Intense Competition Research Articles

The role of psychosocial factors in performing hurt: a systematic review covering the high-performance domains of sport, music, and dance

ABSTRACT Performing hurt is a complex but common phenomenon among high-performing athletes, musicians, and dancers. Previous research has analyzed this health risk behavior from different perspectives, predominantly focusing on psychological aspects and the influence of the social and cultural context. The diversity of existing research underscores the need for a synthesis informed by a psychosocial approach. With this systematic review, we aimed to synthesize research on the role of psychosocial factors in performing hurt. Forty studies from three high-performance domains, namely sports, music, and dancing, were included. Our convergent thematic analysis identified two overarching psychosocial factors from current research that contributed to performing hurt: (1) Personal characteristics of the high-performer such as performance identity or fearing the consequences of not performing hurt, and (2) Characteristics of the high-performance setting such as the sociocultural trivialization of pain and injuries or intensive practice and competition schedules. Whereas most included studies examined the role of psychological and social factors in performing hurt separately, we highlight the potential interplay between characteristics of the high-performer and the high-performance setting. Future performing hurt research should focus on these interconnections, as such knowledge might help to identify high-performers at risk and organizational factors that contribute to performing hurt.

Ride who’s coattails? How do high-tech enterprises pursue business legitimacy?

ABSTRACT The institutional theory suggested high-tech firms collaborate with reputed entities to gain legitimacy. However, the literature gave no guidance on how to select suitable reputed entities for high-tech firms pursuing legitimacy, high-tech firms are confused on ride who coattails. Drawing on signalling theory, we find that collaboration with research institutions has a stronger positive effect on business legitimacy than collaboration with the government. Competitive intensity and legal inefficiency asymmetrically affect the effect of collaboration with research institutions and collaboration with the government on business legitimacy. Our findings extend the literature on business legitimacy gaining.

Optimising efficiency and patient-centredness in general hospitals: insights from data envelopment and matrix analysis.

Medical institutions face management challenges from intense competition and an unclear link between patient-centredness and profitability. This study examined the association between efficiency and patient-centredness in general hospitals and identified management strategies to optimise both. Data from the 2021 patient experience evaluation by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and financial statements from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute for general hospitals in South Korea were used. Efficiency scores and patient-centredness were determined for 256 general hospitals using data envelopment analysis (DEA), and their relationships were analysed through matrix analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests assessed group differences identified through matrix analysis. Efficiency and patient-centredness can be improved concurrently. Hospitals in the highest efficiency group reported significantly higher average inpatient revenue per 100 beds (179.67) and net profit (158.84) than those in lower-performing groups (p<0.001). Optimal management of hospital beds and specialised diagnostic equipment per 100 beds was associated with higher efficiency scores, while a greater number of doctors and nurses positively influenced patient-centredness metrics. Therefore, general hospitals should invest in personnel and resources to enhance efficiency and patient-centredness, achieving optimal financial and operational outcomes. This study combines DEA and matrix analysis to explore the link between hospital efficiency and patient-centredness, using recent data on patient experience and financials from South Korean hospitals. It identifies strategies to enhance both dimensions.

OMNICHANNEL STRATEGY IN IMPROVING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IN THE DIGITAL ERA (CASE STUDY ON SYARAH BAKERY BENGKULU CUSTOMERS)

This study aims to analyze the impact of implementing an omnichannel strategy in enhancing customer experience at Syarah Bakery, an SME in Bengkulu. Given the intense competition in the local bakery industry, this research focuses on how the integration of online and offline channels can create a consistent and satisfying experience for customers. The approach used in this study is quantitative with a case study design, where data was collected through questionnaires and interviews with customers and the manager of Syarah Bakery. The study sample consisted of 350 respondents who had used various service channels. The results of the analysis using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method indicate that service consistency, channel integration, service personalization, ease of access, and responsiveness significantly influence customer experience, with an R² value of 0.68. These findings highlight the importance of service consistency and channel integration in creating seamless customer experience. The study also provides recommendations for Syarah Bakery to improve their omnichannel strategy through service personalization, ease of access, and responsiveness to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty in the digital era.

PENINGKATAN DAYA SAING MELALUI PLATFORM SHOPEE DENGAN ANALISIS SWOT (STUDI KASUS : MTRSTORE.ID)

MTRSTORE.ID is a thrift shop business operating in the fashion industry, offering imported thrift products such as jeans, chinos, and cargo pants. This business was chosen due to the rapid trend growth in the sector, particularly among teenagers. This study aims to analyze the competitiveness of MTRSTORE.ID, a thrift shop operating on the Shopee e-commerce platform, using the SWOT analysis approach. In the context of globalization and advancements in information technology, businesses like MTRSTORE.ID face challenges to remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly tight market. The analysis results show that MTRSTORE.ID has strengths, including high sales potential through Shopee's large user base and attractive promotions. However, the business also faces weaknesses, such as intense competition and high administrative costs. Opportunities to boost sales include participating in discount programs and utilizing Shopee's advertising features, while threats such as price competition and challenges in maintaining product quality need to be addressed. This research employs a qualitative methodology with a case study approach. It recommends that MTRSTORE.ID implement these strategies to enhance its competitiveness on Shopee, utilizing the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis framework.

THE ROLE OF RELATIONSHIP MARKETING IN CONSUMER PURCHASE DECISION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Objective: This study seeks to investigate the function of relationship marketing in consumer purchasing decisions. Theoretical Framework: As a result of the significant changes witnessed in the last millennium at the global level in all spheres of life, perhaps the most prominent is the shift from the planned economy to the market economy, as well as the pressures of intense competition, the emergence of globalization, the information and technology revolution, the rise in levels of foreign investment, and the enormous increase in the number and types of products, services, and brands. It significantly influenced the decisions of consumers. Method: Our study consists of a qualitative setting; thus, we have utilized the depth method, which helped us clarify the relation between consumer purchase decisions and relationship marketing from the perspective of both the consumer and the company, using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. Results and Discussion: The results indicate that the foundation for achieving growth and sustainability in the markets is to attract the greatest number of customers possible, to strive for their satisfaction and gain loyalty, to work on establishing permanent partnership relationships with all customers, and to treat each customer as if it were its market division. Research Implications: From a managerial application perspective, an understanding of consumers' expectations of their relationships with sellers would assist marketers in establishing, enhancing, and maintaining these relationships. Marketers need to identify how they can use customer data to improve customer relationships. Permission from customers can provide marketers with the privilege of contacting customers; information such as customer needs makes possible the customization of products and services; and data about the initiation and growth of customer relationships help to ensure effective and timely feedback. Marketers can informally survey their customers by asking about the relevance of various services, or they can formally survey their customers to gain more in-depth customer-specific information. Originality/Value: The findings provide insight into consumers' motivations and attitudes with regard to relationship marketing and suggest a way forward for further research. In particular, a number of ways in which mobile phone companies might seek to encourage consumers to consider value-added service propositions more seriously and become less solely price-sensitive are proposed.

College Promotion Strategy

Promotion of higher education institutions is an important aspect in attracting prospective students and building a positive image of the institution. In an era of intense competition and rapid development of information technology, effective promotion strategies are the key to success for higher education institutions. This study aims to analyze various promotion strategies that can be implemented by higher education institutions to increase the attraction and enrollment of new students. Through SWOT analysis, market segmentation, and the application of various promotion methods, this study provides recommendations that can help higher education institutions formulate better marketing strategies. With an approach that focuses on evaluating and adjusting strategies, higher education institutions are expected to be able to compete effectively in the increasingly competitive higher education market.

Predictors of Academic Anxiety among Secondary School Students

Background: Academic anxiety is a feeling of worry, tension, or dread that's related to schoolwork, exams, assignments, or subjects. It can also be caused by social pressures from peers or parents, or by feeling uneasy about studying or working in groups. Academic anxiety is a prevalent issue that students must address to achieve academic success. It becomes a critical problem requiring immediate attention when it intensifies to the point where a student can no longer function productively. While feelings of anxiety are not inherently abnormal, they can become so severe in some individuals that they impair day-to-day functioning, potentially leading to the diagnosis of one or more anxiety disorders. This investigation focuses on identifying the factors that trigger academic anxiety among students. The pressure of competition is particularly evident during adolescence, especially when students transition to secondary school. At this stage, streams such as science and non-science are often allocated based on students' preferences and academic performance in previous classes. Science students frequently aspire to pursue engineering or medical courses after secondary schooling, while arts students aim for admission to prestigious colleges and universities. The intense competition for admission to these programs can heighten anxiety levels. Recognizing the impact of this issue, the researcher has sought to explore the various factors contributing to academic anxiety among secondary school students and to identify strategies for reducing it to manageable levels. Aim: The study aimed to determine the influence of intelligence, study habits, socio economic status and school environment on academic anxiety of total sample, male &amp; female samples. Method &amp; Procedure: A Descriptive research design was adopted and subsequently stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select 677 students from both science and non-science streams were chosen for the present investigation. Results: The results of the present investigation have revealed that personal factors like intelligence, study habits familial factors like Socio-Economic Status and institutional factors like school environment have a significant impact on academic anxiety among all sampling groups under study.

A Star Is Born or Not: Understanding the Star Emergence Gender Gap

ABSTRACTBuilding on research on star performance, gender, and situational constraints, we introduce a longitudinal process model explaining the gender gap in star emergence. We argue that star emergence is less likely for women than men due to stardom's association with men and masculinity. As a result, situational constraints are more likely to insulate women's performance in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities development and evaluation (e.g., access to vicarious deliberate practice, biased standards), motivation (e.g., competition intensity, negative interpersonal behavior), and opportunity (e.g., access to high potential tasks, partner supportiveness in the extra‐work environment). We theorize that these factors lead to insulation cycles that reduce the likelihood of women emerging as stars over time. We also offer propositions about mitigators (e.g., strategic diversity goals and influential sponsors) that might attenuate these insulating effects. Finally, we discuss theoretical implications of understanding gender gaps in star emergence (e.g., performance insulation as gender inequity, the importance of a longitudinal perspective, insulation cycles, and star longevity) and practical implications for organizations to create equitable environments for star emergence (e.g., focusing on performance equity and facilitating gender inclusivity). We conclude that greater insight into the role of gender in star performance can also contribute to the broader understanding of gender gaps in organizations.

The Dynamics of Ethical Leadership Enhance Customer Orientation in a Competitive Marketplace

Purpose: This study explores ethical leadership dynamics (humane, justice, and moderation leadership) that strengthen customer orientation (CO) under competition environments within Australia. This study seeks to deepen the understanding of how leadership behaviors affect CO at different stages of competitive intensity.Methods: A quantitative approach using survey data collected from 700 managers in a variety of industries in Australia. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed, as well as interaction analysis to assess competitive intensity as a moderator.Results: All three ethical leadership styles significantly promote CO, and moderation leadership is more significantly and positively related to CO than the other two leadership styles. The competitive intensity adds an extra layer to these effects, highlighting that competitive and dynamic contexts make leadership behaviors vital. Synergistic relationships among leadership styles, CO, and competitive intensity are illustrated in interaction plots.Novelty: Previous research examined mostly not all ethical leadership in isolation and this study integrates several ethical leadership styles to understand their collective and individual effects on CO. Moreover, this study expands understanding regarding the dynamics of leadership in the context of real-world competition by introducing competitive intensity as a contextual moderator.Implications: The study provides actionable insights for organizations seeking to develop customer-centric organizations. Leadership training programs should focus on ethical leadership behaviors, especially in highly competitive industries. On an academic front, this research fills the void in literature by showing the metanarrative of the role between ethical leadership styles and environmental aspects.

The curvilinear and contingent effect of ethical climate on salesperson performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide empirical understanding germane to ethical climate’s contingent, nonlinear relationship with salesperson performance. While research shows a positive relationship between a firm’s ethical climate and salesperson performance, current examinations of this effect have been limited to linear hypothesizing and testing. The job demands-resource model, however, suggests that the relationship between ethical climate and salesperson performance is nonlinear.Design/methodology/approachTo test the theorized nonlinear and moderated nonlinear relationships, the authors use a sample of 485 business-to-business salespeople and structural equations path modeling.FindingsResults reveal an increasing incremental threshold effect between ethical climate and salesperson performance. Findings further support postulations that conditions which increase (e.g. competitive intensity) or decrease (e.g. role autonomy) the extent to which the sales environment is challenging correspondingly increase or decrease the magnitude of the nonlinearity.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the study required variance in environmental-level (e.g. competitive intensity) and organizational-level (e.g. role autonomy) moderators, data used to test the hypotheses came from a cross-sectional, self-reported survey.Practical implicationsThe results produce the managerial insight that there are increasing returns to salesperson performance as the ethical climate increases. Insights from the analysis of moderating conditions further inform managers that in highly competitive industries they should be especially attuned to their ethical climate.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, the findings are the first to advance insight into ethical climate’s curvilinear and contingent salesperson performance implications. Furthermore, this study advances moderated nonlinear relationships suggested by theory.

How Can China’s Autonomous Vehicle Companies Use Digital Empowerment to Improve Innovation Quality?—The Role of Digital Platform Capabilities and Boundary-Spanning Search

The acquisition, integration, and exchange of digital technologies considerably contribute to the improvement of corporate innovation quality, as autonomous vehicles are a complex amalgamation of multiple industrial chains. In order to address the intense global competition in the autonomous vehicles industry and help China’s enterprises establish a prominent position in technological innovation, this study innovatively integrates the concepts of digital empowerment, digital platform capabilities, and boundary-spanning search into a cohesive framework, examines the pathways of influence, and methodically builds a multiple-chain mediation model. It employs various quantitative models, such as reliability and validity testing, confirmatory factor analysis, common method bias testing, mediation effect analysis, and robustness testing. The study focuses on over a hundred companies related to autonomous vehicles in China, employing software such as SPSS26.0, AMOS26.0, PROCESS4.0, and MPLUS8.3 to conduct this analysis. The findings indicate that digital empowerment is a critical factor in the improvement of innovation quality within autonomous vehicle companies. The relationship between digital empowerment and innovation quality is partially mediated by digital platform capabilities, and the boundary-spanning search also functions as a partial intermediary. Additionally, the quality of innovation and digital empowerment are mediated by the boundary-spanning search and the capabilities of digital platforms. The results of this study provide valuable insights on how to accurately empower the high-quality development of the autonomous vehicle sector with digital technologies, revealing new perspectives on the innovation quality enhancement pathways for autonomous vehicle companies in China, offering pivotal insights amidst the escalating competition within the global autonomous vehicle sector.

Pengaruh Kualitas Layanan Terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan dalam Industri Jasa Pengiriman

The use of delivery services in Indonesia is increasing, leading to intense competition among companies such as J&amp;T Express, JNE, SICEPAT, and SPX. This study aims to examine the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty among J&amp;T Express users in Tangerang Regency. The results indicate that service quality has a significant impact on customer satisfaction. High customer satisfaction increases the likelihood of repeat service use and fosters stronger customer loyalty. The study supports the theory that service quality is crucial in building customer satisfaction and loyalty. It is recommended that J&amp;T Express focus on improving service quality to retain and attract new customers. The study has limitations, such as a sample size that may not represent the broader population and potential bias in data collection. Future studies are suggested to conduct longitudinal research and explore other variables that may influence the relationship between these variables. This research employs a descriptive causal design with a quantitative approach and uses purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected from 123 respondents who are J&amp;T users. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The research findings reveal that service quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction, service quality positively affects customer loyalty, and customer satisfaction positively impacts customer loyalty.

Analisis Aspek Pasar dalam Pengembangan Bisnis di Era Digital

Market aspects analyze market potential, competition intensity, achievable market share, and marketing strategies that can be implemented to reach the desired market share. Through this analysis, business ideas can be effectively channeled to align with market needs and demands. The success of financial performance often depends on market and marketing capabilities, operations, accounting, human resources, and other functions. In the past, before marketing knowledge developed and became widely recognized as it is today, companies prioritized producing as much as possible before attempting to sell their products.In such circumstances, they ignored existing demand conditions, resulting in many producers experiencing failures and ongoing losses because production quantities did not align with market demand.

COVID-19 and Firm Debt Financing: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT This paper explores the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on firm debt financing. Using a novel COVID-19 sentiment index, our estimation shows that the pandemic led to an increase in loans and a drop in debt financing cost and trade credit. We contend that the government support, which provided more financing channels, and increased default risks, which placed barriers on trade credit, are the plausible mechanisms through which the COVID-19 pandemic affects firm debt financing capacity. Heterogeneity analyses show that external financing was easier for firms subject to stringent financial constraints and intense market competition despite their lowered trade credit.

Effects of wealth on the intensity of competition: Evidence from a lab experiment

Effects of wealth on the intensity of competition: Evidence from a lab experiment

Sharing demand information in competing supply chains with greening efforts.

This study considers a supply chain model wherein the retailers have private information about demand and the manufacturers undertake greening efforts. First, we consider a base model with one manufacturer and retailer to analyze the manufacturer's greening decisions under demand information sharing. Then, we extend the model by considering two competing supply chains, each comprising one manufacturer and one retailer. Using game theory, we examine the greening decisions and impacts of competition on the supply chain, considering both Cournot (quantity) and Bertrand (price) competition. Our results suggest that information sharing improves the greening level on the one hand and distorts the wholesale price upward in response to an accurate demand signal on the other hand. We show that information sharing is most likely to occur if the manufacturer is efficient in greening efforts in both Cournot and Bertrand competition. We find that (a) Bertrand (Cournot) competition with information sharing leads to higher (lower) equilibrium greening levels in the supply chain; (b) The equilibrium greening level of the products decreases in Cournot while increases in Bertrand competition; (c) The equilibrium greening level is higher in Bertrand than Cournot under information sharing. Past literature on information sharing suggests that full information sharing reduces consumer surplus and social welfare. Contrary to this result, we show that it depends on competition mode. With intense competition, consumer surplus and social welfare are higher in Bertrand competition in full information sharing than in no information sharing. Our results provide novel insights into how the mode of competition impacts the greening effort by sharing demand information in competing supply chains.

Strategic management accounting, business analytics and sustainable competitiveness advantage: A mediated moderation effect of dynamic capabilities and competition intensity

Strategic management accounting, business analytics and sustainable competitiveness advantage: A mediated moderation effect of dynamic capabilities and competition intensity

Does inter-municipal cooperation reduce the intensity of tax competition? Evidence on inter-local industrial parks in Germany

Does inter-municipal cooperation reduce the intensity of tax competition? Evidence on inter-local industrial parks in Germany

Dynamics of a Reaction–Diffusion–Advection System From River Ecology With Inflow

ABSTRACTThis paper is to study the population dynamics of a single species model and a two‐species competition model from river ecology with inflow. One interesting feature in these models is that species can flow into the river through the upstream end due to advective movement while both diffusive and advective movements will cause population loss at the downstream end. We first determine necessary and sufficient conditions for persistence of a single species, in terms of the critical habitat size and the critical advection rate. For the competition model, we investigate the joint effects of advection rates, interspecific competition intensities, and boundary conditions on global dynamics of the system. It shows that the strategy of smaller advection is beneficial for species to survive. Our results partially extend the previous works.