Cesar Teló, Pavel Trofimovich, Mary Grantham O'Brien, Thao-Nguyen Nina Le and Anamaria Bodea
High-stakes decision-makers, including human resource (HR) professionals, often exhibit accent biases against second language speakers in professional evaluations. We extend this…
Abstract
Purpose
High-stakes decision-makers, including human resource (HR) professionals, often exhibit accent biases against second language speakers in professional evaluations. We extend this work by investigating how HR students evaluate simulated job interview performances in English by first and second language speakers of English.
Design/methodology/approach
Eighty HR students from Calgary and Montreal evaluated the employability of first language (L1) Arabic, English, and Tagalog candidates applying for two positions (nurse, teacher) at four points in the interview (after reading the applicant’s resume, hearing their self-introduction, and listening to each of two responses to interview questions). Candidates’ responses additionally varied in the extent to which they meaningfully answered the interview questions.
Findings
Students from both cities provided similar evaluations, employability ratings were similar for both advertised positions, and high-quality responses elicited consistently high ratings while evaluations for low-quality responses declined over time. All speakers were evaluated similarly based on their resumes and self-introductions, regardless of their language background. However, evaluations diverged for interview responses, where L1 Arabic and Tagalog speakers were considered more employable than L1 English speakers. Importantly, students’ preference for L1 Arabic and Tagalog candidates over L1 English candidates was magnified when those candidates provided low-quality interview responses.
Originality/value
Results suggest that even in the absence of dedicated equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) training focusing on language and accent bias, HR students may be aware of second language speakers’ potential disadvantages in the workplace, rewarding them in the current evaluations. Findings also highlight the potential influence of contextual factors on HR students’ decision-making.
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Minh-Hieu Le, Thu-Thao Le and Phung Phi Tran
This research aims to enhance understanding of outsourcing dynamics from emerging markets by employing a bibliometric analysis of relevant scholarly articles. The study explores…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to enhance understanding of outsourcing dynamics from emerging markets by employing a bibliometric analysis of relevant scholarly articles. The study explores publication patterns, citation networks, author collaborations and contributions by different countries, offering insights for researchers and practitioners investigating outsourcing in these markets.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted using 197 articles from the SCOPUS database, spanning January 1999 to June 2023. Established bibliometric techniques were utilized to analyze publication patterns, citation networks, author collaborations and country contributions, identifying key research themes and influential authors and institutions.
Findings
The study identified eight distinct research clusters, highlighting interdisciplinary collaborations, influential authors like Thomas Frisanco and Erdener Kaynak, and significant contributions from the United States and the UK. Notable organizational collaborations include the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the University of Miami. These findings provide valuable insights into outsourcing practices and research trends in emerging markets.
Research limitations/implications
The study acknowledges limitations such as sampling bias, language bias and publication bias, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should strive for more diverse and representative samples, including non-English publications and studies with non-significant results, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of outsourcing dynamics.
Practical implications
The findings offer practical insights for organizations considering outsourcing from emerging markets, guiding strategic decision-making and policy development. Understanding publication patterns and research themes can help organizations navigate location selection, vendor management, risk mitigation and performance evaluation in these markets.
Social implications
Outsourcing can significantly impact employment, income generation, skill development and overall economic development in emerging markets. Policymakers can use these insights to foster business growth, infrastructure development and investment incentives, contributing to economic growth and employment opportunities.
Originality/value
This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of outsourcing from emerging markets, filling a gap in the existing literature. The insights gained can guide future research, inform strategic decision-making and enhance the understanding of outsourcing dynamics in these rapidly evolving markets.
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Tien Dung Luu, Khanh Huyen Nguyen Mai, Cuong Chi Huynh, Ngoc Huong Thi Phan, Nga Thanh Le and Thao Nguyen Diep Le
This study aims to reveal the impact mechanism of franchisor-owned resources, franchise relationship quality and franchisee's dynamic capabilities on franchisee performance, with…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to reveal the impact mechanism of franchisor-owned resources, franchise relationship quality and franchisee's dynamic capabilities on franchisee performance, with the moderating role of cultural sensitivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 290 middle managers and team leaders at 113 hotels and food and beverage settings participating in the international- and domestic franchises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) is used to analyse the data.
Findings
The result reveals that franchisor-owned resources, franchise relationship quality and franchisee's dynamic capabilities significantly impacted franchisee performance. Furthermore, cultural sensitivity has a beneficial role in the effect of franchise relationship quality on franchisee performance.
Originality/value
This study develops an integrated analytical framework of franchisee performance from the franchisee's perspective, contributing to integrating international business theory in franchising studies, namely the resource-based view, dynamic capability view and relationship-marketing theory.
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Anh Tuyet Nguyen, Vu Hiep Hoang, Phuong Thao Le, Thi Thanh Huyen Nguyen and Thi Thanh Van Pham
This study addresses the empirical results of the spillover effect with export as the primary economic activity that enhances local businesses' total factor productivity (TFP). A…
Abstract
Purpose
This study addresses the empirical results of the spillover effect with export as the primary economic activity that enhances local businesses' total factor productivity (TFP). A learning mechanism is expected to be generated and used as the basis for the policy implication.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted the Cobb–Douglas function and multiple estimation approaches, including the generalized method of moments, the Olley–Pakes and the Levinsohn–Petrin estimation techniques. The findings were estimated based on the panel data of a Vietnamese local businesses survey conducted by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO) from 2010 to 2019.
Findings
The results showed that the highest TFP belongs to the businesses in the Southeast region, the Mekong Delta region, the mining industry and the foreign-invested enterprises. The lowest impacted TFP are businesses in the Northwest region and agricultural, forestry and fishery sectors. In addition, the estimated results also show that the positive spillover effect on TFP is shown through forward and backward linkage. The negative spillover effect is expressed through the backward and horizontal channels.
Research limitations/implications
This study offers original empirical evidence on the learning mechanisms via which exports contribute to productivity improvement in a developing Asian economy, so making a valuable contribution to the existing academic literature in this domain. The findings of this research make a valuable contribution to the advancement of understanding on the many ways via which spillover effects manifest such as horizontal, forward, backward and supplied-backward linkage.
Practical implications
The study's findings indicate that it is advisable for governments to give priority to the development and improvement of forward and supply chain linkages between exporters and local suppliers. This approach is recommended in order to optimize the advantages derived from export spillovers. At the organizational level, it is imperative for enterprises to strengthen their technological and managerial skills in order to efficiently incorporate knowledge spillovers that originate from overseas partners and trade counterparts.
Originality/value
This study sheds new evidence on the export spillover effect on productivity in emerging economies, with Vietnam as the case study. The paper contributes to the research's originality by adopting novel methodological aspects to estimate local businesses' impact on total factor productivity.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0373
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Gui Ying Yang and Thao Lê
One of the main strengths of qualitative research is to focus on ideas, concepts and meanings involving individuals and groups of people in their own discourse. Instead of testing…
Abstract
One of the main strengths of qualitative research is to focus on ideas, concepts and meanings involving individuals and groups of people in their own discourse. Instead of testing a narrow hypothesis or making a generalisation about a population on certain issues under investigation, qualitative research attempts to present different insights which can only be unearthed by direct and personal engagement with research participants (Brannen, 1992). This engagement should take place in a natural social context where real life takes place. However, conducting qualitative research in China can pose a huge challenge for both Chinese and international researchers. This paper examines some problems (ethics, linguistics, etc) of using qualitative research methods and tools such as interviews, participant observation, and Critical Discourse Analysis in China.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the usefulness of Halliday’s linguistic theory known as Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) in analysing qualitative data. In order to do…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the usefulness of Halliday’s linguistic theory known as Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) in analysing qualitative data. In order to do this, it initially presents an overview of SFL, and then explains how and why four linguistic features namely, nominalisation, grammatical metaphor, thematic structure and lexical density are useful in examining qualitative data. The paper also discusses three social metafunctions of language known as the ideational, the interpersonal and the textual metafunctions which are significant for understanding and interpreting texts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper employs SFL as the main theoretical framework to discussing the usefulness of this linguistics theory in qualitative data analysis.
Findings
SFL can be seen as a paradigm shift in linguistic theory moving away from the traditional focus on syntax to the inclusion of the interface between language and pragmatics. The focus of SFL is language in use. It deals with texts in social contexts, which is the main focus in qualitative data analysis. Thus, SFL provides both research tools and theoretical insights for understanding and interpreting texts.
Originality/value
This paper provides significant insights into language which are crucial for understanding and interpreting texts in social contexts.
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Tuan Phong Ly, Kim Quang Yi and Hilda Hio Fong Fok
In Vietnam, there is a phenomenon that domestic tourists return to some tourist destinations despite their reputation of tourists being scammed. This study aims to focusses on…
Abstract
Purpose
In Vietnam, there is a phenomenon that domestic tourists return to some tourist destinations despite their reputation of tourists being scammed. This study aims to focusses on Vung Tau City in Vietnam as a popular seaside destination to explain this interesting phenomenon.
Design/methodology/approach
Thereby, 22 domestic tourists who are repeated visitors and had experienced scams directly and/or indirectly in Vung Tau were interviewed and later took part in a self-evaluation.
Findings
The data shows that unreasonable charges, switching products, false reporting and dishonest middle-persons are the major dominant scams in the city. Furthermore, all visitors could be scammed regardless of gender, educational background or age. Even though scams may occur, the city remains to be a popular getaway destination for the Southern part of Vietnam due to its irreplaceable natural resources and visit intention of domestic tourists. The local authority has tried different ways to suppress issues related to tourist scams, however, due to their sociocultural and economic conditions, scams find ways to exist. Under this circumstance, domestic tourists tend to figure out how to handle scams by themselves whilst very few of them rely on the public sector to deal with them.
Practical implications
Finally, some practical strategies and recommendations are given as a reference for the local authority and businesses for long-term tourist business development.
Originality/value
This paper, respectively, investigates the common scams against domestic tourists in Vung Tau, reasons they still return to this destination, and finally, how these visitors attempt to avoid scams.
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Inka Hedman and Thao Phuong (Le) Orrensalo
The chapter focuses on brand image and its role in business relationship initiation. The chapter takes the perspective of personal brands, CEO branding in particular, and…
Abstract
The chapter focuses on brand image and its role in business relationship initiation. The chapter takes the perspective of personal brands, CEO branding in particular, and discusses how brand image of the CEO affects the establishment of new relationships. The corporate brand image provides a first insight into, for instance, perceived quality, while the CEO brand is a strategic combination of the CEO image and CEO reputation. An empirical case study exemplifies and illustrates how the corporate brand and the CEO brand interlink. The reader learns that a strong CEO brand may outperform the corporate brand in the initial stage of establishing new business relationships. Trust and commitment are highlighted through the case, inducing that business relationship performance is dependent on personal interaction and network bonds between the actors. The personal brand of the CEO is an important element in branding strategies and a strategic tool for organizations active in the B2B domain. This relates specially to partner selection and the stage of initiating business relationships. Furthermore, both rational and emotional factors are considered when business partners evaluate each other, in search for information and cues as regards the history of the partner. Eventually, trust is created between the partners, and the relationship is initiated.
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Thao T.T. Le and Joseph T.L. Ooi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the state of development in the capital market and the debt ratios of 579 property companies publicly listed in 13…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the state of development in the capital market and the debt ratios of 579 property companies publicly listed in 13 countries.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of two indices are first constructed to measure the maturity of the debt and equity capital market in each country from 1994 to 2007. Panel regressions are then carried out to examine the impact of capital market maturity on the financial gearing of property companies.
Findings
The authors observe that the maturity of the capital market is correlated with the stage of development of the respective economies. The panel regression results show that the maturity of the debt capital market has a significant and positive influence on the firms' capital structure. In contrast, developments in the equity capital market have an inverse impact on the debt ratios of property companies.
Practical implications
Overall, the development of the capital markets is good for capital intensive property companies who may face challenges to obtain external funding in transition economies with underdeveloped capital markets. As the capital markets of these economies mature, coupled with improvements in the legal and institutional framework, property companies will have more scope to raise capital to expand their operations.
Originality/value
The paper offers international evidence on, first, the capital structure practices of property companies in different regions, and second, how capital market development influences the firms' financing decisions.
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Vietnam's industrial evolution is luring U. S. companies as the country emerges from political banishment.