Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. John Foster Author-X-Name-First: M. John Author-X-Name-Last: Foster Title: The utility, or otherwise, of models found in international business research Abstract: It is argued that an adherence to the use of 'hard', applied mathematical models is a major factor in achieving publication of papers on international business topics in top rated journals. However one may readily find examples of papers which meet this test but which are less than reliable in terms of what their models tell us about the real world of international business. As such, these sorts of papers and models fail a key test of accessibility and utility for the practitioner. On the other hand there are papers with models which are apparently less theoretically complex but which fully meet the accessibility and utility criterion. Such papers are quite likely to appear in 'lower ranked' journals. The argument is illustrated by examining 20 papers as evidence cases. This critique should assist the improvement of research methods used in international business and management research. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 223-242 Issue: 3 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: models; applied mathematics; utility; accessibility; international business; IB; practitioners. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=124435 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:3:p:223-242 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hasan Aktas Author-X-Name-First: Hasan Author-X-Name-Last: Aktas Author-Name: Henrique Duarte Author-X-Name-First: Henrique Author-X-Name-Last: Duarte Title: How do middle managers deal with uncertainty in the strategy process? Abstract: The current pandemic of Covid-19 manifested that uncertainty is an unavoidable dimension of organisational life. During these times, coping with uncertainty is more challenging even for the most competent managers. However, there is no comprehensive framework encompassing various forms of uncertainty coping responses used by individual managers. Thus, we examined middle managers' uncertainty responses during the formulation and implementation of the strategy process. In this qualitative article, we intended to expose the sources of uncertainty, and managerial responses, which are essential for middle managers to cope with uncertainty. We interviewed 22 middle managers in civilian and military organisations, resulting in six sources, including a new classification - international instability and disasters - and five different responses: collaborative responses, emotional responses, cognitive responses, value-based responses, and bureaucratic responses. Based on fine-grained coding, we showed how middle managers construct response patterns to uncertainty from suppressing to embracing. We exposed consistency of the uncertainty sources perceived by the manager over the years and added a new classification thanks to the increasing global challenges and instability. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 28-50 Issue: 1 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: strategic process; sources of uncertainty; uncertainty management; middle managers. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119576 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:1:p:28-50 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roohi Mumtaz Author-X-Name-First: Roohi Author-X-Name-Last: Mumtaz Author-Name: Islam Bourini Author-X-Name-First: Islam Author-X-Name-Last: Bourini Author-Name: Faisal A. Al-Bourini Author-X-Name-First: Faisal A. Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Bourini Author-Name: Abdullah Abbas Alkhrabsheh Author-X-Name-First: Abdullah Abbas Author-X-Name-Last: Alkhrabsheh Title: Investigating managerial and fairness practices on employee turnover intentions through the mediation of affiliation quality between organisation and employee. A comprehensive study of the metropolitan society of Malaysia Abstract: This study intended to investigate the role and impact of managerial fairness (MF) practices on employee turnover intentions (ETI). Moreover, this study also examines the mediating role of relationship quality between organisation and employee in minimising the employee's intentions to quit their jobs in Malaysia. A survey was conducted on 160 samples associated with Malaysia's corporate industries and financial institutions in three cities (Kuala-Lumpur, Ipoh, Johor Bahru). A statistical analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling with smart-partial least squares (PLS). The study's outcome concludes that people give value to the organisation they are associated with and their relationship quality in Malaysia. This impactful mediating role of organisation-employee relationship quality helps organisations to sustain their valuable employee. As the study's primary aim is to inquire about the role and impact of managerial and fairness practices, in this context, the superior's role is also significant to avoid the consequences of turnover. The justifications were provided in defence of the rejected hypothesis and the other practical and research implications of the findings. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 1-27 Issue: 1 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: employee; turnover intentions; fairness; power distance; affiliation; partial least square; PLS; employee turnover intentions; ETI; average variance extracted; AVE; Malaysia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119577 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:1:p:1-27 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chia-Ching Chou Author-X-Name-First: Chia-Ching Author-X-Name-Last: Chou Author-Name: Chieh Lee Author-X-Name-First: Chieh Author-X-Name-Last: Lee Author-Name: Zhuang Qian Author-X-Name-First: Zhuang Author-X-Name-Last: Qian Author-Name: Xinyuan Tao Author-X-Name-First: Xinyuan Author-X-Name-Last: Tao Author-Name: Winston T. Lin Author-X-Name-First: Winston T. Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Title: Business value of social media adoption: a comparison between the US and Taiwan Abstract: With the growing number of social media users, companies are engaging in social media adoption to take advantage of, and cope with this trend. Previous studies have identified the business value of social media adoption, but few have discussed the influence of social media with detailed usage measurements in a cross-country setting. Using two sets of panel data collected from the US and Taiwan, this study employs regression analysis with clearly defined measurements of social media usage to empirically test the business value of social media platforms. We find that companies do benefit from social media adoption, and that the frequent usage of social media accounts improves firm performance. However, judicious selection of the appropriate social media platform is crucial for companies in different countries. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 51-70 Issue: 1 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: traditional media; social media; Facebook; culture difference; interactive communication; US; Taiwan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119579 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:1:p:51-70 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Murchhana Tripathy Author-X-Name-First: Murchhana Author-X-Name-Last: Tripathy Author-Name: Santilata Champati Author-X-Name-First: Santilata Author-X-Name-Last: Champati Author-Name: Srikanta Patnaik Author-X-Name-First: Srikanta Author-X-Name-Last: Patnaik Title: SVD-initialised K-means clustering for collaborative filtering recommender systems Abstract: K-means is a popular partitional clustering algorithm used by collaborative filtering recommender systems. However, the clustering quality depends on the value of K and the initial centroid points and consequently research efforts have instituted many new methods and algorithms to address this problem. Singular value decomposition (SVD) is a popular matrix factorisation technique that can discover natural clusters in a data matrix. We use this potential of SVD to solve the K-means initialisation problem. After finding the clusters, they are further refined by using the rank of the matrix and the within-cluster distance. The use of SVD based initialisation for K-means helps to retain the cluster quality and the cluster initialisation process gets automated. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 71-91 Issue: 1 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: recommender systems; collaborative filtering; singular value decomposition; SVD; K-means initialisation; within-cluster distance; rank of the matrix. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119580 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:1:p:71-91 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Seng Hansun Author-X-Name-First: Seng Author-X-Name-Last: Hansun Author-Name: Vincent Charles Author-X-Name-First: Vincent Author-X-Name-Last: Charles Author-Name: Tatiana Gherman Author-X-Name-First: Tatiana Author-X-Name-Last: Gherman Author-Name: Vijayakumar Varadarajan Author-X-Name-First: Vijayakumar Author-X-Name-Last: Varadarajan Title: Hull-WEMA: a novel zero-lag approach in the moving average family, with an application to COVID-19 Abstract: The moving average (MA) is undeniably one of the most popular forecasting methods in time series analysis. In this study, we consider two variants of MA, namely the weighted exponential moving average (WEMA) and the hull moving average (HMA). WEMA, which was introduced in 2013, has been widely used in different scenarios but still suffers from lags. To address this shortcoming, we propose a novel zero-lag Hull-WEMA method that combines HMA and WEMA. We apply and compare the proposed approach with HMA and WEMA by using COVID-19 time series data from ten different countries with the highest number of cases on the last observed date. Results show that the new approach achieves a better accuracy level than HMA and WEMA. Overall, the paper advocates a white-box forecasting method, which can be used to predict the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the short run more accurately. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 92-112 Issue: 1 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: time series forecasting; moving average; hull moving average; HMA; weighted exponential moving average WEMA; Hull-WEMA; white-box model; COVID-19; Python 3. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=119582 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:1:p:92-112 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Swapnil Morande Author-X-Name-First: Swapnil Author-X-Name-Last: Morande Author-Name: Erica Del Vacchio Author-X-Name-First: Erica Del Author-X-Name-Last: Vacchio Title: Digital strategy with blockchain in healthcare ecosystem using service-dominant architecture Abstract: The research explores the relationship between the health industry and blockchain to develop a digital strategy that can create value for the healthcare ecosystem. To fulfil the same, interpretive qualitative case studies were used for content analysis where the 'texture of practices' emerged from the data triangulation. The design science research methodology was applied to devise a digital strategy, focusing on problem-centred initiation in the healthcare ecosystem. The results confirmed that considering the transparent and immutable nature of blockchain technology, it could help the health sector develop 'digital trust' and protect patients' privacy. Considering the socio-material view and based on service-dominant logic, blockchain can deliver mutual benefits, thereby resulting in precision medicines, targeted research, and population-level insights into medical treatment. Based on the insights, the study identified the impact of using blockchain as a technological enabler and reflected the value co-creation mechanism driven by a digital strategy. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 161-177 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: digital strategy; service-dominant logic; SDL; blockchain; digital; sociomateriality; healthcare ecosystem. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121906 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:161-177 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antonis Gavalas Author-X-Name-First: Antonis Author-X-Name-Last: Gavalas Title: Deciphering the complexity of human behaviour and decision-making: towards developing human friendly organisations Abstract: The purpose of the present paper is to delineate the inner complexity of human behaviour. A theoretical review supports the complex way of our brain functioning and decision-making processes. Through a simple task, the line exercise, it is showed that even when a decision-making process is not dictated by external factors such as rewards or punishments, our complex way of thinking dictates our differences, yet also demonstrating our convergent behavioural patterns. The paper aims to raise further awareness of human decision-making, and search for the common point into which our behaviours may converge. It points out the restrictions we put to ourselves based on our shared mental models, but also our common ground of understanding and cooperation. Finally, it promotes a new paradigm of management and leadership education, by following the key principles of our complex thinking patterns and brain functioning. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 178-194 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: neuroscience; complex behavioural patterns; decision-making; cognition; emotions; rationality; default mode network; DMN. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121908 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:178-194 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shiva Zandkarimkhani Author-X-Name-First: Shiva Author-X-Name-Last: Zandkarimkhani Author-Name: Meysam Amiri Author-X-Name-First: Meysam Author-X-Name-Last: Amiri Author-Name: Sayed Mohammad Hossein Mousavi Author-X-Name-First: Sayed Mohammad Hossein Author-X-Name-Last: Mousavi Title: A hybrid multi-criteria decision making method for sustainable supplier selection: a case study Abstract: The sustainability concept is considered an essential and fundamental requirement in many organisations for supporting environmental activities and social issues important to the successful implementation of sustainable supply chain practices. In general, collaboration with sustainable suppliers is the first step to move towards sustainability. Therefore, in this paper, a practical approach based on multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) is developed for sustainable supplier selection under uncertainty. In the proposed approach, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method is used to calculate the criteria weights and interval VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) is applied to rank suppliers. Interval numbers are also used to facilitate the evaluation process of suppliers under uncertainty. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed approach is measured using experts' knowledge of experts in an aluminium cans production industry. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 113-128 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: sustainable supplier selection; analytic hierarchy process; AHP; VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje; VIKOR; uncertainty; multi-criteria decision making; MCDM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121917 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:113-128 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zahra Ebrahim Qazvini Author-X-Name-First: Zahra Ebrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Qazvini Author-Name: Mohammad Reza Maleki Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Reza Author-X-Name-Last: Maleki Title: A triple bottom line multi-criteria decision making framework for supplier selection Abstract: When it comes to the controversy over the environmental and social issues and the rising public awareness, the main pressure is highly imposed on companies by the statesmen and their beneficiaries to go for sustainability. Such environmental and social concerns have competitively directed companies to a point that they feel obliged to place emphasis on green and social items in their procedures. In doing so, the selection of sustainable circular suppliers for the purpose of collaboration is regarded among the critical dimensions of environmental and social affairs. Therefore, this paper attempts to develop a hybrid framework based on fuzzy best-worst method (BWM) and fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) for selecting the sustainable supplier in a circular supply chain. In the proposed framework, the weights of criteria and their sub-criteria are calculated using fuzzy BWM and the interdependencies among the criteria are determined by fuzzy DEMATEL. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed framework is assessed using expert knowledge in an automotive parts manufacturing industry and five suppliers of this industry are ranked. The results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 144-160 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: sustainable supplier selection; circular economy; multi-criteria decision making methods; fuzzy theory. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121922 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:144-160 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad Hakkak Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Author-X-Name-Last: Hakkak Author-Name: Mohammad Hossein Azadi Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Hossein Author-X-Name-Last: Azadi Author-Name: Khaled Nawaser Author-X-Name-First: Khaled Author-X-Name-Last: Nawaser Author-Name: Haniruzila Hanifah Author-X-Name-First: Haniruzila Author-X-Name-Last: Hanifah Author-Name: Ali Vafaei-Zadeh Author-X-Name-First: Ali Author-X-Name-Last: Vafaei-Zadeh Title: The dialectic of failure or hope in organisations: a grounded theory study in a developing country context Abstract: This study aims to investigate a grounded theory (GT) concerned with the dialectic of failure/hope in an organisation based on the principal strategy of the GT approach. The results were formulated in a series of propositions and the model of causal relationships was drawn through the analysis of in-depth interviews with a total number of 17 employees working for a state-owned enterprise. According to the results, the toxic organisational structure was identified as casual conditions with three categories of negative individual behaviours, negative interpersonal behaviours, and bad management behaviours. Additionally, the dialectic of failure/hope was assessed as a core phenomenon. Moreover, the characteristics of a peacemaking leader including coalition and co-thinking, action-orientation, and initiative were brought to light. Ultimately, the outcomes were explored at three levels of increasing personal commitment, improving interpersonal communication skills, and boosting organisational performance and then five propositions of the research model were extracted. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 195-221 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: dialectic of failure and hope; peacemaking leader; grounded theory; leadership; toxic organisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121927 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:195-221 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chia-Ching Chou Author-X-Name-First: Chia-Ching Author-X-Name-Last: Chou Author-Name: Chieh Lee Author-X-Name-First: Chieh Author-X-Name-Last: Lee Author-Name: Xinyuan Tao Author-X-Name-First: Xinyuan Author-X-Name-Last: Tao Author-Name: Zhuang Qian Author-X-Name-First: Zhuang Author-X-Name-Last: Qian Author-Name: Zhasmina Tacheva Author-X-Name-First: Zhasmina Author-X-Name-Last: Tacheva Title: The effects of use of multiple social media platforms on firm performance: an empirical study Abstract: Social media provides an opportunity for companies to interact with customers, improves the design process, and ensures that companies deliver products and services that meet customers' expectations. Previous studies have conceptualised and debated on the link between social media and firm performance, but few have investigated the business values of social media empirically with detailed measurement of usage of multiple social media platforms. Employing regression analysis with a dataset consists of 290 S%P 500 companies from 2015 to 2018, this study proposes to empirically test the relationship between social media platforms usage and firm performance. Our findings indicate that companies can benefit from having their business accounts on Facebook and Twitter with frequent use of such platforms, but the results from YouTube usage tell a different story. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 129-143 Issue: 2 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: social media; Facebook; Twitter; YouTube. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=121929 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:2:p:129-143 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: John A. Parnell Author-X-Name-First: John A. Author-X-Name-Last: Parnell Author-Name: J. Douglas Barrett Author-X-Name-First: J. Douglas Author-X-Name-Last: Barrett Author-Name: Edward M. Morrison Author-X-Name-First: Edward M. Author-X-Name-Last: Morrison Title: Leveraging organisational hierarchies and networks: reassessing strategic planning and strategic doing Abstract: This paper explores the potential complementarity between conventional strategic planning and non-traditional approaches such as strategic doing. Traditional strategic planning models focus on the challenge of developing a strategy for a single hierarchical organisation operating in a relatively stable environment, but leaders today are confronted with networks and increasing volatility. Strategic planning focuses on a technical, rational, and linear approach to problem solving. In contrast, strategic doing invokes a multifaceted, recursive process of thinking and solving complex problems. It focuses on generating new opportunities from recombining accessible assets, many of which involve knowledge embedded in hidden networks. A flexible approach like strategic doing can augment traditional approaches to strategic planning by focusing on a chronic problem, strategy execution. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 426-442 Issue: 4 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: strategic planning; networks; practice; strategic doing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125925 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:426-442 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ankur Saini Author-X-Name-First: Ankur Author-X-Name-Last: Saini Author-Name: Anupama Rajesh Author-X-Name-First: Anupama Author-X-Name-Last: Rajesh Author-Name: Richa Misra Author-X-Name-First: Richa Author-X-Name-Last: Misra Title: Improvement in quality of BI decision-making process through data quality, information quality, BI management and motivation Abstract: Organisations use complex information systems called 'business intelligence (BI)' systems with the objective of strengthening their decision-making process, but there is a dearth of research available on how to improve the quality of the BI decision-making process. This research seeks to fill the gap that exists by investigating the critical factors. The study followed a two-staged approach: firstly, to study the concept of BI. Next, to develop an understanding of factors that affect or influence the BI output and evaluate the effects of business environmental factors on the outcome of the BI system along with their relative importance to obtaining effective decision making. The empirical findings of the research substantiate the overall constructs and factors relationship. More significantly, this study contributes to both the field of academia for research purposes and to the industry for application purposes. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 443-463 Issue: 4 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: business intelligence; information quality; DSS; decision support system; decision-making process; data quality; management; motivation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125933 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:443-463 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jitendra Singh Author-X-Name-First: Jitendra Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Author-Name: K.M. Kamna Author-X-Name-First: K.M. Author-X-Name-Last: Kamna Author-Name: Mahendra Singh Author-X-Name-First: Mahendra Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Title: Inventory pricing strategy considering product returns for deteriorating items with multi-variate dependent demand Abstract: This study discusses an optimal inventory model for rapidly decaying products considering product returns. In this study, the demand is influenced by selling price, timing, and advertisements per planning period. Product returns is regarded as a function of the product's demand and price. The shortages are acceptable and partially backlogged in the proposed model. This inventory model aims to develop a profit function to obtain the optimal selling price of the product and replenishment schedule with maximum profit. Moreover, a novel algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal results. An optimal replenishment schedule exists for a given selling price. Finally, the optimality of the function is proved mathematically and graphically to substantiate the appropriateness of the solution algorithm and method. In addition, a numerical illustration is used to elaborate the solution procedure, followed by a meticulous analysis of various parameters. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 402-425 Issue: 4 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: inventory optimisation; deterioration; shortages; product returns; dependent demand. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125934 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:402-425 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pavlo Brin Author-X-Name-First: Pavlo Author-X-Name-Last: Brin Author-Name: Rosa Lombardi Author-X-Name-First: Rosa Author-X-Name-Last: Lombardi Author-Name: Mohamad Nassif Nehme Author-X-Name-First: Mohamad Nassif Author-X-Name-Last: Nehme Author-Name: Riccardo Tiscini Author-X-Name-First: Riccardo Author-X-Name-Last: Tiscini Title: Corporate social responsibility, competitiveness and sustainability in emerging economies: the case of Ukraine Abstract: During the last decades, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved after it passed critical academic and practical milestones. CSR is contributing to the corporate sustainability strategy and competitiveness. In this scenario, we aim to assess companies operating in different industries in Ukraine applying CSR approaches to verify changes in their competitiveness using key numerical indicators to ensure corporate sustainability. Adopting a qualitative methodology, we investigate a relative dimension changes assessment emphasising a set of key indicators. We conclude that the CSR approach can enhance the company competitiveness and sustainability at a faster rate compared with not adopting any CSR approach. Our results are directed to academics and practical communities. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 379-401 Issue: 4 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: corporate social responsibility; sustainability; sustainable strategy; stakeholders; competitiveness; environment. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125936 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:379-401 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ivana Veličkovska Author-X-Name-First: Ivana Author-X-Name-Last: Veličkovska Title: A step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis of barriers to the use of biomass in the district heating system Abstract: The use of biomass as a form of renewable energy source in order to provide district heating is a very important issue. This paper analyses the barriers of using biomass for district heating in the city Bor located in Eastern Serbia. The subject of this paper is of a complex nature and requires the use of a multi-criteria decision-making method. The aim is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the internal factors in a heating company, external factors that influence the introduction of biomass, and define the most important challenges in the use of renewable energy sources. Based on the reviewed literature and interviews with the representatives of the heating company, five categories of barriers and 22 sub-categories are identified. A step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) multi-criteria decision-making method is used to prioritise the barriers. According to the results of the prioritisation, the most important barrier category of switching from the use of coal to the use of biomass is technical barrier, followed by economic category of barriers. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 262-284 Issue: 3 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: renewable energy; district heating; biomass; MCDM; SWARA. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=124407 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:3:p:262-284 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad Hossein Tavassoli Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Hossein Author-X-Name-Last: Tavassoli Author-Name: Ali Asghar Foroughi Author-X-Name-First: Ali Asghar Author-X-Name-Last: Foroughi Title: A multiplier form of slacks-based measure model in stochastic data envelopment analysis Abstract: Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a mathematical approach based on linear programming, which evaluates the rational efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) with multiple inputs and outputs. In conventional DEA, the data values are considered to be deterministic. However, the data might be non-deterministic in nature, and DMUs evaluation within DEA may be sensitive to imprecise data. An approach to deal with imprecise data is considering stochastic data within DEA. In this paper, chance constrained programming (CCP) concept is applied to develop slacks-based measure (SBM) multiplier model within stochastic DEA. The deterministic equivalent of this stochastic model is transformed into a nonlinear and then to a quadratic program. The objective function value and also the weighted output-input ratio, determined by using the optimal solution of the developed model, is used to evaluate DMUs. Two real data of the Chinese textile industry and Iranian provincial gas companies are used to assess the performance of the developed approach. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 243-261 Issue: 3 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: data envelopment analysis; DEA; slacks-based measure; SBM; stochastic DEA; chance constrained programming; CCP; multiplier form. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=124409 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:3:p:243-261 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sanjib Biswas Author-X-Name-First: Sanjib Author-X-Name-Last: Biswas Author-Name: Dragan Pamucar Author-X-Name-First: Dragan Author-X-Name-Last: Pamucar Author-Name: Jayanta Nath Mukhopadhyaya Author-X-Name-First: Jayanta Nath Author-X-Name-Last: Mukhopadhyaya Title: A multi-criteria-based analytical study of the impact of COVID-19 on ELSS fund performance Abstract: This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of select equity linked savings scheme (ELSS) funds in India for two different time periods namely June 2019 (before COVID-19) and June 2021 (after COVID-19) using risk, return and market perception based criteria. We use a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework of level based weight assessment (LBWA) and measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution (MARCOS). We test the group harmony using Kendall's concordance coefficient. We find that the result is validated and shows stability in the sensitivity analysis. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first of its kind that assesses the impact of COVID-19 on asset management companies (AMC) of ELSS funds from multiple perspectives. We observe that AMCs are unable to maintain their performance and ranks which suggests a highly competitive and fragmented nature of India's growing ELSS funds. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 339-378 Issue: 4 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: mutual funds; ELSS schemes; COVID-19; MARCOS; level-based weight assessment; LBWA; Kendall's concordance coefficient; Wilcoxon matched pair t-test. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=125945 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:4:p:339-378 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hani El-Chaarani Author-X-Name-First: Hani Author-X-Name-Last: El-Chaarani Author-Name: Paola Paoloni Author-X-Name-First: Paola Author-X-Name-Last: Paoloni Author-Name: Zouhour El-Abiad Author-X-Name-First: Zouhour Author-X-Name-Last: El-Abiad Title: Impact of legal protection and board characteristics on CEO compensation Abstract: This study explores the impact of legal protection level and board characteristics on the structure and the pay-performance sensitivity of CEO compensation. To reach the declared goals, this paper is supported by Mann-Whitney test. Data from 12 European countries for the 2016-2018 period reveals a significant impact of the legal protection level, CEO duality, board size, board independence and the presence of efficient compensation committee have a significant impact on the structure of CEO compensation but not on the pay-performance sensitivity of CEO compensation. In addition, the results show that the presence of women on board of directors has a positive impact on CEO's compensation. Present study contributes to literature in the fields of gender study and corporate governance of the firms. Also, present research has several managerial implications, highlighting the impact of legal protection and board characteristics on CEO compensation. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 305-338 Issue: 3 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: legal protection; CEO's compensation; compensation structure; pay-performance sensitivity; board of directors' characteristics. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=124410 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:3:p:305-338 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Seyed Ali Modarresi Author-X-Name-First: Seyed Ali Author-X-Name-Last: Modarresi Author-Name: Mohammad Reza Maleki Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Reza Author-X-Name-Last: Maleki Title: Performance of hybrid exponentially weighted moving average control chart in the presence of measurement errors Abstract: The inability of a measurement system to accurately measure the characteristics that affect the performance of control charts in detecting process disturbances, is being highlighted. This paper studies the impact of gauge inaccuracy on sensitivity of the hybrid exponentially weighted moving average (HEWMA) chart for Phase II monitoring of the process mean. Multiple measurements approach is also utilised to reduce the undesired impact of measurement errors on detection capability of the HEWMA chart. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the detecting performance of HEWMA chart in terms of average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (SDRL) and median run length (MRL) metrics. The results confirm the negative impact of imprecise measurements on sensitivity of HEWMA chart. The results also show that taking multiple measurements on each item enhances the detecting performance of HEWMA chart. Finally, real industrial data is utilised to illustrate how gauge imprecision affects the HEWMA chart in identifying process shifts. Journal: Int. J. of Management and Decision Making Pages: 285-304 Issue: 3 Volume: 21 Year: 2022 Keywords: statistical process monitoring; HEWMA chart; measurement errors; multiple measurements; run length. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=124411 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijmdma:v:21:y:2022:i:3:p:285-304