Corporate Settings Research Articles

Conditional conservatism and investment efficiency under a state ownership environment: Further evidence from China

Prior studies on developed markets have documented that conditional conservatism is positively associated with investment efficiency. In this study, we investigate whether this association can be shaped by the unique institutional environment—state ownership of firms and banks—in China. First, we examine the association between conditional conservatism and investment efficiency in China’s corporate setting and find that conditional conservatism can reduce (facilitate) investment in listed firm settings in which overinvestment (underinvestment) is most likely, and thereby improve investment efficiency. Further analyses reveal that the effects of conditional conservatism on improving investment efficiency are less pronounced in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and firms with higher percentages of loans borrowed from state-owned commercial banks. Moreover, we find that these effects are more pronounced in non-SOEs than in SOEs after the implementation of the 2008 stimulus program, which resulted in a large increase in bank borrowing by Chinese firms. Overall, this study provides new evidence on how the effects of conditional conservatism on investment efficiency can be shaped by concentrated state ownership and politically driven lending in China.

Navigating Global Leadership Strategies for E-Enabling Technology Deployment

Objective: The objective of this research was to explore and understand the experiences of global corporate leaders in adopting e-enabling innovations and the associated leadership challenges. The research aimed to identify the leadership skills, knowledge, and practices that facilitate the transition from traditional operational models to leaner e-enabled approaches.
 
 Method: This qualitative phenomenological research engaged 20 global corporate leaders in an in-depth examination of their leadership experiences. The research focused on how these leaders employed their skills and knowledge to drive the transformation of their corporates into more efficient and interconnected entities through e-enabling technologies.
 
 Results: Four distinct themes emerged from the analysis of the corporate leaders’ experiences. The findings highlighted the significant influence of transformational leadership attributes combined with the e-leadership approach on the successful implementation of information technology initiatives. The leaders’ insights emphasized the transformative effects of their leadership on both corporate strategies and technological decisions. Additionally, the study revealed the identification of best practices and procedures that contribute to effective e-enabling technology adoption.
 
 Conclusion: Embracing e-enabling best practices and employing transformational leadership approaches have a positive impact on the quality of information technology implementations in corporate settings. The research underlines how leaders’ experiences can help them recognize the broader implications of their leadership styles on technology-driven decisions. Consequently, this recognition supports the development of effective strategies for successful e-enabling technology integration. Furthermore, the study highlights the necessity of aligning mentoring, training, and education strategies with corporate goals to enable the adoption of new e-leadership approaches. As organizations continue to navigate complex technological landscapes, the cultivation of 21st-century e-leadership skills become essential for effectively managing changes in team capabilities, processes, and knowledge management.

Difference between genders in attitudes toward ethics in digital business. Evidence from Croatia

As organizations grapple with the transformative implications of business digitization, the intricate interplay between technological progress, sustainable development, and ethical responsibilities becomes increasingly apparent. This article explores the influence of gender diversity on business ethics within the digital environment. An elevated perspective, infused with an ethical approach embracing gender diversity, leads to a deeper and more holistic understanding of these multifaceted dynamics, poised to inform, and guide decisions over the long term. Research investigating the ethical inclinations of men and women in the business and digital realm reveals a noteworthy trend: women attribute higher importance to ethical standards in digital business compared to men. Women tend to exhibit a stronger moral inclination and are more attuned to unethical practices, particularly in the context of the challenges and complexities accompanying digital transition. The study uncovers that women display a lower tolerance for unethical behavior, including negotiation strategies, underscoring their more pronounced ethical stance. This discrepancy is attributed to women's deeper integration of morality into their self-identities, fostering heightened sensitivity to interpersonal dynamics and emotions, while men lean towards an independent and less reliant self-perception. Such gender-based disparities have the potential to significantly impact organizational leadership dynamics. However, it is crucial to refrain from overgeneralizing and assuming that male employees engage in unethical conduct more frequently than their female counterparts, particularly in contexts that prioritize moral leadership principles. Moreover, it is noteworthy that financial incentives possess the capacity to compromise the ethical compass of individuals, irrespective of gender. Still, gender plays a pivotal role in shaping ethical decisions, irrespective of whether they are made within a personal or corporate setting.

Moral economy, performative materialism, and political rhetorics of sustainability accounting

Using the concepts of ‘moral economy’ and ‘performative materialism’ in a case study of a Sri Lankan bank that has received awards and commendations for its sustainability reports, this study explores and theorises moral contradictions of how sustainability is enacted in a corporate setting. Its specific empirical observation reveals how enacting sustainability involves four key elements: redefining corporate morality, mattering morality, objectifying morality through accountability, and valorising morality in a moral market. While attaching a new morality to corporate profits, these elements enable greenwashing to get institutionalised as a celebrated and rewarded business practice. This research contributes to critical accounting studies by empirically explaining how a new set of moral practices, objects, and markets are constructed in the name of sustainability reporting and by illustrating how the theoretical notions of moral economy and performative materialism can shed light on critiquing the ways sustainability reporting regimes are constructed.

Female board representation and innovation in Chinese firms: moderating effects of firm’s size, age, and financial constraints

ABSTRACT Although much has been written about it, innovation in China remains a conundrum. In particular, the existing literature provides limited understanding of the underlying, internal dynamics behind Chinese companies’ innovations. To this end, this article investigates the role of female board representation – a factor increasingly viewed as important for various organisational outcomes. In addition, we explore several organisational variables through which female board representation may impact corporate innovation. We use data from listed companies in the Chinese stock market from 2003 to 2017. Our analyses show that female board representation overall has a negative effect on innovation in Chinese firms. However, upon deeper examination, much more intricate relationships emerge. Female board representation tends to promote innovation in smaller, younger, or less financially constrained firms. In contrast, it tends to be detrimental to firms’ innovation when they are large, old, or financially constrained. Findings point to an urgent need for paying more attention to critical moderators that have often been overlooked in existing research on board gender diversity. Findings also imply that how board gender diversity manifests in corporate settings can vary in different countries.

Mundane technologies of educational policy consultancy: Presentations and interpretive control

This conceptual article examines how consultants use a mundane policy device, the powerpoint presentation, to manage education policy relations between international lenders and education ministries in the global South. The article theorizes presentations as socio-material assemblages that combine consultants, software, visualization conventions, presentation styles, and participant structures in ways that enable consultants to control public interpretations of program evidence. Our analysis is a “constitutive argument” (Pacewicz, 2022) about how to conceptualize presentations. We draw evidence from diverse sources including published accounts by consultants, descriptions of presentations in corporate settings, internet discussions of slide construction, online archives of slides, and data from semi-structured interviews with 12 current or former members of a education ministry in a South Asian country. We argue that consultants use mundane presentation technologies to establish closed interpretive spaces in which they can control interpretation by rendering project information in visually coded forms and structuring interaction through language ideologies and participant structures that ritualize presentation discourse. We close by highlighting implications of these arguments and noting lacunae in our account to be addressed in further research.

EXPLORING THE PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS OF MICROLEARNING IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose - Technology has revolutionized education, leading to innovative learning techniques like microlearning. Microlearningis gaining popularity in higher education and corporate settings for its student-centred approach and well-planned modules. However,its pedagogical design is complex, requiring a systematic review of studies to identify effective practices. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review to identify effective practices of microlearning in teaching and learning in higher education between 2014 and 2023. The study aims to analyse the pedagogical design of microlearning in educational settings. Methodology - The study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.A systematic literature review was conducted to identify, evaluate, interpret, and analyse available studies on the practices of microlearning. The analysis focused on the research question and identified themes related to the pedagogical design of microlearning. Findings - The analysis revealed two final themes: the design of microlearning content and instructional flow. The design of microlearning content focused on developing microlearning material, while instructional flow focused on organizing content learning.These findings provide insights into effective practices for curriculum designers and instructors in designing and developing microlearning strategies in teaching and learning. Significance - The findings of this study have significant implications for educators and curriculum designers. The study highlights theimportance of considering both the design of microlearning content and instructional flow in creating engaging and effective microlearning experiences for students in higher education. By incorporating these findings, educators and curriculum designers can enhance the quality of microlearning strategies in teaching and learning.

The Relevance of Value-Based Leadership and Spirituality in the Workplace

In contemporary corporate settings, the pursuit and economic success has often overshadowed the significance of value-based leadership and spirituality in the workplace. Drawing from research and literature, this paper highlights the potential benefits of incorporating value-based leadership principles and spiritual practices into leadership strategies, fostering a harmonious and productive work environment. Value-based leadership emphasizes the integration of moral principles and values in decision-making processes and interactions with employees. Scholars argue that value-driven leaders are more likely to prioritize the well-being of their workforce, encouraging employee engagement and commitment (Brown & Trevino, 2014). By demonstrating authenticity and ethical conduct, these leaders create a positive organizational culture, boosting employee morale and satisfaction. As a result, employees tend to be more motivated to contribute to the company’s success and collaborate in achieving organizational goals (Mayer et al., 2012). The interplay between value-based leadership and spirituality in the workplace is mutually reinforcing. Valued leaders often draw from spiritual practices to strengthen their ethical decision-making abilities (Fry & Slocum, 2015). On the other hand, a spiritual orientation inspires leaders to adopt more compassionate and empathetic leadership styles, leading to higher levels of employee trust and job satisfaction (Dierendonck et al., 2019). The concepts of value-based leadership (VBL) and spirituality in leadership have both attracted a lot of interest in the workplace. Both strategies aid in developing a meaningful and mission-driven workplace. The definitions, advantages, and ramifications for executives and organizations are all examined in this article. The positive effects of these strategies on employee engagement, well-being, and organizational performance are clear. Additionally, leadership that is based on values and that is spiritual has the power to improve organizations.

Transforming teaching in health: Exploring the advantages of the Flipped Classroom Active Methodology

The use of active methodologies in health education has effectively contributed to the teaching and learning process in both corporate settings and educational institutions, leading to the effectiveness in developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for healthcare professionals. For this reason, the objective of this study was to explore the literature on the challenges of implementing the active methodology of flipped classroom in health education and to identify the necessary skills for educators to apply this methodology in teaching. This qualitative research utilized an integrative review approach to investigate the use of active methodologies, particularly the flipped classroom, which gained prominence after the shift to emergency remote teaching during the pandemic, with institutions adapting to hybrid teaching models. The results indicate that investing in teacher training for the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to support learning, as well as developing effective strategies for flipped classroom implementation, are necessary. Moreover, updating the curricula of health education institutions with more active and innovative methodologies is crucial. Therefore, conducting further research to demonstrate the outcomes of applying the flipped classroom methodology in healthcare education is essential to foster its dissemination in educational institutions.

Role-Playing Method for Students' Interpersonal Communication Improvement

Interpersonal communication involves interaction between two or more people, usually with a direct connection and with some sort of relationship being assumed. Interpersonal communication is often distinguished from group communication, organizational communication especially in corporate or business settings, public communication, or mass communication. The lack of students’ communication activities signed by the students’ commonly shy to speak up or delivering their idea. Most of them have a high anxiety in speaking. It also supports with there are no activities outside classroom in enhancing their capacity in speaking. The important thing to remember is that interpersonal communication is not part of an innate personality trait, but is a skill that can be learned and trained. 
 This research aims to improve the ability of interpersonal communication by role playing method for second year students of Digital Business and Disaster Management Program of Akbara Polytechnic. This research is a Classroom Action Research. Subject of this research is 20 students. The data collection methods are test and observation. The first cycle of role-playing action is based on the drama script. The first and the second cycle focused on the aspect of speaking ability especially for grammar, diction/vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, and comprehension. The second cycle of role-playing action is based on the drama script but the students’ roles are changed. The second cycle is focused on the aspect of equality which is still lack of it. The improvement of the teaching learning process can be shown by the result of students’ speaking observation such as the students being active to deliver their character, use the correct grammar, delivering the message of the character fluency and comprehension, minimum the hesitation, and use various vocabularies. Moreover, the improvement also can be seen form the students’ average test score of speaking, they are: (1) the students’ average pre-test score is 60,4; (2) the students’ average post-test score on the first cycle is 73,8; (3) the students’ average post-test score on the second cycle is 89,5. It can be concluded that role-playing method can enhance the students’ ability of interpersonal communication for student of second grade students of Digital Business and Disaster Management Program of Akbara Polytechnic.

Factors influencing post-hackathon project continuation in an African corporate setting

This article reports on a study examining the factors influencing post-hackathon project continuation in a company with presence in several African countries. The research was conducted as a case study, and focused on hackathon events held by the company between 2018 and 2020. The study identified three core factors that influenced the potential for project continuation after the corporate hackathons: (1) availability of financing; (2) team skills fit and diversity; and (3) degree of project integration into company operations. Where one or more of these elements was insufficiently present, then project continuation became less likely—and the likelihood of project discontinuation increased. The findings are of potential utility to corporate hackathon organisers seeking to increase the levels of project continuation—and, by, extension, return on investment—from their companies’ hackathon projects.

The Role of Negative Perfectionism and the Relationship between Critical Thinking and the Halo Effect: Insights from Corporate Managers in Human Resources.

This research aims to explore the relationship between critical thinking and the halo effect among managers working in the Human Resources (HR) departments of corporations. By utilizing a sample of over 301 corporate HR managers as participants, this study provides valuable insight into the dynamics between critical thinking, the halo effect, and the mediating role of negative perfectionism. The findings of this study suggest a significant negative relationship between critical thinking and the halo effect, as well as a significant positive relationship between negative perfectionism and the halo effect. Notably, negative perfectionism acts as a mediator between critical thinking and the halo effect. Our research also reveals that compensation level moderates this relationship, with lower-income HR managers exhibiting a stronger association between negative perfectionism and the halo effect compared to higher-income HR managers. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of the interplay between critical thinking and the halo effect among HR managers in corporate settings. Identifying negative perfectionism as a mediating factor clarifies the underlying mechanisms between critical thinking and the halo effect, while the moderating effect of compensation level highlights the importance of considering contextual factors. The practical implications of this research include the significance of promoting critical thinking skills among HR managers to mitigate the halo effect in job recruitment and performance evaluation. Additionally, organizations should prioritize fairness and consistency in compensation levels to minimize the influence of negative perfectionism and its impact on the halo effect.

A Different Perspective: Examining Obstacles Faced By Black Clergywomen Through The Lenses of Critical Race Feminism

The influence of Black women leaders in this country and throughout the world in corporate, political, educational, and religious settings has existed for years (Allen & Lewis, 2016). The most recent election of both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is a testament to that as their wins have been largely attributed to the leadership, efforts, and mobilization of Black women. Yet, Black women’s leadership challenges and experiences have remained largely ignored as studies of leadership have typically centered on whites and males. (Allen & Lewis, 2016). Further, despite their contributions, Black women have remained underrepresented in most key leadership positions in all segments of society. Nowhere is this seen more than in the Black church where leadership is male-dominated (Barnes, 2006). Though women comprise much of the congregation, they hold very few leadership positions. This forces the question that must be asked, if she is called, then why can’t she come? This paper seeks to examine these ongoing issues through the lenses of Critical Race Feminism (CRF) and to provide recommendations that aim to further leadership advancement for Black clergywomen. This paper argues that Critical Race Feminism provides a viewpoint that focuses on feminism, race, and power to understand the multiplicity of leadership inequality in the Black church by extending the discussion of Black women's leadership challenges in the church beyond race to gender subordination.

How technology could serve to overcome obstacles to active ownership

Shareholder voting is the cornerstone of corporate governance and accountability, and necessary to reduce the agency problems that exist in corporate settings and limit their related costs. Taking an investor survey as a starting point, this paper delves into the obstacles shareholders currently face when wanting to exercise their voting rights, and notes several EU initiatives to tackle the problem. It continues to reveal the reasons for the main obstacles and offers ideas to remodel the existing intermediated shareholder voting setup through new technologies, such as DLT, to simplify the voting process and enhance (retail) investor engagement in corporate decision taking.

The Interrelation of Politeness, Culture, and Speech Acts in Multilingual Corporate Communication

This article examines the relationship between politeness, culture, and speech acts in multilingual corporate communication. It emphasizes the role of second language acquisition (SLA) practices in teaching politeness strategies, with a focus on explicit instruction, immersion programs, and authentic language practice. The article also offers suggestions to enhance communication in such environments, using Luxembourg as an example of a multicultural business environment and highlighting the importance of understanding cultural norms and expectations surrounding politeness. By examining the interplay between these factors, this study aims to contribute to improved communication practices in multilingual corporate settings.

인문계열 대졸자의 기업 취업과정

Objectives The purpose of this study is to focus on humanities college graduates reported to have lower quantitative and qualitative achievements in the labor market compared to other majors, and to look closely at what their search for employment is like and what experiences they have in the process.
 Methods The research method of this study is as follows. Semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interviews were performed on 14 subjects who graduated from four-year university majoring in humanities disciplines and have been employed in a corporate setting for fewer than 3 years. Interview data were analyzed based on the grounded theoretical method of Strauss and Corbin (1990; 1998; 2001).
 Results The major findings can be summarized as follows. First, categorizing through open coding works yielded 178 concepts, 43 subcategories, and 26 categories. Second, paradigm models of experiences of humanities graduate students in the employment process were presented. Third, the stages of the employment process of the humanities graduates through process analysis were derived: ‘exploration of career alternatives’, ‘career alternative expansion/conversion’, ‘employment preparation behavior’, and ‘job retention’.
 Conclusions The main phenomenon experienced by humanities college graduates in the employment process of company was found to be “anxiety due to the social limitations of their major”. They were more aware of the social double barriers of ‘humanities’ and ‘gender’ than personal internal barriers in the employment process of companies. Based on the results of this study, the correct direction of career and employment education for humanities majors was suggested at the university career and employment center and Humanities department level, and at the national and company level.

Typology of Tweets and User Engagement Generated by U.S. Companies Involved in Developing COVID-19 Vaccines

This study analyzes 295 tweets by four U.S. companies engaged in discovering a vaccine for COVID-19. Tweets were analyzed to understand how their Twitter feeds balanced corporate and product branding (vaccine, medicines, etc.) and disseminated scientific information relating to COVID-19. The results suggest that these companies were actively embedding technical information about COVID-19 in their corporate and product branding. Tweets providing technical and scientific information about the progress made toward developing a COVID-19 vaccine garnered high levels of user engagement from their target audience. Findings from this study indicate the growing importance of technical communication in corporate settings during a public health crisis.

The Impact of Gender Discrimination on Employees Performance

The abstract of this research examines how gender discrimination at work affects employees' motivation, stress, and feelings of happiness. An open-ended survey was answered by 526 mixed-gender personnel from private as well as public health and education agencies within Birmingham and Jamshoro districts. The t-test for statistical independence was used to analyze the gender prejudice in the workplace. The study of the data shows that discrimination against women in the workplace was more prevalent than against males. The findings demonstrate that women face greater odds in the private sphere as compared to the public sector. The product-moment correlation coefficient was used to investigate the effect of gender discrimination on devotion, excitement, and stress coefficient. Due to gender discrimination, employees report poorer levels of satisfaction, motivation, and dedication as well as higher levels of stress. The consequences of gender discrimination in the workplace on employees' enjoyment, inspiration, devotion, and stress are explored in this paper's abstract. A total of 526 male and female personnel from the A closed-ended questionnaire was filled out by both nonprofit and for-profit health and education agencies throughout Hyderabad and Jamshoro districts. The gender bias in the workplace was evaluated using a t-test for statistical independence. The data analysis reveals that women encountered greater rates of discrimination than males did in corporate settings. The data reveal, therefore, that women experience higher discrimination opposed to the public sphere. The correlation of the Pearson product moment coefficient was used to investigate the effect of categorization based on gender on three measures of happiness: commitment and enthusiasm and stress. Workers report poorer levels of satisfaction, motivation, and dedication as well as increased stress levels owing to gender discriminations.

Application of Machine Learning Algorithms in Online Marketing

Abstract: AI has been able to advance beyond simply carrying out the duties that were put into it thanks to machine learning algorithms. Prior to ML becoming widely used, AI applications were exclusively employed in corporate and enterprise settings to automate simple operations. This covered activities like simple rule-based classification or clever automation. This meant that the domain for which AI algorithms could be used was limited. With machine learning, however, computers were able to go beyond carrying out their programming and started growing with each repetition. Machine learning is used by marketers to identify trends in website user behavior. This enables them to immediately optimize advertising offers and forecast users' future behavior. This paper highlights the application of machine learning in online marketing.

Revolutionizing Business Communication: Exploring the Potential of GPT-4 in Corporate Settings

Revolutionizing Business Communication: Exploring the Potential of GPT-4 in Corporate Settings