Donath Olomi, Goodluck Charles and Norma Juma
This study aims to examine the experiences and lessons from formalisation initiatives in four sub-Saharan African countries. Drawing upon the three main theories that explain the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the experiences and lessons from formalisation initiatives in four sub-Saharan African countries. Drawing upon the three main theories that explain the existence of business informality – the exclusion model, rational exit model and dual economy model – the study offers an alternative path to business formalisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The researchers adopted a descriptive-qualitative method, and through the triangulation of data, identified emerging themes and patterns.
Findings
The findings suggest that the informal sector has a small layer that responds to the simplification of regulations and a larger one that requires a different formalisation framework. This shift in paradigm, indirect or group formalisation, where business associations facilitate traceability (registration), self-regulation, access to resources and services for members was observed in all four of the economies studied: Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Research limitations/implications
As with every qualitative study, subjectivity and interpretation inevitably affect the replicability and generalisability of the findings. However, the rich meanings emerging from the qualitative analysis of the text are critically insightful.
Practical implications
Developing countries should explore indirect formalisation. Provision of workspace and construction of business premises for informal operators should be given high priority. The model for building structures for micro enterprises should change in favour of ownership by the operators through their own associations or other private sector investors.
Originality/value
A pioneering study on cross-country analysis based on sub-Saharan African nations to unearth a new paradigm, a shift towards indirect or group formalisation.
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Shefali Nandan, Daphne Halkias, Paul W. Thurman, Marcos Komodromos, Baker Ahmad Alserhan, Chris Adendorff, Norashfah Hanim Yaakop Yahaya Alhaj, Alfredo De Massis, Eleanna Galanaki, Norma Juma, Eileen Kwesiga, Anayo D. Nkamnebe and Claire Seaman
The purpose of this paper is to examine affective commitment, normative commitment, and continuance commitment in a cross-national context to identify if the effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine affective commitment, normative commitment, and continuance commitment in a cross-national context to identify if the effect of country-specific cultural orientation on organizational commitment of faculty in higher education functions invariably in different countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The work expands on Meyer and Allen’s (1991) three-component model of organizational commitment. It includes relevant literature review on ten countries and the results of a survey of university faculty members, assessing their institutions’ human resources practices and their effect on organizational commitment. Basic descriptive statistics were performed on nominal and interval data, means, medians, and standard deviations were computed, and tests of mean equivalence, including ANOVA tests, were performed. In certain instances, Pearson and Spearman correlations were computed to ascertain correlation, and χ2 tests for randomized response were used, while Cronbach’s α test helped to establish survey instrument validity.
Findings
Though certain differences may exist between different countries and cultures with respect to the three-component model of organizational commitment, there is strong evidence of the existence of invariance and, thus, generalizability of the model across cultures.
Research limitations/implications
Cultural studies have focused on differences in organizational commitment at national levels. Further attempts to identify the universality of factors leading to organizational commitment should account for culture in the study of employee-related globalization issues in higher education institutes. Knowledge of cultural impact is also useful from a managerial perspective, and for the design of relevant strategies.
Practical implications
National context plays a major role in shaping the nature of educational institutions. This study brings out the need for a deeper understanding of invariance in organizational commitment (inter-alia, through the three-component model).
Originality/value
This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between organizational commitment and its various antecedents, including human resources management practices, for faculty in higher education institutes.
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Diya Das, Eileen Kwesiga, Shruti Sardesmukh and Norma Juma
Immigrant groups often pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in their new home country. Even though both immigrant entrepreneurship and organizational identity have received scholarly…
Abstract
Immigrant groups often pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in their new home country. Even though both immigrant entrepreneurship and organizational identity have received scholarly attention, there has been little systematic exploration of identity strategies pursued by immigrant-owned organizations. In this article, we develop a theoretical framework that draws on the concepts of liability of foreignness and social identity theory in the context of immigrant entrepreneurship. Our framework explores how immigrant entrepreneurs may negotiate identities for their firms through the development of specific identity strategies that confirm or underplay their national/ethnic identities in order to survive in their immediate environment. We develop a model that shows how these confirmations or underplaying strategies work both for firms that have an individualistic entrepreneurial orientation, as well as those with a collective/associative entrepreneurial orientation. We also suggest two contextual moderators to this relationship: (1) the image of the founder's country of origin, and (2) the presence of immigrant networks in the host country, which may alter the effectiveness of identity strategies in terms of organizational mortality outcomes.
Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects…
Abstract
Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.
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Examines the ninth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects…
Abstract
Examines the ninth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.
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Lilly Marie Baltruschat, Vikas Jaiman and Visara Urovi
Blockchain systems have been proposed as a solution for exchanging electronic health records (EHR) because they enable data sharing in decentralised networks. This paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
Blockchain systems have been proposed as a solution for exchanging electronic health records (EHR) because they enable data sharing in decentralised networks. This paper aims to analyse the user acceptability of blockchain technology in enabling EHR exchange and to formulate practical implications for increasing user acceptability.
Design/methodology/approach
A technology acceptance model [extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model] was used as a framework to measure the effects of 13 factors. The authors conducted a survey and analysed data from 214 participants using partial least square path modelling.
Findings
The acceptance of blockchain for EHR sharing is positively influenced by performance expectancy, social influence and perceived trust. Effort expectancy and facilitating conditions do not influence acceptance. The UTAUT model explains the variance in acceptance at 58.4%. Self-efficacy influences effort expectancy, incentives influence facilitating conditions and security predicts perceived trust.
Practical implications
Three implications are drawn: (1) Users need to clearly understand system’s purpose, functions, security mechanism and environmental impacts. (2) Users are incentivised to share health data via a blockchain solution if the technology offers personalising options and health information. (3) Health personnel can socially impact patients to use blockchain-based solutions.
Originality/value
Studies have shown that blockchain technology is a valuable solution for exchanging EHR. The novelty of this work is to identify how and why patients may accept this emerging technology for EHR exchange.