Goal Congruence Research Articles

Organizational Performance in Environmental Uncertainty on the Indonesian Healthcare Industry: A Path Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has created turbulence in the healthcare industry, resulting in a decline in financial performance, planning, control, and systems. This has caused managers to perform specific actions related to budgeting for their benefit, resulting in budgetary slack and affecting hospital performance, which is influenced by environmental factors and organizational conditions. Therefore, this research aimed to obtain empirical evidence of the mediating role of management control systems and budgetary slack on the effect of environmental uncertainty on hospital performance. The method used was an explanatory causality approach, a primary data source, a survey data collection technique, and a research sample consisting of hospital managers. The simple random sampling technique was employed, using an individual unit of analysis, a cross-sectional time horizon, and path analysis to evaluate the data. Subsequently, the results showed that environmental uncertainty positively affects management system control and budgetary slack. The research also revealed the positive influence of management system control on budgetary slack and hospital performance and fiscal margin on hospital performance. Furthermore, the control process and budgetary slack as mediating actions indicated that budgeting is pessimistic for goal congruence, making hospital performance efficient but ineffective.
 
 Received: 25 October 2021 / Accepted: 19 January 2022 / Published: 5 March 2022

Beyond the money: grantors supporting their grantees

This study analyses the relationship between grant-making foundations (grantors) and operative nonprofit organizations (grantees) to determine whether a positive association exists between foundations’ intervention beyond the money and grantees’ organizational capacity development. Data are collected using a survey of grantees who received funding from a Foundation of Banking Origin (FOB) in the context of Italy. The analyses portray three capacity-building factors that FOBs can deploy in addition to the financial grant, namely, operative support, goal alignment, and performance oversight. The results endorse our hypotheses that both the amount of operative support provided by the foundation and the higher perception of goal congruence between grantor and grantees are positively correlated with the organizational capacity of the grantee. Our results also suggest that the benefits of increased oversight prevail over the drawbacks.

Management control systems and the strategic management of innovation

PurposeThis paper aims to understand the strategic management of innovation by examining the effect that management control systems (MCS) have on innovation activities during the strategic change process.Design/methodology/approachA case study was carried out at an innovative company as they undertook a strategic change from closed innovation to open innovation. Simons’ levers of control was used to frame the ways in which MCS were designed and used by managers and the effect MCS have on the innovation activities of organization members.FindingsThe findings indicate that while managers designed and used MCS to support a drive toward open innovation, organization members did not change their innovation activities. Instead, the findings show that new MCS enabled improvements to their closed innovation strategy. This led to a decrease in the time taken to develop new products, which resulted in increased customer satisfaction, which contributed to the achievement of organizational goals.Originality/valueBy focusing on the relationship between MCS and innovation activities in the strategic change process, the paper sheds new light on the ability of MCS to change the innovation activities of organization members. Even though the innovation activities at our case company did not change the interactions between the MCS enabled organizational goals to be achieved as they provided the necessary information infrastructure and motivated goal congruence.

Inspiration and wellness tourism: the role of cognitive appraisal

ABSTRACT Integrating Cognitive Appraisal Theory with the transmission model of inspiration, this paper investigates the tourist inspiration-eliciting process in the context of wellness tourism. A questionnaire survey (N = 974) was provided to wellness tourists in Shizhu county, China, with findings revealing the motivations of wellness tourists positively influence goal relevance and goal congruence. Goal congruence led to the elicitation of inspiration, which could be separated into two stages of inspired-by and inspired-to. Tourist inspiration was found to diminish as frequency of visitation increased. This research provides conceptual clarity surrounding the intricate connection between motivations and tourist inspiration.

Reconceptualizing value creation: Exploring the role of goal congruence in the Co-creation process

As companies gradually shift from the exchange view to the resource integration view, the creation of value also shifts from the customer sphere to the joint sphere. As a result, the customer and service provider are responsible for co-creating value through resource integration. However, it raises the question of whether customers are capable of contributing to the co-creation of value. Our study proposes a framework of how goal congruence plays a pivotal role in the resource integration process between all actors in the joint sphere. When the level of goal congruence between customer and service provider actors is high, it stimulates the exchange of valuable resources from all actors, which leads to the actual experience of co-creation resulting in value-in-use and improves service outcomes, i.e., customer satisfaction and loyalty. Data were collected through a field survey from salon-and-spa customers (n = 530) and PLS-SEM was employed to test the hypotheses and further analysis. The results show that goal congruence impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty through value-in-use. Therefore, suggesting service providers to properly socialize their goals will be a good strategy to increase customer capability to co-create value and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Congruence and goal sharing of health-related goals among newly dating individuals explaining goal importance and commitment

Objectives The study aimed to determine whether perceived goal sharing (i.e., perceiving a partner as having the same health-related goal) and/or perceived goal congruence (i.e., being able to spend time together in health-related goal activities) with a romantic partner are associated with health-related goal commitment and importance. Design and main outcome measures 80 participants with a health-related goal in a larger study on newly dating relationships completed two self-report questionnaires 3 months apart using validated assessments of goal commitment and importance. Results Perceived goal congruence was associated with concurrent goal commitment and importance and higher goal commitment over time. However, perceived goal sharing was not associated with the health-related goal dimensions (even when interacting with goal congruence) with the exception of increased goal importance over time for those scoring lower than the average on relationship satisfaction. Conclusion One way to enhance health-related goal importance and commitment is to ensure goal congruence exists within romantic relationships, and partners can spend time together engaging in goal-related activities with their partner. Moreover, the results suggest that romantic partners exert an influence even among the newly dating, who are often presumed to be less impactful on health outcomes and processes.

The Impact of Knowledge Transfer on Investment in Knowledge Creation in Firms†‡

ABSTRACTKnowledge is key to success in the modern business landscape. Firms invest billions of dollars every year in knowledge management systems, which commonly use artificial intelligence to allow within‐firm knowledge transfer to occur automatically. Despite this investment, these systems often fall short of producing expected results. Using psychology theory on goal dilution, we argue that a potential cause of the failure is that the prospect of knowledge transfer has a negative effect on knowledge creation. We further propose a mechanism to mitigate that effect. Specifically, we predict that the negative effect of knowledge transfer on knowledge creation will be mitigated when the linkages among firm‐ and unit‐level goals are communicated. We conduct an experiment and find that while, as predicted, the prospect of knowledge transfer has a negative effect on knowledge creation when the linkages among firm‐ and unit‐level goals are not communicated, it has the predicted positive effect when the linkages among firm‐ and unit‐level goals are communicated due to increased goal congruence. Additional analyses provide support for our underlying theories. Our results suggest that firms can adopt and communicate strategic performance measurement systems to improve the knowledge creation in a firm.

Pandemic fears, family interference with work, and organizational citizenship behavior: Buffering role of work‐related goal congruence

AbstractPandemic fears are nearly inescapable, with likely effects on organizational citizenship behavior. This article considers the potential mediating influence that arises if employees experience family interference in their work, as well as the potential buffering role of work‐related goal congruence, in this relationship. Survey data were collected from employees who work in the information technology (IT) consulting sector in Portugal. The research hypotheses were tested with a bootstrapping approach, based on the Process macro, which enables the simultaneous assessment of mediation and moderation effects. The empirical results show that employees' ruminations about the coronavirus diminish their voluntary work behaviors, because their family‐related stress interferes with their work. Such harmful outcomes are less prominent among employees who perceive work‐related problems as mutually shared. This study accordingly reveals how organizations can limit the detrimental effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic by aligning the work‐related goals of their employee bases.

Self-management processes, sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors: impact on muscle outcomes in continuing care retirement community residents

BackgroundDespite the known benefits of non-sedentary behavior, physical activity, and protein and caloric intake to health and muscle mass, strength, and function, many older adults do not meet physical activity and dietary recommendations. A better understanding of the factors associated with sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors, and muscle outcomes (muscle mass, strength, and function) is needed, particularly among continuing care retirement community residents. The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors, and muscle outcomes among continuing care retirement community residents. It also aimed to determine whether sedentary behavior and physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors mediate the relationships between self-efficacy, goal congruence, aging expectations, social support, and muscle outcomes.MethodsA sample of 105 continuing care retirement community residents (age > 70 years) participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. Questionnaires on pain, self-efficacy, goal congruence, aging expectation, social support, and daily protein and caloric intake were administered. Physical activity and sedentary behavior (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT), muscle mass (ImpediMed SFB7), muscle strength (Jamar Smart Digital Hand Dynamometer), and muscle function (Short Physical Performance Battery) were measured. Multiple regression, logistic regression, and mediation analyses were performed.ResultsLow goal congruence predicted engagement in sedentary behavior and light physical activity. Higher levels of self-efficacy and social support were associated with increased likelihoods of achieving greater moderate physical activity and meeting daily recommendations for caloric intake, respectively. Self-efficacy and goal congruence predicted muscle function and strength. Moreover, sedentary behavior and achieving greater moderate physical activity were found to partially but significantly mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and muscle function.ConclusionFuture research should evaluate whether attempts to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors and muscle outcomes are more successful when modifications to the self-management process factors are also targeted.

The Contractor-Subcontractor Relationship Types in the Construction Industry in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the dyadic relationship between contractors and subcontractors in the Saudi construction industry. The perceptual differences in buyer-supplier relationships from the relational perspective are studied in order to identify the most common types of the contractor-subcontractor relationship in the Saudi construction industry by assessing five dimensions—trust, commitment, decision making, information sharing, and goal congruence. Methodology: To gain insight into and a deeper understanding of the topic, this research adopts a qualitative method using four case studies from the industry: one buyer firm and three suppliers. Twelve interviews were conducted in total, three with the buying firm and three with each subcontractor. Findings/Results: Regarding the research question, the type of relationship between the main contractor and its subcontractors seems to sit between the “repeated transaction” and the “coordinated” type of relationship. However, both types are considered to be adversarial types of relationship, involving characteristics such as lack of trust and low levels of information sharing. Originality/value: Theoretical contribution: the research contributes to the buyer-supplier literature by providing a dyadic study and showing how the buyer and supplier have different views about their relationship. Methodological contribution: a case study approach was used that led to an examination of issues that were not explained by previous studies. Practical contribution: useful information was provided for both contractors and subcontractors, such as the factors that affect their relationship. Identifying these factors and their impact on their relationship will enable both parties to act to remove these barriers and obstacles that prevent them from developing deeper and clearer relationships with their partners.

СТРАТЕГИИ И ТАКТИКИ САМОПРЕДЪЯВЛЕНИЯ КАК ФАКТОРЫ МЕЖЛИЧНОСТНОГО ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ

The article presents the results of a generalizing systematization of studies on the phenomenon of self-presentation carried out by Russian and foreign authors. There is no generally accepted definition of this concept, the available terms are conditionally considered in the context of motivational, personal, and situational approaches that determine this phenomenon. Each of the approaches has its own criteria, which are put forward as acceptable units of psychological measurement. The aim of the study is to offer the theoretical foundations for studying the phenomenon of self-presentation as a psychological construct manifested in its various strategies and tactics; the research is based on aspect analysis of Russian and foreign studies. To achieve the goal, a theoretical method was used to deconstruct the content of the main scientific sources on foreign and domestic psychology. It has been established that Russian and foreign researchers note the role of self-presentation as an integral component of interpersonal interactions. Many of the foreign works are based on the concept of «social dramaturgy», where the basic notions are «self-image», «social role», «self-expression», and «self-presentation». In Russian psychology, self-presentation is most often considered as a mechanism or a means of a person’s self-expression, a form of manipulative behavior, a type of personal activity, and an aspect of the communicative process. Some Russian and foreign authors consider self-presentation to be a manifestation of conscious manipulation based on subject-to-object relations. Other scientists believe that it is a mechanism for regulating one’s own behavior as part of subject-to-subject relations. The identification of strategies and tactics of self-presentation is presented in a variety of approaches by foreign authors. Russian researchers use foreign classifications for the Russian sample. The authors emphasize that the skill of productive self-presentation determines the ability to correctly present information about oneself, to focus on personal qualities that correspond to the presented situation, and also to convince the communication partner of the congruence of the interaction goals. An analysis of the main points of view on the problem shows that self-presentation in interpersonal interactions can be represented as a psychological construct characterized by subjective awareness and significance and the ability to manage it in the process of self-monitoring. These, in their turn, influence the formation of the idea of reality in the interaction participants, according to which the person implements strategies of self-presentation through various tactics.

Assessing the Internal Financial Capacity of the University of Zambia for Financial Sustainability

The study aimed to assess the current approach for the University internal income-generating activities and how it impacts on the financial sustainability of the University, The study was guided by three research objectives, which were: to assess the institutional framework in place on internal income-generating activities; to evaluate how much income is generated from the current institutional framework in place on internal income-generating activities; to identify the gap in the institutional framework in place on internal income-generating activities and how this impacts on the financial sustainability of the institution. The study was descriptive and used both quantitative and qualitative data to make inferences in line with the aim of the study. The sample of 29 respondents was purposively drawn from UNZA Great East Road main campus, of which 16 questionnaires were answered and retained successfully. Primary data was collected through questionnaires with the management staff at UNZA, main campus, and secondary data was obtained from the Bursars department. The study has found that the institutional framework being used by UNZA for IIGAs was not sustainable and inadequate to cover or meet the current expenditure. The income or revenue generated from IIGAs was less than twice the amount spent by the University on expenditure. Moreover, staffing costs over the years under review could not be covered through UNZA’s current internal income-generating activities. The study also revealed several gaps that currently existed to the current approach/strategy on IIGAs at UNZA, the failure to broaden the income base, lack of consensus on sharing ratios between UNZA and staff on consultancy income, and lack of aligning the current approach or strategy of internal income generation to the current happenings in the outside business environment. Several recommendations were made to change the current approach for UNZA’s IIGAs, which included ensuring goal congruence with the higher education policy, the billing policy and the university must develop an appropriate cost structure in teaching and research.

Distribution Channel Relationships in the Presence of Multimarket Contact

Traditional analyses of firms that compete in multiple markets examine settings in which firms sell directly to consumers. However, in many industries, firms sell their products through intermediaries. Importantly, these firms usually have common intermediaries, and the degree of this overlap varies across markets and over time. We empirically study the effect of the asymmetry of distribution channel relationship overlap across markets on retail prices. An increase in distribution channel relationship asymmetry can provide firms with an enhanced ability to punish rivals through shared distribution relationships in addition to shared markets. This increased ability to punish can then soften competition (increase prices), that is, the mutual forbearance mechanism. However, an increase in distribution channel relationship asymmetry can also make it difficult for firms to pursue similar goals with their rivals, and thus weakening the potential for tacit coordination. This can then intensify competition (reduce prices), that is, the goal congruence mechanism. Due to these opposing mechanisms, the net impact of distribution channel relationship asymmetry on competitive intensity is not clear. Using extensive scanner panel data for multiple product categories, on average, we find that an increase in distribution channel relationship asymmetry results in higher retail prices. Consistent with the mutual forbearance mechanism, this effect becomes more positive (or less negative) when (i) the manufacturer size or the number of retail stores in the focal market increases or (ii) when the manufacturer is a public (vs. private) firm. Conversely, the effect becomes less positive when the strategic similarity among manufacturers increases, in line with the goal congruence mechanism.

Procurement Management and its Impact on the Performance of Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria

This study aimed to establish how procurement management practices impact on performance of oil and gas producing firms in Nigeria. Ex-post survey approach was adopted for the study with emphasis on the use of secondary data sourced from financial statement of selected companies. The result of the study showed that there exists positive but insignificant relationship between procurement management practices performance of oils and gas companies in Nigeria with a coefficient value of 6.45 and sig. value of 0.589 which is higher than 0.05 level of significance. In conclusion, the study supports that when organization invest adequately in acquisition of assets, the evidence of such investments is a growth in the returns in the form of increased profits to the organization. The study recommend that there is a need to integrate the whole system and departments of companies in oil and gas industry in Nigeria in the procurement management process in order to have a balanced activities in the goals and focus of the departments. Furthermore, top management are also required to always communicate the future plans about assets procurement to all subsystem managers and heads of department to maintain a high level of goal congruency in their operation and to reduce rivalries that emanates from departmental evaluations.

Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome and its Associated Factors Among Older Adults

Abstract Malnutrition and sarcopenia are present in parallel in older adults and characterized by a combination of inadequate nutrient intake and decreased muscle mass, strength, and/or function. The presence of both conditions has been termed Malnutrition-Sarcopenia Syndrome (MSS) and is associated with negative health outcomes. The objective of this correlational study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with the malnutrition-sarcopenia syndrome among older adults living in continuing care retirement communities. A convenience sample of 104 older adults living in CCRCs participated in this study. Muscle mass, strength, and function were measured using bioimpedance analysis, Jamar digital hand dynamometer, and the Short Physical Performance Battery test, respectively. Physical activity, sedentary time, and nutritional status were measured using ActiGraph GT3X and Mini Nutritional Assessment, respectively. Questionnaires were used to measure self-efficacy for exercise and goal congruence for physical activity and protein intake. Of the 104 participants, 37 (35.2%) had sarcopenia, 19 (18.1%) had malnutrition, and 14 (13.5 %) had MSS. Compared with those without MSS, older adults with MSS were more than two times more likely to have a sedentary lifestyle (Odd ratio, 2.028; 95% confidence interval, 2.012–2.044). Findings showed that sarcopenia, malnutrition, and MSS are prevalent in older adults living in continuing care retirement communities. Older adults should be screened and assessed for both malnutrition and sarcopenia. The results also suggest that decreasing the sedentary time could help in preventing MSS among older adults living in continuing care retirement communities.

Achieving sustainability in sharing-based product service system: A contingency perspective

The purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence for the sharing-based product service system (sharing-based PSS), a new type of PSS, to achieve sustainable performance in sharing economy context. A multiple case study method was applied, in which 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key respondents from three transport sharing economy companies (i.e., OfO, Mobike, and Man-bang) in China. We found that the structural and infrastructural aspects of the service delivery system design influence the achievement of sustainability for sharing economy platforms. Moreover, by applying contingency theory, this study identified goal congruence and application of information and communications technology as contingent factors that affect the relationship between the service delivery system design and the sustainability initiatives. This study provides insightful knowledge into the sharing-based PSS and therefore has enormous practical implications for sharing economy platforms.

Sustaining Cross-Sector Collaborations: Managing Conflicts in Large-Scale Urban Event Collaborations

Public-private collaborations can easily be disrupted when nascent conflicts are not addressed. These intersectoral conflicts may be associated with the resource exchanges necessary to achieve a shared objective, may be the result of goal divergence, or may involve both. This research utilizes a complementary theoretical approach to examine conflict management in two large-scale event collaborations, motorcycle rallies, that have been in operation for nineteen years. Framed by resource dependence, goal congruence, and conflict management theories the research examines the patterns of conflict and conflict management perceived by participants in these collaborations. The theoretical framework allowed us to address the complexities of aligning collaboration goals around the resource dependencies that lead to the formation of the collaborations. Our findings, which support quasi-formal conflict management, link this body of theories to the management of conflicts between collaborating organizations in a manner that, to our knowledge, has not been previously attempted.

Effects of information sharing, decision synchronization and goal congruence on SC performance

Nowadays, supply chain performance is measured since it is essential in globalized companies as maquiladoras. They import all raw material and import and export all final products, with high information, material, and money flow, having complex networks. This article reports findings from a structural equation model integrating four latent variables: Decision synchronization, Goal congruence, and Information sharing as independent variables, and Supply chain performance as the dependent variable related through six hypotheses to know their relationship. Hypotheses were tested using information from 143 responses to a questionnaire applied to the maquiladora industry in northern Mexico. The structural equation model is evaluated using the partial least squares (PLS) method integrated into WarpPLS 6.0 software. Findings indicate that five hypotheses are statistically significant, and it is concluded that Goal congruence, Information sharing, and Decision synchronization directly affect supply chain performance. The most critical variable to guarantee it is Goal congruence among partners.

Let's work together, especially in the pandemic: finding ways to encourage problem-focused voice behavior among passionate employees

PurposeThis study seeks to unravel the relationship between employees' passion for work and their engagement in problem-focused voice behavior by identifying a mediating role of their efforts to promote work-related goal congruence and a moderating role of their perceptions of pandemic threats to the organization.Design/methodology/approachThe research hypotheses were tested with quantitative data collected through a survey instrument administered among 158 employees in a large Portuguese-based organization that operates in the food sector, in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Process macro was applied to assess the moderated mediation dynamic that underpins the proposed theoretical framework.FindingsEmployees' positive work-related energy enhances their propensity to speak up about organizational failures because they seek to find common ground with their colleagues with respect to the organization's goals and future. The mediating role of such congruence-promoting efforts is particularly prominent to the extent that employees dwell on the threats that a pandemic holds for their organization.Practical implicationsThe study pinpoints how HR managers can leverage a negative situation—employees who cannot keep the harmful organizational impact of a life-threatening virus out of their minds—into productive outcomes, by channeling positive work energy, derived from their passion for work, toward activities that bring organizational problems into the open.Originality/valueThis study adds to HR management research by unveiling how employees' attempts to gather their coworkers around a shared work-related mindset can explain how their passion might spur reports of problem areas, as well as explicating how perceived pandemic-related threats activate this process.

The impact of sales controls on manufacturers’ agents’ tactical decisions: the importance of inter-organizational climate

PurposeOrganizational climate is an essential dynamic to leverage in salesforce performance. This study aims to develop a model that explores the determinants of independent manufacturers’ representatives’ (i.e. IMRs’) intentions to comply with their principals’ requests for additional tasking. Using agency theory, the authors explore the application of behavior and outcome-based controls upon dyadic manufacturer-IMR relationships for these additional performance/task requests.Design/methodology/approachData from over 1,000 US-based IMRs were used to test two constructs; inter-organizational climate and perceptions of mutual satisfaction within the agency-principal dyad. Compliance behaviors tested were IMRs’ intentions to engage in non-selling-related tasks and intentions to allocate additional selling time to principals’ products. The following four exogenous controls were tested: perceived goal congruence between IMRs and principals; IMRs’ perceptions of principals’ expertise; mutual communications between IMRs and principals in the supply chain dyad; resources and sales support programs provided by principals to IMRs; and IMRs’ perceptions of the adequacy and fairness of the principals’ compensation plans.FindingsTwo constructs – inter-organizational climate and perceptions of mutual satisfaction with the agency-principal dyad – mediated the effects of exogenous sales controls on two compliance behaviors. The model’s data were analyzed using Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A marker variable was deployed to check for common method variance also supported using the Partial least squares (PLS) factor solution. Most variables demonstrated significant direct and mediated effects on each compliance behavior. Variables that emphasized behavioral-based controls dominated intentions for IMRs to engage in non-selling tasks. The principal commission structure, the only sales outcome-based control in the study, most influenced IMRs’ intentions to commit additional sales time to their principals’ products.Research limitations/implicationsThis study only examined the intentions of IMRs to engage in additional selling activities and their intention to engage in non-selling tasks. Principals may desire longer-term commitments from IMRs. The model developed here can be modified to capture additional behavioral and attitudinal outcomes including, for example, the exit intentions of IMRs.Practical implicationsPrincipals are well-advised to foster a positive inter-organizational climate that fuels perceptions of mutually satisfying working relationships with their IMRs. These mutually satisfying working relationships can, by themselves, positively influence IMRs to acquiesce to reasonable requests made by principals. This advice appears to be particularly crucial when asking IMRs to engage in additional non-selling tasks. The total pattern of path estimates points to the conclusion that capable sales control plays an important role in fostering positive inter-organizational climates. The inter-organizational climate – mutual satisfaction link proved crucial as a mediator of the impact of sales controls on IMRs’ behavioral compliance intentions.Originality/valueKnowing the impact of sales controls on IMR’s affords businesses the ability to use these controls for behavioral compliance intentions on non-selling tasks.