WE have used several methods to balance propellers analytically in order to avoid the cut‐and‐try method now commonly adopted in the practical field. The method described here has…
Abstract
WE have used several methods to balance propellers analytically in order to avoid the cut‐and‐try method now commonly adopted in the practical field. The method described here has been employed in the propeller shop of C.A.T.C. in China and found applicable in the following cases:
The concept of “Workplace Spirituality (WPS)” in the field of management has gained great interest in the last decade, especially due to its connection with profitability. There…
Abstract
The concept of “Workplace Spirituality (WPS)” in the field of management has gained great interest in the last decade, especially due to its connection with profitability. There has been a rapid increase in research related to the topic. It is assumed that employees who spend a significant part of their time at work are willing to satisfy their spiritual needs at the workplace. Such unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic have posed many difficulties for organizations to remain agile, develop and grow, and innovate to survive. At this very moment, the importance and meaning of WPS for managers appear to have increased even more. Workplace spirituality is related to motivation, belongingness, and loyalty, and the pandemic seems to have created significant issues concerning these topics with employees. Employees have been forced to work from home due to prolonged restrictions and have faced difficulties in returning to work post-pandemic. Workplace spirituality has the potential to help employees stay motivated in their work, increase their job performance, enhance job satisfaction, and improve their mental health during this difficult period. Organizations can support their employees by implementing different practices to develop workplace spirituality. In this article, approaches to satisfy the spiritual needs of employees post-pandemic, and the efforts of workplaces to meet these needs, are examined with insights from theoretical and practical life.
Details
Keywords
To elucidate the factors influencing suboptimal food (SF) purchase intention among Taiwanese consumers, this study extended the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model by…
Abstract
Purpose
To elucidate the factors influencing suboptimal food (SF) purchase intention among Taiwanese consumers, this study extended the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model by incorporating driving factors that encourage purchasing of SFs, that is, incorporating food waste awareness and personal norms. The inhibiting moderator of health consciousness and facilitating moderator of price consciousness were also considered.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 305 online questionnaire responses were analysed. Moderated regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses proposed in this study.
Findings
Consumer attitudes toward purchasing SFs and perceived behavioural control as well as their food waste awareness and personal norms are determinants of their SF purchase intention. Health consciousness inhibits SF purchase intention, and price consciousness promotes SF purchase intention. In addition, the moderating effect of health consciousness reverses the positive relationship between personal norms and SF purchase intention, turning the relationship negative. However, the moderating effect of price consciousness strengthens the positive relationship between personal norms and SF purchase intention.
Originality/value
In addition to extending the TPB model, this study considered the main effects and moderating effects of health consciousness and price consciousness on consumers’ intention to purchase SF. The research findings contribute to the understanding of the relevant factors that influence Taiwanese consumers’ SF purchase intention. The study also outlines the implications of its findings in terms of encouraging consumers to purchase SFs to reduce food waste.
Details
Keywords
Ishfaq Ahmed, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail and Salmiah Mohamad Amin
This study investigated how leader-member relation and guanxi association create an impetus for creative work involvement (CWI) through feeling of energy (FE). The paper aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated how leader-member relation and guanxi association create an impetus for creative work involvement (CWI) through feeling of energy (FE). The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 239 Malaysian-Chinese employees occupying various designations in 23 manufacturing organizations were questioned at two points of time. At the first instance, they responded for guanxi network (GN) and leader member exchange associations; and at the second instance, for their FE and creative involvement.
Findings
Structural equation modeling analysis showed that social exchange relations (GN and leader member exchange) positively predicted employees' FE which resulted in increased level of CWI.
Social implications
This study adds value to the existing literature on guanxi association and signifies that such values are not boundary restricted. Malaysian-Chinese also experience guanxi associations and its impact on their job outcomes.
Originality/value
This study covers an unexplored role of GN in improving employees' level of energy and CWI; and mediation of leader-member exchange in the association of GN and energy.
Details
Keywords
Ishfaq Ahmed, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail, Salmiah Mohamad Amin and Muhammad Musarrat Nawaz
Using the social exchange perspective, the aim of this research is to add value to the construct by looking at direct and indirect effects through perceived organizational support…
Abstract
Purpose
Using the social exchange perspective, the aim of this research is to add value to the construct by looking at direct and indirect effects through perceived organizational support (POS) and leader‐member exchange (LMX) of the guanxi network in job involvement, and ultimately the effect of job involvement on in‐role performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was used as the medium for data collection. A total of 458 respondents took part in research at two points of time. Respondents were selected using random sampling technique from hotels of western part of Malaysia. Descriptive statistics, CFA, and SEM were used for this purpose.
Findings
Findings of the study reveal that individual guanxi network significantly contributes towards social exchange relations (POS and LMX), and employees' job involvement. The individual guanxi network has both direct and indirect effects on job involvement, which confirms that individual guanxi network affects involvement through social exchange relations, i.e. POS and LMX; it also confirms the basic notion of individual guanxi network (social relations with norm of reciprocity).
Research limitations/implications
This study covers only hotel employees working in Western Malaysia. Other sectors can be selected for future research endeavours with a larger sample size.
Practical implications
One obvious implication of this research is that management should utilize the guanxi network of employees, which can result in increasing involvement and improved performance.
Originality/value
The main contributions of the study contain: consideration of LMX as a mediator and explaining the social exchange essence of individual guanxi network.
Details
Keywords
Ishfaq Ahmed, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan Ismail and Salmiah Mohamad Amin
The purpose of this study is, in considering the significant role of social exchange relations at work, to add value by highlighting the remedial effects of the individual guanxi…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is, in considering the significant role of social exchange relations at work, to add value by highlighting the remedial effects of the individual guanxi network (IGN), perceived organizational support (POS) and leader–member exchange (LMX) in overcoming ostracism at work.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 247 Chinese employees working in the services sector in Western Malaysia at two points in time. A questionnaire was used as a tool to gather responses from the selected sample. Respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results of the study support the hypothesis and prove that the presence of social exchange relations (i.e. POS and LMX) can have a positive effect on reducing ostracism at work. The Chinese social value of IGN is also an important predictor in overcoming ostracism in Chinese organizations.
Research limitations/implications
This study covers employees working in the service sector. A good and more realistic picture could be drawn by increasing the sample size and drawing comparisons with the manufacturing and trading sectors both in and outside Malaysia.
Practical implications
One clear implication of this study is a suggested means of overcoming ostracism and its adverse effects at work.
Originality/value
Determining a means of overcoming ostracism and eradicating its negative consequences is the main contribution of this study.
Details
Keywords
Mayuri Srivastava, Shradha Shivani and Sraboni Dutta
The purpose of this empirical study is to enable a better understanding of the construct sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions (SEI) and thereby promote sustainable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this empirical study is to enable a better understanding of the construct sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial intentions (SEI) and thereby promote sustainable entrepreneurship. It aims to examine the significance of work values (extrinsic rewards, intrinsic rewards and job security) as antecedents of SEI and to test the mediating effect of three constructs derived from the theory of planned behaviour – attitude towards sustainability, perceived entrepreneurial desirability and perceived entrepreneurial feasibility on the relationships between work values and SEI.
Design/methodology/approach
Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed using analysis of moment structures v27 and statistical package for social science v28 on data obtained from the survey of young individuals of India. The respondents were students enrolled in higher education programmes.
Findings
All the identified antecedents (extrinsic rewards, intrinsic rewards, job security and theory of planned behaviour constructs) were found to be statistically significant. The partial mediating effect of the theory of planned behaviour constructs was also reported.
Originality/value
This empirical work leads to the theoretical advancement of the emerging construct, SEI, by presenting evidence of the significant individual-level antecedents of the construct. The results lead to recommendations for policymakers and educators to design strategies to strengthen SEI, thereby expanding the adoption of sustainable entrepreneurship.
Details
Keywords
Angeline Gautami Fernando, Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran and L. Suganthi
Second-hand/used goods channels compete with existing traditional channels to satisfy consumers’ needs that are unmet by traditional retail networks. However, most studies on…
Abstract
Purpose
Second-hand/used goods channels compete with existing traditional channels to satisfy consumers’ needs that are unmet by traditional retail networks. However, most studies on online shopping have largely ignored online second-hand/used good purchases. This study aims to use Thaler’s mental accounting model, principal–agent perspective and contamination theory to highlight the differences in the value sought by online new goods and second-hand shoppers.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual framework linking perceived uncertainty, perceived acquisition value and e-loyalty was developed and tested using structural equation modelling. The moderating effects of product type (new vs second-hand) and frugality were also included.
Findings
The paper found strong support for the model. Results showed that online second-hand shoppers were more uncertain and perceived lesser levels of acquisition value when compared to new goods shoppers. They were also less frugal. Online shoppers are also more likely to buy products with sensory attributes (experience goods) in new goods websites and products with non-sensory attributes (search goods) from second-hand websites. The authors recommend various ways in which managers can increase perceived value for the online shopper.
Research limitations/implications
Future studies can extend this investigation by including transaction value or other hedonic values to verify their impact on acquisition value and e-loyalty. While the authors found support for the notion that consumers who buy used goods online are less frugal, there is some research that could point to the opposite. Hence, research can investigate this topic in depth in more countries to throw more light on this.
Practical implications
To sustain themselves in a competitive online market, retailers need to understand the value sought by consumers. This study provides empirical evidence of the importance of acquisition value for new goods and second-hand shoppers.
Originality/value
No recent research has compared the value sought by online second-hand and new goods shoppers. This study contributes to the understanding of the acquisition value perceived by consumers in online new goods and second-hand shopping channels.
Details
Keywords
Rachael Vriezen, Mikayla Plishka and John Cranfield
Traceability is an increasingly important tool for reducing food safety risks and managing supply logistics. Given the costs of implementing and maintaining traceability systems…
Abstract
Purpose
Traceability is an increasingly important tool for reducing food safety risks and managing supply logistics. Given the costs of implementing and maintaining traceability systems, it is crucial to understand consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for traceable products.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a scoping review to collate the existing literature on consumer WTP for traceability in food products to determine the nature of the evidence base and to identify research gaps.
Findings
A total of 77 articles were included in the review. The number of studies published per year generally increased over the review period, and China and the United States were the most common countries in which studies were conducted (43.6 and 14.1% of total studies, respectively). All but one of the studies investigated at least one factor that might influence consumer WTP for traceability, the most common of which was socio-demographic characteristics (72.7%). Three-quarters of studies used hypothetical methods to elicit WTP values (75.3%), whereas one-quarter used non-hypothetical methods (24.7%). Most studies included some measure of preference heterogeneity (83.1%).
Research limitations/implications
There is some potential for systematic bias in the evidence due to the predominance of studies from only a few countries and the possible presence of hypothetical bias. These potential biases could be corrected through future research.
Originality/value
To the authors’ knowledge, no previous study systematically and comprehensively identifies and summarizes the evidence base on consumer WTP for traceable food products.
Details
Keywords
Min‐Young Lee, Youn‐Kyung Kim and Hyun‐Joo Lee
Online auctions have attracted emotional shoppers through exciting shopping processes such as searching and bidding. The recreational and emotional worth of online auction…
Abstract
Purpose
Online auctions have attracted emotional shoppers through exciting shopping processes such as searching and bidding. The recreational and emotional worth of online auction shopping forces auction retailers to develop tailored strategies for their consumers. To this end, this study aimed to classify online auction shoppers based on their emotional shopping motivations and examine the relations of demographics (i.e. age, gender, income, and education) and psychographics (i.e. impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, price sensitivity, and risk‐consciousness) to online auction shopper groups.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected via an online questionnaire utilizing a pre‐recruited consumer panel that had experience of online auction shopping during the past 12 months. Existing measurement scales were adopted and tested for validity and reliability in the processes of academic expert review, expert debriefing, the pretest, and the main study. The measures consisted of consumer psychographics (i.e. impulsiveness, variety seeking, price consciousness, and risk consciousness), emotional shopping motivations (i.e. adventure and gratification), and demographic variables. The analyses of the study proceeded in two stages. First, a cluster analysis uncovered auction shopper segments that emerged from the two dimensions of emotional shopping motivation. Second, regression analyses determined the predictive powers of demographic and psychographic variables in discriminating auction shopper segments.
Findings
The findings suggested that there were distinct auction shopper segments based on adventure and gratification shopping motivations. Four cluster groups showed significant differences in demographic characteristics of age and gender, and psychographic characteristics of impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, and price sensitivity. The regression results provided information on predictive powers of selected variables (i.e. age, gender, impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, price sensitivity, and risk consciousness) for different segments.
Originality/value
This study identified four online auction shopper segments and their differences in demographic and psychographic characteristics.