Cross-sectional Survey-based Research Research Articles

Intra-organizational knowledge sharing, ambidexterity and firm performance: evaluating the role of knowledge quality

PurposeThis study aims to examine how knowledge sharing contributes to organizations’ ambidexterity, their overall performance and the role of knowledge quality in this relationship. Knowledge sharing is conceptualized based on tacit and explicit dimensions, and ambidexterity is viewed as comprising exploitative and explorative capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a cross-sectional survey-based research design and structural equation modeling to test the proposed model of knowledge sharing and knowledge quality in organizational ambidexterity and the related hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that tacit knowledge sharing has a significant, direct impact on the exploitative and explorative capabilities of the organization and indirectly impacts both dimensions of ambidexterity (i.e. exploitative and explorative) through knowledge quality. In contrast, explicit knowledge sharing does not have a significant impact on knowledge quality and affects only the exploitative extent of ambidexterity. Both exploitative and explorative capabilities significantly impact organizational performance.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study to empirically examine the role of knowledge quality in the context of knowledge sharing for ambidexterity, especially within the context of organizations in the United Arab Emirates.

Assessing the socio-economic factors affecting household waste generation and recycling behavior in Chennai: A survey-based study

This research paper investigates the socio-economic factors influencing household waste generation and recycling behavior in Chennai, India. The rapid urbanization and economic growth in Chennai have led to increased waste management challenges, making it imperative to understand the specific dynamics at play. The primary objectives of this study are to identify the key socio-economic factors affecting waste generation and recycling and to assess their implications for waste management policies. To achieve these objectives, a cross-sectional survey-based research design was employed. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 500 households, encompassing various income levels, education backgrounds, and demographics. Statistical analysis, including multiple regression and logistic regression, was used to analyze the data. The key findings of this study indicate that monthly income significantly influences waste generation, with lower-income households producing more waste on average. Education level emerged as a predictor of recycling behavior, with higher-educated households exhibiting higher recycling rates. Additionally, the joint influence of income, education, age group, and gender on waste-related behaviors underscores the complex nature of socio-economic dynamics in waste management. These findings have significant implications for policy development. Tailored interventions are necessary to address income disparities and promote recycling awareness among different socio-economic groups. Furthermore, the study highlights the environmental and health impacts of socio-economic disparities in waste management, emphasizing the need for inclusive and sustainable waste practices.

The influence of waiting times and sociopolitical variables on public trust in healthcare: A cross-sectional study of the NHS in England

ObjectivesThis study aims to assess factors influencing public trust in the National Health Service (NHS) in England, focusing on the impact of waiting times in Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments and for GP-to-specialist cancer referrals. Study designA cross-sectional survey-based research design was employed, covering the period from July 2022 to July 2023. MethodsData were collected through YouGov surveys, yielding 7415 responses. Our analysis is based on 6952 of these responses which we were able to aggregate to 42 NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) for A&E waiting times and 106 ICB sub-units for cancer referral times. Multiple regression analysis was conducted, with the dependent variable being trust in the NHS. ResultsWaiting times for A&E and cancer referrals did not significantly affect trust in the NHS. However, other sociopolitical factors displayed significant influence. Specifically, being a member of an ethnic minority group, or having voted Conservative in the 2019 general election were associated with lower trust scores. Other variables such as age and local unemployment rate were also significant predictors. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that waiting times for healthcare services have no effect on public trust in the NHS. Instead, trust appears to be largely shaped by sociopolitical factors. Policymakers should therefore look beyond operational efficiency when seeking to bolster trust in the healthcare system.

Palliative Care in Saudi Arabia: An Updated Assessment Following the National Vision 2030 Reforms.

Background: Palliative care (PC) plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for terminally ill patients and their families. In Saudi Arabia, the Reform of Healthcare Vision 2030 has recognized the importance of PC and aimed to enhance its availability and quality. Objectives: This study evaluates the current state of PC in Saudi Arabia post-Vision 2030 reforms. Design: A cross-sectional survey-based research was conducted at a ministry of health health care facility to assess the accessibility and quality of PC services. Setting/Subjects: The survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from PC managers in Saudi Arabia. Retrospective analysis of annual death records determined the demand for PC. Results: The results indicate notable progress in developing PC services in Saudi Arabia, including increased number of PC units, community home care services, outpatient services, and consultations. However, challenges persist in terms of geographical distribution, resource allocation, and availability of pain medications, particularly opioids. The study highlights the substantial need for PC for both cancer and noncancer patients, emphasizing the importance of expanding these services. Conclusions: To further improve PC, policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize resource allocation, health care workforce, and access to pain medications. These efforts will address the growing demand for PC and benefit terminally ill patients and their families in Saudi Arabia.

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision-Making in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Palliative care in Saudi Arabia has witnessed significant recent progress through the establishment of the Saudi Society for Palliative Care and the National Palliative Care Program. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care and end-of-life decision-making in Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Central provinces among individuals residing in these regions. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey-based research design, we assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative care and end-of-life decision-making in Saudi Arabia's Eastern and Central provinces. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling via social media. Data collection included demographic information, palliative care knowledge, attitudes toward palliative care, and cultural influences on end-of-life decisions. A total of 710 participants completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 85%, with a balanced gender distribution, predominantly aged 25-54. Over half were healthcare providers, many possessing more than 15 years of healthcare experience. A substantial proportion had received formal palliative care training and had personal involvement in end-of-life decisions. While most participants demonstrated a good understanding of palliative care, knowledge gaps, especially regarding its timing, persisted. Generally, participants felt at ease discussing end-of-life care and believed in palliative care's effectiveness. Cultural influences on end-of-life decisions were perceived both positively and negatively, with some facing cultural challenges in palliative care. This study underscores a promising understanding of palliative care in Saudi Arabia alongside persistent misconceptions. It highlights the necessity for targeted education to rectify misperceptions, particularly concerning the initiation timing of palliative care. Cultural factors strongly impact end-of-life decisions, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive healthcare discussions and provider training.

The mental health of working women after the COVID-19 pandemic: an assessment of the effect of the rise in sexual harassment during the pandemic on the mental health of Pakistani women using DASS-21.

The mental health of South Asian women has been observed to be in regression lately, with sexual harassment as one of the major factors accounting for mental health deterioration, especially for women who leave their homes frequently for work and study. The COVID-19 pandemic not only augmented the mental health distress of the general female population but the rise in sexual violence against women is being consistently reported around the globe. Based on this background, we adopted a two-pronged strategy to assess whether working women and students aged 18-55 experienced a rise in sexual harassment in the 18 months after lifting the COVID-19 lockdowns. Secondly, using the well-validated psychometric test, DASS-21, we evaluated the psychiatric outcome of this change on the mental health of those women. The study was designed as a quantitative, cross-sectional survey-based research. A total of 303 women participated in this study. Personal interviews through a specifically designed questionnaire and psychometric test DASS-21 were administered to assess the mental health state of working women and female students, aged between 18 and 55 years old. The mean age of the participants was 37 ± 2.8. The study population was further categorized into two main groups of limited and frequent interactions based on varying levels of the frequency of leaving home and interacting with male strangers in their daily routine. Data were analyzed and the correlation between limited/frequent interaction and DASS-21 total scores and sub-scores of depression, anxiety and stress, and other sociodemographic variables were investigated using the Chi-square test, whereas psychosocial predictors of mental distress were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis after matching limited and frequent interaction groups using a 1:1 propensity score-matched pair method for sociodemographic covariates. Overall, approximately 50% of our study population experienced changes in the behavior of male strangers that could be categorized as harassment in their daily life interactions, whereas 33.66% of participants experienced relatively more sexual harassment post-pandemic than before it. This observation was significantly correlated with the frequency of male interaction (χ2 = 5.71, p < 0.01). Overall, 34% of our study population scored >60 on the DASS21-total score, whereas 29.04% scored >21 on the depression scale. Alarmingly, >40% of the women in the frequent interaction group scored in the extremely severe range of anxiety and depression. Moreover, in the regression analysis, out of all the factors analyzed, the extent of everyday interaction with male strangers, an increase in fear of sexual crimes, and a self-perceived increase in mental distress during the 18 months post-pandemic were found to be highly statistically significant predictors of mental distress not only for total DASS 21 but also for the sub-scales of depression, anxiety, and stress. In Pakistan, women experienced a rise in sexual harassment cases post-COVID-19. An increase in sexual harassment was found to be a predictor of negative mental health in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Assessments of Citizen’s Awareness of Campaigns on covid-19 vaccine and Response to Covid-19 Vaccination in Akwa Ibom State

The study was an assessment of citizens’ awareness of campaigns and responses to covid-19 vaccine in Akwa Ibom state. The research objectives that guided this study were to find out the level of COVID-19 vaccine campaign awareness by residents of the Uyo metropolis, to ascertain the level of response to the COVID-19 vaccine among residents of the Uyo Metropolis, to find out factors responsible for the continuous hesitancy among those who are yet to receive COVID-19 vaccine among Uyo Residents. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey-based research method. The population size for this study constituted Uyo residents and the current population of Uyo stood at 1,329,000, of which the sample size of three hundred and eighty-four (384) was determined using the Krejci and Morgan sample size determinant table, and the purposive sampling technique was used to select participants who participated in the survey. Three hundred and thirty-four (384) copies of the questionnaire were used for data collection. The health belief model and theory of planned behaviour formed the theoretical framework for the study. Findings from the study showed that the majority of Uyo residents were highly aware of the awareness campaign on covid-19 vaccine (212 respondents representing (61%)), the study also showed high level of responses to covid-19 vaccination in the Uyo metropolis, (233) representing (39%)) of the respondents, the study also revealed factors responsible for continuous hesitancy among those who have not been vaccinated to include: fear of adverse effect following immunization, no proper vaccine protocol awareness, no proper sensitization, and no reason, etc. Following the findings, the study recommended that the government of Akwa Ibom State should through relevant agencies and the mass media, intensify the campaign with a particular focus on how and where to get the first and follow-doses of the vaccine in the state, the government should also open more vaccination centers to reduce waiting time and ease of access, all campaign contents should reinforce the safety of the Vaccine irrespective of the brand.

Continuous usage intention for digital library systems among students at higher learning institutions: moderating role of academic involvement

PurposeThis research work aims to study the continuous usage intention of students for digital library systems in higher learning institutions (HLI). Additionally, keeping in mind the lack of focus on academic involvement of students in existing studies, this research work attempts to examine the moderating role of academic involvement in making up the continuous usage intention for digital library systems among students at HLI.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional survey design is used in this study. Target population is students pursuing postgraduate studies and using digital library systems at private universities in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The Stratified random sampling method is used wherein each private university forms one stratum.FindingsThe results suggest that the students' continuous usage intention for digital library systems is significantly influenced by dimensions of digital library system quality, mediated by user satisfaction. Further, the level of academic involvement of students exerts moderating impact between dimensions of digital library system quality and user satisfaction; however, it d oes not exist between user satisfaction and their continuous usage intention.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature on academic involvement of students by highlighting its importance in the process of continuous usage intention. It also proposes a holistic conceptual framework for continuous usage intention for digital library systems among students and moderating impact of academic involvement. Being cross-sectional survey-based research, this study has certain limitations. Since responses were obtained at a single point in time, variation in respondents' behaviour could not be captured.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study can be helpful to the HLI, academic librarians, teachers, digital library systems service provider companies and government regulatory authorities. HLI need to put more effort into procuring subscriptions to reputed publications of e-books, e-research papers, e-magazines, e-reports, etc. for making digital library systems more beneficial for the students. Academic librarians need to be effortful towards building students' satisfaction through constantly upgrading software and systems and active interaction with students. Digital library systems service provider companies can also collaborate to customize their digital resources for different types of academic programs. The government can partnership with private companies for providing digital library systems in HLI.Originality/valueThis research work is the first of its kind in terms of studying the role of academic involvement of students for purpose of evaluating continuous usage intention for digital library systems among students studying in Indian HLI.

High-involvement HRM and innovative behaviour: The mediating roles of nursing staff's autonomy and affective commitment.

AimsThe purpose of this paper was to investigate the relationship between high‐involvement human resource management, autonomy, affective organisational commitment and innovative behaviours of nursing staff who care for elderly clients.BackgroundNursing teams are increasingly required to demonstrate innovative behaviours that enhance care quality. Nursing leaders need to create environments where nursing staff have sufficient autonomy and feel a sense of commitment to support these behaviours. The appropriate implementation of these processes and practices may lead to greater involvement.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey‐based research design was employed to explore the experiences of involvement practices, autonomy, affective organisational commitment and innovative behaviours of 567 nursing staff workers from four elderly care organisations in the Netherlands.ResultsThe results demonstrate that a bundle of high‐involvement practices positively influences innovative behaviour and that affective commitment and autonomy fully mediate this relationship.ConclusionsThe study highlights the role of autonomy and commitment as routes towards translating involvement practices into nurses’ innovativeness.Implications for Nursing ManagementTo create an innovative environment, leaders need to create a positive climate by providing nurses with opportunities to enhance their competence, relatedness and autonomy through active involvement. Leaders should, therefore, encourage involvement as a mechanism to promote innovation.

RELATIONSHIP UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL, SUCCESSION PLANNING, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Purpose: This paper aims to explore an integrated relationship between performance appraisal, succession planning, and career development in the Indian context. A very few empirical studies could be seen in identifying a relationship between the proposed variables.&#x0D; Design/methodology/approach: An empirical study was conducted by employing the cross-sectional survey-based research design along with the convenience sampling method. Around, 167 questionnaires were circulated through online via Google forms. Finally, 134 responses were received from respondents having 80.23% response rate. The responses were subject to analysis using normality check, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation, model fit and multiple hierarchical regression analysis.&#x0D; Findings: Results reveal that all three study variables are positively associated with each other. This study fully supports the applicability of performance appraisal, and succession planning as crucial predictors of career development more specifically in the Indian context.&#x0D; Research limitations/implications: This current study is conducted using online data collection procedure, while future studies may use in-depth interview and daily diary studies.&#x0D; Practical implications: This study exhibits how employee career development can be initiated through succession planning and performance appraisal. This study also suggested that the organizations which emphasize on an effective policy guideline for systematic performance appraisal will probably support the succession planning and career development.&#x0D; Originality/value: Notably, no prior studies empirically investigate the proposed relationship in Indian context. Furthermore, the findings serve as a policy guideline for the performance appraisal, succession planning and career development literature in an Indian organizational setting.

Social Prestige of the Paramedic Profession.

Background: There is a lack of research on social image, prestige, and the position of the paramedic profession in the social structure. The main objective of the study was to determine the place of the paramedic profession in the hierarchy of prestige of professions as viewed by the public. In operationalizing the term ‘prestige’, we deemed the word ‘respect’ to best fit the sense of the subjective evaluation of prestige with regard to a profession. Material and methods: The data comes from cross-sectional survey-based research. The research was carried out on a group of 600 people over 18 years of age. The sample was of a random nature, and the selection of respondents was calculated on the basis of them being representative of the Polish population. Results: The median of respect declared for the paramedic profession, on a scale of 1 to 5, was 4.49, which placed the profession in fourth place in the ranking. The assessment of respect for paramedics among other medical professions placed them in third place, directly after doctors and midwifes. Conclusions: The profession of paramedic is characterized by high social prestige, locating it at the forefront of the medical profession and other examined professions, but its social position, expressed by objective measures (earnings, structural possibilities, social power), is significantly lower.

Linking the emotional maturity factors and personal effectiveness: a study of cement and power manufacturing organisations in India

This paper discusses a cross-sectional survey, carried out by the authors, with data from 410 employees employed in cement and power manufacturing organisations in North India, to determine if emotional maturity factors have positive relationship with personal effectiveness in Indian context. This study uses broaden-and-build theory as theoretical framework to investigate the proposed relationship. The sample data was collected through convenience sampling method and a cross-sectional survey-based research design was employed. A paper-pencil survey was administered for this purpose by distributing a total of 476 questionnaires during office hours. However, only 410 responses were considered for final analysis using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple hierarchical regression analysis. Results reveal that emotional maturity factors (i.e., emotional stability, social adjustment and personality integration) are positively associated with personal effectiveness. This study fully supports the applicability of broaden-and-build theory in explaining the proposed relationships in Indian context. This study offers advanced insights on the proposed relationship that has not been examined till now, and serves as a potential policy guideline for personal effectiveness in understudied non-US cultures like India. The findings of this study enrich the literature on personal effectiveness from broaden-and-build theory perspective.

Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Interventional Neuroradiology Suite During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Survey.

According to early reports, patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at an increased risk of developing cerebrovascular events, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The COVID-19 pandemic may also impose difficulties in managing AIS patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), as well as concerns for the safety of health care providers. This international global survey aims to gather and summarize information from tertiary care stroke centers on periprocedural pathways and endovascular management of AIS patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey-based research questionnaire was sent to 259 tertiary care stroke centers with neurointerventional facilities worldwide. We received 114 responses (response rate: 44%) from 25 different countries across all 5 continents. The number of AIS patients and EVT cases were reported to have decreased during the pandemic. Most participants reported conducting COVID-19 testing before (49%) or after the procedure (31%); 20% of centers did not test at all. Only 16% of participating centers reported using a negative pressure room for the thrombectomy procedure. Strikingly, 50% of participating centers reported no changes in the anesthetic management of AIS patients undergoing EVT during the pandemic. This global survey provides information on the challenges in managing AIS patients undergoing EVT during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its findings can be used to improve patient outcomes and the safety of the health care team worldwide.

Modeling the relationship between service quality, destination attachment and eWOM intention in heritage tourism

Purpose This paper aims to empirically investigate the relationship between service quality (SQ) in heritage tourism, destination attachment (DA), and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intention. Design/methodology/approach This study followed cross-sectional survey-based research design and surveyed 327 foreign tourists visiting the Golden Triangle, a heritage tourist circuit in India through mall interception method. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings The results reveal that heritage SQ has a significant positive effect on DA and eWOM intention and DA has a significant positive effect on eWOM intention. Originality/value The research findings make the theoretical and practical contribution in the domain, focussing explicitly on heritage tourism, in which such relation has not been studied yet, in sense of the foreign tourists.

Developing a sport fan equity index

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study was to generate a composite sport fan equity index (SFEI) for use in estimating the asset value of an individual fan to a sport organization. The index was developed by applying a simple additive weighting (SAW) method.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey-based research was carried out to validate key components of sport fan equity (SFE) and formulate the SFEI on the basis of the NCAA Division I collegiate sport context. These objectives were satisfied through a twofold process involving first-order confirmatory factor analysis intended to assess the validity of SFE measurement scales and SAW designed to produce the composite SFEI.FindingsThe developed index indicated that the average SFE of focal sport fans of Division I collegiate sport was 54.8 and that the overall SFE of such contributors ranged from 20.4 (the lowest score) to 94.6 (the highest score). The SFEI serves as a single, summary score and an essential gauge for sport marketers to use when assessing profitable fans and tracking/comparing them over time.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the sport marketing literature through its application of SAW in an initial effort to produce an easily understandable index that determines the asset value of sport fans and serves as an imperative criterion for overall sport team valuation from the sport consumer side. Specifically, the SFEI can function as a standard numeric measure that enables sport marketers to identify fans from whom sport organizations can generate considerable profits, segment these devotees systematically, and tailor marketing strategies to each fan base.

Mediating role of mentoring functions on linking personality and occupational commitment in Indian organizations

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the mediating effect of mentoring on the relationship between the Five Factor Model (FFM) Personality traits and occupational commitment (OC). The study used cross-sectional survey-based research design. Data were collected from 362 managers of public and private sector organizations located in North India. The results indicated that psychosocial mentoring acts as a partial mediator for facilitating the linkage between all the FFM traits and OC. Contrary to this, career mentoring was found to partially mediate the link between only conscientiousness-OC, agreeableness-OC and emotional stability-OC. No mediating effect of career mentoring was found for personality factors of openness and extraversion. HRD practitioners are encouraged to implement train-for-trainers’ sessions for raising awareness among senior managers/mentors about the importance of psychosocial mentoring functions. This study is unique, because it is among the few to appropriately capture the mediating role of mentoring functions vis a vis the personality and OC relationship. Further, it also enriches the existing body of research on workplace mentoring and careers, especially in the South-Asian context.

A bird’s eye view approach: Linking Optimism and Career planning in millennials of an emerging economy

The study aims to test the construct of optimism (positive future expectancies) and career planning in the students born in millennial era. The study investigated the gender differences in a sample of 381 students enrolled in a postgraduate program. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey-based research design and employed hierarchical regression technique to establish the relationship. Further, the study used Hayes-PROCESS approach to test the moderating role of gender. The results revealed that the millennial students have high levels of optimism and females are more optimistic in nature as compared to male students owing to various environmental and societal reasons. Furthermore, the male-female ratio is increasing in millennial population over a period of time. The research emphasised the role of an optimistic outlook in order to plan ahead as career planning is an ongoing process reflecting the effects of the environmental uncertainties. Hence, optimism should be cultivated in order to promote the competence and skill-building events which would help in enhancing the productivity resulting in better understanding of workplace and life at large. The work supplements the existing literature on outcome expectancies by adding to the social cognitive career theory.

Linking the emotional maturity factors and personal effectiveness: A study of cement and power manufacturing organizations in India

This paper discusses a cross-sectional survey, carried out by the authors, with data from 410 employees employed in cement and power manufacturing organisations in North India, to determine if emotional maturity factors have positive relationship with personal effectiveness in Indian context. This study uses broaden-and-build theory as theoretical framework to investigate the proposed relationship. The sample data was collected through convenience sampling method and a cross-sectional survey-based research design was employed. A paper-pencil survey was administered for this purpose by distributing a total of 476 questionnaires during office hours. However, only 410 responses were considered for final analysis using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple hierarchical regression analysis. Results reveal that emotional maturity factors (i.e., emotional stability, social adjustment and personality integration) are positively associated with personal effectiveness. This study fully supports the applicability of broaden-and-build theory in explaining the proposed relationships in Indian context. This study offers advanced insights on the proposed relationship that has not been examined till now, and serves as a potential policy guideline for personal effectiveness in understudied non-US cultures like India. The findings of this study enrich the literature on personal effectiveness from broaden-and-build theory perspective.

Public Perception of the Range of Roles Played by Professional Pharmacists.

Background: Professional pharmacists should be directly involved in patient healthcare as members of therapeutic teams are not the only dispensers of medication. Public perceptions of the professional role of pharmacists is expressed through patients’ attitudes, trust, and expectations as health and illness consultants, or qualified retailers of medicines. This perception is influenced by numerous determinants, both health-related and social. Objective: This research intends to describe the range of social roles pharmacists play from the perspective of potential pharmacy customers/patients. Methods: The data presented in the article comes from cross-sectional survey-based research, undertaken in 2018, on a representative sample of 600 Polish adults. Results: Over-the-counter medication is purchased by almost all Polish adults, but they do not tend to ask for advice at pharmacies. Most respondents consider a pharmacist to be “a person qualified to sell medicines”, with some of the participants regarding pharmacists as “ordinary retailers”. A small number of respondents are interested in benefiting from pharmaceutical care, but the pharmacy is still perceived to be a point of purchase for medication. Conclusions: Respondents do not treat pharmacists as health advisors and reduce its role to that of dispensing medication. Sociodemographic variables have no significant effect on social perception of pharmacists.

Work engagement and task performance within a global Dutch ICT-consulting firm: The mediating role of innovative work behaviors

The information and communication technology (ICT) sector within the Netherlands is a major driver of globalization, the country’s economic growth and innovation. The Dutch ICT sector’s performance is increasingly becoming dependent upon employee driven innovations in order to address the needs of the sectors they service. In other words, the ICT sector within the Netherlands is largely dependent upon the performance and innovative capacity of its employees; both of which are functions of employee engagement. Given the high demand, and low supply of talent within this sector, ICT organizations need to develop innovative ways to enhance the performance capacities of its people. Developing an engaged and highly innovative workforce seems to be an efficient way to activate employees’ performance. As such, the aim of this paper was to investigate the mediating function of employee driven innovative work behaviors in the relationship between work engagement and task performance within the a Dutch ICT consulting firm. A cross-sectional survey-based research design, employing a census-based sampling method, was employed to obtain data from a global ICT consulting firm within the Netherlands (n = 232). The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Innovative Work Behavior Scale and the Task Performance Scale was used to assess the associative subjective experiences of ICT employees. The results showed that work engagement is a significant driver for innovative work behaviors, which in turn affects the task performance of employees. Further, innovative work behaviors are therefore important to translate the engaging energies of employees into performance. This paper discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.