Employee social sustainability: prioritizing dimensions in the UAE’s airlines industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulla Hasan Al Marzouqi ◽  
Mehmood Khan ◽  
Matloub Hussain
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Airline Industry ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Priority Weights ◽  
And Training

PurposeThis paper aims to identify and prioritize the dimensions that impact employee social sustainability in the airline industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachThe five main criteria (employee well-being, communication, management support, reward and control system and training) and 18 sub-criteria were identified from the literature. The sample comprised four experts covering the HR, finance and training functions from a major UAE airline organization. Applying the analytical-hierarchy-process (AHP) methodology resulted in obtaining priority weights for the factors assigned to employee-social-sustainability implementation.FindingsManagement support was found to have the highest priority among the study dimensions impacting employee social sustainability. Surprisingly, reward system was found to be the least important dimension.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was carried out on a single airline organization, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Future studies should be extended to cater to different organizational contexts and varying operational conditions.Practical implicationsThe findings should be of value to human resource management and policymakers in developing countries, such as the UAE, where employee social sustainability should be sought as a means to develop an efficient and sustainable workforce in different industrial sectors.Originality/valueThis study is among the few pioneering studies that focus on employee social sustainability. The use of AHP to prioritize employee-social-sustainability dimensions is also considered pioneering within the field and is anticipated to support future studies, and a deeper understanding, of employee social sustainability.

Managing top management support in complex information systems projects

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 151-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Bueno ◽  
M. Dolores Gallego
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Enterprise Resource Planning ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
End Users ◽  
Top Management ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
And Training

Purpose Top management support (TMS) is considered as a critical factor for the success of information systems (ISs) projects. The literature shows that TMS has a positive impact on achieving success in ISs’ projects in different aspects. However, the enabling factors for TMS in complex ISs’ projects have barely been tested, something which this study aims to rectify. Design/methodology/approach This study has designed a research model based on structural equation modelling (SEM) with the intention of analysing the perception of IS end users regarding the effect on TMS of the following factors: technological complexity and training and organizational communication. The application of the study has focused on an enterprise resource planning–open source software (ERP-OSS) environment. Findings The findings show how end users have a perception that organizational communication and training have a positive relation with TMS. Based on these findings, the authors have suggested several practical considerations. Research limitations/implications There are two limitations to this study. First, this study is based on the perception of complex IS/IT users. It would be interesting to add the perception of top managers to provide more solid findings. The second limitation is that this study has not suggested any additional potential factors which could affect TMS. Practical implications First, this article provides a study of the key role of TMS when an organization needs to implement a complex IS/IT. Second, organizations must develop mechanisms for increasing training and communication relating to the new complex IS/IT projects. Finally, the complexity of an IS/IT project does not constitute an enabling factor incentivizing TMS and should therefore not be a determining factor in increasing TMS within an organization selecting an IS/IT. Originality/value This study contributes to advancing theory in the field of TMS in information systems projects.

Why TQM programmes fail? A pathology approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Top Management Support ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Employee Resistance ◽  
And Training

Purpose – Implementing total quality management (TQM) is not without difficulties and achieving its promised benefits is not easy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to TQM successful implementation. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review has been done to explore the major reasons for the failure of TQM programmes. Findings – An examination of 54 TQM empirical studies identified 54 obstacles to successful TQM implementation. There are both theoretical and practical difficulties in applying TQM in organisations. An ineffective TQM package, inappropriate TQM implementation methods and an inappropriate environment for implementing TQM are the main reasons for TQM failure. The most frequently mentioned reasons for TQM implementation failures include insufficient education and training, lack of employees’ involvement, lack of top management support, inadequate resources, deficient leadership, lack of a quality-oriented culture, poor communication, lack of a plan for change and employee resistance to the change programme. Research limitations/implications – The review was limited to articles written in English language during the past 30 years (1980-2010). Practical implications – TQM does deliver better performance when an appropriate model of TQM is appropriately implemented in a supportive environment. The findings of this paper provide managers with a practical understanding of the factors that are likely to obstruct TQM implementation. Managers should overcome these barriers to achieve the TQM benefits. Originality/value – Understanding the factors that are likely to obstruct TQM implementation will help organisations in planning better TQM models.

Humanistic leadership in the UAE context

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-664
Author(s):  
Yaprak Anadol ◽  
Mohamed Behery
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Private University ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Leadership Theories ◽  
Cultural Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Roots ◽  
Humanistic Leadership

PurposeThe main intention of this paper is to understand humanistic leadership through an eminent leader representing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) culture. The authors identified a prominent humanistic leader of a well-known private university in Dubai as an example, analyzing his leadership approach from a humanistic lens and demonstrating humanistic leadership characteristics linked to the cultural roots.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is designed as a single case to examine how humanistic leadership behaviors and practices are applied in an organization and how they are connected to the UAE culture. The leader and his seven followers are interviewed by using semi-structured forms, and inductive conventional content analysis was utilized to identify common themes and concepts related to humanistic leadership traits in the UAE.FindingsThe paper highlights ten themes named humility, respect, care, fairness, transparency, well-being orientation, generosity, family focus and will with humanistic determination. These themes coincide with the various well-accepted humanistic literature theories and are also aligned with salient Islamic values and the existing humanistic leadership theories. A humanistic leadership description is provided to show the implications to the UAE context.Research limitations/implicationsThis study only focuses on a single higher education institution, and further studies need to be conducted to reach a generalization.Practical implicationsThe paper offers an alternative humanistic leadership for government departments, semi private and private companies to create an organizational culture where those values are flourished and creating an awareness in youth leadership programs to include humanistic leadership principles that will eventually increase social welfare.Originality/valueThis study provides an insight into humanistic leadership phenomenon by giving a contextual example from the UAE. As there has been no attempt to link humanistic leadership to the UAE culture, the findings of this paper will contribute to cross-cultural leadership research.

Materialism in the United Arab Emirates

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Arthur ◽  
Claire Eloise Sherman ◽  
Noora Saeed Al Hameli ◽  
Salama Yousef Al Marzooqi
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Financial Regulation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Consumer Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Material Values

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents, cultivation, behaviours and consequences of materialism in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Given the UAE’s dramatic transformation into a developed and commercialised nation, such an investigation is highly warranted. Design/methodology/approach In this study, four focus groups and 25 in-depth interviews with UAE nationals were conducted. A conceptual model theorising the antecedents, cultivation, behaviours and consequences of materialism in the UAE emerged from a grounded theory analysis of the primary data and existing literature. Findings Rapid development, commercialisation and a substantial increase in new wealth have led to the development and socialisation of material values. Conspicuous and status consumption is creating an increasingly judgmental consumer society that is further cultivating material values in an ongoing cycle. Traditional Emirati values are also being expressed through materialistic displays. The consequences of materialism for the Emirati population include both positive and negative impacts on well-being, an increase in financial distress, delayed marriage and family conflict. Practical implications The model guides policy makers beyond constraining consumption via advertising and financial regulation towards breaking the cycles that cultivate harmful materialistic tendencies. The use of a more socio-cultural approach is recommended, which includes building self-esteem, resilience to judgements, use of cultural influencers, re-direction efforts and campaigns raising awareness and recognition of materialism as a social problem. Originality/value This is the first study to develop a comprehensive model of the antecedents, cultivation, behaviours and consequences of materialism in an emerging market.

Additive manufacturing in the apparel supply chain — impact on supply chain governance and social sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlene M. Hohn ◽  
Christian F. Durach
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Governance

PurposeFocusing on the apparel industry, this study extends current knowledge on how additive manufacturing (AM) may impact global supply chains regarding structures of interorganizational governance and the industry's social-sustainability issues.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an exploratory research design, two consecutive Delphi studies, with three survey rounds each, were conducted to carve out future industry scenarios and assess AM's impact on supply chain governance and social sustainability.FindingsThe implementation of AM is posited to reinforce existing supply chain governance structures that are dominated by powerful apparel retailers. Retailers are expected to use the increased production speed and heightened market competition to enforce faster fashion cycles and lower purchasing prices, providing a grim outlook for future working conditions at the production stage.Social implicationsAgainst the common narrative that technological progress increases societal well-being, this study finds that new digital technologies may, in fact, amplify rather than improve existing social-sustainability issues in contemporary production systems.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the nascent research field of AM's supply chain impact as one of the first empirical studies to analyze how AM introduction may impact on interorganizational governance while specifically addressing potential social-sustainability implications. The developed propositions relate to and extend the resource dependence and stakeholder perspectives on governance and social sustainability in supply chains. For managers, our results enrich the discussion about the potential use of AM beyond operational viability to include considerations on the wider implications for supply chains and the prevailing working conditions within them.

Fun in the workplace and training climate: impact on the turnover of young adults in the hospitality industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Training Climate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of fun in the workplace and training climate on turnover in a European context. Design/methodology/approach Data is gathered from the responses of 902 hotels, restaurant and café workers from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to an online survey alongside organizational records of turnover. All employees work part-time and are primarily of college age. This is then analyzed using logistic regression. Findings The findings reported suggest that management support for fun and co-worker socializing at the office level are negatively and significantly related to turnover but not fun activities. In addition, individual level job support is significantly related to turnover but not manager support and organizational support. Practical implications Therefore, to promote retention managers should encourage the integration of employees with one another, promote fun on the job and create meaningful job responsibilities for young employees. Originality/value This paper has an original approach by examining the impact of fun in the workplace on turnover in a setting outside the USA and by examining this in relation to training climate.

Management and supervisory support as a moderator of work–family demands and women’s well-being

Humanomics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meguellati Achour ◽  
Shahidra Binti Abdul Khalil ◽  
Bahiyah Binti Ahmad ◽  
Mohd Roslan Mohd Nor ◽  
Mohd Yakub Zulkifli Bin Mohd Yusoff
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Family Satisfaction ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Supervisory Support ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Demands ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship of work–family demands with employees’ well-being, and the role of management/supervisory support in this relationship. The following hypotheses were proposed: work–family demands would be negatively related to employees’ well-being; management/supervisory support would moderate the relationship of work–family demands with employees’ well-being. Design/methodology/approach The researchers used 250 working female academicians as respondents, working in the research universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their ages ranged from 30 to 60 years. Findings The findings of the present study proved that the work–family demands were negatively associated with employees’ well-being. Results also revealed that management and supervisory support strengthens the relationship between work–family demands and employees’ well-being. Thus, management and supervisory support plays an important role in balancing work demands and family roles and also in increasing working female academicians’ well-being. Originality/value In this study, management and supervisory support was found to be directly related to well-being, including life satisfaction, job satisfaction and family satisfaction. However, the direct relationship between management/supervisory support and well-being was positive and significant. This study also found that management/supervisor support reduced work–family conflict and work–family demands. Also, supervisory and management support was found to have a significant and positive relationship with well-being. Given these findings, supervisory and management support plays a very important role as a moderator of work–family demands and in developing and improving well-being in working women.

Meeting the demand for statisticians in UAE: challenges and experiences

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Rafiq Hamed Hijazi
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Training ◽  
Training Institute

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the supply of and perceived demand for statisticians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past decade. Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory study is conducted to examine the institutional and individual supply of statisticians in the UAE in relation to the perceived demand for such services. Supply data for the study was derived from UAE University, the Statistical Training Center and the Statistical Training Institute on statistics graduates and trainees. Findings – It was found that the supply of statisticians and trainees from UAE universities and training bodies is falling short of meeting the actual needs of statisticians in UAE. As the demand continues for such services, concerted efforts are needed to identify and implement workable approaches to reduce the gap between supply and demand. This includes stronger collaboration between government agencies and academic institutions to create a genuine partnership utilizing the experience of developed countries in this field. Originality/value – This study is the first of its kind in the UAE aimed at exploring the arising need for statistical services in the UAE. Recommendations from the study are intended to guide educational policy makers in addressing identified shortages of skilled Emirati statisticians as main contributors in supporting the knowledge-driven economy vision of UAE government.

scholarly journals Policing child abuse: challenges and opportunities for specialist units

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-141
Author(s):  
Denise Martin ◽  
Lynn Kelly ◽  
Sharon Jackson ◽  
Sabina Byszko
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Recent Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holistic Approaches ◽  
National Police ◽  
And Training ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
The Way

Purpose Drawing on the literature from the field and the recent experience of an evaluation into a child abuse investigation in Scotland, the purpose of this paper is to argue that evidence from the literature suggests that a more holistic approach drawing on the ideas of communities of practice could improve the way in which child abuse investigations are conducted. Design/methodology/approach This paper has been informed by a recent evaluation of a new national unit that was set up to investigate suspected child abuse in Scotland. This unit was established as part of the transition from eight regional police services in Scotland to a single national police service, Police Scotland. An important part of this evaluation was to consider the messages from previous research into the development of national police units and the role of the police in child protection investigations more generally. Findings What was uncovered were the challenges that police officers face in the current context of child abuse investigation particularly around construction of child abuse investigations, collaborative working, staff well-being and training. Practical implications The practical implications of this paper are as follows: police investigations into child abuse experience a range of issues, multi-agency and holistic approaches are more effective, agencies should be encouraged to establish communities of practice and staff need adequate levels of support and training. Originality/value This paper contributes towards a growing body of work examining the way in which child abuse investigations are conducted by police and the importance of inter-agency collaboration to support this. It contributes to academic debates and knowledge of the overall investigation process where, to date, there has been a paucity of literature and research that has tended to focus on evidence and experiences and to a boarder literature recognising the need for holistic approaches to tackle child abuse.

scholarly journals Extending the research agenda on (ethical) coaching and mentoring in education: embracing mutuality and prioritising well-being

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Hobson ◽  
Christian J. van Nieuwerburgh
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Mentoring In Education

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a review of the evidence base on coaching and mentoring in education, to provide a commentary on literature published in the first 10 volumes of the International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education (IJMCE) in particular and to offer some directions for future research in the field.Design/methodology/approachThis review and position paper draws on the authors’ knowledge of the extant literature on coaching and mentoring in education, their own research in the field and their perspectives as editors of coaching and mentoring journals.FindingsAmong the outcomes of their review and commentary, the authors observe that coaching and mentoring research conducted to date largely occupies two separate fields, and studies published in one field frequently fail to draw on relevant literature from the other or recognise the overlap between them. The authors highlight a number of additional limitations of the evidence base on coaching and mentoring in education and offer some potential means of addressing these.Originality/valueThe paper offers an original reflection on current research into coaching and mentoring in education. It is intended that the paper will inform the design and publication of future studies in this area to strengthen the evidence base and, in turn, inform improvements to coaching and mentoring practice. In particular, the authors hope to encourage the ethical deployment of coaching and mentoring which enhances, rather than inhibits, the well-being of all participants, while realising other positive outcomes.

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