Hongyun Tian, Shuja Iqbal, Farooq Anwar, Shamim Akhtar, Muhammad Aamir Shafique Khan and Weijie Wang
This study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the impact of network embeddedness (NE) on innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and analyses absorptive capacity as mediator and openness as moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 209 employees of SMEs using a convenient sampling technique. Partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS was used to analyze the various constructs.
Findings
The results exhibit a positive and significant relationship in NE and absorptive capacity. Also, this study found a positive and significant relationship in absorptive capacity and innovation performance. Moreover, absorptive capacity has a positive and significant mediation role in the relationship between NE and innovation performance. Also, openness positively moderated the relationship of NE and absorptive capacity.
Practical implications
SMEs should try to implement the functions of NE, such as interaction with other firms in higher frequency, developing trust among all parties, clear alliance among the partners to enhance innovation performance. Similarly, SMEs should focus on absorptive capacity and openness to enrich innovation performance.
Originality/value
This study adds in the current literature of the chosen constructs and empirically contributes the effects in the manufacturing industry of Jiangsu Province, China.
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Hongyun Tian, Shuja Iqbal and Shamim Akhtar
In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an…
Abstract
Purpose
In the competitive business world, companies strive to be innovative, and to do so, they try to implement innovative human resource practices. Therefore, the authors propose an association between innovative human resource practice, organizational commitment, innovation performance and transformational leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
This study gathered data from 1,037 small- and medium-sized enterprises and implied partial least square structural equation modeling PLS-SEM using Smart PLS was adopted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The findings reveal positive direct relationships between innovative human resource practices, organizational commitment and innovation performance. Moreover, organizational commitment positively mediates and transformational leadership significantly and positively moderates the relationship. Companies should use innovative recruitment and selection, performance management, and innovative compensation to enhance organizational commitment and innovation performance. In addition, the optimized organizational commitment aids in strengthening the connection between innovative human resource practices and firms' innovation performance.
Originality/value
Managers should also develop a sense of affiliation and attachment to increase innovation performance. The study contributes empirically to the literature on innovative human resource practices and their effect on organizational commitment and innovation performance.
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S.Z. Shuja, B.S. Yilbas and M.O. Iqbal
Flow in the cavity with heat generating body finds wide domestic and industrial applications. The heat transfer characteristics and the irreversibility generated in the cavity…
Abstract
Flow in the cavity with heat generating body finds wide domestic and industrial applications. The heat transfer characteristics and the irreversibility generated in the cavity depend on mainly the cavity size, aspect ratio of the heat generating body, and inlet/exit port locations. In the present study, effect of exit port locations on the heat transfer characteristics and irreversibility generation in a square cavity with heat generating body is investigated. A numerical simulation is carried out to predict the velocity and temperature fields in the cavity. To examine the effect of solid body aspect ratio on the heat transfer characteristics two extreme aspect ratios (0.25 and 4.0) are considered in the analysis. Fifteen different locations of exit port are introduced while air is used as an environment in the cavity. It is found that non‐uniform cooling of the solid body occurs for exit port location numbers of 13 and beyond. In this case, heat transfer reduces while irreversibility increases in the cavity. These findings are valid for both aspect ratios of the solid body.
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S.Z. Shuja, B.S. Yilbas and S.M.A. Khan
The purpose of this paper is to consider flow over heat generating bodies in an open‐ends cavity, which finds applications in electronics cooling and industrial processing. Heat…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to consider flow over heat generating bodies in an open‐ends cavity, which finds applications in electronics cooling and industrial processing. Heat transfer rates depend on the flow situation in the cavity, which is influenced by the cavity inlet and exit port locations, heat transferring body size and its orientation in the cavity, and the cavity size. Consequently, modeling of flow over heat transferring bodies in an open‐ends cavity and examination of the effect of the aspect ratio and orientation of the heat transferring bodies on the flow field and heat transfer rates becomes essential.
Design/methodology/approach
The flow over heat generating solid blocks situated in an open‐ends cavity is considered and the effects of blocks' orientations and aspect ratios on flow field as well as heat transfer rates are examined. A numerical scheme using a control volume approach is introduced to predict flow field in the cavity and heat transfer rates from the blocks.
Findings
It is found that complex flow structure is generated in the cavity due to the aspect ratios and orientations of the blocks. This, in turn, influences significantly heat transfer rates from the blocks in the cavity.
Research limitations/implications
Surface areas of blocks are kept the same and aspect ratio is varied such that the surface area of each block remains the same in the simulations. In addition, Steady flow situation is considered for governing equations of flow and heat transfer in the cavity. However, for the future study transient heating and flow situations can be considered while varying the surface araes of the blocks. This will provide useful information on the circulations in the cavity and the enhancement of heat transfer due to the complex flow structure.
Practical implications
In practice, cooling effectiveness can be improved through changing the aspects ratio of the heat generating bodies in the cavity.
Originality/value
The findings are original and will be useful for the scientists and the design engineers working the specific area of heat transfer and fluid flow.
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The study aims to validate a mobile learning readiness scale through the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), thereby assessing students' readiness to adopt…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to validate a mobile learning readiness scale through the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM), thereby assessing students' readiness to adopt m-learning in teaching and learning, including its acceptance.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was administered to open and distance learning (ODL) students in Odisha, India, to assess their readiness and acceptance of m-learning. 665 valid responses were collected, and collected data was analysed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) and SmartPLS.
Findings
The findings of the study reveal that optimism contributes positively to perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of m-learning (β = 7.921, p < 0.001; β = 2.123, p < 0.05), whereas innovativeness positively contributes to PEOU of m-learning (β = 2.227, p < 0.05), but not PU of m-learning. ODL student's optimism improves his/her PEOU and PU of m-learning, but innovativeness improves only his/her PEOU. Further, the impact of innovativeness is higher than that of optimism in the TRAM and innovativeness is the strong predictor to adopt m-learning. It also shows that the PU of m-learning positively influences behavioural intention to use m-learning (β = 4.757, p < 0.001). Integrating technology readiness (TR) with technology acceptance model (TAM) to predict students' acceptance of m-learning is very useful.
Practical implications
The paper will help decision-makers to adopt and use m-learning in higher educational institutions.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to explore the readiness and acceptance of m-learning in higher education in India.
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S.Z. Shuja, B.S. Yilbas and M.O. Budair
The vortex shedding from a rectangular cylinder improves the heat transfer rates. Introducing a ground effect in such a flow system alters the shedding frequency, which in turn…
Abstract
The vortex shedding from a rectangular cylinder improves the heat transfer rates. Introducing a ground effect in such a flow system alters the shedding frequency, which in turn enables to vary the cooling rates of the cylinder. In the present study a laminar flow passing over a rectangular cylinder with a ground effect is considered. The flow and energy equations are solved numerically using a control volume approach. Strouhal and Stanton number variations due to gap height are computed and the influence of Strouhal number on Stanton number variation behind the cylinder is examined. The study is extended to include the predictions of entropy generation in the solution domain. It is found that shedding frequency increases as gap height reduces and further reduction in gap height results in diminishing of vortex shedding, in which case confined flow is developed in the gap. Heat transfer rates improve when Strouhal number is maximum. In the case of confined flow situation, heat transfer rates enhance substantially in the region close to the top corner of the cylinder, in which case, non‐uniform cooling of the surface is resulted.
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Umaira Tabassum, Xing Qiang, Jaffar Abbas, Amjad Islam Amjad and Khalid Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti
Positive psychology helps us understand the knowledge required to contribute to adolescents' societal development and adjustability. Adolescence is the crucial stage to work on…
Abstract
Purpose
Positive psychology helps us understand the knowledge required to contribute to adolescents' societal development and adjustability. Adolescence is the crucial stage to work on for a balanced personality. The present study concerned adolescents' self-strength, happiness, and help-seeking behaviour. The authors aimed to explore the relationship between adolescents' self-strength and happiness and investigate the mediational effect of adolescents' help-seeking behaviour on their self-strength and happiness.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design of the current quantitative study was correlational, and 809 adolescents from China and Pakistan participated in the present study. Data were personally collected from participants through self-developed scales.
Findings
We deployed Pearson correlation and simple mediation using SPSS software and found a linear, positive, strong (r = 0.654, n = 809, p = 0.000 < 0.01) and statistically significant correlation between adolescents' self-strength and happiness. The authors also found a significant indirect effect of help-seeking on adolescents' self-strength and happiness at (β = 0.373, t(907) = 7.01).
Research limitations/implications
Using self-reported scales to gather information was one of the study's limitations. Adolescents may have misunderstood the notion or construct narrated in words or responded biasedly despite the bilingual scales.
Practical implications
This study offers social and practical implications for educators, parents, and school administrators to address the development of adolescents' personalities using a positive psychology lens.
Originality/value
The findings are of significant importance for teachers working in the elementary schools. They may work on adolescents' self-strength, happiness, and help-seeking to develop balanced personalities.
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Marcela Cruchaga and Diego Celentano
The modelling of steady‐state natural and mixed convection in obstructed channels is presented. The two‐dimensional numerical analysis is carried out with a finite element…
Abstract
The modelling of steady‐state natural and mixed convection in obstructed channels is presented. The two‐dimensional numerical analysis is carried out with a finite element thermally coupled incompressible flow formulation written in terms of the primitive variables of the problem and solved via a generalized streamline operator technique. Natural convection is studied in several vertical channel configurations for a wide range of Rayleigh numbers while mixed convection is analysed in a horizontal channel with a built‐in rectangular cylinder for different Reynolds and Grashof numbers. The results obtained in this work are validated with available experiments and other existing numerical solutions.
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Mehak Maqbool, Bei Lyu, Sami Ullah, Muhammad Tasnim Khan, Ali Zain ul Abeden and Mohit Kukreti
Abusive supervision (AS) provides insights into the darker aspects of leadership behavior and its effects on employees. Understanding and addressing AS can contribute to creating…
Abstract
Purpose
Abusive supervision (AS) provides insights into the darker aspects of leadership behavior and its effects on employees. Understanding and addressing AS can contribute to creating healthier work environments and promoting employee well-being. The effect of abusive leadership (AS) on counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) in nursing staff is examined through the theoretical lens of the social exchange theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 302 nursing staff working at public and private hospitals through a self-administered questionnaire. Measurement scales were adapted from the literature and the data were tested for validity and reliability before performing hypotheses testing through structural equation modeling in SmartPLS 4.0.
Findings
AS positively affects CWB, and psychological contract breach mediates this relationship. However, employees with high Islamic work ethics (IWE) are less concerned with supervisors' dysfunctional behaviors and pay less attention to them; thus, IWE buffers the effect of AS on CWBs.
Originality/value
A positive and supportive organizational climate is crucial for attracting and retaining skilled healthcare professionals. When healthcare professionals are subjected to abusive behaviors, their ability to share knowledge, adopt safety protocols and provide the best patient care may be hampered. Therefore, addressing AS in hospitals is vital to promoting a positive work environment, enhancing employee well-being and improving patient care.
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Kamel Milani Shirvan, Mojtaba Mamourian and R. Ellahi
The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal conditions of the mixed convection in a ventilated square cavity filled with Cu-water nanofluid using the Taguchi method. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal conditions of the mixed convection in a ventilated square cavity filled with Cu-water nanofluid using the Taguchi method. The paper aims to discuss diverse issues affecting the said model.
Design/methodology/approach
The numerical solutions of nonlinear coupled equations are developed by means of the Taguchi method. The Taguchi method is used as an effective way to optimize the design process engineering tests.
Findings
The governing equations are discretized using a finite volume method and solved with semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm. The effect of Richardson number (0.01-10), the volume fraction of nanofluid (0-5 per cent), distance of inlet port position from bottom wall of the cavity (0-0.9 H) and distance of outlet port position from top wall of the cavity (0-0.9 H) as effective parameters are analyzed across four levels. This analysis is done for fixed Grashof number 104. The results show that the mean Nusselt number almost decreases by an increase in the Richardson number, volume fraction of nanofluid, position of the inlet port and position of the outlet port. It is found that the cavity with distance of inlet port position from bottom wall of the cavity 0 and distance of outlet port position from upper wall of the cavity 0.9 H at the Richardson number 0.01 and the volume fraction 3 per cent is the optimal design for heat transfer.
Originality/value
As far as the authors know, this model has been investigated for the first time.