Sneh Bhardwaj, Gavin Nicholson and Damian Morgan
Directors’ human capital has long been recognised as vital to ensuring effective corporate governance. While previous studies have sought to link director human capital with…
Abstract
Purpose
Directors’ human capital has long been recognised as vital to ensuring effective corporate governance. While previous studies have sought to link director human capital with specific firm-level outcomes, there are persistent challenges facing researchers who seek to understand better what kind of human capital makes a difference to effective board role execution. This study aims to understand whether the way directors fulfil their roles and contribute to boardroom dynamics is shaped by any human capital they gain via senior executive experience.
Design/methodology/approach
We draw insights from 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Indian directors to capture their perceptions and experiences of how a specific kind of human capital, namely the C-suite experience, affects directors' boardroom dynamics and board role execution.
Findings
We highlight how directors with executive experience appear to have a more salient set of human capital to draw on. Specifically, they report navigating governance processes differently, displaying a more contextualised understanding of boardroom dynamics and having a broader understanding of the firm’s problems. Doing so enables them to foster constructive board-management relationships and improve their service role execution.
Research limitations/implications
Our qualitative data are drawn from a purposively sampled group in a specific governance system (India). While this does not threaten the key theoretical insights, it does raise questions about their generalisability to other governance contexts.
Practical implications
Directors with executive experience build trust through their orientation towards and understanding of management without diminishing their capacity to scrutinise management decisions. The human capital of these directors appears to engender a more effective and contextualised boardroom dynamic that facilitates the execution of socialised accountability through balancing the control and service roles.
Originality/value
Our findings highlight the potential importance of a shared understanding of the communication and collaboration processes of corporate governance (i.e. a common transactional memory framework) between directors and management. Directors who share this understanding with management are more likely to effectively engage in the service role while not compromising the control role. This shared understanding appears to allow these directors and executives to encode, store and retrieve relevant information they need more effectively, engendering the trust between them that seems to foster socialised accountability.
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Angela Russo, Mohammed Mansouri, Giuseppe Santisi and Andrea Zammitti
In today’s high-demand work environments, characterised by an expectation for individuals to possess resources to manage workloads effectively, workaholism poses a significant…
Abstract
Purpose
In today’s high-demand work environments, characterised by an expectation for individuals to possess resources to manage workloads effectively, workaholism poses a significant threat to employee well-being. This study aims to investigate the impact of work overload and psychological flexibility on compulsive work behaviours and well-being.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies the Job Demands-Resources model and uses structural equation modelling to analyse data collected from 305 adult workers aged 19–65. Psychological flexibility and work overload are examined as antecedents of compulsive work behaviour, with flourishing and life satisfaction as outcomes.
Findings
The results indicate that compulsive work behaviour mediates the relationship between work overload and psychological flexibility on well-being outcomes. Psychological flexibility was found to be a crucial resource in reducing workaholic tendencies, leading to improved flourishing and life satisfaction.
Research limitations/implications
The implications for human resources include practical strategies and targeted interventions to help individuals navigate organisational demands, prevent compulsive work behaviours and improve overall well-being.
Originality/value
This study offers new insights into the role of psychological flexibility as a personal resource in reducing compulsive work tendencies and enhancing both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in high-demand work environments.
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Philip Alford and Rosalind Jones
The use of digital marketing technologies remains low in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with digital transformation being a concern for governments globally. This study reports…
Abstract
Purpose
The use of digital marketing technologies remains low in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with digital transformation being a concern for governments globally. This study reports on the human-technology interaction process, using digital entrepreneurial marketing (DEM) bricolage and a sociomateriality lens to examine more deeply organisational interaction between marketers and digital marketing technologies in these firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative case study and purposive sampling approach are deployed, using seven SMEs in the same UK region. A bricolage and sociomateriality framework and template analysis are used to identify digital marketing strategies and challenges, levels of digital marketing bricolage and assess the value for each firm.
Findings
Firms practice different levels of DEM bricolage depending on the interactions of the marketers with digital marketing tools. Those marketers in firms who had higher levels of interaction between the human and the technological provided greater long-term strategic value for the SME.
Originality/value
This is the first study to apply a sociomateriality lens to bricolage in an SME digital marketing context and allows us to view the way in which employees interact with digital marketing technology and create value. There is scarce empirical data in this area despite numerous calls in the developing field of entrepreneurship and digitalisation in small and growing firms.
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Juan Peng, Minyuan Wei, Teng Iat Loi and Jiaojiao Li
This research focuses on how algorithmic management, as a primary method of platform governance, affects job burnout among gig workers. Drawing on self-determination theory, our…
Abstract
Purpose
This research focuses on how algorithmic management, as a primary method of platform governance, affects job burnout among gig workers. Drawing on self-determination theory, our study examines the various effects of algorithmic management’s aspects on gig workers' job burnout.
Design/methodology/approach
This study targeted gig workers (car drivers and food-delivery workers) and was conducted in two waves. Data analysis was facilitated using SPSS 22.0 and MPlus 8.4, a tool for CB-SEM (covariance-based structural equation modeling).
Findings
Algorithmic evaluation and discipline increase job burnout by negatively impacting gig workers' basic psychological needs. Algorithmic direction, in contrast, alleviates job burnout by enhancing basic psychological needs among gig workers.
Practical implications
Platform companies should address gig workers’ burnout by implementing advanced algorithmic management and providing autonomy-supportive environments. Adopting human-centric algorithmic practices can strengthen the platform–worker relationship, boost competence and reduce resistance to oversight.
Originality/value
Our study contributes to the literature by examining the various effects of algorithmic management on gig workers. By applying self-determination theory, we provide a novel perspective on understanding the mechanisms of job burnout in the gig economy.
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Peter Dodzi Kwasi Agbaxode, Ehsan Saghatforoush and Sitsabo Dlamini
The conventional project delivery (CPD) approach has been reported in the literature as the most widely used project delivery method in the construction industry globally compared…
Abstract
Purpose
The conventional project delivery (CPD) approach has been reported in the literature as the most widely used project delivery method in the construction industry globally compared to other delivery methods. However, researchers and practitioners have argued that the approach, specifically during the production of design documentation under the CPD, lacks certain capabilities that ensure quality and enhance project delivery. Therefore, this study aims to use the Ghanaian construction industry to identify the capabilities required of the CPD in practice, particularly during the production of design documentation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study design follows a pragmatist philosophy and uses mixed methods based on a deductive approach. Data collection involved a questionnaire survey, followed by semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas qualitative data analysis used content analysis with the assistance of IBM SPSS and QSR Nvivo 12 Pro.
Findings
Findings indicate that there should be incentives for producing good design documentation quality; mandatory coordination of design documentation; improving collaboration among designers; and allowing contractors to make input during the design stage.
Practical implications
The results indicate the need for the identified capabilities to be introduced in the CPD approach to improve design documentation quality.
Originality/value
This study offers a significant insight into the specific capabilities that are required of the CPD approach in practice particularly, in the production of design documentation
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Neil Govender, Samuel Laryea and Ron Watermeyer
Competitive tendering in South Africa is often associated with procurement based on the lowest fee tendered. Previous research on this topic did not provide in-depth examinations…
Abstract
Purpose
Competitive tendering in South Africa is often associated with procurement based on the lowest fee tendered. Previous research on this topic did not provide in-depth examinations of how pricing within consulting engineering companies was affected by competitive tendering nor did it illuminate the extent to which professional services were impacted by competitive tendering. This paper aims to examine the implications of competitive tendering on pricing and delivery of consulting engineering services in South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey research strategy with a questionnaire as the research instrument elicited qualitative data from 28 experienced consulting engineers in South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from the questionnaires.
Findings
Three key themes were identified, namely: considerations when determining consulting engineering fees on competitively tendered projects; the impact of reduced fees due to competitive tendering on the delivery of consulting engineering services; and interventions to prevent unsustainably “low” professional fees. Many consulting engineers in South Africa still determine fees using fee scales, while other considerations include resources, project complexity, risk, etc. Most participants asserted that design optimisation/value engineering, training, meetings and construction monitoring were adversely impacted by “low” fees.
Originality/value
This paper provides in-depth qualitative feedback from experienced consulting engineers (most having more than 20 years’ experience) on a topical issue in the South African construction industry. Thematic analysis was a novel method of analysis that was not used previously in this area of study.
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Socially responsible investment (SRI) has become a prominent strategy aimed at tackling social issues. In the rapidly expanding landscape of SRI, understanding investors’…
Abstract
Purpose
Socially responsible investment (SRI) has become a prominent strategy aimed at tackling social issues. In the rapidly expanding landscape of SRI, understanding investors’ perspectives is crucial. This study seeks to bridge this gap by examining the impact of investors’ core self-evaluation traits and social value orientation on their investment decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The convenient sampling technique was employed to gather data from 378 Indian retail investors through a structured questionnaire. The collected data was then investigated and interpreted using multinomial logistic regression facilitated by the SPSS 26 software.
Findings
The results of our study reveal a significant relation between investors’ core self-evaluation traits and their choice of SRI funds. Specifically, investors with higher levels of self-esteem, general self-efficacy, lower neurotic tendencies and stronger ethical and social image concerns are more likely to select SRI funds.
Practical implications
Gaining insight into the intrinsic motivations of investors can assist fund managers in customising portfolios to align with their preferences while also enabling policymakers to devise strategies that promote good corporate governance and the fulfilment of SDGs.
Originality/value
This research stands out for its unique exploration of the impact of CSE traits and SVO on investment decisions. It distinguishes itself by providing a pioneering analysis of the influence that inherent characteristics, values and risk tolerance have on investors’ investment decisions.
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Xinmeng Liu, Suicheng Li, Xiang Wang and Cailin Zhang
Data transformation has prompted enterprises to rethink their strategic development. Scholars have frequently acknowledged the vast potential value of supply chain data and…
Abstract
Purpose
Data transformation has prompted enterprises to rethink their strategic development. Scholars have frequently acknowledged the vast potential value of supply chain data and realised that simply owning data resources cannot guarantee excellent innovation performance (IP). Therefore, this study focussed on the mediating and moderating issues between data-driven supply chain orientation (DDSCO) and IP. More specifically, the purpose was to explore (1) whether DDSCO promotes enterprise innovation through dynamic and improvisational capabilities and (2) how information complexity (INC) plays a moderating role between capabilities and performance.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was performed using the results of a questionnaire survey, and a literature review was used to build the premises of this study. A sample was conducted on 296 Chinese enterprises, and the data collected were used to test the hypothesis by successive regression.
Findings
This research has implications for the theoretical development of DDSCO, as well as the dynamic capabilities (DC) and improvisation capabilities (IC) in innovation strategic literature. The empirical results show that DDSCO has a direct, positive impact on both DC and IC, which thus positively impact IP. Meanwhile, IC has a negative moderating effect on the path joining DC and IP. Conversely, IC has a positive moderating effect on the path joining IC and IP.
Research limitations/implications
Although this study has limitations, it also creates opportunities for future research. The survey comes from different industries, so the possibility of unique influences within industries cannot be ruled out. Second, the authors' survey is based on cross-sectional data, which allow for more comprehensive data verification in the future. Third, this study also provides opportunities for future research, because it proves that DC and IC, as partial mediators of DDSCO and IP, can mine other paths of the data-driven supply chain in IP. For example, the perspective of the relationship between supply chain members, knowledge perspective, etc.
Practical implications
The research findings offer a novel perspective for enterprise managers. First, enterprises can leverage supply chain data to gain competitive advantages in innovation. Second, it is imperative for enterprises to acknowledge the significance of developing dynamic and IC. This also requires enterprises to acknowledge innovations in DDSCO necessitate a focus on dynamic and IC. Third, it is recommended that managers take into account both sides of IC and encourage enterprises to prioritise the utilisation of IC.
Originality/value
Empirical research results revealed how DDSCO improves IP and is an extension of digital transformation in the supply chain field, providing new opportunities and challenges for enterprise innovation. It can also expand the enterprise's understanding of DDSCO. Second, based on resource-based theory, it is possible to develop and test theoretical arguments regarding the importance of dynamic and IC as intermediaries in the DDSCO-IP. Third, the authors conducted simulations of highly dynamic data environments to develop and test theoretical arguments about the importance of IC as a moderator of capabilities-performance relationships.