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Article
Publication date: 16 August 2021

Steven Tam

This paper gives executives new perspective on how well employee learning is being managed in their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

158

Abstract

Purpose

This paper gives executives new perspective on how well employee learning is being managed in their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a rigorous mixed-method approach through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, from categorizing a sample of Hong Kong SMEs into appropriate growth stages (inception, high-growth or maturity) to exploring their respective learning practices in their workplaces.

Findings

The most popular learning practices in SMEs at each growth stage are compared accordingly with the most/least important learning practices perceived by their employees from another set of results (Tam and Gray, 2021). Differences or mismatches are noted for reporting.

Research limitations/implications

Additional samples of SMEs, including those in other countries, are encouraged to broaden the horizon.

Practical implications

The findings help SME executives understand the dynamics of employee learning in their workplaces across growth stages. Knowing what learning practices are offered by the firm and what learning practices are valued by the employee will practically improve the firm’s training/learning strategies to benefit organizational development.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies examining SME learning with firm growth as well as sorting the learning practices into some traceable patterns for managerial convenience.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 36 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

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Article
Publication date: 10 February 2021

Steven Tam

This paper aims to provide owner/managers with access to an evidence-based study for the purpose of improving practice in performance measurement (PM) in their small and…

166

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide owner/managers with access to an evidence-based study for the purpose of improving practice in performance measurement (PM) in their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

As a qualitative case study, it adopted semi-structured interviews to explore the best practices in PM from 32 SMEs in Malaysia. The interviewees were the owner/manager, the supervisor and/or the person who is responsible for human resources in the firm. Thematic analysis was conducted.

Findings

First, it should be no surprise, as the study echoes previous research, that the traditional, complex PM systems are not functionally suitable for most SMEs. Second, the study identifies five common capabilities (5Cs) in human capital that these SMEs require in their PM practice, all of which are claimed to contribute critically to SME success and sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

While qualitative studies can obtain in-depth results, it is encouraged to continue similar research with additional samples for comparison, including quantitative studies and SMEs in other countries.

Practical implications

The findings help SME owners/managers benchmark their current practices in PM and improve toward what peer firms have been doing well to benefit organizational development in a feasible tone.

Originality/value

This research informs SME practitioners of the 5Cs mechanism found to be effective for long-term organizational survival – including during unprecedented times such as an economic downturn or a pandemic.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. 20 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

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Article
Publication date: 9 May 2016

Steven Tam

This article reveals a managerial issue that multinational corporations (MNCs) in China are at a strategic crossroad where their employees are competing with the same sources of…

639

Abstract

Purpose

This article reveals a managerial issue that multinational corporations (MNCs) in China are at a strategic crossroad where their employees are competing with the same sources of guanxi networks for different business deals simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

Triggered by a real company case in China and guided by a literature review on business guanxi, the author bridged them into a specific inquiry, as little was known and should be further examined.

Findings

The author identified a paradoxical/applied scenario in MNCs between the use of guanxi and overall firm performance damaged by overusing it.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical studies are deemed necessary to seek more understanding between the role of guanxi and MNCs in China.

Practical implications

Guanxi is not a straightforward guarantee of business achievements in China. Management should note the influence of its actors – own employees – who can potentially diminish the positive returns of guanxi on overall firm’s achievements because of non-obvious interplays among employees and “contacts” on the overlapping guanxi networks. The larger the organisation, the higher the risk is.

Originality/value

This article proposes a new line of thoughts for practitioners about the effect of business guanxi on overall firm performance and serves as a starting point for academics to explore empirical research. The concept of overlapping guanxi networks is institutionalised and discussed. A three-step rule is also suggested for MNCs as a basic solution.

Details

Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8005

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Article
Publication date: 12 August 2021

Steven Tam

This study explores how virtual learners perceive the use of humor in instructor-developed videos and their other factors for learning effectiveness in an online course.

550

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores how virtual learners perceive the use of humor in instructor-developed videos and their other factors for learning effectiveness in an online course.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a set of qualitative methods flowing from lesson study, to pilot study, to self-declaration of a learning style, to semi-structured interviews. Through the process, 142 undergraduate business students from the same online course, of different learning styles, discussed their perspectives on the instructor's use of humor and their learning preferences in online situations. Thematic analysis was performed.

Findings

First, humor is deemed harmless, but its value is perceived at different degrees among the four styles of adult learners for their benefit of learning motivation toward an online course. Second, four common themes that respond to learning effectiveness online are addressed.

Research limitations/implications

Similar studies with additional samples, including students in other countries, in different age groups and/or on different online courses, are encouraged to strengthen the current findings.

Practical implications

The results provide evidence to school administrators, course developers and instructors on the importance of using a diverse pedagogy in online education. To motivate virtual learners, being humorous from instructors proves insufficient but developing the course with all respective features for different learners' styles is a clue.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies contextualizing a differential relationship between humor and learners' styles as well as evaluating the effectiveness of an online course from the learning-style standpoint.

Details

Qualitative Research Journal, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1443-9883

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Article
Publication date: 8 January 2021

Steven Tam and David E. Gray

This study examines employees' learning preferences in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at different life-cycle stages.

383

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines employees' learning preferences in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at different life-cycle stages.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has two phases. Phase I classified a sample of 30 Hong Kong SMEs into three different life-cycle stages (inception, high growth or maturity). Phase II then explored/compared their employees' learning practices in terms of importance using a mixed-method design through an online learning questionnaire followed by face-to-face semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Based on a list of 32 learning practices common to SME workplaces, the study identified how SME employees perceive the importance of a learning practice. The top 5 and the bottom 5 learning practices in SMEs across life-cycle stages are presented to promote best interests for SME executives.

Research limitations/implications

While SME learning is highly varied, this study sheds light on some traceable context about it as an SME grows. Similar studies with additional SMEs, including SMEs in other locations, are encouraged to strengthen the findings.

Practical implications

The findings help SME executives understand what learning practices are most important (or least important) for their employees, given the life-cycle stage of the firm. Aligning a business with employees' learning preferences in a timely fashion is a managerial decision to be made for driving organizational effectiveness.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies connecting employee learning in SMEs and organizational life cycle to address a critical but missing inquiry.

Details

Journal of Strategy and Management, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-425X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 15 February 2022

Sook Fern Yeo, Cheng Ling Tan, Ming-Lang Tseng, Steven Tam and Weng Kuan San

In recent years, consumers today recognise organic foods as high-quality products which can benefit them in various aspects. The tendency to switch consumption behaviours from…

1611

Abstract

Purpose

In recent years, consumers today recognise organic foods as high-quality products which can benefit them in various aspects. The tendency to switch consumption behaviours from conventional to ecological food products or organic food has largely been due to the claims that organic crops are grown in eco-friendly and sustainable environments. Thus, the study highlighted unique results on young consumers' purchasing intentions from a new perspective. The paper aims to investigate the factors influencing consumers' purchase decision towards organic food, particularly amongst Generation Y consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The underlying fuzzy set theory is employed to handle the fuzziness of consumers' perceptions since the attributes are usually expressed in linguistic preferences. Overall, the study focussed on five important aspects – health consciousness, environmental concern, social influencing and ethical concern – that also include twenty criteria that had been identified and introduced after a thorough review of related literature.

Findings

The results reveal that the most important criteria in the selected firm are environment protection, chemical instrument, buying attitude and animal testing. In comparison, the cause group includes criteria such as environment protection, natural food and support for training programmes, whilst the effect group includes production practices, monitoring protections and ethically produced food.

Research limitations/implications

The sample collection from the study focussed on Generation Y consumers who consume organic food in Malaysia. This could lead to the limitation towards external generalisability. The study will provide numerous advantages to the communities. The policy maker should develop a proper marketing strategy to promote organic food as food that is healthier, better in nutrition and safer for society.

Originality/value

Utilising fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) in analysing the fuzziness of consumers' perceptions towards consumers' purchase decision can be expected to expand the breadth of knowledge to both academic and practical.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 124 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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Article
Publication date: 15 August 2016

Steven Tam and David E Gray

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) practise and view workplace learning at three different life-cycle stages.

2173

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) practise and view workplace learning at three different life-cycle stages.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a qualitative study using a sample of 30 Hong Kong SMEs classified into inception, high-growth or maturity stage, from which firms in each stage were randomly selected and interviewed until data saturation was reached. Snowball sampling was adopted during interviews and data were examined through thematic analysis.

Findings

Consistent themes (patterns) from 134 semi-structured interviews are identified, addressing both similarities and differences in the nature of the practice of workplace learning in SMEs between life-cycle stages.

Research limitations/implications

More similar comparative studies in other parts of the world, including quantitative surveys on larger samples, with either SMEs or multinational corporations, are encouraged to enrich the current findings.

Practical implications

If organisational growth is a priority, SME owner/managers should support employees’ work and learning in a timely fashion. As the study finds, individual learning and inter-organisational learning are considered “a must to have” for employees, regardless of which stage the firm is at. When an SME enters high-growth, however, more opportunities for group learning are particularly beneficial. For mature SMEs, it is essential for learning to move towards systemisation and include a professional development component to meet employees’ career expectations, not just their work demands.

Originality/value

The results advance the body of knowledge in SME learning from the life-cycle perspective. As one of the first studies in bridging these areas, it brings new implications to academic researchers and SME practitioners.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

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Article
Publication date: 4 January 2016

Steven Tam and David E Gray

The purpose of this study is to relate the practice of organisational learning in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the organisational life cycle (OLC)…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to relate the practice of organisational learning in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the organisational life cycle (OLC), contextualising the differential aspects of an integrated relationship between them.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a mixed-method study with two consecutive phases. In Phase I, 30 Hong Kong SMEs identified through theoretical sampling were classified into three life-cycle stages – inception, high growth and maturity. In Phase II, their employees’ learning practices (grouped by learning levels) were statistically compared using the analysis of variance and then followed up for confirmation with qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Findings

This study uniquely suggests the nature of a relationship between SME organisational learning and the OLC. Empirical results show that three of the four learning levels (individual, group, organisational and inter-organisational) practised in SMEs are varied in importance between life-cycle stages.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative studies are encouraged in other parts of the world to strengthen the findings – with either SMEs or large organisations.

Practical implications

The study informs SME owner/managers about what is important for employee learning at different business stages so that appropriate learning strategies or human resource development policies can be formulated in a timely fashion to promote competitiveness.

Originality/value

It is among the first studies to connect SME learning with organisational growth. The relationships found serve as a sound foundation for further empirical investigations.

Details

European Journal of Training and Development, vol. 40 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-9012

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Article
Publication date: 15 August 2018

Steven Leon

This purpose of this paper is to evaluate Millennials’ intention to use service mobile apps and assess gender as a moderator.

3424

Abstract

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to evaluate Millennials’ intention to use service mobile apps and assess gender as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended technology acceptance model framework that includes information quality and self-efficacy guides this research. PLS-SEM is used to evaluate the data and test the hypotheses.

Findings

The study reveals that information quality, self-efficacy, perceived ease of use and usefulness, and attitude influence Millennials’ intentions to use service mobile apps. Additionally, gender is found to partially moderate the results.

Practical implications

Service companies that rely on mobile apps to deliver services ought to consider the disparities among the Millennial generation, increasing the likelihood that Millennial customers will adopt service mobile apps and that they receive acceptable customer experiences.

Originality/value

This paper examines the factors influencing adoption and use of service mobile apps among Millennials and examines gender as a moderator. Additionally, guidelines for service mobile app design are included.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 118 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

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Article
Publication date: 4 June 2020

Chung Fun Steven Hung

This article investigates social history in Hong Kong and compares their community transformation with two Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong, namely the Sai Kung Tin Hau and Hip Tin…

157

Abstract

Purpose

This article investigates social history in Hong Kong and compares their community transformation with two Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong, namely the Sai Kung Tin Hau and Hip Tin Temple and Shaukiwan Tin Hau Old Temple.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conducts a historical comparison to evaluate the vitality of traditional regions in Hong Kong with particular attention to the extent and intensity of its religious practice.

Findings

The paper fills a gap in the literature by comprehensively investigating Chinese temple related societies and communities. Most previous studies of Chinese temples and their rituals have treated them in isolation from their political contexts, emphasizing topics such as iconography over details of temple communities and their relationships with other elements of the social structure.

Originality/value

The research works from the point of view how the religious situation reflects important social characteristics and transformation of Shaukiwan and Sai Kung which were contemporary urban communities.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 10 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

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