East Asian Context Research Articles

When We Are Happy, We Are the Same—Emotions as a Boundary Condition for the Impact of Cultural Differences on Strategic Decisions

AbstractStrategic decision-making research has mainly relied on the values-based approach to culture. However, the dynamic constructivist approach to culture has shown that cultural tendencies may also be altered by contingency factors in the decision-making process itself. We theorize based on the appraisal tendency framework as well as the concept of cultural affordances that emotions, such as happiness, can alter the cultural dispositions of managers from Western and East Asian contexts. To test our hypotheses, we conduct a lab-in-the-field experiment with 187 executives from China and Germany, and measure emotions based on participants’ psychophysiological skin conductance responses. Our results show that happiness moderates and can even reverse initial cultural dispositions in executives’ strategic decision-making behavior. These findings suggest that emotions may be important contingency factors that can alter the initial cultural dispositions of decision makers in the strategy process.

Moving Up Trainees’ Motivation for Using On-job Training: Relationship between Leaders’ Support and Trainees’ Motivation for Learning

"Research Aims: This study examined the relationship between leaders’ support and trainees’ learning outcomes and the relationship between leaders’ support, trainees’ motivation for learning, and trainees’ motivation for using on-job training. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect 226 self-report questionnaires from employees at military healthcare organisations in Peninsular Malaysia. The SmartPLS was used to assess the quality of the measurement model and test the structural model. Research Findings: This study confirmed that trainees’ motivation for learning is an essential mediating construct in the relationship between leaders’ support and trainees’ motivation for using on-job training. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study disclosed that trainees’ motivation for learning can indirectly affect the relationship between leaders’ support and trainee’s motivation to use on-job training. This outcome was consistent with and extended the prior studies conducted in Southeast Asia and other countries. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian context: The findings can help leaders understand the multidimensional perspectives of trainees’ motivation for learning construct and the importance of leaders and members at various hierarchical levels to maintain and enhance their organisational performance and competitiveness in 21st-century globalisation and uncertainty economy. Research Limitations & Implications: Methodological and conceptual constraints must be considered to improve future studies."

Leadership Styles, Self-Efficacy, and Innovative Work Behaviour of Software Developers

"Research Aims: The primary aims of this study involve examining the effect of leadership styles on self-efficacy and the effect of self-efficacy on innovative work behaviour. Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative research was conducted by collecting data from 242 randomly selected software developers in four software development companies in Yangon using structured questionnaires. Regression analysis was used to attain the research objectives. Research Findings: The results showed that transactional and ambidextrous leadership styles have a significant effect on increasing the self-efficacy of software developers. This study also revealed that self-efficacy is an antecedent of the innovative work behaviour of software developers. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The study confirmed that transactional leadership significantly impacts self-efficacy and validated the role of ambidextrous leadership in self-efficacy. Moreover, self-efficacy was found to have an impact on innovative work behaviour. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian Context: This study suggests that transactional and ambidextrous leadership styles can create enabling environments by encouraging and empowering team members to increase their self-efficacy and engage in more innovative endeavours. Research Limitation & Implications: Data was collected once using a questionnaire from a sample of four companies. The insights can help leaders maintain a sustainable competitive advantage, leading to more job opportunities and long-term economic growth in Myanmar and other developing countries."

Understanding the Influences of Hedonic Personality towards Advertising Avoidance on Social Media

"Research Aims: This study aims to investigate and explore how the hedonic personality that exists in each individual can influence avoidance behaviour towards advertisements on social media platforms. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative approach with a purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data from 198 respondents who have shopped or at least searched for products on social media. The data were then analysed using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique. Research Findings: The results showed that hedonic personality affected advertising avoidance behaviour. Through multigroup analysis, this research found differences in how men and women respond to an advertisement. On the other hand, the intrusive level of an advertisement had a direct effect on ad avoidance behaviour on social media. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study contributes knowledge by exploring and linking hedonic personality with ad avoidance behaviour. In addition, this study analyses how those relationships are different between men and women. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian Context: The results of this study are expected to provide insights for advertisers and encourage them to consider the hedonic style when determining the target customers. Also, the results inform that the model or ad content should be differentiated when targeting men or women. Research Limitation & Implications: This study is limited in several ways, such as the demographic reach and number of respondents. Additionally, the number of social media platforms is only limited to Instagram and Facebook."

Integrity and Legitimacy of Halal Products: The Urgency of Halal Supply Chain Management Technology Adoption in Halal Product Authentication Traceability Evidence from Indonesia

"Research Aims: This research aims to determine how technology, integrity, and the environment affect traceability of halal product certification and its relationship with Halal Value Chain (HVSC) Management in micro, small and medium processing industries. Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative research utilised survey data from 285 respondents who are processing industry players throughout Indonesia. Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) is applied for data analysis. Research Findings: The study's findings indicate that technology adoption and environmental factors have a significant effect on HVSC traceability. The authentication and legitimacy of halal products are positively impacted by technology adoption, among others, which contributes to the overall product integrity. The research findings also indicate government support as an important factor. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research is one of the first studies related to supply chain legitimacy and authentication in the context of micro, small, and medium businesses in Indonesia, a country with a Muslim majority and many micro-businesses where these businesses have direct contact with “from farm to fork or table” end customers. Managerial Implication in the South East Asian Context: This research offers valuable contribution for managers and policymakers in South East Asia in formulating authentic halal product policies in terms of HVSC. Research Limitations & Implications: This research can benefit from a larger sample size, preferably from larger companies, for generalisation. Moreover, expanding the research across borders and employing a mixed-method approach could offer further insights to overcome supply chain challenges in the future."

Resilience, Self-efficacy, Openness to Change, and Innovativeness of MSME Owners: A Quantitative-Qualitative Integration Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Crisis

"Research Aims: Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have consistently demonstrated their resilience in the face of economic challenges, particularly during crises. This study delves into how the experiences of MSMEs before, during, and after the COVID-19 crisis have translated into resilience, self-efficacy, openness to change, and innovativeness as they responded to the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: This mixed-methods study combines the quantitative analysis of the characteristics of MSME owners with their narratives of their experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, translating adversity into an opportunity. Research Findings: The integrated results showed how the quantitative-qualitative insights enabled a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics that supported resilience, resulting in maximum utilisation of technology, expansion of networks, and the creation of community enterprises. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The integration of Psychological Capital Theory into the discussion provides a nuanced lens through which we can understand how MSMEs effectively harness their vulnerabilities to foster resilience, self-efficacy, openness to change, and innovativeness. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: The findings of this study offer valuable insights for small and medium-sized enterprises in Southeast Asia seeking to develop crisis management strategies. By emphasising the pivotal characteristics of entrepreneurs, these strategies can enhance the agility and resilience of business owners in the face of adversity. Research Limitations & Implications: Future research could examine COVID-19's longitudinal and comparative effects on Southeast Asian MSMEs. These studies can help explain how small businesses adapt to and evolve to meet difficulties."

Language policy and planning for heritage language maintenance: a scoping review

ABSTRACT The study of language maintenance and shift (LMS) has attracted a large body of empirical work in language policy and planning (LPP) contexts, including allochthonous (immigrant) and autochthonous (indigenous) languages. However, some critical ontological questions that relate to the scope and terminology of language maintenance studies remain unanswered, and there seems to be a lack of consistency in the definitions of the relevant terms, such as what ‘heritage’ language refers to, whose heritage it is when a language can be classified as a heritage language, and what ‘language’ is at all. Therefore, this review summarises existing literature on LPP for language maintenance by employing a scoping review methodology, providing an overview of empirical studies of LPP in migration context over the past two decades (2001-2023), focusing on terminology, geographical settings, research focus and methods. The findings reveal that most studies (66.3%) use the term ‘heritage language’ to refer to the ‘language of transnational minorities’ among other terms. The results also highlight geographical gaps and imbalances in the literature, calling for more LPP studies from South American and East Asian contexts. In addition, further investigations are needed to explore the transnational and translocal aspects of language maintenance.

The OECD’s New Discourse of Curriculum Reform: Student Agency, Competency, Colonisation, and Translation

Abstract The OECD global governance of education has been gradually increasing. Its field of interest is currently expanding from educational evaluation through PISA to curriculum reform through the Education 2030 project. Here, it is interesting to note that the nature of the terms the OECD has been creating reveals a ‘humanistic turn’. This shows up well in the frequent occurrence of terms such as ‘well-being’, ‘attitudes and values’, ‘inclusiveness’, ‘responsibility’, and ‘sustainability’ in the ongoing Education 2030 project. Perhaps this new humanistic discourse increases the likelihood of the smooth adoption of the OECD’s proposed curriculum redesign in more countries. If the OECD’s new discourse captures and transforms contemporary people's ways of thought and practice about education, then this is related to the problem of colonialism in our era. It is also worth noting that language plays a vital role in colonization. In particular, the need for translation between different languages serves as a useful means for colonization. Conversely, it is also seen as having a potential decolonizing power. In this context, I would like to examine the new language the OECD has adopted, specifically regarding student experience and the nature of knowing. Next, I shall attempt to criticize the underlying educational assumptions in the OECD’s pronouncements. Following this, I shall explore how the OECD’s new discourse has been translated in South Korea, taking this as an example of wider experience in the East Asian context and possibly elsewhere. Finally, I shall conclude by considering the direction of curriculum decolonization in terms of translation.

Face as a multidimensional construct: Cross‐cultural validation of the Loss of Face Scale in Taiwan and the United States

AbstractFace culture is a crucial facet of East Asia. The most common self‐report measure for face concern is the unidimensional Loss of Face Scale. In this study, we examined the dimensionality, factor structure, and validity of the Loss of Face Scale in two samples. Sample 1 (N = 602) consisted of 303 Taiwanese mothers and 299 U.S. mothers. Sample 2 (N = 602) was an independent sample from Sample 1, consisting of 294 Taiwanese mothers and 308 U.S. mothers. We proposed a modified 15‐item four‐dimensional factor structure to better capture the complexity of face. Four sub‐domains emerged from the results of exploratory structural equation modelling: Low‐Profile, Over‐Preparation, Harmony Seeking, and Non‐Aggression. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis indicated configural and metric invariance but failed to establish full scalar invariance across countries. Convergent validity was supported by positive correlations with other Asian cultural values. While all four domains of face showed small to moderate correlations with depression in the U.S., only Low‐Profile was associated with depression in Taiwan, suggesting that not all aspects of face concern are non‐adaptive in East Asian contexts. Future studies should consider the multidimensional nature of face as well as how different dimensions affect mental and social well‐being across cultures.

Representations of Older People in Advertising: A Review

Abstract: Societies around the world are increasingly aging; nevertheless, older people in advertising are still mostly underrepresented. This article gives an overview of the literature on this topic showing that older people (roughly 60 years old and above) are nearly invisible in advertising, particularly older women. In terms of their assigned roles in advertising representation, older people are mostly not shown in major roles in Western countries, while in an East Asian context older people are more often shown in such roles. Finally, globally older people are mostly depicted with other age groups and rarely alone, are generally shown in positive ways, and there are few cultural differences between these representations. Based on my literature review, I identify several suggestions for future research on representations of older people in advertising.

Confucianism and Meritocracy in the East Asian Context: Historical, Social, and Political (I)

Confucianism and Meritocracy in the East Asian Context: Historical, Social, and Political (I)

US Imperialism and its Legacies in East Asia: Thucydides Trap or Thrasymachus Paradox?

AbstractThe US presence in East Asia is not simply a result of the victory over Japan in WW2, but a legacy of the US takeover of the Spanish overseas empire in 1898. Today, the threat of war between China and the US has little to do with Allison’s Thucydides trap, which is based on a misreading of Thucydides’ work: It originates from what in China is seen as a US imperial presence that mirrors Western interference in Chinese affairs during the so-called “century of humiliation.” China is an authoritarian state with regional hegemonic ambitions, yet the West has been endorsing other authoritarian states, even absolute monarchies, that fit its geopolitical interests. Notwithstanding the purported US support of “freedom” and “democracy,” the US in East Asia has been carrying out a foreign policy that, as an extension of misinterpretations of the Monroe Doctrine, is a legacy of empire. This legacy is too often overlooked, while overseas interests are justified on the basis of security concerns. Thucydides is relevant, but to compare the American and Athenian empires and their demise, not to drag China into US geopolitical discourse, when focus should have long been on Russia. Anti-colonial theory shows how interstate relations, in particular in the East Asian context, are not defined by Thucydides trap, but Thrasymachus paradox.

Occupational choice, satisfaction and success of PhD graduates in East Asia and the West: A systematic review

AbstractThe globally expanding doctoral education and the diminishing availability of academic job opportunities have prompted an increasing proportion of PhD graduates to seek employment beyond academia, drawing a growing scholarly interest. However, the existing literature on doctoral career pathways tends to be fragmented and dispersed, given the idiosyncratic individual and educational characteristics of doctorates grappling with the complex structural factors. To depict a comprehensive picture of the diversifying employment trajectories of doctorates across various geographical, disciplinary and sectoral contexts, this study conducts a systematic review, scouring 831 pertinent journal articles from the Web of Science. Following a set of inclusion criteria, 31 papers were ultimately selected to identify the key factors shaping employment trajectories of PhD graduates at structural (national supply and demand), institutional (employers' perceptions) and individual (doctorates' characteristics) levels. Drawing on the boundaryless and value‐based career theories, the authors develop a four‐dimension analytical framework, within which the findings of the 31 papers in East Asian and Western contexts are analysed. Overall, stakeholders in Western systems generally recognise the trend of PhD graduates securing non‐academic employment, whereas East Asian nations appear less receptive to this agenda. Meanwhile, due to their strong emphasis on research skills utilisation and employment stability, PhD graduates in certain economies find it challenging to pursue satisfying and successful careers, warranting increased attention. Building on the findings, we propose a four‐quadrat model in an effort to provide a tool for evaluating the capacity to absorb doctoral workforces of specific systems by categorising the doctoral professions. Highlighting shared patterns observed across various higher education systems and distinct trends prevalent in specific economies, this paper addresses key topics in doctoral education and doctorate employment literature such as labour market conditions, employment outcomes, job satisfaction, skills (mis)matches and sustainable careers.

The connections between Historic Urban Landscape layers in Jingdezhen, the porcelain capital of China

The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach offers an innovative integrated approach to urban conservation based on layering analysis. However, adapting the HUL layering model to the East Asian context, particularly China, is problematic. This issue can be addressed by incorporating connection analysis into the HUL approach. The current study emphasises the need to consider the interwoven spatial structure of the urban landscape and treat deeper cultural-natural ties as those embodied in the traditional Chinese concept of Fengshui. Taking Jingdezhen, the historic centre of China’s traditional ceramics industry, as a case study, this study demonstrates local knowledge of natural geography and local intelligence regarding settlement location and design. The results indicate that the natural system is at the core of Jingdezhen’s HUL, and the elements of nature, function and spirit form a holistic and interactive system.

A Preview of the Legislative Practice for Universal Jurisdiction: An East Asian Context

A Preview of the Legislative Practice for Universal Jurisdiction: An East Asian Context

Social venture performance, impact and strategic marketing effectiveness in turbulent environments

PurposeThe social venture (SV) is an increasingly popular form of organization to pursue social goals using a commercial approach. Although marketing plays an important role in SV research and a key driver of the performance of SVs, how and the extent to which market conditions play a role remains understudied. This study examines if market turbulence can moderate marketing capabilities and performance relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed several hypotheses rooted in the marketing literature and tested them using data collected from a sample of 109 SVs from East Asia (i.e. Hong Kong and Taiwan). Using multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling, the authors analyzed the marketing capabilities and financial and social performance relationships and the positive moderating role of market turbulence.FindingsThe results suggested that market turbulence is a positive moderator which influences the effect of the marketing capabilities–financial performance relationship, but not the marketing capabilities and social performance relationship.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to interrogate the SV's marketing capabilities–performance relationship in the East Asian context and how market turbulence may enhance or weaken the relationship. This is one of the earliest papers in this research area. The key findings from this research offer valuable theoretical contribution to the study of SV performance.

Strategic Orientation and Absorptive Capacity: The Mediating Role Of Functional Conflict

"Research Aims: This study investigates the mediating role of functional conflict in explaining the effect of market orientation on the absorptive capacity of small and medium enterprises (SME) exporters in emerging markets. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data were successfully collected from 124 respondents and tested using structural equation modelling via Smart-PLS. Research Findings: The results support the notion that responsive market orientation and proactive market orientation positively influence absorptive capacity. In addition, functional conflicts serve as a quasi-mediator in the relationship between responsive market orientation and absorptive capacity. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: The export competitiveness of SMEs is the output of intangible assets of external knowledge. The ability to identify the relevant knowledge, disseminate that knowledge within the organisation and transform it into valuable products or services is pertinent. Nevertheless, firms vary in terms of the ability to develop absorptive capacity. Accordingly, previous research investigates the antecedent of absorptive capacity, but very few have looked at the role of market orientation and the conditions that influence the relationship. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: Interaction with foreign importers affects SME knowledge development. Functional conflict requires open dialogues to develop meaningful outputs; as such, SMEs in South East Asia should aim to build good connections with their overseas importers. Research Limitations & Implications: The limitations of this study include the small sample size, the external condition of Covid-19 that was not included in this study and the cross-sectional approach of data collection which did not capture the dynamic nature of the firm’s capability. Keywords: Absorptive Capacity, Exporter-Importer Relationship, Functional Conflict, Market Orientation, Malaysia, SMEs"

Sustainability Disclosure in The Malaysian Construction Sector: The Effect of Community and Media Legitimacies

"Research Aims: The objective of the study is to examine the effects of stakeholder pressure on sustainability disclosure (SD). The study includes the effect of community on SD when the company considers the media as one of the legitimate stakeholders. Design/Methodology/Approach: Stakeholder legitimacy is evaluated using SD via content analysis based on panel data samples from the construction and property sectors. Research Findings: It was found that legitimacy is an antecedent and has a positive relationship with SD. Furthermore, this relationship between community legitimacy and SD is stronger when mediated by media legitimacy. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study shows the effects of the legitimacy attribute on SD instead of the influence of stakeholders in general (regardless of the legitimacy concept) and the incremental value for companies to include the interest of the media in SD apart from the communities alone. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: It guides managers in forming a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan and budget to increase company value. This illustrates to the managers the motivation behind making disclosures about the media in the SD more so in this rapid social media where fake and misleading information threatens the public trust in Southeast Asia. Research Limitations & Implications: The study does not include power and urgency factors along with legitimacy. Keywords: Stakeholder Legitimacy, Stakeholder Salience Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Sustainability Disclosure, Construction, Endogeneity"

Understanding the Role of Social Media Marketing and Technology Adoption Model in Shaping Customer Adoption of Digital Banking

"Research Aims: The present research aims to investigate factors that significantly influence customers’ behavioural intention to use digital banking products. Following prior work on social media marketing and the influence of conglomerate group benefits, in addition to providing a comprehensive understanding, the research incorporates three established theories: the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the Technology Acceptance Model, and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample consists of current Allo Bank users. Data collection involved convenience sampling and a self-administered online questionnaire filled out by 262 respondents in Jakarta, Indonesia. The data analysis technique used was SEM PLS. Research Findings: This study’s findings show that each hypothesis has positive and significant results. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study explores the impact of conglomerate group benefits and the influence of social media marketing on consumers’ behavioural intention to use digital banking. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: This study offers insights on how to enhance the behavioural intention to use digital banking. It suggests that subjective norms can have a substantial impact, so encouraging more individuals to utilise digital banking can increase customers’ willingness to adopt. Furthermore, increasing sales promotions while enhancing the perceived behavioural control of customers can also significantly influence adoption. Research Limitations & Implications: The research is constrained to digital banks belonging to conglomerates. This restriction overlooks various other factors that may impact the choice of utilising a digital banking product. Keywords: Social Media Marketing, Conglomerate Business Group Benefit, Behavioural Intention, Digital-only Bank, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Technology Acceptance Model"

Unveiling the Dynamics of Expectation, Flow, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction: Drivers of Continued Subscription Intentions Among Netflix Users

"Research Aims: This study investigates the determinants impacting the intention of Netflix users to continue using the platform. By leveraging the extended Expectation-Confirmation Model of continued IT usage and hedonic variables, including Confirmation, Flow, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Enjoyment, and Satisfaction, the research aims to discern the most influential factors. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research recruited 271 participants through non-probabilistic purposive sampling, targeting Indonesian Netflix subscribers active within the preceding six months who were at least 17 years old at the time of the study. Covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling was employed to analyse the collected data. Research Findings: User enjoyment and Satisfaction mediate the relationships between Flow and Confirmation with Netflix's continuance intention. Flow emerges as the preeminent determinant of continuance intention among the exogenous variables. While Flow's influence on continuance intention is mediated by Satisfaction and Enjoyment, there is no direct effect between Flow and Satisfaction. Perceived Usefulness exhibits no substantial correlation with continuance intention. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research underscores the pivotal role of Flow in driving enjoyment and continuance intention within video subscription services like Netflix. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: The study offers insights into the preferences and behaviours of Netflix users in the Southeast Asian context, employing Indonesia as a focal point. This valuable information equips Netflix and other regional SVOD providers to strategically enhance their offerings and services. Research Limitations & Implications: To enhance the robustness of the findings, future research should encompass broader and more diverse populations for comparative purposes. Including new variables, such as digital piracy and perceived ease of use, would contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play. Keywords: Technology Acceptance Model, Expectation Confirmation Model, Flow, Continuance Intention, Netflix"