Does managerial personality matter? Evidence from firms in Vietnam

Using novel data from micro, small, and medium firms in Vietnam, we estimate the relationship between behavioural and personality traits of owners/managers—risk attitudes, locus of control, and innovativeness—and firm-level decisions. We extend the analysis beyond standard metrics of firm performance such as revenue and growth to study intermediate investments, including product innovation, worker training, and adoption of workplace safety measures that are potentially conducive to observed firm performance. Our results show that innovativeness and locus of control are positively correlated with revenue while risk aversion predicts lower revenue. Risk aversion is positively correlated with the adoption of safety measures. Innovativeness, as expected, is associated with an increased probability of product innovations. An internal locus of control predicts higher probability of investments, innovations, and worker training. Heterogeneity analyses indicate that innovativeness and risk aversion matter more for firm outcomes in provinces characterized by better business climate. Our results are robust to a variety of checks. We contribute to a nascent and rapidly growing literature on the importance of managerial capital by shedding light on the role of managerial personality characteristics for decision-making in firms in a dynamic transition economy.

To identify predictors of the adoption of safety measures by mothers of 2 year old children. 26 municipalities in the county of Sogn and Fjordane, and four municipalities in the county of Møre and Romsdal in Norway. Data was collected by questionnaires mailed to all mothers of 2 year olds in the 30 municipalities (response rate 70.7%, n = 1233). Information was obtained on socioeconomic variables, the child's injury history, adoption of safety measures, and variables describing mother's health related beliefs (parent health locus of control) and the value of health (health value). Income, municipality of residence, age of the mother, and marital status were significantly associated with the reported adoption of safety measures. High income and older, married mothers were positively associated with the adoption of safety measures. The significant effect of income on the adoption of safety measures, underlined by the fact that safety measures were less often adopted by young single mothers, may indicate that the implementation of structural measures such as loan schemes and subsidies, are necessary to increase the adoption of child safety measures. The lack of association between education and social cognitive beliefs, respectively, and the adoption of safety measures, offer less optimism for traditional health education initiatives.

BackgroundOpioid treatment programs (OTPs) serve as daily essential services for people with opioid use disorder. This study seeks to identify modifications to operations and adoption of safety measures at Pennsylvania OTPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA 25-min online survey to clinical and administrative directors at all 103 state-licensed OTPs in Pennsylvania was fielded from September to November 2020. Survey domains included: 1) changes to services, client volume, hours and staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic 2) types of services modifications 3) safety protocols to reduce COVID-19 transmission 4) challenges to operations during the pandemic.ResultsForty-seven directors responded, for a response rate of 45%. Almost all respondents reported making some service modification (96%, n = 43). Almost half (47%, n = 21) of respondents reported reductions in the number of clients served. OTPs were more likely to adopt safety protocols that did not require significant funding, such as limiting the number of people entering the site (100%, n = 44), posting COVID-safety information (100%, n = 44), enforcing social distancing (98%, n = 43), and increasing sanitation (100%, n = 44). Only 34% (n = 14) of OTPS provided N95 masks to most or all staff. Respondents reported that staff’s stress and negative mental health (86%, n = 38) and staff caregiving responsibilities (84%, n = 37) during the pandemic were challenges to maintaining OTP operations.ConclusionOTPs faced numerous challenges to operations and adoption of safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding mechanisms and interventions to improve adoption of safety protocols, staff mental health as well as research on patient experiences and preferences can inform further OTP adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic and future emergency planning.

Contributions to risk management : On the balance between value creation and protection

This coronavirus disease’s impact, effect, and spread largely depend on how people behave and react mindfully. According to the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) theory, the only way to war against COVID-19 is to ensure allegiance to all Pakistanis’ controlled maneuvers nationwide. To control this pandemic, the determination of safety measures practiced by people and their associated factors are of great importance. This study aimed to explore Pakistani’s perception of the economic and psychological risks related to COVID-19 and the association of perceived risks with adopting safety measures. The was conducted among 1,058 Pakistanis using a self-developed survey questionnaire from March 15 to June 15, 2020 - using a mobile application. The analysis revealed that more participants agreed that (i) Covid 19 is associated with economic threats to the overall economy, (ii) social media and the Government is causing more psychological threat than the virus, and (iii) personal and imposed safety measures should be observed during the spread of the virus. Moreover, regression analysis indicates that economic and psychological threats were significantly and positively correlated with personal safety measures but not government-imposed safety measures. Moreover, economic and psychological threats are significant predictors of personal safety measures. This study is helpful as it is the first to inform about the threats associated with this pandemic and their association with safety measures practiced by Pakistan’s population.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12652-022-04421-8.

This study aims to investigate the effects of product and process innovations on manufacturing firm performance in Southeast Asian emerging markets. To this end, using a cross-national sample of 2324 manufacturing firms from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) dataset of 2015, we test the effects of product and process innovations on the sales growth of manufacturing firms in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. This study finds that product innovation is positively related to sales growth while new operating technologies are negatively associated with sales growth. For high-tech firms, product innovation is positively related to sales growth. The findings imply that in Southeast Asian emerging markets, governments and manufacturing firms can enhance performance by investing in product innovation.

Introduction: The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic during early 2020 forced the people to make drastic changes in their lifestyle. The people’s response to preventive measures initiated by the Government to control COVID-19 is the focus of the study. Aim: To assess the knowledge for prevention and adoption of safety measures against COVID-19 by the tribal masses. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study, covering 300 selected tribal families, was conducted in a tribal belt during the period September 2020 to December 2020. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic profile, knowledge aspects and adoption pattern regarding preventive measures of COVID-19. The head of the family or in his/her absence any available adult family member has been the respondent to provide the required information. Based on maximum score of 15 for correct knowledge, the families were categorised as poor (≤5), average (6-10) and good (11-15). With a maximum score of 24 for correct adoption, the categorisation was made as poor (≤8), average (9-16) and good (17-24). The association of socio-demographic factors with knowledge and practice level was tested through Chi-square test and correlation coefficient between knowledge and adoption scores. Results: Among the 300 families studied, the nuclear type tribal families dominated in the study area 204 (68%) and the average age of respondents was 61 years. The mean knowledge score was 7.6 (50.67%) and adoption score was 11.22 (46.75%). The percentage shares of respondents in poor, average and good categories were 31.33%, 35.33% and 33.33% for knowledge and 32.66%, 34.66% and 32.66%, respectively for adoption scores. The education level, income of the family and access to media sources were found to have significant association between knowledge and adoption scores. Conclusion: The highest education level of family members, family income and access to media sources were significantly associated with knowledge as well as practice. The positive correlation between knowledge and adoption scores indicated that the adoption level can be improved by enhancing knowledge to the socially backwards tribal communities. Socially visible practices like mask wearing were well adopted by tribals whereas the adoption level of invisible components like immunity building was relatively low.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between organizational innovation and performance of firms in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, the author proposed five hypotheses covering the relationships between different aspects of organizational innovation and firm performance. Data collected from a survey of 266 firms in Vietnam were analyzed to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsTwo out of three aspects of organizational innovation, including “innovation in business practices” and “innovation in workplace organization,” are significantly positively associated with firm performance. However, there was no evidence to support the relationship between firm performance and the third organizational innovation aspect, “organizational innovation in external relations.” The results also show that the interaction terms among three aspects of organizational innovation do not have significant impacts on firm performance.Practical implicationsFirms in Vietnam should pay more attention to innovation in business practices and innovation in workplace organization since two aspects have clear positive influences on performance. Moreover, firms can perform each of the organizational innovation aspects independently or in parallel, as the implementation of organizational innovation in one aspect does not influence the impact on the firm performance of organizational innovation in other aspects.Originality/valueThis study provides important insights into the widely recognized yet little-researched relationship between organizational innovation and firm performance and concludes that organizational innovation has a positive impact on firm performance.

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of the servicescape in the customer experience management (CEM) of a themed amusement park following the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the managers’ and customers’ perspectives, this study specifically addresses the following three research questions: first, What changes have occurred in the servicescape following the adoption of safety measures in the park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Second, What are the effects of these safety measures in relation to CEM? Third, What are the changes that could be maintained in the future to continue improving the customer experiential journey in the park?Design/methodology/approachA single case study method was adopted. Gardaland Park was selected as the case for this study. Data were collected from several sources: in-depth interviews with managers of Gardaland Park, focus group interviews with customers, and the corporate website and documentary. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine the data.FindingsThe findings reveal that safety measures affect the physical, social and digital (e- and smart) servicescape by influencing the aesthetic (reassurance), entertainment (relaxation), escapist (enjoyment and distraction) and educational (learning) experiences. Among the various changes implemented, the digital servicescape can be improved in the future when the pandemic is over by providing flexible solutions in relation to services at the park (e.g. virtual queuing) or on the website (e.g. dynamic booking).Practical implicationsThe findings provide park managers with practical advice about servicescape organization to facilitate offering safe and memorable customer experiences.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to address the effects of safety measures on the servicescape and CEM in themed amusement parks after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adolescents generally have twice the injury incidence of adults. This increased risk of injury may partly be a consequence of the types of activities performed, the level of exposure to products and the safety behavior. The purpose of this paper was to identify possible predictors for the increased injury risk of adolescents compared to adults. To this end, all 18- and 45-year-olds in a major city in Norway received a questionnaire asking for information on injury experience, level of use and risk perceptions concerning 14 specific products, and the adoption of safety measures; 686 18-year-olds and 81 o 45-year-olds answered the questionnaire. The adolescents reported a higher injury incidence as compared to adults for all the listed products. The difference was significant even after controlling for level of use. Adolescents also had higher levels of risk perception and decreased adoption of safety measures as compared to adults. Females reported less injuries but higher levels of risk perception than males. Females also adopted more safety measures. An important finding from this study was that adolescents, as compared to adults, also expose themselves to increased risk levels when ‘ordinary’ products are concerned, and not only in terms of well-known high-risk activities (driving fast, skiing downhill, etc.). This tends to support the idea that more general factors or dimensions of risk-related behaviors may exist which should be accounted for in the planning of injury prevention activities.

Introduction This study aimed to assess the risk perception among healthcare workers regarding occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs (AD). Risk perception involves subjective judgments about risk characteristics and severity, influencing how people handle hazards they care about. Methods A survey was conducted on 229 healthcare workers handling AD. They used a 1 to 5 Likert scale to rate their risk perception, covering awareness of risk severity, preventive measures, fear of illness or injury, and personal exposure to health and safety risks. The survey also explored perceptions of traditional risks and those linked to AD exposure. Results Results showed that approximately 63% of workers feel exposed to “chemical risk,” and 65% to “work-related stress” (rated 4 or 5 on the scale). Around 66% of workers believe they understand the extent of the risk, and 67% are aware of health risks associated with AD exposure. Approximately 32% and 38% of workers fear getting injured or sick, respectively. Moreover, 71% claimed to be informed about safety measures against AD exposure risks, with 50% believing these measures are sufficient to protect their health. Discussion The study emphasizes the significant impact of risk perception on healthcare workers’ awareness and adoption of safety measures when handling AD. While many workers acknowledge the risks and the importance of preventive measures, there are differences in their perceptions of the measures’ adequacy. Conclusions Further exploration of the relationship between risk perception levels, safety behaviour and impacts on health can offer valuable insights for improving occupational health and safety protocols in healthcare settings.

Some developing countries in Africa are waking up to the broadband race by providing public access to information communications technologies (ICTs) to instigate social and economic development and to narrow the digital divide. One of such countries is Nigeria, which ranked 60th in 2006 in e-readiness report by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Consequently, the market, marketers and repairers of electrical electronic equipment (EEE) are growing geometrically in Nigeria. Incorporated in EEE are about 46 separate chemical substances or elements, some of which are hazardous. Their emission from EEE translates to toxicity through inhalation of the polluted air, especially by marketers and repairers. Becoming aware of this danger is key to exercising the necessary caution in handling EEE. This study assessed the awareness of marketers and repairers of EEE toxicity and adoption of safety measures against the same. Questionnaires were administered on 80 purposively selected marketers in Alaba International Market, Lagos and on 20 repairers in C-to-C Plaza, Enugu. Data were analysed using average mean score technique.  Results show that all participants were completely ignorant of the toxicity associated with EEE and did not associate it with various symptoms of ill-health.The study recommends education programmes for marketers and repairers of EEE and developing policies on how to handle EEE.   Key words:  Hazardous chemical components, electrical electronic equipment, toxicity awareness, handlers, safety measures.

The impact of Better Work (ILO/OFC) is assessed on costs, profits, productivity and business terms for firms in Vietnam, Indonesia and Jordan. Participation in Better Work has a positive productivity effect on Vietnamese and Indonesian firms. Productivity gains are captured by workers in the form of higher pay. Unit costs rise due to increased compliance with payment requirements such as the minimum wage, paying as promised and mandated promotions. Despite the increase in wages, profits for firms in Better Work Vietnam and Indonesia increase due to improved business terms such as larger orders and possibly an increase in price. The impact of Better Work Jordan suggests that exposure to the program for individual firms may have temporarily increased costs and lowered profits. However, the Jordanian apparel industry becomes more profitable over time, suggesting a positive country reputation effect. Participation in Better Work and firm performance are not jointly determined by manager quality. Early entrants into Better Work are, on average, high cost-low profit firms.

Catastrophic risk perceptions and attitudes in aquaculture: Evidence from flood prone areas of Bangladesh

<abstract> <p>Indonesian rubber farming has the largest area in the world, but its implementation faces various risks that decrease productivity and farm income. This study is designed to specify the risk perception, risk attitude and determinant factors for smallholder rubber farmers. The research location was in four subdistricts in West Kalimantan Province, with a sample size of 200 farmers. Data collection was carried out by interview using a structured questionnaire. The risk matrix, Holt and Laury's method and the logit model were used to identify risk perception, risk attitude and determinant factors. The study results showed that most rubber farmers were risk-averse and perceived climate change, plant diseases and price change as high risks. The logit model found that farmers' age, education, rubber plantation size, rubber age, distance and use of rubber clones had a positive and significant effect on farmers' risk perception, while the family size and farming experience had a negative effect. Regarding risk attitude, the logit model found that rubber age, distance and risk perception of price change had a positive and significant effect on farmers' risk aversion, while farmers' age and use of rubber clones had a negative effect. This study recommends providing informal education to the farmers through training and counseling, encouraging the farmers to replant old or damaged rubber trees and adopt rubber clones. Furthermore, it is also necessary to improve road facilities and infrastructure, communication and transportation access to facilitate farming activities.</p> </abstract>