Verónica Cabezas, Sebastián Pereira, Catalina Figueroa and Camila Straub
The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of participants regarding a blended learning training course in Chile (and its e-learning adaptation due to the COVID-19…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions of participants regarding a blended learning training course in Chile (and its e-learning adaptation due to the COVID-19 pandemic) for mentor teachers (MTs). The MT learns theoretical elements of mentoring and in parallel accompanies a newly qualified teacher while receiving support from an online tutor. Opinions are presented from MTs and accompanied teachers (ATs) about the contribution, format and methodology of the course.
Design/methodology/approach
A program evaluation with mixed methodology was used. Online questionnaires were sent to MTs and ATs at the end of the course. Returned questionnaires totaled 98 MTs and 20 ATs for the blended learning version and 75 MTs and 54 ATs for the e-learning format. In addition, 11 post-course interviews were conducted in three schools with MTs, ATs and their school leaders.
Findings
The course contributed to the development of mentoring skills. Participants highlighted the importance of the face-to-face component of both versions. The theoretical–practical methodology used was positively evaluated. Support and feedback provided to MTs by the online tutor was important for developing skills.
Research limitations/implications
Results are part of a case (n = 247), so general statements cannot be made about the population.
Practical implications
While this program evaluation focuses on a specific context, the results can contribute to the design of effective MT online training courses in other contexts and countries, given the limited body of research on this type of experience.
Originality/value
The course provided is described in detail, which may be useful when designing similar mentor education courses in other contexts.
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Juan José Tarí, Iñaki Heras-Saizarbitoria and Jorge Pereira
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the internalization of quality management (QM) on the basis of quality certifiable standards – also referred to as meta-standards – in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the internalization of quality management (QM) on the basis of quality certifiable standards – also referred to as meta-standards – in service organizations. More specifically, the paper analyzes the case of the internalization of a quality standard in the Spanish hotel industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines the relationships between the measures of internalization, benefit, QM tools and motivation, using partial least squares in the framework of the structural equation modeling technique.
Findings
The results show that the hotels that have internalized the standard to a greater extent are more likely to be driven by internal motivation, develop more QM tools and achieve greater benefits than the hotels with a lower degree of internalization.
Originality/value
As previous studies have examined these issues in relation to the internalization of ISO standards, the present study adds to this important stream of research and contributes by advancing the understanding of these issues through the case of a specific standard for the hotel industry.
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Sebastian Robledo, John Eider Vasquez, Néstor Darío Duque3-Méndez and Veronica Duque-Uribe
Effectuation has received increased attention in the field of entrepreneurship. However, previous studies have focused on performance rather than on networking and word-of-mouth…
Abstract
Purpose
Effectuation has received increased attention in the field of entrepreneurship. However, previous studies have focused on performance rather than on networking and word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the mediating effect of networking on the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used partial least squares structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship between effectuation and WOM marketing mediated through networking. The research model was assessed using data from a sample of 256 entrepreneurs.
Findings
The results reveal that effectuation positively influences WOM marketing, mediated by networking. This study provides new insights into the precursors of WOM marketing and highlights the importance of networking in this process.
Practical implications
The implications of these findings suggest that entrepreneurs should create networking plans that focus on the maintenance and creation of new customers. This plan could be tracked via email, cell phone or online social data to maintain awareness of the failures and successes of the process and for continual improvement.
Originality/value
A vast number of studies have been conducted on effectuation and networking. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has investigated the influence of these two variables on WOM marketing. Entrepreneurs face long-term sales challenges, and this study proposes that networking could be a solution, thereby increasing WOM marketing sales.
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Kristina Zabala, José Antonio Campos and Lorea Narvaiza
This study aims to investigate the internal elements that help in the introduction of a service logic into a goods-oriented organization by focusing on corporate culture and human…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the internal elements that help in the introduction of a service logic into a goods-oriented organization by focusing on corporate culture and human resource management (HRM) practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative single case study research design. Data have been collected through archival data and 14 semi-structured interviews to managers, employees and retailers of a bike manufacturer.
Findings
The research identifies the following three new internal elements affecting the service orientation of corporate culture of a company with a customization strategy: shared vision built up with the participation of the whole organization; rooting the service orientation into the past history; passion and collaborative study deployed through digital tools. Additionally, related to HRM, the research finds another two elements: emotional salary and that a collective way of understanding and sharing the service infusion is needed.
Research limitations/implications
Given that this is a qualitative research based on a single case study the identified key elements of corporate culture and HRM practices cannot be used as a predictive tool. However, the depth of evidence is significant and allows analytical generalizations, which enable us to put forward tentative propositions for future research.
Practical implications
For managers of industrial firms, the identified elements provide an insight on how to smooth the transition from goods-to service-oriented organization. The shift demands the development of an adequate corporate culture and distinctive management of human resources.
Originality/value
Building on previous literature, the research offers the academic community five new soft elements to be studied in the service infusion process and can guide top managers on how to engage the entire organisation in a service-oriented manner.
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Luis Orea, Inmaculada Álvarez-Ayuso and Luis Servén
This chapter provides an empirical assessment of the effects of infrastructure provision on structural change and aggregate productivity using industrylevel data for a set of…
Abstract
This chapter provides an empirical assessment of the effects of infrastructure provision on structural change and aggregate productivity using industrylevel data for a set of developed and developing countries over 1995–2010. A distinctive feature of the empirical strategy followed is that it allows the measurement of the resource reallocation directly attributable to infrastructure provision. To achieve this, a two-level top-down decomposition of aggregate productivity that combines and extends several strands of the literature is proposed. The empirical application reveals significant production losses attributable to misallocation of inputs across firms, especially among African countries. Also, the results show that infrastructure provision has stimulated aggregate total factor productivity growth through both within and between industry productivity gains.
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Alejandra Martínez-Pereira, Mercedes Mercado-Órdenes, Carla Olivari, Andy Antipichún and Teresita Rocha-Jimenez
The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the impact of family separation and transnational parenthood on Haitian migrant women’s mental health living in Santiago…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the impact of family separation and transnational parenthood on Haitian migrant women’s mental health living in Santiago, Chile.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with Haitian men and women living in Santiago de Chile, and based on an inductive perspective, a thematic analysis was performed.
Findings
The process of family reunification has been specifically hard in the past years, therefore, almost no one has been able to bring their children to Chile despite having a permanent visa. An important aspect of their testimonies is that they feel guilty about having someone else taking care of their children, even though sometimes they are the ones financially supporting the entire extended family.
Originality/value
This study’s findings show how family separation, ransnational parenthood, and migration experiences particularly affect Haitian igrant women’s mental health and provides relevant information on its onsequences for their quality-of-life. However, it is surprising that having plans to move out was a protective factor against symptoms of depression.
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José Arias-Pérez, Juan Velez-Ocampo and Juan Cepeda-Cardona
This study aims to analyze the mediating effect of the open innovation processes of knowledge acquisition and exploitation as external embeddedness strategy on the relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the mediating effect of the open innovation processes of knowledge acquisition and exploitation as external embeddedness strategy on the relationships between strategic orientation toward digitalization and the three dimensions of the innovation capability: client, marketing and technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The research model was tested using a structural equation modeling design based on survey data from a financial and insurance sector multinational enterprise with direct operations in seven emerging countries. This sector is classified as being highly digitalized.
Findings
The results show that strategic orientation toward digitalization has an effect on innovation capability, with a greater impact on the client and technology dimensions than on the marketing dimension. However, the relationships with clients and technology are partially mediated by acquisition, while the one with marketing is mediated by exploitation.
Originality/value
This finding widens the current purpose and theoretical sense of external embeddedness as a type of inter-organizational arrangement key for digitalization in the literature, which is focused on the adaptation of digital technology of the head office to the needs of the subsidiaries and the systems of their local allies. By contrast, the study results show that external embeddedness is key for the multinational to be able, from its global way of creating value through digital technologies, not only to improve operating efficiency, but also to meet costumer experience expectations in each host country and innovate in local commercialization strategies, on account of the knowledge transfer between the multinational and the local players on customer preferences and technology uses in local markets.
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Susanne Zimmermann-Janschitz, Simon Landauer, Sebastian Drexel and Jana Obermeier
The study aims to promote independent mobility for persons with visual impairment or legal blindness (VIB) by developing a Web-based wayfinding application using geographic…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to promote independent mobility for persons with visual impairment or legal blindness (VIB) by developing a Web-based wayfinding application using geographic information systems (GIS). While the literature mainly focuses on technical devices presenting results for wayfinding, a lack of integration of user needs is identified. The inclusive, participative developed application offers step-by-step directions for pre-trip planning through an accessible user interface.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a semi-automated approach to extract a pedestrian routing network data set based on open government data and field survey. User profiles calculate different routes using a weighting scheme for landmarks, orientation hints, infrastructure of crossings and sidewalks. The adoption of ArcGIS Web AppBuilder widgets allows access of the user interface additionally through keyboard-only navigation and therefore screen-reader capability.
Findings
GIS offers a powerful tool to design network analysis for persons with VIB. The routing algorithm accesses different user profiles, returning individualized turn-by-turn directions. The complex set of attributes, including shorelines, landmarks and barriers, can be integrated by semi-automated processes.
Practical implications
The paper illustrates the benefit of GIS applications for wayfinding of persons with VIB to raise self-determination and independence.
Originality/value
A ubiquitous pedestrian sidewalk network for a medium-size city comprises a novelty, as research has mainly focused on small areas. The integration of shorelines next to a various number of hints, landmarks and potential barriers through semi-automated processes allows reproducibility and transferability of the model to other cities.
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David M. Herold, Katarzyna Nowicka, Aneta Pluta-Zaremba and Sebastian Kummer
The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the reactions and lessons learned with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how logistics service providers (LSPs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights into the reactions and lessons learned with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of how logistics service providers (LSPs) managed to maintain supply chains resilience and what focus areas have been changed to keep operations functional and uphold financial stability.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on data-gathering techniques in interpretive research this study collected primary data via semi-structured interviews, interviewing informants from selected LSPs that operate on a global scale.
Findings
The results show that LSPs have built their reactions and actions to the COVID-19 outbreak around five main themes: “create revenue streams,” “enhance operational transport flexibility,” “enforce digitalization and data management,” “optimize logistics infrastructure” and “optimize personnel capacity.” These pillars build the foundation to LSP resilience that enables supply chains to stay resilient during an external shock of high impact and low probability.
Originality/value
The results of this study provide insights into how LSPs have managed the downsides and found innovative ways to overcome operational and financial challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak. As one of the first studies that specially focuses on the role of LSPs during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study categorizes the LSPs’ reactions and provides a “lessons learned” framework from a managerial perspective. From a theoretical perspective, this paper discusses the strategic role of LSPs in supply chain management and thereby extends current supply chain literature with a focus on LSP resilience.
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Sebastian Sturm, Nils-Ole Hohenstein, Hendrik Birkel, Gernot Kaiser and Evi Hartmann
This paper integrates research on demand- and supply-side risk management practices to better explain how to achieve competitive advantage in dynamic business conditions. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper integrates research on demand- and supply-side risk management practices to better explain how to achieve competitive advantage in dynamic business conditions. The purpose of this study is to develop a model linking supply chain flexibility, agility, robustness and resilience and to investigate its relationships and impact on business performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conduct a review of existing literature to derive their hypotheses and operationalize the respective constructs. The formulated research model is then validated applying partial least squares structural equation modeling on survey data from 89 multi-national companies based in Europe.
Findings
The authors find a significant positive relationship between supply chain flexibility and supply chain agility as well as supply chain robustness and supply chain resilience, respectively. Additionally, it is argued that supply chain flexibility, agility and resilience have significant positive impact on individual dimensions of business performance.
Originality/value
The relationships between supply chain flexibility, agility, robustness, resilience and business performance are investigated and empirically validated altogether in a single model for the first time, providing a clear separation of these terms and shedding further light on the management of supply chain risks.