Haiwei Chen, Surendranath R. Jory, Tapas Mishra and Thanh Ngo
This paper proposes a framework to identify a pattern in the relationship between firms’ cost structure (i.e. fixed versus variable) and their volatility in stock returns.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper proposes a framework to identify a pattern in the relationship between firms’ cost structure (i.e. fixed versus variable) and their volatility in stock returns.
Design/methodology/approach
Our empirical analysis is based on a panel data regression where we use an extended sample period and a time-series regression-based elasticity measure of operating leverage.
Findings
We document significantly higher systematic risk among firms with large fixed costs, a conclusion which confirms theoretical predictions of earlier studies. In new findings, we document high firm-specific risk and high stock return volatility among firms with a fixed cost structure.
Originality/value
The paper fills a gap in the literature by examining the effect of cost structure using various operating leverage measures and other control measures for firm characteristics on idiosyncratic risk. Studies that seek to explain firms’ systematic risks are numerous; conversely, there are relatively fewer studies on the determinants of firms’ specific risks.
Details
Keywords
Sita Mishra, Tapas Ranjan Moharana and Ravi Chatterjee
This research aims to examine how consumer minimalism (CM), self-conscious feelings (such as consumer guilt (CG) and consumer pride (CP)) and the inclination to use rental…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to examine how consumer minimalism (CM), self-conscious feelings (such as consumer guilt (CG) and consumer pride (CP)) and the inclination to use rental services interact. It also looks at how attitudes toward pro-environmental advertisements affect these relationships as a moderator, recognizing the importance of pro-environmental advertising in influencing consumer behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a quantitative methodology to investigate the aforementioned associations. Survey questionnaires are used to collect data, which is then analyzed using AMOS 25 and Process Macro to generate meaningful insights.
Findings
The findings indicate that the willingness to use rental services is directly associated with CM, while self-conscious emotions (SCEs) play the role of a mediator in this relationship.
Research limitations/implications
It is essential to recognize the limitations of this study. There may be other variables at play, but the research focuses on SCEs (CG and CP) and their role as mediators. The findings must be interpreted based on the selected research methodology and sample size. Future research could investigate additional variables and enlarge the sample size to increase generalizability.
Practical implications
Targeted marketing can leverage CM, SCEs and willingness to use rental services. Recognizing the moderating effect of attitude toward pro-environmental advertisements can help create more effective campaigns promoting environmental behavior.
Originality/value
Underpinned by SCEs, the current study is one of the initial studies to explain how CM encourages responsible environmental behavior through access-based consumption models.
Details
Keywords
Tapas Bantha, Umakanta Nayak and Subhendu Kumar Mishra
This study aims to examine the association between workplace spirituality (WPS) and individual’s work engagement (WE) and also the mediating effect of individual’s psychological…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the association between workplace spirituality (WPS) and individual’s work engagement (WE) and also the mediating effect of individual’s psychological conditions [psychological meaningfulness (PSYM), psychological safety (PSYS) and psychological availability (PSYA)] on this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on Kahn’s personal engagement theory, a model has been developed with WPS as an independent variable, individual’s psychological conditions (PSYM, PSYS and PSYA) as the mediators and individual’s WE as the dependent variable. Based on the online responses from 510 millennial employees working in Fortune 500 manufacturing and service industries operating in India, analysis has been undertaken using confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation and PROCESS macro of Hayes (2017).
Findings
WPS has been noted to influence individual’s WE positively and there is a partial mediation of PSYM, PSYS and PSYA on this relationship.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is able to extend the scope of Kahn’s personal engagement theory.
Practical implications
Leaders and HR administrators can use the framework to ensure positive engagement levels for the millennial workforce. It will also help to reduce job dissatisfaction and burnouts at the workplace.
Originality/value
The present study contributes to understanding WE through the lens of WPS. It adds to the existing knowledge by explaining the mediation of the psychological conditions between spirituality and WE among millennials working in India. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study can be considered one of the first studies that has attempted to understand the role of WPS and psychological conditions on WE levels of millennials.
Details
Keywords
Pawan Kumar Chand, Urvashi Tandon and Neha Mishra
The present research study aims to understand the cause-and-effect reasons behind the job-hopping practices followed by Gen Z employees in the industry 5.0 in India. Further, in…
Abstract
Purpose
The present research study aims to understand the cause-and-effect reasons behind the job-hopping practices followed by Gen Z employees in the industry 5.0 in India. Further, in the tandem of efforts, the research study has examined the direct and indirect relationship among novice behaviour, social alienation and job-hopping in Gen Z in the information technology sector of Industry 5.0 in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The 533 Gen Z or millennial employees were chosen from northern India Industry 5.0 following the non-probability purposive sampling technique. The study follows the quantitative research approach, and the data were collected through a survey questionnaire based on standardized measuring instruments. Further, the gathered data were analysed using the structure equation modelling.
Findings
The study’s findings confer the significant direct impact of novice behaviour on job-hopping. While measuring the indirect relationship, the partial mediation effect was noticed in the relationship among novice behaviour, social alienation and job-hopping in the Gen Z employees of Industry 5.0 in India.
Originality/value
The present study will be beneficial to the investors to recognize the job-hopping reasons in Industry 5.0. Further, Gen Z employees and academicians will also receive insight into the cause and effect behind job-hopping. Such will minimize the gap between industry and academia and help Gen Z attain stable employment in Industry 5.0.
Details
Keywords
Satinder Singh, Sarabjeet Singh and Tanveer Kajla
Purpose: The study aims to explore the wider acceptance of blockchain technology and growing faith in this technology among all business domains to mitigate the chances of fraud…
Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to explore the wider acceptance of blockchain technology and growing faith in this technology among all business domains to mitigate the chances of fraud in various sectors.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors focus on studies conducted during 2015–2022 using keywords such as blockchain, fraud detection and financial domain for Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The SLR approach entails two databases, namely, Scopus and IEEE Xplore, to seek relevant articles covering the effectiveness of blockchain technology in controlling financial fraud.
Findings: The findings of the research explored different types of business domains using blockchains in detecting fraud. They examined their effectiveness in other sectors such as insurance, banks, online transactions, real estate, credit card usage, etc.
Practical Implications: The results of this research highlight (1) the real-life applications of blockchain technology to secure the gateway for online transactions; (2) people from diverse backgrounds with different business objectives can strongly rely on blockchains to prevent fraud.
Originality/Value: The SLR conducted in this study assists in the identification of future avenues with practical implications, making researchers aware of the work so far carried out for checking the effectiveness of blockchain; however, it does not ignore the possibility of zero to less effectiveness in some businesses which is yet to be explored.
Details
Keywords
Bhagyashree Barhate, Bradley G Winton and Casey Maugh Funderburk
This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of career resilience (CR) on Generation Z’s emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived career outcomes such as career…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of career resilience (CR) on Generation Z’s emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived career outcomes such as career satisfaction (CSAT), burnout and intention to leave a career. In its short organizational tenure, Gen Z has faced the adverse effects of global events affecting their views of career and, ultimately, CR.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey method was used to test the hypothesized relationship. A total sample of 160 respondents were assessed. Hypotheses in this study were tested by using Hayes’s (2018) PROCESS tool based on OLS regression and with a bootstrap method.
Findings
The most significant finding of this study concludes that although small, CR has a positive mediating indirect effect on Gen Z’s CSAT and burnout. However, contrary to past findings, we found a negative relationship between Gen Z’s EI and CR. Furthermore, although EI and CSAT have a positive relationship, CR and CSAT are negatively correlated. Meanwhile, Gen Z’s EI through CR positively affects Gen Z’s CSAT.
Research limitations/implications
The study has implications for how organizations can attract, retain and engage Gen Z.
Originality/value
Despite Gen Z being a part of the workforce for at least six years, limited empirical research on Gen Z has been published. Indeed, Gen Z’s workforce inexperience does not yield in-depth explanations of CR concepts; however, as we continue to learn more about Gen Z and their interactions with the work environment, the authors begin to get a peek into the future of the workforce.
Details
Keywords
Emrah Çakmakçi, Ozan Deveoglu, Ahmed Muhammed, Ali Fouad, Emine Torgan and Recep Karadag
– In this study, it was aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties of natural pigments prepared from Thymus serpyllum.
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, it was aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties of natural pigments prepared from Thymus serpyllum.
Design/methodology/approach
Al (III), Fe (II), Sn (II) and Cu (II) complexed natural pigments were obtained by using a precipitation method and the main constituents in the pigments were identified with HPLC-DAD. Also FTIR analysis was performed for further structural characterization. Moreover, the thermal stability and thermal degradation properties of the pigments were analyzed by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The antimicrobial activity of the thyme plant-extracted pigments was evaluated by measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration.
Findings
Apigenin and luteolin flavones were detected as the main components of the natural dyes. Thermal degradation behaviour of the pigments was determined by means of TGA. All pigments showed high char yields and it was attributed to the high complexation between the metal and the ligand species. The antimicrobial activity of the thyme plant-extracted pigments was measured and it was found that all pigments had high antimicrobial activity. Aluminum-thymus pigments showed the highest antimicrobial efficiency among other pigments used in this study.
Originality/value
The obtained pigments have high antimicrobial activities, and therefore, they can be used for the production of antimicrobial textiles. Furthermore, Thymus-based natural pigments might have potential applications in coating, paint, plastic industries, etc.
Details
Keywords
Nidhi Sharma, Anchal Pathak, B. Latha Lavanya, Naval Garg and Kusum Lata
The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the short form of personal optimism and self-efficacy optimism-extended (POSO-E) among Indian teachers.
Abstract
Purpose
The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the short form of personal optimism and self-efficacy optimism-extended (POSO-E) among Indian teachers.
Design/methodology/approach
Two studies were conducted to adjudge the reliability and validity of the scale. In the first study, the sample of 510 respondents was randomly divided into subsamples. The first subsample was subjected to the Exploratory Factor Analysis which yielded a two-factor solution explaining 71.02% of the variance. This model was subjected to the Confirmatory Factor Analysis using a second subsample. Acceptable model fit indices suggested factorial validity of the two-dimensional POSO-E among Indian teachers. In the second study, acceptable Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability estimates (greater than 0.70) indicated the scale's reliability. Also, as expected, personal optimism, self-efficacy optimism and overall optimism reported a positive correlation with spiritual well-being and a negative association with distress. It confirmed the criterion validity of the POSO-E among Indian teachers.
Findings
The results showed appreciable psychometric properties of the POSO-E in the context of Indian teachers. The study offered a valid and reliable scale to measure teachers' optimism levels. It is poised to generate renewed interest among scholars to emphasize teachers' positive and optimist thinking. The findings also reported a positive association between teachers' optimism and spiritual well-being. It suggests that spiritual practices and interventions could be used to develop an optimistic academic workforce.
Originality/value
The study is one of the pioneer studies that evaluated the reliability and validity of the POSO-E among Indian teachers.
Details
Keywords
Virendra Kumar Verma, Sachin S. Kamble, L. Ganapathy and Pradeep Kumar Tarei
The purpose of this study is to identify, analyse and model the post-processing barriers of 3D-printed medical models (3DPMM) printed by fused deposition modelling to overcome…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify, analyse and model the post-processing barriers of 3D-printed medical models (3DPMM) printed by fused deposition modelling to overcome these barriers for improved operational efficiency in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used interpretive structural modelling (ISM), cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to understand the hierarchical and contextual relations among the barriers of the post-processing.
Findings
A total of 11 post-processing barriers were identified in this study using ISM, literature review and experts’ input. The MICMAC analysis identified support material removal, surface finishing, cleaning, inspection and issues with quality consistency as significant driving barriers for post-processing. MICMAC also identified linkage barriers as well as dependent barriers. The ISM digraph model was developed using a final reachability matrix, which would help practitioners specifically tackle post-processing barriers. Further, the DEMATEL method allows practitioners to emphasize the causal effects of post-processing barriers and guides them in overcoming these barriers.
Research limitations/implications
There may have been a few post-processing barriers that were overlooked by the Indian experts, which might have been important for other country’s perspective.
Practical implications
The presented ISM model and DEMATEL provide directions for operation managers in planning operational strategies for overcoming post-processing issues in the medical 3D-printing industry. Also, managers may formulate operational strategies based on the driving and dependence power of post-processing barriers as well as the causal effects relationships of the barriers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to identifying, analyzing and modelling the post-processing barriers of 3DPMM through a combined ISM and DEMATEL methodology, which has not yet been reviewed. This study also contributes to decision makers developing suitable strategies to overcome the post-processing barriers for improved operational efficiency.