Human Systems Management - Volume 36, issue 3

Authors: Yixin, Qiu | Akram, Umair | Khan, Muhammad Kaleem | Lin, Sihan | Akram, Zubair

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Public-private partnership (PPP) has emerged as a new mode for governments to attract potential partners in infrastructure construction, in which the investment allocation is a complex problem. This study explores an approach to managing the uncertainty involved, in the assessment and investment-allocation decisions of PPP projects. Real options and game theory are applied to dispose the uncertainties related to flexibility and distribution of investment in PPP, and these two methods were organically integrated as a new model. The Real Option- Game Theory (RO-GT) model, capable of flexibly handling investment-allocation risk in PPP projects into account. Black Scholes (B-S) real options …model and Nash equilibrium are used to analyze the data. The results of RO-GT model indicate that the value of flexibility plays a significant part to the total investments. Additionally, the case study of Beijing metro line 4 reveals a proper allocation plays an important role in the long-term operation of PPP projects. The study is a significant supplement to the existing literature that supports in negotiating the exact investment in PPP projects. The new model provides the PPP stakeholder groups with a quantitative decision making model and an available approach to eliminate the uncertainties of investment allocation in PPP projects. Show more

Keywords: Public private partnership (PPP), investment allocation, real option, game theory

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17100

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 173-185, 2017

Authors: Khan, Muhammad Kaleem | Kaleem, Ahmad | He, Ying | Akram, Umair | Akram, Zubair | Chen, Yang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purposefulness of the study is to test the convergence of interest hypothesis in Pakistan. Convergence of interest hypothesis illustrates that when the firm is owned by its own managers; it possesses lesser extent of agency cost. If the firm is largely owned by individuals who have not a role in the day to day management of the firm, then it has more cost of monitoring its management. It is because when ownership and management are in same hands, then owner-manager interests are converged. We examined this proposition employing the financial statistics of top 100 (capitalization wise) companies of KSE …100 index. The study has utilized fixed and random effect model of GLS Regression to deduce results. Results have emphasized that Agency Cost decreases in firms which have the significant proportion of insider ownership. Firms having more growth opportunities and larger amount of debt employed in their capital structure, exhibit lower agency problem but large sized firms have more agency cost. Results are important in a sense because it remained undiscovered before this study in the context of emerging economy like Pakistan. The study also gives strong suggestions to policy makers, investors and managers. Show more

Keywords: Convergence of interest, insider ownership, asset utilization, agency cost, Pakistan

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17117

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 187-195, 2017

Authors: Pathan, Zulfiqar Hussain | Jianqiu, Zeng | Akram, Umair | Khan, Muhammad Kaleem | Latif, Zahid | Tunio, M. Zahid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Large- as well as small-scale firms are quickly reorienting their information technology (IT) to include cloud computing (CC). This study’s purposefulness is to examine the determinants of CC adoption by the service-sector Pakistani SMEs, according to innovation diffusion theory (IDT). Data were collected both online and through a manually distributed and filled questionnaire, from a total of 101 study participants. Structural-equation modeling (SEM), and reliability and validity tests were employed to test the study’s hypotheses and measurements. The results show that three determinants, i.e., relative advantage, compatibility and cost reduction, can positively affect CC adoption, while dynamic complexity can impact …it negatively, with relative advantage possibly being the most influential CC-adoption determinant. Our study could be the first to investigate CC-adoption determinants in Pakistani SMEs, yet the findings improve comprehension of the CC-adoption process across different industries in a developing country, namely Pakistan. Also discussed are the study’s implications for SME researchers and managers. Show more

Keywords: Adoption, cloud computing, IDT, Pakistan, SMEs

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171794

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 197-209, 2017

Authors: Latif, Zahid | Yang, Mengke | Pathan, Zulfiqar Hussain | Jan, Nasir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Information and communication technology (ICT) is crucial to the development of both developed and developing economies. China’s One Belt and One Road (OBOR) initiatives is a rather ambitious one, towards grooming ICT and economic development. This research article critically examines different challenges and prospects of the OBOR initiative of China. The OBOR initiative proposes significant potential in several fields including information technology, economic, political, cultural and strategic fields, not only for China but for the whole of Asia and Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, this initiative may help in developing the technological trade and economic cooperation in the Asian region. The study …examines different regional and global challenges faced by the initiative. The article also analyzes the future of the initiative in the light of observation and opinions of several related scholars, IT experts, political leaders, journalists, military experts and strategic analysts, and the reports of several non-governmental organizations and agencies. It is deduced from the probabilistic model proposed in the study that the future of the OBOR initiative is more liable to succeed if the factors given in the model became minimized and it will become a gateway for the development of ICT and the associated economy not only for China but for the other emerging Asian countries. Show more

Keywords: One Belt One Road, (OBOR), probabilistic model, inclination of power

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171780

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 211-219, 2017

Authors: Georgantzas, Nicholas C. | Katsamakas, Evangelos G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A system dynamics (SD) simulation model, of the interactions among business enterprises that compete in the entertainment industry, integrates ideas from organizational and strategy design, and new-technology adoption. The model describes exactly how the new-technology’s diffusion process of hardware and software clusters alters syndication-firms’ strategic postures, and TV networks’ investment opportunities in infrastructure and production capacity. Building on transaction cost economics (TCE), the model contributes to the merger and acquisition (M&A) literature and provides insight into the emergence of corporate-governance forms.

Keywords: Adoption, design, diffusion, merger and acquisition (M&A), new technology, organization, strategy, transaction cost economics (TCE)

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17127

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 221-228, 2017

Authors: Durrani, Dilawar Khan | Xiang Yang, Li | Dilawar, Syeda Maryam | Khurshid, Hamid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study explores the relations among the concepts of psychological empowerment, emotional intelligence, organizational cynicism and affective commitment. Existing research has not explored the combined effects produced via the mediating role that organizational cynicism plays along with the moderating role of emotional intelligence. The study addresses that gap by exploring the mediating role of organizational cynicism combined with expected moderation by emotional intelligence. The empirical results from a sample of 206 employees from service sector of Pakistan confirmed that organizational cynicism mediates the relation between psychological empowerment and affective commitment, and also mediates the relation between emotional intelligence and organizational …commitment. Moreover, the results also revealed that emotional intelligence not only moderates the direct relation between psychological empowerment and organizational cynicism but also moderates the mediated indirect relation between psychological empowerment and affective commitment thus providing evidence of moderated mediation. Based on the results, the study also provides suggestions for management practitioners and recommends new direction for future research. Show more

Keywords: psychological empowerment, organizational cynicism, emotional intelligence, commitment, moderated mediation

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171793

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 229-239, 2017

Authors: Khan, Muhammad Kaleem | He, Ying | Anwar, Awais | Akram, Umair | Hafeez, Muhammad | Tanveer, Yasir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Usually firms work toward financial metrics and wealth accumulation by any means, as opposed to profit maximization and true value creation, for the benefit of all concerned. Using the yearly data of listed chemical firms in Pakistan, this article investigates the effect of corporate social responsibility on firms’ profitability. By applying the Pooled OLS, FEM, difference GMM and system GMM estimation techniques, we conclude that the profitability has significance dependence on its own lagged values. Interestingly, corporate social responsibility has significant positive impact on asset growth, net profit and net profit margin. The findings support the hypothesis that the firm …investing on society can get socio-emotional wealth as well as financial benefits. Therefore, besides the government and public, the firms should also act as a corporate citizen to fulfill its economic responsibility, but also its social and environmental responsibilities. Show more

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, firms’ profitability, Pakistan, GMM

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171773

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 241-249, 2017

Authors: Boadi, Portia Opoku | Guoxin, Li | Antwi, Philip

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Business enterprises and organizations exist to serve their past, current and future customers, therefore customer satisfaction is very crucial to their performance. Well aware of goods and services quality, customers oblige companies to cater to their needs. This article examines what the implications of dissatisfied customers are, and why business diligence is necessary for maintaining a vibrant customer base. Extant research on customer satisfaction does not delve into the way dissatisfied customers can become co-creators of value, so the present study closes that gap by identifying how and why customers with awful experiences can enhance the relation between customer satisfaction …and co-creation intentions. By empirically testing a set of hypotheses on 403 users of Xiaomi phone in China, the results confirm that the interaction term of business diligence can increase both customer satisfaction and value co-creation intentions. The practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Customer satisfaction, co-creation intention, business diligence, Xiaomi

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171771

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 251-257, 2017

Authors: Warner, Malcolm

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-170880

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 259-259, 2017