Organizational structure and convergent change: explanatory factors in SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Armando Marín-Idárraga ◽  
José Manuel Hurtado González
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Organizational Adaptation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hierarchical Arrangement ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
The Impact

PurposeBy integrating the structural contingency and the organizational adaptation theories, this study analyzes the impact of the main variables of organizational structure on convergent change. The authors also examine whether some contingency variables, such as the firm's size, age and sector, may help to explain differences in the relationship between organizational structure and convergent change.Design/methodology/approachThis work was carried out through an explanatory and cross-sectional study. The hypotheses were tested through a multiple regression analysis.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that, in Bogota's SMEs, modifications in differentiation and formalization explain convergent change, and that centralization does not affect it. Furthermore, the authors find that the company's size explains these relationships, and that age and sector do not influence them.Practical implicationsThe authors provide useful information in this work to guide managers and professionals on the implications of organizational structure and convergent change, more specifically on decisions regarding hierarchical arrangement, job division and processes redefinition.Originality/valueThis work provides empirical evidence with original data for a better understanding of the reality of Colombian SMEs in the Latin American context.

Foundational competencies for enhancing work engagement in SMEs Malaysia

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliyu Yelwa Haruna ◽  
Govindan Marthandan
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of foundational competencies on work engagement in the context of the Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) service sector. Design/methodology/approach This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Malaysia, and data were gathered via a survey on 312 employees representing SMEs service sectors. Partial least squares techniques were used in testing the hypothesized linkages. Findings The findings indicated that foundational competencies have a significant positive effect on work engagement. Research limitations/implications Considering the research approach, generalizing the findings of this study must be done with caution. Longitudinal data are recommended, as these could provide additional support to the results. Further studies can as well extend the framework by testing whether job resources play a positive role in enhancing the relationship between foundational competencies and work engagement in Malaysia. Practical implications The findings suggest that foundational competencies positively relate to work engagement. Therefore, training and coaching sessions could be organized by managers/policy makers to enhance these competencies, which will strengthen work engagement and career development of the employee; it may specifically be very helpful for fresh graduates whose careers would have just started. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to examine the effect of American Society of Training and Development foundational competencies on work engagement in SMEs in Malaysia.

INTELLIGENCE, SELF-ESTEEM AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN KOSOVO YOUTH

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naim Fanaj ◽  
Sevim Mustafa ◽  
Erika Melonashi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Achievement Data ◽  
Explanatory Factors ◽  
High Intelligence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous studies have investigated the impact of self-esteem and intelligence on academic achievement. The findings are generally inconsistent. The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between intelligence, self-esteem and academic achievement among young people in Kosovo. It was a quantitative cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 1856 participants, aged 10-18 years old (Mage = 15.29, SD = 1.76). Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and The Raven Standard Progressive Matrices. Grade Point Average (GPA) was used to measure academic achievement. Data processing was done with SPSS 21.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013. Participants according to self-reported academic achievement were classified as follows: fail (0.1%), sufficient (2%), good (15.6%), very good (26.7%) and excellent (55.7%). As regards self-esteem participants were classified as follows: low self-esteem (26.9%), and normal self-esteem (73.1%). A significant positive correlation was found between academic achievement and intelligence (r = .31; p = .00) but not between achievement and self-esteem. This significant correlation resulted for both genders separately. The Mann-Whitney test found significant differences in academic achievement between genders and between groups with high intelligence and those with normal intelligence. Intelligence, but not self-esteem revealed a significant relationship with academic achievement. Future studies on the topic might focus on explanatory factors or the possibility of interaction of other variables related to academic achievement.

scholarly journals Women's birth beliefs and associated factors in an obstetrics clinic in the Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-351
Author(s):  
Figen Alp Yilmaz ◽  
Yeter Durgun Ozan
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pregnancy And Delivery ◽  
Consultation Services ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe impact of birth beliefs on pregnancy and delivery are universally recognized, but the factors that affect birth beliefs vary across regions depending on individual and cultural characteristics. This study aimed to determine women's birth beliefs and examine their associated factors.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study was conducted with 548 primiparas in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital located in the Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey from February to June 2019. Descriptive characteristics, form and the Birth Beliefs Scale were used in data collection. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, T-tests and ANOVA analyses were used.FindingsIt was determined that factors such as age group, income level, any problems during pregnancy and preferred delivery mode statistically affected women's birth beliefs.Originality/valueBased on the findings from this study, healthcare personnel should provide training and consultation services to pregnant women starting from the prenatal period to help ensure a positive labor experience.

Social enterprises and organizational learning in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Urban ◽  
Elena Gaffurini
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Organizational Learning ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between different dimensions of organizational learning capabilities (OLC) and levels of social innovation in social enterprises. Design/methodology/approach The empirical strategy adopted is a cross-sectional study based on primary survey data. Following a survey of social enterprises in South Africa, statistically analysis is conducted using regression analyses to test the study hypotheses. Findings The findings show that the OLC dimensions of knowledge conversion, risk management, organizational dialogue and participative decision-making all have a significant and positive relationship with social innovation. Research limitations/implications In many emerging economies, the notion of organizational learning appears to have considerable potential relevance, particularly as African countries are moving toward knowledge-based economies. By focusing on OLC, it is anticipated that social enterprises can configure and leverage the different factors in ways that enable them to overcome the constraints of the complex and unpredictable environments and increase their levels of social innovation. Originality/value The paper provides a pioneering empirical investigation into the impact that OLC has on levels of social innovation, in an under-researched emerging market context.

scholarly journals Resiliency and mental health of school teachers in Okinawa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ratanasiripong ◽  
Takashi China ◽  
Nop T Ratanasiripong ◽  
Shiho Toyama
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the mental health issues among teachers globally and to investigate the significant factors that specifically impact the mental health of school teachers in Okinawa, Japan.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study examined depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem and resiliency among 174 teachers from seven schools in Okinawa, Japan. The study questionnaire consisted of four parts, including demographic data, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-42), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC). Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of mental health variables.FindingsOf the 174 teachers, 111 were females (64%) and 60 were males (35%). Average age of participants was 41.65 (SD = 10.07). Average number of years being a teacher was 15.50 (SD = 9.88). There was a significant gender difference in the level of self-esteem. Significant differences in anxiety were found among varying grade levels taught. Regression analyses indicated that resiliency and self-esteem significantly predicted depression, anxiety and stress among school teachers in Okinawa.Originality/valueThis is the first study among school teachers in Okinawa that examined the impact of resiliency and self-esteem on their mental health. To reduce psychological distress common within the teaching profession, social and environmental support should be provided within the school to better foster the successful promotion of teacher resiliency and self-esteem.

Impact of knowledge sharing, learning adaptability and organizational commitment on absorptive capacity in pharmaceutical firms based in Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rafique ◽  
Shafqat Hameed ◽  
Mujtaba Hassan Agha
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Pharmaceutical Firms ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Absorptive capacity being an emerging field of research has been studied in different perspectives both in technological aspects and soft issues. Although an original study of absorptive capacity placed employees as playing pivoting role in the development of absorptive capacity (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990), unfortunately, there are limited studies on behavior of employees toward this emerging construct. This study aims to explore the impact of employees’ behavior in the development of absorptive capacity. Specifically, impact of knowledge sharing, learning adaptability and organizational commitment on absorptive capacity has been evaluated in this study. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was conducted at the pharmaceutical firms of Pakistan. The data were collected through random sampling from middle managers as a unit of analysis of this study. The rationale of the unit of analysis is that the maximum information is handled/accessed by the middle managers in the perspective of Pakistan. The data were collected from 170 respondents on a five-point Likert scale with the response rate of 66.7 per cent. Data were collected from different genders and different age groups with different qualification levels. Findings All independent variables showed significant positive correlations with overall absorptive capacity (ACAP). At the same time, different relationships of all independent variables were found in different ways with different significant levels. The results showed that different strategies may be adopted to manage the external knowledge for competition in turbulent environment. For example, organizational commitment may be incorporated at strategy formulation only, whereas the Adaptability at both routine and strategy formulation stage. As all independent variables showed no correlation with Acquisition it is concluded that Acquisition is purely a routine function, and instead of coordination, the routine processes must be emphasized. Research limitations/implications This study focused on the data from the middle managers of the pharmaceutical firms only. The results may not be generalized to the sectors. Another limitation is that the respondents of the study were middle managers. It was made intentional to see the impact of management aspects other than organizational mechanisms, as discussed by Cohen and Levinthal (1990) and Jansen et al. (2005) in their studies. The results on the basis of the data collected from other entities of the organization may differ. This is a cross-sectional study, and a longitudinal study may give different results. Practical implications Absorptive capacity has the capability to absorb new knowledge and plays an important role in the development of organizational processes to compete in the turbulent environment. It is dependent not only on technological infrastructure but also on the employees’ behaviors and attitudes. This study gives insights about the knowledge process activities and employment of human resource at each phase of absorptive capacity in relation to their behaviors toward knowledge process. Social implications Development of organizational process with knowledge management plays an important role in the capacity building, which ultimately enhances social paradigm of activities. Originality/value Pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan acquire technologies from foreign countries and have very limited research and development of their own. As technology is upgraded by the foreign companies as a continuous improvement process, local firms of Pakistan are required to absorb the new knowledge with the same pace. The study highlights importance of human capital in the development of this capability.

Comparing health status, disability, and access to care in older and younger inmates in the New South Wales corrections system

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-161
Author(s):  
Courtney Field ◽  
Vicki Archer
Keyword(s):  
Access To Care ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Aging Prisoners ◽  
Older Inmates ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the rates of chronic illness, disability and access to care between older and younger inmates who took part in a large epidemiological study in New South Wales, Australia. Design/methodology/approach Data are presented from a cross-sectional study based on a sample of inmates from correctional sites in NSW. The inclusion of results here was guided by the literature with regard to their relevance to older people, and older inmates in particular. Findings Results indicate that a higher proportion of older inmates suffer a range of chronic illnesses, with prevalence often many times higher than that of younger inmates. Older inmates are more likely to be classified as disabled and have a disability which impacts their mobility. Older inmates also reported accessing medical services in prison more recently than younger inmates and were more likely to have seen both nurses and general practitioners. Practical implications Older inmates appear to be considerably more resource intensive than younger inmates. The increasing proportion of inmates who are classified as older thus poses a pressing challenge to those working in the carceral space and, in particular, those responsible for providing healthcare to incarcerated people. Originality/value The impact of aging prisoners on resource demand has yet to be effectively measured. This study provides an important first step towards that goal.

Food packaging design and consumer perception of the product quality, safety, healthiness and preference

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Bou-Mitri ◽  
Marilyn Abdessater ◽  
Hani Zgheib ◽  
Zeina Akiki
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Packaging Design ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of the packaging design on consumers’ perception of the food quality, safety, healthiness and preference to buy. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample of 547 Lebanese adults with a median age of 30 years old and 54% being females, between November and December 2016, using an interviewer-based questionnaire. Findings As identified by the participants, packaging should “protect the food” (54.9%) and be safe (52%). Most participants especially those who reported that protecting the food is the most important packaging functionality tended to select the vacuum package [OR (95% CI) = 2.19 (1.32; 3.66); p = 0.002] for having the highest quality, being the healthiest and the more frequently bought (24.3, 30.2 and 29.1% respectively). Regarding the juice, most of the participants thought that the glass bottles have the highest quality, were the safest, the healthiest and the most frequently bought (64.9, 37.4, 68.4 and 52.9%, respectively). Those who reported that safety is the most important characteristic for food packaging, have selected transparent as the most attractive color to use [OR (95% CI) = 2.10 (1.25; 3.55); p-value = 0.005]. Among the consumers, 87% considered that nutrition and health claims were among the most important informative cues. Around 73.1% (n = 399) were willing to pay more for a better packaging with 59.4% willing to pay 3% more. Originality/value This market research identifies the packaging characteristics and features which have positive effects on consumer attitudes. Therefore, it will help manufacturers track consumers’ trends and interests, and accordingly impact their business decisions in responding adequately in their package design. The social behavior will increase the product sale and its market success leading to direct economic implications.

Determinants of patient safety, satisfaction and trust

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mosad Zineldin
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess and examine the impact of physicians-nurses performance on patient perceptions on safety, trust and satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study of 170 inpatients at 78 Chinese hospitals has been conducted. A structured questionnaire covering multiple constructs was used to collect the data. Methodology is described and results are discussed. Findings – Multivariate regression results show that despite the variations in education and training of physicians and nurses, trust is statistically significant in the models with doctors performance and nurses performance as dependent variables. One surprise result is that patient safety is not statistically significant in the regression model with NP as dependent variable. Practical implications – Doctor and nurses as well as other staff at any healthcare setting or ward should provide patients with high-quality and safe healthcare. Competences and performance of physicians and nurses are the primary source of patient safety. Social implications – The patient correlate their patients safety with doctors but not with nurses. On the other hand, they relate their satisfaction more to nurses performance than doctors performance.

The effect of social and economic transitions on the meaning of work

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 724-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Sharabi ◽  
Brian Polin ◽  
Galit Yanay-Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Work Values ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intrinsic Orientation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of social and economic changes, particularly the transition from a collectivistic to an individualistic society, on the meaning of work (MOW) in Israel. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire probing the MOW domains (economic orientation, intrinsic orientation, interpersonal relations, entitlement and obligation norms and job satisfaction) was conducted on a representative sample of the Israeli labor force in 1981 (n=973) and 2006 (n=898). Findings A comparison between the results of the 1981 and 2006 surveys shows a significant increase in economic and intrinsic orientation, and a significant decrease in interpersonal relations orientation, job satisfaction and obligation and entitlement norms. Work centrality remained stable. The demographic factors, especially education, have some impact on the MOW domains. Practical implications The transformation of work values reflects the changes in employees’ expectations and needs. Therefore, organizations are compelled to find new material and non-material reward systems and methods to maintain employee commitment, motivation and satisfaction. Various implications for organizations and management are discussed. Originality/value This cross-sectional study explores how the combination of economic and social changes is reflected in employees’ job satisfaction and other work values. Furthermore, the study examines the impact of the main demographic factors on the MOW and offers suggestions to gain employees loyalty and commitment based on all the findings.

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