The resilience of African migrant entrepreneurs in China under COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Prah ◽  
Hagan Sibiri
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
African Migrant ◽  
Migrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Purpose As the impact of COVID-19 on businesses was impossible to predict, so is the future of migrant entrepreneurs – some of whom, before the outbreak, had to deal with immigrant status associated challenges. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to focus on African migrant entrepreneurs in China, much less studied ethnic migrants who have always lived on the margins of Chinese society, to examine their entrepreneurial resilience under COVID-19 in China. Design/methodology/approach The study used a qualitative design using a survey and semi-structured follow-up interviews as the primary data collection instrument. The questions in the questionnaire guide were adapted from the Center for Global Development survey instrument designed to gauge the resilience of SMEs under COVID-19. Findings Although most business operations in China are impacted, African migrant businesses were very hit due to existing social challenges coupled with their informality (i.e. operating at a low level of organization), lack of contingency plans and lack of stimulus support. COVID-19 is thus not only a force majeure that threatens the growth expectation of African owned-business but also presents a threat to their very existence in an already challenging society for Africans. Research limitations/implications Although the study has achieved its intended purpose, the sample was relatively small due to the low return rate of questionnaires and the difficulties in reaching out to target respondents due to the restrictive measures on movements during the data collection period. Originality/value This paper draws attention to the entrepreneurship-related challenges faced by ethnic migrants in China during a crisis. The social challenges of Africans living in China became a global topical issue during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. However, little is known about their entrepreneurship endeavors and the associated difficulties. This paper helps our understanding of African businesses’ resilience in China during uncertain times, such as the one created by COVID-19.

The effect of female portrayal in advertising on the Palestinian females purchase decision

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Z. Salem ◽  
Samir Baidoun ◽  
Grace Walsh ◽  
Netham Sweidan
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Purchase Decision ◽  
Purchasing Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Consumers ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Political Environments ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of female portrayal in advertisements on Palestinian female consumers’ purchasing decisions. TV and online media were selected as the medium for the study. Specifically, the researchers examine the one-dimensional sexualized female portrayal in advertisements. Design/methodology/approach Culture is used as the lens through which the study examines the relationship between independent and dependent variables concerning the topic of this study. The study collected primary data from 395 Palestinian participants through a survey questionnaire. Findings The findings of the study revealed that there is a relationship between the independent variable (the sexualized female portrayal in foreign advertisements – advertisements originating in foreign countries) and the dependent variable (Palestinian female consumers’ purchase decision). Additionally, the study found that the cultural differences between Palestine and other foreign countries have a negative impact on the Palestinian female consumers’ perception of the product being advertised. Practical implications Although traditional marketing procedures would allow companies to filter and adapt particular adverts to suit various cultural, social and political environments, the advent of the open web and satellite TV channels extend the advertisements reach to audiences beyond their intended demographic. Originality/value This is the first study set in the Arab context (including Palestine) to explore the impact of sexualized female portrayal in advertisements on Palestinian female consumers’ purchasing decision.

Information communication technology, knowledge management, job and customer satisfaction: a study of healthcare workers in Lebanon

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Epaminondas Epaminonda ◽  
Johnny Chaanine ◽  
Demetris Vrontis ◽  
Alkis Thrassou ◽  
Michael Christofi
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The paper aims to identify, analyze and discuss the links between information and communications technology (ICT) and knowledge management (KM), on the one hand, and job satisfaction (JS) and customer satisfaction (CSAT), on the other hand, in hospitals in Lebanon. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach has been adopted that utilizes both quantitative and qualitative primary data, along with supportive and peripheral secondary ones. Specifically, a survey measuring variables was conducted among health-care professionals, with whom interviews were also conducted for greater depth and to refine the findings and relationships under study. Findings The results of the quantitative study find no statistically significant relationships between the variables. The qualitative study suggests that this is likely because of the subjectivity of the evaluations and/or their mutual canceling. This is further partly explained not only through technical/functional deficiencies of the system but also through the impact of implicit and peripheral forces, adjacent to contextual aspects. Originality/value The research adds significant and focused knowledge on the subject of the linkage of ICT and KM with JS and CSAT, in the context of emerging economies.

Moving to patient reported collection of race and ethnicity data

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Berry ◽  
Sue A. Kaplan ◽  
Tod Mijanovich ◽  
Andrea Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the feasibility of collecting standardized, patient reported race and ethnicity (RE) data in hospitals, and to assess the impact on data quality and utility. Design/methodology/approach – Part of a larger evaluation that included a comprehensive assessment. Sites documented RE data collection procedures before and after program implementation. Primary data collected through qualitative interviewing with key respondents in ten hospitals to assess implementation. Nine hospitals provided RE data on the same patients before and after implementation new data collection procedures were implemented to assess impact. Findings – Implementation went smoothly in nine of ten hospitals and had substantial effects on the hospital staff awareness on the potential for disparities within their hospitals. New procedures had minimal impact on characterization of readmitted patients. Practical implications – This study demonstrated that it is feasible for staff in a diverse group of hospitals to implement systematic, internally standardized methods to collect self-reported RE data from patients. Originality/value – Although this study found little impact patients’ demographic characterizations, other benefits included greater awareness of and attention to disparities, uncovering small pockets of minorities, and dramatically increased RE data use in quality improvement efforts.

The impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment in the food industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 538-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Assiouras ◽  
Georgia Liapati ◽  
Georgios Kouletsis ◽  
Michalis Koniordos
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Brand Attachment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Authenticity ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment and subsequently on consumer behaviour related to food brands. Design/methodology/approach – Results are derived from primary data collected from a consumer sample in Greece. Respondents rate their brand authenticity and brand attachment for two well established authentic Greek brands in the food industry. Findings – The study confirms that brand authenticity predicts the brand attachment, while brand attachment influences consumers purchase intentions, willingness to pay more and promote the brand. Practical implications – The benefits of brand authenticity should not be ignored and should be protected by the brand managers of food brands because it can be the one of the competitive advantages that can be leveraged in the competitive food industry sector. Originality/value – It provides the required empirical support for the impact of brand authenticity on brand attachment and behavioural intentions in the food industry.

The role of innovation in building competitive advantages: an empirical investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prodromos Chatzoglou ◽  
Dimitrios Chatzoudes
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose Nowadays, innovation appears as one of the main driving forces of organisational success. Despite the above fact, its impact on the propensity of an organisation to develop and sustain a competitive advantage has not yet received sufficient empirical investigation. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the existing empirical literature by focusing on the antecedents of innovation and its impact on competitive advantage. It proposes a newly developed conceptual framework that adopts a three-step approach, highlighting areas that have rarely been simultaneously examined before. Design/methodology/approach The examination of the proposed conceptual framework was performed with the use of a newly developed structured questionnaire that was distributed to a group of Greek manufacturing companies. The questionnaire has been successfully completed by chief executive officers (CEOs) from 189 different companies. CEOs were used as key respondents due to their knowledge and experience. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire were thoroughly examined. Empirical data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. The study is empirical (based on primary data), explanatory (examines cause and effect relationships), deductive (tests research hypotheses) and quantitative (includes the analysis of quantitative data collected with the use of a structured questionnaire). Findings Results indicate that knowledge management, intellectual capital, organisational capabilities and organisational culture have significant direct and indirect effects on innovation, underlining the importance of their simultaneous enhancement. Finally, the positive effect of innovation on the creation of competitive advantages is empirically validated, bridging the gap in the relevant literature and offering avenues for additional future research. Originality/value The causal relationship between innovation and competitive advantage, despite its significant theoretical support, has not been empirically validated. The present paper aspires to bridge this gap, investigating the impact of innovation on the development of competitive advantages. Moreover, the present study adopts a multidimensional approach that has never been explored in the existing innovation literature, making the examination of the proposed conceptual framework an interesting research topic.

The storm after the storm: the long-term lingering impacts of hurricanes on schools

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra R. Davis ◽  
Sarah R. Cannon ◽  
Sarah C. Fuller
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Instructional Time ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The North ◽  
State Education ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the long-term impacts of hurricanes on schools and discuss approaches to improving recovery efforts.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with 20 school districts in Texas and North Carolina after Hurricanes Harvey (2017) and Matthew (2016). In total, 115 interviews were conducted with teachers, principals, district superintendents and representatives from state education agencies. Interview questions focused on the impact of storms and strategies for recovery.FindingsThe authors uncovered three long-term impacts of hurricanes on schools: (1) constrained instructional time, (2) increased social-emotional needs and (3) the need to support educators.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focuses on two storms, in two states, in two successive years. Data collection occurred in Texas, one academic year after the storm. As compared to the North Carolina, data collection occurred almost two academic years after the storm.Practical implicationsThis paper illuminates strategies for stakeholders to implement and expedite hurricane recovery through; (1) updating curricula plans, (2) providing long-term counselors and (3) supporting educators in and out of school.Originality/valueTo date, very few studies have explored the ways in which schools face long-term impacts following a disaster. This paper provides insight to the challenges that prolong the impacts of disasters and impede recovery in schools. With hurricanes and related disasters continuing to affect schooling communities, more research is needed to identify the best ways to support schools, months to years after an event.

People-centred management for improving construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-368
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Gerrit Crafford ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
The People ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Concern ◽  
The Impact

PurposeWhile operational factors reduce construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe, the impact of the people-centred management aspects has not been empirically interrogated as a remedy. This article reports on a study that sought to determine significant people-centred management aspects that lead to improved labour productivity and assesses the existence of statistically significant differences due to the demographic variables of respondents. Demographic-specific strategies that enhance construction “workers” productivity were revealed.Design/methodology/approachThe survey research design using a self-administered questionnaire was deployed to collect the primary data. The design followed a positivist paradigm to evaluate objectively how people-centred management affects construction workers' productivity. The statistical data were descriptively and inferentially analysed.FindingsPeople-centred management was determined to be significant in improving construction workers' productivity, with the most significant aspect being the building of employee confidence in related approaches. Designations and educational levels mostly indicated a statistically significant difference in several aspects that included the adoption of a functional reward culture for workers and training on people-centred principles. Training on-site management and construction workers in people-centred management and its application are crucial to improving construction workers' productivity.Research limitations/implicationsConstruction companies should drastically improve their concern for people while they sustain a high concern for production within their construction sites. Although several factors affect construction workers' productivity, this study determined that management-related factors and people-centred management were significant towards influencing low productivity in Zimbabwe.Originality/valueThe study determined people-centred management and demographic-specific interventions as being able to improve construction workers' productivity in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Board and corporate social responsibility disclosure of multinational corporations

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanh Thi Song Pham ◽  
Hien Thi Tran
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
The One ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effects of board model and board independence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of multinational corporations (MNCs). Design/methodology/approach The authors developed an empirical model in which CSR disclosure is the dependent variable and board model (two-tier vs one-tier), board independence (a proportion of independent directors on a board) and the interaction variable of board model and board independence together with several variables conventionally used as control variables are independent variables. The authors collated the panel dataset of 244 Fortune World’s Most Admired (FWMA) corporations from 2005 to 2011 of which 117 MNCs use the one-tier board model, and 127 MNCs use the two-tier board model from 20 countries. They used the random-effect regression method to estimate the empirical models with the data they collated and also ran regressions on the alternative models for robustness check. Findings The authors found a significantly positive effect of a board model on CSR disclosure by MNCs. Two-tier MNCs tend to reveal more CSR information than one-tier MNCs. The results also confirm the significant moderating impact of board model on the effect of board independence on CSR disclosure. The effect of board independence on CSR disclosure in the two-tier board MNCs tends to be higher than that in the one-tier board MNCs. The results do not support the effect of board independence on CSR disclosure in general for all types of firms (one-tier and two-tier board). The impact of board independence on CSR disclosure is only significant in two-tier board MNCs and insignificant in one-tier board MNCs. Practical implications The authors advise the MNCs who wish to improve CSR reporting and transparency to consider the usage of two-tier board model and use a higher number of outside directors on board. They note that once a firm uses one-tier model, number of IDs on a board does not matter to the level of CSR disclosure. They advise regulators to enforce an application of two-tier board model to improve CSR reporting and transparency in MNCs. The authors also recommend regulators to continue mandating publicly traded companies to include more external members on their boards, especially for the two-tier board MNCs. Originality/value This paper is the first that investigates the role of board model on CSR disclosure of MNCs.

When does uncertainty avoidance promote customer-to-customer intercultural service encounters?

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Ghantous ◽  
Amro A. Maher
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Uncertainty Avoidance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Identification ◽  
Service Environments ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Previous literature has reported inconsistent findings regarding the impact of uncertainty avoidance (UA) on intercultural experiences. This includes positive, negative and insignificant associations between UA on the one hand and cosmopolitanism or comfort with intercultural service encounters (ICSE) on the other hand. The purpose of this paper is to participate in addressing these contradictions. More specifically, this study examines how UA affects expatriate cosmopolitanism as well as approach of service environments patronized by local customers by introducing two moderators: national identification and perceived discrimination. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose a conceptual model based on the results of a literature review. The authors test it with survey data collected from Indian expatriates (n=341) living in Qatar, using structural equation modeling. Findings The results corroborate the moderating role of national identification. Under low identification, expatriate consumers engage in a prospective form of uncertainty management, leading them to adopt a more cosmopolitan stance. Under high identification, their uncertainty plays an inhibitory role, reducing their cosmopolitanism and negatively affecting their approach of service places patronized by local consumers. Perceived discrimination did not moderate the impact of UA as expected on either cosmopolitanism or approach. Originality/value This paper extends the prior research on UA by testing how two moderators could activate either a prospective or an inhibitory form of uncertainty. It also contributes to research on ICSE, by focusing on customer-to-customer interactions in a multicultural marketplace.

scholarly journals Environmental Movement and the Conservation of Forest: A Case Study on Ratargul Swamp Forest of Sylhet, Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kazi Moriom Jahan ◽  
Afm Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Environmental Movement ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Environmental Groups ◽  
Forest Department ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Aims: The aim of this paper is to explore and analyze the scope and nature of the environmental movement that may shape the existing management. Study Design: This paper is a qualitative study and based on empirical research. It focuses on the impact of environmental movements around Ratargul Swamp Forest Place and Duration of Study: This research was done around the Ratargul Swamp Forest located in on Sylhet district of Bangladesh. The study period was from January 2016 to November 2017. Methodology: For the primary data collection, 47 respondents were selected by using purposive sampling on the basis of their level of involvement. Data was collected from local people, environmental groups and the forest department. Data collection methods were key informant interview, in-depth interview, case study, focus group discussion and archival research. Results: People of Ratargul village are now more aware of the harmful activities of uncontrolled tourism while the Forest Department brings new management policies and practices in response to the local and civil pressure. It is also found that the Climate Resilient Ecosystem Livelihoods (CREL) project in Bangladesh actually works to negate the strength of the environmental movement rather than as a conservation proponent. The Forest Department is successful to implement their projects due to a lack of coordination between local activists. According to the respondents, 31.1% mark this movement as successful, 23.4% opine as completely failure and while remaining 44.4% thinks that it is partially successful. Conclusion: A strong, integrated, coordinated and organized form of resistance or movement is needed to break up the hegemony of Forest Department that may save the Ratargul Swamp Forest from ongoing damage.

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