How would the managementof human behavior variables influence customer-oriented management?

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 797-818
Author(s):  
Leslier M. Valenzuela-Fernández ◽  
Francisco-Javier Arroyo-Cañada ◽  
Francisco Javier Villegas Pinuer

Purpose Salesperson’s actions are critical in helping the firm develop customer value orientation and long-term relationship with profitable customers to achieve sustainable sales growth and profitability over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the salespeople and service executives’ perceptions about the relevance of some human resource management variables and employees’ attitudes as key factors to develop a company’s customer value orientation. The authors tested whether the perceptions of role ambiguity, incentives policy and provided training (PT) had an impact on job involvement (JI), job satisfaction (JS), and consequently, on customer value orientation. Design/methodology/approach Research design was nested with data from 327 executives from medium and upper positions in Chilean companies. Findings The results show that while the perception of role ambiguity had an indirect negative impact on customer value orientation through JI, perception of PT level had a direct impact over and above the other variables. Research limitations/implications JS and JI are attitudinal variables, which companies try to encourage in their employees through different human resources, practices. Incentives and training are ways to develop favorable employees’ attitudes and improve their customer value orientation. With the research, companies could invest their resources in better and more effective practices to generate favorable attitudes toward customer value orientation. Originality/value Through structural equation modeling, the model shows the relevance in the perception of sales executives about the relationship of employees’ JI and customer value orientation. This commands to open the view of the customer value orientation management to include other attitudinal variables as JI.

Author(s):  
John Sorros ◽  
Petros Lois ◽  
Melita Charitou ◽  
Alkiviadis Theofanis Karagiorgos ◽  
Nicholas Belesis

Purpose Because of the education sector’s evolution, accounting initiatives are required regarding competitiveness. Activity-based costing’s (ABC) neglected potential as a cost strategic tool initiated this research, which aims to identify administrative and operational factors that support or hinder its implementation in educational institutions as a predictor of competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model was proposed and tested through structural equation modeling to identify relationships between accounting departments, cost procedures, the transmissibility of information and competitiveness. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, a scale of items was derived, denoting an institute’s cost strategy and ABC implementations and returned from 417 Greek education institutes. Findings An accounting department’s role in accurate data transmissibility and an institution’s organizational structure significantly affect cost-related competitiveness. The importance of information sharing is strengthened by current cost allocation capabilities and the accounting department’s influence on management. Research limitations/implications ABC’s limited implementation in the Greek education sector complicated the theoretical model’s construction, as a variety of geographical and institutional factors were taken into consideration. Practical implications Customer value provides a competitive advantage and constitutes the basis of solid price strategies. Research demonstrates ABC’s importance for education institutions’ competitiveness and resource exploitation. Social implications Education’s commercialization urges costing strategy prioritization. ABC could benefit competitiveness and attract long-term funds and investments. To create value institutions, the allocation of incurred costs to added-value activities is crucial. Originality/value This study sheds light on vague issues institutions face when dealing with ABC. Understanding accounting departments’ influence shows ABC’s feasibility even for smaller or less efficiency-oriented education institutions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrokil Kanje ◽  
Goodluck Charles ◽  
Elly Tumsifu ◽  
Lena Mossberg ◽  
Tommy Andersson

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine the role of customer engagement (CE) on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behavior among vacationers in Tanzania. The article disaggregates CE into cognitive process, affection and behavior and integrates eWOM passing into the eWOM concept.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 278 vacationers who had used social media before and/or during their trip in Tanzania was used. They were drawn at three major airports in Tanzania when exiting the destination. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed relationships.FindingsIt is revealed that both the affective CE and behavioral CE positively relate to vacationers' eWOM seeking, giving and passing behaviors in tourism-related sites. On the other hand the cognitive CE relates positively only with eWOM passing behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsThe varied relationship of the three CE dimensions (cognitive, affective and behavioral) with eWOM behaviors further confirms the multi-dimensionality of CE and the enduring psychological connection of individuals beyond participation in activities.Practical implicationsCE is multifaceted and enduring and thus managers should take a long-term, enduring and multidimensional perspective in facilitating CE development. Different content appeals are needed in facilitating CE in online platforms as CE dimensions relate variedly with eWOM behaviorsOriginality/valueThe study links CE and eWOM in a novel way by disaggregating CE and integrating the eWOM passing component into the eWOM concept in tourism-related social media sites.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Iha Haryani Hatta

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of the features of the value, satisfaction, and customer loyalty; the effect on the value of customer satisfaction and loyalty; influence of satisfaction on customer loyalty. A total of 200 merchant PT. BANK XYZ as respondents was selected randomly. Analyses were performed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The analysis showed that the feature has a significant influence on customer value, but not for customer satisfaction and loyalty. The values has a significant influence on satisfaction, but not on customer loyalty. Satisfaction has a significant influence on customer loyalty. Discussion and conclusions described in the article. Keywords: features of the value, satisfaction, customer loyalty


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jnaneswar K ◽  
M.M. Sulphey

PurposeMental wellbeing brings in multiple benefits to employees and their organizations like better decision-making capacity, greater productivity, resilience and so on. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of a few antecedents of mental wellbeing like workplace spirituality, mindfulness and self-compassion, using structural equation modeling (SEM).Design/methodology/approachUsing the convenience sampling method, data were collected from 333 employees of various organizations in India and SEM was performed using the R Program to test the hypotheses.FindingsResults suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion influenced the mental wellbeing of employees. It was also observed that workplace spirituality has a significant influence on both mindfulness and self-compassion.Originality/valueAn in-depth review of the literature revealed that no previous studies had examined the complex relationship between workplace spirituality, mindfulness, self-compassion and the mental wellbeing of employees. This research suggests that workplace spirituality, mindfulness and self-compassion are important factors that influence employees' mental wellbeing, and it empirically tests this in a developing country context. The present study enriches the literature studies on mental wellbeing, mindfulness, self-compassion and workplace spirituality by integrating “mindfulness to meaning theory”, “socio-emotional selectivity theory”, and “broaden and build theory”.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles H. Schwepker ◽  
Megan C. Good

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between grit, unethical behavior and job stress among business-to-business salespeople. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis includes 240 business-to-business salespeople. Structural equation modeling is used to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings Results suggest grit is directly related to less frequent unethical behavior and customer-directed deviance. Neutralization techniques positively moderate the relationship between salesperson grit and both unethical behavior and customer-directed deviance. Grit is indirectly related to job stress through the positive relationship between unethical behavior and job stress. Research limitations/implications Given research on grit in sales is relatively new several opportunities to pursue additional research in this area are presented. Practical implications Sales leaders may benefit from administering the salesperson grit scale as part of the screening process and developing grit among salespeople through training and coaching. Sales leaders should emphasize the negative impact of adopting neutralization techniques (excuses) in condoning unethical behaviors. The indirect effect of grit in reducing job stress through ethical behaviors underscores potential ways to mitigate costly and detrimental sales outcome losses. Originality/value This study develops a novel framework to explore the relationships between grit and unethical behaviors as moderated by neutralization techniques (excuses); examines an additional component of grit not previously considered in some studies of salespeople; and investigates whether these relationships increase a previously unexplored outcome – job stress.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1142-1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Wiengarten ◽  
Muhammad Usman Ahmed ◽  
Annachiara Longoni ◽  
Mark Pagell ◽  
Brian Fynes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of complexity on the triple bottom line by applying information-processing theory. Specifically, the paper assesses the impact of internal manufacturing complexity on environmental, social, and financial performance. Furthermore, the paper assesses the moderating role of connectivity and shared schema in reducing the potential negative impact of complexity on performance. Design/methodology/approach Multi-country survey data collected through the Global Manufacturing Research Group were utilized to test the hypotheses. The authors used structural equation modeling to test the measurement and initial structural model. Furthermore, to test the proposed moderating hypotheses, the authors applied the latent moderated structural equations approach. Findings The results indicate that while complexity has a negative impact on environmental and social performance, it does not significantly affect financial performance. Furthermore, this negative impact can be reduced, to some extent, through connectivity; however, shared schema does not significantly impact on the complexity-performance relationship. Originality/value This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the impact of complexity on sustainability. Furthermore, it provides managerial applications as it proposes specific tools to deal with the potential negative influences of complexity.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahadur Ali Soomro ◽  
Maqsood Memon ◽  
Naimatullah Shah

PurposeIn today's world, employee voice has become an important factor in resolving organizational issues and making innovativeness. Therefore, this study proposes to investigate the paternalistic leadership style, employee voice and creativity among entrepreneurs of Pakistan.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a cross-sectional study design in which a survey questionnaire is employed to collect the data from the respondents. After data cleaning and screening, in total 416 suitable samples are proceeded for data analysis.FindingsStructural equation modeling findings underlined as a positive and significant relationship of moral leadership with employee voice. Hence, this study found an insignificant relationship of authoritarian, benevolent leadership with employee voice. Further, the study also finds a positive and significant association between employee voice and creativity.Practical implicationsThis study may offer a thoughtful and systematic approach to employee voice and creativity for resolving organizational issues through recommendations/opinions of employees. This study may be helpful for addressing issues by bringing out creativity and innovation to achieve organizational goals and objectives.Originality/valueThe study is the first to investigate the impact of paternalistic leadership style on employee voice. Besides, it examines the influence of employee voice on creativity among entrepreneurs of Pakistan.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Belal Uddin ◽  
Bilkis Akhter

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the institutional and significant competences that have allowed organizations to employ supply chain management (SCM) practices, the practices of SCM and the benefits of SCM practices for both buyers and suppers.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model (including hypotheses) has been proposed regarding antecedents, SCM practices and outcomes of SCM. Using purposive sampling method, data were collected from different manufacturing, distributing, wholesaling and retailing organizations. Collected data were analyzed in a principal component analysis and structural equation modeling, including confirmatory factor analysis, and path analysis.FindingsThe empirical results provided supportive evidences in favor of the hypotheses and theoretical arguments except one hypothesis. This study did not a find positive relationship between organizational compatibility and SCM practices. The study found relationships between mutual trust and SCM practices, communication and SCM practices, and cooperation and SCM practices, which were positive and significant. Again, the relationships between SCM practices and competitive advantages, and SCM practices and long-term orientation and growth were also positive and significant.Practical implicationsPractitioners could also use the findings to align SCM with business strategy and gain an insight for better utilization of the available resources and technology to perform better.Originality/valueThis study will provide guidance as to the preconditions that need to be in place in order for a company to implement SCM with its suppliers and customers. It will remind practitioners to stay focused on the ultimate goals of SCM – lower costs, increased customer value and satisfaction, and, ultimately, competitive advantage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-439
Author(s):  
Ossi Pesämaa ◽  
Peter Dahlin ◽  
Christina Öberg

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how tension management as a means of achieving compromise and overcoming minor conflicts reduces the effects of the opportunism and bargaining costs of relationships on the evaluation of business partners. The paper proposes and tests a theoretical model with a full-information approach using structural equation modeling. Design/methodology/approach The data set was based on 312 observations from a unique survey based on a business-to-business relationship sample in Sweden. The measurements reflect the effects of partner opportunism, bargaining costs, and tension management on partner evaluations. Findings The findings corroborate that partner opportunism and bargaining costs have a negative impact on partner evaluation. In addition, the model shows that tension management weakens the negative effects of opportunism and bargaining costs on the evaluation. Originality/value This study offers evidence on how negative effects are reduced through intervening constructs. With most studies focusing on the positive side of relationships, this paper makes an important contribution to the literature through not only describing negative effects, but also how these can be decreased.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Maderer ◽  
Dirk Holtbruegge ◽  
Rachel Woodland

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of brand associations on brand loyalty of fans toward professional football clubs in developed and emerging football markets (EFM). In particular, the following research questions are answered: how important are different determinants of brand associations for fans from developed football markets (DFM) and EFM? Are there any major differences in the importance of different brand associations and their influence on brand loyalty between fans from DFM and EFM? Design/methodology/approach Based on the customer-based brand equity framework the impact of brand associations on brand loyalty is tested with a sample of 3,587 fans from DFM – Germany, England, Spain, Italy, and France (2,032) – as well as fans from EFM – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the USA (1,555). Findings Structural equation modeling is applied and shows a negative impact of brand attributes on attitudinal loyalty, whereas brand benefits positively impact attitudinal loyalty. Furthermore, significant differences between fans from developed and EFM are revealed. Implications for the management of football teams and for research on brand management are derived. Originality/value This study extends the work of Gladden and Funk (2001) by expanding the model used to assess brand loyalty and analyzes it empirically in different football markets. When looking to foster attitudinal loyalty, marketers should concentrate on benefit associations instead of attribute associations. Most importantly, marketers should be aware that when focusing on developing brand loyalty amongst EFM fans, they should not simply apply the same strategies that proved to be effective in DFM and vice versa.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document