Determinants of network effectiveness: evidence from a benchmarking consortium

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Dimitrijevska-Markoski ◽  
Julius A. Nukpezah
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Network Effectiveness ◽  
Network Coordination ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe study investigates the perceived network effectiveness of the Florida Benchmarking Consortium (FBC). It also examines the impact of network coordination, longevity of membership and environmental support on perceived network effectiveness.Design/methodology/approachIt uses a cross-sectional, nonexperimental research design and an ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression that employed data from an online survey administered to local government employees from FBC member governments.FindingsThe results show that the FBC moderately meets the expectation of network participants to serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and increasing performance knowledge. However, the network's effectiveness is not dependent on the frequency of interactions among network members, but depends on their interactions with focal egos such as the FBC Executive Director. Contrary to expectations, the longevity of involvement with the network is not associated with perceived network effectiveness. Moreover, network members who perceive the environment as supportive are more likely to positively evaluate the network's effectiveness.Practical implicationsBecause perceived network effectiveness may be improved if the members interact with the right “focal” players, managers should proactively pursue closer connections with knowledgeable network members using additional and more frequent communication. Also, research efforts at identifying the characteristics of the right focal players that contribute to network effectiveness should be pursued.Originality/valueWhile there is extensive attention to the participation of public organizations in networks, less research focuses on network effectiveness examined at the network level. This study addresses this research gap by investigating if the FBC is effective in meeting its network goals.

Demonstration of the relationship between MSD and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kochu Therisa Karingada ◽  
Michael Sony
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Right ◽  
Almost All

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has caught many educational institutions by surprise and warranted an abrupt migration from offline to online learning. This has resulted in an education change, without any time for due consideration, as regards its impact on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) on students. The purpose of this study is to investigate MSD related to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students in India. In total, 261 students participated in this online survey.FindingsThe study finds that around 80% of students have reported some symptom in the head, neck and eyes since they started online learning. In total, 58% have reported MSD symptom in the right shoulder and 56% in the right hand fingers. Besides, more than 40 % of students experienced some MSD symptoms, in almost all the body parts studied, due to online learning. Correlation analysis is conducted between time spent on online learning per day and MSD symptoms.Originality/valueThis is the first study conducted on MSD and online learning during COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic adults – a survey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Conor James Davidson ◽  
Keri Lodge ◽  
Alwyn Kam
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
The Impact

Purpose To date there has been limited research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people. This study aims to present the results of a survey of autistic people (n = 51) conducted by a UK specialist autism team. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional online survey. Findings A total of 72% respondents reported either some or significant deterioration in mental health during the pandemic. The issues that caused most negative impact were uncertainty over what will happen next and disruption of normal routine. Respondents reported a variety of coping strategies to help them through the pandemic. Originality/value To date there has been little research looking specifically at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people. This paper adds weight to the evidence that the pandemic has had a particularly severe impact on autistic adults and includes useful information on potential coping strategies for this population.

The effect of the financial crisis on audit quality: European evidence

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Kyriakou
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Audit Quality ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Accounting Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Big Four

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of the recent financial crisis on audit quality by analysing discretionary accruals. Design/methodology/approach This study considers a sample of German, French, Italian and Spanish non-financial firms from 2005 to 2013 to investigate the auditor’s independence. It uses a cross-sectional and time-series ordinary least squares regression model to control for other predictors of the auditor’s independence when the financial crisis produces a decrease in audit quality. Findings The proportion of the non-financial firms having lower audit quality was higher during the financial crisis. In addition, during the crisis auditors were less likely to provide a higher audit quality for these non-financial firms. The level of audit quality returned to normal levels during the post-crisis years when the crisis had ceased. Originality/value These findings contribute to the literature on the impact of economic and financial changes on audit quality. In addition, this research finds that the Big Four accounting firms provide a higher audit quality in different circumstances from non-Big Four accounting firms, and that audit quality decreased during the crisis and returned to normal in the post-crisis period.

An analytical study of stakeholders relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of climate strategy proactivity (CSP)

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Kant
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Self Bias ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate empirically the perceptions of the stakeholder regarding their relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of climate strategy proactivity (CSP) which is an outcome of the importance and influence of the category of the stakeholders of Indian companies. Revolutionized by the liberalization–privatization–globalization, the practices and strategies of the companies in the developing country such as India have been marked by dynamic changes in the several past decades. In these circumstances, it has become imperative to understand the relevance of the stakeholders in terms of CSP displayed by these companies to seek help in developing appropriate strategies in the emerging competitive market. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a research design comprising descriptive analytical method using non-probability purposive sampling method to collect data from a sampled 701 respondents representing eleven categories stakeholders, with the help of a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey questionnaire. Findings The findings of the study detail the evaluation of the stakeholders relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of CSP attaching significance to the stakeholders’ perception as a useful tool. While the findings hint at the incessant growth of stakeholder awareness urging corporations to analyze effects and adopt appropriate strategies in developing countries, they also evaluate empirically the perceptions of the stakeholder regarding their relevance based on their perceived preference in terms of CSP which is an outcome of the importance and influence enjoyed by the category of the stakeholders of Indian companies. The findings confirmed the adequate level of awareness of the stakeholders of Indian companies responsible for making them adopt CSP. Research limitations/implications This study had the limitations such as collection of information through a self-reported questionnaire which might have the impact of self-bias despite all the preventive and corrective measures, and the risk of creation of a subjective viewpoint due to the assessment of the perceptions of varied stakeholders. Nonetheless, meeting the objective of this study, the study succeeds in providing a stakeholder perspective to the existing body of knowledge with respect to CSP, a stakeholders-centric concept which is in infancy in the context of developing countries and their corporations. Originality/value The paper is original as it adds value by providing empirical evidence from the perspective of different stakeholders, including but not limited to managers or shareholders only, like majority of previous studies. By doing so, it successfully attempts to contextualize them indicating the need to unlock huge potentialities and substantial significance for other developing countries.

scholarly journals Bursting the filter bubble: the mediating effect of discussion frequency on network heterogeneity

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1181
Author(s):  
Nadine Strauß ◽  
Laura Alonso-Muñoz ◽  
Homero Gil de Zúñiga
Keyword(s):  
News Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Heterogeneity ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Filter Bubbles

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the structural processes that lead citizens to escape their common social circles when talking about politics and public affairs (e.g. “filter bubbles”). To do so, this study tests to what extent political attitudes, political behavior, news media consumption and discussion frequency affect discussion network heterogeneity among US citizens.Design/methodology/approachSupported by the polling group Nielsen, this study uses a two-wave panel online survey to study the antecedents and mechanisms of discussion network heterogeneity among US citizens. To test the hypotheses and answer the research questions, ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions (cross-sectional, lagged and autoregressive) and mediation analyses were conducted.FindingsThe findings imply that political discussion frequency functions as the key element in explaining the mechanism that leads politically interested and participatory citizens (online) as well as news consumers of traditional and online media to seek a more heterogeneous discussion network, disrupting the so-called “filter bubbles.” However, mediation analyses also showed that discussion frequency can lead to more homogenous discussion networks if people score high on political knowledge, possibly reflecting the formation of a close network of political-savvy individuals.Originality/valueThe survey data give important insights into the 2016 pre-election situation, trying to explain why US citizens were more likely to remain in homogenous discussion networks when talking about politics and public affairs. By using two-wave panel data, the analyses allow to draw tentative conclusions about the influential and inhibiting factors and mechanisms that lead individuals to seek/avoid a more heterogeneous discussion network.

Actions beyond regulatory compliances: perceived climate strategy proactivity in Indian companies

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Kant
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytical Research ◽  
Climate Crisis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose This paper aims to assess the perceptions of stakeholders as regards the practices of Indian companies vis-à-vis climate change seeking underpinnings from stakeholder theory and collecting data using a structured questionnaire. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a descriptive analytical research design based on the data collected from a diverse sample of stakeholders of Indian companies through a cross-sectional, self-administered online survey questionnaire. Findings The study attaching significance to the stakeholders’ perception as a useful tool underscores that Indian companies have started to engage in preventive measures to minimize the externalities of climate crisis taking cognizance of the stakeholders’ interests amidst their increased awareness, also underlining that their perceptions substantially determine climate strategy proactivity (CSP) in their quest of competitive advantage beyond regulatory compliances. The study finds that incessant growth in the stakeholder awareness has not left companies to remain reluctant from analyzing effects and adopting suitable strategies in India also which, as a fast growing developing country, has witnessed immense growth in the post-liberalization era. Research limitations/implications This study would help decision-makers in businesses, policymakers, practitioners and standard-setters by providing further insights on the relevance of stakeholders’ perspectives in CSP in the developing countries. Stakeholders’ perceptions though representing varied categories hint that the actions beyond regulatory compliances need to be in focus in future studies. Originality/value The paper elaborates the significance of CSP in developing countries to eliminate the impact of inadequacies that previous studies undertook primarily in developed countries have failed in contextualizing these issues of developing countries.

Ethical beliefs and behaviour of university educators: evidence from Russia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuriy Timofeyev ◽  
Oksana Dremova
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Ethical Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behaviour Factor ◽  
Actual Behaviour ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis exploratory study aims, firstly, to analyse and categorise judgements on ethical behaviour and actual behaviour of university educators. Secondly, the study addresses the impact of demographic data, such as gender, age and role on these issues.Design/methodology/approachWe utilised online survey data from academic employees of four leading universities in Russia, who are involved in teaching activities. In this study, we used correlation, regression and factor analyses.FindingsOur results demonstrate that teaching, while too distressed to be effective, is a common experience among university educators. By contrast, the rarest categories include teaching under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, there is a high congruence between beliefs and respective behaviours. Females are typically more ethical in both judgements and actual behaviour. Factor analysis of behaviours yielded 16 interpretable factors.Practical implicationsFirstly, the salary of the university educators should be adequate and competitive and match with their workload. Secondly, the work of the educators should be given recognition that may become their stimuli for improvement in university teaching. Thirdly, universities should develop ethics centres, which help faculty members and students to take the right decisions in situations involving questionable behaviour in the classroom. Lastly, the development of ethical codes, for faculty members and students, may become their guidance in situations with ethical dilemmas.Originality/valueThis study contributed to the very limited research on the ethical aspects of higher education in Russia.

Retail 4.0 adoption and firm performance among Malaysian retailers: the role of enterprise risk management as moderator

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Poorni Sakrabani ◽  
Ai Ping Teoh
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Enterprise Risk Management ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Enterprise Risk ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to ascertain the determinants of firm performance for Malaysian retailers.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted to collect responses from members of the Malaysian Retailers' Chain Association. A total of 126 responses were obtained. Data analysis was done by using the PLS-SEM method.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that Retail 4.0 adoption is able to improve retailers' performance as-a-whole by improving the four perspectives of firm performance as given in the Balanced Scorecard, i.e. the finance perspective, the customer perspective, the internal processes' perspective and also learning and growth perspective. Further, enterprise risk management was found to have a positive moderating effect on retailers' performance as-a-whole and also on the finance and customer perspectives of performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted only in Malaysia and so, it might be geographically limited. Besides, it is cross-sectional in nature and therefore, the impact might be different if the study had been conducted over a longer period.Practical implicationsThis study provides a useful framework for retailers who are seeking to improve firm performance.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to show the impact of Retail 4.0 adoption on firm performance. Besides, this is also the first time, enterprise risk management has been introduced as a positive moderator on the impact of technology adoption on retailers' performance.

Impact of financial inclusion on technical efficiency of paddy farmers in Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 484-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Afrin ◽  
Mohammed Ziaul Haider ◽  
Md. Sariful Islam
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Stochastic Production Frontier ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Southwest Region ◽  
Stochastic Production ◽  
Paddy Farmers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on the enhancement of paddy farmers’ technical efficiency (TE). The impact was evaluated rigorously from different dimensions which could be useful in the policy discussion for enhancing efficiency in utilizing productive resources. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional data of randomly selected 120 paddy farmers from Khulna district in the Southwest region of Bangladesh were collected for this study. Initially, a stochastic production frontier approach was used for estimating farmers’ TE. Thereafter, ordinary least squares and quantile regression models were applied for unveiling the existing relationship between TE and various dimensions of financial inclusion after controlling all other socio-economic characteristics. Findings The study findings revealed that farmers were around 86 percent technically efficient and amongst them, credit takers were more efficient than non-credit takers. A non-monotonic relationship between TE and amount of credit was observed where TE was maximized at amount around 20,000 Bangladeshi Taka (USD255), a medium credit in terms of its amount. In addition, credit literacy was identified as a significant factor for improving TE. Though difference in the choice of sources for accessing credit had little impact on mean TE, its effect was found significantly higher for low scored technically efficient farmers compared to high scored farmers. Practical implications The policy toward widening the coverage of financial inclusion would be more effective than providing larger amount of credit to a limited number of farmers for improving their TE. Originality/value Such an in-depth assessment of the impact of financial inclusion on TE is probably the first effort in the Khulna district of Bangladesh.

Assessing the impact of cloud-based services on the talent management of employees

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Liu ◽  
Mehdi Darbandi
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cloud Computing Adoption ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Impact

PurposeFundamental literature exists on the employment of diverse information technology (IT) innovations relied on utility computing, a little experimental literature exists on cloud computing adoption by medium enterprises. So, this essay aims to analyze the determinants of the acceptance of cloud computing in medium-sized organizations. It also targets the impact of cloud-depended services on employers' talent management in the analysis areas of research reports, hypotheses and frameworks used by them.Design/methodology/approachCloud computing is a novel and notable development in the network application field with a novel IT viewpoint. The present investigation aims to assist and enrich the scientific argument regarding the phenomenon nominated cloud computing from a managerial perspective. A quantitative study design was utilized to gather and analyze the data. In total, 345 employees from different medium enterprises reported their perspectives via an online survey. Partial least squares was used to evaluate the model of the study. The investigation was performed from April 2020 to November 2020.FindingsAs expected, the empirical analysis results revealed that cloud computing adaption drivers positively and significantly associated with talent management. The results showed that organizational level is the most important factor in the effectiveness of talent management. Further, this study established a cloud strategy that moderates the relationships between cloud computing adaption drivers and talent management. As a general result, organization managers must implement cloud computing to improve organizational performance, reduce costs, enhance organizational innovation and reduce repetitive work. So, international trade facilitates and helps the country's economy.Research limitations/implicationsThere are still some drawbacks of this analysis that require addressing the findings. Initially, the authors gathered a country's data. Second, by considering multiple significant structures from four aspects, they established the study model. Third, utilizing one-time cross-sectional data, the suggested model was evaluated. As a proposal, future researchers could investigate cloud computing adoption drivers' outcomes within other organizations.Originality/valueThis research presents a straightforward and easy model for understanding the cloud's effect on employee talent management. By systematizing the unrelated studies on the subject and organizing those contributions into strong managerial literature paradigms, such an aim has been accomplished.

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