An investigation of the internal environment and its effect on the sustainability of social enterprises in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad Sarfaraz Khan ◽  
Qadar Bakhsh Baloch ◽  
Syed Naseeb Ullah Shah

This study aims to examine how factors related to internal environment (i.e. human resource skills, organizational culture and funding) affect the sustainability of social enterprises in Pakistan. The three internal factors i.e. human resource skills; organizational culture and funding were hypothesized to have a positive impact on the sustainability of social enterprises in Pakistan. The study employed questionnaire survey to collect data from a total of 300 respondents using convenient sampling. The theoretical model proposed in the current study was tested using structural equation modeling. The structural model supports all hypotheses proposed in the current study. Results suggest that human resource skills, organizational culture and funding have significant positive impact on the sustainability of social enterprises in Pakistan. The study also demonstrates implications for researchers and practitioners with avenues for future research. Keywords: Social enterprises, sustainability, organization culture, funding, human resource skills.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taghreed Al Dari ◽  
Fauzia Jabeen ◽  
Matloub Hussain ◽  
Dana Al Khawaja

Purpose This study aims to develop a theoretical framework of the impact of clan and hierarchy cultures and knowledge technological capabilities on organizational learning. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 693 employees working in knowledge management centers in various law and enforcement units in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the variables. Findings The findings show that the clan culture had a significant negative effect on organizational learning. However, hierarchy culture and knowledge technological capabilities had a significant positive impact in predicting organizational learning behavior. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on a specific type of public organization only, which somewhat limits the generalizability of the research results. Second, as the study was cross-sectional, the causal relationships could not be inferred directly. The study results will help policymakers create a learning organization by examining the impact of organizational culture and knowledge of technological capabilities. Originality/value This paper has added knowledge about the relationship between culture types, knowledge technological capabilities and organizational learning, particularly in the UAE. This study helps to bridge the gap in research on culture and knowledge technological capabilities and organizational learning.


1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios D. Sideridis ◽  
Judy P. Chandler

The Teacher Integration Attitudes Questionnaire (TIAQ) was developed in order to assess the attitudes and beliefs of teachers (n = 110) with regard to the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings. Using Structural Equation Modeling, the final structural model of the TIAQ comprised four constructs, namely, “Skills,” “Benefits,” “Acceptance,” and “Support.” The final model was fully supported by the derivation sample of music education teachers (n = 54) and produced a Comparative Fit Index (CFI = 1.00). The replication sample of physical education teachers (n = 56) partially supported the generality of the TIAQ, (CFI = .844). Further, the internal consistency properties of the TIAQ (Cronbach’s alpha was .77 for both samples) were satisfactory. We conclude that the psychometric properties of the TIAQ were adequate, and it can be used as a valid assessment in evaluating the status of inclusion for students with disabilities as perceived by music education and physical education teachers. However, future research is needed to support its generality with other groups of teachers and professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-32
Author(s):  
Titi Laras ◽  
Rutha Mathilde Santana ◽  
Bambang Jatmiko ◽  
Tiyas Puji Utami

Research aims: This study aims to examine the role of career development in mediating the relationship between intellectual capital and organizational culture on employee performance.Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used a proportional stratified random sampling method with 126 permanent employees of local banks in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as research respondents. The respondents included Head Office, Main Branch Office, and Senopati Branch Office. The data were collected by distributing a questionnaire, and the secondary data were in the form of data or documents that supported and strengthened the primary information from books, magazines, journals, and other documents. Then, the analytical tool utilized in this study was SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) to test the research hypotheses.Research findings: The results showed that intellectual capital and organizational culture had a positive and significant effect on career development and performance, but career development had no positive and significant effect on performance. Meanwhile, career development could not mediate the effect of intellectual capital and organizational culture on performance.Theoretical contribution/Originality: The study results contribute to the literature (body of knowledge), especially as additional discussion toward theory and literature related to intellectual capital, organizational culture, career development, and performance in local banks, which is still very limited.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Awad ◽  
Alaa A. Amro

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to map the cluster in the leather and shoes sector for improving the competitiveness of the firms. Toward this end, the study is organized to examine the impact of clustering on competitiveness improvement. The influence of competitive elements and performance (Porter’s diamond) and balanced score card was utilized. Design/methodology/approach A random sample of 131 respondents was chosen during the period from May 2016 to July 2016. A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was applied to investigate the research model. This approach was chosen because of its ability to test casual relationships between constructs with multiple measurement items. Researchers proposed a two-stage model-building process for applying SEM. The measurement model was first examined for instrument validation, followed by an analysis of the structural model for testing associations hypothesized by the research model. Findings The main findings show that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between improvements of performance and achieve competitiveness and also reveal that the Palestinian shoes and leather cluster sector is vital and strong, and conclude that clustering can achieve competitiveness for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Research limitations/implications Future research can examine the relationship between clustering and innovation. The effect of clustering using other clustering models other than Porter’s model is advised to be used for future research. Practical implications The relationships among clustering and competitiveness may provide a practical clue to both, policymakers and researchers on how cluster enhances economic firms such as a skilled workforce, research, development capacity, and infrastructure. This is likely to create assets such as trust, synergy, collaboration and cooperation for improved competitiveness. Originality/value The findings of this study provide background information that can simultaneously be used to analyze relationships among factors of innovation, customer’s satisfaction, internal business and financial performance. This study also identified several essential factors in successful firms, and discussed the implications of these factors for developing organizational strategies to encourage and foster competitiveness.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 822-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Sik Cho ◽  
Joo Y. Jung

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to verify the universal applicability of total quality management (TQM) across national boundaries. Specifically, the authors examined the validity of the isomorphic nature of TQM leadership style by comparing survey samples from both USA-based firms (n=112) and China-based firms (n=121). Design/methodology/approach – The authors collected the primary data through a survey research method. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were adopted to test the hypothesized research model. Findings – The study results did not support the universality of TQM practices. For example, the results reveal that in the USA-based firms, transformational leadership has a more significant positive influence on TQM practices, while in the China-based firms, transactional leadership has a more significant positive impact on TQM practices. Originality/value – Most of the existing literature on TQM assumed that the most effective TQM leadership style would be universal across organizational or international boundaries. However, our findings imply that the effective leadership style for successful implementation of TQM practices could be contingent on the cultural background embedded within the firms. Therefore, the authors anticipate the findings of the study will guide future research on TQM and create a new path to find solutions not only for optimizing the successful implementation of TQM, but also for minimizing the current high level of TQM failures.


Author(s):  
Ying Chieh Liu

Although virtual teams have been widely utilized nowadays, social relationships are considered highly problematic within virtual teams. This study addresses social dimensions to provide suggestions for mangers to improve the performance and satisfaction of virtual teams. We build a model derived from a comprehensive literature review and conduct an experiment to validate it through Structural Equation Modeling. The results reveal: (1) communication has a direct positive impact on relationship building, but indirect positive effects on performance and satisfaction; (2) relationship building impacts directly with strong and positive impacts on cohesion and trust, but indirectly with strong impacts on performance and satisfaction ; (3) cohesion has a direct, strong and positive impact on performance but a strong indirect impact on satisfaction; (4) trust has a positive direct impact on performance but an indirect positive impact on satisfaction; (5) performance has a strong and positive impact on satisfaction. In addition, this study confirms that relationship building is a vital mediator in the social relationship model. Managerial implications and future research directions are identified.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rimantas Gatautis† ◽  
Egle Vaiciukynaite ◽  
Asta Tarute

Purpose Business model innovations (BMIs), their drivers and outcomes are attracting increasing attention in academic literature. However, previous studies have mainly focused on large companies, while knowledge of BMI in small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to add new insights into how related BMI drivers, practices and outcomes are in relation to SMEs. Design/methodology/approach An extensive review of the existing literature was performed. Consequently, the relationships between BMI drivers, BMI practices and outcomes of BMI were developed as a conceptual framework. An empirical study was carried out. A structural equation modeling (SEM) procedure was used to empirically test the model using a quantitative data set of Lithuanian SMEs (n=73). Findings The study provides insights into the relations between BMI drivers, BMI practices and outcomes of BMI in SMEs. The findings of SEM, four drivers (innovation activities, strategic orientation, market and technology turbulence, respectively) are indicated to contribute to BMI of SMEs. In addition, the results proved that the implementation of BMI practices leads to strategic and architectural changes in firms and has a positive impact on SMEs performance and innovativeness. Research limitations/implications Empirical research is focused on a limited number of internal and external BMI drivers, which have an influence on BMI in SMEs from one geographical region. Consequently, there are many external and internal BMI drivers which also may have an influence on BMI in SMEs, such as industry life cycle, organizational inertia and leadership. Meanwhile, SMEs possess multiple characteristics, i.e. a phase of maturity, gender of CEO, firm size and industry; therefore, the aforesaid aspects are considered to be significant limitations. In addition, the importance of SMEs characteristics as mediators for the effects on a firm’s performance and innovativeness should be considered in future research avenues. Practical implications Findings of this research can be used by SME managers to better understand how firms might actively engage in BMI practices, what drivers lead to BMI and, in turn, affect their firm’s performance and innovativeness. SME managers should be encouraged to pay attention to strategic and architectural changes of BM that can contribute to enterprise performance and innovativeness. Originality/value This paper adds to the stream of BMI research by empirically exploring drivers and outcomes of BMI in SMEs. In addition, this paper fulfills research gaps proposed by Bouwman et al. (2018), Foss and Saebi (2017), Heikkilä, Bouwman and Heikkilä (2018) and Lambert and Davidson (2013), and enhances the current overall understanding of BMIs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq Jajja ◽  
Mohammad Khurrum Bhutta ◽  
Shahzad Naeem Qureshi

PurposeLean (TQM and JIT) and agile manufacturing (AM) are viewed as strategic capabilities that can help firms to meet diverse set of market demands. However, the question whether lean manufacturing and AM are complementary or competing capabilities is still open to discussion. This research proposes an integrated research framework that draws on complementary theory, theory of systems, and concept of fit to examine this question regarding these two strategic capabilities.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 248 apparel exporting firms, and the proposed model is evaluated using structural equation modeling.FindingsResults show that lean manufacturing, AM, and supporting management and infrastructural practices have positive and complementary effects on firm's performance. Further, results depict that lean manufacturing and AM complementarity is a complete organizational synergistic phenomenon, and piecemeal implementation of these initiatives may lead to suboptimal or unsatisfactory results. Results also indicate that there is no significant direct (correlated and uncorrelated) relationship of management, infrastructure, lean manufacturing, and AM practices with firm's performance and support that lean manufacturing and AM are not competing paradigms.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is based on cross-sectional data from one industry. Future research should collect data from diverse sectors in different countries.Practical implicationsThis study provides a key insight for manufacturing managers that piecemeal implementation of lean manufacturing and AM does not yield optimal outcomes. In addition, study suggests that lean manufacturing and AM complementarity builds on strong foundation of strategic management and internal and external infrastructure. Therefore, managers should focus on development of skilled and empowered human resources, technological advancements, and learning and virtually integrated organizations for effective implementation of lean manufacturing and AM.Originality/valueProposed framework is one of the first, if not the first, that seeks to resolve the question: whether lean manufacturing and AM are complementary or competing capabilities. Complementary effects of lean manufacturing and AM along with management, internal infrastructure, and common external infrastructure practices have positive impact on performance. This study also segregated infrastructure practices into internal and common external infrastructure practices.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaobing Wu

Drawing upon a sample of 772 migrant children and their parents in Shanghai, China, this study used an ecological framework to investigate how social capital embedded in a range of social contexts (i.e., family, school, peer, and community) influenced the psychosocial adjustment of Chinese migrant children. Using structural equation modeling with latent variables, the study results suggested that higher levels of family, school, and peer social capital were all associated with better psychosocial adjustment of migrant children, with school social capital showing the strongest effect. In addition, these three dimensions of social capital also mediated the effect of community social capital on children’s psychosocial adjustment. Implications of these findings for theory, practice, and future research were discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
METIN ARGAN ◽  
SABRI KAYA ◽  
CANER OZGEN ◽  
GOZDE YETIM ◽  
ALIKHAN GUSEYNO

Background: Leisure experience, including dance motivation, is one of the key factors for participation in dance events or festivals. Therefore, the experience quality that facilitates individual relationships is likely to influence the dancers’ participation. The purpose of this study is to determine and to analyze dance experience motivations, experience quality, satisfaction and word-of-mouth. Material and methods: The sample of this study consisted of 201 persons who attended the Turkey Dance Festival and who were selected by the convenience sampling method. In this study, the theoretical principles of structural equation modeling (SEM) were applied with the Amos 20 program to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that there were significant relationships (<0.05) between dance experience motivations, experience quality, satisfaction and WOM. This study results are important both as significant and practical implication for leisure managers’ strategies regarding their leisure and experience motivation, and contribution to the leisure literature. Conclusions: The findings of this study can help event managers contribute to increased participation in sustainable dance practices, and the participant-based experience value can be used as a planning tool to attract the attention of event organizers. The findings of this study also give useful insights into theoretical, practical and managerial implications for dance event organization and provide suggestions for future research.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document