Effects of contractual flexibility on conflict and project success in megaprojects

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdong Wu ◽  
Xianbo Zhao ◽  
Jian Zuo ◽  
George Zillante
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of contractual flexibility on different types of conflict, determine if contractual flexibility is significantly correlated with project success between contracting parties, verify the mediating effect of project conflicts on the relationship between contractual flexibility and project success and examine the relationship between different types of conflicts and project success in megaprojects. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model was developed and a structured questionnaire survey was conducted with 468 professionals. The structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze the data. Findings The results showed that both types of contractual flexibility – term and process flexibility – were correlated with and significantly positively affected project success, and term flexibility was found to have a greater influence. The introduction of project conflicts significantly weakened the relationship between contractual flexibility and project success, verifying the partial mediating effect of conflicts. All types of project conflicts play a destructive role in achieving project success; relationship conflict had the largest negative effect. Contractual flexibility affects two paths with respect to project success: the direct path (contractual flexibility → project success) and the indirect path (contractual flexibility → conflict → project success). The direct effect of contractual flexibility on project success is positive; the corresponding indirect effect is negative. The direct effect is greater than the corresponding indirect effect. Research limitations/implications Different types of conflicts may mutually transform to extent certain degree. However, this study did not address the potential influence of conflict transformation on project success. The results implied that more emphasis should be placed on contractual terms, particularly on developing flexible terms in the contractual document, when implementing megaprojects. Meanwhile, this study reveals the effects of conflicts on project success in megaprojects, which provides a useful reference for project stakeholders to avoid the negative effect of conflicts. Practical implications This study provides a better understanding of the relationship between contractual flexibility, types of conflicts in megaprojects and a reliable reference for the project manager to effectively deal with these related issues. This implies the contracting parties strengthen communication and cooperation to establish a trust mechanism, while reducing the negative influence of project conflicts and enhancing the positive effect of contractual flexibility. Originality/value Few studies have investigated the effects of contractual flexibility on conflict and project success in megaprojects; this study contributes significant theoretical and practical insights to contract management and conflict management and provides a reliable reference to achieve project success.

Structural empowerment and serving culture as determinants of organizational identification and turnover intention

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Radoslaw Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Identification ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Empowerment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Employee Identification ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to provide an alternative explanation for how organizations could increase levels of organizational identification, in turn reducing employee turnover intention. Specifically, the study empirically tests the joint effect of two types of organizational resources – structural empowerment and serving culture (SE*SC) – on employee identification. Moreover, it investigates the mediating effect of organizational identification on the relationship between the joint effect (SE*SC) and turnover intention. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected in 2018 from employees working in a higher education institution located in the USA. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model. Findings Statistical analysis reveals the positive joint effect (SE*SC) on organizational identification and the mediating effect of identification on the relationship between the joint effect (SE*SC) and turnover intention. Originality/value This study contributes to past research by revealing a new important mechanism. Business organizations could increase levels of employee identification and, in turn, reduce turnover by providing empowering resources that allow employees to successfully complete their jobs. Moreover, the study also contributes to practice by providing some recommendations that managers may implement to improve internal effectiveness in their respective organizations.

scholarly journals Impact of Communication on Capital Project Performance: A Mediated Moderation Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11301
Author(s):  
Hong-Long Chen
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Project Performance ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Technical Competence ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Capital Projects ◽  
The Relationship

Many studies demonstrate the importance of communication in project performance. However, little is known about how project communication exerts its effects on the outcomes of capital projects that have a large impact on environmental and economic sustainability. Using a longitudinal survey and bootstrap-based structural-equation modeling, this study uncovers how project competencies and team innovative behavior affect the relationship between project communication and capital project performance. This study collects repeated measures from project managers at two time points: immediately after the initiation and planning stages end and immediately after project completion. Excluding responses with missing data, this study’s sample includes 108 capital projects. This study finds that project technical and managerial competencies completely mediate the relationship between project communication and project performance. This study also finds that team innovative behavior affects project performance through the mediating effect of project technical competence. Team innovative behavior also moderates the relationship between project technical competence and project performance. Project communication has the largest effect on project performance despite having the smallest direct effect; project managerial competence possesses the next-largest effect on project performance despite having the largest direct effect. This study discusses the managerial and research implications.

The effect of novelty on travel intention: the mediating effect of brand equity and travel motivation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yucheng Zhang ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Chih-Hsing Liu ◽  
Yimo Shen ◽  
Guiquan Li
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsic Motivation ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Night Markets ◽  
Research Studies

PurposeResearch on the relationship between novelty and travel intention is lacking. This study attempts to fill this gap by developing a theoretical model to explain how novelty influences travel intention through two mediating paths: brand equity and tourist motivation.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, data were collected from 466 foreign visitors to Taiwanese night markets. To test the model, the authors applied structural equation modeling (SEM) to identify the critical attributes that predicted foreign tourists' travel intentions.FindingsThe SEM analysis indicated that novelty in tourism management was related to brand equity and intrinsic motivation, which increased foreign tourists' travel intentions and offered advantages for highly competitive, high-density night markets in Taiwan. In addition, brand equity was an important mediator that connected novelty and tourists' travel intentions. Finally, novelty indirectly affected travel intention and intrinsic motivation through brand equity.Research limitations/implicationsThere may exist potential moderators in the relationships among the brand equity and travel intention categories. Future research studies could explore whether any moderators influence the relationship mechanisms examined in this study.Originality/valueThis research expands on previous research studies that have focused on the value of travel intention. Furthermore, the study uses brand equity theory (BET) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to examine the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between novelty and travel intention.

Linking transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umer Zaman ◽  
Shahid Nawaz ◽  
Sidra Tariq ◽  
Asad Afzal Humayoun
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Transformational leadership, flexibility and visibility improves project responsiveness to highly unpredictable and impactful events referred as the ‘black swans’ in mega projects (Bloch et al., 2012; Raziq et al., 2018; Zailani et al., 2016). However, these concepts have never been empirically tested in a single framework to determine their significant impact on multi-dimensional project success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interactional effects of project flexibility and project visibility on the relationship between transformational leadership and “multi-dimensions” of project success including meeting design goals; impact on customers and benefits to project-based organization. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data derived from cross-sectional survey of 160 project managers from telecom intensive companies in Pakistan were used to test the conceptual framework developed from recent literature. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) provided detailed analysis of the measurement and structural model. The most recent reflective–formative PLS-SEM approach for higher-order constructs has been introduced. Findings The results indicate that project managers’ transformational leadership (β = 0.348, p < 0.01), project flexibility (β = 0.221, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = 0.366, p < 0.01) are positively related with the multi-dimensional project success (second-order formative) construct. Interestingly, the relationship between transformational leadership and project success is influenced by significantly negative moderations established through project flexibility (β = −0.100, p < 0.01) and project visibility (β = −0.093, p < 0.05). Research limitations/implications This study in the telecom sector examined the interactional effects of risk mitigating strategies (i.e. project flexibility and project visibility) on the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success. This study creates a basis for future investigations extending to various project types and relevant to different industries especially those involving higher-order (formative) assessments of project success. Practical implications The study findings assist project leaders to meet their escalating commitments in achieving project success from a multi-dimensional standpoint. Additionally, this study underscores a renewed perspective of transformational leadership and project outcomes. Despite prevailing understanding developed through prior research, transformational leadership may become less favorable for project success in conditions of increased flexibility and visibility in projects. Originality/value Earlier studies have overlooked the multi-dimensional nature of project success (second-order formative) construct, despite several attempts to examine the interplay between transformational leadership and project success. Based on the knowledge gap and non-existence of empirical evidence, the authors introduced and empirically tested the moderating role of project flexibility and project visibility in the relationship between transformational leadership and multi-dimensional project success.

Authentic leadership and work engagement: the mediating effect of practicing core values

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihye Oh ◽  
Daeyeon Cho ◽  
Doo Hun Lim
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Core Values ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of practicing core values on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement in a Korean corporate environment. Design/methodology/approach Self-report data on authentic leadership, practicing core values, and work engagement were obtained from 281 employees of three major corporations in South Korea. Structural equation modeling was adopted to analyze the data. Findings The results revealed a direct and significant influence of authentic leadership on both practicing core values and work engagement. In addition, practicing core values was found to have a partial mediating effect on the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Research limitations/implications This study revealed a three-factor model of authentic leadership compared to the four-factor model found in western cultural contexts. Similar findings are indicated for other Asian countries. A rigorous future study is warranted to validate the psychometric structure across different cultural settings. Harman’s single factor test was performed to address the common method variance issue. Practical implications Practicing core values functioned as a catalyst for developing authentic leaders. Therefore, it is necessary that organizational development practitioners perform developmental activities to purposefully facilitate practicing core values. Originality/value The study falls under the isolated or disregarded researched topic of the practicing core values in relation to authentic leadership and work engagement.

Promoting safety participation through diversity and inclusion climates

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Paolillo ◽  
Silvia A. Silva ◽  
Margherita Pasini
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Diversity Climate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of diversity climate and inclusion climate on safety participation behaviors through the mediating effect of the motivation to actively promote safety at work. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 491 workers employed in four Italian metal-mechanical companies. They completed a paper questionnaire containing measures of psychological diversity climate, psychological inclusion climate, safety motivation participation and safety participation behaviors. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Findings Results showed that safety participation motivation fully mediates the relationship between diversity climate and safety participation behaviors, whereas it partially mediates the relationship between climate for inclusion and safety participation behaviors. Practical implications The present findings can help managers to motivate employees in pursuing safety goals independently of compensation or obligation by creating an organization in which the main concern is caring for each other’s well-being. Originality/value This is the first study which has empirically tested the relationships between diversity climate, inclusion climate and safety behaviors. It has extended previous research which simply tested the effects of objective types of diversity on safety performance.

Linking secure attachment to commitment: trust in supervisors

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selin Metin Camgöz ◽  
Pinar Bayhan Karapinar
Keyword(s):  
Attachment Style ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Model Comparison ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Secure Attachment ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Cognitive Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between a secure attachment style and affective commitment (AC) through the mediating roles of affective and cognitive trust in a direct supervisor. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted using the questionnaire answers of 357 private sector employees in various occupations. The statistical analysis was based on structural equation modeling. A multiple mediation model enabled us to investigate the specific indirect effects of each mediator. Findings – Results based on a model comparison showed that the employees’ affective trust in their supervisor fully mediated the relationship between a secure attachment style and AC. However, cognitive trust had no significant mediating effect on relationships between a secure attachment style and AC. Practical implications – Trust in supervisors should be monitored and supported during developmental interventions. Understanding the power of affective and cognitive trust in predicting attitudes can help shape more effective interventions to influence positive work attitudes, including AC. Originality/value – The study sheds new light on the literature by linking individual attachment to organizational attachment as the mediating role of two forms of trust in a supervisor.

Millennials’ intention to stay and word-of-mouth referrals

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-78
Author(s):  
Decha Dechawatanapaisal
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Identification ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Intention To Stay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived External Prestige ◽  
Person Organization Fit ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating effect of organizational identification in the relationship between person-organization fit and intention to stay as well as word-of-mouth referrals. The study also examines the role of perceived external prestige as a moderator of the relationship between organizational identification and intention to stay and word-of-mouth referrals. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 2,649 millennial employees working in various companies located within the Central Thailand Industrial Estates. The hypothesized relationships were tested and analyzed by means of a confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, hierarchical regression and a bootstrapping procedure. Findings The results revealed that the direct relationships between person-organization fit and intention to stay as well as word-of-mouth referrals were found to be partially mediated by organizational identification. In addition, perceived external prestige was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between organizational identification and word-of-mouth referrals, but found no effect on employee retention. Research limitations/implications The current research took place among the millennial workers in Thai organizations, which needs to be extended to other generational cohorts or different culture settings for more generalization. Practical implications The results imply that managers should routinely assess and monitor person-organization compatibility, and ensure that corporate cultures, values and norms are properly communicated and mutually shared among the millennial workers. The aim is to inspire them to perceive better fits and proudly identify with their workplace. Such efforts are likely to induce not only retention, but also should encourage word-of-mouth referrals. Originality/value This study extends existing knowledge by assessing the relationships among person-organization fit, organizational identification and perceived external prestige as well as their impacts on intention to stay and word-of-mouth referrals by millennial employees, which has not been extensively investigated in the literature.

The relationship between soft and hard quality management practices, innovation and organizational performance in higher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1349-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Sciarelli ◽  
Mohamed Hani Gheith ◽  
Mario Tani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Practices ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis study aims to empirically investigate the effects of both soft and hard quality management (QM) on innovation and organizational performance. It also examines the mediating role of hard QM, administrative innovation and technical innovation on the relationship between soft QM and organizational performance in higher education (HE).Design/methodology/approachThe approach of this study is quantitative. The data used to test the hypotheses were obtained through online questionnaire sent to the academic staff of public universities in Naples (Italy). The hypothesized relationships are tested with data collected from 356 respondents by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results show that quality practices improve innovation and organizational performance, while innovation positively impacts organizational performance. The findings also indicate that soft QM affects organizational performance directly and indirectly through hard QM. Hard QM and innovation show a partial sequential mediating effect on soft QM-performance relationshipPractical implicationsIn order to implement quality management properly in HE, directors need to recognize the different roles that soft and hard QM can have on innovation and organizational performance. It is important that higher education institutions (HEIs) allocate resources to establish both types of QM practices to achieve the effectiveness of the whole QM system.Originality/valueDespite the existence of numerous studies on the relationship between QM, innovation and organizational performance in manufacturing and services, studies conducted in higher education are still few. This is one of the earliest studies that adopt the multidimensional approach of QM in HE which could help directors understand the interdependencies and different roles of soft and hard quality practices.

Examining relationships among cultural factors and expectations of CSR

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-443
Author(s):  
Minsoo Kim ◽  
Candace White ◽  
Chansouk Kim
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Studies have explored expectations of corporate social responsibility (CSR) among cultures, but findings are mixed. A more nuanced view of cultural dimensions rather than using Hofstede’s aggregate country scores can offer a stronger empirical foundation for studying the effects of culture. Based on two cultural dimensions and Carroll’s four-dimensional model of CSR, the purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between individualistic/collectivistic values and individuals’ expectations of different types of responsibilities (economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic), the relationship between long-term values and individuals’ expectations of different types of responsibilities and the degree of skepticism about CSR related to these values. Design/methodology/approach This study surveyed panel participants in two countries, South Korea (collectivistic and long term) and the USA (individualistic and short term), chosen because they are at extreme ends of the cultural values continuum. Multi-dimensional aspects of the cultural variables were tested in the samples rather than using national scores as proxy variables for culture. Data were quantitative and various statistical tests including structural equation modeling were used for analysis. Findings The findings show that horizontal collectivism and the planning dimension of long-term orientation are positively associated with CSR expectations, whereas the tradition dimension of long-term orientation is negatively associated with CSR expectations. In addition, vertical individualism is positively associated with skepticism toward CSR activities. Research limitations/implications The differences in types of individual-collectivism (horizontal and vertical) as well as the different aspects of long-term orientation had an effect on the results, pointing to the importance of exploring the nuances of the dimensions as well as the importance of testing them within the sample rather than using aggregated national scores. Originality/value Previous studies that used a proxy variable for culture assumed that collectivistic cultures have higher expectations for CSR. While empirically supporting the assumption of the relationship between cultural factors and CSR expectations at the individual level, the study found that people who view themselves as autonomous within a group but accept inequality within the group (vertical individualism) are more likely to be skeptical of CSR activities and suggests that skepticism about CSR may be more closely related to individual viewpoints or to particular contexts or particular corporations rather than to cultural factors, which has implications for international corporate communication.

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