Showing papers in "Journal of Management and Research in 2016"

Investigating Critical Factors Affecting the Operational Excellence of Service Firms in Jordan

Abstract: This research has been conducted to investigate critical factors affecting the operational excellence (OPX) of service firms in Jordan. The main factors of interest are leadership, human resource management practices, operations strategy, and involvement culture. This research considered different service sub-sectors including banks, ICT, insurance, aviation, hotels and medical care. A research questionnaire was developed to test the hypotheses, with 700 questionnaires distributed by hand and email. A total number of 368 were returned, representing a response rate of 53%. Multiple and linear regression tests were then executed to examine the research hypotheses. The multiple regression test showed a high positive impact of the research variables on operational excellence with (R = 83.2%) and (R 2 =69.2%) where the highest contribution was from operations strategy’, and the lowest contribution was by ‘leadership’. At the same time, when the research factors were tested individually, they all showed high positive impact on operational excellence. It has also been noticed that there are variations in perceptions across services subsectors: hotels recorded the highest mean value across all factors. In the light of the findings of this research, which are consistent with previous literature, the researchers propose some recommendations to be considered by both academics and practitioners in the field.

Quantifying the Bullwhip in Multi-location Supply Chain Network: The Impact of Demand Forecasting

Abstract: This article focuses on quantification of the Bullwhip Measure (BWE)-the phenomenon in which information on demand is distorted as moving up a supply chain-for a simple two-echelon supply chain model with single distribution centre (DC) and n retailers that follow an (R, S) inventory policy, in which the Inventory Position (IP) at each retailer is reviewed each day (R = 1) and an order of a fixed batch size Qr is placed on the DC to raise the IP to the desirable stock level, S. Assuming that the retailer employs an order-up-to level policy, and the demand forecast is performed via Moving Average model, MA (N), this paper investigates the BWE. Determining the orderup-to levels and the orders for the retailers’ demands in an isolated manner neglects the correlation of the demands, and the relevant risk-pooling effects associated with the network structure of the supply chains are disregarded. It is illustrated that the bullwhip effects are significantly reduced with consideration of potential correlation between the retailers’ demand.

The Impact of Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Applications on Organizational Performance (Efficiency and Effectiveness) in Jordanian Private Hospitals

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the impact of human resource information system (HRIS) on organizational performance in Jordanian private hospitals, through examining if the (HRIS) components (job analysis, recruitment, selection, performance appraisal applications, and communications) have a significant impact on organizational performance (efficiency, effectiveness). The data was collected using a questionnaire instrument. The population of the research included all private hospitals located in Amman city, the number of private hospitals located in Amman were 39 hospitals whereas the sample of the research included (170) employees working in HR departments from the private hospitals. The result of this study showed that there are a positive impact of the HRMS applications on organizational performance, More specifically, it was found that and a positive attitudes from employees working in Human resources sections in private hospitals towards all human resource information system applications .The result of the study also indicated that employees working in human resources' sections in private hospitals have positive attitudes towards organizational performance which includes efficiency and effectiveness. The research recommended that hospitals should focus on human resource information system applications in the work environment to achieve positive outcome and maximize organizational performance at all level.

What Can We Learn from the Organizational Life Cycle Theory? A Conceptualization for the Practice of Workplace Learning

Abstract: In the world of business and management, the practice of workplace learning is deemed important for firms to survive or stay competitive. However, firm characteristics such as business priorities, management styles, and limited internal resources and capabilities are always organizational factors that affect how firms may practice workplace learning. According to organizational life cycle (OLC) theory, during the firm’s growth from inception, to high-growth, to maturity, firm characteristics differ and the internal resources and capabilities of the firm develop. The literature has discussed the dynamics of organizational life cycle, but little is knownabout how it possibly relates to workplace learning. The paper synthesises the OLC literature and draws the characteristics of three common stages for firms (large or small) to conceptualize different patterns of workplace learning practices, promoting a new page of empirical research potential.

Understanding Organisational Culture and Organisational Performance: Are They Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Abstract: The understanding of organisational culture is increasingly viewed as a necessary requirement for high performance in the organisation. This is also suggestive that the culture of an organisation may have a significant impact on the success of the organisation. The term ‘organisational culture’ is used widely, however inappropriately and occasionally defining and using it incorrectly. While there is universal agreement that organisational culture exists and that it plays a crucial role in shaping behaviour and performance in organisations, there is little consensus on what organisational culture is and how it impacts on organisational performance. Without a reasonable understanding of the concept of organisation culture and its definition, we cannot understand its relationships with organisational performance. This paper explores the notion and the understanding of the concepts of organisational culture and organisational performance. If we can define and understand the concept of organisational culture, then we can understand how it can impact on organisational performance.

Internet Use and Addiction among Students in Malaysian Public Universities in East Malaysia: Some Empirical Evidence

Abstract: Nowadays, the internet has become an essential part of daily life for most young adult. They mainly use it for education, information searching, entertainment , mail and social interaction purposes. However, extensive use of internet can lead to addiction. This paper presents some preliminary findings on internet use and addiction among Malaysian undergraduate students. A survey questionnaire was used to obtain data from 287 respondents who were business, information technology, and arts majors in four public universities in Sabah and Sarawak, East Malaysia. The findings revealed that facebooking/social networking was the most common internet activity among the respondents, whereas online shopping was the least common activity for them. The study also found that while the majority of the respondents spent a considerable amount of time on the internet, they did not qualify to be regarded as internet addicts. There was evidence of moderate gender effect in terms of internet addiction scores but not with regard to internet experience, frequency, and duration. On the whole, the findings are mixed, suggesting that internet use and addiction among Malaysian university students remains a topic worthy of further investigation.

Transformational Leadership and Innovativeness:The Mediating Role of Organizational Learning

Abstract: The Role of transformational leadership in enhancing firm's innovativeness has become important to secure a sustainable competitive edge. This study attempts to explore this relationship by introducing organizational learning as a mediator. The data were collected from 321 participants belonging to public/government organizations in India through survey research using structured interview schedule. The findings confirm organizational learning to be an important factor that cannot be ignored if a firm wishes to enhance its innovative capability. Transformational leadership style promotes employees to accumulate tacit knowledge and use it productively, which is only possible when a firm develops the capacity to learn. This accumulated knowledge can further be utilized to enhance ability to anticipate the future and respond to customers' demands through products based on their innovation capability. The implications of the results for academics and practitioners are discussed.

An empirical examination of brand loyalty via customer delight in pakistan

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine brand loyalty in Pakistan. This is in relation to investigating the relationship between brand attachment, surprise, customer brand engagement and customer satisfaction with customer delight. This innovative study addresses a clear research gap in the brand loyalty literature. A model is developed by the author. Empirical data for the study is collected from 350 self-administered questionnaires in Lahore City of Pakistan. Data analysis in SPSS shows that surprise or customer satisfaction do not have significant relationship with customer delight, but brand attachment has a significant positive relationship with customer delight. The findings also show that brand loyalty has significant positive relationship with customer delight. In the context of current global economic downturn and inflation, brand loyalty is of rising concern. The policy makers can build up on the findings of this study to emphasize on customer delight and exceed customer’s expectations, rather than the traditional limited concept of customer satisfaction.

Coordination Practices in Supply Chain Management: An Empirical Study of Indian Manufacturing Firms

Abstract: In this paper hypotheses are proposed to understand the influence of coordination issues on supply chain performance. Proposed hypotheses have been tested by data collected through a questionnaire survey from Indian manufacturing companies. The findings of this research determine the relationship among important issues of supply chain coordination. It has been observed from present research, that building partnership, trust, and sharing risks and rewards require high level of information sharing. Further findings show that Incentive mechanisms, building partnership and trust, conducting meetings, corporation and technical assistance among members, are attributes of special importance as these are supportive to advance coordination in supply chain.

The Prospects of Cloud Computing in Supply Chain Management (A Theoretical Perspective)

Abstract: Today’s world organizations are searching for ways to minimize the cost and maximize the efficiency of each cycle of their supply chain, such as procurement, manufacturing, and distribution, particularly for those that handle multiple supply chains. Cloud computing technology emerges as an effective tool that, according to some researches, contributes to firms’ effectiveness and competiveness by providing the right infrastructure and business solutions for the entire supply chain via the Internet. This study aims to shed more light on the prospects of cloud computing in supply chain management. More specifically, with focus on cloud computing’s suitability and benefits by offering a thorough review and analysis to previous and current research, including all types of published materials that lead to an adequate answer for the main research problem, as follows: What are the prospects and benefits of cloud computing technology in the supply chain of business organizations? This research method relies solely on secondary data, such as research papers, reference materials, conference proceedings, and all types of reliable data that serve the purpose of this paper. The major conclusion of this study is that; Organizations that work in a more turbulent environment are the ones that feel the effect of the cloud computing technology on their supply chain performance compared to those that work in a more stable business environment. Therefore, the degree of importance of cloud computing adoption varies from one sector to another, therefore, cloud computing—if adopted properly—can improve the supply chain performance in terms of cost, quality, speed, and flexibility.

Exploring the effects of celebrity endorsement in electronic media advertisements on purchasing behavior of citizens of sargodha city

Abstract: The socio-economic development of Sargodha city of Pakistan has positive effects on the purchase behavior of citizen of the city. The induction of different brands in this city creates an opportunity to test the purchase behavior influenced by electronic media. The study examines the effects of celebrity endorsement in electronic media advertisements on purchase behavior of citizens of Sargodha city. Television is selected from a broad range of electronic media due to its popularity and access to the majority of population. 320 individuals are selected through multi stage sampling techniques in which participants are categorized demographically by gender, age, education, and as per income level with the ratio of 160 each gender category. Survey research method is used to acquire proper response from selected sample. Statistical analysis using SPSS describes the celebrity endorsed advertisements in TV which has significant positive impact on purchase behavior of the consumers of the study. The study reveals that customers pay more attention towards celebrity endorsed rather than noncelebrity advertisement. It is also learnt that female showbiz celebrities are more adored by customers as compared to male showbiz celebrities. In addition, customers recall level about advertisement with celebrities is higher than the advertisements with absence of celebrities. Findings further show that celebrity endorsed advertisements is more influential on purchase behavior of citizen of Sargodha.

Age Related Preferences of Leadership Style: Testing McGregor’s Theory X and Y

Abstract: In a today’s ageing world, where companies are facing an increasing share of older employees, it has become essential to understand the preferences and potential of this emerging group of workers. The focus of this research is to identify the age related preferences of leadership using Theory X and Theory Y developed by Douglas McGregor. The results suggest that the majority of employees prefer Theory Y management style over the Theory X style. Regardless of the age of employees, evidence shows that the results were in favour of Y Theory management style. In addition results capture the reflection of the preferred leadership style in relations to turnover, trust and job satisfaction of employees.

Asset Pricing Models, Cross Section of Expected Stock Returns and Financial Market Anomalies:A Review of Theories and Evidences

Abstract: This paper tries to review the theories and empirical evidences on various issues related to alternative capital asset pricing models. First it presents a brief review on various theories of capital asset pricing models followed by the review of the studies on the testing the various single and multifactor capital asset pricing models in both unconditional and conditional framework. Further, it discusses about the alternative arguments on the role of financial market anomalies on the determination of expected stock return and presents the critical review on whether alternative multifactor asset pricing models are able to capture the role of financial market anomalies in determining the expected stock return. The review of literature on these issues conclude that conditional asset pricing models perform better as compared to unconditional models, cross sectional regularity of the stock return has been associated with various financial market anomalies like size of the company, book to market ratio, momentum, and liquidity and they are not fully explained by the alternative asset pricing models.

Impact of Organizational Culture on Employees’ Readiness to Change A Study in Indian Perspective

Abstract: The main purpose of the study is to find out the relationship between organizational culture and employees’ readiness to change. The sample was purposive. The data was collected from 510 white collar employees in manufacturing and service organizations. The measures used were scales on Organizational Culture (Uday Pareek) and Employees’ readiness to change (Hellriegel and Slocum). Results reveal the significant relationship between employees’ readiness to change and culture. Out of eight dimensions of organizational culture, openness and confrontation has emerged as strong positive predictor of employees’ readiness to change. Contributed 14.10 percent of the variance in employees’ readiness to change. Results with respect to demography show that employees’ readiness to change varies with different age group of employees and there is significant difference found in male and female employees about the employees’ readiness to change. However the mean value of employees’ readiness to change for male employee is higher than female employees. The findings can be of high value for practicing managers. It is suggested that employers should involve employees from the beginning. Diverse demography base will also help to support managers, change agents, and change practitioners in assessing, designing, and evaluating new and existing organizational change programs.

Mr. Porter and the New World of Increasing Returns to Scale

Abstract: This paper endeavours to espouse a nonconformist stance to the classic economic assumptions of Constant and Decreasing Returns to Scale, and explores the world of Increasing Returns to Scale, within the realms of Strategic Management. It seeks to study Michael Porter's Five Forces Model under the latter assumption which apparently embodies the contemporary internet age and global technological evolution, and juxtaposes it with traditional assumptions. Under refreshed circumstances, the paper attempts to establish how a technology supporting Increasing Returns favourably influences the five forces, providing fillip to a firm's competitive positioning, thereby offering it a substantial strategic advantage over peers.

A Reference Model of Sustainability Disclosure based on four Sustainability Stock Indexes

Abstract: The study proposes to develop a reference model of sustainability disclosure based on the models and requirements of four sustainability indexes - Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Corporate Sustainability Index ISE, Frankfurt STOXX and Financial Times FTSE ESG. The approach employed to develop the model is a qualitative analysis of the complementarity among the Stock indexes above mentioned alongside a literature review on sustainability disclosure frameworks. There is no consensus around what should be measured and how. Yet, there is no study in the literature that has ever discussed the models of the sustainability stock indexes and the respective data required in each one of them or compared these models and their requirements. The present study attempts to fulfill this gap by examining the initiatives and requirements of four prominent sustainability indexes. This study contributes to the sustainability responsible investment literature. The inclusion of a firm in a sustainability index can be perceived as a positive signal by investors and this can be explained by signaling theory. This analysis can help investors and/or socially responsible fund managers to screen the stocks against this reference model and determine those firms that are more adherent to it.

Leadership Connection to Emotional Intelligence and Stress at Workplace

Abstract: Emotional intelligence has gained huge attention of practitioners and researchers over the last decade. This paper aims to highlight the relatively less focused, but the key domain of stress at work and its linkage with the emotional intelligence of leadership. Based on previous studies, this study accumulated the issues regarding emotional intelligence of leadership and its capacity to handle the stress more effectively. Though intelligence quotient is necessary for leaders, emotional intelligence of leadership is identified as most significant to cope with stress at work and create a healthy work environment. Specifically, the level of leaders’ emotional intelligence sets for how subordinates respond, to perform more effectively at different stressful circumstances.

Company’s Characteristics and Capital Structure “An Empirical Study on Listed Insurance Companies in Jordan”

Abstract: This study examined the company’s characteristics that affect the capital structure of insurance companies in Jordan. The study has employed panel regression model in investigating the capital structure of insurance companies using financial statements data of 23 companies covering the period 2010-2014. The results showed that both the static trade-off and pecking order theories are important in explaining the capital structure of insurance companies in Jordan. Company’s characteristics: size, profitability, tangibility, growth and risk were statistically significant to capital structure. Based on multiple and single regression the results of the study showed a statistical significant relationship between characteristics of insurance companies and their capital structure. The results also revealed a significant negative relationship between capital structure and company’s size, profitability, growth and risk while tangibility was significantly positively correlated to capital structure.

Impact of Behavioral Biases in Investment Decision and Strategies

Abstract: In present day behavioral finances play the important role for the investment decision making. In present day the investor's take the variety of the decision. There are various option or choice available for the investors in the market while taking investment decisions. Decision making means final selection n of the best alternative which are available for the investors in the market some investment decision are easy and other investment decision are the complex and require the multiple approach. This study is evaluate the and identify the behavioral biases involve in the investors decision making while taking investment decision and also identify the impact of the behavioral biases involve in the decision making. Behavioral biases generally variation in the judgments that occur in the particular situation which lead to irrational decision inaccurate decision. These studies focus the some of the behavioral biases which affect the investment decision for the investors.

The Entrepreneurial Process Networks as a New Theoretical Framework for Understanding and Analyzing the Practice of Creating a New Business Venture

Abstract: The major methodological gap is that most recent entrepreneurial studies are focusing on the causes or consequences of creating new business ventures rather than the process in which the entrepreneurship is generated, formulated, developed and implemented in the first place. Reviewing the extant literature has revealed that most studies of entrepreneurial process focused on two main different approaches: the entrepreneurial stages approach and the entrepreneurial networks approach. To bridge the gap between these different approaches this paper is aimed to introduce the Entrepreneurial Process Networks (EPN) as a new theoretical framework for understanding the effect of formal and informal networks on entrepreneurial process. EPN is derived from combining the advantages of the entrepreneurial process in stages (vertical) and the entrepreneurial networks approach (horizontal) which is located within a larger system idea of dynamic and interdependency. Our assumption here is that different formal and informal networks participate across entrepreneurial stages by influencing each other and giving accumulative outcomes for the whole entrepreneurial process. EPN would be a helpful methodology for future entrepreneurial research that enables an entrepreneur or practitioner to understand why the process of creating new business venture may succeed or fail to produce effective performance or predictable outcomes, as well as enabling the entrepreneur to start, develop and manage social networks as the holders to valuable resources such as: knowledge, information, skills and capital which entrepreneur really needs to achieve its objectives.

The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Organizational Citizenship Behavior.

Abstract: This study aims to determine the relationship of emotional intelligence with organizational citizenship behavior. Descriptive and analytical design was adopted and 344 employees from manufacturing firms formed as the sample for the study. The results indicate the attributes of emotional intelligence i.e self-awareness, understanding emotion, ability to sense emotion and acknowledge emotion, goal setting and its achievement, believing to be a competent person , self-motivation, self-encouragement to try best significantly differ with the dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior and self-control , sensitive to feeling and emotion attribute does not significantly differ with the dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior.

The Extent of Internal Control Units in the Government Sector with the Regulatory Standards of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Control Bodies (INTOSAI) in Jordan

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to statement the extent of internal control units in the government sector with the regulatory standards of the international organization of supreme audit control bodies (INTOSAI). In order to achieve the objectives of the study and the testing of hypotheses, the researcher designed a questionnaire, This questionnaire was distributed to Ministries, Department, dependent and independent institutions, a representative sample was selected to represent Ministries, Departments, dependent and independent institution study sample consist of internal control managers, directors control and employees, Out of the (300) questionnaires distributed, 249 were recovered with an adoption rate of 83%., For the statistical analysis purposes. The results showed that the commitment of internal control units in the Government sector regulatory standards, field standards, reporting standards of the international organization of Supreme Audit controls and accountability in General moderately came with the arithmetic mean and standard deviation, respectively (3.003) (0.535), and (3. 542) (0.610), and (3. 482) (1.022), The researcher attributed this result to it. Thus, the researcher attributed this result to the mechanism of internal control units action need to action strategies and future plans for its experience, skills and capabilities of both managers and workers employed by administrative government units and the need to strive towards the adoption of regulatory standards for the international organization of supreme audit control bodies (INTOSAI) in the Government sector, Based on the results of the study, the researcher recommended the need for attention to the human element as one of the main components of internal control system. This is in terms of training and development to keep pace with scientific progress and the practical need to emphasize the reformulation of some legislation. Also, it helps with some of the aspects due to the need for harmonization between legislation. In addition, it helps with professional international standards, especially supreme control standards which give importance and effectiveness to financial control and other recommendations.

Assessment of Employee Training: The Case of Steel Industry in India

Abstract: Introduction"India is set to be among one of the top countries for human capital" (Rao and Varghese, 2008, p. 15). In this progression, organizations today are facing multiple challenges coming their way from multidimensional angles. To answer these challenges, both academicians and Human Resource (HR) practitioners have opined 'training' as an important HR intervention, which fulfills the needs and demands of both the organizations and the employees. There have been several evidences of training in practice that has given strength to organizations who have dared to come into view as productive and competitive. At the same time studies have been patiently adding to the ways as to how training can be more beneficial and effective.In all these motives, an employee's voice is an important one; although it remains silent, yet it is the most vibrant in practice. These employees or the trainees who are subject to get trained in whichever situation an organization goes through, or sometimes they do not get any formal training, yet are expected to be always the most dynamic and performing according to the demands of the market in the global scenario, where it hardly matters if they are trained or untrained.Srimannarayana (2010) opines that the overall quality of delivery of HR services is going to be increased. Shyam (2010) tries to identify the important changes in employment relations in the post-reform period with the process of 1991 economic liberalization where there had been some important developments in which the state, the employers and the trade unions responded to these forces in different ways affecting employment relations in significant ways. In all the above-mentioned contexts where India tops in human capital and organizations tackling the challenges coming their way by giving training to its employees, employment relations have made developments since the economic liberalization and HR services are going to be increased. Given this situation, this is the right time to study the opinion of employees in India. As India accommodates a huge number of employees on whom organizations' global performance relies on and for whom organizations make huge investments for employee training, this study has made an attempt to find out what training is exactly for these employees and what have been the reactions of employees towards the training given to them.Literature ReviewTrainingTraining is termed as a fundamental component of HR development (Bunch, 2007), a process of updating the knowledge, developing skills, bringing attitudinal and behavioral changes, and improving the ability of the trainee to perform his/her task efficiently and effectively' (Palo and Padhi, 2003, p. 204). McGehee and Thayer (1961) define training as the formal procedures which a company uses to facilitate employee's learning so that their resultant behavior contributes to the attainment of the company's goals and objectives. Looking at the inception of training, it can be said to have begun in the Stone Age;It is generally thought that human beings began amassing knowledge at the beginning of the stone age. As they invented tools, weapons, clothing, shelter, and language, the need for training became an essential ingredient in the march of civilization [....]. Most scholarly dissertations on the history of communication begin with a description of early cave wall drawings, which served as the documentary record and textbook of the time. Isn't it conceivable that the etchings and paintings were also effective instructional illustrations, orienting primeval youngsters to such skills as fishing, and hunting, and how to protect themselves from the large woolly mammoths that roamed the land Thus was developed an apprenticeship system whereby an experienced person passed along knowledge and skills to the novice, who after a period of apprenticeship became a journeyman, or yeoman [....]. Another development in the middle ages was the formation of guilds, which were associations of people whose interests or pursuits were the same or similar (Miller, 1987, pp. …

Towards Building an Early Warning Model to Predict the Financial Crises of Jordanian Islamic Banks

Abstract: This study aimed to build an early warning model to predict financial crisis at the Jordanian Islamic banks during (2000-2013). So, the study included thirteen independent variables, and four dependent variables. Among the most important findings of the study there is no significant Effect of the economic indicators and indicators of the financial performance of the financial crisis, as measured by the real exchange rate due to growing confidence in the dinar, achievements of monetary stability reflected positively on the Jordanian economy, and the international reserves due to the central bank's policy to keep a basket of foreign currencies as reflected positively on the Jordanian economy. While total bank deposits is due to the adoption of central bank control policy and legislative prudent on the banking system, an increasing demand for Islamic banks in light of the crisis, which was reflected positively on the increased size deposits in particular. Finally, total bank reserves is due to the retention of Islamic banks with capital and high reserves, protected from exposure to any financial crisis. The most important, as recommended by the study, is that Islamic banks are advised to use these four models as an early warning system protects them from exposure to any risks arising from the financial crisis.

Day Dreaming of Highly Effective Dean: An Important Role towards the Success of Higher Educational Institutes (HEI)

Abstract: A highly effective Dean plays a marvelous role in the success of creating Quality oriented culture as a Professional Leader, Strategic Thinker, Effective Manager of the Faculty, staff and Students and raises the standards of academic quality. After a detailed review of the prevailing literature about an Effective Dean, this article proposes a conceptual framework that will help out in promoting a healthy culture of effectiveness in the community of Deans. Issues like strategic planning, curriculum, facilities and research are also part of the responsibilities of Effective Deans. Daydreaming 'offers a positive,simultaneous effect on task performance. Through a wide-ranging attributes of Effective Dean, the probable model as mentioned in Figure No. 6.1, uncovers the Planning, Professional, Leadership, and Managerial,scholarly and effective teaching capabilities of Deans. Adopting continuous Improvement strategy, getting accreditation of the relevant Programs at national as well as international level are also the key attributes. The model, if implemented successfully can develop Effective Deans who can run their Schools effectively and the culture of Effective Schooling will ultimately lead towards the creation of a successful Higher Education Institute (HEI).

Transforming into a learning organization through hr initiatives and managerial factors: a case of avari hotel, lahore

Abstract: This study explores the HR initiatives and managerial factors that contributed towards making Avari Hotel a learning organization and ensuring its continuous success and rapid expansion in the International world. In-depth interviews and analysis of existing organizational documents and secondary resources were referred in this case study. The main findings of the study attributed its success to the consistent hard work of the owners and senior management in meeting and maintaining the international standards of five star hotel properties while sustaining and developing its own unique selling elements distinguishing Avari chain from its competitors. HR initiatives for employee retention and the functional role of HR in areas as ensuring safe, healthy and happy workplace, employee care, communication, recognition, work environment and culture, recruitment training and development has played a major role in transforming it into a learning organization Although the strategic management at Avari Hotel, Lahore is in action to address the environment and competitive pressures, there is a strong need that management practices at Avari remain aligned with their business objectives in order to remain a force in hospitality industry and retain their market position for strong, unique and favorable brand associations.

What Influences Customer Satisfaction When? Product and Service Over Time

Abstract: Though researchers have examined the changes in the effects of product and service performance on customer satisfaction, the short time frames of most studies prevents deeper understanding of this relationship. This study collects information from pre-purchase to 15 years post-purchase from 11,056 potential and existing automobile customers in the Taiwan market. The data is analyzed by a regression model. Results reveal that the importance of both product and service performance change over long time and the long-term trends of product and service performance weights are non-linear. In addition, from pre-purchase to the second year post-purchase, service weight is higher than product weight, but after the third year, product weight exceeds service weight. Product and service weight on customer satisfaction over time exhibit curvilinear relationships. Therefore, which one of product or service a company should stress depends on the stage in the customer relationship.

An Empirical Study on the Organizational Commitment of Repatriated Female Employees

Abstract: IntroductionExpatriation is the process of sending managers to another country to run a subsidiary of a multinational organization. Companies spend huge amounts of money on their expatriates. In a study done by Stelmer (2001), it is estimated that most companies spend between $300,000 and $1,000,000 annually on an individual on foreign assignment. On completion of the international assignment, the expatriates return home and then the process of repatriation begins. However companies often underestimate the repatriation process because the employees are just 'coming back home' so there are supposed to be no difficulties in adjusting to their own environment (Adler, 1981; Tung, 1998; and Stroh et al., 1998). Because companies underestimate the repatriation process, there is a tendency that employees who have been sent to work abroad are more likely to seek new job opportunities than the ones who have not (Stroh, 1995). Black and Gregersen (1999) show in their study that 25% of the repatriates left their companies within one year of repatriation, which is twice as much as the ones who have not experienced expatriation; and in addition, if the employee leaves the organization the cost of replacing the employee is almost 29% (non-management) to 46% (management) of the person's annual salary.There are different reasons for the resignation of the employees. Some suggest that the repatriates do not see any career opportunities in the companies they are working for (Paik et al., 2002). Others argue that the main reason is the lack of a repatriation program (Hurn, 1999). Repatriates report low turnover intentions if upon return, the repatriates gain access to a suitable job and experience minimal cross-cultural readjustment difficulties (Leiba O'Sullivan, 2002). In addition, employees who are uncommitted to the organization are more likely to resign. Repatriates who feel committed to the company are more willing to share their knowledge gained abroad (Oddou et al., 2009). Thus the major factors leading to consideration of turnover are listed as adjustment difficulties, career prospects, external job offers, salary level, organizational status level, lack of clarity of the job in parent company, unsatisfactory repatriation treatment, and decreased organizational commitment.Recent studies have investigated repatriation primarily from the perspective of the repatriates to determine which factors influence repatriation commitment. In particular, there is a dearth of empirical research which details the repatriation phase of female international managers, presumably because of their relative scarcity. Recent research on factors influencing the commitment of women on global assignments virtually ignores the repatriation issue (Caliguiri and Cascio, 1998; Caliguiri and Tung, 1998; and Caligiuri et al., 1998). Most research on women in international management has been conducted in the US, with little attention given to this topic in other countries. Analysis of the extensive research conducted in North America by Adler (1984; 1986; 1987; and 1994) with female expatriate managers shows that none of the participants in her studies occupied her company's most senior position in North America or in any other country. A majority were employed in 'junior' managerial positions, supervising from zero to 25 subordinates, with the average falling just below five. This paper takes as its unique focus, therefore, the perceptions of female 'senior' international managers in relation to the commitment level of returning employee, and is one of the first empirical Indian studies of female repatriation. Hence the present research will focus on Indian IT repatriated female executives, a relatively unexplored group, yet one of great importance as organizations attempt to retain these high-demand/high-impact employees.Literature ReviewThe concept of organizational commitment has attracted considerable interest in an attempt to understand and clarify the intensity and stability of an employee's dedication to the organization (Lumley, 2010). …

Advertising Media Efficiency of FMCG Firms in India: An Empirical Investigation Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract: IntroductionAdvertising is a significant aspect of marketing strategies. Effective advertising is necessary to get the positive corresponding demand from the customer at a profitable price (Hadad et al., 2005). Advertising by itself cannot be bad or good as it is just a tool, which can have beneficial results or negative impact (Nagendra and Agrawal, 2011).The urge for advertising is simply because of the need to sell and so it is necessary that the prospective buyers be informed. The advent of the new technology has altered the trend of traditional one-way flow of information to real-time interactive sessions where consumers or the prospective buyers have also become a part of the process. Users are now getting empowered to choose, instead of being fed forcefully with the advertisement (Shukla et al., 2012).The market share of the product depends on the awareness of consumers. Hence, the organizations and agencies advertise their product via multimedia channels, either electronic or print or sometimes both. Not only the economic factors like per capita income change the consumer preferences about the choice of product but also impact the repetition of advertisement.Companies invest large amounts of money in advertising and expect their spending to have a positive impact on their bottom line. Therefore, advertisers are expressing great concern to ensure that their advertising dollars are being well spent. If companies are spending inefficiently on their advertising budgets, they could be losing sales and profits (Brown and Cheong, 2013). Companies are interested to know the effectiveness of advertisement to identify possible sources of inefficiency.From the aforementioned discussion, it can be assessed that advertising is an important aspect of any marketing strategy. Therefore, the present study examines the effectiveness of advertising spending in generating revenue of FMCG firms in India. DEA technique has been employed using multi-stage analysis. It has been chosen as a suitable method for the analysis because it can deal with the concerns in marketing literature and advertising spending decisions are often prepared by keeping competitors in consideration (Rust et al., 2004).Literature ReviewThe efficiency of advertising spending is defined as output per unit of input (Coelli et al., 1998). Efficiency in advertising stresses productivity or the relationship between the effects of advertising and underlying inv estment. Based on the definition given above, advertising efficiency can be increased by either cutting down spending on advertising or utilizing the maximum advertising Return on Investment (ROI). It is important to assess the advertising spending efficiency of a company to set the appropriate budgeting, particularly during challenging economic times. A vast number of studies have indicated that the increase in advertising expenditure does not always bring more ROI. But it may rather generate diminishing ROI when the advertising is not regulated (Aaker and Carman, 1982; Stewart, 1989; and Briggs and Stuart, 2006).Many scholars in this field have discussed the relationship between advertising expenditure and sales. Some of them have pointed out that the relationship is reciprocal and claimed that the influence of sales on media spending is more direct than vice versa (Riedesel, 2002). On the other hand, numerous studies in the field of management science, marketing, and advertising have proven the causal relationshi p between media spending and sales volume, advising that first a company advertises in places where it acquires the most ROI and spends more money to advertise in those places as advertising spending rises (Aaker and Carman, 1982; Stewart, 1989; Mesak, 1999; and Feinberg, 2001). Further, Danaher and Rust (1994) pointed out that the optimal level of media spending could be achieved by maximizing advertising efficiency. Following these studies, advertising spending can be treated as inputs and revenues can be treated as outputs in DEA. …

An Evolutionary Overview of the Joint Researches on B2B Marketing and COO Effect

Abstract: This paper is the result of a literature review on business-to-business marketing, and the country-of-origin effect, presenting an evolutionary overview on these topics throughout four decades. The findings indicate that the1970s served as scenario for the introduction of country-of-origin and B2B marketing altogether. During the 1980s, the topic was scarcely explored, being revisited in the next decade, with the addition of more countries and dimensions to the analysis. In the 1990s, the construct country-of-origin effect was dismembered into three others: country of assembly, design, and manufacturing. Finally, the 2000s served as setting for the most complex research of four decades analyzed. The conclusion of this literature review brings a graphical representation that displays the cited authors and their research, the countries involved in the assessments and, the theoretical gaps for further studies.