Philip Hallinger, Allan Walker, Dao Thi Hong Nguyen, Thang Truong and Thi Thinh Nguyen
Worldwide interest in principal instructional leadership has led to global dissemination of related research findings despite their concentration in a limited set of western…
Abstract
Purpose
Worldwide interest in principal instructional leadership has led to global dissemination of related research findings despite their concentration in a limited set of western cultural contexts. An urgent challenge in educational leadership and management lies in expanding the range of national settings for investigations of instructional leadership. The current study addressed this challenge in the context of Vietnam, a nation with a very limited formal knowledge base in school leadership (Hallinger and Bryant, 2013b; Hallinger and Truong, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to describe the perspectives of Vietnamese primary school principals toward their role as instructional leaders, illuminate instructional leadership practices perceived as important by the principals, and develop a preliminary model of instructional leadership within the Vietnamese education context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was a qualitative inquiry that sought to illuminate the perspectives of Vietnamese principals toward their role as instructional leaders. The research employed semi-structured interviews with 27 primary school principals. Data analysis employed grounded theory in order to synthesize results gathered from the principals into a preliminary conceptual model.
Findings
The study yielded a preliminary model of principal instructional leadership in Vietnam. The authors’ model evidences similarities to western models of instructional leadership by including dimensions focusing on setting direction, managing curriculum and instruction and developing the school learning climate. Differences also emerged in terms of two additional constructs, building solidarity and managing external relationships. Other distinctive practices of Vietnamese instructional leaders also emerged in the findings which the authors suggest can be linked to the institutional, political and socio-cultural context of education in this society.
Research limitations/implications
Key limitations arise from the focus on primary schools, small size of the sample, absence of data from the Northern region of Vietnam, and lack of verification of principals’ perspectives with data from other stakeholders.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first empirical studies of Vietnamese school leadership submitted for publication in international refereed journals and the first study that has that sought to conceptualize the instructional leadership role of principals in Vietnam. Moreover, the study illustrates how conceptualizations of school leadership are shaped by features of specific societies. This lends credence to scholarly admonitions concerning the lack of universality of leadership theories.
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Le Trinh Hai, Nguyen An Thinh, Tran Anh Tuan, Dao Dinh Cham, Luu The Anh, Hoang Luu Thu Thuy, Nguyen Manh Ha, Tran Quoc Bao, Le Van Huong, Uong Dinh Khanh, Bui Thi Mai, Tong Phuc Tuan, Hoang Hai and Quang Hai Truong
This paper aims to facilitate the joint assessment of issues related to the agricultural systems, i.e. agriculture, aquaculture and climate change (CC) response strategies, in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to facilitate the joint assessment of issues related to the agricultural systems, i.e. agriculture, aquaculture and climate change (CC) response strategies, in the coastal districts with a panel of stakeholders; and to evaluate the level of agreement on the topics under consideration and potentially identify the most promising approaches to assessing CC affecting agricultural systems in the area and identify relevant and adequate response strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Stakeholder Delphi technique – its assessment is an interactive method of qualitative research used to facilitate the interactive participation of varied and conceivably hierarchical and antagonistic stakeholder groups.
Findings
The most important result for the province is that the impact of climate change on agro-ecological landscapes (poverty and near river areas) is the duration of cold weather, more frequent and extreme. Moreover, Kendall’s W test gave a score of 0.547, which indicates a “strong” stakeholder agreement and the “confidence in ranks” being “high” in Thai Binh (Vietnam).
Originality/value
The scientific results in this study are intended to serve as relevant knowledge-inputs and direct contributions to capacity-building for the local partners (stakeholders and local authorities). These local partners are engaged in policy-making and effective planning and implementation of climate response measures in the districts in the province of Thai Binh.
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Hieu Thanh Nguyen, Thinh Gia Hoang, Loan Thi Quynh Nguyen, Giang Tinh Ngo Nguyen and Nga Thi Nguyen
This paper aims to explore how family culture can contribute to support the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in a Korean immigrant enterprise in…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how family culture can contribute to support the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in a Korean immigrant enterprise in Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach
This research highlighted a critical case, in which entrepreneurs and most of the organisational members share a common family culture and the culture support management capability of an entrepreneur, during the introduction of a new organisation initiative. In addition, Bourdieu’s tripartite analytical framework of field, capitals and habitus was adopted to facilitate the case analysis.
Findings
Firstly, the motivation behind the development of CSR came from the intention to gain access to the local capital market. Secondly, family culture plays an important role in maintaining the support of organisational actors to support the decision of the entrepreneur.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the emerging literature about CSR and immigrant entrepreneurship. This study sheds light on how family culture can aid the leadership of CSR initiatives and CSR practices in the context of the immigrant organisation.
Practical implications
This study identifies processes that immigrant entrepreneurs can use to inspire organisational members to engage in a new initiative in which organisational culture and norms can help to overcome challenges to enable engagement with a novel initiative.
Originality/value
This paper explains how family culture supports the leading role of an entrepreneur, in which the absolute pressures inherited from family values and traditions in the place of origin help an organisation to overcome existing barriers such as lack of time and financial support towards a new initiative.
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Thinh Gia Hoang, Cuong Van Hoang, Nam Hai Vu, Giang Tinh Ngo Nguyen and Thanh Thi Huong Nguyen
This paper aims to explore how research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers can contribute to sustainability initiatives in their organisations.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore how research and development (R&D) scientists and engineers can contribute to sustainability initiatives in their organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a critical case study methodology, focussed on a large Vietnamese company in which business leaders sought to engage R&D scientists and engineers in sustainability initiatives focussed on eco-innovation and eco-efficiency. Bourdieu’s theoretical lens of habitus, capitals and field facilitates a relational analysis of the findings.
Findings
While R&D scientists and engineers adapted well to early changes aligned with eco-innovation, they struggled to engage with sustainability initiatives in the case firm. This study explains adaptions and constraints as scientists and engineers’ professional habitus and capitals, and their broader organisational field.
Practical implications
This paper provides insight into how organisations might integrate professional acculturation and appropriate facilitators to promote the additional contribution of scientists and engineers to sustainability initiatives in the context of an organisation.
Social implications
Although eco-innovation and eco-efficiency are only potential dimensions of comprehensive organisational sustainability reform, this research provides insight into how engaging scientists and engineers with a broader social sustainability agenda might be advanced.
Originality/value
The study addresses calls for empirical insights into ways that scientists and engineers can commit to organisational sustainability practices based on the configurations of habitus, capital and organisational field.
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An Thi Binh Duong, Thu-Hang Hoang, Tram Thi Bich Nguyen, Mohammadreza Akbari, Thinh Gia Hoang and Huy Quang Truong
Proactive risk assessment suggests that risk assessment should emphasize the consequences that it might cause and the opportunities it might create for firms. Hence, this study…
Abstract
Purpose
Proactive risk assessment suggests that risk assessment should emphasize the consequences that it might cause and the opportunities it might create for firms. Hence, this study aims to validate risk impact on supply chain performance in the context of the Vietnamese construction sector. Also, a complex network, in which multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, is developed to assist managers in tackling unpredictable risks proactively. In particular, the authors investigate whether certain risks could be considered either challenges or opportunities for businesses in turbulent times to improve SC performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The construction industry is the focal study context as it is one of the most essential industries in charge of providing accommodations, infrastructures and employment for society. 289 valid responses used in this research are from a large-scale survey result, supported by a Japanese government project promoting sustainable socio-economic development in Vietnam.
Findings
From the study findings, the authors find that external risk brings opportunities for supply chain performance. Meanwhile, demand risk, when it occurs, can reduce the danger level of operational risk, which is an interesting finding of this research. It is evident that when multiple risk factors mutually affect, impede or promote each other, it provides a more meaningful examination of mutually interconnected supply chain risks.
Originality/value
Practitioners should perceive risks as an opportunity than a threat. This study contributes to preventing risks and guaranteeing an effective and efficient supply chain by tackling unpredictable risks in a disruptive period. Moreover, data on validating research models collected during the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine and Russia conflicts reflect the topicality of this study.
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Thinh Nguyen-Duc, Linh Phuong Nguyen, Tam To Phuong, Hanh Thi Hien Nguyen and Vinh Thi Hong Cao
This study aims to address the reliability and construct validity of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) in a Vietnamese context. Using the IWPQ as a measurement…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to address the reliability and construct validity of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) in a Vietnamese context. Using the IWPQ as a measurement tool, this research also examined whether demographic features (such as gender, education level, work experience and position in a company) influenced employees’ work performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The Vietnamese IWPQ was validated via a two-step process of factor analysis, including an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The data collected were randomly divided into two subsamples to independently serve the EFA (n = 341) and CFA (n = 342). ANOVAs and t-tests were also used to examine the differences in individual work performance (IWP) among different demographic categories.
Findings
The results of the current study confirmed the applicability of the three-dimensional IWPQ in a Vietnamese context. In addition, they also indicated several demographic features that impacted employees’ patterns of responses to IWPQ dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
This study focused on the construct validity of the IWPQ, without taking the content, face or criterion validity into consideration. Thus, future research should be conducted to yield a more comprehensive validation of the instrument, to measure the relationship between human resource development (HRD) practices and employee performance and to examine the relationship between strategic HRD and IWP and firm outcomes. In addition, the validated Vietnamese version of the IWPQ may inspire comparative studies on individual performance within and between units in an organization and among organizations and industries.
Practical implications
HRD practitioners can now use the validated IWPQ in the Vietnamese language to assess fluctuations in and analyze current staff performance, thereby facilitating human resource management and development. This study also offers recommendations for business leaders and HRD practitioners striving to implement strategic HRD aimed at reducing disparities in gender and between educational qualifications and job assignments at workplace, with the overarching goals of enhancing staff performance. These recommendations prove instrumental in improving staff performance, strengthening organizational efficiency and ultimately tackling the issue of low productivity in Vietnam and neighboring countries.
Social implications
This study findings underscore the significance of embracing strategic HRD while taking into account individual, organizational and contextual factors that influence IWP. This approach serves to bridge current gaps related to IWP, including Vietnam’s comparatively lower productivity compared to neighboring nations, educational qualifications and role allocations within the workplace, as well as the prevailing work standards and strategic objectives.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this rigorously validated Vietnamese version of the IWPQ is the first of its kind in Vietnam, making a significant contribution to inclusivity initiatives and offering substantial evidence to affirm the IWPQ’s relevance across diverse contexts.
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Thinh Nguyen-Duc, Tam T. Phuong, Thuy T.B. Le and Lam T.T. Nguyen
The main purpose of this study was to validate the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) in a Vietnamese context. Using the DLOQ as a research tool, this study…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this study was to validate the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) in a Vietnamese context. Using the DLOQ as a research tool, this study also investigated the impact of demographic features on participants’ perceptions of learning organizations (LOs).
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 748 valid responses to a version of the DLOQ translated into Vietnamese. Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis were used to test the reliable internal consistency and validity of the DLOQ in a Vietnamese context. Then, one-way ANOVA analyses and independent sample t-tests were used to assess the differences produced by the characteristics of respondents and their enterprises.
Findings
The results of this study show that three versions of the DLOQ are applicable to a Vietnamese context. The findings of this study also suggest that several demographic features produced significant differences in respondents’ perceptions of organizational learning.
Research limitations/implications
There are several limitations of this study. First, this study used self-reporting, and individual perspectives of questions can bring about perception bias. Also, the length of the original version of the DLOQ (i.e. 43 questions) might impact the results, because of participants’ lack of patience and focus. In addition, various levels of organizational learning may cause some confusion, leading to misinterpretation. Finally, the overrepresentation of large state-owned enterprises in the service industry in the sample may have caused bias when interpreting the results. Future research should be conducted to further validate and extend the findings of this study for small- and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 98% of businesses in Vietnam. It is strongly suggested that scholars use the validated Vietnamese DLOQ to measure the impacts of learning culture on learning-related results in Vietnam, such as individual/team/organizational performance, staff satisfaction and so on. Finally, future research should consider making appropriate study designs to collect and analyze data from various resources and not be limited to self-reported questionnaires. This would minimize common method bias.
Practical implications
Application of the DLOQ provides valuable insights and understanding for use in designing and evaluating efforts to learn at all levels in Vietnamese enterprises.
Social implications
Regarding designing, adjusting and implementing strategies to boost the learning capacity of an organization, the findings of this study also imply that business leaders and practitioners in Vietnamese enterprises can build strategies for enhancing LO culture without biases stemming from gender or management level. However, education level and work experience should be considered critical features that could impact the effectiveness of such strategies. Also, understanding and applying the DLOQ when building LOs will promote Vietnamese businesses’ competitiveness and international integration.
Originality/value
Using statistical results, this study confirmed that a rigorously translated Vietnamese version of the DLOQ produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity sufficient to measure LOs in a Vietnamese context.
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Hieu Thanh Nguyen, Thinh Gia Hoang, Loan Quynh Thi Nguyen, Hoa Phan Le and Hoanh Xuan Vu Mai
This paper aims to explore green technology (GT) transfer through the perceptions of both business managers and technology specialists, who have been identified as the foremost…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore green technology (GT) transfer through the perceptions of both business managers and technology specialists, who have been identified as the foremost practitioners of this practice.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with business leaders and technology scientists. The interviewees were asked to share their views on the motivations for importing GT; their familiarity with, knowledge of and understanding of GT transfer and the current GT performance in their organization; the key strengths of GT transfer and its limitations; the barriers to the use of GT; and their usefulness. The theoretical framework of actors’ resistance to institutional demands of Oliver (1991) is used as a theoretical lens to investigate the perceptions of the interviewees.
Findings
This study suggests that despite some benefits of the adoption of GT, such as increasing competitive advantage and improving green operations, there are huge concerns over the use and importation of GT. More specifically, almost all the technicians were concerned about the technical risks resulting from the lack of operational tests, the old technologies and the lack of knowledge transfer. Meanwhile, the paucity of specific regulations, guidance and environmental standards has been reported by business managers as one of the primary constraints for this movement.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the emerging literature on GT transfers in the developing world. It proves that the lack of communication and the scarcity of a true champion for GT efforts have reduced the efficiency of GT transfer.
Practical implications
By shedding light on the intricate nature of the relationships arising from GT adoption in organizations, this paper aims to support business leaders and standard setters in making a decision regarding the implementation and promotion of GT transfer, especially in the context of developing countries.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to explore eco-friendly technology transfers in a developing country from the micro-level perspective of both business and technology practitioners of GT-recipient organizations.
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Thac Dang-Van, Vu Thinh Truong, Phuoc-Thien Nguyen, Wong Ming Wong and Ninh Nguyen
This study is based on the regulatory focus theory and conservation of resources theory to examine how information confusion leads to users’ discontinuous usage intention of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is based on the regulatory focus theory and conservation of resources theory to examine how information confusion leads to users’ discontinuous usage intention of social networking sites (SNSs), with the mediating mechanisms of users’ motivation and affectivity.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were obtained from 270 users in different SNSs in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the sample data and test the hypotheses.
Findings
Results show that information confusion has a positive influence on discontinuous usage intention, and prevention focus positively mediates this relationship. Furthermore, the negative affectivity positively mediates the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention and that between prevention focus and discontinuous usage intention. In addition, prevention focus and negative affectivity together play a serial mediating effect in the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention.
Originality/value
This study extends the regulatory focus theory and conservation of resources theory to validate a model that explains the transitional process of users’ motivation and affectivity in the link between information confusion and discontinuous usage intention of SNSs. The findings of this study provide implications for academic researchers and business managers of SNSs to understand and make better decisions to retain their users.
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Giang NT Nguyen, Thinh Gia Hoang, Tam Minh Nguyen and Thanh Thien Ngo
This paper aims to explore the motivational factors and contextual facilitators of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam’s coffee industry and also the barriers facing them.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the motivational factors and contextual facilitators of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam’s coffee industry and also the barriers facing them.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts the grounded theory approach, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 women entrepreneurs in the coffee industry in the rural Central Highlands of Vietnam.
Findings
This study found that necessity-driven factors play an important role in motivating female entrepreneurs to advance their careers. However, these factors may be transformed into the opportunity-driven motives. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Asia’s collectivism culture and family support significantly affect the success of the women entrepreneurs, although gender inequality is not perceived as a serious constraint in entrepreneurial activities.
Research limitations/implications
This study has implications for the literature of women entrepreneurs regarding motivations and contextual influences in agricultural and rural areas of Vietnam. However, the sample size is relatively small which limits the concept generation of the study. For further research, a larger sample size with different business sectors should be considered to generate more explicit findings.
Practical implications
The findings from this study can assist the policymakers in developing strategies and governmental policies to support the career advancement of women entrepreneurs and improving gender equality in Vietnam.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature about understanding the motives and the roles of socioeconomic contexts in women’s entrepreneurial activities in agricultural and rural areas.