Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Risk Management, Internal Audit Function, And Corporate Performance, Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin, Zubaidah Ismail, Malcolm Smith, Suryani Abdul Raman, Norliana Omar, Siti Marlia Shamsudin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between risk management practices and the internal audit function with the performance of companies. It is interesting to examine how competitive advantage can be achieved when the company is able to face and adapt to a complex business environment via robust risk management practices and an internal audit function. This study uses archival analysis on the annual report of the top 500 publicly listed companies in Bursa Malaysia, which represent approximately 65 percent of the total market capitalization. Both independent variables, namely risk management and internal audit function, are measured …

Hot Management Trends, Vanessa Ratten, Marthin G. Nanere, Miguel Pina E Cunha, Yuka Fujimoto, Ali Intezari, Jerónimo García-Fernández, Subas Dhakal, Waleed Omri, Jose Ramon Saura, Andrei Lux, Aymen Sajjad, Ana Lisboa, Clare D’Souza

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Australia’S Rare Earths Lie Between Economic Security And Liberal Markets, Naoise Mcdonagh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

China’s dominance over the global supply of processed critical minerals and rare earth elements is well documented, as is its willingness to use such dominance for geopolitical leverage. Beijing has applied export controls to restrict supply on numerous occasions. Recent examples include new restrictions applied to gallium and germanium in 2023, antimony in 2024, and seven rare earths in 2025. This has constrained global supply and elevated spot prices of these metals that serve as critical inputs to advanced industry. The frequency of restrictions is growing, as geoeconomic competition heats up and Beijing turns its mineral dominance into a key …

Shareholders’ Engagement And Corporate Performance, Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin, Zubaidah Ismail, Malcolm Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An investor relations function fosters continuous and direct communication between executives and stakeholders (Chapman et al., 2022). However, this function does not attract sufficient attention from the researchers, and not much literature documenting and evidence of the importance of developing strong relationships between firms with both shareholders and other stakeholders, which can lead to long-term partnership, increased loyalty, and hence, better operations carried out by the business entities. In light of this, the objective of this study is to investigate the connection between the level of engagement of shareholders and the profitability of corporations. This study uses content analysis on …

Adaptive Crisis Management At The Operational Level: Responses To Covid-19 In The Australian Resources Sector, Michael M. Ajith, Andrei A. Lux, Tim Bentley, Michelle Striepe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly impacted Australia’s resources sector, particularly mining, oil, and gas industries, posing challenges for operational leaders. This study applied Adaptive Crisis Management Theory (ACMT) to understand how these leaders adapted during the crisis. Through interviews with 32 operational leaders, it was found that their roles evolved as crisis demands changed. Initially, they addressed immediate needs, then shifted focus to remote work facilitation and digital transformation, and finally emphasised recovery, trust, and resilience. These adaptations influenced leaders’ behaviours, highlighting the importance of flexibility in supporting employee wellbeing and organisational continuity during crises.

Necessary Configuration Analysis (Nconfa): A New Multivariate Approach, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Hesam Olya

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper introduces a new analytical method, Necessary Configuration Analysis (NConfA), which advances asymmetrical analysis by determining the necessity of configurations–combinations of factors–rather than focusing on individual conditions. While existing methods such as fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) assess the necessity of single conditions or factors, NConfA provides deeper insights into multivariate relationships. It identifies necessary configurations crucial for achieving desired outcomes in complex social phenomena. This paper includes a step-by-step guide and an illustrative example of this technique, offering opportunities for reanalysing prior studies and expanding applications to fields such as service research and …

Assessing Environmental Performance Through Environmental Management Initiatives, Green Extrinsic And Intrinsic Motivation, And Resource Commitment In Malaysian Hotels, Ataul K. Patwary, S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh, Roslizawati C. Aziz, Muhammad U. Ashraf, Md Mahmudul Alam, Shafique U. Rehman

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The level of dedication that an organization has toward the preservation of the natural environment is reflected in its environmental performance. This study evaluates the role of green extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and resource commitment on Malaysian hotel employees’ environmental performance. It also examines the mediating roles of green extrinsic and intrinsic motivation and resource commitment in the relationship between green management initiatives and hotel environmental performance. Data was collected from the Four- and five-star hotel employees and tested the models and hypotheses of this study by employing partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Green extrinsic and intrinsic motivation significantly influence …

Boardroom Dissent: An Integrative Review And Future Research Agenda, Aira Eirola, Pieter Jan Bezemer, Stephan Reinhold

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research Question/Issue: Scholars and practitioners view boardroom dissent as central to the functioning of boards of directors. However, there is a lack of consensus on what dissent is, who is involved, when and where it happens, and whether it is a behavioral or cognitive phenomenon. This conceptual unclarity and related fragmentation of empirical results call for an integrative literature review to build a coherent agenda for future research. Research Findings/Results: A content-analysis of 73 articles published between 1997 and 2023 reveals three distinct research clusters that explore the empirical phenomenon: (1) dissent as expressed through voting, (2) dissent as diverging …

A Global Study Of Climate Uncertainty And Carbon Assurance, Le Luo, Junru Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Measurement, verification, and reporting of carbon emissions is essential for climate management. However, research on carbon assurance is limited. To address this gap, we investigate the association between climate uncertainty and voluntary carbon assurance. We conceptualize and operationalize four dimensions of micro-level climate uncertainty: innovation, management and performance, supply chain, and managerial perception uncertainty. We find that all four proxies of climate uncertainty are positively associated with the adoption of voluntary carbon assurance and the positive associations are moderated by a country-level environmental, social, and governance reporting mandate and the industry. Finally, we document that voluntary carbon assurance impacts the …

Social Capital And Cost Of Debt: Evidence From Chinese Ceo Network Centrality, Yiping Chen, Yuan G. Shan, Jimin Wang, Xinxin Yang, Junru Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Using a unique dataset comprising 6313 firm-year observations for Chinese listed firms between 2008 and 2017, we investigate the impact of CEO social capital on cost of debt. Our results show that CEO social capital is negatively related to cost of debt, and the impact of CEO social capital in environments with a low degree of marketization or social trust is more pronounced than in environments with a high degree of marketization or social trust. Moreover, our results reveal that two potential mechanisms, discretionary accruals and information disclosure quality, mediate the impact of CEO social capital on cost of debt.

An Experimental Study For The Decision-Making Support Of Shared Transport Options In Western Australia, Ferry Jie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The road transport systems have a direct impact on both passenger and freight movements, leading towards negative environmental effects plus economical and societal costs. It has reached an alarming level. Afford to purchase more than one vehicle by an individual who can pay for it may solve the transportation problem for them; however, not everyone has a personal vehicle for movement. Moreover, providing public transport facilities to everyone on a demand basis or on time basis is not possible for several reasons. Further, personal or commercial vehicles are not being used all the time or not carrying passengers in full …

The Use Of Experimental Designs To Examine Causality In Authentic Leadership: A Scoping Review, Ann Dadich, Ling Abbott, Andrei A. Lux, Kevin B. Lowe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Authentic leadership studies are often criticised for the limited use of causally defined research designs. To advance scholarship is this area, this article presents a scoping review on the use of experimental designs to examine causality in authentic leadership. Eleven publications were identified, which presented 16 experiments that met the inclusion criteria. Generally, these experiments tested authentic leadership as an antecedent; were conducted online; used a one-factor design; involved large samples, typically of working adults or residents; involved a manipulation check; involved the use of written vignettes to manipulate levels of authentic leadership; included counterfactual conditions; culminated with outcomes pertaining …

Authentic Leadership: 20-Year Review Editorial, Andrei A. Lux, Kevin B. Lowe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Our field has reached a critical juncture. Authentic leadership, which once promised to illuminate how leaders inspire and influence through genuine actions, has become mired in conceptual ambiguity and ideological bias. Much of the research is based on evaluations of behaviour conflated with antecedents and outcomes, presuming an oversimplified, positive view of authenticity. To advance, we must refocus on what authentic leaders actually do – their discrete behaviours – as signals of leadership. In this editorial, we redefine authentic leadership through signalling theory to address unresolved critiques and provide a platform for meaningful progress. We then summarise and synthesise the …

Dismantling Pervasive Gender Stereotypes In Healthcare Leadership Contexts With An Ecological Systems Theory Approach, Andrei A. Lux, Nasim Salehi, Diarmuid Hurley, Elizabeth Emanuel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Leadership emergence is fraught with pervasive gender stereotypes, and women remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles, particularly in healthcare organisations. We apply ecological systems theory to explain how environmental factors enable or inhibit women’s leadership emergence in healthcare settings. We interviewed 17 senior female leaders in the Australian healthcare sector to explore how gender-related perceptions affected their leadership journeys. Five themes emerged that challenge existing narratives: men supported women’s advancement; women impeded other women’s progress; vulnerability was a leadership strength; ambitious women were ostracised; and women were ‘given’ leadership opportunities rather than actively pursuing them. By situating these findings within …

Levels Of Unrelated Diversification And Firm Performance: A Conceptual Description Of An S-Shaped Hypothesis, Kwaku Alex Gyan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study reconceptualizes the so far inconclusive relationship between unrelated diversification and financial performance by explaining how coordination costs can shape the amount of free cash flow and related agency problems at different levels of unrelated diversification. The study builds upon the notion that coordination requirements and associated coordination costs will vary at levels of unrelated diversification to regulate the amount of free cash flow managers will have at their disposal at each level of unrelated diversification. Based on the agency costs associated with free cash flow, we conceptualize that at different stages of unrelated diversification, the degree of managerial …

The Impact Of The Belt And Road Initiative On Green Innovation And Innovation Modes: Empirical Evidence From Chinese Listed Enterprises, Bowen Li, Zijing Zhang, Zhaoyong Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promoting green innovation in enterprises has been the central focus of the developmental strategy for China and countries along the Belt and Road to ensure sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to the environment and development. This paper examines the driving factors and heterogeneous mechanisms of the BRI in green technology innovation, especially in collaborative vs. independent innovation modes, utilizing a multi-period difference-in-difference model (DID) and micro-level panel data of Chinese listed enterprises spanning from 2007 to 2021. We find that the BRI has significantly stimulated the …

Airbnb Exits China: Insights From Platform Competition, Dan Huang, Songshan (Sam) Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study aims to provide insights into Airbnb’s exit from the China market, specifically from the perspective of platform competition. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the understanding of the evolution and competition of peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation market in China and the double-edged network effects, this viewpoint article provides an in-depth discussion on Airbnb’s withdrawal from the China market. Findings: This viewpoint paper contends that Airbnb faced increasing challenges in establishing unique competitive advantages against local rivals, who demonstrate a capacity for innovation and maintaining loyal customers in adapting to the market evolution. Consequently, this may inhibit Airbnb from attracting the mainstream …

Expanding Australia's Defence Capabilities For Technological Asymmetric Advantage In Information, Cyber And Space In The Context Of Accelerating Regional Military Modernisation: A Systemic Design Approach, Pi-Shen Seet, Anton Klarin, Janice Jones, Michael N. Johnstone, Violetta Wilk, Stephanie Meek, Summer O'Brien

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction. The aim of the project was to conduct a systemic design study to evaluate Australia'sopportunities and barriers for achieving a technological advantage in light of regional military technological advancement. It focussed on the three domains of (1) cybersecurity technology, (2) information technology, and (3) space technology.

Research process. Employing a systemic design approach, the study first leveraged scientometric analysis, utilising informetric mapping software (VOSviewer) to evaluate emerging trends and their implications on defence capabilities. This approach facilitated a broader understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of defence technologies, identifying key areas for further exploration. The subsequent survey study, engaging 828 …

Board Demographic, Structural Diversity, And Eco-Innovation: International Evidence, Rashid Zaman, Kaveh Asiaei, Muhammad Nadeem, Ihtisham Malik, Muhammad Arif

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research question/issue: We examine whether and how board diversity, measured by demographics (i.e., board gender, cultural diversity, tenure, social capital, expertise, and age) and structural diversity (i.e., board independence, size, board seat accumulation-chair, board compensation, and board meeting frequency), influence corporate eco-innovation. Research findings/insights: Utilizing a global sample of publicly listed companies for the period 2004–2019, we find that a one-standard deviation increase in demographic and structural diversity translates into 4.66% and 7.11% higher corporate eco-innovation, respectively. Furthermore, we discover that demographic and structural diversity promotes eco-innovation by offsetting the negative effects of political risk. In an additional analysis, we …

Organisational Drivers And Sustainability Implementation In The Mining Industry: A Holistic Theoretical Framework, Prince Amoah, Gabriel Eweje

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

While few studies have examined the role of institutional pressures on sustainable business practices, there is a dearth of empirical research regarding the influence of internal organisational characteristics on sustainability implementation in developing countries. This paper examines internal organisational features and how they influence multinational companies (MNCs) operating in a resource-rich developing country to embrace and embed sustainability into corporate policies and practices. The findings show that the history of past sustainable practices, the level of internationalisation and managerial cognition internally drive MNCs to implement sustainability in their host countries. We discuss that managerial cognition drives MNCs to embrace sustainability …

Predictors Of The Intention To Participate In Slum Upgrading Projects: Perceptions Of Slum Dwellers In Mauritius, Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, Saalem Sadeque, Md Sayed Iftekhar, Neshen Sooben

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A global shift in urban slum improvement programmes is underway to step beyond the conventional approach by practicing a more participatory approach. Previous studies have found that slum upgrading projects are likely to be ineffective and unsustainable without the active participation of slum dwellers. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the pathways to improve or enhance slum dwellers’ participation in slum upgrading projects. Several studies highlight the need to consider socio-psychological attributes of the community. However, empirical evidence of the comparative significance of these attributes in predicting participatory behavioural intention of the slum dwellers has not been previously explored. In …

The Landscape Of Public Procurement Research: A Bibliometric Analysis And Topic Modelling Based On Scopus, Abderahman Rejeb, Karim Rejeb, Andrea Appolloni, Yasanur Kayikci, Mohammad Iranmanesh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the structure and dynamics of academic articles relating to public procurement (PP) in the period 1984–2022 (up to May). The researchers also intend to analyse how this knowledge domain has grown since 1984. Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric analysis was carried out to examine the existing state of PP research. Based on 640 journal articles indexed in the Scopus database and written by 1,247 authors over nearly four decades, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to reveal the intellectual structure of academic works pertaining to PP. Findings: Findings reveal that PP research from Scopus …

Sustainability Leadership: An Integrative Review And Conceptual Synthesis, Aymen Sajjad, Gabriel Eweje, Muhammad M. Raziq

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Over the past few decades, scholars have extensively investigated the topic of leadership, contributing to the development of diverse leadership theories and contemporary managerial practice. However, the emergence and renewed focus on societal grand challenges warrant an alternative approach to leadership such as sustainability leadership. Despite the critical importance of sustainability leadership in addressing these global concerns, scholarly research in this field of inquiry, by and large, remained scant and fragmented, lacking conceptual coherence and theoretical integration. While the existing literature provides insights into sustainability leadership characteristics, competencies, behaviors, and actions, it failed to integrate a holistic understanding of how …

Inclusive Leadership And Workplace Bullying: A Model Of Psychological Safety, Self-Esteem, And Embeddedness, Azadeh Shafaei, Mehran Nejati, Maryam Omari, Fleur Sharafizad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bullying is an adverse workplace phenomenon that requires serious attention by leaders and managers. Drawing upon Social Identity Theory, Optimal Distinctiveness Theory, and Victim Precipitation Theory, this study investigates how inclusive leadership is associated with workplace bullying (WB). It also examines the mediating role of psychological safety and self-esteem as serial mediators in this relationship. Additionally, the moderating role of embeddedness on the link between inclusive leadership and WB is explored. The study used a two-wave time-lagged survey completed by 226 full-time employees. The survey captured employees’ perceptions about themselves, their work environment, and their line managers. Study hypotheses were …

An Integrative Review Of Project Portfolio Management Literature: Thematic Findings On Sustainability Mindset, Assessment, And Integration, Masoud Aghajani, Gesa Ruge, Kam Jugdev

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Sustainability integration in project portfolio management helps shape strategic, organizational, and project-based contexts. The authors conducted a structured literature review from 2000 to 2021 and developed a novel integrative framework presenting a holistic view highlighting three substantive research themes: sustainability mindset, sustainability assessment, and sustainability integration in project portfolio processes. Noteworthy progress has been made at the strategic and portfolio levels toward framing a sustainability mindset (definition, values, and principles) and developing frameworks/tools for sustainability assessment and project portfolio selection. However, areas for more research include integrating sustainability into project portfolio processes, reporting, and organizational learning for portfolio improvement.

When Agility Meets A Project Portfolio: A Study Of Success Factors In Large Organisations, Masoud Aghajani, Kamrul Ahsan, Naomi Whiteside

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The iterative nature of agile methods combined with high levels of team and customer interactions and continuously changing IT and software development project requirements make the management of agile project portfolios very complex. To date, the mechanisms under which project portfolio management adapts to these complexities and achieves portfolio success have not been thoroughly investigated. This study explores the notion of success and its impacting factors in large organisations' portfolios of agile IT and software development projects. Using a multiple case study design, we analysed the agile project portfolios of seven large organisations. We identified four success criteria and 15 …

An Analysis Of Whether Privately Owned Financial Planning Practices Are Transitioning To Fully Independent Advice Providers, Darren Pawski, Robert Powell, Anna Golab

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In Australia, there are over 20,000 financial advisers, with only 1 % registered as independent financial advisers. This study investigates why there has been no significant transition to independent advising. The importance of the study is underlined by the substantial losses suffered by thousands of consumers from advice that has been found to be influenced by conflicts of interest. Using a qualitative technique, the study undertook exploratory semi-structured interviews among financial advisers. The study found that over 90% of privately owned advisers will not be transitioning to independent advising due to the belief that clients will not pay fees for …

Customer Behaviour Towards Halal Food: A Systematic Review And Agenda For Future Research, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Madugoda Gunaratnege Senali, Morteza Ghobakhloo, Davoud Nikbin, Ghazanfar Ali Abbasi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: The halal food market is a large and fast-growing market. To maintain and boost the growth of the halal food industry, scholars have attempted to understand the behaviour of Muslims and non-Muslims towards halal food. To advance understating of previous studies on behaviour towards halal food and shedding light on future studies, this study aims to systematically review the literature.

Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 985 peer-reviewed papers was extracted from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 96 articles related to customers' behaviour towards halal food by reviewing the titles, abstracts and contents of the extracted articles …

The Impact Of Board And Hotel Characteristics On Biodiversity Reporting: Market Diversification As A Moderator, Edzuwyn F. B. H. Mahyuddin, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Azlan Amran, Behzad Foroughi

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: This study aims to explain how board and hotel characteristics affect biodiversity reporting and to test the moderating effect of market diversification.

Design/methodology/approach: The annual reports of 105 hotels were examined for the period between 2016 and 2017 to analyse these hotels’ biodiversity reporting using content analysis. The partial least squares technique was used to test the proposed relationships.

Findings: The results show that the number of board members who are also on the corporate social responsibility committee, number of board members who are in environmental organizations, the star rating of the hotel, hotel size and hotel location have …

The Influence Of Local Embeddedness On The Economic, Social, And Environmental Sustainability Practices Of Regional Small Firms, Jalleh Sharafizad, Janice Redmond, Craig Parker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite growing research on economic, social, and environmental sustainability, few studies explore all three sustainability pillars and implemented practices, in the context of regional small firms. This study uses a novel integration of two theoretical concepts, local embeddedness, and sustainability embeddedness orientation, to fill this knowledge gap. Using 26 interviews, the study highlights the nuanced interconnectedness of three new theoretical concepts that link local embeddedness and sustainability embeddedness–locally embedded sustainability values, spatially-driven sustainability and locally adapted sustainability. An integrated theoretical framework is provided that uses the three new concepts to explain how and why small firm local embeddedness in regional …