Mohammed Ali Al-Awlaqi

Bio: Mohammed Ali Al-Awlaqi is an academic researcher from Lebanese International University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Competitive advantage & Supply chain. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 12 publications receiving 49 citations. Previous affiliations of Mohammed Ali Al-Awlaqi include International University, Cambodia & Lincoln University (Pennsylvania).

The internet of things in the food supply chain: adoption challenges

Abstract: Purpose: The food supply chain (FSC) challenges coupled with global disruptions, such as the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, exacerbate its vulnerability The Internet of things (IoT) is one of the disruptive technologies being adopted in food supply chain management (FSCM) This study aims to address the challenges of IoT adoption in the FSC by systematically analyzing the prior pertinent literature Design/methodology/approach: A structured literature review was used to collate a list of peer-reviewed and relevant publications A total of 72 out of 210 articles were selected for the final evaluation Findings: The literature review findings suggest five themes: technical, financial, social, operational, educational and governmental related challenges A total of 15 challenges were devised from the review related literature of IoT adoption The study concludes with future research recommendations for scholars and practical implications for practitioners Research limitations/implications: While this study focuses on the overall FSC, further research should address other domains in the FSC such as cold supply chain, agriculture and perishable food to gain a better contextual understanding of the specific case Originality/value: The topic of IoT adoption in the FSCM is still considered emerging Therefore, the present work contributes to the limited studies and documentation on the level of IoT implementation in the FSCM This study should help organizations to assimilate how to adopt and manage the IoT application by addressing the factors and challenges presented in this research © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

The Relationship between HRM Strategies and Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Testing the Mediating Role of Strategic Agility

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of strategic agility on the relationship between Human Resources Management (HRM) strategies and Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA). A total of 227 large and medium-sized manufacturing companies were surveyed and studied. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), this study found a positive and direct impact of HRM strategies on SCA. The study revealed a mediating effect of strategic agility on the relationship between HRM strategies and SCA. This study provides practical guidance for Yemeni large and medium-sized manufacturing companies to maintain SCA by focusing more on strategic agility in a turbulent business environment.

Financial and social efficiency in the Yemen microfinance institutions: A Hicks–Moorsteen TFP index analysis

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to discover the most important productivity determinants of Yemeni microfinance institutions. In addition, this study tests the most appropriate tool to measure productivity in such unique industry.,The authors applied data envelopment analysis (DEA) with the variable return to scale after testing the technology return to scale assumption. Then, they used DEA with bootstrapping technique to overcome the borne biasness in the conventional DEA analysis. Finally, the authors presented the Hicks–Moorsteen (total factor productivity [TFP]) as the most suitable tool for the technology presented in this study.,In this paper, the authors found a prolonged deterioration in the productivity scores of microfinance institutions in Yemen. This study highlights the importance of operating in rural areas to improve micro finance institutions’ (MFIs’) productivity. In contrast, they found no significant differences in productivity, neither between microfinance banks and non-governmental organizations nor between Islamic and non-Islamic MFIs.,This study extends previous research in the area of productivity and its determinants. It also adds to the body of productivity knowledge and methodology within the context of the microfinance industry in Yemen.,The study discovered new productivity determinants and re-assessed the importance of some already known ones. These determinants have been studied for the first time in Yemen’s microfinance industry and have contributed to answer the question of what is the most suitable productivity method that should be used. This study proved that the Hicks–Moorsteen TFP and the variable return to scale assumption are the only suitable methods to study productivity in the microfinance industry.

The interaction between leadership styles and their followers' human capital: a correspondence analysis approach applied to micro-sized businesses

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tendency of leaders to select their followers depending on their human capital factors such as age, education level, previous working experience and training.,The participants were 1,388 employees working in a randomly selected sample of 289 small-sized businesses operating in Yemen. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect the data. The correspondence analysis method was used to explore the tendency of leaders to select their followers depending on their human capital factors.,We found significant corresponding relationships between leadership styles and the selection of the followers' human capital factors. The passive avoidant style was found to select middle-age, long-experience and fully-trained followers. Transactional style on the other hand was found to select young, middle-level experience and non-trained followers. The transformational leadership style was found to have no selection preferences towards any of the human capital factors except for working experience.,Although, some previous studies tried to understand the leaders–followers relationships, no one investigated the tendency of leaders to select their followers according to their preferences. This study contributes significantly to the leaders–followers theory by studying the selection process of the leadership style of their followers' human capital factors. Understanding this phenomenon could help explain why some leadership styles are more effective than others, especially in very limited resources contexts such as micro-sized businesses.

Armstrong\'s handbook of human resource management practice / Michael Armstrong

Abstract: Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice is the bestselling, definitive text for all HRM students and professionals. Providing a complete resource for understanding and implementing HR in relation to the needs of the business as a whole, it contains in-depth coverage of all the key areas essential to the HR function such as employment law, employee relations, learning and development, performance and reward. Accessible and to the point as ever, this fully updated 14th edition includes emerging theory and practice, embracing the most current thinking on engagement, talent management and leadership development. With updated case studies and references to academic journals, professional magazines and recent research and surveys, it also includes coverage of new approaches to topics such as job evaluation and pay structures. Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice is aligned with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) professional map and standards, with the sections meeting CIPD learning outcomes now even clearer than before. Comprehensive online support material for instructors, students and HR managers are included. Resources for students and professionals include multiple-choice-questions, flash cards, case studies, further reading and a glossary of HRM terms. The lecturers' manual contains session notes, discussion questions, a literature review and a complete set of PowerPoint slides.

The Mediating Role of Innovation Capability on the Relationship between Strategic Agility and Organizational Performance

Abstract: The changes in the business environment and the increase in competition have led organizations to focus greatly on improving their organizational performance in order to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage by relying on keeping pace with these changes and developing their innovation capability to meet their customers’ desires. Therefore, this research paper aims to explore the relationship between strategic agility and organizational performance through the mediating role of innovation capability. The research population consisted of senior managers in industrial corporations, and the sample comprised 224 senior managers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as a statistical method for testing hypotheses. The results showed that there is a significant influence of strategic agility on organizational performance and innovation capability. Furthermore, innovation capability plays a mediating role in improving the relationship between strategic agility and organizational performance. Accordingly, a set of recommendations are provided to corporations’ senior managers for supporting the organizational activities that lead to the creation of new products and services that are appropriate to the general context of the development of customer desires, realizing the importance of the corporation acquiring flexible re-sources that can be reallocated to meet the changes in the business environment, and adopting modern business models based on stimulating collaborative work and adopting creative ideas.

Business Statesman or Shareholder Advocate? CEO Responsible Leadership Styles and the Micro-Foundations of Political CSR

Abstract: In this article we pursue two objectives. First, we refine the concept of responsible leadership from an upper echelon perspective by exploring two distinct styles (instrumental and integrative) and thereby further develop the understanding of the newly emerging integrative style. Second, we propose a framework that examines the micro-foundations of political corporate social responsibility (CSR). We explicate how the political CSR engagement of organizations (in social innovation and multi-stakeholder initiatives) is influenced by responsible leadership styles and posit that most CEOs tend to espouse either instrumental or integrative responsible leadership approaches, based on perceived moral obligations toward shareholders or stakeholders. We examine the moderating effects of societal- and organizational-level factors (such as power distance and corporate governance), and individual-level influences (such as cognitive and social complexity). We discuss both approaches with respect to their effectiveness in dealing with political CSR challenges in a complex environment and conclude that an instrumental responsible leadership style may be effective in relatively stable settings with strong institutional arrangements, while the complex and unstable context of a post-national constellation with weak institutions calls for an integrative responsible leadership style. The latter can be expected to be more effective in dealing with political CSR challenges in a global world, contributing to closing governance gaps and producing sustainable outcomes for societies

How to Encourage Social Entrepreneurship Action? Using Web 2.0 Technologies in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract: University students will be our future business leaders, and will have to address social problems caused by business by implementing solutions such as social entrepreneurship ventures. In order to facilitate the learning process that will foster social entrepreneurship, however, a more holistic pedagogy is needed. Based on learning theory, we propose that students’ social entrepreneurship actions will depend on their learning about CSR and their absorptive capacity. We propose that instructors and higher education institutions can enhance this absorptive capacity by exploiting Web 2.0 technologies. We tested our proposition with a sample of 425 university students using structural equation modeling and found support for the proposed relationships.