Suchergebnisse

PurposeGuided by institutional theory, this empirical paper examines variations in the adoption of HRM practices among SMEs in three different business sectors (services, manufacturing and trade).Design/methodology/approachData from 300 owners/managers representing three business sectors were collected through a survey method.FindingsThe results suggest that service SMEs use more formal HRM practices than manufacturing and trade SMEs. Manufacturing SMEs are more formal than trade firms. Results are not affected by firm age.Research limitations/implicationsSocial desirability bias may have influenced respondents into portraying a positive image of the organization by inflating HRM sophistication. A further limitation is that the performance of the firms was not measured. As such, it is not possible to judge whether greater HRM formality correlated with improved organizational performance.Practical implicationsThis study shows how the business sector shapes HRM practices in Pakistani SMEs. Findings help to inform Pakistan's Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) in dealings with manufacturing and trade firms in terms of improving HRM practices.Originality/valueGiven the important role of SMEs in economic development, comparative research on HRM in SME contexts is scarce. Since SMEs are vital for Pakistan's economy, an improved understanding of the sector's approach to human resource development is important. The findings extend the boundaries of prior comparative HRM literature in SMEs by addressing sector influences while controlling for contextual factors.

This research explores the association of ethical leadership with employee service innovation behavior through a moderated mediation model. Theorizing on uncertainty reduction theory, we explore psychological ownership and creative self-efficacy as the underlying psychological mechanisms in the association between ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior while considering the moderating role of sleep quality. We tested our theoretical model in two studies involving hospitality sector employees in the United States. Study 1 employed a three-wave (two-week period) time-lagged design (N = 237), and Study 2 used a two-wave (four-week period) survey design (N = 313). The findings suggest that workers' psychological ownership and creative self-efficacy mediate the association between ethical leadership and employee service innovation behavior. In addition, sleep quality functions as an important boundary condition of the association between creative self-efficacy and service innovation behavior. Our research has important implications for understanding the impact of ethical leadership on important employee outcomes while considering the boundary condition role of employee sleep quality. The limitations of the study and future research directions are discussed.

AbstractIn the aftermath of global warming, companies face huge pressure to minimize waste, reduce carbon emissions, and generally become more responsible in their operations. Against this backdrop, researchers argue that top management can significantly shape a firm's environmental performance (EP). This research aims to investigate the impact of CEO ethical leadership style on Saudi firms' EP in the presence of green human resource management (GHRM) practices as a mediator and stakeholder pressure as a moderator. We utilize the resource‐based view and stakeholder theory to develop hypotheses on these relationships. Multisourced data were collected from 272 small and medium‐sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. Our findings revealed that CEO ethical leadership positively influences firm EP via GHRM practices. The results also indicated that stakeholder pressure moderates the direct relationship between CEO ethical leadership and GHRM practices. Moreover, the stakeholder pressure moderates the indirect effect of CEO ethical leadership on firms' EP via GHRM. This study suggests that stakeholder pressure and GHRM practices are important mechanisms between CEO ethical leadership and firms' EP. Our research highlights essential theoretical and empirical contributions and provides insights for HR practitioners when and why SMEs engage in environment‐friendly practices.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of social commerce constructs (SCCs), social support and relationship quality on social commerce intentions, which lead to use behaviour of social networking sites for social commerce.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 343 users of social networking sites in Pakistan. The data analysis was conducted using PLS-SEM.FindingsThe results show that SCCs have empowered consumers through the existence of virtual groups, ratings and reviews and recommendations and referrals, thereby having a significant impact on social commerce intentions. The relationship quality with social networking sites, measured through commitment, satisfaction and trust, also proved to be a leading forecaster of social commerce intentions. The impact of social support could not positively influence the relationship quality with the social networking site. However, social support influences the social commerce intentions significantly.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should enrich model with some moderating variables and data may be collected from actual online shoppers only.Practical implicationsThis study provides valuable insights to retailers to formulate their social commerce strategies as per decision factors results to have maximum engagement of consumers in social commerce.Originality/valueThe study proposes the unique model for finding the social commerce intentions and use behaviour using social support theory, relationship marketing theory and information systems literature.

PurposeThis study examines the influence of contextual factors (e.g. age and ownership type) on HRM formality (including the underlying functions of recruitment, selection, training and development, performance appraisal and compensation) in SMEs.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a quantitative survey of 300 owners/managers of services, manufacturing and trade SMEs in Pakistan.FindingsFirm age, association with a larger parent entity, existence of a strategic business plan and the presence of a human resource information system (HRIS) are positively related with higher HRM formality. Firm size, family ownership and exporting characteristics had no association with formality.Practical implicationsThis study suggests a highly influential role for contextual factors in shaping HRM practices in Pakistani SMEs. Since the lack of a strategic approach towards human resource development is directly linked to the inferior performance of SMEs in Pakistan, this study provides an understanding of the contextual institutional setting that shapes the nature of HRM practices. The findings inform both SME owners/managers and policy makers.Originality/valueInstitutional influences on HRM systems have attracted attention but organisational factors are less often studied. Studies mostly relate to Western contexts and lack perspectives from SMEs. The findings of this empirical investigation highlight the importance of context specific research given the different nature of institutional settings.

Online stock trading (OST) is a growing phenomenon across countries, yet there is a sparse literature focusing on the negative utilities (risks) that causing the low adoption. Drawing from perceived risk theory, this article attempts to fill the gap by identifying the influential risk factors that impede the acceptance of OST in a developing country, Pakistan. The study also applies the Hofstede cultural theory to ascertain the effects of cultural moderators on investors' usage behavior (UB). Based on structured questionnaire, 443 valid responses were received from current and potential investors. The model was tested using structural equation modeling through Smart-PLS. The results validate a negative and significant relationship between risk dimensions and investors' behavioral intentions (BI) to use OST. Especially time, financial, performance, privacy and opportunity cost risks are found having a negative impact on investors' BI. Moreover, the study finds that cultural dimensions, collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance, moderate the relationship between BI and UB.

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide the overview of factors responsible for materialism and compulsive buying among adolescents and young adults. In today's world, materialism is a crucial phenomenon of the modern age. According to social comparison theory, comparisons are a significant factor affecting the behavioral intentions of adolescents and young adults. Thus, this study develops a framework based on the stimulus–organism–response model and uses the framework to examine the impact of interpersonal communication and marketing factors on social comparison, materialism and compulsive buying, with social media acting as a moderator.


Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey method, data were collected in Study 1 from adolescents (n = 298) and in Study 2 from young adults (n = 345). Structural equation modeling analysis using partial least squares technique was used to analyze the data.


Findings
The results show that social comparison plays a significant role in developing materialistic values and compulsive buying among adolescents and young adults. Through these two studies, it was found that young adults are more socially comparative, materialistic and compulsive in buying as compared to adolescents. Moreover, social media use moderated the relationship between social comparison with peers and media celebrities, which means that rapid increase of social media use leads adolescents and young adults to create high social comparison and materialistic values.


Research limitations/implications
This research is based on the cross-sectional method, which limits the research findings.


Practical implications
This research helps corporate managers understand the interpersonal communication role in creating social comparison among individuals. The study found that peer communication plays a more important role in enhancing the social comparative values among young adults than among adolescents, which provides clear implications for the practitioner.


Originality/value
This study makes a significant contribution to extant literature by discussing the above issue and presenting quantitative data. The study extends the literature by examining and validating a theoretical model of how interpersonal communication among socializing agents affects social comparison among young adults and adolescents. This research examines outcomes of the social comparison with parents, peers and social media, based on the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model.

PurposeAlthough work-related antecedents of abusive supervision are well-known, knowledge on the cross-domain antecedents of this destructive leadership behavior is scarce. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate off-the-job supervisors' after-work experiences that may influence their work behavior. The authors explore how and when a supervisor's poor recovery experiences lead to abusive supervisory behaviors through a negative start-of-workday mood for high vs low supervisor sleep quality.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a single-source, three-phase field study (N= 422) to test the proposed moderated mediation model for participants from a large telecommunications company located in Anhui province, People's Republic of China.FindingsPoor recovery experiences in the supervisor's personal life can spill over to their work domain and provoke abusive supervisory behavior through the mediating effect of a negative start-of-workday mood. Moreover, a supervisor's good night's sleep (i.e. first-stage moderator) serves as a key mitigating factor to diminish the negative start-of-workday mood resulting from a lack of relaxation, mastery experiences and control experiences (except for the lack of psychological detachment from work) and lessens abusive supervision.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature examining off-the-job events to understand the antecedents of abusive supervision that are beyond organizations' control but significantly influence workplace behaviors, showing that not all antecedents of abusive supervision exist in the workplace; some are transferred from the home domain through nonvisible moods. Finally, the inclusion of sleep quality as a first-stage moderator provides insights on preventing abusive supervision caused by nonwork-related events. This adds a unique dimension to the abusive supervision literature by highlighting factors in the home domain that can prevent negative spillovers to the work domain. The authors conclude with some theoretical and practical implications for researchers and practitioners.

PurposeThis paper investigates the effects of different uncertainties on Internet stock trading (IST) adoption intentions of individual investors in China and aims to determine the interaction effects of trust and perceived benefits in the relationship between uncertainty dimensions and IST adoption intentions.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structured questionnaire, a survey of 353 experienced stock traders was conducted in China. The proposed uncertainty-trust-perceived benefits framework was examined through structural equation modelling using Smart PLS 3.0.FindingsThe study found significant negative effects of perceived technology uncertainty, perceived regulatory uncertainty and perceived information asymmetry on the IST adoption intentions of individual investors. Perceived service intangibility was found to have only insignificant effects on IST adoption intentions. In terms of interaction results, trust significantly moderates the relationship between IST adoption intentions and, respectively, perceived technology uncertainty and perceived information asymmetry. Similarly, perceived benefits significantly moderate the relationship between intentions to adopt IST and both perceived technology uncertainty and perceived regulatory uncertainty.Practical implicationsThe regulators for IST development in China could utilise the results of this study as guidelines for strategies to increase the use of IST among existing and potential investors.Originality/valueUsing social cognitive theory, this research investigates the effects of various uncertainties on IST adoption intentions of individual investors in China; these effects have not been explored by previous literature. Furthermore, few studies other than this one have investigated the interaction effects of factors which counteract the negative effect of other factors.

Mukhtiar Ahmad,1,* Mehran Khan,2,* Rizwan Asif,3,* Nuzhat Sial,4,* Usman Abid,5,* Tahira Shamim,6 Zahid Hameed,7 Muhammad Junaid Iqbal,8,* Uroosa Sarfraz,8 Hina Saeed,1,* Zara Asghar,2 Madeeha Akram,2 Qamar Ullah,9 Qurat ul Ain Younas,10 Laraib Rauf,11 Alishba Hadi,1 Sajida Maryam,12 Yasir Hameed,1 Muhammad Rashid Khan,13,* Eman Tariq,14 Saba Saeed15,* 1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 2Department of Pharmacy, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 3Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Department of Zoology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 5Department of Pharmaceutics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 6University College of Conventional Medicine, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 7Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 8Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan; 9Department of Livestock and Dairy Development, Peshawar, Pakistan; 10Department of Zoology, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 11Department of Healthcare Management, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan; 12Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; 13University College of Eastern Medicine, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 14Department of Chemistry, University of Swabi, Swabi, Pakistan; 15Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yasir Hameed, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan, Email Yasirhameed2011@gmail.comIntroduction: In light of the increased demand for reliable cancer-associated biomarkers and ANLN oncogenic potential, the present study aimed to investigate ANLN's role in 24 human cancers.Methods: The UALCAN, Kaplan–Meier (KM) plotter, TNM Plot, GENT2, GEPIA, HPA, cBioPortal, STRING, Enrichr, TIMER, Cytoscape, DAVID, MuTarget, and CTD online databases and bioinformatic tools were used in this study.Results: In three of the cancers analyzed, ANLN expression was downregulated in tumor tissue, while it was overexpressed in the 21 other types of tumor tissue relative to controls. In CESC, ESCA, HNSC, and KIRC patients, ANLN overexpression was correlated with shorter overall survival, relapse-free survival, and metastasis. This suggests that ANLN is significantly involved in the development and progression of these four cancers. Further expression analysis revealed upregulation of ANLN in CESC, ESCA, HNSC, and KIRC patients with different clinical characteristics, regardless of the heterogeneity barrier. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that ANLN-associated genes were coexpressed with ANLN and were included in diverse BP, MF, and KEGG terms. Moreover, some interesting correlations were also documented between ANLN expression and its promoter-methylation level, genetic alterations, other mutant genes, and CD8+ T- and CD4+ T-cell infiltration. Moreover, we also identified ANLN-associated transcription factors, miRNAs, and chemotherapeutic drugs.Conclusion: This pan-cancer study revealed the novel diagnostic and prognostic role of ANLN across four cancers, regardless of heterogeneity.Keywords: cancer, ANLN, diagnostic, prognostic, biomarker