Contingency Approach Research Articles

Path-Goal Theory and the Application in Educational Management and Leadership

This study focuses on Path-Goal theory and application in educational management and leadership, which is categorized under contingency approach of leadership. The theory proposed that the behaviour of leaders' can be exercised through different approaches, times, and situations by the same leader. The purpose of this paper is to highlight path-goal leadership theory. An important aspect of this paper hinges on the application of path-goal theory in an educational institution using leadership approaches in terms of supportive, directive, achievement-oriented, and participative behaviour on subordinate in achieving task completion. It is concluded that education leaders should put in use the path-goal leadership approaches in their daily dealings with their subordinate in their various educational institution.

APPLYING A CONTINGENCY APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITHIN MESO-LEVEL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

This paper investigates the application of a contingency approach to managing meso-level public-private partnership projects. It is argued that situational management in implementing public-private partnership projects should rely on the so-called risk-contributing factors. It is emphasized that the contingency approach in the context of public-private partnerships is based on developing a set of indicators and integral index calculation used to rank both the projects themselves and their application in terms of territorial and sectoral aspects. It is proved that the integral coefficient at the meso-level reflects the most favorable environment for doing business, including basic frameworks for realization of public-private partnership projects. According to the calculations carried out within this study, at the regional level by selected indicators, the Mykolayiv region has demonstrated the most favorable conditions. Accordingly, the Donetsk region has the highest level of transaction costs and the highest rate of project implementation risk, i. e. the absolute risk value makes up 0.482. The high risk index for this region stems from military activities, low infrastructure development, lack of sufficient production capacity and, consequently, significant commercial and administrative costs for current operations. Thus, it is concluded that the assessment and multilevel analysis based on integral indicators, absolute and relative risk indicators are sufficient for the optimal selection of public-private partnership projects upon the criterion "the lowest project implementation risk – the greatest effects in different areas of activity.

An intermittent contingency approach with optimal placement of static VAR compensator in a renewable -integrated power systems

ABSTRACT The incredible abatement in the expense of sustainable power source age and growing solicitation, deregulated power systems are comprehensive of sustainable power sources to improve voltage stability and power exchangeability of the network. To reap the economic benefits of renewable energy sources completely, there is a need for in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the system for contingency conditions. In this paper, diverse indices are studied to assess the health of the system under various contingencies conditions and a Composite Bus Utilisation Index (CBUI) is proposed for optimal placement of static VAR compensator (SVC). Further, Grey Wolf algorithm is used to optimise the power flow for fuel cost reduction with valve-point effect, real power losses and carbon emissions. The deliverable power of wind and solar generation is estimated using the Weibull and Lognormal probability density function (PDF) respectively. The proposed methodology is validated on IEEE 30 bus systems under normal loading and contingency conditions using intermittent approach in simulation environment and is compared with Newton Raphson method for its efficacy.

Contingent use of rational, intuitive and political decision-making in R&D

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the contingent use of rational, intuitive and political decision-making in R&D.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a study in an R&D department of a multinational high-tech firm in the Netherlands. The study consists of a case study design, focusing on four embedded cases, longitudinally studying each case.FindingsThe literature distinguishes three dimensions of innovation decision-making processes: rational, intuitive and political. By studying these interwoven dimensions over time, this study finds that the dominant use of each of these dimensions differs across the innovation process. There is an emphasis on intuitive decision-making in an early phase, followed by more emphasis on political decision-making, and moving to more emphasis on rational decision-making in a later phase of the R&D process. Furthermore, the predominant choice in a specific innovation phase for one of the three decision-making dimensions is influenced by the decision-making dimension that is dominantly employed in the preceding phase.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the innovation decision-making literature by developing and applying a model that distinguishes rational, intuitive and political decision-making dimensions, the interactions among these dimensions in innovation decision-making in R&D, and the contingency of these dimensions upon the innovation phase. It calls for further research into the contingent nature of innovation decision-making processes.Practical implicationsFor practitioners this study has two relevant insights. First it highlights the importance and usefulness of intuitive and political decision-making in addition to the prevailing emphasis on rational decision-making. Second, practitioners may be more alert to consciously changing their dominant decision-making approach across the phases of the innovation process. Third, companies may adjust their human resource policies to this study’s findings.Originality/valueThe literature on rational, intuitive and political decision-making is quite extensive. However, research has hardly studied how these decision-making dimensions develop in conjunction, and over time. This paper reports on a first study to do so and finds that the dominant use of these dimensions is contingent upon the phase of the R&D process and on the decision-making dimensions used in earlier phases. The study suggests that using a contingency approach can help to further integrate the debate in research and practice.

Firms’ Size as a Contingency Approach in the Relationships of Intellectual Capital, Capital Structure and Financial Performance

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of firm size on the relationship between intellectual capital, capital structure and financial performance of Malaysian construction firms. The empirical data were taken from 41 construction firms listed in the main board of Bursa Malaysia and observed over the five-year period of 2011 to 2015. This study is deemed necessary as the findings of prior studies on the relationship between intellectual capital, capital structure and financial performance, had documented mixed and inconclusive result, thus, the inclusion of firm size as a moderating variable may modify (strenghten or weaken) the above relationships. Intellectual capital, capital structure, financial performance and firm size are proxy by VAIC Model, total debt ratio, return on equity and log of total asset, respectively. The result shows a positive moderator effect of firm size on the relationship between intellectual capital and financial performance in construction. The findings suggests that firms’ value creation capability increases with firms’ size, thus larger firms’ are in a better position to generate profit. The concentration on one industry and the relatively narrow five-year period for data collection are the main limitations of this study. The findings of the research will contribute towards the literature.

EXPLORATION OF ASIA LEADERSHIP THEORY: LOOKING FOR AN ASIAN ROLE IN THE FIELD OF LEADERSHIP THEORY

This study begins with the question of whether Western leadership theory is universal and where is Asia's contribution to this theory of leadership. Studies show that the theory of Asian leadership is local and influenced by the cultural influences of Asian local communities. Harmony and stability are the essences of Asian local culture. The leadership process is voluntary, collectivity, and is in a traditional or informal social structure. The effectiveness of traditional leadership is more concerned with aspects of guarding and achieving an atmosphere of harmony and stability. Furthermore, Western leadership theory is built from an organizational perspective that is competing to gain resources and maintain the organization's life. The West leadership process is mechanical, formal and transactional. Leadership effectiveness is the ability to win the competition and defend itself in a strong position in the competition. The differences in the approaches to Asian and Western leadership theory are in line with the concept of low-context and high-context perspective. This is also in line with the contingency approach for effective leadership. The study states that the position of Asian and Western leadership theory is the same, both groups of theories are on a practical level that emphasizes contextual conformity. The globalization paradigm has strengthened Western "influence" hegemony about effective leadership. However, this dominance will be temporary according to the human perspective or learning organization because of the contextual conformity. On the other hand, modern society has a stigma over the concept of Asian local leadership above. The things above reinforce the dim role of local Asian leadership in modern Asian society itself.

Logistics resources, capabilities and operational performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different logistics resources and resource patterns, such as logistics infrastructure, logistics location, logistics knowledge and logistics information, affect logistics capabilities and operational performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on data collected from 273 companies in China, this study examines impacts of individual logistics resource dimensions on resource integration capability, customer service capability and operational performance through contingency approach. Furthermore, three logistics resource patterns are identified and linked with resource integration capability and operational performance through configuration approach. Findings Contingency results show that different logistics resources have different impacts on resource integration capability and operational performance. Configuration results reveal that companies’ capabilities and operational performance vary for different logistics resource patterns: the high-uniform pattern has a better resource integration capability and operational performance than other patterns, while all logistics resource patterns have similar customer service capability levels. Research limitations/implications Future studies should examine other resource capabilities and performance indicators of companies and extend this study to other countries and regions. Originality/value This study contributes to the logistics resource literature through empirically investigating relationships among logistics resources, resource integration capability and operational performance using contingency approach, and through identifying different logistics resource patterns based on configuration approach. The findings extend the logistics resource literature, particularly on research of logistics parks in China.

The internal ecosystem of high performance work system and employee service-providing capability: A contingency approach for servitizing firms

Servitization, or expanding service offerings associated with products, is increasingly central to sustaining competitive advantage in manufacturing industries. We propose the role of an internal ecosystem of human resource practices—High Performance Work System (HPWS)—and the contingent effects of environmental conditions—industry dynamism and industry complexity—as drivers of employee service-providing capability. Based on longitudinal data from 217 firms representing 718 firm-years, HPWS is positively associated with the service-providing capability of employees, and this association is stronger at higher levels of environmental dynamism or environmental complexity. This research contributes to the servitization literature by examining how employee service-providing capability relies on the internal ecology of employee practices and changes in the external environment.

Entrepreneurial orientation and start-ups' external financing

This study extends the Pecking Order Theory by investigating the role of start-ups' strategic posture for financial decision-making. Using a contingency approach, it proposes that a start-up's entrepreneurial orientation differently affects the costs and benefits associated with external debt and equity financing, and thereby its use of the respective financing forms; with the strength of these relationships depending on industry-level risk and venture development stage. The study tests and confirms these hypotheses on a sample of 4456 German start-ups. It advances the entrepreneurial finance literature by taking strategic posture and its contingencies into account, and adds insight in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance. It also provides valuable practical implications for start-up founders and external financiers.

Organizational Culture and Quality Management Practices in the Hospital Sector

Research in the healthcare sector is a particular relevant topic as a contribution to the development of patient care service improvement. This research focuses the identification and understanding of the organizational culture dimensions and its relation with the quality management practices in the hospital sector. A case-based research was implemented in two major public hospitals, with quantitative and qualitative methods, through multivariate and thematic analysis. Our findings allows us to postulate that the existence and intensity of a particular set of organizational culture dimensions was a catalyst factor of different realities in the implementation and development of the quality management systems in those hospitals. We believe that we were able to reach valid advice for practitioners, and also ensuring a contribution to knowledge, reinforcing the value of the contingency approach to quality management and taking relevant steps towards theory building about the links between organizational culture and quality management in the healthcare services, particularly in the hospital sector.

The performance implications of collaborative activities in international buyer–seller exchanges: a contingency approach

PurposeThe study aims to investigate how the collaborative activities of joint action and knowledge-sharing between cross-border buyers and sellers influence the affect-state of buyers and eventually develop their strategic performance under the contingent condition of psychic distance.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data collected from 235 Taiwanese importers were analyzed using partial least squares to test the proposed conceptual framework.FindingsJoint action and knowledge-sharing are found to increase buyer’s engagement and affective commitment. Psychic distance is found to weaken the effect of collaborative activities on engagement and affective commitment. Both engagement and affective commitment are found to increase strategic performance, and the findings confirm their intervening role in the collaborative activities-strategic performance relationship.Originality/valueThe study offers insights into the under researched areas of collaborative activities and strategic performance in international exchanges and highlights the role of psychic distance in the success or failure of relational exchanges in international environments. The study introduces the concept of engagement and advances the theoretical understanding of the concept’s significance and application in international buyer–seller exchanges.

Tolerance in the Peer Review of Interdisciplinary Research in Architectural Journal Publishing

In order to consider how to negotiate the publication space of interdisciplinary research in architecture in academic journals, this essay reflects on the current forms of writing in architectural discourse, the history of a “critique militante” architectural (peer) review process within the academy, and the future possibilities of a feminist oriented process that seeks to accommodate otherness. These reflections emerge from our experience as academics and as women editors of the interdisciplinary, multimedia journal, Architecture and Culture, first published in 2013. The essay argues that peer review for interdisciplinary research in architecture needs to be re-negotiated as publishing tolerance through a contingency approach to evaluation. We conclude that academic architectural journal publishing can flourish through broader conversational modes of open, non-hierarchical knowledge exchange and editorial practice where published work undergoes a process of becoming.

The Contingent Value of the Dedicated Alliance Function

Scholars have underscored the merits of a dedicated alliance function that promotes standardization, formalization, and centralization of alliance management practices, but some recent research finds no support for the claim that a dedicated alliance function creates value. We contribute to this debate by offering a contingency approach. Specifically, we conjecture that the contribution of the dedicated alliance function to value creation in an alliance increases with general partnering experience that the firm has accumulated with its various partners but declines with partner-specific experience that the firm has accumulated in recurrent alliances with the same partner. Our analysis of more than 15,000 alliances involving U.S.-based software firms supports these conjectures and identifies boundary conditions for this function’s effects. We conclude that instituting an organizational infrastructure that is meant to enhance a firm’s ability to leverage its experience with various partners can restrict its gains from experience with specific partners. Nevertheless, by appropriately leveraging its dedicated alliance function, the firm can manage conflicting routines and overcome the tradeoff between efficient use of alliance management practices and responsiveness to partners in its alliance portfolio.

Importance of double taxation to increase export potential of Georgia

Introduction. According for future economic development of country and creation strong stable political framework is essential to improve international existing mechanism of avoiding double taxation. Double taxation avoidance system is an essential component of good business environment and is a key factor of stimulating investments. Agreements of Double taxation provide legal framework of releasing from double taxation. In spite of that, such exemption is foreseen by the internal law of different countries, international double taxation agreements provides contingency approach.
 Aim and tasks. The aim of the article is to study the directions of avoiding double taxation, which contributes to the deepening of economic cooperation between countries and attracting investment. The task is to study and show the positive and negative sides of double tax treaties.
 Results. One of the main factor of countries economic development is to promote export. For that every country is interested in incensement of export share per capital in foreign trade. In the article is analysed trends of development of international double taxation principles and forms. Research shows and confirms that an effective legal mechanism in Georgia is still in the process of formation in this field. Trade liberalization contributes to the creation of such flexible mechanisms, which allow developing countries receive maximal benefits from the process of world economic development. Also, Georgia received economic benefits from agreement of Avoidance of Double Taxation, which was signed all parties.
 Conclusions. We have to mention that for Georgia is great challenge to increase export share per capital in European Union countries. Georgian has real ability to increase export potential in EU countries. The result of this is deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union and agreement of Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion (DTAA) with respect to taxes on income. It promotes to build further new trade economic cooperation between countries by safeguarding the interests of involved countries according the agreement.

THE EDUCATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENTS ON PUBLIC RELATIONS THEORIES: AN INVESTIGATION ON THE CURRICULUM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENTS OF COMMUNICATION FACULTIES IN TURKEY

Halkla ilişkiler, iletişim yönetimini temel aldığı için teorik çalışmalardan ve araştırmaya dayalı uygulamalardan geniş ölçüde yararlanması gereken bir sosyal bilim alanıdır. Teoriler, halkla ilişkilerin bilimsel bir zemine yerleştirilmesine; bu alanda çalışmak, alanı geliştirebilmek ve öngörüde bulunabilmek için akademisyenlerin ve halkla ilişkiler uygulayıcılarının ihtiyaç duyduğu söz dağarcığının sağlanmasına olanak sağlar. Halkla ilişkiler alanında teorilerden yararlanmak, rasyonel paradigmalar çerçevesinde doğru hedeflerin saptanmasına, etkili stratejilerin ve taktiklerin ortaya konarak faaliyetlerin başarılı bir biçimde gerçekleştirilmesine imkân tanır. Bu çalışmada, teknolojik gelişmelerin hız kazandığı dijital devrim çağında, üst yönetimin daha iyi karar verebilmesi için kuruluşun içinde bulunduğu ortamın iyi analiz edilmesi, algılanması; farklı koşullar altında başarılı olmak için farklı strateji ve taktiklerden yararlanılması yönünde bir anlayışı vurgulayan bu açıdan her yerde ve durumda geçerli tek bir organizasyon yapısı ve yönetim şekli olmadığını ortaya koyan durumsallık yaklaşımının halkla ilişkiler alanıyla ilişkisi irdelenmektedir. Çalışmada ayrıca, Türkiye’deki iletişim fakültelerinin halkla ilişkiler bölümlerinin örgün öğretim lisans ders programlarında halkla ilişkiler teorilerini konu alan derslere ne ölçüde yer verildiği ortaya konulmaktadır. Araştırmanın evrenini, Türkiye’de, bünyesinde iletişim fakültesi yer alan tüm üniversitelerin oluşturduğu bu çalışmada, halkla ilişkiler ve tanıtım bölümüne sahip olan iletişim fakülteleri örneklem olarak belirlenmiştir. Nitel veri analiz türlerinden içerik analizi yöntemiyle fakültelerin web sitelerinde yer alan lisans ders programlarının analizi yapılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, Türkiye’de aktif olarak faaliyet gösteren toplam 200 üniversite olduğu; söz konusu üniversitelerin 60’ında İletişim Fakültesi, 1’inde İletişim Bilimleri Fakültesi bulunduğu, İletişim Fakültesi bulunan 61 (%30,5) üniversitenin 4’ünün iletişim fakültelerinde eğitim öğretim faaliyetine başlamak için gerekli akademik kadro ve altyapı oluşturma çalışmalarının devam ettiği saptanmıştır. Aktif olan 57 iletişim fakültesi içinde aktif olarak faaliyet gösteren 46 (%80,7) “halkla ilişkiler” bölümünün mevcut olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bağlı bulundukları fakülte bazında aktif bir şekilde faaliyet gösteren 46 halkla ilişkiler bölümünün 9’unun (%19,5) halkla ilişkiler bölümlerinin ders programlarında halkla ilişkiler teorilerini konu alan derslerin mevcut olduğu ortaya konmuştur. Anahtar Kelimeler: Halkla ilişkiler, eğitim, teori, durumsallık yaklaşımı, ders programları.

The contingent value of the dedicated alliance function

Scholars have underscored the merits of a dedicated alliance function that promotes standardization, formalization, and centralization of alliance management practices, but some recent research finds no support for the claim that a dedicated alliance function creates value. We contribute to this debate by offering a contingency approach. Specifically, we conjecture that the contribution of the dedicated alliance function to value creation in an alliance increases with general partnering experience that the firm has accumulated with its various partners but declines with partner-specific experience that the firm has accumulated in recurrent alliances with the same partner. Our analysis of more than 15,000 alliances involving US-based software firms supports these conjectures and identifies boundary conditions for this function’s effects. We conclude that instituting an organizational infrastructure that is meant to enhance a firm’s ability to leverage its experience with various partners can restrict its gains from experience with specific partners. Nevertheless, by appropriately leveraging its dedicated alliance function, the firm can manage conflicting routines and overcome the tradeoff between efficient use of alliance management practices and responsiveness to partners in its alliance portfolio.

Organizational structure characteristics’ influences on international purchasing performance in different purchasing locations

This study contributes to the understanding of how firms should structure their purchasing organization to improve their performance. While the research into structural characteristics’ impacts on purchasing performance is evolving, it is still incomplete, especially concerning the contingencies on different purchasing environments. Drawing on ideas from the organizational information processing and contingency approaches as well as the international business literature, the present study proposes a model in which three key organizational structure characteristics – centralization, standardization, and specialization – are associated with purchasing performance. This study posits that the relationships are contingent on a purchasing location’s formal and informal institutional context. Based on a sample of 195 German manufacturers, the model is empirically tested using structural equation modeling. The findings support the relevance of organizational structure characteristics for international purchasing and firm performance and they also support the notion that the effects are contingent on the purchasing location’s institutional context.

English

The concept of the learning organisation is now gaining more prominence globally, yet there are few organisations that assert to be learning organizations, or identify with organizational learning. On the same breath, the learning organisation concept and practice is voiced more in the developed nations than in the developing ones, more so, Africa. Further, the learning organization appears to be more practical in entrepreneurial organisations than in the educational enterprise. This is evidenced by the dearth of literature still seeking to establish whether the learning organization idea is relevant to universities specifically in Kenya, and also Africa. This article examines the concept of the learning organisation to elucidate the key components in relation to universities in the Kenyan context. The review is pegged on Ortenblad and Koris’ typology of the learning organization. Literature review of existing prior works on the components of the learning organization and their relevance to universities, and a reflective discussion based of applicability of key characteristics of a learning organisation in public universities in Kenya is made. The review found the four-point typology limited and a fifth component identified as beneficial toward universities’ reflection on their organisational learning status. The learning organisation idea was found relevant for universities in Kenya but needs to be applied thoughtfully and in cognisance of the unique nature of its operations and include the key consumer (university student bodies) perspective in the multi-stakeholder contingency approach. The highly mechanistic learning structure, practices that encourage negative learning, lack of research focusing on internal concerns and emphasis on formal courses at the exclusion of learning at work are obstacles that stand in the way of transformation of universities in Kenya into learning organisations. Key words: Organizational learning, learning organization, universities.

Control Systems and Strategy: A Literature Review

Objective - Organisational change necessarily requires an adaptation of a company's information structure, particularly its Management Accounting and Control Systems (MACSs). These systems should be designed according to the defined strategies to assist managers in the decision-making process. This paper reviews research that analyzes the MACSs concept and the elements that characterise it, so that it may be used to identify and characterise the existing systems in any company. Methodology/Technique - Based on a contingency approach to management, the authors perform a broad literature review. Among other aspects, MACS information outputs will be analyzed in terms of the style of use, its nature and the type of decisions supported. In an attempt to broaden the scope of MACS functions, this paper reviews the present literature and provides a theoretical framework for studying the operationalization of MACS. Findings - The results obtained indicate that the operationalization of the MACS concept can be achieved through the way information is managed and characterised, establishing three categories and six different dimensions. Novelty - Theoretically, this framework characterises the existing MACS concept to analyse its impact on company strategy. The authors conclude that knowledge on the relationship between MCAS and strategy is limited, providing considerable scope for further research. In the future, the authors intend to develop a case study to analyse the impact of this framework on companies' internationalisation strategy. Type of Paper: Review. Keywords: Management Accounting and Control Systems; Accounting Information System; Organizational Change; Strategy; Operationalization of Concepts. JEL Classification: M16; M40; F23.

A Contingency Approach to Proactiveness - Business Performance Relationship

A Contingency Approach to Proactiveness - Business Performance Relationship