Cross-national roles of perceived reputation dimensions for MNCs

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1081
Author(s):  
Bernhard Swoboda ◽  
Nadine Batton
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Cross National

PurposeExtending the holistic research on corporate reputation (CR), the authors examine whether and how single CR dimensions affect consumers' intentional loyalty toward multinational corporations (MNCs) across nations. They study the dimensions of the predominant customer-based CR scale of Walsh and Beatty (2007): customer orientation, product range quality, social/environmental responsibility, good employer and reliability/financial strength. Furthermore, important country-level moderators – embeddedness and country development – are studied.Design/methodology/approachThe authors refer to hierarchical data on 32,811 consumer evaluations of a MNC in 44 countries using the still novel method of multilevel structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results underscore a strong relationship between CR in general and consumers' loyalty but identify different effects for the CR dimensions (e.g. product quality, social/environmental responsibility dominate). The important national institutions reinforce or diminish some – but not all – effects of the CR dimensions.Practical implicationsThe results are of importance for finer-grained cross-national reputation management. Studying both national culture and country development shows that MNCs face tradeoff decisions. Accordingly, the authors provide a country portfolio, which offers options for standardized operations in groups of countries with similar country characteristics and CR effects.Originality/valueDisentangling the five CR levers emphasizes that CR is not a pure signal of quality. Two main levers emerge: one stable across countries and one strongly depending on a country's degree of country development, for example. A finer-grained management of CR signals across nations is possible, especially in emerging countries, with increasing importance for MNCs.

National cultural value models and reputation of MNCs

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Swoboda ◽  
Nadine Batton
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical and empirical comparison of four major national cultural value models for perceived corporate reputation (CR) of multinational corporations (MNCs) across nations: Hofstede, Schwartz, the GLOBE study and Inglehart. Design/methodology/approach Two consumer surveys on an MNC and on competitors in 25 countries in the year 2015 (n=20,288 and 25,397) were used for the first time to compare the roles of the cultural value models as antecedents of CR, using multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM), which disentangles the explained variances on the country level and on the individual level. Findings National culture is strongly attributed to individual CR perceptions of MNCs across nations. However, the four conceptual cultural value models explain the variance differently (46.2–84.6 percent) as do particular cultural value dimensions within each model. The results are stable for both surveys. Research limitations/implications Novel insights into the roles of cultural value models are provided for international business research. For MNCs aiming to use their CR to attract target groups in foreign countries, this study identifies the most influential cultural value model and particular dimensions. Originality/value This study contributes to cultural research by deepening the understanding of the various cultural value models and their importance for MNCs. Moreover, the authors add to the CR research by providing new insights into perception differences and using the still novel MSEM.

Group diversity and employee service innovative behavior in the hospitality industry: a multilevel model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjun Yang ◽  
Tuan Trong Luu ◽  
David Qian
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Multilevel Model ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospitality Organizations ◽  
Creative Self ◽  
Group Diversity

Purpose Service innovative behavior from employees helps hospitality organizations gain a competitive advantage and sustain business flourishment. Although group diversity has been demonstrated as a predictor of employee outcomes, whether group diversity in terms of extraversion and openness enhances employee service innovative behavior remains a gap. This study aims to fill this gap by developing a multilevel model of the direct relationship between group diversity in terms of extraversion and openness and employee service innovative behavior and also the mediations and moderations behind the relationship. Design/methodology/approach The authors collectd data from 44 Chinese hospitality teams. The research model was validated by multilevel structural equation modeling. Findings Results showed that both group extraversion diversity and group openness diversity fostered employee service innovative behavior via creative self-efficacy. Developmental culture strengthened the effectiveness of group openness diversity on creative self-efficacy and the effectiveness of creative self-efficacy on employee service innovative behavior. Nevertheless, developmental culture did not strengthen the effectiveness of group extraversion diversity on creative self-efficacy. Practical implications Findings suggest that managers and team leaders from hospitality organizations can elicit employee service innovative behavior through increasing group diversity in terms of extraversion and openness. Hospitality practitioners also should understand that employees’ confidence for creativity is able to channel group diversity into employee service innovative endeavors. Moreover, building developmental culture is essential for hospitality teams to strengthen the effect of group diversity on innovating services. Originality/value This study expands the diversity-innovation research through unfolding both the mediations and the moderations behind the link between group diversity in terms of extraversion and openness and employee service innovative behavior.

Assessing international students' satisfaction of a Jordanian university using the service quality model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Abu-Rumman ◽  
Rasha Qawasmeh
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeEducation plays a key role in socio-economic development and globalization has increased the numbers of students wanting to study abroad. Attracting international students is therefore an important objective for universities as international students open up opportunities to bring economic, cultural and academic benefits to both the universities themselves and to the countries in which they are located. This study therefore aimed to assess student satisfaction with a Jordanian university using the dimensions of quality contained within the established SERVQUAL model.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve these goals, quantitative data was collected from international students attending one university located in Jordan via a questionnaire survey, using a randomized sample. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the construct validity, and correlations between student satisfaction and the different dimensions of quality were tested.FindingsConsistent with other studies, the findings demonstrated that the five dimensions of service quality, i.e. tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy, and the university of study, have a strong relationship with student satisfaction. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between country satisfaction and the tangibility and assurance sub-dimensions of quality.Practical implicationsPractical implications – The findings of this study are of interest and practical benefit to university leaders in developing their quality and student acquisition strategies.Originality/valueThis study makes a useful contribution to the growing body of evidence of service quality in higher education set within the context of a developing country.

The relationship between food heritage and clan culture: is “familiness” the missing link in SMEs?

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 337-354
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Khatami ◽  
Alberto Ferraris ◽  
Paola De Bernardi ◽  
Valter Cantino
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clan Culture ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis paper empirically tests the relationship between food heritage, familiness, and clan culture, thus, highlighting the pivotal role of familiness in building robustly competitive food firms based on clan culture and food heritage.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach adopted is based on a quantitative analysis with data from one eco-tourist city in Iran (Torqabeh). In this regard, we developed a structured questionnaire surveying 98 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food industry. We then used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to carry out the analysis.FindingsThe results indicate the significant positive relationship between food heritage and clan culture, and highlight the role of familiness as a strong mediator, which is also associated with a strong relationship between food heritage and clan culture.Research limitations/implicationsIn the present study, the main limitation was linked to the small sample size and data collection, which took place in only a single city; however, further research could overcome this limitation by investigating SMEs from a heterogeneous geographical context.Originality/valueThe value of this research relates to studies that have examined food heritage as a possible antecedent of familiness. Moreover, the novelty of this research is to study the concept of familiness in improving resource-based views and organizational theories.

Flexible working and applicant attraction: a person–job fit approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-François Stich
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Applicant Attraction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
Job Advertisements ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe ability to work anytime from anywhere is attractive to job seekers, who respond by developing needs regarding flexible working. Flexibility needs are compared to the flexibility perceived in job advertisements to form an overall perception of flexibility fit. The purpose of this paper is to examine both the impact of flexibility fit (on applicant attraction) and its antecedents.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of flexibility fit on applicant attraction and its antecedents are examined using person–job (PJ) fit theory. 92 job seekers analyzed a total of 391 job advertisements. The hypotheses are tested using multilevel structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results show that perceived flexibility fit is positively related to job pursuit and job acceptance intentions. They further show that perceived flexibility fit is driven by perceived job advertisements' flexibility exceeding applicants' needed flexibility, which in turn is driven by the flexibility actually present in job advertisements exceeding applicants' flexibility needs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to literature on new ways of working by highlighting the desirable nature of flexibility and its impact on fit perceptions. It further contributes to literature on job search and PJ fit by investigating a full model of fit, examining both outcomes and antecedents of perceived fit. For practitioners, this study highlights the importance of advertising flexibility to attract applicants.

Innovation capabilities for global R&D projects in subsidiaries

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 639-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisangela Lazarou Tarraço ◽  
Roberto Carlos Bernardes ◽  
Felipe Mendes Borini ◽  
Dennys Eduardo Rossetto
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Process Innovation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Foreign Subsidiaries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product And Process Innovation ◽  
Product And Process

Purpose Is the development of local innovation capabilities enough for foreign subsidiaries in emerging markets to be able to integrate into global R&D projects? The authors argue that it is not. The purpose of this paper is to show the central role of R&D capacities when it comes to inserting foreign subsidiaries in emerging markets into global R&D projects. Design/methodology/approach The study investigated 131 foreign multinational subsidiaries operating in Brazil. For each subsidiary, the authors surveyed two to five directors or C-level executives from innovation, R&D, engineering, product development and projects. the authors used structural equation modeling for analysis. Findings The results indicate that product and process innovations alone do not guarantee the insertion of the emerging market subsidiaries into global innovation projects. Such insertion depends on the subsidiary’s accumulation of R&D capacities. Practical implications The results reinforce the central issue of building product and process innovation capabilities as the first step toward a blueprint for global projects. However, the effort is not limited to these initiatives. Product and process innovation efforts need be reverted in headquarters’ eyes in order for subsidiaries to gain R&D center status. To achieve this, subsidiaries must align their technological innovations with multinational corporations’ innovation strategies. Originality/value In authors’ view, this study contributes to the literature in three main areas: the evolutionary process of innovation capability in subsidiaries, the reverse innovation debate and the discussion of subsidiaries’ initiatives.

Does employee-perceived reputation contribute to citizenship behavior?

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Fu ◽  
Yaoqi Li ◽  
Yanhong Duan
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Citizenship Behaviors ◽  
Employee Perception ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to propose and verify a research model that investigates the mediating role of organizational commitment on the relationship between hotel employee-perceived reputation and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Design/methodology/approach – Based on the data obtained from a sample of 323 hotel employees in China, the reliability, validity and hypothesized relationships in the model were tested through structural equation modeling using LISREL 8.70. Findings – Empirical results show that different dimensions of corporate reputation affect OCBs differently. Social responsibility reputation has both direct and indirect effects on OCBs, while there is no direct link between employee-treatment reputation and OCBs. The relationship between corporate reputation and OCBs is mediated by organizational commitment. Practical implications – Hotel managers should pay more attention to employee perception of the hotel’s reputation. Reputation management is as important as reputation building. Favorable perception of hotel’s reputation contributes to positive behavioral intentions. Originality/value – Most recent research has explored the relationship between corporate reputation and customer behaviors. However, few studies take employee perception of reputation into consideration. This study tried to fill this void. Also, this study contributes to the current knowledge of both the reputation literature and citizenship literature by exploring the mediation of organizational commitment on the relationship between employee-perceived reputation and citizenship behaviors through data obtained from Chinese hotels.

Teachers’ skill flexibility

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rima’a Da’as
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Upper Echelon ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Role ◽  
Strategic Skills

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine a model linking school principals’ strategic, interpersonal skills and teachers’ participation in decision making (PDM) to predict teachers’ skill flexibility (SF) during the implementation of educational reform. Design/methodology/approach From 113 randomly selected elementary schools in Israel that had undergone a reform called “New Horizon,” 1,482 teachers participated in the study. Data were analyzed through the multilevel structural equation modeling. Findings Results showed that only principals’ strategic skills lead to teachers’ PDM, which in turn predicts teachers’ SF. Furthermore, based on the upper echelon theory (Hambrick and Mason, 1984), principals’ strategic skills promoted teachers’ SF through teachers’ PDM. Research limitations/implications This research enables expanding the theoretical upper echelon model, both in the context of leaders’ skills and in their relation to change outcomes. Practical implications Using of strategic skills will help principals influence teachers to participate in decision making, adapt to the reform and promote their ability to use skills according to changing needs. Originality/value The results of this research emphasize the strategic role of school principals as the leaders of organizational change and promoters of its outcomes.

Discretionary HR practices and employee well-being

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan Trong Luu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Practices

Purpose The more HRM systems invest in employees’ work life and career growth beyond legal requirements, the happier employees are. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of discretionary HR practices in promoting employee well-being as well as mechanisms underlying this effect. Design/methodology/approach The participants for the study came from retail shops of a large information technology company in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The data set collected from these participants was analyzed through multilevel structural equation modeling and bootstrapping methods. Findings The results of this study provided empirical support for the relationships between discretionary HR practices and the psychological, physical and social dimensions of employee well-being. Job crafting was found to serve as a mediator for these relationships. Abusive supervision played a role in attenuating the effects of discretionary HR practices on the dimensions of employee well-being as well as job crafting. Originality/value This inquiry extends the research stream on the HRM-employee well-being relationship by examining the predictive role of discretionary HR practices.

Drivers and outcomes of brand engagement in self-concept for luxury fashion brands

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-609
Author(s):  
Munyaradzi W. Nyadzayo ◽  
Lester W. Johnson ◽  
Monica Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Engagement ◽  
Positive Word Of Mouth ◽  
Descriptive Survey

PurposeTo understand consumer brand engagement processes in luxury fashion brands. Grounded on the brand engagement in self-concept (BESC), this study examines key drivers (i.e. value co-creation, social media marketing (SMM) activities, brand self-connection and brand image) of BESC that in turn, enhance brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth (WOM) in the context of luxury fashion brands.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive survey approach was utilized and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe findings reveal that value co-creation, SMM activities and brand self-connection are significantly related to BESC and subsequently, BESC is related to both brand loyalty and positive WOM. However, brand image is not related to BESC and brand loyalty but shows a strong relationship with WOM.Originality/valueThe recognition that consumer experiences add significant value to a brand drives companies to engage with their consumers focusing on the self-concept.

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