Just being there matters

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-81
Author(s):  
Nan Wang ◽  
Yongqiang Sun ◽  
Xiao-Liang Shen ◽  
Dina Liu ◽  
Xi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Symbolic Interactionism ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sense Of Presence ◽  
Value Perceptions

Purpose Although user behaviors in social network service (SNS) have been well studied in prior literature, most of these studies focus on those behaviors with relatively deep user engagement such as information disclosure, while the underlying mechanisms that explain users’ shallow engagement behaviors (e.g. Like behavior) have been rarely discussed. To fill this research gap, the purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a research model to identify the antecedents of Like behavior. Design/methodology/approach This study identifies the distinctions between post behavior and Like behavior and develops a research model of Like behavior by emphasizing the role of sense of presence from the perspective of symbolic interactionism. The model is tested through a survey with 479 users of WeChat (a popular SNS tool in China). Structural equation modeling, SmartPLS in particular, is used for data analysis. Findings Three value perceptions, namely cognitive value, hedonic value and social value, are found to be positively associated with Like intention, and sense of presence is found to affect Like intention both directly and indirectly via the three value perceptions. Research limitations/implications The research model is tested based on a specific SNS in China, so whether the conclusions can be applied to other research contexts should be further examined in future research. This study identifies the distinctions between post behavior and Like behavior and suggests to view the Like behavior from the perspective of symbolic interactionism. Practical implications The paper outlines ways to effectively promote SNS users’ Like behaviors by enhancing the functions related to three value perceptions, especially by enriching the ways that facilitate interpersonal interactions. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to distinguish Like behavior from post behavior in SNS, propose and empirically test a research model of Like behavior. In particular, this paper strengthens the important role of sense of presence from the perspective of symbolic interactionism which has rarely been investigated in prior studies.

The effect of clustering on competitiveness improvement in Hebron

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Awad ◽  
Alaa A. Amro
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to map the cluster in the leather and shoes sector for improving the competitiveness of the firms. Toward this end, the study is organized to examine the impact of clustering on competitiveness improvement. The influence of competitive elements and performance (Porter’s diamond) and balanced score card was utilized. Design/methodology/approach A random sample of 131 respondents was chosen during the period from May 2016 to July 2016. A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was applied to investigate the research model. This approach was chosen because of its ability to test casual relationships between constructs with multiple measurement items. Researchers proposed a two-stage model-building process for applying SEM. The measurement model was first examined for instrument validation, followed by an analysis of the structural model for testing associations hypothesized by the research model. Findings The main findings show that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between improvements of performance and achieve competitiveness and also reveal that the Palestinian shoes and leather cluster sector is vital and strong, and conclude that clustering can achieve competitiveness for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Research limitations/implications Future research can examine the relationship between clustering and innovation. The effect of clustering using other clustering models other than Porter’s model is advised to be used for future research. Practical implications The relationships among clustering and competitiveness may provide a practical clue to both, policymakers and researchers on how cluster enhances economic firms such as a skilled workforce, research, development capacity, and infrastructure. This is likely to create assets such as trust, synergy, collaboration and cooperation for improved competitiveness. Originality/value The findings of this study provide background information that can simultaneously be used to analyze relationships among factors of innovation, customer’s satisfaction, internal business and financial performance. This study also identified several essential factors in successful firms, and discussed the implications of these factors for developing organizational strategies to encourage and foster competitiveness.

The mediating role of workplace flourishing on the causal link between linguistic ostracism and withdrawal behavior

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raed Ibrahim Mohamad Ibrahim ◽  
Okechukwu Lawrence Emeagwali ◽  
Murat Akkaya
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnolinguistic Identity ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Withdrawal Behavior ◽  
Hospitality Organizations

PurposeWorkplace flourishing and withdrawal behavior are important concepts for human resource practitioners in today’s multicultural and multilingual work atmosphere. Despite the prevalence of linguistic ostracism, only a handful of studies have considered its impact on workplace flourishing and withdrawal behavior. This paper embarks on unveiling the nature of these associations.Design/methodology/approachA sample of n = 395 employee responses was obtained from Jordanian tourism and hospitality organizations. The data were analyzed with the variance-based structural equation modeling (VB-SEM) technique using ADANCO software.FindingsVB-SEM results indicate that linguistic ostracism reduces workplace flourishing and indirectly increases withdrawal behavior through the mediating role of workplace flourishing. Decreased feelings of workplace flourishing resulted in increased withdrawal behavior.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to empirically examine the association between linguistic ostracism, workplace flourishing and withdrawal behavior and the mediating role of workplace flourishing using ethnolinguistic identity and stressor–emotion theories as a theoretical framework. Implications for practice and theory are discussed alongside future research directions.

scholarly journals Are altruistic leaders worthy? The role of organizational learning capability

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fermín Mallén ◽  
Ricardo Chiva ◽  
Joaquín Alegre ◽  
Jacob Guinot
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Leader Behaviors ◽  
Learning Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors, organizational learning capability and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach – The sampling frame consists of several databases or listings of business that consider people as a key element of the organization and are considered by their employees to be good firms to work for or organizational environments where human resources management has high priority (n=251). The authors use structural equation modeling to test if the relationship between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance is mediated by organizational learning capability. Findings – Results suggest that organizational learning capability fully mediates between altruistic leader behaviors and organizational performance. Thus, organizational learning capability plays a key role in explaining how altruistic leader behaviors affect organizational performance, essentially because it facilitates the creation of a creative, participatory and dialogue-based environment that promotes organizational learning. Research limitations/implications – The database used in the study is very heterogeneous. Future research might delimit the database by organization size or sector. Qualitative studies may also improve our understanding of the relationships studied and enable other concepts to be included. Practical implications – This study provides evidence of the positive relationship between altruistic leaders and performance. However, recruiting and fomenting altruistic leaders is not sufficient on its own to improve performance, and should be accompanied by implementing other facilitating factors of organizational learning such as dialogue or experimentation. Originality/value – In recent years some studies have linked leadership with organizational learning. However, this is one of the first studies to concentrate on altruistic leader behaviors as such, a concept that has received scant mention in the literature despite its importance in a number of leadership styles, and its relevance today as an alternative to the egotistic leader. The authors offer empirical evidence of the role of altruistic leader behavior as an antecedent of organizational learning capability and subjective measures of performance.

The effects of ethical climates on trust in supervisor and trust in organization in a Polish context

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Simha ◽  
Agata Stachowicz-Stanusch
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ethical Climate ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Climates ◽  
Managerial Employees ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of ethical climate types on two components of organizational trust, i.e. trust in supervisor and trust in organization. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 178 managerial employees from seven hospitals in Poland was used to investigate the specific relationships between ethical climates (i.e. egoistic, benevolent, and principled) and trust in supervisor and trust in organization. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the relationship between ethical climates and the two trust components. Findings – It was found that egoistic climates were negatively associated with trust in organization and trust in supervisor, whereas benevolent climates were positively associated with trust in supervisor and trust in organization. No support was obtained for any sort of association between principled climates and either of the two trust components. Research limitations/implications – Future research should examine the role of trust as a mediating variable in the relationship between ethical climates and variables such as commitment or productivity or satisfaction. Future research should also examine different national and work contexts to test out these relationships. Practical implications – Managers and organizations should try and establish benevolent ethical climates as opposed to egoistic ones, in order to bolster levels of trust among their employees. Originality/value – The findings of this paper are unique and original because this is the first study to suggest a relationship between ethical climate types and the two trust components. The value of this study is that it provides managers and organizations with a way by which they could potentially increase levels of trust among their employees.

The dynamic role of rapport on satisfaction–commitment relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 917-932
Author(s):  
Johra Kayeser Fatima ◽  
Rita Di Mascio ◽  
Ali Quazi ◽  
Raechel Johns
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Normative Commitment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Long Run

PurposeThis study aims to capture the mediation role of customer–frontline employee rapport on customer satisfaction and affective, calculative and normative commitment by using three alternative models. It also verifies the moderation effect of relationship age on the rapport-satisfaction link in each alternative model.Design/methodology/approachThe survey data collected from bank customers were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the partial least square (PLS) method.FindingsResults confirmed rapport as a significant mediator between satisfaction and each of the three types of commitment. Relationship age significantly moderates the links between rapport to affective and normative commitment but not to calculative commitment.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional findings from “importance–performance analysis” suggest that satisfaction is more import to customers than rapport for developing commitment, so further investigations can reveal the underlying reasons. Also, complementary mediation shows one or more missing mediators, which calls for future research.Practical implicationsManagers need to use rapport strategically with customers in different relationship ages to build different types of commitment. Specific tactics to build rapport and possible long run implications for developing affective, calculative and normative commitment have been discussed in the “note to practitioner” section.Originality/valueUsing “broaden-and-build” theory, the study extends the literature by confirming the mediation influence of rapport on satisfaction and three types of commitment relationships.

Social networking information and pre-employment background check: mediating effects of perceived benefit and organizational branding

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Sajjad Hosain ◽  
Ping Liu ◽  
Mohitul Ameen Ahmed Mustafi
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Background Check ◽  
Perceived Benefit

PurposeThe purpose of this empirical paper is to identify the role of social networking information (SNI) on job candidates' pre-employment background checking (PBC) process. SNI was further divided into three elements: perceived availability of information (PAI), perceived accuracy of information (PACI) and perceived reliability of information (PRI). In addition, the authors employed two mediating variables: perceived benefit (PB) and organizational branding (OB) to study the influence of each element of SNI on PBC.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used primary data collected from a valid sample of 465 using a structured questionnaire survey selected through purposive sampling. For descriptive analysis, SPSS 24 and for testing the hypothesized relationships, structural equation modeling technique (with AMOS 24) were utilized.FindingsThe results indicated that only PAI had strong positive influence on PBC. The other two independent variables: PACI and PRI had insignificant positive influence on PBC. In case of mediators, OB was found to partially mediate the relationship between PAI and PBC while it did not mediate two other direct relationships. Further, PB did not mediate any relationship at all.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is expected to be useful for the academicians involved in investigating the role of SNI on PBC as a lucrative research topic.Practical implicationsThe hiring professionals can utilize the findings of this primary research as the guidelines for formulating effective social media background checking policies.Originality/valueUsing SNI for different HRM practices is comparatively new but a growing practice. However, the empirical investigation covering this area is almost absent in academia. This paper as one of the very initial attempts to reveal the role of SNI on PBC can fill that severe gap to some extent and guide future research attempts. Furthermore, the HR professionals are expected to be benefitted from the empirical results in formulating and implementing an effective media policy that will help them in utilizing the SNI in an efficient and rightful manner.

Influence of ambidextrous governance mechanisms and risk management on repurchase intention in social commerce

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1301-1323
Author(s):  
Jao Hong Cheng ◽  
Li Wei Lin ◽  
Liang Chien Lee
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Repurchase Intention ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing ambidextrous governance and risk management on repurchase intention in social commerce. Design/methodology/approach A novel research model comprises nine research hypotheses with six constructs, including three dimensions of social capital (structural, relational and cognitive), contracts, relational risk and repurchase intention. The hypotheses are tested on data collected from 395 usable responses in Taiwan, using structural equation modeling. Findings The findings of this study indicate that online merchants should reinforce their collaborative behavior and activities to improve ambidextrous governance mechanisms, and thus enhance repurchase intention. Research limitations/implications The resultant findings only reflect the setting of Taiwan’s social commerce marketplace. With the research model developed, future research on cross-country studies of various forms of social networking sites would be worth conducting to determine regional differences in the development of social commerce activities. Originality/value Ambidextrous governance mechanisms have been gaining attention in buyer–supplier relationships. Extending ambidexterity research to the social commerce domain, the authors focus on ambidextrous governance that can include social and contractual governance elements.

Evaluating hotel guest technologies: does home matter?

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 2327-2342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanth Beldona ◽  
Zvi Schwartz ◽  
Xian Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Luxury Hotels ◽  
Technological Unit ◽  
Hotel Service ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk ◽  
At Home

PurposeWith the advent of the smart home, where connectivity is facilitated by the internet of things, the provision of guest technologies in hotel service delivery has acquired greater significance. This ubiquity of technology implies that hotels need to view their technological offerings as facilitating guest’s broader lifestyles, and not just services in isolated spaces. This study aims to examine the role of “home” as a socio-technological unit, and how customers’ ownership of technologies at home affects evaluations of guest technologies at hotels.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from a sample of US lodging consumers using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Partial least squares, which is a component-based structural equation modeling technique with SmartPLS 3.2, is used to test the hypotheses and meet the study’s objectives.FindingsThe findings show that hotel guest technologies should be of a higher standard than those at home, for guests to be satisfied with them. This relationship was robust across all hotel types, and both leisure and business visitation. Also, satisfaction with guest technologies has a relatively stronger impact on customer satisfaction in mid-scale and economy hotels compared to that in upscale and luxury hotels.Research limitations/implicationsBy empirically validating “home” as a frame of reference in the evaluations of hospitality experiences, it opens up the potential for future research to study how home affects the evaluation of the hospitality experience as a whole.Practical implicationsHotels need to identify viable technologies that have the potential to become mainstream, and be ahead of customers in the technology adoption curve.Originality/valueThis study is the first to look at home as a conceptual entity that is integral to hospitality using a socio-psychological lens, and evaluates its impact on evaluations of guest technologies at hotels.

The effect of packaging and brand on children’s and parents’ purchasing decisions and the moderating role of pester power

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (8) ◽  
pp. 2017-2038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa-Sadat Taghavi ◽  
Alireza Seyedsalehi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Purchasing Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purchasing Decision ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of chocolate packaging and brand on the purchasing decisions of a number of Iranian children and their parents. The paper also aims to investigate the role of pester power as a moderating variable in the relationship between children’s purchasing decision and that of their parents. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using a 26-item Likert-scaled questionnaire administered in February 2013 to the parents of 600 children at two daycare centers and four elementary schools in the city of Qazvin in Iran. The returned and complete questionnaires were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis within structural equation modeling using IBM® Amos and SPSS statistical packages. Findings – The results show that packaging and brand have a positive effect on parents. However, children were only influenced by packaging, and not brand. Further, it was found that children influenced their parents during store visits. The study also confirms the moderating role of children’s pester power in the relationship between children’s purchasing decision and that of their parents. Research limitations/implications – A limitation of the study is that the issue of the effect of packaging and brand on children was explored through the opinions of parents. Also, due to budget constraints, images of chocolate products rather than real packages were used. Future research might study the effect of other factors such as peers, socio-cultural issues, and economic status. Another possibility would be to include other variables such as mental involvement and time constraint. Practical implications – The findings of the study might be useful for all manufacturers and suppliers of goods. More specifically, managers and marketing agents in the chocolate industry are recommended to improve children’s brand awareness through advertising as a way of making them want to buy branded products. Originality/value – The most important difference between this work and previous studies is its use of children’s pester power as a moderating factor in the relationship between the purchasing decision of children and that of their parents. Another good thing about this paper is that it gives the reader an insight into the Iranian context. The results give the manufacturers a better understanding of the factors children take into account when deciding to purchase something.

Post-purchase shipping and customer service experiences in online shopping and their impact on customer satisfaction

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingxia Cao ◽  
Haya Ajjan ◽  
Paul Hong
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Shoppers ◽  
Post Purchase

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of post-purchase logistic services on customer satisfaction and future purchase decision, to reveal any differences across China and Taiwan, to fill in a gap in the literature focused on post-purchase logistic activities related to shipping, return, and tracking, to provide managerial guidance in logistics for e-commerce, and to develop insights on logistic services for future research. Design/methodology/approach Using a validated survey instrument, 384 respondents in China and 145 respondents in Taiwan are collected. The research model is analyzed using component-based estimation approach to structural equation modeling. Findings The structural equation analysis of the study found that post-purchase shipping and tracking have an impact on customer satisfaction in both China and Taiwan. It also found that customer service is the most significant factor among the examined antecedents for online shoppers in China. While, return service is more important for shoppers in Taiwan. Finally, customer satisfaction played a stronger positive role for online shoppers in Taiwan as compared to their counterparts in China. Research limitations/implications This research extended the current literature about post-purchase logistic services in an online shopping environment with a literature-based research model and good empirical data support. However, one limitation of the study is that the data collected represents a cross-sectional sample; future research should examine longitudinal sample to study customers’ purchase intentions over time. Practical implications This study can help both scholars and practitioners understand the importance of tracking, return, shipping, and customer service in an online shopping environment and across countries. It provides insights on designing e-commerce relevant shipping services to satisfy and attract customers across countries. Originality/value The study investigated how post-purchase activities contributed to customer satisfaction in online shopping and explored the influence of customer satisfaction on future purchase intention in China and Taiwan. This is one of the first studies available in the literature to provide empirical support and managerial insights about post-purchase activities related to shipping, tracking, and returns for e-commerce with cross-regional comparison.

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