Superlatives and Scope of Improvement in Online Recommendations: Breath of Life or a Kiss of Death?

MIS Quarterly ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 1411-1432
Author(s):  
Rohit Aggarwal ◽  
◽  
Vishal Midha ◽  
Nicholas Sullivan ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Body ◽  
Professional Networks ◽  
Online Trust ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Experience Levels ◽  
Job Openings ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Empirical Perspective

Online professional networks are important tools used by recruiters to find qualified candidates for job openings. Within these networks, professional recommendations are used to supplement profiles and add credibility. These recommendations tend to be overly positive, full of superlatives, and lacking in critical statements (referred to as scope of improvement). We draw on the theory of online trust to argue that having scope of improvement and superlatives may affect various dimensions of trust and to show how online trust, in turn, can affect the usefulness of a recommendation and the likelihood of receiving an interview. We contribute to the body of work on online trust both theoretically and empirically. From a theory perspective, we explain why including scope of improvement and superlatives in recommendations on online professional networks may help certain candidates in getting an interview but hurt others. From an empirical perspective, we provide a unique empirical setting that allows us to observe not only the effect of scope of improvement and superlatives, but also validate the theoretically argued underlying process. Furthermore, through discussion with recruiters, we identify then test contextual factors that differentiate recommendations on online professional networks from traditional recommendations. In this study, we use a scenario-based, quasi-experimental survey to test the effects of superlatives and scope of improvement on the usefulness and effectiveness of recommendations. Further, we test the mediating role of trust and how the experience levels of the recommendee affect the sign and strength of these relationships. Our findings indicate that including scope of improvement increases the effectiveness and usefulness of recommendations for candidates at low- and middle levels of experience. For the most experienced candidates, including scope of improvement has a negative effect on effectiveness. Superlatives negatively affect the perceived competence of the recommender and thus should be avoided. This negative effect is reduced when combined with scope of improvement.

The path of support-to-sales: mediating role of seller collaborative information exchange in social commerce

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
Fengxia Zhu ◽  
Murali Mantrala
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Trade Volume ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Social ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Negative Effect

Purpose This paper aims to systematically investigate the direct and indirect effects of four types of support – peer instrumental support, peer emotional support, platform business support and platform communication support – on seller trade volume in social commerce. It also aims to uncover the path of support-to-sales of the seller from a platform perspective and provides a more complete picture of the social commerce phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses multi-source data including primary survey data and secondary data on trade volume to test the hypotheses. PROCESS mediation model is used to analyze the multi-source data set. Findings This study finds that the positive effects of peer instrumental support, platform business support and platform communication support on seller trade volume are fully mediated by seller collaborative information exchange. Also, peer emotional support has a significant negative effect on seller trade volume and collaborative information exchange can serve as a buffer to mitigate the negative effect. Research limitations/implications The authors provide new insights into what types of support are or are not conducive to improving transaction volume of individual sellers and highlight the mediating role of seller information exchange in this value generation process in social commerce. These findings advance current knowledge of how seller interactions increase value in social commerce. The chosen research setting may limit the generalizability of the findings of this study. Practical implications This paper offers valuable implications for social commerce platforms on how to better serve their sellers to achieve high growth. Specifically, the findings suggest that platforms should encourage instrumental support and information exchange among peer sellers. In addition, platforms should expand seller support from a single-focus on sellers’ business to a dual-focus on both sellers’ business and socialization in social commerce. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how sellers can better derive value from the social interactions and how social commerce platforms can effectively influence transactions, support sales and serve as a selling platform.

scholarly journals Empathy and Burnout in Medical Staff: Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction and Job Commitment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zongpu YUE ◽  
Yang Qin ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Stephen Nicholas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Job Commitment ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Tianjin City ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background: Burnout is a growing problem among medical staff worldwide and empathy has been described as an essential competence to attenuate burnout. Previous studies found job satisfaction and job commitment were affected by the empathy and associated with burnout. This study explores the effect and mechanism of empathy on burnout on medical staff and investigates the mediating role of job satisfaction and job commitment in the relationship between empathy and burnout among medical staff.Methods: Based on a self-administered questionnaire, 335 responses from medical staff in Tianjin City, China, yielded data on socio-demographic characteristics, empathy, burnout, job satisfaction and job commitment. Bivariate correlation and structured equation modeling (SEM) analyzed the relationships between empathy, job satisfaction, job commitment and burnout multi-group invariant analysis was used to evaluate whether the model was consistent across different type and level of hospitals and different job and employment type subgroups. Results: A total of 202 (60.3%) medical staff had low level burnout, 115 (34.3%) staff had the moderate level and 18 (5.4%) staff had the high level burnout. The results of the SEM showed that empathy not only have a direct negative effect on burnout (\(\beta =-0.401, Pcript>\), but also had an indirect impact through job satisfaction (\(\beta =-0.373, Pcript>\) and job commitment (\(\beta =0.489, Pcript>\). Job commitment was negatively associated burnout (\(\beta =-0.513, Pcript>\) but, unexpectantly, job satisfaction was positively associated with burnout (\(\beta =0.177, Pcript>\). The results also indicated the model was consistent across employment type (\(\varDelta {\chi }^{2}\) = 5.904, p > 0.05) and hospital type (\(\varDelta {\chi }^{2}\) = 7.748, p > 0.05), but was inconsistent across hospital level (\(\varDelta {\chi }^{2}\) = 42.930, p < 0.05) and job type (\(\varDelta {\chi }^{2}\) = 52.912, p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our results confirm the important role that empathy plays in the prevention of burnout and by managing job satisfaction and increasing the job commitment burnout can be attenuated. We recommend that government should increase pay for medical staff and continue to reform the resourcing of different hospital levels and that hospital managers implement additional training and strengthening psychological testing and counseling, to reduce medical staff burnout.

scholarly journals Role of Education and Mentorship in Entrepreneurial Behavior: Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binwu Hu ◽  
Qiang Zheng ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Zhibin Tang ◽  
Jianchun Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
The Body ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Behavioral Preferences ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Farmers have been very precious for societies for ages. Their active experiments, valuable knowledge about their surroundings, environment, and crops’ requirements have been a vital part of society. However, the psychological perspectives have been a hole in the loop of farming. Hence, this study has investigated the antecedents of entrepreneurial behaviors of farmers with the mediating risk of their entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). The population chosen for this study was the farming community of suburbs of China, and a sample size of 300 was selected for the data collection. This is a survey study, where a structured questionnaire was adapted on a five-point Likert scale. The data were collected from the farming community to know their psychological and behavioral preferences about their profession. This study has produced interesting results that education, training, and intrinsic motivation play a vital role in farmers’ ESE, affecting their entrepreneurial behaviors. This study will add to the body of knowledge and provide an eminent path for emerging entrepreneurs to find more mentorship opportunities to overcome the limitations in upcoming endeavors influencing education and training.

How do followers infer the motives behind an influencer's advertising disclosures?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haejoo Han ◽  
Jisu Yi ◽  
Sunghee Jun ◽  
Sungsook Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Anova Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Advertising Disclosure

PurposeIn the context of influencer marketing, this study examines the effects of explicit advertising disclosure on consumers' inference regarding influencers' sincere recommendation intent, and its consequences for consumers' purchase intentions.Design/methodology/approachIn Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to the conditions of explicit advertising disclosure (e.g. #AD, #Sponsored) and subtle advertising disclosure (e.g. #ThankYou), and indicated their inference regarding influencers' recommendation motives and their own purchase intentions. One-way ANOVA analysis reveals the effect of advertising disclosure on consumers' purchase intentions and the PROCESS model indicates the mediating role of consumers' inferences regarding influencers' sincere recommendation intent. In Study 2, we implemented a 2 (explicit vs. subtle advertising disclosure) × 2 (moderate vs. large size of followers) between-subjects design, using a two-way ANOVA analysis. We analyzed the moderated mediation effect via the PROCESS model.FindingsConsumers are less inclined to purchase products when influencers express explicit advertising disclosures, compared to when the advertising disclosures are subtle (Study 1). These negative effects of advertising disclosure can be caused by consumers' inferences regarding influencers' sincere recommendation intent in terms of posting content (Studies 1 and 2). Additionally, the negative effect is particularly prominent when an influencer has a large (vs. moderate) number of followers (Study 2).Originality/valueBy examining (1) the effects of explicit advertising disclosure on consumers' inference regarding influencers' persuasion motives and (2) the role of the influencer's number of followers, this research provides both theoretical and practical insights for understanding how best to implement influencer marketing.

The relationship between workplace ostracism and information exchange: the mediating role of self-serving behavior

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Gkorezis ◽  
Victoria Bellou
Keyword(s):  
Information Exchange ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Workplace Ostracism ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Purpose The detrimental effect of workplace ostracism on core employee and organizational outcomes has received increasing attention. However, very little is known about its impact on group related outcomes. Given that workplace relationships play a salient role in enhancing employee willingness to share information and knowledge, the present paper examines the link between workplace ostracism and information exchange. In doing so, we also highlight the mediating role of a novel construct, namely self-serving behavior. Design/methodology/approach To test our hypotheses, we conducted two studies using both a scenario paradigm (54 students) and a field study (172 working adults). Findings Results indicated that self-serving behavior fully mediates the effect of workplace ostracism on employee information exchange. Research limitations/implications Both studies have limitations that need to be considered. The scenario paradigm lacks realism whereas the cross-sectional nature of our survey cannot infer causality. As regards the latter, data were collected using a single source and thus common method variance may exist. Originality/value The present study provides novel insights into the outcomes of workplace ostracism and the underlying mechanisms that account for its negative effect. Moreover, it adds to limited current knowledge on self-serving behavior.

scholarly journals Influence of Challenge–Hindrance Stressors on Unethical Pro-Organizational Behavior: Mediating Role of Emotions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7576
Author(s):  
Lin Xu ◽  
Jigan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Suppression Effect ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Unethical Behaviors ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

Unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB), which threatens the sustainable development of enterprises, has become important research content in organizational management in recent years. Based on the framework of challenge–hindrance stressors, we explored the effect of stress on UPB from an emotional perspective. Multi-mediation models were constructed to reveal the relationship between stressors (challenge and hindrance stressors) and UPB, and the mediating roles of individual anxiety, attentiveness, and anger. The results of 375 questionnaires indicated that challenge stressors had no significant relationship with UPB due to the presence of the suppression effect. Challenge stressors had a positive effect on UPB through anxiety and a negative effect on UPB through attentiveness. Hindrance stressors had a positive effect on UPB through the mediation of anxiety and anger. Managers can benefit from the findings to correctly cope with employees’ emotional reactions and unethical behaviors caused by work stress, and take appropriate management measures to reduce and prevent employees’ UPB.

Left out of the office “tribe”: the influence of workplace ostracism on employee work engagement

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 2717-2735
Author(s):  
Kavitha Haldorai ◽  
Woo Gon Kim ◽  
Kullada Phetvaroon ◽  
Jun (Justin) Li
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Work Motivation ◽  
Workplace Harassment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Workplace Ostracism ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Employee Work Engagement ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how workplace ostracism influences employee work engagement. It further examines the mediating role of workplace belongingness and moderating role of intrinsic work motivation. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from 402 hotel employees from Thailand. A second stage moderated-mediation is used to test the relationship between workplace ostracism and employee work engagement. Findings Workplace ostracism negatively impacts employee work engagement and workplace belongingness mediates this relationship. The negative effect of workplace ostracism on employee work engagement through workplace belongingness is stronger for employees high on intrinsic motivation. Practical implications Hotel firms should make social connection an organization-wide strategic priority. They can include workplace ostracism as workplace harassment in their policy. Originality/value Besides contributing to the nascent literature on workplace ostracism in the hospitality industry, the present study extends research on workplace ostracism by empirically testing the relationship between workplace ostracism and employee work engagement. By using workplace belongingness as a mediator, a better understanding is provided regarding “why” workplace ostracism relates to employee work engagement. By introducing intrinsic work motivation as a moderator, scholars can gain a better understanding in regard to “whom” workplace ostracism negatively relates to employee work engagement.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE’S RESILIENCE ON ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE: MEDIATING ROLE OF COMPASSION

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-164
Author(s):  
Khaliq Ur Rehman ◽  
Farhan Aslam ◽  
Qamar Uddin Maitlo
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Hypothesis Test ◽  
Empirical Test ◽  
The Body ◽  
Organizational Resilience ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
New Concepts

Main aim of this research was to investigate the protagonist of individual‟s resilience to build up organizational resilience. Individual‟s resilience is much needed at the time of crises, restructuring, transformation, turbulent and unfavorable conditions. Second objective of this research is to test the mediating role of compassion between the relationships of individual‟s resilience and organizational resilience. This research contributed in the body of knowledge while bring new concepts together and the main contribution is testing the role of compassion between the relationships. Empirical test like correlation, regression and Sobel test was run to test the hypothesis. Test of the correlation and regression analysis demonstrate that there exist a positive and momentous association Employee‟s Resilience and Organizational Resilience. Sobel test was used to test the mediating role on compassion and results show that there is a partial mediation, but results are significant.

scholarly journals Focus on the Beauty of Body: The Mediation Role of Body Appreciation Between Perfectionism and Body-Related Shame and Body-Related Guilt

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Liang ◽  
Shen Lingting ◽  
Cai Ying ◽  
Liu Xiaoyan ◽  
Zhang Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Shame And Guilt ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives: According to traditional views, perfectionists are prone to experience shame and guilt. As a relative part of negative body image, body appreciation reflects an appreciation attitude toward physical characteristics, functionality, and health, accepting and appreciating all parts and functions of the body, predicting body-related shame and guilt.Methods: Therefore, body appreciation was examined for its potential mediating role in the relationship between two dimensions of perfectionism (e.g., healthy perfectionism and unhealthy perfectionism) and body-related shame and body-related guilt among 514 females.Results: The results highlight that body appreciation partially mediated the relationship between perfectionism and body-related shame and body-related guilt. Implications for enhancing body appreciation among females between experiencing healthy or unhealthy perfectionism and body-related shame and body-related guilt feelings are discussed.Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of considering body appreciation in addressing perfectionism dimensions and body-related shame and body-related guilt. Research and clinical implications are also addressed.

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