Showing papers in "Social Behavior and Personality in 2017"

Factors influencing the behavioral intention to use food delivery apps

Abstract: We examined the relationships between the determinants that affect customers’ use of food delivery apps. Using an extended technology acceptance model, we explored consumers’ experiences in purchasing delivery food through mobile apps. We distributed a self-administered questionnaire online and used structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. We found that user-generated information, firm-generated information, and system quality had a significant effect on perceived usefulness. In addition, system quality and design quality strongly influenced the perceived ease of use, which improved perceived usefulness, and in turn, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use affected attitude toward the use of mobile apps. Practical implications for the food service industry are discussed.

Effects of transformational and shared leadership styles on employees' perception of team effectiveness.

Abstract: Using 3 sets of multiple regression models, we examined the effectiveness of transformational and shared leadership styles in relation to team effectiveness, based on the perceptions of 424 employees of Korean financial and insurance firms. Transformational leadership is a vertical leadership style emanating from the formal leader of a team, whereas shared leadership is a distributed leadership style that emanates from the team members. We found that trans- formational leadership contributed to team output effectiveness, whereas shared leadership improved the team’s organizing and planning effectiveness. These findings imply that different styles of leadership contribute to different aspects of team effectiveness. We suggest that managers should collaborate more with team members and should pay attention to the fit between the leader’s behavior and the characteristics of the team output in order to promote overall team effectiveness.

Job insecurity and turnover intention: Organizational commitment as mediator

Abstract: Drawing from social exchange theory, we investigated the relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention, and the mediating effect of organizational commitment on this relationship. Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the hypotheses using data from 459 employees in various firms in South Korea. Our findings confirmed that job insecurity was positively related to turnover intention, and that organizational commitment mediated the relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention. Implications of our findings for the job insecurity literature are discussed in the Korean context, and directions for future research are given.

Effects of grit on academic achievement and career-related attitudes of college students in Korea

Abstract: Researchers have found that outstanding performance entails not only innate talent but also focused practice and effort over time. Because college students must simultaneously strive for academic achievement and prepare for a future career, we tested 253 students to examine the effects of grit and deliberate practice on academic achievement and career attitudes in a Korean context. Results showed that grit was associated with higher grades, and that this relationship was mediated by deliberate practice. Grit was a significant predictor of career preparation behavior and major–career relatedness when academic year and the Big Five personality characteristics were controlled for. With this study, we have contributed to the expertise literature by clarifying how grit influences college students’ academic achievement and career-related attitudes.

Do Entrepreneurial Alertness and Self-Efficacy Predict Chinese Sports Major Students' Entrepreneurial Intention?

Abstract: Entrepreneurship is encouraged among graduates of Chinese higher education institutions as a solution to the increasingly competitive job market. Guided by social cognitive theory, we explored whether entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial alertness (EA) predicted the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of a sample of 364 Chinese sports major students. In addition, we examined the influence of demographic differences, namely, gender, entre- preneurial education, and previous entrepreneurial experience, on students’ ESE, EA, and EI. Results showed that both EA and ESE were key cognitive predictors of participants’ EI, and that demographic differences affected their ESE, and EA, and EI. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

The relationship between employee psychological empowerment and proactive behavior: Self-efficacy as mediator

Abstract: I examined the relationship between employees’ psychological empowerment and their proactive behavior, and explored the mediating role of self-efficacy in this relationship. Using structural equation modeling, I conducted an empirical test based on survey data obtained from 337 Master of Business Administration students across 4 universities in South China. The results showed that psychological empowerment and self-efficacy led to proactive behavior. In addition, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between psychological empowerment and proactive behavior. These findings highlight the importance of workplace managers fostering employees’ psychological empowerment and self-efficacy to promote proactive employee behavior.

A model of technology adoption by older adults

Abstract: We examined the attitudes and behavioral intention toward mobile phone use among older adults in Taiwan, and proposed a technology adoption model to explore the factors that influence the adoption of technology products by older adults. We also compared our results with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. A convenience sampling method was used to conduct a survey with 286 participants who were all aged over 46 years. Results indicated that the physiological limitations of aging had a negative influence, and that anxiety had a significantly negative influence on their mobile phone adoption behavioral intention, and that requisite knowledge, intrinsic motivation, and use expectancy all had a significantly positive influence on their behavioral intention. Our findings provide the information technology industry with recommendations for the development of technology products for older adults.

How Do Servant Leaders Promote Engagement? a Bottom-Up Perspective of Job Crafting

Abstract: We drew on the literature addressing servant leadership and job crafting, self-determination theory, and the job demands–resources model, and hypothesized that employees who are supported by servant leadership would craft their own jobs to stay engaged and perform well. Chinese employees ( N = 544) working in various organizations participated in a survey. We found that servant leadership, as evaluated by employees, predicted work engagement and that job crafting played a partial mediating role in this relationship. Results of structural equation modeling offered strong support for the proposed model. Specifically, empowering promoted employees’ absorption through task crafting, and emotional healing promoted employees’ vigor through relational crafting. Our findings enrich the literature on positive organizational behavior and will help with identifying practical considerations around promoting work engagement.

An examination of the predictive factors of cyberbullying in adolescents

Abstract: We examined the factors related to predicting cyberbullying behavior in adolescents, specifically demographics and the use of information and communication technologies. The study participants were 417 adolescents attending high school in Kirsehir, Turkey. We used an individual information form and a cyberbullying scale to collect information and found that 149 (35.7%) of the adolescents had cyberbullied others at least once. Hierarchical regression analysis showed in Step 1 that age, gender, grade, father’s age, and family income were significant factors predictive of cyberbullying, and in Step 2 that owning a computer rather than just having access to one in a public library or Internet cafe, parental control of use of the Internet, and previously being bullied on the Internet were significant predictive factors. Based on these findings, we propose that effective strategies for the prevention of cyberbullying are parental supervision of adolescent use of information and communication technologies, education for parents and teachers, and offering information technology communication (media) literacy courses in schools.

Consumer ethnocentrism on product judgment and willingness to buy: A meta-analysis

Abstract: We undertook the first meta-analysis on the effects of consumer ethnocentrism on product judgment and willingness to buy. We synthesized the results of 60 studies (effect size) with a total sample size of 15,585. The meta-analysis confirms that consumer ethnocentrism has a positive influence on domestic product judgment and willingness to buy, while it has a negative influence on foreign product judgment but not on willingness to buy foreign product. The results also demonstrate that the effects of consumer ethnocentrism on domestic versus foreign product judgment and on willingness to buy domestic versus foreign product are moderated by economic development (developed market vs. developing market), cultural context (eastern culture vs. western culture) and sample type (general consumers vs. student consumers). Our research offers implications, including that domestic enterprises should emphasize that their brands and products are local and indigenous to increase ethnocentric consumers’ quality judgment and willingness to buy.

Organizational structure and employees’ innovative behavior: The mediating role of empowerment

Abstract: We examined the mediating role of empowerment in the associations among centralization, formalization, and employee innovative behavior in organizations. Respondents were 750 highly skilled full-time employees of manufacturing organizations in the Republic of Korea who completed a self-administered survey. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the hypotheses of our study. The findings demonstrated that centralization and formalization were negatively related with empowerment. Empowerment was positively associated with employee innovative behavior, and played a mediating role among centralization, formalization, and innovative behavior. We recommend that managers of organizations establish self-managed teams that are able to make decisions autonomously, and that managers use a less formalized organizational structure to enhance employee empowerment.

Emotional Experience and Personality Traits Influence Individual and Joint Risk-Based Decision Making

Abstract: We compared individual and joint risk-based decision making using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, with a focus on participants’ (160 Chinese men) emotional experience during decision making and their Big Five personality traits as measured by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. We found that, compared with the individual decision-making process, making a joint decision led to reduced risk taking and increased earnings, and brought a greater sense of control, stronger feelings of achievement and happiness, and a reduced sense of regret for the participants. The Big Five personality traits of the participants were related to their risk-based decision making; participants tended to act differently according to their personality traits during individual and joint decision making. Our findings show that, compared with individual decision making, joint decision making has many advantages.

South Korean Students' Responses to English-Medium Instruction Courses

Abstract: We explored the underlying mechanism for South Korean university students’ negative responses to English-medium instruction (EMI) courses. Specifically, English language anxiety and confidence, and EMI course attitudes and avoidance were analyzed using survey data from 187 Korean university students. Results showed that English language anxiety played a key role in both EMI course attitudes and avoidance, and also affected student achievement in EMI courses. Students’ English language confidence and their perceptions of their instructors’ English language competence were found to be unrelated to EMI course attitudes and avoidance, but were negatively related to English language anxiety. In addition, students’ EMI course content understanding and grades did not directly influence EMI course avoidance, but did indirectly influence course avoidance through EMI course attitudes. Our results highlight the importance of addressing students’ emotional challenges and attitudes to improve their motivation to take EMI courses.

The role of human capital management in organizational competitiveness

Abstract: Drawing upon human capital theory, we empirically tested the relationships among human capital management, employees’ value and uniqueness, and organizational competitiveness. To do this, we adopted a quantitative approach via multiple regression analysis with 183 participants from Taiwan and Mainland China. Results showed that human capital development and deployment were positively associated with both value and uniqueness of employees in Taiwan and also in Mainland China. This indicated that development and deployment practices, such as training and job design, were conducive to increasing employees’ value and uniqueness. In addition, the positive relationship between human capital and employees’ value that was observed in a Mainland Chinese context was not observed in Taiwan, which indicates that contextual differences affected methods of attracting talented employees. We found it surprising that in neither Taiwan nor Mainland China were organizations capable of retaining unique employees. Practical and theoretical implications of our findings are discussed.

Entrepreneurial Passion and Behaviors: Opportunity Recognition As a Mediator

Abstract: We examined the relationships among entrepreneurial passion, opportunity recognition, and entrepreneurial behaviors. Entrepreneurial passion includes the intense positive feelings originating from engagement in entrepreneurial activities and the centrality of these activities for entrepreneurs’ self-identity. The empirical study was conducted using data from 195 entrepreneurs in new Chinese companies. Results showed that entrepreneurial passion had a significant impact on opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial behaviors. Further, opportunity recognition partly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial behaviors. Entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial passion are, therefore, more likely than others are to identify opportunities and start new ventures. Theoretical and practical implications for entrepreneurship are discussed.

Bidirectional work–family enrichment mediates the relationship between family-supportive supervisor behaviors and work engagement

Abstract: We applied the resource–gain–development perspective to test a theoretical model in which family-supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSB) were expected to predict work engagement through the mediator of bidirectional work–family enrichment (work–family enrichment and family–work enrichment) over time. Using a 2-wave survey conducted over a 5-month interval, we collected data from 268 full-time employees of Chinese industries. When controlling for perceived general supervisor support and perceived organizational support at Time 1, the hierarchical regression analysis results revealed that FSSB at Time 1 increased bidirectional work–family enrichment and work engagement at Time 2. In addition, bidirectional work–family enrichment was found to fully mediate the relationship between FSSB and work engagement. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.

How Social Media Strategies of Nonprofit Organizations Affect Consumer Donation Intention and Word-of-Mouth

Abstract: Our purpose in this study was to validate the role of consumers’ perceived trust and satisfaction in the internal mechanism of the effect of nonprofit organizations’ social media strategies on consumers’ donation intention and electronic word-of-mouth We developed an online survey that was completed by 242 followers of the One Foundation nonprofit organization on social media Responses were analyzed with a structural equation model The results showed that both dissemination and interactivity had a significantly positive effect on consumers’ perceived trust and satisfaction, which subsequently influenced their donation intention, and electronic word-of-mouth Disclosure had a positive effect only on trust Practical implications for managers of nonprofit organizations are discussed

Organizational Citizenship Pressure, Compulsory Citizenship Behavior, and Work-Family Conflict

Abstract: We sought to explore the mediating effect of compulsory citizenship behavior in the relationship between organizational citizenship pressure and work–family conflict, and the moderating role of job autonomy in influencing the mediation. Through a 3-wave web-based survey of 312 employees in China, we found that organizational citizenship pressure was positively related to compulsory citizenship behavior, the positive impact of citizenship pressure on work–family conflict was mediated by compulsory citizenship behavior, and job autonomy mitigated the above mediation effect. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms that underpin the effect of organizational citizenship pressure on work–family conflict.

Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Firms' Innovation Behavior: The Negative Mediating Role of Social Capital

Abstract: In this study we examined the importance of entrepreneurs’ internal and external social capital in the relationship between entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and firms’ innovation behavior. We analyzed the data from 193 entrepreneurs in China, and the results showed that ESE positively affected firms’ innovation behavior, and the entrepreneur’s internal social capital played a negative mediating role in the relationship between ESE and the firm’s innovation behavior. The findings both empirically support propositions of previous researchers about the negative effect of social capital in the relationship between ESE and innovation, and offer deeper insight into this. Possible explanations for our findings and future direction are also discussed.

Psychological contract breach, organizational disidentification, and employees’ unethical behavior: Organizational ethical climate as moderator

Abstract: We explored the effect of psychological contract breach on employees’ unethical behavior and examined the mediating and moderating roles of organizational disidentification and organizational ethical climate, respectively, using data from 362 paired questionnaires. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that psychological contract breach was positively related to employees’ unethical behavior and also that organizational disidentification completely mediated the relationship between psychological contract breach and employees’ unethical behavior. In addition, organizational ethical climate moderated the relationship between psychological contract breach and employees’ unethical behavior by weakening the mediating role of organizational disidentification. The results demonstrated that avoidance of organizational disidentification and cultivation of a higher level of organizational ethical climate were conducive to the reduction of employees’ unethical behavior.

Parenting style and peer attachment as predictors of emotional instability in children

Abstract: We analyzed the roles of parenting style and peer attachment in predicting emotional instability in late childhood and early adolescence. Effects were analyzed separately by gender. Children’s personal variables analyzed were empathy, anger, and the mechanisms used to cope with anger (externalization and self-control). Participants were 316 girls and 294 boys ( N = 610) aged from 9 to 12 years who were students at schools in Valencia, Spain. Main gender differences for each variable were examined using one-way ANOVAs. Results of 2 multiple linear regression analyses (1 for boys and 1 for girls) explained 50.9% and 35.5%, respectively, of variance in the students’ emotional instability. Considering emotional and cognitive variables, the results for our participant group show that parenting styles and peer attachment were equally significant as predictors of emotional instability.

User satisfaction and loyalty in a public library setting

Abstract: We investigated how the relationships among service experience, perceived quality, and user satisfaction affect user loyalty in a public library context. The study framework was based on the Hotel Customer Satisfaction Index, with service experience assessed in place of the customer expectation construct. Participants were 339 library users who completed measures of service quality, service experience, satisfaction, and loyalty. Survey data were analyzed and we used regression analysis and mediation analysis to assess the reliability and validity of the newly developed measurement instrument. Results showed that service experience directly and positively influenced both user satisfaction and loyalty; however, the effect of service quality on satisfaction of library users was nonsignificant. The results can be applied to examine customer satisfaction with, and loyalty toward, nonprofit organizations, such as public libraries.

Cognitive, Experiential, and Marketing Factors Mediate the Effect of Brand Personality on Brand Equity

Abstract: Many researchers have investigated the effects of brand personality on brand equity; however, the antecedent factors contributing to the development of brand personality have been largely ignored. We aimed to bridge this research gap by integrating cognitive, experiential, and marketing factors as antecedents to explore the effect of brand personality on the relationship between these antecedents and brand equity. Participants were 292 cosmetics users in Taiwan, who were asked to identify the cosmetic brands they favored, then interviewed about their perception of a brand they had mentioned. Results indicated that cognitive, experiential, and marketing factors all had significant effects on brand equity, and that brand personality served as a key mediator increasing the influence of these antecedents on brand equity. Our findings offer a reference point for academics to conduct further empirical validation studies, and for professionals to develop appropriate branding strategies in the cosmetics marketplace.

Effects of team diversity, transformational leadership, and perceived organizational support on team-learning behavior

Abstract: I examined the effects of team diversity, and the moderating effects of transformational leadership and perceived organizational support, on team-learning behavior in South Korean companies. I classified diversity into surface-level diversity, deep-level diversity, and differential attitudes toward diversity. I conducted empirical research with 133 teams across 5 industries. As expected, the results showed that team diversity exerted negative effects on team-learning behavior. However, in teams with strong transformational leadership, the negative effects of deep-level diversity diminished, and in teams whose members had a strong perception of organizational support, the negative effects of differential attitudes toward diversity also decreased. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.

Cross-level relationships between justice climate and organizational citizenship behavior: Perceived organizational support as mediator

Abstract: We investigated the mediating role of perceived organizational support in the cross-level relationships between procedural, interpersonal, and informational justice climate and organizational citizenship behavior. Hospital staff in China ( N = 468) participated in this study. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we found that procedural and interpersonal justice climate had a significantly positive effect on organizational citizenship behavior. Informational justice climate, however, did not have a significant effect on organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, perceived organizational support mediated the effect of procedural and interpersonal justice climate on organizational citizenship behavior. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed in relation to justice climate and organizational citizenship behavior.

Positive Coping Style as a Mediator between Older Adults' Self-Esteem and Loneliness

Abstract: We explored the relationships among older adults’ self-esteem, coping styles, and loneliness. Participants were 312 older adults who ranged in age from 60 to 88 years, and who were living in Beibei District, Chongqing, China. Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The results indicated that older adults’ self-esteem, coping style, and loneliness were closely related to each other, and that a positive coping style partially mediated the relationship between the self-esteem and loneliness of the participants. These findings provide new insights into the effect of self-esteem on loneliness of older adults.

Are You Hiding from Your Boss? Leader's Destructive Personality and Employee Silence

Abstract: Employee silence is increasingly prevalent within modern organizations and has been considered a significant issue linking to a number of important organizational outcomes, hence attracting academic interest. In this study, we developed and tested a model of leader’s destructive personality, trust in leader, and employee silence with a sample of 205 supervisor–subordinate dyads. We found that (a) leader’s destructive personality was positively related to employee silence, and (b) trust in leader mediated the relationship between leader’s destructive personality and employee silence. Implications of these results for future research and practice are discussed.

Millennial consumers’ perception of sportswear brand globalness impacts purchase intention in cause-related product marketing

Abstract: Our purpose in this study was to examine the structural relationships among the perceptions of college-aged millennials of brand globalness, brand–cause fit, firm motive, and purchase intention in regard to cause-related marketing (CRM) of a product in the sportswear industry. A convenience sample of college students ( N = 382) at two universities in a metropolitan city of South Korea participated in the study. Results showed that the college-aged millennials’ perception of brand globalness influenced their perceptions of brand–cause fit and firm motive and, subsequently, their purchase intention of a CRM product. In addition, we found that college-aged millennials’ perceived brand–cause fit had a positive influence on both perception of firm motive and purchase intention toward the CRM product, and, that firm motive perception partially mediated the relationship between brand–cause fit perception and purchase intention. Consequently, the findings extend previous studies on CRM effectiveness and provide a useful rationale for making managerial decisions when implementing a CRM campaign in sportswear firms.

Perceived overqualification and its outcomes: The moderating role of organizational learning

Abstract: We investigated the moderating role of organizational learning on the relationship between perceived overqualification and job satisfaction, affective commitment, and performance. Participants were 49 teams composed of employees and their managers ( N = 301) in China. We used a hierarchical linear modeling approach for analysis. The results indicated that when the level of organizational learning was high, the negative relationship between perceived overqualification and affective commitment was stronger, whereas the positive relationship between perceived overqualification and performance was weaker when the level of organization learning was high. These findings imply that, in regard to affective commitment and job performance, in terms of organizational learning, it might be better for employees to be just sufficiently qualified or underqualified rather than overqualified. In this study we have contributed to the literature on the moderators of the relationship between perceived overqualification and its outcomes.

The effect of peer interaction on sport confidence and achievement goal orientation in youth sport

Abstract: We used a longitudinal design to examine peer interaction in youth sport as an antecedent of changes in sport confidence and achievement goal orientation (comprising task and ego orientation). At the beginning of the winter playing season, 141 children and adolescents (from 8 to 15 years of age) who were members of soccer clubs in the Midwest of the USA, completed the Sport Confidence Inventory (SCI) and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), and 51 of the original respondent group also completed the SCI, the TEOSQ, and a social network measure at the end of the playing season. To assess the effect of peer interaction on the young soccer players, we employed the influence model in social network analysis. The results showed that interaction with peers in the same age group positively influenced changes in task goal orientation and in sport confidence in regard to cognitive efficiency and resilience. In contrast, ego goal orientation was positively affected by interaction with peers in a different age group. The results increase understanding of young people’s sport motivation as a function of their peer interaction.