scholarly journals Knowledge management in turbulent times: time-based scenario analysis of vaccinations against COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Saverio Mennini ◽  
Domitilla Magni ◽  
Lucia Michela Daniele ◽  
Giampiero Favato

Purpose This paper aims to estimate the delay or timely effects of the national vaccination strategy for COVID-19 on Italian gross domestic product (GDP). By adopting a knowledge management lens, the study highlights the importance of “time” for Italian recovery. Indeed, recovering an adequate growth rate is crucial for the future of employment, well-being and management of Italian public debt. Design/methodology/approach This study applies an epidemiological model of a universal access vaccination programme against COVID-19. The economic model is based on the time-shift of available quarterly projections deriving from the expected delay or acceleration of the national vaccination plan against COVID-19. Findings The basic concept underlying the scenario analysis is that the sustainability of the expected recovery of the Italian economy due to the COVID-19 shock, and consequently the growth of the GDP, is time-dependent on the rollout of the national vaccination plan. Research limitations/implications A delay in the vaccination campaign could have a twofold negative impact on the growth of the Italian gross product: it reduces the quarterly growth over the previous year in the short term and it delays the quarterly upwards trend over the next two years. Policymakers and practitioners are called to promptly face new dynamic scenarios due to public and economic policies to fight the COVID-19 crisis. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt of research that focuses attention on the synchrony between the economic time necessary for recovery and the real-time necessary to achieve vaccination coverage for the restart of production activities.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
One-Ki Daniel Lee ◽  
Peng Xu ◽  
Jean-Pierre Kuilboer ◽  
Noushin Ashrafi

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how IT capabilities for knowledge management and process integration can build a firm's agile process capabilities for sensing, strategic decision and responding. The study also investigates how the three agile capabilities affect firm performance in different competitive environments.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a large-scale field survey with firms in the United States. Survey invitations were sent to business executives of the target firms. A total of 254 complete samples were collected for our hypotheses test.FindingsThe results confirm the overall significant roles of IT capabilities in the three agile capabilities. The results further reveal that the IT capability for knowledge management has a higher influence on sensing capability, while the IT capability for process integration has a higher influence on responding capability. Moreover, strategic decision and responding capabilities are more important in the high market competition. However, in the low market competition, sensing capability becomes more important while responding capability demonstrates a negative impact on firm performance.Originality/valueThis study helps both academics and practitioners better understand a firm's IT-agility-performance mechanism. Particularly, our findings guide how to achieve agile capabilities and what to focus on under the different levels of market competition.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiuming Chen ◽  
Haiying Kang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Mingjian Zhou

PurposeDrawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to understand the adverse effects of customer mistreatment on employee performance and well-being by thwarting the satisfaction of employees' basic psychological needs. It also examines how these negative effects may be mitigated by empowerment human resource management (HRM) practices.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were conducted using survey data collected in China. In Study 1, cross-sectional data from 321 telemarketing employees were analyzed to examine how customer mistreatment reduces the satisfaction of employees' basic psychological needs, harming job performance and job satisfaction. In Study 2, multiwave, multisource data were collected from 149 property agents and their supervisors to replicate the findings of Study 1 and further test empowerment HRM as a moderator of the relationship between customer mistreatment and satisfaction of needs.FindingsThe results from both studies show that customer mistreatment leads to low job performance and job satisfaction via reduced satisfaction of employees' needs for autonomy and competence but not relatedness. Moreover, the negative effect on the satisfaction of employees' needs for autonomy and competence was buffered when organizations had high empowerment HRM practices in place.Originality/valueThis study provides new insights on customer mistreatment by understanding its effects from a motivational perspective, which has not been considered in prior research. It also explores how HRM practices can help satisfy employee needs in adverse work environments induced by customer mistreatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avanish Bhai Patel

Purpose The incidents of elder victimisation and cases of victimisation, in general, are increasing fast in the society. These incidents have had negative impact on the sense of well-being and way of life of the older people. Therefore, fear of crime is being considered as a most concerning psycho-social problem amongst the older people in contemporary time. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of crime rate on the well-being of the older people and examine the linkage between psychological factors and fear of crime amongst the older people. Design/methodology/approach The present study is based on the mixed method approach and an exploratory research designed applied to conduct the study. The field survey has been done from October 2012 to January 2013 on a sample of 220 older people of rural and urban areas of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh through purposive sampling. For the study, researcher has interviewed 137 male older people and 83 female older people through interview schedules and case studies. The data have been analysed through descriptive and narrative analysis. Findings The study finds that those older people have direct or indirect experience of victimisation, they have anxiety and feel insecurity that someone can victimise them. The study also finds that the happiness of older people is more affected due to anxiety and phobia and have higher level of feeling of fear of crime in their neighbourhood and home. The study also finds whenever anti-social elements are active in the neighbourhood and they commit crimes, fear of crime and anxiety grasp the older people to a large extent causing a fracture in their psychological well-being. Originality/value This work is the original work of researcher. This paper is related to the researcher’s PhD dissertation work. This paper talks about how the psychological well-being of older people affects due to nature of crime in neighbourhood, phobia of crime and anxiety due to criminal activities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nualnong Wongtongkam

Purpose Violence directed at ambulance paramedics has attracted increasing public attention because of its major negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of victims and productivity of organisations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of violent incidents, contributing factors, burnout and post-traumatic symptoms among paramedics. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was distributed in two ambulance services in Tasmania and South Australia, with self-administered instruments completed online. In total, 48 respondents completed questionnaires. Findings There were no significant differences between sites in timing of violent incidents, consequences of traumatic events or organisation provision. Surprisingly, over 90 per cent of paramedics had not been pushed, slapped, beaten, scratched or spat on in the previous month. There was a statistically significant difference between genders for being yelled at or verbally abused (p=0.02). When considering burnout, female paramedics showed significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion t(37)=–2.32, p=0.02 and lower levels of career satisfaction than their male counterparts, t(37)=3.32, p=0.00. Originality/value Although prevalence rates of violent incidents seemed lower than expected, policy interventions to encourage female paramedics to display their professional identities and steps to enhance well-being and safety while on duty should be considered.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Chillakuri ◽  
Sita Vanka

Purpose This paper aims to provide an empirical investigation into the mediating role of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on health harm (HH). The study also examines the negative moderated role of workplace well-being (WW) and its indirect effect on work intensification (WI) and HH. The paper highlights the implications of the HH on individuals, organizations, families and societies and recognizes the need for sustainable human resource management (HRM) practices that drive employee well-being, thereby reducing the HH. More importantly, the study extends the understanding of sustainable goals through sustainable HRM. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected using four established scales. The data collected from 324 executives were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 Version and AMOS 21.0. Findings The study results confirmed that WW practices reduce the adverse effects arising out of HPWS and WI. The results proved that WI is positively related to HH, and that WW moderates the relationship between HPWS and HH such that HPWS is more positively associated with HH when the WW is low compared to when WW is high. Research limitations/implications The data were collected from executives working in Information Technology (IT) organizations in India. The findings and the implications may not be generalized to other industries, as the data is collected from IT professionals. Practical implications The study highlights the need for organizations to develop sustainable HRM practices to minimize the HH of work. Organizations should implement well-being interventions and develop activities that promote an individual’s mental and physical well-being alongside limiting work intensity. Originality/value HRM Literature reveals the positive effect of HPWS that it engages employees to achieve a competitive advantage to the firm. However, this study examines and empirically proves the negative impact of HPWS on employee health and well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Westberg ◽  
Mike Reid ◽  
Foula Kopanidis

Purpose This study aims to use the lens of the stereotype threat theory to explore older consumers’ age identity and experiences with service providers. Design/methodology/approach This study used semi-structured interviews with Australian consumers aged between 55 and 69. Data were examined using thematic analysis. Findings Older consumers justify a younger cognitive age by distancing themselves from the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and by associating themselves with attitudes and behaviours consistent with a younger age identity. Older consumers are confronted with age-based stereotype threats in a services context through four practices. Exposure to these threats results in service failure and can have a negative impact on both consumers’ ability to function effectively as consumers and their overall well-being. Research limitations/implications A more diverse sample is required to identify the extent to which age-based stereotype threats are experienced and which services marketing practices have the most detrimental impact on older consumers. Practical implications The findings provide insight for services marketers seeking to effectively cater for older consumers and have implications for service staff training, service technology and communications. Social implications The findings have implications for the well-being of older consumers in terms of their self-efficacy and self-esteem as well as their ability to function effectively as consumers. Originality/value This study contributes to the nascent understanding of older consumers’ experiences and their expectations of service interactions and advertising communication. The findings also extend the literature on service failure by demonstrating how age-based stereotypes threaten age identity, resulting in a negative customer experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yosra Mnif ◽  
Emna Rebai

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of flexibility as a coping mechanism for reducing the negative impact of job stress on the accounting profession. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using a survey questionnaire sent by mail to accounting professionals in Tunisia. A total of 200 responses were examined using a structural equations modeling procedure. Findings The results indicate that flexibility attenuates the negative effects of job stress by improving job performance and job satisfaction among accounting professionals. Also, flexibility has a significant and positive association with psychological well-being. The results demonstrate that role ambiguity and overload have a positive influence on job burnout, which supports the argument that role stressors are antecedents of burnout in the accounting profession. Practical implications This study’s results help the accounting firms to reduce job stress by offering work flexibility to employees. Also, the results have significant implications for accounting professionals who are concerned with the consequences of job stress and the coping mechanisms that can diminish these consequences. Originality/value This study contributes to the behavioral accounting literature by examining flexibility as a coping strategy within the job stress model in an emerging country (Tunisia).


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Singh ◽  
Shikha Bhatia ◽  
Shailendra Nigam

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted business and viability of firms in the hospitality sector. This paper aims to examine the impact of perceived vulnerability of employees in this sector related to job loss and satisfaction with life. Additionally, it tests whether the impact is reduced for an individual possessing high emotional and financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach This study uses cross-sectional data obtained through a survey of 312 hospitality sector employees. Using PLS-SEM, hypothesized relationships between constructs are tested. Findings Perceived vulnerability of job loss negatively impacts satisfaction with life; however, this negative impact gets significantly reduced in the presence of emotional and financial well-being. Research limitations/implications The results provide an impetus to focus on emotional and financial well-being to reduce employees’ vulnerabilities and improve their life satisfaction. In the absence of specific relief programs by the Government and with reduced business activity, employers need to look for innovative ways for ensuring their own sustenance and employee well-being. Originality/value This study is one of the initial works on examining how perceived vulnerability of job loss induced by the pandemic on hospitality sector employees’ impacts their satisfaction with life. It also makes a novel attempt to examine emotional well-being and financial well-being, as mediators in this relationship.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir A. Abdulmuhsin ◽  
Rabee Ali Zaker ◽  
Muhammad Mujtaba Asad

Purpose Drawing on knowledge-based view, social exchange theory and leader-member exchange, this study examines how exploitative leadership (EL) influences knowledge management (KM), its processes, and further investigates the moderating role of organisational citizenship behaviours (OCB) on the relationship between EL and KM. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative approach, survey data were collected from 356 faculty members in Iraqi public universities, and the direct and moderating relationships were assessed through Hierarchical regression by PROCESS v.3.3 macros in SPSS. Findings The study found a significant negative impact of EL on KM, including its processes, especially on knowledge utilisation. The assessment also revealed that OCB has a significant moderating impact on EL, particularly its effect on knowledge creation. Practical implications The empirical insights of the study are valuable and precious for policymakers, managers and academics in education sectors of developing countries, to enrich their managerial and scientific performance through addressing EL behaviours while considering the moderating effect of OCB. Originality/value The relevance of the study stems from the scarcity of research on EL, while studies on the negative behaviours of leaders as a predictor of KM process failures are significantly limited. Additionally, studies on the moderating impact of OCB on the linkage between EL and KM processes remain limited. This study is one of the earliest studies that investigate these inter-relationships amongst EL, OCB and KM processes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aino Kianto ◽  
Mika Vanhala ◽  
Pia Heilmann

Purpose This paper aims to propose that knowledge management (KM) could be a way to nurture job satisfaction and examine how KM can increase individual employees’ job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model concerning the connections between five facets of KM (knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, knowledge creation, knowledge codification and knowledge retention) and job satisfaction is proposed. It is then empirically tested with a structural equation modelling partial least squares analysis of a survey data set of 824 observations, collected from the members of a Finnish municipal organisation. Findings Existence of KM processes in one’s working environment is significantly linked with high job satisfaction. Especially intra-organisational knowledge sharing seems to be a key KM process, promoting satisfaction with one’s job in most employee groups. Interestingly, significant knowledge-based promoters of job satisfaction differ as a function of job characteristics. Practical implications KM has a strong impact on employee job satisfaction, and therefore, managers are advised to implement KM activities in their organisations, not only for the sake of improving knowledge worker performance but also for improving their well-being at work. Originality/value This paper produces knowledge on a type of consequence of KM that has been largely unexplored in previous research, individual job satisfaction. Also, it promotes moving the KM literature to the next stage where the impact of KM practices is not explored as a “one size fits all” type of a phenomenon, but rather as a contingent and contextual issue.


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