Stephan C. Henneberg, Juani Swart, Peter Naudé, Zhizhong Jiang and Stefanos Mouzas
The purpose of this paper is to show the role of social networks in mobilizing how actors both impact and are impacted on by their colleagues. It seeks to compare the human…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show the role of social networks in mobilizing how actors both impact and are impacted on by their colleagues. It seeks to compare the human resource management (HRM) academic community with two other comparable communities, and to identify those groups that are seen to work closely together.
Design/methodology/approach
It is shown how social network analysis (SNA) can be utilized to analyse data in social networks, shedding light on the cliques and networks of people that work together over a period of time. This is based on an analysis of co‐authored papers in the field of HRM between 1990 and 2005.
Findings
It is shown how the HRM community has developed over time utilizing various SNA metrics and this community of scholars is shown to be less “dense” than comparable academic networks, being made up of several weakly‐linked subcomponents. The paper also identifies the “ego‐nets” of individuals that are indicative of different publishing strategies.
Originality/value
The paper's contribution lies in the application of SNA to identify how groups interact over time, and how a large network can be systematically analysed to reveal the underlying structure.
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Zhizhong Jiang, Stephan C. Henneberg and Peter Naudé
To overcome the limitations of applying trust in interorganizational relationships, this paper aims to investigate the significant role of interorganizational reliance in business…
Abstract
Purpose
To overcome the limitations of applying trust in interorganizational relationships, this paper aims to investigate the significant role of interorganizational reliance in business relationships and develop an original scale to measure this new construct.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 20 in‐depth interviews with buying firms were conducted in the UK construction industry. The contents of the interviews were analyzed with NVivo to examine the rational standards underlying the buyer‐supplier exchange relationship.
Findings
Trust is a relevant but not in itself a sufficient condition for the development and sustaining of buyer‐supplier relationships. The objective rationality requires that business relationships are centred on organizational needs and benefits which necessitate the rational standard of interorganizational reliance. Reliance remains to be central in business relationships despite low or lack of trust.
Research limitations/implications
Focusing on the construction industry, this paper evaluates the current status of trust and develops an understanding of interorganizational reliance in business relationships.
Practical implications
The generic use of the term of trust has obscured the meaning and significance of reliance in business relationships. Marketing researchers should put necessary attention and efforts to explore the distinct features and effects of reliance in exchange relationships between organizations.
Originality/value
The paper empirically examines the deficiencies in trust, and demonstrates the significance of reliance in buyer‐supplier relationships. An original measure for the new construct of reliance is also developed through interviews with key informants.
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Zhizhong Jiang, Stephan C. Henneberg and Peter Naudé
There is conflicting evidence of the extent to which business relationships in the UK construction industry are based on trust between closely collaborating parties or…
Abstract
Purpose
There is conflicting evidence of the extent to which business relationships in the UK construction industry are based on trust between closely collaborating parties or alternatively are more adversarial in nature, based on dependence between the parties. This study seeks to provide empirical evidence about the effects of trust and dependence in business relationships in this industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A large quantitative survey was conducted with buying firms, resulting in a total of 636 usable responses from 404 firms to test a model using structural equation modelling. The authors test the extent to which trust and dependence act as antecedents to four dimensions identified from the literature as being important determinants of relationship quality: commitment, communication, satisfaction, and long‐term orientation.
Findings
The results provide good evidence for the hypotheses in the authors' model: relational characteristics associated with relationship quality are mainly driven by the interpersonal trust between buyers and their suppliers. Interorganisational dependence, evidence of more adversarial relationships, has either no direct impact on relational consequences or at best far less impact than trust.
Originality/value
This research substantiates trust as a key factor influencing relational characteristics associated with relationship quality in the UK construction industry. The findings confirm the earlier work in this industry that trust is an important strategic tool in supplier relationship management.
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Zhizhong Jiang, Stephan C. Henneberg and Peter Naudé
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the levels of trust and reliance in different international business markets. The paper aims to obtain empirical evidence regarding the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the levels of trust and reliance in different international business markets. The paper aims to obtain empirical evidence regarding the importance of relational aspects (trust) vis‐à‐vis organisational ones (reliance) for building long‐term business relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an exploratory study to examine trust and reliance in the manufacturing and construction industries of four countries: UK, India, Pakistan, and Poland. Statistical analysis is based on a data sample of 501 responses collected through a survey of buying and selling relationships.
Findings
Although varying across countries, stable relationships with high levels of both trust and reliance exist widely in business markets. Exclusively trust‐based business relationships, i.e. those which are mainly driven by individual‐level aspects, are very rare. However, both trust and reliance are significant for building relationships with long‐term perspectives.
Practical implications
Managers in firms who want to build advantageous and sustainable business relationships need to be able to discern the difference between trust in people on the one hand, and reliance on the partner firms on the other. This research shows that to maintain sustainable relationships, firms should not only focus their relational capabilities on enhancing reliance aspects with their business partners, but also aim to build good levels of trust in the interaction.
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Mohamed M. Eldyasty and Ahmed A. Elamer
This paper aims to examine the link between audit(or) type and restatements in Egypt, a complex and multifaceted auditing market. The usual big 4 versus non-big 4 comparison is…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the link between audit(or) type and restatements in Egypt, a complex and multifaceted auditing market. The usual big 4 versus non-big 4 comparison is insufficient as Egypt has a unique mix of private audit firms, one governmental agency (Accountability State Authority) and mandatory/nonmandatory audit services, including single, joint and dual audits.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a sample of listed companies in Egypt and analyzes the impact of auditor type and audit type on explicit, implicit and total restatements. The study uses logistic regression model to examine the underlying relationship.
Findings
Results show no relationship between auditor type and audit quality, positive association between non-big foreign CPA firms and total/implicit restatements and mixed results for the impact of dual audits on audit quality. The study found no link between auditor type and audit quality in Egypt. Egyptian audit firms linked to non-big 4 foreign Certified Public Accounting firms were positively linked to total and implicit restatements. Joint audits did not improve audit quality and were directly related to total and explicit restatements. Dual audits showed mixed results, positively associated with implicit restatements but inversely associated with explicit restatements.
Originality/value
The study provides valuable insights into the complexities of the auditing market in emerging markets and offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the financial statement users, audit firms and governmental agencies.
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Guoxin Zhang, Kun Liu, Guangqiang Liu and Zhizhong Cao
The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of slab and roll initial temperatures on the wear characteristics of the surface of hot roll descaling rolls.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of slab and roll initial temperatures on the wear characteristics of the surface of hot roll descaling rolls.
Design/methodology/approach
The UMESHMOTION subroutine and the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian adaptive mesh technique are used to investigate the wear profile of the descale roll surface and to evaluate the effect of the slab and roll’s initial temperature on the wear depth.
Findings
Wear is more pronounced at the edges of the roll-slab contact area and less severe in the roll-body’s central region. A rise in the initial slab temperature from 1,337 K to 1,429 K results in a 67% rise in maximum wear depth and 52% in frictional stress. The peak wear region progressively shifted toward the center of the roll body. A rise in the initial roll temperature from 308.15 K to 673.15 K caused a 46% reduction in maximum wear depth and 73% in frictional stress. The location of the peak wear region remained primarily unchanged.
Originality/value
This study used the UMESHMOTIONI subroutine and the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian adaptive mesh technique in ABAQUS® to evaluate the quantitative correlation between the wear depth of the descaling roll surfaces and the initial temperatures of the slab and rolls. This study offers valuable insights into improving the wear of descaling roll surfaces.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2024-0231/
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Yuze Shang, Fei Liu, Ping Qin, Zhizhong Guo and Zhe Li
The goal of this research is to develop a dynamic step path planning algorithm based on the rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm that combines Q-learning with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this research is to develop a dynamic step path planning algorithm based on the rapidly exploring random tree (RRT) algorithm that combines Q-learning with the Gaussian distribution of obstacles. A route for autonomous vehicles may be swiftly created using this algorithm.
Design/methodology/approach
The path planning issue is divided into three key steps by the authors. First, the tree expansion is sped up by the dynamic step size using a combination of Q-learning and the Gaussian distribution of obstacles. The invalid nodes are then removed from the initially created pathways using bidirectional pruning. B-splines are then employed to smooth the predicted pathways.
Findings
The algorithm is validated using simulations on straight and curved highways, respectively. The results show that the approach can provide a smooth, safe route that complies with vehicle motion laws.
Originality/value
An improved RRT algorithm based on Q-learning and obstacle Gaussian distribution (QGD-RRT) is proposed for the path planning of self-driving vehicles. Unlike previous methods, the authors use Q-learning to steer the tree's development direction. After that, the step size is dynamically altered following the density of the obstacle distribution to produce the initial path rapidly and cut down on planning time even further. In the aim to provide a smooth and secure path that complies with the vehicle kinematic and dynamical restrictions, the path is lastly optimized using an enhanced bidirectional pruning technique.
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Xiangjie Tang, Lawrence Hoc Nang Fong and Amy Siu-Ian So
This study aims to conceptualize the potential stimuli and consequences of perceived yuanfen in the accommodation service encounter by interpreting how Chinese customers perceive…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to conceptualize the potential stimuli and consequences of perceived yuanfen in the accommodation service encounter by interpreting how Chinese customers perceive yuanfen during their stay in accommodations.
Design/methodology/approach
Online accommodation reviews containing yuanfen perception were interpreted using a grounded theory approach. Group interviews were conducted to verify the interpretations.
Findings
Positive outcome-generated emotional accommodation experiences (e.g. happiness) can elicit perceived yuanfen, which then evokes customers’ feelings of gratitude, emotional attachment to an accommodation and memorable accommodation experiences. Also, perceived yuanfen facilitates customers’ tolerance of service failures and promotes customers’ intention to stay longer at, recommend and revisit the accommodation.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to the literature on accommodation experiences, loyalty, word-of-mouth and service recovery. Future research can explore the interventions that trigger Chinese customers’ perceived yuanfen during accommodation.
Practical implications
This study informs practitioners of the importance of perceived yuanfen in enhancing accommodation experiences and service recovery. Moreover, the conceptualized characteristics and stimuli of perceived yuanfen offer possible guidelines for practitioners on how to stimulate customers’ yuanfen perception.
Originality/value
This study fills the gap of how perceived yuanfen functions in the service encounters in accommodations.