Research Propositions Research Articles

EVALUATINGTHE INTERVENTION STRATEGIC APPROACHES BY THE STAKEHOLDERS IN ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MANAGING LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVESINHELAO NAFIDI TOWN COUNCIL, NAMIBIA

The core objective of this study was to evaluate the strategic approaches taken by stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of managing local economic development (LED) initiatives of the Helao Nafidi Town Council (HNTC) in the Ohangwena region (OhR) and across the country. These strategic approaches are designed to sustainably measure the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), facilitating the understanding of SDGs in local governments (LGs) while considering the interconnections between economic, social, institutional, political, and environmental factors. This article examines the strategic approaches that are essential for generating and sustaining economic growth and development. It argues that the effectiveness of LED initiatives reflects a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the strategic approaches needed in various local government LGs). This study aims to evaluate the strategic approaches for stakeholders in shaping the effectiveness of managing LED initiatives in the HNTC. These approaches have been articulated to formulate research propositions within an active application framework of stakeholder theory. The study assessed the strategic approaches that offer a framework for exploring the processes of effectiveness from a management perspective, with the questionnaires and interview guides designed in accordance with the studys objectives. Data was collected through mixed-method research (MMR) and analyzed using MSE (for quantitative statistics and induced thematic analysis (ITA), providing relevant insights into the data. The evaluation of strategic approaches for stakeholders in this study indicates that strategies and approaches aimed at sustainable measurements and minimum standards for various interventions significantly influence the LED process in the HNTC.

Criminology’s Paradox: Applying the Propaganda Model to the Criminological Literature

Abstract Criminologists have long known that crimes of the powerful cost society much more financially and result in significantly more injuries and deaths when juxtaposed with more traditional crimes tracked by the criminal justice system including murder, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, arson, drug offenses, etc. Paradoxically, researchers in the fields of criminology and criminal justice have focused overwhelmingly on the latter rather than the former. Borrowing from Herman and Chomsky’s Propaganda Model, the current research project proposes a modified theoretical model to explain this phenomenon. The model details the mechanisms by which crimes of the powerful research is filtered out of the larger body of criminology and criminal justice academic literature. The proposed model generates several testable propositions for future researchers to explore.

An investigation of Dutch pharmaceutical supply chains: insights from the theory of swift and even flow

PurposeThis study aims to identify the main inhibitors limiting product flow across different stages of the pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) and examine how they influence drug availability.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were held with actors at different stages in the PSC. The theory of swift and even flow (TSEF) is used to ground the insights obtained from multiple actors across the PSC and formulate propositions for further research.FindingsIt is observed that most risk drivers hindering the swift and even flow of products – and thus threatening drug availability – are related to variability. Variability originates mainly from the regulatory environment in the form of non-value-added tasks and bottlenecks and, to a lesser degree, from the competitive environment. Our findings suggest that regulatory measures taken to reduce the cost of drugs, such as price law changes and tender frequencies, might create unintended consequences affecting drug availability. This highlights the impact that public policymakers have on drug availability.Originality/valueThis study, in contrast to previous research, investigates the movement of drugs through multiple stages of the PSC and identifies the operating environments that hinder product availability using TSEF. Benefiting from the constructs of TSEF, this study extracts and structures the findings from expert interviews and formulates research propositions to create a better understanding of the factors influencing drug availability.

Diversity in Interactive Advertising

Despite the prevalence of diversity of endorsers in interactive advertising, most previous research has concentrated on diversity in traditional advertising formats. This paper, therefore, explores the phenomenon of diversity within interactive advertising, analyzing its unique characteristics, prevalence, and impact. It reviews the limited existing research on diversity in interactive advertising and discusses the distinctive features of this advertising type—such as user participation, personalization, Big Data, multimodality, technology, and shared control—and how each contributes to the prevalence, representation, and effects of diversity. User participation allows consumers to influence how diversity is (re-)presented. Personalization and targeting enable tailored diversity content, which enhances relevance but carries the risk of discrimination. Big Data provides more nuanced insights into diversity portrayals and can connect it to consumer engagement. Multimodality, through the use of visuals, enhances engagement but may also reinforce stereotypes. Technological advancements facilitate more diverse portrayals. Shared control emphasizes authenticity in diversity, although backlash can occur if content is perceived as insincere. The paper suggests research propositions for each feature that provide ideas and directions for future research on diversity in interactive advertising, followed by several managerial takeaways.

Leadership in Transition: Key Leadership Behaviours in Hybrid Work Environment

This study aims to comprehend the significance of leadership on employees working in hybrid work culture. With the advent of the hybrid work, the conventional idea of the workplace has been altered, transforming every facet of the traditional work landscape into a dynamic hybrid model that blends in-office and remote work. This change demands new leadership practices and strategies to efficiently manage and enable the workforce for current and future challenges. Hence this study explores leadership and its complexities assessing the essential traits of a successful leader in hybrid work teams. While there is a huge amount of research work and numerous studies on e-leadership, the concept of leadership in hybrid work environments needs to be explored more as it is crucial in the present landscape of work. Hence, this paper explores the opportunities and challenges of leaders in hybrid work-driven organizations. Gathering insights from various studies, our research seeks to assess and examine how leadership behaviors influence employee’s motivation, commitment, and overall contribution to work-related tasks within this hybrid framework. The results will inform organizations on how to develop effective leaders in hybrid work that will be capable of motivating and empowering workers, improving the productivity, and realizing organizational visions. Leaders have a noble role in inspiring and reskilling employees hence improving the levels of employee’s job engagement. Leadership plays a central role in the dynamics of workforce and the retention of employees within an organization. With organizations continuing to deal with the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work, effective leadership is more crucial in actualizing organizational goals with a humanistic approach. The study provides in-depth insights on effective leadership behaviors in hybrid environments and contributes learning points for successful leadership practice in hybrid work along with propositions for future research.

The quality of work life in competitive potential development in the tourism industry: A conceptual model and research propositions

In order to be able to deal successfully with the challenges of increased competition tourism enterprises have to take measures to acquire adequate labour resources and to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage based on these resources. The aim of the paper is to create a conceptual model explaining relations between the quality of work life and competitive potential in the tourism industry. It is argued that the quality of work life, which is measured as a discrepancy between expectations towards work and its perceptions, is affected by individual and organisational factors, whilst its influence on competitive potential is moderated by individual characteristics and local labour market conditions.

Navigating the supply chain life cycle: a roadmap for growth and transitional strategies across the stages of organizational evolution

Purpose This paper aims to understand how managers confront challenges associated with building and implementing supply chain capabilities in nascent firms and how supply chain competitive priorities, structure and processes evolve as a firm matures. Design/methodology/approach For this study, this paper used a grounded theory approach to develop a theoretical understanding of supply chain competitive priorities, structure and process linkages. This paper interviewed 29 managers from 15 firms across multiple geographic locations and used a constant comparison process to develop theoretical categories, dimensions and propositions for future research. Findings The findings, contrary to predictions of congruence theory, suggest that supply chain competitive priorities, structure and methods are more aligned with firm strategy during periods of instability and less aligned during periods of stability. This unexpected discovery significantly contributes to the field, sparking further interest and debate. Furthermore, the findings suggest that, while a firm’s strategic priorities shift toward efficiency and compliance in the latter stages of organizational development as predicted by organizational life cycle theory, supply chain competitive priorities focus on customer service and quality throughout the maturation process, creating a strategic rift. Originality/value From a theoretical standpoint, the findings in this study provide much clarity on how organizations successfully transition supply chain structures to support organizational growth and maturity. As such, this study moves beyond staged development models and builds a theoretical pathway to understand successful transitions between stages. These implications of this research guide managers in aligning their supply chain strategies with their firm’s overall strategy.

The Moderating Effect of Firm Life Cycle on the Influence of Financial Performance and Green Innovation Performance on Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting: Evidence From China

ABSTRACTThis study examines the influence of green innovation performance and financial performance on environmental social and governance reporting by considering the impact of the firm life cycle as a moderator. The study used OLS regressions with panel data from the CSMAR and Bloomberg databases to verify our research propositions on a sample of 15,410 firm‐year observations from 2015 to 2021. The study's findings indicate that firm life cycle moderates the association between green innovation performance, financial performance and ESG disclosure in China. The findings have implications for academics, practitioners, and regulators relevant to environmental social and governance reporting. Additionally, the results provide authorities and the board of directors with information about the firms and states' prospects for growth. The research is unique because it addresses the moderating role of a firm life cycle in the link between environmental social and governance reporting and the financial performance of green innovation performance.

Dynamic Capabilities and Cyber Resilience in Supply Chains management: Insights from Case Studies across Asia.

Cyber incidents pose significant threats to supply chain (SC) operations by disrupting material, information, and financial flows and compromising the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of SC assets. While supply chain resilience (SCRES) has gained increasing attention, this study focuses on the capabilities required to build cyber resilience within supply chains (SCCR). Drawing on the dynamic capabilities (DC) perspective, the study explores how firms across Asia can develop resilience to cyber risks based on a nuanced understanding of SC cyber risk characteristics. This qualitative study is based on 79 in-depth interviews with managers from 28 firms across four supply chains operating in various Asian countries. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and secondary sources and analyzed through the lens of the DC framework, emphasizing the processes of sensing, seizing, and transforming. The study identifies both general SC resilience capabilities and specific capabilities tailored to cyber risk resilience (SCCR). It reveals that SCRES capabilities must be realigned and complemented with SCCR-specific capabilities to address cyber risks effectively. Based on the findings, ten propositions for future research are presented. For practitioners in Asia, the study emphasizes the importance of collaboration among SC partners to address cyber threats, the integration of new SC partners, and the adopting of innovative approaches. The research highlights that cyber risks require distinct strategies compared to traditional SC risks. This empirical study advances the SC management literature by applying the dynamic capabilities framework to cyber risk resilience in Asian supply chains. It identifies specific DCs necessary for SCCR, provides practical insights for managers, and offers a rare perspective on SC cyber resilience through case studies in the Asian context.

Measuring Money Attitudes and Beliefs

Over the last 50 years, there have been many attempts to devise and validate questionnaires to assess an individual’s attitude toward money and related issues. This paper attempts to conduct a comprehensive review of those measures. In all, this paper documents 54 salient studies and consults many other references from diverse and multi-disciplinary literature. There is evidently a great deal of overlap in the money attitudes dimensions assessed. Research has concentrated on the correlates of these attitudes (cultural, demographic, financial, and personality). Suggestions for the choice and development of measures are made, along with propositions for future research.

The wisdom of the lexicon crowds: leveraging on decades of lexicon-based sentiment analysis for improved results

The “wisdom of the crowd” (WoC) refers to the notion that collective human knowledge is capable of outperforming even individual expert knowledge. This study investigates the application of this phenomenon to lexicon-based sentiment analysis of text data. Lexicons are frequently used to classify the sentiment of text data, particularly in the absence of sentiment class label information. We propose leveraging some of the most popular, publicly-available lexicons created in the last half century to improve sentiment analysis performance. Specifically, this research argues that the collective information provided by the thirteen lexicons included in the crowd constitutes a WoC situation that can more accurately predict the sentiment in the majority of example cases when compared to individual lexicons, lexicon ensembles, and machine learning methods. Thirteen popular sentiment-labeled text datasets, comprised of different types of text data and covering a variety of domains, are used to test this research proposition. We show that the WoC sentiment analysis achieves greater performance than individual lexicons, which are considered to be ‘experts’, and a lexicon ensemble approach. In comparing our novel approach to sentiment analysis against popular machine learning approaches, the proposed WoC method achieves superior results in the majority of examples. By overcoming many of the limitations of other approaches with high accuracy, the WoC method can provide organizations with real-time, reliable, and accurate sentiment analysis.

When humans and large language models collaborate, problem-finding illuminates

ABSTRACT This study explores the role of Large Language Models (LLMs) in problem finding (PF) for ill-structured, wicked, and multi-stakeholder problems – an essential yet underexamined aspect of organisational innovation. While prior research has examined artificial intelligence (AI) in problem-solving (PS) and, more recently, the contributions of LLMs, their role in PF remains largely unexplored. Given that PF lays the foundation for effective PS, overlooking it can result in missed opportunities and inefficient resource allocation, ultimately hindering the innovation process. Drawing on a cognitive-behavioural perspective rooted in Simon’s foundational work, this study identifies the key activities and cognitive skills essential for PF and examines how human-LLM collaboration can enhance this process. While humans possess innate PF abilities, cognitive limitations such as bounded rationality, satisficing, and uncertainty avoidance constrain their effectiveness. LLMs, with their advanced reasoning and data-processing capabilities, can help overcome these constraints by expanding the search space, generating alternative problem framings, and stimulating creativity. However, their inherent limitations, including biases, hallucinations, and challenges in handling less structured problems, necessitate a structured approach to human-LLM collaboration. To address this, we propose a framework that defines this interaction and illustrates its application through case studies in product development and social innovation. Our findings have significant implications for organisations, emphasising the need for structured implementation, workforce training, and AI governance. We conclude with research propositions to guide future investigations into humans-LLMs collaboration in PF, positioning it as a critical driver of innovation in the era of Generative AI.

The role of artificial intelligence in financial inclusion in emerging markets: A conceptual review

Technological advancements have significantly transformed the financial services industry with the increasing implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, the rapid growth of AI and its potential to drive financial inclusion, particularly in emerging markets, has highlighted a critical research gap in the conceptual and theoretical frameworks. This gap continues to stifle the effective application of AI in the financial domain. This study is unique because it merges social influence and ethical considerations into the TOE framework and DOI theory to enhance the existing body of knowledge. We propose that technological and organizational readiness, social influence, and ethical considerations are key drivers of AI adoption and promoters of financial inclusion. An integrative review covering the period from 2018 to 2023 and based on the Scopus database, combined with a bibliometric approach, was employed to analyze the growth of the literature, identify leading countries in AI research, and establish key themes and keywords. This study provides a holistic perspective on existing academic studies using the proposed model based on a comprehensive review of the AI and financial inclusion literature. It also identifies key propositions for future research and emphasizes the role of managers and decision-makers in driving AI adoption and supporting societal development.

Blockchain technology: an analysis of economic, technical, and legal implications

ABSTRACT This study proposes a conceptual framework, research propositions, and future research themes to investigate the interplay between the law system, the industry environment, and blockchain organizational adoption. Such investigation leads to the analysis of the IT characteristics of Bitcoin and smart contracts, together with their legal nature, across different countries, including the European Union and the USA. This analysis reveals that blockchain technology, in its current form, cannot directly substitute for traditional business transactions, as these transactions operate under established legal principles that blockchain technology applications do not inherently fulfill. Our comparative legal analysis demonstrates the need for blockchain technology to align with existing legal frameworks to ensure transaction validity and enforceability. Therefore, possible adjustments that fit various legal systems are proposed. The main contribution of this research is to highlight that the next challenge for IT developers, legal specialists, legislators, and managers is balancing the need to develop innovative blockchain technology applications that comply with legal requirements in a way that does not discourage industry growth and blockchain technology adoption.

Research on the Bullwhip Effect Based on Retailers’ Overconfidence in the Sustainable Supply Chain

The core characteristic of the bullwhip effect is that upstream companies overproduce or hoard inventory due to information distortion, leading to resource waste and increased carbon emissions, which severely affects the economic, environmental, and social efficiency of sustainable supply chains. This paper investigates the impact of retailers’ cognitive bias, namely, overconfidence, on the bullwhip effect in the sustainable supply chain. It characterizes retailers’ overconfidence from two aspects: overprecision and overestimation. This study finds that retailers’ overestimation biases distort demand forecasts, causing product orders and inventory decisions to significantly deviate from the rational optimal level, exacerbating the bullwhip effect in sustainable supply chains. In contrast, retailers’ overprecision bias reduces the forecast error, which has a mitigating effect on the bullwhip effect on inventory; however, this effect weakens as the level of overestimation increases. Furthermore, order lead time and the autocorrelation coefficient of demand moderate the bullwhip effect. Finally, through numerical simulation analysis, the interactive effects of overconfidence bias and operational parameters are effectively captured, providing strong validation for the theoretical results and research propositions. The conclusions of this study offer valuable managerial insights for mitigating the bullwhip effect of sustainable supply chain caused by irrational factors. It also provides policy recommendations for promoting the theoretical research and practice of sustainable supply chains.

The evolution of tourist consciousness: a developmental model of tourist behavior

Purpose This paper applies developmental psychology to tourism to introduce the evolution of tourist consciousness (ETC) model. The model explores how psychological development and sociocultural factors shape tourism behavior and the evolution of tourism itself. Design/methodology/approach A literature review and comparative analysis of key developmental models inform the creation of a psychological model of tourist development and a sociocultural evolution model of tourism, alongside theory-grounded propositions for future research. Findings The ETC model identifies four stages of tourist evolution: traditional-ethnocentric, achieving-hedonistic, experiential-responsible and transformational-integrative. It also connects how the evolving consciousness of tourists interacts with the sociocultural evolution of tourism, resulting in shifts in societal and economic structures across the premodern, modern, postmodern and metamodern eras of tourism. In addition, it explores the transition mechanisms between stages. Finally, this paper presents theory-based propositions to enhance theoretical and practical relevance. Research limitations/implications As a conceptual paper, its findings and proposals require empirical validation and testing across different cultural contexts and tourism sectors. Practical implications The model helps tourism professionals design experiences and marketing strategies aligned with evolving consumer values and motivations. Social implications Understanding the psycho-cultural evolution of tourism can drive more inclusive, sustainable and transformational travel experiences, reflecting broader societal changes and values. Originality/value This paper offers a novel application of stage theory to tourism, addressing a gap in the literature. By linking tourist consciousness with sociocultural dynamics, the ETC model deepens the understanding of consumer behavior in tourism and hospitality.

Product scarcity effect and marketing strategy: evidence from wine ranking data (1988–2022)

PurposeProduct quality indicates the overall competitiveness of the product, which is central to marketing strategies. This paper examines how marketing strategies for product attributes (e.g. price, age and provenance) and product scarcity influence quality perception by investigating evidence from Wine Spectator’s wine ranking data.Design/methodology/approachThis research empirically investigates how intrinsic blind-tasted quality perception is related to product attribute strategies (e.g. scarcity, age and price) with evidence from 1988 to 2022 wine ranking data. The mediation path analysis was conducted with wine ranking data (1988–2022) to investigate how product scarcity influences product quality while interacting with other product attributes, such as price, age and provenance.FindingsThe mediation role of product scarcity was the largest in the provenance-quality score effect, with a strong significance level. This finding indicates that product scarcity negatively influences the quality score for wine from the New World (vs the Old World). The positive mediation effects were reported in the price-quality score and age-quality score relationships. This investigation reduces the practice-theory divide, providing insights into practice-informed theory and research-informed practice.Originality/valueThis study examines the effects of product scarcity and product attributes on quality judgments when product attributes as exogenous variables influence product scarcity and product quality as endogenous variables. This research is meaningful to investigate the important concepts in the marketing strategy by using the archive data with external validity: price-quality relationship, longevity heuristics and country-of-origin effect. This evidence-based marketing approach helps develop novel strategies to influence consumer judgments. Research propositions for future research were proposed to foster practice-informed theory and theory-informed practice.

Sense and sensibility in psychological contracting: a multi-phasic perspective

PurposeDrawing on management and psychology literature, this article develops a process model of psychological contracting rooted in individual sensemaking. Research propositions address the variety of reactions that PC holders may have to PC experiences, potential moderators affecting these outcomes, and the processes for iterative sensemaking.Design/methodology/approachFrameworks for formation and compliance sensemaking are combined with behavioral outcomes grounded in the exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect (EVLN) model to explain the attitudes and behaviors these contracts engender. Special emphasis is placed on identifying the personal and contextual factors that shape promise-compliance perceptions and the actions that are likely to follow.FindingsThis conceptual article presents a personal sensemaking model for psychological contracting.Research limitations/implicationsDetailed analyses are needed of the proposed granularity of psychological contract (PC) sensemaking using stronger qualitative designs (e.g. event sampling, ethnographies). Other priorities include determining (1) how extracted cues and meaning are affected by culture, (2) how technology (i.e. algorithmic management) impacts sensemaking tendencies, and (3) whether union engagement for PC repair creates separate PCs in rank-and-file members stemming from perceived or actual representational promises.Practical implicationsManagers must broaden their frame of reference when tracking and interpreting the set of events, policies, and practices that impact employment to better understand how they are likely to be perceived by PC-holders. More tailored discussions are needed regarding contract expectations and the events that can influence them to help shape the sensemaking process, particularly in the context of organizational change. Information surrounding past contracts should be solicited as well when hiring and onboarding new members of the firm.Originality/valueThis is the first work to conceptualize psychological contracts as multi-phased, iterative sensemaking. It also addresses the dynamics and consequences of promise fulfillment, a neglected facet in previous research.

Workplace Stress: How Demands, Interpersonal Conflict, and Role Ambiguity Affect Human Well-Being

Workplace stress has become a critical issue worldwide that impacts employees, organisations, and the economy. The constant and rapid transformation of work has made the demands of working life increasingly complex, and the imbalance between the perceived demands and the resources and abilities of employees can affect their well-being. This paper examines the relationship between workplace stress and human well-being. Key stressors identified include job demands, interpersonal conflict, and role ambiguity. A survey was administered to employees within a policy organisation and public administration in Malaysia, comprising 197 questionnaires. Data analysis involved Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for coding, descriptive statistics, and structural equation modeling and hypothesis testing using SmartPLS software. Structural model findings revealed that workplace stress is significantly related to human well-being. This study offers several research propositions and concludes with implications for research and practice

Managing Digital Transformation in Contemporary Contexts: Are Classical Change Management Frameworks Still Relevant?

ABSTRACT The digital transformation (DT) is a contemporary phenomenon triggered by the widespread diffusion of digital technologies within modern organizations. This research examines DT management and processes and whether classical change management frameworks are still relevant in implementing DT initiatives. It proposes focusing on a more micro-level analysis by studying the case of legal departments (LDs) considered historically as being far from the DT and rather reluctant to technology. Using a comparative case study, the findings highlight two DT processes within LDs. Although the latter face the same challenges, their DT processes were found to be different and based on a mix of different change models. Building on these findings, this research underscores the significance of precursor change models in addressing contemporary challenges. However, it qualifies this relevance by advocating for an innovative combination of multiple change models simultaneously. This advances the ongoing debate on the relevance of classical change management frameworks and the legacy of organizational development in contemporary contexts. MAD statement This paper intends to address the issue of digital transformation in the legal field, with a specific focus on a micro-level analysis. Given the inherent connection between digital transformation and organizational change on the one hand and the perception of digital transformation as a contemporary change situation on the other hand, this paper seeks to assess the applicability of well-established change management frameworks to digital transformation within legal departments. In doing so, it contributes to questioning and rethinking organizational practices related to change management, examining how they can effectively address contemporary changes such as digital transformation. It then puts forth research propositions for academics and researchers while offering valuable insights and practical guidance to legal professionals and practitioners embarking on digital transformation journeys. The emphasis on digital transformation supports the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructures in organizational practices, fostering innovation within a traditionally rather conservative sector. Thus, the research contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and, more specifically, to the SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda.