Ernesto Tavoletti and Vas Taras
This study aims to offer a bibliometric analysis of the already substantial and growing literature on global virtual teams (GVTs).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to offer a bibliometric analysis of the already substantial and growing literature on global virtual teams (GVTs).
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review approach, it identifies all articles in the Web of Science from 1999 to 2021 that include the term GVTs (in the title, the abstract or keywords) and finds 175 articles. The VOSviewer software was applied to analyze the bibliometric data.
Findings
The analysis revealed three dialogizing research clusters in the GVTs literature: a pioneering management information systems and organizational cluster, a general management cluster and a growing international management and behavioural studies cluster. Furthermore, it highlights the most cited articles, authors, journals and nations, and the network of strong and weak links regarding co-authorships and co-citations. Additionally, this study shows a change in research patterns regarding topics, journals and disciplinary approaches from 1999 to 2021. Finally, the analysis illustrates the position and centrality in the network of the most relevant actors.
Practical implications
The findings can guide management practitioners, educators and researchers to the most meaningful clusters of publications on GVTs, and help navigate and make sense of the vast body of the available literature. The importance of GVTs has been growing in the past two decades, and Covid-19 has accelerated the trend.
Originality/value
This study provides an updated and comprehensive systematic literature review on GVTs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the first systematic literature review and bibliometry on GVTs. It concludes by suggesting future research paths.
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Xiayu Chen, Shaobo Wei, Ruolin Ding and Yanrui Li
Based on uncertainty reduction theory, this study explores how perceived information transparency mitigates users' perceived uncertainty, which in turn influences their actual…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on uncertainty reduction theory, this study explores how perceived information transparency mitigates users' perceived uncertainty, which in turn influences their actual purchase behavior. In addition, the moderating effects of cultural tightness on the relationship between perceived information transparency and perceived uncertainty are also considered.
Design/methodology/approach
Users with the shopping experience on Xiaohongshu are invited to participate in the survey. Finally, 355 valid longitudinal data are collected.
Findings
The results indicate that the three dimensions of perceived information transparency (i.e. perceived product transparency, perceived seller transparency and perceived transaction transparency) can reduce users' perceived uncertainty significantly. Besides, the negative impacts of perceived product and seller transparency on users' perceived uncertainty are stronger when cultural tightness is higher. However, cultural tightness does not moderate the relationship between perceived transaction transparency and users' perceived uncertainty.
Originality/value
First, the authors' research extends the uncertainty reduction theory to the context of social commerce. Second, the authors' research explores the boundary condition under which perceived information transparency varies by identifying cultural tightness as the moderator of the relationship between perceived information transparency and uncertainty. Third, the authors' research enriches the understanding of the cultural tightness of China.
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Mengyi Zhu, Yuan Sun, Anand Jeyaraj and Jie Hao
This study aims to explore whether and how task characteristics affect employee agility in the context of enterprise social media (ESM).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore whether and how task characteristics affect employee agility in the context of enterprise social media (ESM).
Design/methodology/approach
Adopting the social network ties perspective, this study examines how task characteristics (i.e. task complexity, task interdependence and task non-routineness) affect employee agility by promoting their social network ties (i.e. instrumental ties and expressive ties) and how ESM visibility moderates their relationships. Data gathered from 341 ESM users in workplaces were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3.2.
Findings
First, task complexity, task interdependence and task non-routineness have positive effects on instrumental and expressive ties, which in turn influences agility; Second, instrumental ties have a stronger effect on employee agility relative to expressive ties; Finally, ESM visibility positively moderates the effects of task complexity and task non-routineness on social network ties.
Practical implications
The findings provide guidance for organizational managers on how to use task characteristics and ESM to improve employee agility, as well as insights for social media designers to optimize ESM functions to improve agility.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence to explain the roles of task characteristics and social network ties in influencing employee agility, thus clarifying the inconsistent findings in extant research. The moderating effects of ESM visibility on the relationships between task characteristics and social network ties are also examined, thus providing further insights on the positive role of ESM in organizations.
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Dandan Wen, Jianhua Zhang, Fredrick Ahenkora Boamah and Yilin Liu
Continuous knowledge contribution behaviors (CKCB) are critical for the healthy development of online medical communities (OMCs). However, it is unclear that if and how…
Abstract
Purpose
Continuous knowledge contribution behaviors (CKCB) are critical for the healthy development of online medical communities (OMCs). However, it is unclear that if and how contributors' prior actions and the responses they received from the community influence the nature of their future contributions. Drawing upon the Information Systems Continuance theory and Service Feedback theory, the purpose of the study is to examine the impact of knowledge contribution performance (KCP) on doctors' CKCB. Evaluation of social motivation, financial incentive and the moderating influence of expertise level (EL) provided further insight into the pathways that motivate various forms of CKCB.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to better understand the CKCB of physicians in OMCs, the authors divided it into two categories: A_CKCB (active CKCB) and P_CKCB (passive CKCB). Information Systems Continuance theory and Service Feedback theory are adapted and integrated with empirical findings from previous research on OMCs to develop a model of CKCB. This study used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to test hypotheses in the preexisting research model based on data collected from a Chinese OMC platform.
Findings
The results show that KCP helps develop several facets of CKCB. According to the findings, doctors' CKCB improved dramatically after receiving feedback from A_CKCB and P_CKCB, but feedback from peers did not promote CKCB. This study found that financial rewards only have a significant positive effect on P_CKCB, and that the level of expertise has a negative effect on the effect. The findings also demonstrated that doctors' level of expertise moderates the relationship between fA_CKCB (a comprehensive evaluation of doctors' A_CKCB) and A_CKCB.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies should look at the role of self-efficacy as a mediator and attitudes as a moderator in the link between KCP and various forms of CKCB. This will help authors figure out how important KCP is for physicians' CKCB. And future research should use more than one way to gather data to prove the above roles.
Practical implications
This study makes a significant contribution to understanding the association between CKCB and KCP by highlighting the significance of distinguishing between the various forms of CKCB and their underlying causes.
Originality/value
This research has advanced both the theory and practice of OMCs' user management by illuminating the central role of KCP in this context.
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Ali Intezari, David J. Pauleen and Nazim Taskin
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence knowledge processes and by extension organisational knowledge culture (KC).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence knowledge processes and by extension organisational knowledge culture (KC).
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic model development approach based on an extensive literature review, the authors explore the notion of organisational KC and conceptualise a model that addresses the following research question: what factors affect employees’ values and beliefs about knowledge processes and by extension organisational KC?
Findings
This paper proposes that knowledge processes are interrelated and mutually enforcing activities, and that employee perceptions of various individual, group and organisational factors underpin employee values and beliefs about knowledge processes and help shape an organisation’s KC.
Research limitations/implications
The findings extend the understanding of the concept of KC and may point the way towards a unifying theory of knowledge management (KM) that can better account for the complexity and multi-dimensionality of knowledge processes and KC.
Practical implications
The paper provides important practical implications by explicitly accounting for the cultural aspects of the inextricably interrelated nature of the most common knowledge processes in KM initiatives.
Originality/value
KM research has examined a long and varied list of knowledge processes. This has arguably resulted in KM theorizing being fragmented or disintegrated. Whilst it is evident that organisational culture affects persons’ behaviour in the organisation, the impact of persons’ values and beliefs on knowledge processes as a whole remain understudied. This study provides a model of KC. Moreover, the paper offers a novel systematic approach to developing conceptual and theoretical models.