Moderating Role Research Articles

Social media usage and sustainable performance in manufacturing supply chains: exploring dynamic capabilities

Due to the global impact of COVID-19, businesses and supply chains worldwide have been disrupted, leading to challenges for manufacturing firms and customers. Social media usage (SMU) is a vital and valuable tool that builds customer-centric supply chains by effectively communicating large volumes of valuable data. This study examines the influence of social media usage on the development of dynamic capabilities, including supply chain sensing capabilities (SCSC), knowledge sharing capability (KSC), and social capital (SC), which are crucial for constructing agile and resilient supply chains that can effectively respond to dynamic and turbulent environments, ultimately enhancing sustainable business performance. To assess the proposed investigation model, data was gathered through a structured questionnaire administered to supply chain members currently engaged with manufacturing firms. The evaluation of the proposed hypotheses is carried out through the application of structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of this study offer empirical evidence supporting the proposition that SMU within manufacturing firms promotes the development of sensing capabilities, knowledge-sharing capability, and social capital. Furthermore, this study tests the moderation role of environmental dynamism in the relationship between social media use and sustainable business performance. This underscores the pivotal role played by SMU in facilitating the adaptation and responsiveness of the supply chain to dynamic and uncertain environments, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of organizations.

Into the virtual worlds: conceptualizing the consumer‐avatar journey in virtual environments

AbstractAs digital representations of human controllers, consumer‐avatars play a pivotal role in enabling immersive consumer experiences in virtual environments. Despite their significance in digital marketing research, the literature on consumer‐avatars is highly fragmented and lacks comprehensive analysis across studies. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review and developed a comprehensive conceptual framework of the consumer‐avatar journey, encompassing three unique phases: Self Representation, Avatar Embodiment, and Avatar‐Mediated Interactions. By integrating empirical evidence with multiple theoretical perspectives, including motivation, self‐concept, identification, and presence theories, we explored consumer motivations for self representation, how avatar identification occurs, and how avatar‐mediated interactions are facilitated by the sense of presence. Additionally, we examined the moderating roles of technological, social, and individual factors in these processes. Our study provides significant theoretical contributions to the current literature by consolidating fragmented research and offers practical insights for marketers to design effective strategies around consumer‐avatars. By elaborating on each phase of the consumer‐avatar journey, we developed 11 propositions and 5 research questions to guide future research on consumer‐avatars.

Capital Structure and Corporate Governance: Shaping Company Value through Dividends

Background: The dynamic interplay between corporate financial strategies, particularly capital structure and dividend policies, significantly influences firm value in the manufacturing sector.Knowledge Gap: While previous research has explored the direct relationships between capital structure and firm value, less attention has been paid to the moderating effects of dividend policy, profitability, and Good Corporate Governance (GCG) in this context. Aims: This study aims to assess the moderating roles of dividend policy, profitability, and GCG on the relationship between capital structure and firm value. Results: The findings indicate that dividend policy, profitability, and GCG significantly moderate the relationship between capital structure and firm value, suggesting that firms must balance dividend distribution with their capital structure decisions. Novelty: This research contributes to the existing literature by integrating dividend policy and GCG into the analysis of capital structure's effect on firm value, addressing previously overlooked aspects. Implications: The study underscores the importance of prudent dividend policies and robust corporate governance in enhancing firm value, offering valuable insights for managers and investors aiming to optimize financial performance in the competitive food and beverage manufacturing sector. Highlights : Moderating Effects: Dividend policy, profitability, and GCG significantly moderate the relationship between capital structure and firm value. Financial Balance: Firms must balance dividend distribution with capital structure decisions to enhance overall value. Managerial Insights: The findings provide crucial insights for managers and investors to optimize financial performance in the food and beverage sector. Keywords: capital structure, dividend policy, firm value, profitability, Good Corporate Governance

The effects of knowledge hiding on new product creativity in informational faultlines

Purpose This paper aims to explore how informational faultlines impact new product creativity through specific mechanisms. The study focuses on analyzing how knowledge hiding mediates the relationship between informational faultlines and new product creativity, and how team promotion regulatory focus and team prevention regulatory focus moderate this process. Design/methodology/approach This research investigates the proposed hypotheses by examining sample data from 65 team leaders and 370 employees, delving into the relationship between informational faultlines and new product creativity and its underlying mechanisms. Findings Knowledge hiding negatively mediates the relationship between informational faultlines and new product creativity; team promotion regulatory focus negatively moderates the relationship between informational faultlines and knowledge hiding; team prevention regulatory focus positively moderates the relationship between informational faultlines and knowledge hiding; team promotion regulatory focus negatively moderates the mediating role of knowledge hiding in the link between informational faultlines and new product creativity. The higher the level of team promotion regulatory focus, the weaker the mediating role of knowledge hiding between informational faultlines and new product creativity, and vice versa; team prevention regulatory focus positively moderates the mediating effect of knowledge hiding in the relationship between informational faultlines and new product creativity. The higher the level of team prevention regulatory focus, the stronger the mediating effect of knowledge hiding on informational faultlines and new product creativity, and vice versa. Originality/value This paper constructs a novel moderated mediation model based on the need-threat model. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first to explore the relationship between informational faultlines and new product creativity from the perspective of knowledge retention, effectively filling the research gap on the role of knowledge hiding between informational faultlines and team innovative output and the moderate role of team motivational-based psychological characteristics, such as team regulatory focus, in the aforementioned mechanisms.

Effects of autonomy support on innovation: resolving the dilemma of participation in innovation with trust

PurposeThis study aims to integrate the componential model of creativity and innovation with a participative safety perspective to investigate the association between autonomy support and innovation as well as the organizational factors that strengthen this association. Specifically, the study suggests that autonomy support is more effective in fostering innovation in organizations characterized by higher levels of trust, strong organizational fairness and effective communication.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed hypotheses were investigated using moderated mediation models with panel data collected over four waves.FindingsThis study found that autonomy support positively contributes to organizational innovation. Moderation analyses demonstrated that trust, perceptions of fairness and communication strengthen the effect of autonomy support on innovation.Originality/valueThis study is the first to demonstrate the moderating roles of various organizational contexts (i.e. trust, fairness perception and communication) in the association between autonomy support and innovation and to investigate the role of trust as a mediating moderator.

Self-regulation deficiencies and perceived problematic online pornography use among young Chinese women: The role of self-acceptance

Although perceived problematic online pornography use has attracted attention, how this phenomenon manifests among females is not well understood. Based on self-regulation theory and the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution model, this study explored the prospective effects of behavioral (i.e., pornography use frequency) and psychological (i.e., difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviors) risk factors on perceived problematic online pornography use. Furthermore, it examined the direct and moderating roles of self-acceptance in these associations. Analysis of anonymous survey data of 559 young Chinese women (mean age = 19.86 years) collected at two time points over a one-year interval revealed that both Time 1 (T1) pornography use frequency and T1 difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behaviors were positively correlated, whereas T1 self-acceptance was negatively correlated with perceived problematic online pornography use assessed at both T1 and Time 2 (T2). Moreover, T1 self-acceptance moderated the prospective effect of T1 pornography use frequency on T2 perceived problematic online pornography use after the hierarchical regression model controlled for T1 perceived problematic online pornography use. This prospective effect was weaker for individuals with high rather than low self-acceptance. Our findings advance knowledge of the complex underlying psychological mechanisms of perceived problematic online pornography use by providing evidence of both the direct and/or moderated roles of pornography use frequency, difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior, and self-acceptance in these mechanisms. Our study also offers a novel perspective and potential for implementing preventive and therapeutic interventions based on acceptance and commitment therapy among young women with problematic pornography use.

Unveiling the impact of technological innovation and SMEs resilience: the moderating role of firms' social sustainability orientation

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of personal, organisational and innovation capability on technological innovation and further impacts on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs') performance during uncertainty. Moreover, the moderator role of social sustainability orientation on the relationships of technological innovation, innovation performance and organisational resilience is also examined.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach using 524 SME responses and Smart PLS 4.0 are adopted in this research.FindingsThe results indicate a correlation between three types of capabilities with technological innovation and further conversion to organisational resilience. Additionally, social sustainability shows a negative moderating effect between innovation performance and organisational resilience. The research findings advanced the resources-based-view (RBV) by proposing three capability dimensions as platforms for SMEs' innovation success, which later generate resilience possibilities. Specifically highlighted in this study are the personal capabilities of managers, organisational capabilities and innovation capabilities in setting business objectives and resource allocation towards economic and sustainable goals during turbulence and uncertainty.Originality/valueThis study investigates the role of technological innovation and innovation on SME resilience. Notably, we deploy the social sustainability orientation as moderators towards the relationship between technological innovation, innovation performance and SMEs’ resilience. SMEs employing social sustainability orientation might negatively inhibit the translation from innovation performance to SME resilience, providing novel insights into navigating uncertainty in modern business. It has no effect on the relationship between technological innovation and its consequences.

Every cloud has a silver lining: the moderating roles of job crafting strategies in the relationships between two distinct aspects of job insecurity and interpersonal-oriented counterproductive work behaviors

Every cloud has a silver lining: the moderating roles of job crafting strategies in the relationships between two distinct aspects of job insecurity and interpersonal-oriented counterproductive work behaviors

Gender and trait rumination moderates the link between trait impulsivity and gambling problems severity in young adults

AimsTrait impulsivity and trait rumination appear to uniquely contribute to problem gambling. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated their relationship with each other, and no study has tested whether their interplay could explain problem gambling. In this study, we aimed to examine these associations, especially focusing on the putative moderator role of gender. MethodsThe present study utilized data from the first wave of the Budapest Longitudinal Study, representatively surveying young adults. The final, weighted sample consisted of N = 1202 (649 men; mean age = 28.04 years; SD = 4.31) participants who reported gambling in the past year. Gambling severity was assessed by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), trait impulsivity was measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale short form (BIS-R-10), while rumination was assessed by the short version of Ruminative Response Scale (RRS). ResultsMultiple linear regression analysis showed significant positive association between impulsivity and problematic gambling, and we found that both trait rumination and gender moderated this association, even after controlling for depressed mood, age, level of education, and subjective relative wealth. For men, when the level of trait rumination was high, higher levels of trait impulsivity were associated with an increase in gambling problems. However, these associations were not found among women. ConclusionsOur results suggested that the interplay of trait rumination and trait impulsivity might contribute to problem gambling, potentially by the impulsive desire to alleviate negative mood states. Our results also revealed that these associations could be stronger among men than in women.

Advancing towards sustainable and net-zero supply chains: a comprehensive analysis of knowledge capabilities and industry dynamism

Purpose This research aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge capabilities, engagement capabilities, operational capabilities and sustainable supply chain flexibility in the steel production industry. In addition, it seeks to understand how these elements contribute toward achieving a net-zero supply chain, under the moderation of industry dynamism. Design/methodology/approach In total, 371 people have responded to the self-administered survey that the authors developed. The nonresponse bias analysis was carried out before diving into fundamental assumptions, such as homoscedasticity and normality. The data's reliability and construct validity were assessed by using confirmatory factor analysis. The hypothesized conclusions were supported by subsequent regression outputs, strengthening the body of existing academic research. Findings The research's empirical results highlight the positive relationship among knowledge capabilities, operational capabilities, sustainable supply chain flexibility and net-zero supply chain, particularly under the influence of industry dynamism. Information obtained from the steel production industry corroborates these findings. Moderation role of industry dynamism in the relationship between operational capabilities, engagement capability and sustainable supply chain flexibility was found significant. Originality/value This conceptual framework clarifies how knowledge capability, dynamic capabilities and the flexibility of a sustainable supply chain interact. It highlights how these factors collectively work together to attain a sustainable supply chain with net-zero environmental impact.

How enterprises in the digital age can “break through the cocoon and become new”: a study based on social media strategic capability

PurposeSocial media is booming in the digital age, and its rich availability provides many opportunities for companies to innovate across borders. In reality, how enterprises use social media to achieve cross-border innovation also faces important challenges such as breaking path dependency.Design/methodology/approachThis paper explores how social media can facilitate cross-border innovation from the perspective of strategic capability, combined with the path dependency theory and attention-based view. Hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrap method are adopted to test the hypotheses based on survey data provided by 173 firms in China.FindingsThe findings show a positive relationship between social media strategic capability and cross-border innovation, with path dependency playing a mediating role. In addition, two internal and external contextual factors, namely customer embeddedness and competitive pressure, play moderating roles, with customer embeddedness negatively moderating the negative relationship between social media strategic capability and path dependency and competitive pressure negatively moderating the negative relationship between path dependency and cross-border innovation.Originality/valueThese findings provide not only new insights into social media and cross-border innovation but also theoretical guidance on how companies can effectively use social media in practice.

Why am I obsessed with viewing mukbang ASMR? The roles of mediated voyeurism and intertemporal choice

This study investigates the determinants of the obsessive view of mukbang autonomous sensory meridian response (Mukbang ASMR) and examines the moderation role of intertemporal choice and the mediating effect of mediated voyeurism among university students in Malaysia. A quantitative survey was conducted with 408 university students in Malaysia who viewed mukbang channel(s) often on social media. PLS-SEM is adopted to examine the associated paths and effects. The results demonstrate the significant impact of alienation and novelty, vicarious satisfaction, companionship and loneliness on mukbang ASMR obsession. Mediated voyeurism intervenes the effects of alienation and novelty on mukbang ASMR and intertemporal choice positively moderates the relationship between companionship and loneliness and mukbang ASMR. This study constructs a model to estimate Mukbang ASMR obsession by identifying specific motives and relationships among key factors, highlighting loneliness as the most effective determinant of mukbang ASMR among Malaysian younger generation. Research results provide an extended understanding of the mukbang ASMR, offering valuable insights in the areas of lifestyle, social well-being, and social media consumption.

Considering the Dark Side of Work: Bullshit Job Perceptions, Deviant Work Behavior, and the Moderating Role of Work Ethic

AbstractThis contribution aims to expand the study of experiences at work by (a) analyzing a theoretical perspective concerning experiences at work which emphasizes both positive aspects as well as negative aspects, (b) exploring the relation of both negative (Bullshit job perceptions; BJP) and positive aspects (Meaningful Work perceptions; MWP) experienced at work to negative work-related behavior (Counterproductive Work Behavior [CWB] and Cyberloafing), (c) investigating the (moderating) role of work ethic, and (d) examining the robustness of these relations when considering additional contextual factors (organizational work values and tightness–looseness reflecting social norms). Three studies were conducted, including two samples of German employees (N = 247 and N = 240), and another one of employees in the USA (N = 253). Our findings reveal that negative experiences at work (BJP) are the main predictor of problematic workplace behavior (CWB and Cyberloafing). Furthermore, their relation was contingent on individuals’ endorsement of work ethic. BJP and CWB (or Cyberloafing) were more closely associated for individuals strongly endorsing work ethic. In contrast, the relation of positive experiences (MWP) to problematic behavior at work was not significantly qualified by work ethic. The observed relations were robust when additional contextual factors were controlled for. The results emphasize the importance and complexity of work experiences including and differentiating positive and negative aspects. They also highlight the significance of work ethic and related beliefs of employees in shaping problematic behavior in work settings.

Moderation And/Or Mediation? The Role of Engagement in Relationship Quality and Customer Loyalty

The role of customer engagement in terms of its connection to relationship quality and loyalty is theoretically ambiguous, being assigned both a mediator and a moderator role. This article contributes to reducing this ambiguity through empirical verification in a credit union. A quantitative research was conducted using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that engagement predominantly assumes a mediator role. Moderation only occurs in the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. The article discusses the conceptual nuances of engagement and its implications for marketing theory, also enabling practitioners to explore better ways to promote loyalty and engage members.

A pandemic-related affect gap in risky decisions for self and others

ABSTRACT The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed large portions of the global populations to increased daily stressors. Research on risky choice in medical contexts suggests that affect-rich choice options promote less-advantageous decision strategies compared with affect-poor options, causing an “affect gap” in decision making. The current experiments (total N = 437, age range: 21–82) sought to test whether negative pandemic-related affect would lower expected-value (EV) maximisation within individuals. In Experiment 1, participants indicated how much they would be willing to pay to avoid specific pandemic experiences (e.g. “not being able to gather in groups”), and then chose among pairs of risky prospects that involved pandemic experiences or subjectively-equivalent monetary losses. EV maximising was lower for pandemic experiences than for equivalent monetary losses. Experiment 2 replicated this finding, and further demonstrated a moderating role of decision perspective. EV maximising was greater in decisions made for another person than in decisions made for oneself. These findings highlight potential strategies for boosting decision making under affect-rich real-world conditions.

Service quality, customer sentiment and online ratings of beach hotels: an analysis of moderating factors

PurposeThis study investigates the service quality dimensions of hotel resorts in renowned beach destinations of Thailand. It also explores the relationship between review text sentiment expressed in online platforms and the satisfaction ratings provided for those reviews.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a two-step analysis approach: first, supervised and unsupervised machine learning via support vector machine (SVM) and latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) are used to identify service quality dimensions, and second, SmartPLS with PROCESS macro is applied to analyze the moderating roles of quality signals and reviewer’s experience on the relationship between sentiment and satisfaction rating. The dataset comprises 102,179 online reviews from TripAdvisor, focusing on 187 selected hotels rated from 3 to 5 stars.FindingsEight service quality dimensions were identified, including leisure activities, tangibles and surroundings, reliability, responsiveness, service process, food, empathy and ambience. The study underscores that the service process stands as the sole dimension exhibiting negative sentiment. Furthermore, the analysis revealed a robust positive association between sentiment of review texts and satisfaction, and reviewers’ experience and brand affiliation influenced the relationship between customer sentiment and satisfaction.Practical implicationsHotel managers should focus efforts on maintaining tangible aspects while enhancing existing service quality level of other dimensions, particularly those related to intangible elements. Independent hotels might implement quality audit to ensure that service quality gaps are monitored.Originality/valueThis study contributes an examination of the moderating roles of quality signals and reviewer’s experience on the relationship between review sentiment and satisfaction rating in online reviews.

The relationship between insecure attachment and nicotine dependence among users of classic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products: a moderated mediation model

BackgroundPrevious research has investigated the association between attachment styles and smoking behaviors, indicating a positive association of insecure attachment styles with nicotine dependence. However, these links were mostly explored in adolescent and student samples. Moreover, the explanatory mechanisms and the variables influencing the strength of this relationship remained understudied. In this context, the present study aims to: (1) examine the associations between attachment anxiety, avoidance, and nicotine dependence; (2) investigate the mediating role of emotion dysregulation and metacognitions about smoking; and (3) test the moderating roles of psychological capital and type of tobacco product used by the participants.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 447 participants who reported smoking. The age range of participants was 18 to 64 (M = 26.76; 59.7% women). All participants have completed five questionnaires measuring nicotine dependence, adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, metacognitions about smoking, and psychological capital. They also reported the type of tobacco product commonly used: classic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or heated tobacco products.ResultsOur findings show that the direct link between insecure attachment and nicotine dependence is rather inconsistent. However, it was mediated by the metacognitions about smoking. Psychological capital can act as a protective factor against the effects of attachment on nicotine dependence, especially for those using alternative tobacco products alongside classic cigarettes.ConclusionsThe findings highlight the possibility of developing better-tailored interventions and treatments to discourage smoking and increase smoking cessation. These should focus on eliminating the dysfunctional beliefs related to the metacognitions about smoking and on improving the levels of psychological capital. In addition, targeting attachment insecurities in early adolescence can also function as a mean to prevent smoking.

Flexible Work in the Public Sector: A Dual Perspective on Cognitive Benefits and Costs in Remote Work Environments

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of flexible work arrangements within the Italian public administration. While much of the existing research has focused on the drawbacks of such arrangements, there has been less exploration of their benefits. Cognitive demands related to the structure of work activities, planning of working hours, planning of workplaces, and coordination with others, under flexible working conditions, might be considered as job resources that act as challenging demands within the Job Demand-Resource (JD-R) model. This study aimed to explore how the “cognitive challenge of flexible work” (CCFW) impact job satisfaction through home-based performance, taking into account the role of weekly working hours on home-based performance. Furthermore, the potential moderating role of cognitive and physical job demands between CCFW and home-based performance was explored. Using structural equation modeling on data from 484 public employees, the findings confirmed the positive impact of the structure of work tasks and planning of working times on both job satisfaction and home-based performance. In addition, cognitive demands (i.e., perception of cognitive work overload) played a moderating role in the mediated relationship between coordinating with others on job satisfaction and the structure of working tasks on job satisfaction through home-based performance.

Retirement Saving Behaviour: the moderating effect of socio-demographics

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between future time perspective (FTP), financial risk tolerance (FRT), knowledge of financial planning for retirement (KFPR), and retirement saving behaviour (RSB), as well as the moderating effect of demographics, on the relationship between these variables. Data was collected primarily through non-probability judgmental sampling. 312 United Arab Emirates (UAE) individuals working at universities participated in the study. Data analysis was carried out using Smart-PLS and SPSS software packages. It was found that FTP positively influenced RSB, while FRT was insignificant. Moreover, age, gender, nationality, education level, and monthly income played moderating roles in the model. Policymakers should implement policies to include personal finance and financial planning in school and university curricula to improve people's awareness of the importance of retirement planning. Education resources can be wisely channeled to address insufficient retirement planning by regulators and policymakers.

COVID-19-Related Social Isolation, Self-Control, and Internet Gaming Disorder Among Chinese University Students: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Internet gaming disorder among university students has become a great concern for university counsellors worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. The factors influencing the development of internet gaming disorder in students during the COVID-19 pandemic could be different from those before the pandemic. This study aims to explore the associations among social isolation, self-control, and internet gaming disorder in Chinese university students and to examine whether self-control mediates the positive effects of social isolation on internet gaming disorder. A cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data from university students in Shandong province of China from April to September 2022. The Isolation subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale, Self-Control Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale were used to assess the social isolation, self-control, and internet gaming disorder among university students, respectively. Models 4 and 5 of PROCESS software were used to analyze the mediating role of self-control and the moderating role of gender on the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. A total of 479 students were recruited from 6 universities located in 3 different regions of Shandong, China. Students had low levels of internet gaming disorder and moderate levels of social isolation and self-control, with mean scores of 8.94 (SD 9.06), 12.04 (SD 3.53), and 57.15 (SD 8.44), respectively. Social isolation was positively correlated with internet gaming disorder (r=0.217; P<.001), and self-control was negatively correlated with social isolation (r=-0.355; P<.001) and internet gaming disorder (r=-0.260; P<.001). Self-control played a mediating role in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder (β=-.185, 95% CI -.295 to -.087). The effects of social isolation on internet gaming disorder among female students were lower than those among male students. Self-control was a mediator in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. Moreover, gender played a moderating role in the association between social isolation and internet gaming disorder. This study highlights the need to alleviate the development of internet gaming disorder among students during a pandemic, especially that of male students. Effective interventions that lessen social isolation and promote self-control should be developed.