Parents or peers, wealth or warmth? The impact of social support, wealth, and a positive outlook on self-efficacy and happiness

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 732-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesarach Aumeboonsuke

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between family wealth, positive outlook, and support from significant others, including parents and friends, on self-efficacy and happiness. Design/methodology/approach The impact of family wealth, social support, and positive outlook on self-efficacy and one’s own happiness is analyzed through the partial least squared method. Findings There are five essential points that can be drawn from the statistical results. First, parents’ support tends to be more important than friends’ support for individuals’ happiness. Second, individuals that receive more support from parents tend to develop a higher level of self-efficacy. Third, individuals that are in a less wealthy family tend to develop a higher level of self-efficacy. Fourth, parents’ support plays a more important role in developing a higher level of self-efficacy for individuals that are in a less wealthy family than for individuals that are in a wealthier family. Finally, the positive link between happiness and self-efficacy was stronger for individuals in a wealthier family than for individuals in a less wealthy family. Research limitations/implications In particular, although individuals in a wealthier family tend to exhibit a lower level of self-efficacy, and happiness alone had no significant impact on self-efficacy, happiness significantly promoted self-efficacy more for individuals in a wealthier family than for individuals in a less wealthy family. Social implications In conclusion, the results from this research provide essential recommendations for individuals regarding the approach to happiness and self-efficacy. The results indicated how significant the role of parents’ support is in one’s happiness and that support from parents is more important for one’s self-efficacy and happiness than support from friends. Furthermore, individuals should be aware that money is not the ultimate answer for happiness and self-efficacy. Individuals in less wealthy families were able to enjoy a higher level of self-efficacy given that they were receiving sufficient support from their parents. Originality/value This study found that although individuals in a wealthier family tend to exhibit a lower level of self-efficacy, and happiness alone has no significant impact on self-efficacy, happiness significantly promote self-efficacy more for individuals in a wealthier family than for individuals in a less wealthy family. However, in the less-wealthier family, parents play more significant role and can generate high level of self-efficacy for their children.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie Chung ◽  
Hua Jiang

Purpose Based on the framing theory and the associative network theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model that examines the impact of employing corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication in apology statements after negative publicity. Specifically, this study examines the role of CSR fit and CSR history in reducing anger and negative word-of-mouth (NWOM). This study also examines whether perceived CSR motivation and skepticism toward the apology statement mediate the effect of CSR fit and CSR history on anger and NWOM. Design/methodology/approach This study was a 2×2 between-subject design manipulating CSR fit (high or low) and CSR history (long or short). Findings The findings of this study suggest that strategically employing CSR communication in an apology statement after negative publicity may reduce negative consumer reactions. Originality/value The effects of CSR history and CSR fit have been studied in different contexts, but the effects of mentioning the two components in terms of apology statements had been understudied. This paper fulfills an identified need to study how employing CSR communication in apology statements after negative publicity can mitigate negative audience reactions.



2018 ◽  
Vol 119 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Creaser

Purpose Library impact and how to evaluate it has been debated for a number of years. While the activity – the busy-ness – of the library is now routinely measured and described, the difference the library makes is less tangible and harder to measure. Libraries in all sectors and worldwide are grappling with this issue, and the purpose of this paper is to summarise international standards available to support them. Design/methodology/approach The first international standard concerning library impact, ISO 16439 Information and documentation – methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries, was published in 2014 after several years in development. Findings The standard describes a range of methods for assessing library impact which have been used across the world in a variety of libraries in all sectors. Originality/value This paper summarises the key methods described in the standard, and gives references for further reading.



2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amira Galin

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to obtain insight into court-referred mediation in the Israeli Labor Courts, by analyzing its processes and outcomes, as a function of tactics used by both the disputants and the mediator. Design/methodology/approach – Observation of 103 court-referred mediations, for each of which a detailed process and outcome were documented. Data on disputants' refusal to participate in the mediation was also collected. At the end of each mediation case, disputants were given a questionnaire in which they expressed their satisfaction with the outcome and their evaluation of the mediator's contribution. Findings – A low rate of refusal to participate in court-referred mediation was found. Also, the higher the ratio of soft tactics to pressure tactics employed (by all parties involved) during the process, the higher the rate of agreements. Mediators use significantly more soft tactics than disputants, and are more active in using tactics. The two significant variables that predict the mediation's agreement are the ratio between soft tactics to pressure tactics used by all parties, and mediator contribution to the process. Practical implications – The significant role of soft tactics in the process, outcome, and satisfaction of court-referred mediation may serve as a guideline for disputants and mediators. Originality/value – This unique research, which examines the impact of tactics on court-referred mediation, may provide added and significant theoretical insight into its process and outcome, as well as a better understanding of other “hybrid” (compulsory at the beginning, voluntary at the end) mediations.



2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Koski ◽  
Kaisa Martikainen ◽  
Katja Burakoff ◽  
Hannu Vesala ◽  
Kaisa Launonen

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the role of the supervisor's support on the effectiveness of a communication training program targeted at staff members who work with individuals who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The aim was to explore which aspects of supervisory support influenced the staff members to participate in the programme and the results for the on-going effects of the training. Findings – Staff members reported a need for more supervisory support to maintain the results of the training and to disseminate the new practices to non-trained staff. Originality/value – Although supervisory support seems to benefit staff members during their participation in training programmes, even careful planning and execution of this support cannot ensure its continuation after the training is finished.



2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Kennedy ◽  
Stacey M. Baxter ◽  
Alicia Kulczynski

Purpose This paper aims to examine the importance of celebrity brands in influencing consumer perceptions of celebrity authenticity, which drives positive consumer attitudes and intentions. In addition, the notion of low-celebrity investment is investigated as a factor that diminishes the positive outcomes associated with celebrity brands. Design/methodology/approach Study 1 examines the effect of brand situation (endorsement versus celebrity brand) on consumer attitudes and intentions. Studies 2 and 3 investigate the role of celebrity authenticity in explaining the effects observed in Study 1. Study 4 examines celebrity investment as a bound of the phenomenon. Findings Study 1 demonstrates that consumers report heightened attitudes and intentions towards celebrity brands when compared to endorsements. Studies 2 and 3 provide evidence that authenticity explains the effects observed in Study 1. Results of Study 4 show that when consumers are aware of low-celebrity investment, the celebrity is viewed as inauthentic regardless of brand situation. Research limitations/implications This research is limited as it focuses only on known celebrity endorsers who were matched with products that had a high level of fit. In addition, purchase intentions were measured as opposed to the study of actual purchase behaviour. Practical implications This research has important implications for the development of endorsements and celebrity brands by demonstrating that consumers view celebrities as authentic when they are involved with brands for reasons other than monetary compensation. Originality/value This research shows that consumers have heightened attitudes and intentions towards celebrity brands compared to endorsements. This research identifies celebrity authenticity as the process underlying the observed phenomenon. However, celebrity investment is identified as a boundary condition demonstrating that knowledge of low investment results in a celebrity being viewed as inauthentic.



2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (9) ◽  
pp. 15-27
Author(s):  
Magnus Söderlund

Purpose This study aims to examine humans’ reactions to service robots’ display of warmth in robot-to-robot interactions – a setting in which humans’ impressions of a service robot will not only be based on what this robot does in relation to humans, but also on what it does to other robots. Design/methodology/approach Service robot display of warmth was manipulated in an experimental setting in such a way that a service robot A expressed low versus high levels of warmth in relation to another service robot B. Findings The results indicate that a high level of warmth expressed by robot A vis-à-vis robot B boosted humans’ overall evaluations of A, and that this influence was mediated by the perceived humanness and the perceived happiness of A. Originality/value Numerous studies have examined humans’ reactions when they interact with a service robot or other synthetic agents that provide service. Future service encounters, however, will comprise also multi-robot systems, which means that there will be many opportunities for humans to be exposed to robot-to-robot interactions. Yet, this setting has hitherto rarely been examined in the service literature.



2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Saikat Chakraborty ◽  
Sushmita Chakravarti

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the teamwork of temporary employees by taking into consideration the impact and role of the management’s perspective, temporary employee’s perspective and contextual perspective. Design/methodology/approach Based on reviews of workplace literature pertaining to temporary employments, conversations with managers and temporary and permanent employees of organizations engaging temporary employees on a perennial basis have been thematically analyzed. Findings Multiple perspectives of teamwork of temporary employees exist in organizations. However, one rarely finds the interaction and collective treatment of these perspectives, which are critical to understanding teamwork of temporary employees. The paper reports on these perspectives. Practical implications With rise in temporary employments in organizations and teamwork being crucial to participative work cultures, organizations need to consider multiple perspectives of the phenomenon before making an informed decision. Originality/value There is limited research that delves into teamwork of temporary employees despite the phenomenon becoming increasingly significant in organizations. This paper offers an approach to look at teamwork of temporary employees through multiple perspectives.



2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashar S. Gammoh ◽  
Michael L. Mallin ◽  
Ellen Bolman Pullins ◽  
Catherine M. Johnson

Purpose The purpose of the study is to address the gap in understanding how the brand influences sales outcomes by focusing one’s attention on the salesperson perceptions of the brand and the salesperson brand selling confidence. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a cross-section survey of professional salespeople. SmartPLS was used to estimate the measurement model and test the hypothesized path relationships. Findings The study’s results indicate that salespeople who believe in the strength of the brands they represent are more likely to identify with the brand, are more confident in selling the brand and, overall, tend to perform better, have higher job satisfaction and are more committed to their companies. Originality/value This paper contributes to the sales literature by further exploring the relationship between the brand and sales function in the firm. This area has recently received academic attention but has not yet considered the mediating processes that connect the two areas. This study identifies perceptions of brand strength and brand selling confidence as mechanisms that mediate the impact of brand on sales outcomes.



2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma S. Abed

Purpose The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of human life. Even though the pandemic length was not too long, a huge volume of research relating to Covid-19 has been published in different contexts. This paper aims to review the literature investigating the impact of Covid −19 on businesses generally and explore studies examining the technology role of business survival during the Covid-19 lockdowns specifically. Design/methodology/approach This study implemented the concept of a systematic review approach to review the literature that has been conducted in the business field during the Covid-19 crisis in general. Additionally, it looks into the research examining the role of technology in business survival in the Covid-19 crisis specifically. All studies were conducted in 2020. A total of 53 studies were identified and categorised into different themes. The research methods, theories and locations have also been analysed. Findings It was found that Covid-19 pandemic has affected all business sectors in several ways. Technology adoption has a critical role for business survival during the Covid-19 crises especially with small businesses. Very limited research has been conducted on the adoption of different technologies during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Originality/value This study presents the most frequent themes and topics that have been explored in the literature during the Covid-19 crisis in the business field. It highlights the methods used in addition to the theories and research locations present in this literature. Finally, it proposes the possible implications of this literature review.



2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1607-1617
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Mañas Rodríguez ◽  
Yolanda Estreder ◽  
Vicente Martinez-Tur ◽  
Pedro Antonio Díaz-Fúnez ◽  
Vicente Pecino-Medina

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test a positive spiral of self-efficacy among public employees. The spiral proposes that self-efficacy is positively related to extra-role behaviors. These behaviors in turn are positively related to subsequent self-efficacy. Design/methodology/approach A total of 260 public employees participated in three waves of data collection: self-efficacy (T1); extra-role behaviors (T2); self-efficacy (T3). Findings The results confirmed the existence of a positive spiral of self-efficacy. There was a positive and significant link from self-efficacy of employees (T1) to extra-role behaviors (T2). In addition, it was found a positive and significant relationship between extra-role behaviors (T2) and subsequent self-efficacy (T3) once the link from self-efficacy in T1 and T3 was controlled for. The mediation role of extra-role behaviors was also confirmed. Originality/value The examination of positive spirals is one of the critical challenges of the investigation of personal resources. In the current research study, the authors test the positive spiral of a critical personal resource such as self-efficacy. Additionally, the lagged design permits a solid test of the aforementioned spiral.



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