A growing body of empirical work on the work–life interface in Asia has investigated the effects of various work–life constructs on work and non-work outcomes. However, scholars are also debating ...whether work-life constructs from the West must be conceptualized and operationalized differently when used in the Asian context. The present study reviews the literature on the work–life interface in Asia, identifies research gaps, and proposes an agenda for future research. This review contributes to the literature by developing a conceptual model that informs our theoretical understanding of work–life research in Asia. In doing so, it provides important insights into how cultural, economic and institutional factors influence employee perceptions of the work–life interface. The present review stresses the need for methodological advancement, multilevel analysis, and an extension of work–life constructs in Asia.
•We develop a conceptual model and provide theoretical understanding of work-life research in Asia.•We provide insights on how cultural, economic and institutional factors influence the work-life interface in Asia.•We identify the need for methodological advancement, multilevel analysis, and empirical advancement of the field.
Drawing on the experiences of 18 Australian Indigenous female entrepreneurs (AIFE), we use a grounded theory approach to understand their entrepreneurial development in the face of adversity. ...Informed by the concept of adversity quotient (AQ), our findings reveal that Indigenous female entrepreneurs do experience a range of adversities stemmingfrom their gender and ethnic background. We examine the role that AQ – specifically, an individual’s ability to deal with adverse situations – has in allowing Indigenous entrepreneurs to leverage contingencies to establish a business. We findthat businesssuccess is enabled by Indigenous entrepreneurs seeking to control the situation through endurance and persistence andtaking ownershipto improve their situation. Wecontribute to the existing underdog entrepreneurship literature by developing a model of adversity encountered by AIFEs.
The literature has assessed the social capital of internationalised SMEs, but not how SME social capital affects entry mode and the mechanisms involved in the effect. Case data from 35 SMEs which ...have internationalised to China were analysed to identify how SME social capital affected entry mode. Weak relational and structural social capital were found to provide network resources, information and entry mode opportunity identification which affected entry mode, but later became path dependent on the entry mode due to its effect on the context for the social capital. This internal and external context resulted from specialised organisational resources, institutional forces and market conditions and influenced the types of social capital. Political social capital was found to be weaker in its effect on entry mode than business social capital. Expectations of future social capital were influenced by initial social capital and some SMEs selected their entry mode to create a context that supported social capital. Several mechanisms of affect were identified, including using trust to support social capital development, a reduction in the resources required to maintain social capital over time due to intentional manipulation of context and a reduction in the focus on developing weak ties as part of social capital over time.
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed global business, aiding operational efficiency and innovation. It utilizes machine learning and big data analytics, driving predictive ...market trends and strategic decision‐making. However, despite the rising discussion and accessibility of AI tools, understanding its impact on international business remains limited. This article explores AI's potential in international business strategies, practices, and activities. To address this aim, we reviewed 37 articles in the existing literature to critically explore AI within the context of international business. More specifically, we explored how AI can be applied to innovation approaches in international business, international market selection, entry modes, foreign exchange, international human resource management, international supply chains, managing across cultures, and more topics. AI has necessitated changes in workplace configurations and the need for organizational and employee adjustments in response to this technology. As a result of the foregoing issues on AI integration within international business, our analysis provided an exploratory discussion around its use, challenges, managerial implications, and suggested areas requiring future studies.
Brand resonance is a marketing concept under‐explored in the performing arts context. This paper responds by analysing focus group findings from a large Opera group, “Big Opera1” (For research ...integrity and anonymity requirements of focus group research, the company pseudonym is Big Opera) on how decision‐makers can enhance brand resonance. Opera patronage was dwindling before the COVID‐19 pandemic, which was further crystallized during the pandemic. As the performing arts sector tries to revive, it is useful to understand how brand resonance concepts can be used to reinvigorate patronage at the opera. A qualitative study of four opera focus groups, which included 24 participants with varying levels of attendance was conducted to examine brand resonance. The study reveals that when customers have brand attachment and love, developed through intense experiences at the opera, facilitated by engagement with the brand, and community, then brand loyalty develops for the opera by intention to re‐purchase. The paper contributes to the literature by making recommendations on how to enhance brand resonance thereby increasing attendance. Intense experiences at the opera and engagement can be enhanced by offering packaged deals, such as accommodation and dinner, or drinks and canapés packages, backstage access, the development of a social club, social media brand community and loyalty programs to increase brand loyalty.
The purpose of the paper is to investigate how innovative, small‐to‐medium enterprises (SMEs) internationalize through utilizing wholly foreign‐owned entities (WFOEs), as there is a little research ...explaining this. This paper presents the findings from in‐depth case studies with 14 SMEs that internationalized to China as WFOEs. The SMEs internationalized as WFOEs in order to tap into opportunities and develop presence. WFOEs were developed either proactively or reactively, which provided a catalyst for internationalization. SMEs mostly used radical, game‐changing product innovations. However, findings from the case studies revealed that the Chinese market did not always accept western innovations, and adaptations had to be made. A new conceptual model with a range of theoretical propositions for future researchers is developed, based on the findings.
Background: Mentoring provides a range of benefits and one of them is social support. The number of students in transnational education has been increasing, and their transition into university is ...often fraught with difficulties. Universities can support transition through the use of a peer mentor programme (PMP). Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the transitional issues that international postgraduate students (IPSs) face in their transition to an Australian University. The study also investigated the role played by a mentoring programme, and how this assists students with their transition. Sample: The sample included 31 IPSs, who had come from Asian European, Middle Eastern, African and South American countries, 15 being male, and 16 being female, with an average age of 24; most had been studying at the Australian University for more than 12 months. Design and methods: The study utilised a qualitative research method to examine the experiences of IPSs undergoing transition from their home universities to an Australian university. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with students, who were asked about their transition experiences and the assistance of the mentor programme. Thematic analysis was then conducted to determine themes from the research. Results: IPSs reported mixed experiences with their transition. Those with difficulties referred to loneliness, different studying practices, finding accommodation and making friends. IPSs reported that the PMP helped, as mentors provided the necessary social support, friendship, information and confidence to overcome those difficulties. Those students who did not have problems with their transition had reported that they had friends or family that assisted them with their transition. As a result, these students did not need the support of mentors to the same degree as those students having problems. Conclusions: It is concluded that mentor programmes were important for transitioning IPSs who had difficulties. Therefore, this study identified a role for a PMP in universities where there are a high proportion of IPSs who are going through transitional problems.(HRK / Abstract übernommen).
Few studies have addressed the university-to-work transition experience of international postgraduate students. This paper contributed to the literature as it proposed a three- stage ...university-to-work transition framework including stages of finishing a degree, looking for a job, and working in a job. A qualitative research design with in-depth interviews was used to explore the university-to-work transition experience of eight international postgraduate students who were working full time in Australia. The international postgraduate students faced considerable stress during the first two stages. They used an array of job search strategies including networking, internships, and career workshops at university, and secured employment through networking and recommendation rather than by formal methods because they did not have permanent work visas. International postgraduate students were excited and relieved when they found a job, but faced stress when they transitioned into the workplace, and were inhibited by a lack of proper induction and their inadequate business communication skills, but were assisted through mentoring. Author abstract
Stigma contributes to the negative social conditions persons with intellectual disabilities are exposed to, and it needs tackling at multiple levels. Standing Up for Myself is a psychosocial group ...intervention designed to enable individuals with intellectual disabilities to discuss stigmatising encounters in a safe and supportive setting and to increase their self-efficacy in managing and resisting stigma.
To adapt Standing Up for Myself to make it suitable as a digital intervention; to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Digital Standing Up for Myself and online administration of outcome measures in a pilot; to describe usual practice in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to inform future evaluation.
Adaptation work followed by a single-arm pilot of intervention delivery.
Four third and education sector organisations. Individuals with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities, aged 16+, members of existing groups, with access to digital platforms.
Digital Standing Up for Myself intervention. Adapted from face-to-face Standing Up for Myself intervention, delivered over four weekly sessions, plus a 1-month follow-up session.
Acceptability and feasibility of delivering Digital Standing Up for Myself and of collecting outcome and health economic measures at baseline and 3 months post baseline. Outcomes are mental well-being, self-esteem, self-efficacy in rejecting prejudice, reactions to discrimination and sense of social power.
Adaptation to the intervention required changes to session duration, group size and number of videos; otherwise, the content remained largely the same. Guidance was aligned with digital delivery methods and a new group member booklet was produced. Twenty-two participants provided baseline data. The intervention was started by 21 participants (four groups), all of whom were retained at 3 months. Group facilitators reported delivering the intervention as feasible and suggested some refinements. Fidelity of the intervention was good, with over 90% of key components observed as implemented by facilitators. Both facilitators and group members reported the intervention to be acceptable. Group members reported subjective benefits, including increased confidence, pride and knowing how to deal with difficult situations. Digital collection of all outcome measures was feasible and acceptable, with data completeness ≥ 95% for all measures at both time points. Finally, a picture of usual practice has been developed as an intervention comparator for a future trial.
The pilot sample was small. It remains unclear whether participants would be willing to be randomised to a treatment as usual arm or whether they could be retained for 12 months follow-up.
The target number of groups and participants were recruited, and retention was good. It is feasible and acceptable for group facilitators with some training and supervision to deliver Digital Standing Up for Myself. Further optimisation of the intervention is warranted.
To maximise the acceptability and reach of the intervention, a future trial could offer the adapted Digital Standing Up for Myself, potentially alongside the original face-to-face version of the intervention.
This study was registered as ISRCTN16056848.
This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: 17/149/03) and is published in full in
; Vol. 12, No. 1. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
