Teresa Fernandes and Manuel Aires de Matos
Non-profit organizations (NPO) contribute significantly to the welfare of citizens and communities. Engagement in volunteering is crucial for sustaining volunteer motivation and…
Abstract
Purpose
Non-profit organizations (NPO) contribute significantly to the welfare of citizens and communities. Engagement in volunteering is crucial for sustaining volunteer motivation and for the effective and efficient functioning of NPO, with significant implications for society at large. Yet, literature on volunteer engagement (VE) is limited to date. Grounded on service-dominant logic, self-congruity theory and self-determination theory, this study aims to understand what motivates VE and how it may evolve into a co-creation process valuable to NPO and its stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on survey data collected from 450 volunteers, working with a diverse set of NPO, a comprehensive model of drivers and outcomes of VE was empirically tested using PLS-SEM, considering the mediating role of volunteers' congruence with the core values of the NPO.
Findings
The impact of volunteers' perceived autonomy, competence and relatedness on VE and its subsequent role in volunteers' loyalty and extra-role engagement behaviors (i.e. co-development, influencing and mobilizing behaviors) were validated. Moreover, the study validates value congruence as an internalizing mediating mechanism in the engagement process, a role that has been implied but not empirically tested.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the engagement and volunteering literature, which despite an unprecedented parallel have developed almost independently, with limited reference to one another. As the nomological network of VE is still underexplored, the study extends the engagement literature to the volunteering sector, validating the key (but underexplored) role of self-determination needs and value congruence in driving VE and value co-creation behaviors. The study further adds to engagement research while addressing other actors' engagement beyond the customer–brand dyad. While adopting a seldom explored marketing perspective of VE, this study provides NPO valuable insights on how to manage and engage volunteers.
Details
Keywords
Manuel Aires de Matos, Lia Patrício and Jorge Grenha Teixeira
Citizen engagement plays a crucial role in transitioning to sustainable service ecosystems. While customer engagement has been extensively studied in service research, citizen…
Abstract
Purpose
Citizen engagement plays a crucial role in transitioning to sustainable service ecosystems. While customer engagement has been extensively studied in service research, citizen engagement has received significantly less attention. By synthesizing customer and citizen engagement literatures, this study develops an integrated framework to conceptually clarify the dual role of customer-citizen engagement for sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
This study builds on a systematic literature review of customer engagement literature in service research and citizen engagement literature. Following a theory synthesis approach, we qualitatively analyzed 126 articles to develop an integrated conceptual framework of customer-citizen engagement for sustainability through a process of abductive reasoning.
Findings
The analysis showed that customer engagement and citizen engagement literatures have developed mostly separately but provide complementary views. While the customer engagement literature has traditionally focused on business-related facets, such as engagement with brands, the citizen perspective broadens the engagement scope to other citizens, communities and society in general. The integrated framework highlights the interplay between citizen and customer roles and the impact of their relationships with multiple objects on sustainability.
Originality/value
This integrated framework contributes to advancing our understanding of customer-citizen engagement, broadening the scope of subject-object engagement by examining the interplay between these roles in how they engage for sustainability and moving beyond the traditional dyadic perspective to a multi-level perspective of service ecosystems. This framework also enables the development of a set of research directions to advance the understanding of engagement in sustainable service ecosystems.
Details
Keywords
One of the important decision problems for a power system operator is to choose the appropriate operation point when possible contingencies must be considered. The operator may…
Abstract
One of the important decision problems for a power system operator is to choose the appropriate operation point when possible contingencies must be considered. The operator may decide to do nothing or to take some actions that change the operating point and decrease the negative impact (cost) of some or all the contingencies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of utility and value functions to this decision problem, since the large range of consequences raises some doubts about the fulfillment of the theoretical conditions imposed by Decision Theory. Although not essential to this discussion, some alternatives to prescriptive methodologies are presented and discussed, mostly regarding the definition of risk attributes and other determinist equivalents, suitable for multicriteria analysis.
Details
Keywords
Jorge Pereira, Ana Viana, Bogdan G. Lucus and Manuel Matos
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem of committing electric power generators (unit commitment, UC), considering network constraints.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem of committing electric power generators (unit commitment, UC), considering network constraints.
Design/methodology/approach
The UC is first solved with a local search based meta‐heuristic, following the assumption that all generators and loads are connected to a single network node. For evaluation purposes, the economical production levels of the units committed are computed by running a pre‐dispatch algorithm where network constraints are not included. If a good quality solution is reached, an economic dispatch (ED) with network constraints is performed, where the geographic location of generators and loads are considered. Therefore, the production level of each committed generator is performed that leads to the global lowest solution cost, regarding both the generators' costs and constraints and the power system network constraints.
Findings
The algorithm proposed is computationally efficient, given the time available for decision making. In addition, the solution for this algorithm, in terms of minimization of total costs, is generally better than the solution of the two phases approach. Some contractual and legal aspects related with the injection in network connections can also be included in the model.
Practical implications
UC with network constraints has a large potential of use, especially for small and medium size power systems. It reflects reality in a closer way and provides a more complete and realistic knowledge about the system in operation.
Originality/value
The paper presents an approach where the ED with network constraints is integrated with the UC procedure. The model described is currently implemented in an EMS package offered in the market – making it a case of successful transfer from science to industry.
Details
Keywords
Enrique Ogliastri, Juan Carlos Leiva, Rachel Gabel-Shemueli and Luis Chavez-Bedoya
Ana Suzete Dias Semedo, Arnaldo Fernandes Matos Coelho and Neuza Manuel Pereira Ribeiro
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study examining the relationship between authentic leadership (AL), attitudes and employees’ behaviours. More…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study examining the relationship between authentic leadership (AL), attitudes and employees’ behaviours. More specifically, how AL influences affective commitment, job resourcefulness and creativity, which, in turn, influence individual performance.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical research has analysed the data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 543 employees belonging to various public and private organisations in Cape Verde. The model was tested using structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results reveal that AL influences employees’ attitudes (affective commitment and job resourcefulness) and their creativity, affective commitment and job resourcefulness predict the employees’ creativity, and job resourcefulness and creativity predict individual performance.
Practical implications
The results from this study can help managers to understand how to increase employees’ creativity and performance through AL, affective commitment and job resourcefulness. Indirectly, the study also suggests that organisations should focus on selecting leaders with authentic features and implement appropriate training activities, coaching and development that aim to increase AL since this may well result in a positive impact on employees’ attitudes and behaviours.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is that it focusses on the integration of the five concepts, AL, affective commitment, job resourcefulness, creativity and individual performance, in a single study, providing a model that depicts the chain of effects between AL, employees’ attitudes, employees’ creativity and individual performance.
Details
Keywords
Many neo-Weberians adopt the state’s authority-monopolizing aim as their theoretical expectation. Through a case study of the Peruvian state and Lima’s squatter settlements, I…
Abstract
Many neo-Weberians adopt the state’s authority-monopolizing aim as their theoretical expectation. Through a case study of the Peruvian state and Lima’s squatter settlements, I provide evidence in support of the opposite contention: that states may unintentionally produce non-state extractive-coercive organizations. During the mid- to late-twentieth century, Lima’s population grew rapidly. Since they had few economic resources, the new urban poor requisitioned public lands and set up dozens of squatter settlements in the city’s periphery. Other researchers have identified several novel political phenomena stemming from such urban conditions. I focus here on the impact of the state. Using secondary and primary data, I examine three periods during which the state applied distinct settlement policies and one in which it did not apply a settlement policy, from 1948 to 1980. I find that when it applied each of the settlement policies, the state produced non-state political authorities – neighborhood elites – who extracted resources from squatters and tried to control neighborhood turf even against state encroachment, and that the state’s non-involvement did not produce them.
Details
Keywords
José Vale and Manuel Castelo Branco
Based on a lens of analysis combining legitimacy and stakeholder theories, this paper aims to explore some factors which influence anti-corruption (AC) reporting in large…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on a lens of analysis combining legitimacy and stakeholder theories, this paper aims to explore some factors which influence anti-corruption (AC) reporting in large multinationals from emerging countries.
Design/methodology/approach
An ordinal logistic regression is used to assess the relation between the AC reporting and multinationals’ industrial affiliation, number of countries of operations, membership of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and public ownership. The sample was drawn from the 2016 Transparency International Report “Transparency in Corporate Reporting – Assessing Emerging Market Multinationals”.
Findings
Evidence suggests that in emerging countries, listed multinationals, which operate in a large number of countries or are members of the UNGC, present significant levels of AC reporting. Unexpectedly, results also suggest that such reporting is not significantly affected by the corruption risk level of the industries to which the multinationals belong. Finally, results suggest that in emerging markets, the dependency for resources may also affect AC reporting.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the extant literature, by exploring different determinants of AC reporting, namely, a thus far unexplored one: public vs private ownership. This paper also contributes to the literature by providing insights into the relationships in a specific context: that of emerging countries. Finally, the reliance on the international community for the provision of resources is shown as a factor that potentially affects AC reporting.
Details
Keywords
Ana Suzete Dias Semedo, Arnaldo Fernandes Matos Coelho and Neuza Manuel Pereira Ribeiro
Authentic leadership (AL) as a style can influence, directly or indirectly, employees’ attitudes and behaviors. In this perspective, the purpose of this study is to investigate…
Abstract
Purpose
Authentic leadership (AL) as a style can influence, directly or indirectly, employees’ attitudes and behaviors. In this perspective, the purpose of this study is to investigate how AL predicts affective well-being (AWB) and employees’ creativity. The mediating role of AWB and the moderating role of satisfaction with management will be analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers have analyzed the data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 543 employees belonging to various public and private organizations in Cape Verde. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed hypotheses and a multi-group analysis was performed to identify how the level of satisfaction with the management may impact the proposed relationships.
Findings
The results of this study reveal that perceptions of AL predict employees’ creativity both directly and through the mediating role of AWB. Satisfaction with the management seems to moderate the relationship between AL, AWB and creativity.
Practical implications
The research outcomes suggest that organizations should focus on training leaders who value self-awareness and transparency in their relationships with others, who display an internal moral perspective and demonstrate balanced processing of information, to guarantee good results at the individual level and, consequently, at the organizational level. This study provides practitioners with possible routes to act in favor of a much happier and more creative workforce.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is because of the integration of these four concepts in a single study, providing evidence of the relationship between AL and creativity through the mediating role of AWB and moderating role of satisfaction with the management.
Details
Keywords
Manuel Castelo Branco and Dina Matos
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the disclosure of information on the fight against corruption in the sustainability reports of Portuguese companies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the disclosure of information on the fight against corruption in the sustainability reports of Portuguese companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Anti-corruption disclosure in the sustainability reports for 2009 of Portuguese firms, published on the website of the Portugal’s Business Council for Sustainability Development, is analysed. Three hypotheses are tested about associations between such disclosure and firm-specific variables.
Findings
Companies with a high visibility in terms of risk of corruption (companies in sectors with higher risk and government-owned companies) and companies that engage in association with the United Nations Global Compact seem to exhibit greater concern to improve the corporate image through disclosure.
Research limitations/implications
There may be content analysis issues associated with subjectivity in the coding process and the use of a limited content analysis method.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the scarce research on the fight against corruption in corporate social responsibility and the reporting thereof by providing new empirical data.