Competitive Industry Research Articles

IGNITING PEAK PERFORMANCE IN THE BANKING SECTOR: THE DYNAMIC SYNERGY OF LEADERSHIP, MOTIVATION, AND JOB SATISFACTION AT MAYBANK SABAH

This study investigates the influence of leadership styles, motivation, and job satisfaction on employee performance at Maybank Sabah. A quantitative approach was used to explore the complex relationships between these factors. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires, which were distributed to the staff of Maybank, Sabah. A total of 279 employees participated and contributed to the data analysis and conclusion of this study. The data was analysed using SmartPLS 4. The findings reveal that all three variables significantly impact employee performance, with job satisfaction emerging as the strongest predictor. While leadership and motivation play crucial roles, job satisfaction has the most profound effect on enhancing employee outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of creating a motivating work environment and fostering job satisfaction to optimize productivity. By focusing on the banking sector in East Malaysia, this research addresses a notable gap in the literature. Additionally, this study provides actionable insights for bank managers aiming to enhance employee performance and organizational excellence. The results carry significant implications for management practices, offering guidance on how to refine leadership strategies and improve motivation to drive productivity in the competitive financial industry.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0797/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The Belt and Road Initiative: Industry Competition and Corporate Environmental Information Disclosure in China

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant Chinese strategic measure designed to construct a platform for multinational cooperation. The study investigates whether the BRI construction influences corporate environmental information disclosure (EID) and whether the industry competition moderates their relationship. Adopting the legitimacy theory, we assume that firms focus more on EID to differentiate themselves after the BRI construction, especially amongst fierce competition where firms apply the EID strategy more for higher legitimacy. Taking the BRI construction in 2014 as an exogenous shock, we use a difference-in-differences method (DID) and propensity score matching difference-in-differences method (PSM-DID) based on the panel data of 4099 A-share listed firms from 2008 to 2022 and take the parallel trend and placebo tests for the robustness. We reveal a significant improvement in the EID of firms within the BRI stock sector following its establishment, with the effect of the BRI construction being further strengthened by industry competition. Leveraging legitimacy theory, the paper sheds light on the motivations behind EID and how industry competition serves as a moderating factor of the EID-promoting effects brought by the BRI construction.

Global Competitiveness of China's New Energy Vehicle Industry: The Dual Role of Production Factors and Market Demand

In recent years, China's new energy automobile industry has risen rapidly and become an important player in the global market. Against the background of the global response to climate change and the promotion of green development, the development of the new energy automobile industry is not only related to China's economic transformation, but also occupies a pivotal position in the global industrial chain. This paper explores the dual impact of production factors and market demand on the global competitiveness of China's new energy automobile industry. By analyzing production factors such as technological innovation, R&D capability, human capital, supply chain efficiency and policy support, this paper describes the competitive advantages of China's new energy automobile industry in terms of technology and production. At the same time, this paper examines the driving role of domestic and international market demand and explores the impact of market demand on the globalization of the industry. Finally, this paper summarizes the achievements of China's new energy automobile industry in global competition, and looks forward to the path and strategy to enhance global competitiveness in the future.

Industrial Policy and The New Structural Economics Theory: A Transitional Economy Perspective

Abstract This paper explores the connection between industrial policy and New Structural Economics (NSE) from the perspective of a transitioning economy. The NSE emphasizes that by leveraging comparative advantages, investing in infrastructure and human capital, diversifying the industrial base, and enacting institutional reforms, transitioning economies can achieve sustainable economic development. For industrial policy to be effective, it must align with these principles. Using Bangladesh as a case study, this paper proposes a theoretical framework that links industrial policy with NSE to foster sustainable economic growth. The framework emphasizes the critical role of government intervention in resource allocation, benefit distribution, and industrial growth, all of which are driven by targeted industrial policies. Additionally, it categorizes Bangladesh’s industries into five groups, prioritizing leading-edge sectors focused on technological advancement and skill development over catching-up industries that address productivity gaps. This paper contributes to the understanding of Bangladesh’s industrial policy through the lens of NSE, shedding light on the underlying dynamics that shape the country's industrial structure, competitiveness, and future economic trajectory. JEL classification numbers: J18, L16, L52, L78. Keywords: Industrial Policy, New Structural Economics Theory (NSE), Sustainable Economic Growth, Comparative advantage, Government intervention.

Research on the Mechanism of Digital Economys Impact on Regional Industrial Structure Upgrading: A Case Study of Shenzhen

The digital economy, as an integrated economy, has become the driving force behind economic growth in various regions, fueling economic transformation and upgrading and serving as the focal point of industrial competition. Shenzhen, as a major first-tier city and a pilot demonstration area for socialism with Chinese characteristics, is taken as an example in this study. By exploring the mechanisms through which the digital economy impacts the upgrading of regional industrial structures, this paper analyzes how the digital economy promotes regional industrial transformation and upgrading through technological innovation, industrial integration, and market competition. It also discusses the existing problems and challenges, and proposes corresponding policy recommendations in areas such as talent cultivation, improving social welfare, and supporting enterprises to better leverage the role of the digital economy in upgrading the regional industrial structure. These efforts aim to ensure the sustainable development of Shenzhens economy, making the new engine more powerful in leading development, creating jobs, supporting international competition, and driving Shenzhens economic and social progress toward high quality.

Common Institutional Ownership and Auditor Risk Response

Based on the data of China's Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021, this paper investigates the relationship between a company's common institutional ownership and auditors' risk response behavior. The study shows that common institutional ownership drives auditors to increase audit investment and audit fees, which supports the collusive fraud effect. Further analysis reveals that the effect of common institutional ownership on auditor risk response behavior is more pronounced in firms with a higher degree of industry competition as well as in state-owned enterprises, and that Big Four auditors will be more sensitive to the collusive fraud effect of common institutional ownership and respond to this risk mainly by increasing audit investment. This paper not only enriches the research literature on the factors influencing auditors' risk response behavior and the economic consequences of common institutional ownership but also sheds light on how to improve corporate governance and regulate the market order in practice.

The current world economic situation and its impact on China's foreign exchange and foreign investment

In 2023, the world economy shows clear growth divergence and complex changes driven by technology. The United States economy is showing strong resilience, but its growth is still affected by inventory movements. In contrast, the economies of the euro area and Japan face serious challenges, while some emerging economies, such as India and Vietnam, show signs of a positive recovery. Meanwhile, prices in major economies generally rose, international trade improved slightly and financial markets picked up. In the coming period of time, the world economy is likely to be in the process of bottoming out and bottoming out, will continue to affect China's foreign trade and foreign investment fundamentals, China should overcome the risks and challenges, enhance confidence, increase policy support, and make every effort to create an environment conducive to the development of an export-oriented economy, and actively tap the new advantages of industrial competition, and to promote China's sustainable development of the economy.

How does market competition affect the reporting of sustainability practices? Insights from the UK and Germany

PurposeThis study tests the proprietary cost of reporting sustainability practices. It explores how market competition impacts the reporting of corporate sustainability information. Further, it examines whether the influence of market competition on sustainability reporting is affected by firm size.Design/methodology/approachIt uses two samples of the UK FTSE 350 and German Frankfurt CDAX nonfinancial firms from 2010 to 2023. The sustainability reporting scores for UK and German firms are their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure scores based on the Bloomberg disclosure index. The Herfindahl–Hirschman index has been utilized to measure a firm’s degree of market competition.FindingsThe results reveal that reporting sustainability practices is a negative function of the degree of market competition. Specifically, companies in highly competitive industries disclose less information about their sustainability practices, suggesting that firms view sustainability reporting as a potential source of competitive disadvantage and, therefore, choose to limit such disclosures to maintain a strategic advantage over rivals. Further, the findings reveal a negative impact of market competition on sustainability reporting among small firms. However, this effect is weak or absent among medium and large firms. The results are more observable in the liberal market economy (i.e. the UK) than in the coordinated market economy (i.e. Germany).Practical implicationsIt provides implications for policymakers and market participants to advocate for more significant policies that promote transparency and encourage companies to report their sustainability practices and performance, especially companies in highly competitive industries.Originality/valueIt provides the first evidence of how market competition influences corporate sustainability reporting, adding a deeper insight into another non-financial dimension of sustainability reporting. Likewise, it reflects the varying priorities of companies of different sizes in managing both competition and sustainability reporting. Besides, it is the first to explore this nexus in two distinct jurisdictions: the UK and Germany.

The impact of executive team competency-sharing degree on firm innovation performance

In China’s high-quality development context, the key role of executive teams in corporate innovation is increasingly prominent. However, effectively utilizing the synergistic effect of competencies within these teams to boost innovation performance remains a crucial research issue. A sample of 2,350 companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2010 to 2022 was used to examine the impact of the executive team’s capability-sharing degree on firm innovation performance. The study indicates that the degree of managerial competence sharing, entrepreneurial competence sharing, and technological competence sharing within the executive team positively impacts firm innovation performance. These findings remain robust in the face of variations in dependent variable measures, lagged independent variables, and the propensity score matching method. Environmental dynamism is identified as playing a positive moderating role in the relationship between the influence of managerial, entrepreneurial, and technological capability-sharing degrees and firm innovation performance. Further analysis of heterogeneity reveals that the impact of the executive team’s capability-sharing degree on firms’ innovation performance varies based on the nature of property rights, firm size, and industry competitiveness. This study, grounded in top-level ladder theory, offers a framework for enhancing team capabilities and overcoming growth obstacles through executive team competence sharing.

The impact of state-owned capital on labor cost stickiness in private firms: Evidence from China

Cost stickiness is common in enterprise production and can significantly affect internal resource allocation. Past studies suggest that cost stickiness is more prominent in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, these studies have not addressed the impact of state-owned capital (SOC) on the cost stickiness of private enterprises. This study examined the effect of SOC on labor cost stickiness in private firms, employing data from China's private listed firms from 2010 to 2019. Empirical results show that SOC participation in private firms concurrently increased adjustment costs and decreased financing constraints. SOC also significantly exacerbated labor cost stickiness. This relationship was more evident among ordinary employees, competitive industries, and China's central and western regions. The findings demonstrate that SOC participation can harm corporate productivity in the short term but can benefit corporate innovation in the long term.

Malaysia’s Industrial Competitiveness: Overview of Malaysia’s Industrial Collaboration Programme

This study examine the role of Malaysia's Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) in enhancing Malaysia Industrial Competitiveness (MIC) through the technology transfer (TT) and procurement value creation (PVC). The ICP, a government initiative aimed at leveraging procurement activities, facilitates the acquisition of advanced technologies from foreign partners while prioritizing local content development. Based upon the secondary data depicted from the TDA Report to the Ministry of Finance 2023 published by Technology Depository Agency (TDA) and Policy and Guidelines on Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) in Government Procurement, Second Edition, this study investigates the roles of the technology transfer (TT) and procurements value chain (PVC) on Malaysia’s Industrial Competitiveness (MIC). The results demonstrate the ICP’s role in increasing the competitiveness of local industries, encouraging innovation processes, and technology acquisition through partnerships with international counterparts. The paper will present the benefits and drawbacks of ICP and depict how the program will benefit Malaysia’s vision of shifting into a regional high-tech nation. The findings emphasize the need for continuous evaluation of ICP projects to maximize long-term competitiveness and economic sustainability.

WORKERS JOB SATISFACTION IN TEXTILE FACTORY: BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Textile industry represents one of the most competitive industries. Consequently, the management tend to create pressures to their workers to pace with the high productivity level. This constant pressure given to the workers may possibly affect their job satisfaction. Hence, this study focuses on the bibliometric analysis in mapping the trend, conceptual structure, and characteristic of job satisfaction of textile factory workers. The data collection process results in 147 papers out of the total of 241 extracted papers. According to the bibliometric analysis, research in this field is mainly led by the USA and France. The co-occurrence analysis shows Four major theme: Study on job satisfaction, worker’s health assessment, cultural influence on textile factory workers, and review on absenteeism. The results indicate that workers were more concerned about the security of their current position rather than overall employment security, and this factor affected their job satisfaction and well-being.

Advancing heavy manufacturing

Advancing heavy manufacturing The main objective of ENGINE is to develop a first-time-right (FTR) and zero-defect metal product design and manufacturing system, then demonstrate it on the marine engine supply chain. Our ambition is to increase the competitiveness of industry and SMEs, reduce manufacturing defects and waste, create new business cases and improve employee well-being.

Upstream propagation of shocks in supply chains: Evidence from earthquakes

AbstractWe investigate how natural disaster shocks to customers propagate upstream to suppliers’ investment. Using data from the major customers of Chinese listed firms and earthquake information during 2009–2019, we investigate the impact of customers’ earthquake exposure on corporate investment. We find that firms significantly reduce investment after their customers experience earthquakes, particularly for non‐state‐owned enterprises, firms with higher product uniqueness, firms in competitive industries, and firms in nondurable goods industries. Furthermore, our analysis highlights firms’ sales as one of the potential channels through which customers’ earthquake exposure influences firm investment. We also find that following an earthquake supplier firms reduce their transactions with the affected customers and develop alternative customers.

The Influence of Strategic Human Resource Practices and Ethical Leadership on Organizational Performance of Star Hotels: Mediated by Intellectual Capital and Sustainable Competitive Advantage

The study aims to analyze the influence of strategic human resource practices and ethical leadership on organizational performance in star-rated hotels in Jakarta, mediated by intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage. It addresses gaps in previous studies by examining both factors simultaneously and introducing decision making based on HR metrics. A quantitative method was employed, collecting data from HR supervisor level in star-rated hotels in Jakarta, with 255 respondents. Hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM analysis. Results indicate that strategic human resource practices and ethical leadership positively impact organizational performance. Intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage mediate this effect. These findings underscore the importance of investing in intellectual capital and sustainable competitive advantage to enhance hotel performance. The study provides a reference for hotel management to develop effective HR and leadership strategies, emphasizing the importance of intellectual capital and competitive advantage. Regular monitoring and evaluation of these strategies are recommended to ensure alignment and positive impacts on hotel performance. Future research should consider adding variables such as technological readiness and innovation capability, given the rapid technological advancements and intense competition in the hospitality industry, which affect hotel performance and competitive advantage.

СТРАТЕГІЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ПІДПРИЄМСТВА АГРАРНОГО СЕКТОРУ

With the development of the economy and constant changes in the external environment, it became more difficult for Ukrainian agricultural enterprises to conduct their activities, especially under the influence of two factors, namely the pandemic and the war. The Ukrainian economy, companies and population had not yet recovered from the consequences of COVID-19 when a full-scale invasion began, which forever changed the realities of both the agricultural sector and entrepreneurship. Global climate changes, international trade conditions, technological development and demographic changes were also important external factors, which created new challenges and opportunities for agricultural enterprises. In this context, there is a need to carry out their strategic analysis to determine competitiveness and develop effective development strategies. However, at the moment there is a need for a more detailed study of issues related to the analysis of internal and external factors, their interrelationship and influence on strategic decision-making in the agricultural sector. Thus, the problem that needs to be solved is the development of an integrated methodological approach for the strategic analysis of agricultural enterprises, which would take into account various aspects of their functioning and the impact of changes in the external environment. The article is devoted to a strategic analysis of the agricultural enterprise «Dekoplant». Based on the performed PEST and SWOT analyses, main threats, opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses of both the internal and external environments were identified. Among the identified threats and weaknesses are changes in trade policy conditions, national legislation, currency exchange rate fluctuations (USD and Euro), a weak development strategy, and ineffective marketing platforms. The opportunities and strengths encompass heightened quality and service level demands, high product quality, a diverse range of products, extensive experience, and a large customer base. The article highlights the significance of strategic analysis for efficient enterprise management and gaining competitive advantages. Additionally, top companies in Ukraine's agricultural sector were investigated to determine key industry trends and competitiveness. The analytical approach enables well-founded recommendations for optimizing the strategy of the «Dekoplant» enterprise considering the identified internal and external threats.

СУЧАСНІ МЕТОДИ ІНТЕРНЕТ-ПРОСУВАННЯ НА РИНКУ ДВЕРЕЙ

This article highlights current strategies and effective methods of promoting products in the door market via the Internet in the competitive struggle for sales markets. Analyzing a highly competitive industry, the authors examine various aspects of an effective online presence to increase store traffic and sales. The article focuses on the analysis and comparison of various modern methods of Internet promotion in the context of the door market, with an emphasis on determining the most effective approaches to their application, in particular, such as: social networks, search engine optimization, e-commerce, video marketing, cooperation with influencers, retargeting, content -marketing and adaptive web design. The authors examine each of these methods in detail, evaluating their cost, complexity of setup, and potential effectiveness for different target audiences. Special attention is paid to analyzing the needs of different market segments, such as: young professionals, married couples, older generations, eco-conscious buyers, developers, owners of commercial premises and real estate investors. The article examines exactly how strategies can help increase competitiveness and effectively attract the attention of the target audience. The authors emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach and individual targeting of each segment, taking into account their unique needs and preferences. The article also includes recommendations for the optimal combination of various Internet marketing methods to maximize the effectiveness of marketing efforts in the door market. Conclusions and proposals are based on a deep analysis of modern trends in digital marketing, as well as on the experience of the author team in this field. The article contains practical recommendations for companies specializing in the sale of doors, which seek to successfully market their products via the Internet. In particular, modern trends and innovative approaches for optimizing electronic business in the field of door production and their implementation are considered. This work can be useful for marketers, door manufacturers, and anyone interested in developing effective Internet marketing strategies in specific markets.

Innovative routes: The impact of strategic deviance on corporate success

In this study, we examine the influence of strategic deviance (STD) on U.S. firms' innovation from 2011 to 2019. Our primary findings indicate that STD has a positive effect on a firm's innovation. Furthermore, chain mediation analysis reveals that managerial ability, industry competition, and cash holding partially mediate the impact of STD on U.S. firms' innovation. The robustness of our results is confirmed through the application of two-stage least squares (2SLS) and propensity score matching with difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) to address endogeneity concerns, along with the use of alternative measures of STD. We also find that the impact of STD on innovation is more pronounced in the eastern U.S. and varies across different industries. Our study suggests a positive correlation between STD and corporate innovation, indicating that firms should consider adopting deviant strategies to enhance innovation, thereby benefiting both themselves and the entire industry.

Penalties imposed on board chairs and corporate innovation: evidence from China

ABSTRACT While previous literature has explored the role of board chairs in firm performance, little is known about how penalties imposed on board chairs shape firms’ strategic decisions and their risk attitude. This study investigates the impact of penalties imposed on board chairs on corporate innovation. Drawing upon the reputation repair and resource dependence perspectives, we present two competing hypotheses that provide distinct insights into how penalties imposed on board chairs influence corporate innovation. Employing a comprehensive dataset of Chinese listed firms, we find that penalties imposed on board chairs lead to a decline in corporate innovation, supporting the resource dependence hypothesis. Further analysis find that this effect is more pronounced in firms with low redundant resources, high media attention, high industry competition, and those are non-state-owned. Our findings contribute to the growing body of the literature on board chairs, innovation and regulatory penalties by exploring the impact of penalties against board chairs on corporate innovation.

The Impact of Employee Stock Ownership Plans on Capital Structure Decisions: Evidence from China

The determination of the capital structure is a critical component of a company’s financial decision-making process. The question of how to optimize a firm’s capital structure to increase its value has been a significant topic of interest within the financial community. The employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) has developed rapidly in China’s capital market over the past decade, providing a suitable context for studying the impact of employee equity incentives on capital structure decisions. This paper employs cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression models and unbalanced panel fixed effect models to investigate the impact of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) on firms’ capital structure decisions. The analysis is conducted on a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. The research considers both static capital structure choice and dynamic capital structure adjustment. We find that the implementation of an ESOP reduces the level of corporate debt and accelerates the dynamic adjustment of capital structure, suggesting that employee equity incentives play a role in optimizing firms’ capital structure decisions. We also find that the impact of ESOPs on the dynamic adjustment of capital structure is asymmetric. Specifically, the implementation of ESOPs markedly accelerates the downward adjustment of capital structure, yet has no impact on the upward adjustment of capital structure. Further analysis demonstrates that the impact of ESOPs on capital structure decisions is contingent upon the macroeconomic environment, industry characteristics, corporate governance, and ESOP contract designs. First, the optimization of ESOPs on capital structure decisions is more pronounced in an economic boom environment, in a poor market climate, or in competitive industries. Second, the reduction effect of ESOPs on corporate debt is more pronounced in non-state-owned companies, high-tech companies and those with lower ownership concentration. In contrast, the acceleration effect of ESOPs on capital structure adjustment is more pronounced in state-owned companies, non-high-tech companies and those with higher ownership concentration. Ultimately, ESOPs financed by loans from a firm’s major shareholders—or with a longer lock-up period, smaller shareholding size or executive subscription ratio—demonstrate a more pronounced optimization effect on capital structure decisions. This paper not only contributes to the existing literature on the relationship between equity incentives and capital structure decisions, but also provides guidance for listed companies on the reasonable design of their ESOPs and the optimization of their capital structure decisions.