Female empowerment/participation in the workplace and firm performance: a study of privately-owned firms

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Achkar ◽  
Elie Bouri
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Female Empowerment ◽  
Control Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
Privately Held Firms ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Privately Owned

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between female empowerment/participation and firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe data are cross-sectional, extracted from the records of the Enterprise Surveys of the World Bank (ESWB). It covers 561 privately-owned firms from Lebanon. Tobit regressions are used in the analysis.FindingsThe findings show that firm performance is positively associated with one form of female empowerment (female involvement in management), and the positive and significant association remains significant when several control variables are considered. However, the positive association between firm performance and the other form of female empowerment (female involvement in ownership) does not hold the inclusion of control variables in the regression. Furthermore, there is a positive association between firm performance and female participation in the workplace (the percentage of female workers), which remains qualitatively unchanged when several control variables are considered.Originality/valueThis is one of the first research studies that examines the relationship between female empowerment/participation and firm performance, while differentiating between female involvement in management and female involvement in ownership. Notably, the study extends the authors’ limited understanding on that relationship in the context of a small and understudied country such as Lebanon, where privately-held firms dominate.

scholarly journals A link between knowledge sharing and managers’ characteristics

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1024-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Matošková ◽  
Lucie Macurová ◽  
Lucie Tomancová
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Principal Axis ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Principal Axis Factor

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether and to what extent knowledge-oriented leadership (KOL) is associated with knowledge sharing (KS) in an organization as well as the dimensions of this leadership style. Design/methodology/approach Opinion-based questionnaires were applied in the study. A principal axis factor analysis was conducted to find the main factors in KOL (n=236). The relationship between KS and KOL was tested with Pearson’s correlation coefficient method. Findings The findings support the importance of high-quality leader–member exchange for KS because KOL had a strong significant positive association with the extent of KS in the organization (n=96, r=0.521). The principal axis factor suggested three factors, all of which were moderately significantly related to KS: the perceived support from the superior, enough time for KS and information flow from the superior. Research limitations/implications The research design in this study was cross-sectional. Thus, the interpretations of the cause–effect relationship among the variables could not be determined. Furthermore, the findings should be confirmed using a larger sample. Practical implications The study indicates that if innovativeness and the use of human capital are important for an organization’s competitive ability, it is vital to train managers to be able to apply KOL. Originality/value Few studies have addressed the relationship between leadership and KS. Hence, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relation between KS and KOL style. Additionally, KOL is probably a multidimensional construct, but little empirical work has been done to explore it.

Integrative capability, business model innovation and performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changwei Pang ◽  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Guang Duan
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how business model innovation (BMI) mediates the relationship between integrative capability, business strategy and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach A literature review provides the model and hypotheses. Using a sample of 165 Chinese firms, the authors conduct the examination using a theoretical model and hypotheses following standard analysis methods. Findings The results show that BMI positively mediates the relationship between integrative capability and firm performance. Moreover, a differentiation strategy positively moderates the link between BMI and firm performance, while a cost leadership strategy presents a significantly negative moderating effect. Research limitations/implications First, the authors test the hypotheses using data from China; thus data from other emerging economies should be tested. Second, the authors use cross-sectional data in this study making it impossible to verify the dynamic developed in the process of BMI; a longitudinal study could provide a more comprehensive understanding. Third, the authors consider one intermediate mechanism to test the relationship of integrative capability and firm performance; additional factors may link integrative capability and firm performance. Practical implications The mediating effect of BMI suggests managers should pay more attention to BMI to improve firm performance, and they should understand that BMI’s role varies across different business strategies. Originality/value The paper is original in its investigation of the effect of integrative capability and BMI on firm performance using data from China and demonstrates the mediating effect of BMI on the relationship between integrative capability and firm performance.

Linking HRM competency to firm performance: an empirical investigation of Chinese firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 898-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang-yue Ngo ◽  
Chun-Yan Jiang ◽  
Raymond Loi
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Development Zone ◽  
Chinese Enterprises ◽  
Work Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to investigate the relationship between human resource management (HRM) competency and firm performance. Drawn upon the resource-based view and alignment theory, HRM competency is expected to be related to the adoption of high performance work systems (HPWS) and the achievement of external fit in HRM, which in turn contribute to firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected via a survey of in 157 Chinese enterprises located in the high technology development zone of three large cities. Two different respondents from each firm provided information about organizational characteristics, HRM policy and practices, and firm performance. Multiple regressions were used to test the hypotheses. Findings – Results indicate that HRM competency has a significant and positive effect on firm performance. Such an effect is found to be mediated by the achievement of external fit, but not the adoption of HPWS. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the study include cross-sectional data, perceptual measure of firm performance, omission of external variables, and restricted sample. This study highlights the importance of HRM competency in strategic HRM, and provides evidence about how this construct is linked to firm performance. Originality/value – This is the first study that explores the effect of HRM competency on the adoption of HPWS and the achievement of external fit. It further reveals that the achievement of external fit mediates the relationship between HRM competency and firm performance, and hence contributes to the HRM literature.

scholarly journals Effects of ownership concentration on firm performance: Pakistani evidence

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qaiser Rafique Yasser ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concentrated Ownership ◽  
Concentration Degree ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – This paper aims to present an analysis of the association between five categories of concentrated ownership and firm performance in Pakistan. The connection between high ownership concentration and firm performance has attracted much attention, especially in emerging market, yet yielded many inconsistent empirical results. Design/methodology/approach – Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE)-100 Indexed companies listed in KSE from 2007 to 2011 were selected as the sample, and correlation coefficient and regression model were used to inspect the relationship between ownership concentration degree and corporate performance. Findings – It was found that there is no significant association with ownership concentration and accounting-based performance, market-based performance measures and economic profit, in general. Originality/value – The first demonstration that the shareholding proportion of the single largest shareholder is the only variable having positive association with market-based performance measures.

Proactive environmental management and performance by a controlling family

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Chun Huang ◽  
Ying-Jiuan Wong ◽  
Min-Li Yang
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – This study examined how proactive environmental management affects firm performance and whether a controlling family moderates this effect. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted content analysis to collect data on listed Taiwanese firms and used cross-sectional regression analysis to examine the relationship between proactive environmental management and firm performance as well as the moderating role of a controlling family. Findings – The results indicated that not all types of proactive environmental management are positively associated with firm performance and that a controlling family might be more effective in low-risk proactive environmental management practices. Research limitations/implications – The focus was on the impact of proactive environmental management from the perspective of stockholders. Future research could investigate its impact on other stakeholders as well. Practical implications – The findings might convince managers that the stereotype of an environment-friendly firm – that the more its green initiatives, the less competitive it becomes – may not necessarily be true. Investing in product-focused pollution prevention could increase revenues and improve performance. Even though process-focused pollution prevention is negatively associated with firm performance, companies are not expected to reduce investment in green processes since they are required for the production of environment-friendly products. Originality/value – This study adopted a multi-dimensional approach to reveal how different types of proactive environmental management affect firm performance. The authors used the controlling family as a moderating variable to determine whether it moderates the relationship between proactive environmental management and firm performance.

Entrepreneurial orientation and performance: the interaction effect of customer capital

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Jalali ◽  
Mastura Jaafar ◽  
Thurasamy Ramayah
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Capital ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to advance research on entrepreneurial orientation (EO), resource-based view (RBV), customer (relational) capital, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by examining how the interaction effect of customer capital shapes the relationship between EO and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – This research is considered as a correlational rather than a casual study with 150 questionnaire returned from manufacturing SMEs. This cross-sectional study tested all hypotheses that are related to the research questions and use statistical software SPSS 17 to analyze data. Findings – The study found that a high customer capital strengthens the link between two dimensions of EO (innovativeness and risk taking) and weakens the link between another dimension of EO (proactiveness) and firm performance. Research limitations/implications – First, future studies would benefit from an enhanced development in the measurement of EO dimensions, which relies on richer and more refined conceptualizations. Second, a single informant who was asked to evaluate EO may potentially increase the degree of subjectivity and bias in the responses. Obtaining more than one respondent for the survey from each organization is always highly desirable. Practical implications – The results of the current study cover the limitation of the previous study by independently examining the moderating effect of customer capital as an intangible resource in the relationship between innovativeness and risk taking on firm performance. The paper expands this line of work by adding the idea that the intangible resources of a firm are more likely to contribute to sustaining superior firm performance when they are used with other factors simultaneously. Social implications – Environmental factors, such as government financial aid and protection of organizations outside the industry, may affect the relationship between SMEs and the agents. Establishing extra ties between Iranian firms and agents may be expensive for Iranian manufacturing firms, and they may not be able to create these ties without government support. Originality/value – A research gap exists in understanding how customer capital operates and endows benefits to firms that are beyond their start-up phase and are embarking on international activities. The current study tries to overcome a number of limitations of the previous framework by combining RBV and customer capital. Particularly, “the RBV's lack of specificity have raised questions as to its status as a legitimate theory, and make it difficult to design and test empirically.”

What does (and does not) affect crime in India?

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-521
Author(s):  
Devika Hazra
Keyword(s):  
Positive Association ◽  
Poverty Rate ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Literacy Rate ◽  
Conviction Rate ◽  
Macroeconomic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Dependence ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper uses data from 2010 to 2016 across 32 states and union territories to investigate the determinants of crime in India. Results indicate the significance of macroeconomic, demographic, socioeconomic and deterrence factors in accounting for various categories of crime.Design/methodology/approachDue to the evidence of heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence, linear regression with panel-corrected standard errors is implemented.FindingsIt has been found that among the macroeconomic factors, only GSDP per capita was found relevant in explaining total crime rates. However, the unemployment rate and price level are crucial in explaining some categories of crime. The demographic factor, that is, population density, socioeconomic factors, that is, income inequality, poverty rate, literacy rate exhibit important and significant relationship with crime rates in India. Further, out of the four deterrence factors, charge-sheeting rate, conviction rate, pendency in police cases are important in explaining various categories of crime rates in India.Originality/valueWhile implications of some socioeconomic variables are consistent with those found in previous studies, literacy rates and deterrence variables were found to have a positive association with crime. In particular, in a developing country such as India, white-collar crimes tend to increase as literacy rates increase. This calls for implementing policies that lead to greater employment opportunities for the educated masses. This paper also sheds light on the relationship between deterrence factors and crime rates in India. Deficiencies in the legal and judicial system have been detrimental to the nation's ability to curb crime rates.

Capital structure and firm performance in European SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 582-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Li ◽  
Jyrki Niskanen ◽  
Mervi Niskanen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Capital Structure ◽  
Credit Risk ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Debt Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the relationship between capital structure and firm performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is moderated by credit risk. Design/methodology/approach The authors empirically test whether an SME’s credit risk affects the SME’s relationship between capital structure and firm performance by using a 2012 cross-sectional sample of European SMEs from Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Findings The empirical results suggest that in low credit risk SMEs, the debt ratio is negatively related to firm performance; however, this relationship is not present in high credit risk SMEs. Therefore, it is indicated that SME credit risk moderates the relationship between capital structure and firm performance. Practical implications The findings of the paper will enable financial managers to understand the importance of SMEs’ credit risk and will assist them in maximizing firms’ performance. Originality/value This paper extends the findings of previous studies by examining whether credit risk affects the relationship between capital structure and firm performance.

Supply chain agility: a mediator for absorptive capacity

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Martinez-Sanchez ◽  
Fernando Lahoz-Leo
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the mediating effect of supply chain agility (SCA) in the relationship between absorptive capacity (AC) and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The authors use data from 231 Spanish firms and test the hypothesis by structural equation modelling. Findings SCA mediates the relationship between AC and firm performance. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional survey and the use of managerial perceptions may need to use longitudinal and real measures in future studies to validate causal relationships. Practical implications SCA may contribute to explain why AC improves firm performance. Firms with more agile supply chains may benefit more from their efforts in AC to improve firm performance. Originality/value A conceptual framework has been developed to explain the relationships of the main constructs of the study (AC and SCA) with firm performance and whether SCA mediates the relationship between AC and firm performance.

The mediating effects of HRM practices on the relationship between SCM and SMEs firm performance in Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siriwan Kitchot ◽  
Sununta Siengthai ◽  
Vatcharapol Sukhotu
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Expert Opinions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the relationships among supply chain management (SCM) implementation, human resource management (HRM) practices and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) firm performance in Thailand. It further examines whether HRM practices have a mediating effect on such relationship. Design/methodology/approach A survey instrument was developed based on the literature review which then was verified by SCM expert opinions. Cross-sectional surveys of sample employees of SMEs in Thailand were undertaken by both direct and mail surveys. Of about 779 questionnaires distributed, 203 usable questionnaires were returned. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to analyze the obtained data. Findings The statistical results reveal that SCM indirectly improves firm performance of small- and medium-sized firms through HRM practices. The latter, HRM practices, is found to fully mediate the impact of SCM implementation on SME firm performance. These results suggest that SCM cannot enhance SME firm performance if its implementation is undertaken without effective HRM practices. Originality/value This study identified the research gap in SCM areas by recognizing the scarcity of research on SCM in SMEs and by identifying and integrating HRM practices as a significant behavioral support system to SCM implementation in SMEs. Its results reveal that HRM practices fully mediates the impact of SCM on SMEs’ firm performance.

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