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1 – 10 of 66Saba Khalid and Abu Elias Sarker
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the rationales for, the trends and the impacts of innovations in the public management system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the rationales for, the trends and the impacts of innovations in the public management system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Design/methodology/approach
This study has adopted an interpretative and exploratory approach. To this end, extensive reviews have been made of government documents, reports of international organizations and relevant academic research articles.
Findings
The findings show that the UAE Government has embarked on a massive innovation program to bring dynamism and to feed the requirements of the UAE Vision 2021. As pressured by both external and internal forces, the directions of innovations in the UAE public management system correspond to the global trends. The results of innovations are positive in terms of the enhancement of efficiency, effectiveness, citizens’ satisfaction and citizens’ trust in public services.
Originality/value
This paper links theoretical insights from different sources to analyze the dynamics of public management innovations in the UAE which will be helpful for further comprehensive empirical research in the future.
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Maqsood Ahmad Sandhu, Omer Farooq, Saba Khalid and Mariam Farooq
Based on the extensive literature review and the research published in the context of Western countries, this study proposes that the entrepreneurship education, participation in…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the extensive literature review and the research published in the context of Western countries, this study proposes that the entrepreneurship education, participation in entrepreneurial seminars at the universities and their involvement in the activities of innovation and incubation center of the universities may foster entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among Emirati female graduating students.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the study’s hypothesized model, survey data are collected from 283 female graduating students of 19 public and private universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The analysis of the data relies upon multiple hierarchical regression and moderation analysis in SPSS.
Findings
The results suggest that all three types of educational activities positively influence the women's EIs in the UAE. However, formal entrepreneurship courses are more effective than the participation in seminars and involvement in the activities of innovation/incubation center. The authors also found that perceived social support does not moderate the impact of education on EIs, which means that entrepreneurship education is equally effective in fostering EIs, no matter female students perceive low or high social support. On the other hand, results demonstrate that the level of gender stereotypes negatively moderates the impact of education on it. This implies that if a female student believes in a high gender stereotype, the impact of education on her EIs will be low and vice versa.
Research limitations/implications
This study specifically focuses on women entrepreneurship and for the UAE only. However, the results can be generalized for female entrepreneurship, specifically for countries where governments are taking initiatives to foster female entrepreneurship. The study provides specific implications for the UAE public policy government.
Practical implications
As the Government of the UAE is keenly interested to boost up the women entrepreneurial behavior, the findings of the study support that in addition to entrepreneurship education, the government should also encourage the universities to arrange entrepreneurship seminars as these seminars also increase the EIs of women. In addition, the government and the universities should also focus on the involvement of women in the incubation centers/innovation park because the incubation centers can provide the practical exposure to the women in the new business start-ups.
Originality/value
This research is among the first, which benchmarks women EIs in the UAE.
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Tahir Ali and Saba Khalid
This study aims to investigate the relationship between trust and performance in international joint ventures (IJVs) with the moderating effects of the structural mechanisms from…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the relationship between trust and performance in international joint ventures (IJVs) with the moderating effects of the structural mechanisms from transaction cost approach.
Design/methodology/approach
Using web-survey, data are collected from 89 IJVs of Northern European firms in Asia, Europe and America. Empirical data are analyzed with structural equation modeling and estimates moderating effects of symmetric dependence, symmetric equity share and resource complementarity.
Findings
The findings offer some interesting insights for transaction cost and the social exchange theory. This study demonstrates that a symmetric equity share between IJV partners does not moderate the trust–performance relationship, while a symmetric dependence and resource complementarity between partners effect positively. Therefore, trust takes on greater importance in enhancing IJV performance under symmetric dependence and resource complementarity and symmetric equity share between IJV partners deprecates the importance of equity distribution.
Practical implications
A symmetric dependence prevents the deceit from either partner in trusting relationships. Further, a trustful relationship enhances IJV performance regardless of the equity share in IJVs. IJVs with asymmetric equity share can also be successful, provided that IJV partners develop inter-partner trust.
Originality/value
The extant research has not examined how the trust–performance relationship is contingent on structural mechanisms of IJVs that transaction cost economics deem necessary to prevent opportunistic behavior. Three structural mechanisms of symmetric dependence, symmetric equity share and resource complementarity moderate the trust–performance relationship in IJVs.
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This study aims to examine the moderating effects of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the relationship of exploitation and exploration strategies with export performance…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the moderating effects of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the relationship of exploitation and exploration strategies with export performance. Drawing on the current literature, this conceptual paper develops a framework that first links the exploitative and explorative strategies with the export performance. Later, propositions are developed to indicate different combinations of individual dimensions of EO as moderating factors to this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual paper which builds on prior conceptual and empirical management research.
Findings
The preliminary conceptual findings suggest that the exploitative strategy is valuable in the short run after new entry, while explorative strategy is significant in the long run only after new entry. For the moderating effects, a combination of high innovation, high proactiveness and high risk-taking may positively influence both the strategies with export performance. While low innovativeness but high proactiveness and high risk-taking is assumed to positively moderate the exploitative strategy and export performance relationship, a negative moderating role is seen for explorative strategy and export performance. Similarly, high innovativeness but low risk-taking and low proactiveness will negatively moderate the relationship between exploitative/explorative strategy and export performance.
Originality/value
The current literature warrants research on this topic. For example, literature lacks studies regarding a better understanding of the impact of export market exploitation and exploration on export performance. Further, the impact of EO on performance is well acknowledged in the literature, but their relative influence on the performance of exporting firms remains inconclusive.
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Prabhjot Kaur, Keshav Malhotra and Sanjeev K. Sharma
Taking an evidence from social exchange theory, this research examines the mediating role of affective commitment in the correlation between internal branding, employee engagement…
Abstract
Purpose
Taking an evidence from social exchange theory, this research examines the mediating role of affective commitment in the correlation between internal branding, employee engagement and job satisfaction. The moderating role of work environment on the link between internal branding and affective commitment is also studied in this research.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected by using well-structured research measures from 215 employees working in the BPO sector of India (Punjab and Chandigarh). The hypotheses were developed, and the conceptual model was validated by applying structural equation modeling. The data were analyzed by using two statistical packages, namely SPSS and AMOS.
Findings
The findings suggest that internal branding has a significant positive relationship with employee engagement, job satisfaction and affective commitment. The mediating effect of affective commitment on the relationship between internal branding and employee engagement was full, whereas on the relationship between internal branding and job satisfaction, it was partial. Work environment also moderated the relationship of internal branding with affective commitment.
Research limitations/implications
The current study offers significant lessons to management thinkers, human resource (HR), organizational branding and marketing manager. However, BPO sector should be aware about the critical role played by internal branding to enhance affective commitment, employee engagement and job satisfaction of the employees. The role of affective commitment is also taken into account to study the effect of internal branding on employee engagement and employee's job satisfaction. For itself, internal branding cannot be considered as in isolation and is doubtful to be efficacious if the work environment is not encouraging to an employee as well as to the brand values.
Practical implications
This study offers significant lessons to management thinkers, HR, organizational branding and marketing manager. However, BPO sector should be aware about the critical role played by internal branding to enhance employee engagement, job satisfaction and affective commitment of the employees. An important role of affective commitment is also taken into account to study the effect of internal branding on employee engagement and employee's job satisfaction. For itself, internal branding cannot be considered as in isolation and is doubtful to be efficacious if employees are not provided an encouraging work environment.
Originality/value
Existing researches on internal branding are theoretical in nature and overlook the empirical impact of internal branding on employee engagement, job satisfaction and affective commitment from the BPO employees' perspective. The study also offers an empirical examination of potential mediator and moderator for internal branding.
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Kussai Haj-Yehia and Khalid Arar
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors that attract (pull) or discourage (push) Palestinian students from Israel (PSI) to study at a Palestinian university, the Arab…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the factors that attract (pull) or discourage (push) Palestinian students from Israel (PSI) to study at a Palestinian university, the Arab American University in Jenin (AAUJ), for the first time since the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research method using in-depth interviews with 15 PSI who study at AAUJ attempts to define the motivations behind PSI preferring AAUJ, on one hand, and constraints, on the other hand.
Findings
The findings of the study show factors that attract PSI to study at the AAUJ and what subjects they choose to study there, the encounter with a similar culture and nationalism in a Palestinian campus in the occupied West Bank; the most significant difficulties and impediments they face there, whether economic or political, are discussed. This paper contributes to an understanding of the new national re-encounter between two Palestinian groups in a university campus, one under Israel’s occupation and the other that has Israeli citizenship.
Originality/value
It is a unique phenomenon in the trends of international students’ mobility in the world.
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Khalid Arar and Khaled Abu‐Asbah
This paper aims to provide useful insights into educational under‐achievement among Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel (PAI), investigating the perceptions of local educational…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide useful insights into educational under‐achievement among Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel (PAI), investigating the perceptions of local educational administrators (LEAs) towards the education system and its modus vivendi, to uncover difficulties and suggest directions to improve the processes and achievements of the PAI education system.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 stakeholders in local education (mayors, education department managers; school principals and parents’ representatives) in four Arab local governments in Israel to elucidate attitudes toward education.
Findings
The small random sample cannot claim to be representative however worrying problems were revealed: deficient resources in comparison to the Jewish education system; an ineffective political culture in local government; inferior status and problematic functioning of Arab education department heads and lack of inclusion of professionals and parents in decision‐making. These factors negatively impact the education system and its products.
Originality/value
The paper suggests local government should determine appropriate local policy, positioning education as a high priority with efficient education departments, more professional staff, and suitable education programs. Additionally state government should provide equal resources for the Arab education system, to lever Arab education in Israel.
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Saba Gulzar, Kanwal Hussain, Ather Akhlaq, Zuhair Abbas and Shagufta Ghauri
Recent advancements in the field of organizational psychology have transformed the employees’ perceptions related to the reactions of the employment relationship. The main aim of…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent advancements in the field of organizational psychology have transformed the employees’ perceptions related to the reactions of the employment relationship. The main aim of the study is to explore the consequences of psychological contracts among the nursing staff and how to provide better patient care and quality service in the health-care system as nurses play a pivotal role in the context of Pakistan. Significantly, this study attempts to bridge the research gap by exploring consequences of psychological contracts. Drawing on the social exchange theory, this study examined the psychological contracts of nurses and their reactions to the perceived violation.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a qualitative method and was based on an exploratory approach. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews from 21 nurses working in public, private and charity hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. The thematic content analysis is employed for the analysis of data by using NVivo software.
Findings
The study identified the relational and transactional elements related to the psychological contract of nurses who predominantly consisted of supervisor support, autonomy, tangible/intangible rewards and trust. The intrinsic motivation which relates to their devotion to work was found as an additional element to balance their psychological contract. This research also establishes that the psychological contract of nurses is being violated in their work settings.
Practical implications
By highlighting the importance of psychological contract breach, the findings demonstrate that health-care institutions should take measures to cope with psychological contract breach issues at the workplace.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the body of knowledge by exploring psychological contract breach. Substantially, there are rare studies conducted on psychological contract breach among nurses in developing country context (Pakistan). However, this study adds to the previous studies related to the psychological contract of nurses in the context of Pakistan by using social exchange theories. Finally, this study enables the management of healthcare to balance the psychological contract issues effectively.
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Khalid Arar and Kussai Haj‐Yehia
This study aims to expand the authors’ exploratory qualitative study, describing the characteristics of the flow of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel (PAI) to Jordanian higher…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to expand the authors’ exploratory qualitative study, describing the characteristics of the flow of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel (PAI) to Jordanian higher education (HE) institutes as an alternative to HE studies in Israel (Jordanization).
Design/methodology/approach
At this stage of the study, 460 PAI studying in six Jordanian universities answered a questionnaire indicating the factors that led them to seek HE in Jordan. Respondents’ comparisons between the Israeli and Jordanian HE systems were analysed.
Findings
Results showed that Jordanian HE attracts PAIs for practical reasons: lenient acceptance policy and better chances to graduate, while cultural and linguistic similarities between the PAI and Jordanian societies are less influential. Israel's HE is attractive for financial reasons and employment qualification.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should compare the absorption of these graduates of Jordanian universities in Israel's labour market with the absorption of other graduates from Israeli and foreign universities.
Practical implications
The under‐representative proportion of PAI students in Israeli universities indicates the need for diversified programmes and reforms to bring more PAI students into Israeli campuses. Pre‐academic programmes focusing on acquisition of academic learning skills could assist PAI students during their first academic year and help prevent dropout.
Originality/value
This study provides unique and specific knowledge concerning the topic of indigenous ethnic minorities who migrate to study outside their states.
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Mukaram Ali Khan, Rimsha Ashfaq Butt, Saba Nawab and Syed Sohaib Zubair
This study intends to explore the influence of emotional intelligence on employee self-efficacy in Pakistan's telecom industry. Besides, it explores the mediating effect of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study intends to explore the influence of emotional intelligence on employee self-efficacy in Pakistan's telecom industry. Besides, it explores the mediating effect of emotional labor (surface acting and deep acting) between them. This study also tests the relationship between emotional labor (surface acting and deep acting) and self-efficacy in the customer care of Pakistan's telecom division.
Design/methodology/approach
The study leads forward with a positivist approach to obtain data in two different waves as a time lag study from the big five telecom companies operating in Pakistan. The data was collected from 270 employees working in Customer Services in the Telecom sector.
Findings
The results reveal that there exists a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in customer care employees in Pakistan's telecommunication division sector. Moreover, emotional labor (deep acting) partially mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy, and surface acting could not mediate the relationship among the employees of customer care in Pakistan's telecom division.
Originality/value
Management of emotions at the workplace has been an immensely vital area in managing the performance of employees, especially in customer-centric jobs, where dealing with customers is the prime focus and achieving customer satisfaction is the utmost outcome. There is limited evidence of the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy specifically in the customer care of the Telecom sector.
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