Middle East J. of Management (30 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• An empirical study of work-related stress and burnout among nurses  
  by Redzuan Ab Hamid, Ong Choon Hee 
  Abstract: The increasing workload led to the increase in work-related stress among nurses. When job demands are high and work resources are limited, stress will eventually lead to burnout syndromes. The objectives of this study are to determine burnout levels and examine the relationships between work-related stresses and burnout among nurses in a public hospital in Malaysia. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to derive results for discussions. It was observed that 19 out of 316 respondents have burnout syndromes. The regression analysis results indicated that psychological stress and social stress have significant positive relationships with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Social stress has a significant negative relationship with personal accomplishment. Nurses working on rotating shifts and earning a household income of less than RM4,850 per month are prone to burnout syndromes. Strategies are required to build a resilient team in fighting against burnout syndromes.
  Keywords: work-related stress; burnout; nurses; public hospital.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051009
   
  
• Impact of conscious and unconscious processes on financial decision making  
  by Selim Aren, Hatice Nayman Hamamci 
  Abstract: This study investigates the effect of coping strategies on risky investment intention, together with narratives and phantasy which are important concepts of emotional finance. Coping strategies are a conscious process that has an impact on financial decisions that cause stress in individuals. Phantasy is unconscious process and its effect on financial decisions has been shown in previous studies. Narratives are closely related to coping strategies and phantasy. In this context, this study is the first to investigate the effects of both conscious and unconscious processes on financial decision-making. In this study, a positive relationship was found between coping strategies and risky investment intentions. There are positive relationships between coping strategies and narrative and phantasy. At the same time, narrative has a mediating effect on the relationship between coping strategies and phantasy. In addition, the mediating effect of phantasy was determined in the relationship between coping strategies and risky investment intentions.
  Keywords: conscious processes; unconscious processes financial decision making; phantasy; narrative; coping strategies.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051010
   
  
• Remote work: challenges and opportunities for increasing its effectiveness in Kuwait  
  by Dusana Alshatti Schmidt, Matúš Baráth, Eva Brestovanská, Nino Nutsubidze 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study was to generate new insights into the theory of remote work from the Arab region by exploring employees’ experience on working away from office during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. The aim was to identify key challenges employees faced while working remotely and find opportunities for increasing the effectiveness of remote work practices. Using quantitative approach, 385 anonymous responses were collected. Findings show that employees had predominantly positive experience with the remote work. Employees were able to perform work tasks more efficiently and had more space for professional development. However, it was challenging to adapt to new working conditions, balance work and caring responsibilities and cope with feelings of loneliness and isolation. The article further discusses respondents’ recommendation towards the management and identifies other strategies to improve remote employee experience.
  Keywords: flexibility; remote work; employee; Kuwait; COVID-19; pandemic.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051011
   
  
• Networking: the key to growth for female entrepreneurs: evidence from the Sri Lankan small business tourism sector  
  by H.A.K.N.S. Surangi 
  Abstract: Research considering entrepreneurial networking behaviour has been established substantially over the years. However, few studies have focused explicitly on female entrepreneurial networking. This study explores the role of female entrepreneurs’ networks and examines the different influences on networking behaviour in the Sri Lankan tourism small business sector. Narrative interviews were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data systematised with the support of QSR NVivo 10. Findings show that the female entrepreneurs’ networking experience provides valuable insight for developing their businesses, and they emphasised the informal nature of their contacts. The family ties support the businesswomen more than the support they receive from friends and professional ties. The women revealed that they faced a stressful situation when combining business with family matters. Based on the research findings, the model was developed, and applications of the model are recommended.
  Keywords: networking; female entrepreneurs; narratives; small business; tourism.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051081
   
  
• The requirements for filing a consumer public interest litigation in China  
  by Muhammad Bilawal Khaskheli, Shumin Wang, XiaoShan Yan 
  Abstract: This article explores the requirements for filing a consumer public interest litigation (CPIL) in China. The legal provisions surrounding consumer public interest litigation were reviewed to understand how these requirements are applied and understood differently and how they lead to different consequences for cases before the courts. Therefore, this studys main research question is: to what extent would the scope and interpretation of the conditions for applying for CPIL in China affect the courts filing and acceptance? China has enacted a clear and effective law that may be a bit restrictive for interpretation and theoretical advice by the courts. Moreover, the concept of public interest is relatively large. Clarifying the requirements for consumers to file lawsuits in the public interest can help claimants make the right arguments and protect consumers interests as much as possible.
  Keywords: consumer protection; public interest litigation; law; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051793
   
  
• The influence of project managers competencies on project success with the project knowledge management as a mediator  
  by Muhammad Zaheer Hashim, Liu Chao, Chao Wang, Sabir Hussain Awan 
  Abstract: This study examines the effect of project manager competencies (communication, teamwork, attentiveness and managing conflict) on project success with a mediating role of project knowledge management. We collected empirical evidence from 193-project managers through a structured questionnaire to test the model. Our results indicate that project manager competencies significantly contribute to project success and knowledge management based on the structural equation modelling. Furthermore, project knowledge management fully mediates the nexus between project manager competencies and project success. Our research recommends organisations emphasise project manager competencies (communication, teamwork, attentiveness and managing conflict) who can efficiently manage project knowledge and subsidise the competitiveness and success of projects.
  Keywords: project managers; competence; project knowledge management; teamwork; CPEC.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10051831
   
  
• The mediating role of job engagement on the effect of public schools performance evaluation practices on teachers job satisfaction  
  by Metin Ocak, Hatun Aslan, Özgür Uğur Arıkan 
  Abstract: One of the most essential human resource management practices is performance evaluation. In this perspective, performance evaluations are notably more crucial in public schools, because teachers educate students who are forming the qualified human resources for the future. This study aims to reveal the mediating role of teachers’ job engagement on the effect of schools’ performance evaluation practices on teachers’ job satisfaction in public schools. For this purpose, mediation analyses with traditional and modern approaches were conducted to cross-sectional data obtained from 516 teachers working in different public schools in the City of Mersin. Results of both used mediation analyses showed that performance evaluation practices in public schools have a positive effect on teachers’ job satisfaction, and job engagement has a partial mediating role in this effect. All these findings were discussed in light of the literature, and suggestions are developed.
  Keywords: performance evaluation; job engagement; job satisfaction; teachers.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10052826
   
  
• The role of collaborative innovation networks in the relationship between firms innovation capabilities and firm performance  
  by Aslıhan Canbul, Murat Çemberci 
  Abstract: New product development is an expensive process involving high risk and resource-intensive for companies. It is not always possible for companies to carry out this process in-house. Collaborative innovation networks are an important concept that will enable both practitioners and researchers to properly manage new product development. In the existing literature, the relationship between innovation capability and firm performance has been investigated, but no consistent studies have been found that shed light on the role played by suppliers, customers, competitors, and universities/research institutions in this relationship. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of firms’ innovation capability on firm performance through collaborative innovation networks. The research was carried out with 122 survey data of middle and senior managers working in technology companies operating in Turkey. The analysis shows that the cooperation of firms has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between innovation capabilities and firm performance.
  Keywords: collaborative innovation networks; innovation capabilities; process innovation capability; product innovation capability; firm performance.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10052886
   
  
• Importance of flexibility in the workplace: perception and preferences of employees in Kuwait  
  by Dusana Alshatti Schmidt, Matus Barath 
  Abstract: The aim of this research is to examine the attitude of employees in Kuwait towards flexible working conditions, identify the factors that influence their perception of flexibility in the workplace, identify preferences of the selected flexible work arrangements (FWAs) and provide recommendations for their practical application. The data were obtained through anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed in the R programming language with the application of univariate models, deviation analysis, Pearsons correlation test and post-hoc tests. The results show that the attitude of employees towards flexible working conditions is slightly positive. However, the employees perception of flexibility differs by demographic characteristics (generation, gender and education), employment characteristics (sector, nature of the job), experience with flexible work practices and the level of management support. While flextime is the most preferred form of FWAs, employees have shown the least interest in telecommuting. The paper further proposes recommendations for improvement of working conditions.
  Keywords: flexibility; flexible working conditions; employees; organisations; Kuwait.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10052916
   
  
• Developing an organisational health model in the public sector: a mixed-methods approach  
  by Masoumeh Resallati, Sajjad Balali Shahvari, Seyed Aligholi Rowshan 
  Abstract: This study aims to develop a model for organisational health in the public sector organisations using a mixed-methods (meta-synthesis, SEM and ANP approach). We reviewed more than 1,248 papers from relevant journals and conference proceedings. Dimensions and relevant codes were extracted using content analysis. In order to validate the model, the first questionnaire was designed and distributed among the statistical population. Structural equations and confirmatory factor analysis with Smart PLS software were used to analyse the data. According to the findings of this research, the extracted indicators were classified into two categories: intra-organisational (behavioural and structural) and extra-organisational (social, cultural, economic, and political). The second questionnaire was designed by analytic network process (ANP) to prioritise dimensions and components of organisational health development and given to experts the results showed that among the identified indicators,
  Keywords: organisational health; behavioural health; structural health; public sector organisations; extra-organisational health.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10053228
   
  
• Interplay of personality traits, emotional intelligence and innovative behaviour among the leaders  
  by Iqra Abdullah, Maleehah Gull 
  Abstract: The study analyses the relationship between the five factor personality traits, emotional intelligence, and innovative behaviour. Moreover, the mediation of emotional intelligence in the relationship between the big five personality traits and innovative behaviour is studied. In order to test the hypothesised relationships, data was collected from 331 leaders and project managers from the Pakistan’s software companies. According to the findings of this study, extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability, conscientiousness, and openness to experience significantly affect the innovative behaviour. Extraversion, emotional stability, conscientiousness, and openness to experience are also strongly related to the emotional intelligence. However, one of the personality traits, i.e., agreeableness has no significant effect on the emotional intelligence variable. Relationships between all personality traits and innovative behaviour are found to be significantly mediated by the emotional intelligence. Implications and constraints of the study are also highlighted in the research article.
  Keywords: personality traits; emotional intelligence; innovative behaviour; creativity.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10053230
   
  
• The impacts of dissent expressions on the future communication strategies of employees  
  by Hazel Ulukaya, Alev Torun 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of employees in the information technology (IT) business in terms of organisational dissent process and their outcomes contributing to future strategies. Qualitative methodology with a semi-structured in-depth interview technique was adopted. The study sample consisted of 20 participants and the number of dissent cases collected from this sample was 22. The analysis followed the rules for content analysis. It was found that the employees in IT organisations shared their disagreement directly and openly. It was concluded that employees would exhibit strategic dissent behaviours if they encountered similar situations in future. The examples cover conveying to immediate manager (upward dissent), informing top management (circumvention), using the threat of resignation, displaying silence or neglect, and performing counterproductive work behaviour. This study demonstrates that the participative work environment, managers responsiveness to dissent expressions, and quick solutions for problems help to generate more effective dissent strategies.
  Keywords: employee voice behaviour; organisational dissent; strategy in communication; information technology.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10054047
   
  
• Tourists’ attribution & ambiance scents in tourism destination brands  
  by Shuvam Chatterjee, Mahmoud Ibraheam Saleh 
  Abstract: Olfactory marketing, an integral concept of experiential marketing, is gaining increasing popularity among the service sector to attract consumers more emotionally and personally. However, no prior studies investigate fragrance controllability, stability, and locus in tourism destination impacts on tourist’s destination attachment. The study surveyed 302 tourists and uses the AMOS & SPSS software program to test the regressions between different variables and build a new structure equation model. This study uses attribution theory to investigate fragrance stability, controllability, and locus on destination attachment. The results reveal that both fragrance controllability and locus significantly impact attachment and increase the time spent at the destination. In contrast, fragrance stability has no impact on destination attachment. Therefore, tourism managers could benefit from these results to adequately build an olfactory marketing strategy in tourism destinations.
  Keywords: olfactory marketing; fragrance; tourism fragrance; tourist attribution; locus of control; destination attachment.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10054128
   
  
• Organisational support and job satisfaction: the mediating role of psychological capital  
  by Kemal Eroğluer, Wasim Ul Rehman, Mustafa Bekmezci, Aydın Özen, Muzammil Khurshid 
  Abstract: Organisations are an indispensable element of social life. Employees are an organisation’s most valuable resource since they distinguish it from others and contribute value to it. In addition to the quality of the employees, the assistance provided by the organisation to its employees is critical to the operation of the organisational processes and the quality of the outputs. The job satisfaction of teachers is critical in this regard, as teachers not only ensure the education of citizens but also shape the future of societies and directly impact their growth. Keeping in view, the given research model investigates psychological capital as a mediator of the impact of organisational support on job satisfaction. Findings of the study indicate that teachers’ job satisfaction was positively influenced by perceived organisational support, with psychological capital serving as a mediating effect. The fact that this research was conducted in the education sector makes it original contribution.
  Keywords: perceived organisational support; job satisfaction; psychological capital; mediating effect.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10054945
   
  
• Is it possible to overcome the bias in the recruitment process? An experimental study on halo and contrast effect  
  by Engin Üngüren, Nazlı Türker 
  Abstract: This study aims to determine whether or not candidates’ curriculum vitae generate halo and contrast effects on recruiters’ decisions for a particular professional position. The true experimental design of the study was conducted. A total of 900 university students in tourism participated in the study. A fictional scenario based on recruitment was set up and evaluations were tested with research questions regarding said scenarios. Respondents in control and experiment groups evaluated with 15-day intervals the curriculum vitae of different candidates, who applied for a front office department manager position, concerning their professional adequacy, perceived performance, and employability. Findings revealed that respondents base their candidate evaluations on comparisons rather than the requirements of the position. Moreover, respondents are observed to make inferences regarding candidates’ personality traits based on the information they provide in their curriculum vitae. The findings of the study contribute to understanding potential rater bias in recruitment.
  Keywords: halo effect; contrast effect; recruitment; selection; experimental design.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10055366
   
  
• The effect of technological unemployment anxiety on employee burnout  
  by M. Çağrı Pehlivanoğlu, Mustafa Emre Civelek, Murat Taşova 
  Abstract: In this research, the effect of technological unemployment anxiety on employee burnout has been examined. Structural equation modelling method was chosen to analyse multidimensional models with both direct and indirect interactions. The hypotheses have been tested by using structural equation modelling method. As the result of the analyses performed, out of nine hypotheses, six of them were supported. It has been empirically proven that lack of technical skill has a direct effect on emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, incremental technological improvements have a direct effect on all dimensions of burnout and emotional exhaustion is directly impacted by technological disruption. Although employee burnout is a subject that has been researched for years, this research is an original study investigating how the burnout perception of employees is affected within the framework of technological advances. Therefore, research demystifies the mechanism behind employee burnout linked to technological unemployment anxiety.
  Keywords: technological unemployment anxiety; TUA; emotional exhaustion; depersonalisation; lack of personal accomplishment; employee burnout.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10055404
   
  
• The mediating effect of psychological safety on the relationship between authentic leadership and turnover intention  
  by Mehmet Hakan Durukan, Gamze Güner Kibaroğlu, H. Nejat Basim 
  Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the role of psychological safety in the effect of authentic leadership on turnover intention. In this framework, from the perspective of leader-member interaction theory, it has been shown that an authentic leader can reduce turnover intention. Within the scope of the study, data were collected from 340 participants by survey method and analysed. According to the results of the research, there is an inverse and significant relationship between authentic leadership and turnover intention. In addition, while authentic leadership affects psychological safety in the same direction, psychological safety negatively affects turnover intention. In addition to these results, the most important result of our study is that psychological safety plays a mediating role in the effect of authentic leadership on turnover intention. The results of the study showed that creating a transparent work environment based on authentic leadership and establishing basic psychological safety can reduce individual turnover intention.
  Keywords: turnover intention; authentic leadership; psychological safety; leader-member interaction theory.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10055423
   
  
• Your communication really affect me: mediating role of team building approach in the relationship of communication barrier and turnover intention and task performance  
  by Imran Sharif, Binte Zainab, Albert John, Amna Ali, Ahmed Hameed, Muhammad Waqas 
  Abstract: This research investigated the influence of communication barrier (CB) on team building (TB) activities of employees related to fast-food industry in the UK. Moreover, this research also examined the intervening role of TB for CBs and task performance and turnover intention relationship. Data (n = 274) were gathered from fast-food retail chains. Findings demonstrated that CB was negatively significantly related with TB and employee task performance and positively related to employees’ turnover intention. Moreover, TB mediates the relationship between CB and both job outcomes such as task performance and turnover intention. Findings of this study demonstrate a distinctive understanding of CB in the fast-food services providing institution, i.e., how CB impacts on employees’ task performance and turnover intention through TB activities.
  Keywords: communication barrier; team building; task performance; turnover intention; conservation of resource theory.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10056909
   
  
• Relationships between Machiavellianism and impression management tactics: the moderating role of emotional intelligence  
  by Öznur Azizoglu, Leyla Boy Akdag 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationships between Machiavellianism and impression management tactics in organisations. The moderating role of emotional intelligence in these relationships is also investigated. The research data were obtained through the administration of a questionnaire to white-collar workers working in public and/or private sector organisations in Turkey who have completed or are continuing their graduate education. The study found that the dimensions of Machiavellianism have positive and statistically significant effects on impression management tactics. The moderating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between Machiavellianism and self-promotion was found to be significant and get strong the strength of the relationship. White-collar employees working in large-scale organisations and with a high level of education tend to adopt a Machiavellian attitude and resort to impression management tactics for their personal purposes. The results of the research reveal that the positive effect of Machiavellianism on self-promotion, one of the impression management tactics, will become somewhat stronger as the level of emotional intelligence increases.
  Keywords: impression management tactics; emotional intelligence; Machiavellianism; theory of planned behaviour; TPB; white-collar workers.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10056960
   
  
• Effect of crises on the healthcare marketing mix and customer satisfaction: evidence from the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic  
  by Nabeel Al Amiri, Gouher Ahmed, Khaled Al Qawasmeh, Haneen Afana 
  Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the effects of crises, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, on customer satisfaction mediated by the offered marketing mix (7Ps) of the healthcare facilities of the United Arab Emirates. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of crises, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, on the satisfaction of healthcare customers mediated by the marketing mix. Therefore, the authors adopted a cross-sectional, quantitative design to survey a sample of 146 healthcare customers and analysed data using smart PLS-SEM 3. The study identified one significant pathway, including the effect of the internal organisational factors through marketing mix on customer satisfaction. Therefore, the study confirmed the mediation role of the marketing mix and suggested modifying the marketing mix as a key strategy during crises.
  Keywords: crisis; COVID-19; marketing mix; healthcare; customer satisfaction; UAE.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10057012
   
  
• Linking quality, cost, competitive intensity and types of industry to the implementation of new marketing strategy in the Malaysia engineering industry  
  by Eng Teong Yau, Lee Ping Lim, Choon Hee Ong 
  Abstract: The research intent of this study is to investigate the linkages among quality, cost, and competitive intensity with the new marketing strategy of the Malaysian engineering industry. This study utilised a quantitative questionnaire survey. Researchers gathered 91 respondents’ data and examined them through hierarchical multiple regression. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between quality and the new marketing strategy. Contrarily, competitive intensity displayed no significant association with the new marketing strategy. Furthermore, the analysis identified industry types (heavy machinery) as a moderating factor in the relationship between quality and the new marketing strategy. Additionally, researchers found the industry types (aerospace) to moderate the relationship between competitive intensity and new marketing strategy. Ultimately, this study offers valuable insights to enhance understanding of new marketing strategies within the Malaysian engineering industry.
  Keywords: quality; cost; competitive intensity; marketing strategy; type of industry; engineering industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10057156
   
  
• A systematic literature review approach to explore the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and sustainable supply chain management  
  by Roshima Said, Corina Joseph, Nur Zharifah Che Adenan 
  Abstract: This paper seeks to explore the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and sustainable supply chain management by using the systematic literature review (SLR) approach. The author used the reporting standards for systematic evidence syntheses (ROSES) as a review protocol guideline. This paper used Google Scholar and Scopus as the main databases, and applied the thematic analysis. Using the thematic analysis, the study includes 37 articles for data synthesis and revealed two main themes, namely sustainable supply chain management and corporate governance. As a result, the study identified six sub-themes. Board personality, character, experience, management accounting background, board gender diversity, and board independence were corporate governance mechanism that influences sustainable supply chain management. The corporate governance mechanisms in the company have value in creating a path toward the company’s accomplishments. The advantages and limitation in implementing SSCM were clarified which could call the management of the company. Board characteristics are also discussed in this review, and this study is essentially significant as it encourages the management of the company to be aware of the activities of the company in reaching sustainability.
  Keywords: sustainable supply chain management; corporate governance; corporate sustainability; systematic literature review; SLR.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10057408
   
  
• Investigating the mediating effect of perceived ethical climate between toxic leadership and job satisfaction  
  by Ümit Şevik 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of toxic leadership on job satisfaction using perceived ethical climate as a mediator between toxic leadership and job satisfaction, based on resource conservation theory and ethical climate theory. The data was collected from 502 employees working in public and private companies with simple random sampling. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and Pearson correlation were used to test the research hypotheses. The results showed that there is a significant negative moderate relationship between toxic leadership and job satisfaction. The results also showed that there is a significant moderate and negative correlation between toxic leadership and ethical climate and there is a significant moderate and positive correlation between ethical climate and job satisfaction. It was determined that the perceived ethical climate had a partial mediator effect in the relation between the toxic leadership, and job satisfaction. Moreover, the results are discussed within the scope of contributions to the literature, theory and practice, and recommendations are made for future research.
  Keywords: toxic leadership; ethical climate; job satisfaction; structural equation modelling; SEM.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10057409
   
  
• What have scholars collectively learned from Alasdair MacIntyre's (1984) paper?  
  by Halit Keskin, Ali E. Akgün, Selahaddin Samil Fidan 
  Abstract: Alasdair MacIntyre's (1984) article, 'Does applied ethics rest on a mistake? ' offers his most detailed and extensive critique of the dominant framework in applied ethics. However, no study has systematically examined MacIntyre's paper's overall impact on the scientific community. Citation concept analysis (CCA) was used to determine the extent to which subsequent authors collectively learned from MacIntyre's paper. CCA indicates that a large proportion of authors focused on: 1) the universal and abstract nature of applied ethics; 2) the close relationship between a moral theory and its application. Nonetheless, the political content of MacIntyre's paper has been largely disregarded, including radical disagreements, power relations, conflict, enduring moral principles, rediscovery of morality and the comprehensive moral scheme. This research proposes a future research agenda for realising and appropriately representing the full potential of MacIntyre's paper.
  Keywords: citation concept analysis; CCA; Alasdair MacIntyre; applied ethics; knowledge claims; political content.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10048220
   
  
• A systematic approach to examine the attitudes of actors towards objectives: a case study of football industry in Turkey  
  by Cigdem Kadaifci, Ozgur Yanmaz, Gorkem Altug 
  Abstract: A strategic framework, comprises of two scenario planning methods, is proposed for football clubs to improve their ability to respond to both expected and unprecedented changes in the environment and to increase their performance both as sports clubs and business corporations. The proposed strategic framework, including social and political perspectives as well as sports and financial success, will be useful to overcome the lack of a comprehensive view both in the literature and practice. MICMAC is used to focus on the objectives having a relatively high impact on the system, while positions of the actors on the important objectives and possible alliances and conflicts among them are examined by MACTOR. The findings are used to reveal the important projects helping to achieve the determined objectives. Considering the differences in the economic, political, and social environment of different leagues, the steps of the framework can easily be applied to any league by consulting experts.
  Keywords: scenario planning; strategic framework; MICMAC; MACTOR; football industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10053428
   
  
• Revisiting the auto-regressive integrated moving average approach to modelling volatility using Bahrain all share index daily returns  
  by Mark P. Doblas, Vinodh K. Natarajan, Jayendira P. Sankar 
  Abstract: Most academic researchers in economics and finance have researched the characteristics of stock prices and how it behaves. The widespread belief that understanding the mentioned behaviour and characteristics will provide critical information in forecasting future stock prices fuels the continued interest in creating approaches to improve existing models' predictive power. This study provides a fresh investigation of stock market index volatility utilising Box-Jenkin's auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method. The study discovered that ARIMA (1, 1, 4) best simulates Bahrain's stock market index volatility. According to the research, the fitted ARIMA time series' consecutive residuals (prediction errors) were not statistically connected. On the other hand, the residuals are average, having a mean of zero and a constant variance. Moreover, it can be said that the same model is best if used on a weekly forecast horizon, and its ability to model long-term price behaviour, and thus volatility, is still much to be desired.
  Keywords: ARIMA model; stock volatility; volatility modelling.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10048783
   
  
• Relations between service quality and students' willingness to pay for online education during COVID-19  
  by Ahmet Demir, Kezhan Salar Abdulqadr, Bayad Jamal Ali, Pakzad Fadel Saleh, Venkatesh Andavar 
  Abstract: This study explores the effects of students' perceived service quality on value, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for an online education during COVID-19. The data were from 250 private university students in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. A hypothesised model was tested using structural equation modelling. The results revealed that empathy and reliability affected students' value and satisfaction, and tangibles, assurance, and responsiveness were variables that did not affect satisfaction and value. Moreover, the matter was the main determinant of the willingness to pay for an online education relative to satisfaction. This study, limited to the Kurdistan region of Iraq, has implications for lecturers and the administration of online teaching because students are a type of customer of private universities, given financial affairs. Moreover, no study has evaluated the links between service quality, value, satisfaction, and students' willingness to pay during COVID-19, making this research valuable for private universities.
  Keywords: service quality; online education; willingness to pay; WTP; higher education; private universities; COVID-19.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10049382
   
  
• Social, economical, cultural and financial problems of female entrepreneur: a case from Pakistan  
  by Muhammad Kashif Aslam, Ahmed Abdul Hameed, Muhammad Waqas, Syed Shahzaib Pirzada, Muhammad Ali Hamza 
  Abstract: Entrepreneurship plays a leading role in the development of the economy around the world. Entrepreneurship is also contributing to the reduction of unemployment especially in developing economies. According to World Bank (2022), the unemployment rate of in Pakistan is 4.3% in the year 2020. In the literature on entrepreneurship, the role of gender factors arose in the 1970s. Attention has been devoted to analysing the characteristics of female entrepreneurs in developed countries over the years. Many female entrepreneurs faced problems like economic, social, legal, and cultural environments at the start of the business or when they are operating their businesses. The purpose of this study is to examine the opportunities as well as constraints that are affecting women's entrepreneurship, especially in Pakistan. For this study, Gioia's research methodology was adopted. Primary data was collected by interviewing a female entrepreneur who is provides professional beauty services at the home of her customers. Using Gioia methodology, 1st order codes were developed based on informant responses. After that 2nd order theme and aggregate dimension were developed based on the literature.
  Keywords: entrepreneurship; financial stability; Gioia methodology.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10050412
   
  
• Moderating role of team sensemaking between the relationship of change-oriented leadership behaviours and project team performance  
  by Maleehah Gull, Khalil Md Nor, Iqra Abdullah 
  Abstract: Leadership has been held highly responsible for managing the change and influencing the project team performance. Hence, the previous studies investigating the project team performance and leadership behaviours in IT projects have been thoroughly reviewed by the researchers. Particularly, research related to IT projects has presented mixed findings on the relationship between change-oriented behaviours and performance-related variables. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the effects of change-oriented leadership behaviour on team performance in software houses of Pakistan. Furthermore, the moderating effect of team sensemaking on the relationship of change-oriented leadership behaviours and project team performance is also studied. The primary data for the current study was collected from 331 project team members of the software houses in Pakistan. Results based on the structural equation modelling (SEM) method showed that team sensemaking significantly moderates the relationship between change-oriented leadership behaviours and project team performance. These findings offer numerous academic and practical implications that are explained in the article.
  Keywords: change-oriented leadership behaviours; COLB; team sensemaking; project team performance; PTP; software house; IT industry; Pakistan.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2022.10050559
   
  

Special Issue on: ICBEM22 People, Culture, Education, and Management Practices Post-Pandemic Way-Out for Sustainable Development

• Relationship between job stress and employees creativity: the mediating role of job satisfaction  
  by Soni Rathi, Praveen Kumar, Minika Bawa, Nishu Rani Garg 
  Abstract: The purpose of this article is to identify the role of job satisfaction as a mediating variable between job stress and employees’ creativity. The present paper considered a sample of 250 teachers of colleges as respondents in the area of Chandigarh (India). The article followed an exploratory cum descriptive research design. The structural equation modelling through Smart PLS professional software v3.3.2 was applied to understand the structural relationships amid the constructs of the model, the data of which was collected through questionnaire. The findings have observed relations among job stress and employees’ creativity, job stress and job satisfaction and job satisfaction and employees’ creativity among college teachers in India. Moreover, job stress and employee creativity are significantly mediated by job satisfaction. Moreover, the organisations, practitioners, academicians and educational institutes would get the benefit of this research to practice and apply policy implications. The study limitations and future research.
  Keywords: job stress; employee creativity; job satisfaction.
  DOI: 10.1504/MEJM.2023.10058307