Human Systems Management - Volume 36, issue 4

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

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) invariably leverage a country’s economy. In this context, information and communication technology (ICT) improvements render cloud computing (CC) both an effective and cost-efficient platform for SMEs. Statistically, multiple factors influence SMEs in their adopting CC. In the subtext of a technology, environment and organization (TEO) framework, the purposefulness of this empirical study has been to identify the most prominent factors in the CC adoption, by SMEs in Pakistan. Data were collected through convenient and quota sampling methods from 103 SMEs. Both multiple regression and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were deployed to test the measurement model. …The results show that CC adoption by SMEs is positively affected by six cogent factors, namely relative advantage, CC compatibility, managerial support, firm size, competitive pressures and regulatory support. Dynamic complexity seems, however, to have a negative effect on CC adoption by SMEs in Pakistan. Also discussed are the study’s implications for SME managers and researchers. Show more

Keywords: Adoption, cloud-computing, SMEs, technology, environment and organization (TEO) framework, Pakistan

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17133

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 261-275, 2017

Authors: Salam, Shafaq | Yang, Mengke | Shaheen, Aliya | Movahedipour, Mahmood | Zeng, Jianqiu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Traditionally, education emphasizes on the use of textbooks for the acquisition of knowledge. However, educational settings around the world are now emphasizing on digital curricula that promote competences and performance. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on students’ performance. Knowing the importance of ICT for education, the private schools of Pakistan emphasize the use of ICT; however, public schools lag behind in the ICT infrastructure, thereby producing a digital divide. This research conducted a survey with 150 public and private school students of Peshawar District, in the KP …province of Pakistan. The results show that the use of ICT acts as a catalyst for improving the quality of education and the students’ performance. The study’s findings can benefit policy makers who design ICT-based curricula and provide ICT infrastructure for public schools. Moreover, the study’s results can help narrow the current digital divide, by providing a high-quality education to public school students. Show more

Keywords: Public schools, private schools, impact of ICT, comparative analysis, performance

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17118

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 277-284, 2017

Authors: Shahriari, Mohsen | Abzari, Mehdi | Nasr Isfahani, Ali | Kianpour, Masoud

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Although employee management research has established significant relations between high performance work systems (HPWSs) and financial and market performance, few studies have considered the important role of HPWS in other organizational functions such as learning and innovation. Whereas, according to literature, both innovation and learning which are of the most important factors for firm’s survival, generally result from employees’ behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore potential impacts of HPWSs on organizational learning (OL) and innovation. A set of research hypotheses are tested using sample data collected from 112 employees of electricity distribution companies of Isfahan province. …The proposed HPWS consists training and development, pay for performance, career development, participation in decision making, and job security, while innovation includes product, process and administrative innovation and OL is a four dimensional construct of knowledge acquisition, knowledge distribution, knowledge interpretation, and organizational memory. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) reveals that HPWS positively affects OL and innovation. Moreover, the research results show that there is an indirect effect of HPWS on innovation through OL. Show more

Keywords: High performance work systems, organizational learning, innovation, knowledge-based firms

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171787

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 285-295, 2017

Authors: Yu, Fu-Lai Tony | Kwan, Diana S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article compares the performance of high-speed rails (HSRs) in China and Taiwan in rent dissipation perspective. The article uses multiple criteria for comparison. In terms of total time spent on planning, designing and constructing a HSR, China takes longer time than Taiwan. However, China performs better than Taiwan in the actual construction time. Our study also reveals that both HSRs should not be built. Both rails have operated under heavy debt and financial loss and required government takeover (Taiwan) or heavy subsidy (China). Furthermore, in China, massive bribery associated with high rank officers or top party members in the …construction of HSR is reported, while rent-seeking activities are prevalent in Taiwan’s HSR. Lastly, capturing rent via the deterioration of the quality of works is found severe in China, resulting in several fatal accidents. Serious accidents have not been found in the operation of Taiwan’s HSR. In conclusion, transaction costs are involved in policy making in both HSRs to different extents, and people in China and Taiwan seize opportunities to capture economic rent through the HSR project. Show more

Keywords: Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail, Taiwan high-speed rail, transaction costs economics, rent dissipation, comparative economic studies

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171760

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 297-313, 2017

Authors: Cox III, James F. | Robinson, Emily Grace

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A wise person learns from others’ mistakes. Mistakes are common even though most are preventable! Serious mistakes occur in business, government, and even in personal lives. Frequently mistakes are caused by not recognizing the situation, environment or system (referred to as system hereafter). The tendency is to hide or dismiss mistakes. That in itself is a mistake! Many times, by examining system causalities, actions can be planned and taken to either prevent the mistake or to reduce its impact. Two types of common mistakes to thinking clearly (defined as recognizing the system causalities) are identified and studied: 1.the proposed action …does not solve the system problem; 2. the proposed action solves the system problem but causes some unintended serious negative consequences. Eliyahu M. Goldratt developed the theory of constraints (TOC) thinking processes (TP) to apply the scientific method to solving business problems. Rather than select a personal or business problem, since science is based on causality within reality, three major scientific activities, inference (type 1 mistake), observation (type 2 mistake), and prediction (types 1 and 2 mistake prevention) are used to provide a tutorial on the TP and its use in addressing these types of mistakes. Show more

Keywords: Causality, thinking processes, theory of constraints, mistake proofing, Goldratt, scientific method

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17116

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 315-340, 2017

Authors: Latif, Zahid | Jianqiu, Zeng | Salam, Shafaq | Pathan, Zulfiqar Hussain | Jan, Nasir | Tunio, Muhammad Zahid

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A lot of research studies assess the effects of the so called ‘political’ violence on foreign direct investment (FDI). Yet the circumstances that, within reality, co-determine the FDI flows into Pakistan’s telecommunications remain tacit. This article investigates the simultaneous relation between FDI and so called ‘political’ violence, in Pakistan’s information and communications. It analyses the violence phenomenon and shows how that disrupts the smooth flows of FDI, commerce and trade. Pakistan’s telecommunications is one of its economic sectors that attract enormous foreign direct investment. After the 11 September 2001 attacks, Pakistan has become a frontline state in the so-called ‘War …on Terror’, along with NATO and USA. This has resultantly disrupted Pakistan’s smooth trading activities. Namely, the demand for imports has declined, thereby drastically reducing the FDI inflow into the country. The results of the study highlight the reasons behind the decline in FDI into Pakistan and also lead to policy recommendations for improving the country’s economic self-development. The conclusion is drawn based on the literature review and analysis of data relevant to the telecom. Lastly, the study includes some suggestions for future research, to continually improve Pakistan’s economic and societal circumstances, by utilizing the resources FDI provides. Show more

Keywords: Foreign direct investment, political violence, transnational terrorism, political risk, frontline, economic development

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17154

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 341-352, 2017

Authors: Latif, Zahid | Xin, Wen | Khan, Danish | Iqbal, Kahif | Pathan, Zulfiqar Hussain | Salam, Shafaq | Jan, Nasir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study assesses the relation between the diffusion of information and communications technology (ICT) and the environmentally sustainable development (SusD). The generalized method of moments (GMM) is used for analyzing the dissemination of ICT in South Asian countries, during the 2005–2015 time period. A panel cointegration test examined five variables pertinent to ICT diffusion. Said variables coalesce, providing conclusive information about the relation between the ICT and SusD constructs. The study’s empirical results affirm the positive relation between ICT and environmentally sustainable development, with minor disparities among the pertinent variables in the long term. These findings indicate that ICT and …SusD are proportional to each other unless other considerations drastically change, such as the environment, culture, human behavior and education. Lastly, in the context of future policy design and research, ICT circumstances can be seen as significantly shifting an entire region’s sustainable development and economic growth. Show more

Keywords: Diffusion, sustainable development, generalized method of moments GMM model, South Asian countries

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17166

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 353-362, 2017

Authors: Rafiq, Muhammad | Weiwei, Wu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As cross-cultural studies become crucial to business enterprises and other societal organizations that compete internationally, this article assesses managerial outlook toward trust in China and Pakistan. Questionnaire data were collected from two separate groups, different in term of anthropogeography, culture and economy, so it was not surprising to find that these prospective managers also differ in their outlook toward trust. Also noted are, however, multiple significant similarities. The present study offers a refreshing approach to cross-cultural comparisons pertaining to trust. Based on the findings, the study also provides suggestions for management and practitioners and recommends new directions for future research.

Keywords: Trust, cross-cultural comparison, China, Pakistan

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17157

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 363-368, 2017

Authors: Mtar, Kais

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The present study evaluates the causal effects of implementing a balanced scorecard on the corporate performance of French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Inspired by Rubin’s causal model (1974), the economic matching method is employed, along with some contemporary methods. The available data are sourced from matching the 2006 IOC survey and the DIANE database. The results highlight the positive input that a balanced scorecard can bring into the turnover and the labour productivity of SMEs.

Keywords: Balanced scorecard, corporate performance, selection bias, matching estimator, matching method

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-171785

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 369-379, 2017

Authors: Ali, Liaqat | Mi, Jianing | Shah, Mussawar | Khan, Afedullah | Imran, Muhammad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Efficient and safe transport by air, rail, road and sea plays a major role in countries’ economic and societal self-development. Transport’s role is pivotal in entire regions’ collegial prosperity and socio-economic capabilities. This case study investigates the perceived influence of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), on the Pakistani educational sector. Data were collected from 505 questionnaire respondents, residing in the Hazara Division, of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, in Northern Pakistan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) are used to analyze the empirical data. The study’s results show that CPEC’s perceived accessibility and employment opportunities …might have significantly positive effects on educating the host communities. Besides, people’s increased remuneration can undoubtedly mediate the effect of accessibility and employment on their education. Those collegially responsible for CPEC can benefit from these results, particularly in their formulating educational development plans and coping with unforeseen issues. The article also provides useful guidelines for CPEC practitioners and researchers. Show more

Keywords: Accessibility, CPEC, education, employment, road, transport

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-17111

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 381-396, 2017