Propositions For Future Research Research Articles

Diaspora investment promotion via public–private partnerships: Case-study insights and IB research implications from the Succeed in Ireland initiative

Recent research in international business and related fields suggests that a country’s overseas migrant populations can facilitate its inward flow of foreign direct investment (FDI). How do recipient-country governments interested in attracting more migrant-facilitated FDI respond? We provide the first exploratory study of recipient-country response by examining a public–private partnership (PPP) between government-run investment promotion agencies and diaspora-focused non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Evidence from a review of the Succeed in Ireland initiative, a partnership between the Investment Development Agency of Ireland and an NGO called ConnectIreland, provides novel insights into PPP strengths and weaknesses. We use these insights to develop propositions for future research and practical guidance on the optimal PPP design to attract more migrant-facilitated FDI.

Contingency framework for understanding quality in public and private hospitals of India

PurposeHealth-care delivery organizations (hospitals) constitute a complex adaptive system; hence, a contingency perspective is imperative to guide the design of customized approaches to quality management in different health-care settings. Accordingly, this paper aims to propose a contingency framework to advance the understanding of the relationship between situational factors and effectiveness of quality approaches in health-care organizations (HCOs), such as hospitals in India.Design/methodology/approachRelated literature was reviewed to identify existing research and theories related to quality and quality approaches, situational factors of the HCOs (hospitals) and some existing logical evidence on public and private hospitals in India. Then a contingencies framework for quality and quality approaches was conceptualized.FindingsThis paper proposes contingent determinants arise out of conceptualization of the HCOs (hospitals) from different system perspective such as rational system, natural system, open system and integrative system; uncertainty because of physicians’ behaviour, nurses’ approach and a dual line of authority; and the task environment such as patients, competition and economic pressure. These determinants represent situational constructs to the quality enhancement of any attempt at quality approaches. While these determinants have an influence on the quality and quality approaches of the HCOs (hospital), it is imperative to build any quality improvement strategy to work effectively, i.e., quality approach is dependent on determinants of the contingencies of the hospital’s environment, be it external or internal. Propositions for future research are also incorporated.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper proposes a conceptual model as well as research propositions that need to be validated and confirmed empirically. It advances the research and theory related to quality and quality approaches in a health-care setting. It can enable policymakers, hospital managers to analyze and gauge the appropriateness of quality approaches in a given context before implementing them and could help to improve the introverted quality approaches and quality dimensions currently followed in HCOs (hospitals).Originality/valueContingency framework is a new approach for research on the effectiveness of quality approaches in hospitals. The fundamental idea behind this framework is that effectiveness of quality approaches can be understood best by examining its contingent determinants. Thus, it has the capacity to contribute to the efforts of government and policymakers to make the quality of care affordable to all in India. Essentially, we examine the contexts and variables that determine the effectiveness of quality approaches.

Working it out together: a suggested model for vacation-related decision-making in couples

ABSTRACTChoices we make are oftentimes shaped by people we are in a relationship with. Surprisingly, most tourism research assumes that the decision-maker is a single individual who is not influenced by their significant others. To fill in this gap, this study investigated how couples make complex vacation-related choices, and which decision reaching strategies they practice. By means of in-depth interviews with nine Norwegian couples, we examined which interpersonal factors affect decisions couples make together. Using grounded theory we developed a conceptual model of couple decision-making, which illustrates mechanisms within couple decision-making. The model suggests that certain subcategories of relationship attributes, interpersonal communication, and process involvement influence whether a couple uses democratic or monocratic decision-reaching strategies. The model we introduce has incorporated concepts that, at present, have received little or no attention in relation to complex decisions, in particular the vacation-related ones. We suggest six propositions for future research, and implications for vacation-related businesses and group decision-making are discussed.

Core and Legitimate Roles of Internal Audit Function and Enterprise Risk Management: Propositions for Future Research

In the aftermath of global corporate scandals at the start of the new millennium government policy makers and international regulatory organizations launched several initiatives to anticipate and mitigate the impact of enterprise risk that can seriously damage economies of nations and bankrupt globally recognized companies. The typical roles of internal auditors have failed to prevent frauds and financial crimes from taking root in organizations. As a result, paradigms such as Enterprise Risk Management took centre-stage and became vital considerations and organizations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors along with other global platforms such as the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission to address the issue of enterprise risk. However, despite all these measures new corporate scandals have emerged, inviting scope for further investigation on matters such as how defined internal audit functions relate to Enterprise Risk Management. This paper proposes a conceptual link between the core and legitimate roles of internal auditor function and enterprise risk management. The roles of internal auditor function are based on the Institute of Internal Auditors Position Paper (2009) and the core components of Enterprise Risk Management are identified based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (2017) Enterprise Risk Management Integrated Framework. This study further proposes a set of propositions suggesting the possible association of the core and legitimate roles of internal auditors on the five core components of Enterprise Risk Management. The output of this study is expected to lay the foundation for further empirical studies to develop a finer-grained understanding of how internal auditor function roles relate to Enterprise Risk Management implementation.

Role of servant leadership in contemporary hospitality

Purpose This study aims to determine the possible role of servant leadership (SL) in meliorating critical issues in the contemporary hospitality industry by synthesizing literature on SL, examining benefits and deriving future research propositions. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review of SL in hospitality was conducted to analyze, categorize and synthesize the state of research. A nomological framework of SL in hospitality was created, and research gaps were identified. Future directions and propositions were derived to investigate the antecedents of SL by applying the person-situation theoretical approach, and second, to address contemporary challenges in the industry. Findings SL theory in hospitality is examined across various themes with focus on outcome effects related to firm performance, and across different cultures, with observed dominance in Asia. All analyses demonstrate the positive effects on employers and firms and thus confirm the relevance of adopting SL in hospitality. A notable gap in hospitality research is the lack of empirical investigation of SL antecedents. Such an investigation is crucial in promoting related behaviors. Practical implications This study identifies the benefits of SL, especially in addressing contemporary issues, such as sustainability, talent shortage, competition, growing demand for experience and retention of hospitality graduates. Recommendations are elaborated for hospitality educators and industry managers to revise leadership practices. Originality/value This study is the first to review SL in hospitality and determine its role in ameliorating critical issues in the field.

An Overview of Recent Advances in State-of-the-Art Techniques in the Demulsification of Crude Oil Emulsions

The processing of crude oil often requires the extraction of a large amount of water. Frequently, crude oil is mixed with water to form water-in-crude oil emulsions as the result of factors such as high shear at the production wellhead and surface-active substances that are naturally present in crude oil. These emulsions are undesirable and require demulsification to remove the dispersed water and associated inorganic salts in order to meet production and transportation specifications. Additionally, the demulsification of these crude oil emulsions mitigates corrosion and catalyst poisoning and invariably maximizes the overall profitability of crude oil production. Recently, there has been growing research interest in developing workable solutions to the difficulties associated with transporting and refining crude oil emulsions and the restrictions on produced water discharge. Therefore, this paper reviews the recent research efforts on state-of-the-art demulsification techniques. First, an overview of crude oil emulsion types, formation, and stability is presented. Then, the parameters and mechanisms of emulsification formation and different demulsification techniques are extensively examined. It is worth noting that the efficiency of each of these techniques is dependent on the operating parameters and their interplay. Moreover, a more effective demulsification process could be attained by leveraging synergistic effects by combining one or more of these techniques. Finally, this literature review then culminates with propositions for future research. Therefore, the findings of this study can help for a better understanding of the formation and mechanisms of the various demulsification methods of crude oil to work on the development of green demulsifiers by different sources.

Evaluating the effectiveness of performance management: A 30-year integrative conceptual review.

This integrative conceptual review is based on a critical need in the area of performance management (PM), where there remain important unanswered questions about the effectiveness of PM that affect both research and practice. In response, we create a theoretically grounded, comprehensive, and integrative model for understanding and measuring PM effectiveness, comprising multiple categories of evaluative criteria and the underlying mechanisms that link them. We then review more than 30 years (1984-2018) of empirical PM research vis-à-vis this model, leading to conclusions about what the literature has studied and what we do and do not know about PM effectiveness as a result. The final section of this article further elucidates the key "value chains" or mediational paths that explain how and why PM can add value to organizations, framed around three pressing questions with both theoretical and practical importance (How do individual-level outcomes of PM emerge to become unit-level outcomes? How essential are positive reactions to the overall effectiveness of PM? and What is the value of a performance rating?). This discussion culminates in specific propositions for future research and implications for practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Clinicians' ability, motivation, and opportunity to acquire and transfer knowledge: An age-driven perspective.

Many countries are seeing a dramatic increase in the average age of their clinicians. The literature often highlights the challenges of high replacement costs and the need for strategies to retain older personnel. Less discussed are the potential pitfalls of knowledge acquisition and transfer that accompany this aging issue. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding how clinicians' age interact with ability, motivation, and opportunity to predict clinical knowledge transfer and acquisition in health care organizations. This study integrates life-span development perspectives with the ability-motivation-opportunity framework to develop a number of testable propositions on the interaction between age and clinicians' ability, motivation, and opportunity to acquire and transfer clinical knowledge. We posit that the interaction between ability (the knowledge and skills to acquire knowledge), motivation (the willingness to acquire and transfer knowledge), and opportunity (resources required for acquiring and transferring knowledge) is a determinant of successful knowledge management. We also suggest that clinicians' age-and more specifically, the cognitive and motivational changes that accompany aging-moderates these relationships. This study contributes to existing research by offering a set of testable propositions for future research. These propositions will hopefully encourage empirical research into this important topic and lead to guidelines for reducing the risks of organizational knowledge loss due to aging. We suggest several ways that health care organizations can tailor managerial practices in order to help capitalize on the knowledge-based resources held by their younger and older clinicians. Such initiatives may affect employees' ability (e.g., by providing specific training programs), motivation (e.g., by expanding subjective perceptions of future time at work), and opportunities (e.g., by providing mentoring, reverse mentoring, and coaching programs) to acquire and transfer knowledge.

Building resilience and managing post-disruption supply chain recovery: Lessons from the information and communication technology industry

In recent years, major local and global disruptions have had significant adverse effects on corporate performance, particularly for businesses with long, global supply chains. Managing disruption and its effects has therefore become a key focus for firms. While the process of disruption management has attracted considerable research attention, much of it has been directed at the pre-disruption stage. This study investigates the post-disruption stage, and its management. The unpredictability of disruption magnitude and nature suggests that the post-disruption management process may be as important, if not more so, than pre-determined pre-disruption strategies. An effective post-disruption management process would directly affect actual ability to recover from sudden and serious disruptions. This study analyzes six companies, variously positioned upstream and downstream in the supply chain of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry in Taiwan. Specific factors and strategies relating to the post-disruption management process were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with the managers and executives of the firms. The information was categorized into distinct disruption management process stages: discovery, recovery, and supply chain redesign. The study findings are interesting and at times, new and counter-intuitive, including the surprising positive effects of clustering in disruptions, and the role of back-up supplier and material verification in disruption recovery. The study emerges with an integrated framework that can be utilized to establish an effective post-disruption management process. The framework is used to develop research propositions for future research.

Continuous improvement initiatives for dynamic capabilities development

PurposeThis study aims to analyse the existing literature on continuous improvement (CI) initiatives and dynamic capabilities (DCs) development to explore the question whether CI initiatives foster development of DCs in organisations.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) was undertaken. Four databases were included in the structured searches (EBSCOhost, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, ProQuest and Emerald Insight), 19 studies were finally included and analysed in detail.FindingsThe results obtained identify issues such as a growing trend in the publication of studies, the dominant position of the USA and the predominance of empirical papers. The literature was classified according to whether it presents CI as a DC in itself, as an enabler of DC or as a result of the DC. The main critical success factors to be implemented in CI initiatives (CII) were also identified, to enhance the development of DCs. Finally, based on the analysis of the specific DC literature, ten theoretical propositions for possible future research have been developed.Originality/valueCII such as Lean Management, Six Sigma and Total Quality Management have been widely implemented in organisations. Despite their reputation, the effects of these initiatives on long-term benefits remain debated, this motivates the SLR of CII and DC. The DC theory tackles the question of how firms can sustain their advantage and profits in the long term, making this perspective ideal for tackling controversy on the benefits of CII.

A review of facilities management performance measurement

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of facilities management (FM) performance measurement (PM) research within the past two decades to understand existing gaps in FM PM literature.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a systematic approach to review papers in FM PM published from 1997 to 2017. The articles published in selected peer-reviewed international journals in the last 20 years were collected by conducting literature search in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The content of the papers were scrutinized to understand the gap in literature.FindingsThe review depicts a slow pace of FM PM research characterized by diverse and fragmented performance measures, whereas the existing PM frameworks are at the nascent stage.Research limitations/implicationsThe judgments of the paper are based on the 54 papers selected for the critical review and analysis that should be treated as key issues in FM PM research agenda. The review also excludes energy management.Originality/valueThe paper identifies the gaps in the current PM literature in FM and set propositions for future research which is of utility and relevance to FM researchers more especially on the existing conceptual frameworks. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to conduct a review on FM PM in the extant literature.

The Vietnam project: developing conceptual knowledge on cross-cultural skills for training in SME internationalization

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the importance of cross-cultural skills needed by Vietnamese SMEs (current and potential) exporters across Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The findings suggest that training needs vary by regions, stage of SME development and cultural context of the region. The study has both theoretical and practical implications. The paper suggests that prior to designing and implementing training, the identification process must involve systematic conceptualization of key export stimuli and be informed by best practice and empirical knowledge. The study endeavours to develop a conceptual framework and propositions for future research.

Entrepreneurship in marketing: Socializing partners for brand governance in EM firms

We present case studies of opportunity exploration and exploitation in two small, established Entrepreneurial Marketing firms who actively build online and offline partnerships with a range of stakeholders. We use effectuation principles to explore the use of the relational norms of trust, selection, solidarity, information exchange and flexibility within the firms, considering these as mechanisms used by the organization to socialise their partners. We examine the way firm's vary their emphasis on trust, selection, solidarity and information exchange in line with the nature and importance of the partnership, and how each contributes to opportunity exploration. We also examine how flexibility enables the exploitation of opportunities validated as having potential. Finally, we present a theoretical framework based on our results along with propositions for future research. Contributions are made to entrepreneurial marketing, effectuation, and brand governance literatures.

Diversity in the workplace: a review of theory and methodologies and propositions for future research

La globalizzazione ha comportato una piu ampia diversita nella composizione della forza lavoro nelle organizzazioni produttive. Di conseguenza la gestione della diversita e diventata una nuova leva per la crescita aziendale nel mercato globale. L’articolo presenta i risultati di una rassegna della letteratura scientifica relativa ai modelli esistenti per la gestione della diversita, riferita al perido 1980-2016, e identifica i limiti di tali modelli. Dalla rassegna emerge in particolare che mancano informazioni su come nei casi di imprese multinazionali i modelli adottati nelle sedi centrali possano essere trasferiti alle filiali decentrate. L’articolo suggerisce alcune ipotesi che riguardano la traduzione delle pratiche di gestione della diversita nelle sedi decentrate in una prospettiva di definizione di una strategia globale. L’analisi evidenzia la rilevanza strategica di sfruttare il potenziale incorporato in gruppi di lavoro culturalmente diversificati e la necessita di diversificare le modalita di trasferimento delle pratiche di gestione della diversita dalle sedi centrali verso quelle periferiche.

Empathy for service: benefits, unintended consequences, and future research agenda

PurposeEmpathy is a core characteristic of helping and caring interactions and thus is fundamental to service. Yet, to date, service marketing literature has focused on a restricted view of the value of empathy as it leads to improved service quality perceptions and successful sales outcomes. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the empathy literature and the dispositional and situational factors affecting it, so as to further explore its potential benefits and limitations for service.Design/methodology/approachA summative review of the empathy literature uncovers cause–effect relationships and their potential boundary conditions. Theoretical propositions set an agenda for future research on empathy for service that breaks new ground.FindingsEmpathy can reduce anti-social, revenge, discrimination and unethical behaviors in service settings. It can also improve value-in-context experiences for users of service innovations. Notwithstanding its potential benefits, empathy can diminish the objectivity and performance of service providers when experienced at extreme levels. Empathy can also serve as an ingratiation influence tactic and can be detrimental to the target in embarrassing service contexts.Originality/valueThis paper suggests propositions for future research to advance theory and managerial practice on the use of empathy to improve service outcomes for interacting actors. It also alludes to the potential dark side of empathy when experienced at excessive levels or when used to manipulate.

Broadening the Lean Six Sigma Concept through Employee Adaptability: A Literature Review

LSS is one of the most widely implemented initiatives within the organisations. Employees are one of the most important factors for its success. However, due to the absence of an implementation framework, it creates a complex environment for the employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the different dimensions an employee must adapt while implementing LSS. An integrative literature review is carried for the last 25 years. This research paper finds eight dimensions on which employee has to adapt while implementing LSS. The eight dimensions along with research propositions for future research are discussed. There are many studies on the implementation aspect of LSS. There is yet to be a study discussing how an employee would adapt to LSS initiatives for a sustainable implementation. This is the first literature review carried out on employee adaptability and LSS. This study will add value to organisations so that they can better recruit and manage their employees. Likewise, the academicians will also benefit from the literature review and research propositions for the future research agenda.

Broadening the Lean Six Sigma concept through employee adaptability: a literature review

LSS is one of the most widely implemented initiatives within the organisations. Employees are one of the most important factors for its success. However, due to the absence of an implementation framework, it creates a complex environment for the employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the different dimensions an employee must adapt while implementing LSS. An integrative literature review is carried for the last 25 years. This research paper finds eight dimensions on which employee has to adapt while implementing LSS. The eight dimensions along with research propositions for future research are discussed. There are many studies on the implementation aspect of LSS. There is yet to be a study discussing how an employee would adapt to LSS initiatives for a sustainable implementation. This is the first literature review carried out on employee adaptability and LSS. This study will add value to organisations so that they can better recruit and manage their employees. Likewise, the academicians will also benefit from the literature review and research propositions for the future research agenda.

Leveraging Partnerships with Logistics Service Providers in Humanitarian Supply Chains by Blockchain-based Smart Contracts

As humanitarian organizations are struggling to reach an increasing number of beneficiaries, humanitarian-business partnerships, such as the use of logistics service providers (LSPs), promise to improve effectivity and efficiency of humanitarian assistance. Blockchain-based smart contracts which ensure automation, transparency, and efficiency promise to facilitate partnerships, particularly if trust is low. In this paper, blockchain-based smart contracts are critically examined for their application to humanitarian supply chains (HSCs). We identify various adoption barriers which we categorize into organizational, technological, and environmental. As the use of blockchain-based smart contracts in HSCs is in its early stages, we propose future research propositions and directions that can provide insights into overcoming barriers and challenges of adopting the technology in the humanitarian sector.

Revenue Embeddedness and Competing Institutional Logics: How Nonprofit Leaders Connect Earned Revenue to Mission and Organizational Identity

The increasing reliance on earned revenue displayed by nonprofits in the US has raised mission-related organizational identity concerns. However, the effect of a market-driven activity on mission-driven service may vary based on revenue embeddedness: the activity’s connection to the organization’s mission. This study draws on the competing logics of isomorphism and resource dependence to examine how the pursuit of earned revenue affects the organization’s perception of its mission and projection of identity. The authors examine how leaders use language to connect market to mission, presents additional dimensions of embeddedness, and offers propositions for future research.

Transitioning to agile software development: Lessons learned from a government-contracted program

With a need to implement an agile software development methodology in government programs, this study was conducted to explore how organizations transitioned from a traditional waterfall software development method to agile methods. To accomplish this study, a case study research was utilized. A multimillion-dollar government-contracted program in the US was studied. The research findings reveal key challenges faced by organizations during the transition and the lessons learned that can be applied to future programs. Propositions for future research are also presented.