Interaction with external agents, innovation networks, and innovation capability: the case of Uruguayan software firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josune Saenz ◽  
Andrea Pérez-Bouvier

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to disentangle the interplay between nurturing interaction with external agents, innovation networks, and innovation capability. In particular, the paper argues that nurturing interaction with external agents (by means of participation in different events that allow face-to-face interaction, or via collaborative technology) positively affects the innovation capability of firms by allowing the development of innovation networks and making them run smoothly. Design/methodology/approach – For this to be tested, an analysis has been carried out in Uruguayan software firms. A questionnaire was designed and addressed to the managers of the firms making up the target population. Structural equation modeling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) was then applied to test the hypotheses put forward by the research. Findings – The results obtained show that nurturing interaction with external agents has a positive and significant influence both on the formation of innovation networks and on their operational performance. This influence is much stronger when it comes to ensuring the smooth operation of the network than when it comes to facilitating its formation. Moreover, innovation networks and their functioning clearly mediate the relationship between interaction with external agents and innovation capability. Research limitations/implications – Traditional limitations of cross-sectional studies apply. Originality/value – Although previous literature highlights the relevance of social interaction for the creation of new knowledge and subsequent innovation, the role of mediating variables has been hardly considered. This research helps to shed some light on this issue in the case of social interaction with external agents. In particular, the mediating role of innovation networks has been analyzed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phong Ba Le ◽  
Hui Lei

PurposeThe study aims to explore the differences in transformational leadership’s (TL’s) influences on each aspect of innovation capability, namely, product innovation and process innovation. It also deepens understanding of the pathways and conditions to improve specific aspects of innovation capability by assessing the mediating role of knowledge sharing (KS) and moderating mechanism of perceived organizational support (POS).Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilized structural equation modeling and cross-sectional design to test hypotheses in the proposed research model based on using data collected from 394 participants at 88 Chinese firms.FindingsThe findings indicate that KS mediates TL’s effects on innovation capabilities. In addition, the influences of TL and KS on specific aspects of innovation capability are different and depend on the extent of employees’ POS.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies should test mediating roles of knowledge management’s constituents and/or investigate the moderating roles of firm ownership form to increase the understanding of potential factors or key conditions that may have significant influences on a firm’s innovation capability.Practical implicationsThe paper significantly contributes to increasing the understanding of the link between TL and specific aspects of innovation capability by highlighting the important role of stimulating KS and enhancing POS.Originality/valueThe paper provides useful information and valuable initiatives to increase leadership outcomes and firm’s capability for innovation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 205-222
Author(s):  
Phong Ba Le

PurposeGiven the important role of innovation capability in helping firms to innovate and adapt to a fast-paced and unpredictable environment, the purpose of this study is to investigate and deepen knowledge of how transformational leadership affects radical and incremental innovation via the mediating role of positive psychological capital.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used structural equation modeling and cross-sectional design to test proposal hypotheses based on the empirical data collected from 379 participants in 89 manufacturing and service firms.FindingsThe results of this study revealed the positive and significant influence of transformational leadership on radical and incremental innovation. The findings highlighted the mediating role of individual psychological capital in the relationship between transformational leadership and aspects of innovation capability.Practical implicationsOrganizations should invest and stress on practicing transformational leadership style for their managers/directors to foster and enhance individual psychological capital and innovation capabilities.Originality/valueThe paper has extended theory of innovation management by discussing and highlighting the important role of transformational leadership and psychological capital in fostering specific aspects of innovation namely radical and incremental innovation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Lei ◽  
Lathong Leaungkhamma ◽  
Phong Ba Le

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the effects of transformational leadership on individuals and organization’s innovation capability via the mediating role of employees' positive psychological capital (Psy-Cap) namely self-efficacy and optimism.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test proposal hypotheses through the empirical data collected from 330 participants at 90 firms in Vietnam.FindingsThe research findings revealed that self-efficacy and optimism significantly mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and innovation capabilities. In addition, self-efficacy has a greater impact on innovation capabilities compared with the effect of optimism.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the important role of practicing transformational leadership style to nurture and foster both employees' positive psychology sources and firms' innovation capability.Originality/valueThe paper has significantly advanced and deepened our understanding of how transformational leaders connect with employees to nurture and develop one of the most special aspects of human resource in contemporary working environment called employees' positive Psy-Cap for stimulating firm's innovation capabilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isa Nsereko ◽  
Samuel S. Mayanja ◽  
Waswa Balunywa

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and social entrepreneurial venture creation (SEVC) among community-based organizations (CBOs) in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study is cross sectional and quantitative. Data were collected from CBO owner-managers. Mean, standard deviations, correlations and structural equation modeling were conducted to check the relationships among variables.FindingsResults show that both prior knowledge and novelty ecosystem are significantly associated with SEVC. Results further indicate that novelty ecosystem partially mediates the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.Research limitations/implicationsThe design was cross sectional in nature, thus limiting monitoring changes in knowledge and its effect on SEVC. The results should be interpreted as they are because there could be some endogeneity biases, which were not detected like measurement errors and failure to identify appropriate instruments.Originality/valueThis study provides an initial empirical evidence on the relationship between prior knowledge, novelty ecosystem and SEVC using evidence from a developing African country – Uganda. Mostly, this provides an initial evidence of the mediation role of novelty ecosystem in the relationship between prior knowledge and SEVC.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Talat Islam ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Saqib Jamil ◽  
Hafiz Fawad Ali

Purpose This study aims to investigate individual-related consequences of workplace bullying among the health-care section. Specifically, this study examined the mediating role of burnout between workplace bullying and nurses’ well-being. Moreover, passive avoidant leadership is examined as a conditional variable between workplace bullying and burnout. Design/methodology/approach This study collected data from 314 nurses working in various hospitals through a questionnaire-based survey using Google Form in two waves. Findings Structural equation modeling confirmed the negative effect of workplace bullying on nurses’ well-being, whereas burnout mediates this relationship. In addition, passive avoidant leadership was identified as a conditional variable that strengthens the positive association between workplace bullying and burnout. Research limitations/implications Although data for the study were collected in two waves, still cross-sectional design limits causality. Practical implications This study suggests management to focus on developing and implementing counter-bullying rules to avoid the adverse consequences of workplace bullying (e.g. capital loss, recruitment costs, burnout, well-being, etc.). In addition, leaders/supervisors must be trained to fulfill their responsibilities to reduce negative consequences. Originality/value Studies on workplace bullying in high-power distance cultures are scant. Therefore, drawing upon conservation of resource theory, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has investigated the moderating role of passive avoidant leadership on the association between workplace bullying and burnout.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1315-1332
Author(s):  
Bramhani Rao ◽  
Sambashiva Rao Kunja

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of individualism-collectivism (IC) in determining psychological contract fulfillment (PCF) at individual level, thus attempting to establish that cultural orientation of each individual may differentially predict the fulfillment of his/her psychological contract. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was conducted on the cross-sectional data collected from 465 IT professionals working at different multi-national software companies. Findings Model fit between the dimensions of IC and PCF was found to be good, indicating a significantly positive relationship between within-culture cultural orientation of an individual and his/her perception of PCF. The analyses revealed that collectivist beliefs, values and norms have a significant relationship with the perception of delivery, fairness and trust toward PCF. The relationship between collectivist values and fairness of the deal was found to be insignificant. Research limitations/implications A major theoretical implication of the study is its contribution to evidence that people with collectivist orientation have a relatively positive perception toward the fulfillment of a psychological contract between them and the employer. It also clarifies why employees working in the same work environment tend to develop unique psychological contracts owing to their tendency to orient toward a particular cultural state of mind in the form of beliefs, values and norms guiding their day-to-day work-life. Originality/value The study is a valuable addition to the current literature in two ways. First, it contributes to the area of personality by examining the individual cultural orientation as an individual difference predictor of PCF. This helps in understanding the role of differences in emotions, cognition and behavior among individuals in predicting the fulfillment of hidden expectations of employees. In the domain of psychological contract, it contributes to evidence that explains why employees in same job conditions and employment relationships experience breach or fulfillment owing to their difference in cultural orientation.


Author(s):  
Sangeeta Sahu

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the factors which influence positive and antagonistic job behavior of employees and their effects on work outcome. Such factors are regulated by the job design and policies of an organization. This is part of the findings.Design/methodology/approachThe paper surveys a sample of 635 middle and lower level executives working in insurance organizations. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the nomological network.FindingsResults reveal significant roles of empowerment and job interdependence in explaining positive job behavior and its influence on work outcome. In addition, limited role of organization support on employee job behavior was observed.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited by its cross-sectional design and self- reported data. Issues of common method bias have been addressed. The outcome of this quantitative research provides input for job design focused on increasing work outcome.Originality/valueThis study highlights that empowerment at work brings about positive work behavior that significantly enhances employee commitment to customer service. Further, organization support at work does not explain employee behavior influencing work outcome; whereas, most past studies show significant role of support factors. Antagonistic behavior does not necessarily make an individual decide to leave the organization, indicating that such behaviors can be controlled by managing the contextual factors. The findings offer insights to motivation and behavior-related theories and suggest a shift in HR practices by predicting employee behavior.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Isabel Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
Francisca Castilla-Polo

PurposeIntellectual capital (IC) has been shown to play a crucial role in promoting competitive success among cooperatives as well as in other types of organizations. However, cooperatives are rarely included in this line of research. This paper aims to analyze how IC in agrifood cooperatives influences their prominence by fostering responsible research and innovation (RRI), reputation and performance.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed based on a literature review, and a quantitative study was conducted, including a representative sample of the current most prominent Spanish agrifood cooperatives. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the validity of constructs, path relationships and recent advances in the predictive model assessment.FindingsThis study’s findings show the specific role of human capital (HC) for enhancing social and structural capital in cooperatives. It was concluded that there is a need to revise and reconsider the role-played by IC in the cooperative movement.Research limitations/implicationsThe main practical contribution is to offer a specific vision of IC for agrifood cooperatives in order to maximize their market prominence. Since the study was conducted in Spain and based on a cross-sectional research approach, even though the new methodological tool partial least squares (PLS) predict was used, the authors cannot affirm whether IC will have the long-term expected effects as assumed in this research and in all contexts of the agrifood industry.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study that has examined IC in agrifood cooperatives in Spain, with attention focused on the role of HC as a predictor of market success.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 631-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveed Iqbal Chaudhry ◽  
Iqra Aftab ◽  
Zainab Arif ◽  
Usman Tariq ◽  
Muhammad Azam Roomi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain the relationship between customer-oriented strategy (COS) and financial performance (FP) of firm, to examine the role of supportive human resource management (HRM) in COS implementation and contribution toward FP of firm. It also examines the mediating role of innovation capability (IC) between COS and FP of firm. Design/methodology/approach The approach used for this study is quantitative. Data required for testing of hypothesis were gathered from the managers of manufacturing firms of Gujranwala, Pakistan. To conduct the data analysis, structural equation modeling was used. Findings Findings of this study showed that there is significantly positive relation between COS and FP with the significant positive mediating effects of supportive HRM and IC. Research limitations/implications This research has been conducted in manufacturing sector only. So, it is suggested to future researchers to carry out this research in other sectors. Second, this research focused only on IC but there are many other organizational capabilities (OC) that can be used. Practical implications This research would be helpful for all firms adopting COS to understand that how to mobilize their HR to accomplish the purpose of strategy. It will enable manufacturing firms to understand and work on IC. Originality/value This study is anticipated to add value to the existing literature of strategy process and OC. This study is one of the first to examine IC as mediator between COS and organizational FP so it opens new areas for research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Ahmad ◽  
Shahid Latif ◽  
Ahmad Raza Bilal ◽  
Mahnoor Hai

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationships between career competency, career resilience and career success. The study further examines the mediating role of career resilience on the relationship between career competency and career success. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 284 Islamic bank employees across Pakistan through a cross-sectional, self-reporting, online questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses using Smart PLS version 3.0. Findings The study’s results indicate that career competency is a significant predictor of career resilience, and that career resilience is subsequently a significant predictor of career success. Further, the results of the structural equation model analyses supported the proposition that career resilience mediates the relationship between career competency and career success. Practical implications Human resource practitioners and managers can increase the likelihood of their employees’ career resilience by focusing on developing career-related competencies – an antecedent of career success. Originality/value The study clarifies prevailing misconceptions that assume a direct linear relationship between career competency and career success by establishing, through empirical evidence, that success is not an ultimate outcome of competence. In addition, it proposes an oversimplified model of the competence–resilience–success relationship.


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