María Isabel Barba-Aragón, Raquel Sanz-Valle and María Eugenia Sanchez-Vidal
The objective of this study is to analyze the process of reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) occurring in multinational companies (MNCs), examining whether headquarters' absorptive…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this study is to analyze the process of reverse knowledge transfer (RKT) occurring in multinational companies (MNCs), examining whether headquarters' absorptive capacity and the human resource management (HRM) practices developed by the parent unit influence success.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through a questionnaire completed by the human resource manager of multinational company (MNC) headquarters. The analysis has been carried out on a sample of 115 Spanish MNCs by using structural equation models (SEM).
Findings
The results indicate that a parent firm's absorptive capacity positively influences RKT and that, in turn, this absorptive capacity is greater if headquarters implement certain practices of employee staffing, training, participation and performance appraisal.
Originality/value
This study extends existing research on RKT by examining the absorptive capacity of headquarters. Its main contribution is to provide evidence that MNCs can improve their RKT through HRM practices developed by the parent unit. This is original because most studies on RKT focus on HRM practices used by subsidiaries.
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Juan-Gabriel Cegarra-Navarro, Aurora Martínez-Martínez, David Cegarra-Leiva and María Eugenia Sánchez-Vidal
Being open-minded means listening to others’ proposals, even if they go against our criteria. Although having an open mindset is the key to “open innovation,” we find that many…
Abstract
Purpose
Being open-minded means listening to others’ proposals, even if they go against our criteria. Although having an open mindset is the key to “open innovation,” we find that many managers are reluctant to make sustainable changes, either because they prefer to stick to what they know and prefer to stay in their comfort zone or just because they are embarrassed to assume errors or ignorance in certain issues of an environmental nature. The study aims to examine the role of green skills in overcoming defensive rigidity and defensive embarrassment barriers that hinder open innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 208 SMEs in the Spanish textile industry. The data collected were processed and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM) and SmartPLS 4.
Findings
The study reveals that green skills significantly contribute to the development of open innovation and the mitigation of defensive routines among managers. This indicates that equipping managers with green skills can reduce their defensive rigidity and embarrassment, thereby fostering a more open and innovative organizational culture.
Originality/value
This research is original in its focus on the Spanish textile industry and its exploration of the specific psychological barriers that managers face in adopting sustainable innovations. By highlighting the importance of green skills, it provides a novel perspective on overcoming defensive routines to promote open innovation.
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Inocencia María Martínez-León, Isabel Olmedo-Cifuentes and M. Eugenia Sanchez-Vidal
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of work-life balance (WLB) practices on the financial results of Spanish accounting audit SMEs.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of work-life balance (WLB) practices on the financial results of Spanish accounting audit SMEs.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data from 148 Spanish accounting audit SMEs, a regression analysis was developed to estimate the direct effects of WLB practices on firms’ financial results (return on capital employed and return on assets). Firm age and size are considered as control variables.
Findings
Senior managers should foster some WLB practices (time-reduction and flexible-work practices) so as to enhance SME audit firms’ financial results. Work-leave practices should be analyzed so as to promote some positive outcomes for firms, through internal reorganization or by reorienting employees to resorting to the most beneficial practices.
Practical implications
Not all WLB practices have positive effects on the business results of SMEs. Therefore, managers may try to reduce these negative effects or redirect employees to WLB practices that have more positive effects on their firms’ financial results. Strategic information is also provided to employees and public institutions about fostering WLB in SMEs.
Social implications
The availability of WLB practices has been deemed fundamental not only for policy makers and society, but also for the organizational culture and for human resource management practices.
Originality/value
This study is the first to investigate the association between the availability of WLB initiatives in SMEs and firms’ financial results.