Mentee-mentor cooperation, mentee benefit and organizational performance: A literature review

Different companies use different techniques to develop talents and highly skilled labour. Mentoring program has been a popular technique amongst organizations in supporting training and development of career among new recruits, potential business managers, and graduates. The aim of this research is to examine the effect of mentoring on organizational performance, and explore the benefits derived by mentees. The current study was based wholly on qualitative analysis, (Document analysis) which centres on scientific manuscripts obtained from databases such as google scholar, WoS, and SCOPUS. The theme for the study was gathered from organizational theories and theories of mentoring. A conceptual framework was deduced from literature to elaborate on the concept of mentoring, organizational performance and mentee benefits. Some practical implications for this study are: (i) organizations should include mentoring as part of regular training and development schemes, and (ii) new employees should be assigned to more experienced employees. This paper is also to broaden the scope of knowledge on mentoring and organizational performance

Technology-oriented innovations and cyber security challenges in the healthcare delivery system: A perspective from a developing economy

There is no dispute about the looming digital transformation of certain sectors within transitional economies, especially in Ghana. In fact, for most developed economies, digitalization has proven to have relevant visible effects. The paradox, however, is the seamless nature of this propagation in contrast to the myriad associated benefits. Suffice it to say that, the main purpose of this study was to identify the perceived impediments against the adoption and continuous acceptance of technology-oriented innovation for healthcare delivery in transitional economies through innovations. Especially, in the current technological dispensation where Africa and other developing countries are striving to bridge the technology gap in service delivery. Though, much research has been conducted within the healthcare sector, factors that hinder technology acceptance and continuous usage have rarely been their primary focus. To address this consequential lacuna, this study takes inspiration from literature through document and theme analysis and proposes a model which could serve as a remedy to the identifiable impediments and inhibitors to the seamless delivery of healthcare services in transitional economies. We emphasize good management and government-based interventions throughout the literature review as well as the document analyzed. We also made suggestions for further research, notably concerning means of increasing technology diffusion and possible remedy to cyber-security threats in the healthcare sector. © 2023 Curran Associates Inc.. All rights reserved

Organizational diversity and competency-based performance: The mediating role of employee commitment and job satisfaction

Diversity amongst the workforce within central Europe has experienced some form of evolution. This occurrence will incessantly manifest even further in the not-too-distant future. As a result, citizen-dominated societies are gradually tilting towards an increasingly diverse and minority population, broadly of African and Asian descent. Again, demographers suggest the influx of women, minorities, people of different ethnic backgrounds, aging workers, and people with alternative lifestyles within the European employment space, just as the various organizations and schools are filled with these groups. Studies on organizational diversity abound, however, findings from past research on diversity and performance relationships have been equivocal. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the mediating role of commitment and job satisfaction in the relationship between diversity and performance. Results from 237 samples drawn from the Czech Republic, Europe and analyzed through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) suggest that diversity does not have a significant relationship with competency-based performance. However, both commitment and job satisfaction play notable roles in the relationship between diversity and competency-based performance. Given these results, we discuss the theoretical and managerial implications.Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2020/003]; Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Management and Economics at Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic [IGA/FaME/2021/003

A managerial review and guidelines for Industry 4.0 factories on cybersecurity

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) has created a rebellion in traditional factories by introducing the Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). This revolution has caused increased automation and customized production, which has occurred through a synergy between customer demands, stocks, and supply chains. This synergy has also exposed factories to potential cyber-attack threats. Although there is extensive literature available on the topic of cyber security, however, business owners still assume cyber security as business preservation. This study sheds light on a step-by-step cyber security aspect of manufacturing factories with Industry 4.0. The study presented possible vulnerabilities and threats to the networks and devices used in a factory by dividing them into various common parameters. We reviewed the proposed literature and provided solutions to Industry 4.0 factories regarding cybersecurity challenges. The reviewed articles are divided into four segments, starting from the purpose of the proposal, the adopted methodology, the proposed cyber security solution, and finally the author’s evaluation. The study reports on a state-of-the-art cyber security solution for Industry 4.0 factories. The characterization of cybersecurity is also proposed concerning management aspects, by showing that every level of organization has its role. The study also highlighted that cybersecurity could play a crucial role in the creation of value for businesses. It is suggested that despite adding an expert system paradigm for cyber security solutions, factories should also adopt new innovative ways, such as machine learning, digital twins, and honeypots. This review highlights that cyber security is not only a technical concern, but it also needs support from multiple actors of the organization to add it to the comprehensive strategy of an Industry 4.0 factory, and every user must be trained and aware of the cybersecurity risks. © 2022 Curran Associates Inc.. All rights reserved

Should I purchase or not'? A literature review of country-of-origin effect on the use of domestic brand

Customer's product identification with respect to country-of-design (COD), country-of-manufacturer (COM), and country-of-assembly (COA) has become a driver or a communication tool regarding customers' purchase intention and use of a product. This article, (1) reviews the literature in relation to the effect of country-of-origin (COO) on buyer's evaluation of domestic products or brands, and (2) Proposed a conceptual model depicting the trajectory through which COO impact on consumer purchase intention towards a domestic product/brand. The current study implores a qualitative inquiry with a specific focus on document analysis as well as experts' opinions. From the literature, it has emerged that country-of-origin effect (notably, COD, COM, and COA) plays a significant role in determining consumer's buying decisions towards both domestic and foreign products. Additionally, it was discovered that country-of-manufacture determines a product/ brand evaluation (in terms of quality) relatively to COD and COA. Practically, the study is important for countries (especially resource-poor and developing countries) that need to increase manufactured exports and for firms that sourced/import products in countries different from where they are sold. Theoretically, it widens the concept of brand management with the interplay of COO effect on consumer purchase intention. Marketing inferences are drawn, and direction for future research is developed in the entire manuscript.Internal Grant Agency of FaME through TBU in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2019/008

COVID-19 pandemic and future business prospects: A conceptual study

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the business environment worldwide mainly through the shift from physical to virtual (e-business) interaction. Yet, innovative ideas keep emerging out of this calamity. In this respect, this article aims to provide a rudimentary framework to understand business prospects that could arise through recognizing the changes in the business environment as a result of the pandemic. In doing so, we reviewed and conceptualized scanty works that are connected to the current research theme together with few interviews from business owners. We found that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only done harm to the business environment, but it led to a swift positive transformation (future business prospects) to both companies and customers. Major business prospects identified in the research study include - (1) Technology adoption and innovation, (2) Innovative marketing, and (3) Improved hygienic conditions in the business environment. The study, therefore, encourages business owners and practitioners to intensify the integration of technology to revamp their service delivery strategies. In other words, firms are recommended to engage in technological investment for their continuity and growth in the medium to long term.Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2021/005, IGA/FaME/2020/002

Measuring the antecedents of turnover intentions: Perspectives of private healthcare employees in a lessdeveloped economy

This study sets out to investigate the antecedents of turnover intentions, using the private healthcare employees in an emerging economy (Ghana) as a benchmark. Even though myriad studies have been conducted on the aforementioned topic, yet, there are scant investigations on how employees of private healthcare institutions relate towards turnover intentions, specifically in a developing economy context. Therefore, this study draws on extant literature and subsequently proposes a hypothetical argument on the effect of training satisfaction, benefits and incentives on employee turnover intentions as well as resistance to change while establishing the nexus between turnover intentions and resistance to change. Both paper and web-based (online) questionnaires were gauged from employees of private healthcare organizations in Ghana. Data were analyzed by partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 544 employees of private healthcare institutions. The findings indicate that training satisfaction, benefits and incentives have a positive impact on an employee's turnover intentions. Moreover, employee's resistance to change is influenced by both training satisfaction and benefits and incentives. Further, the investigation established that employee's resistance to change influences employee turnover intentions. The thoughtful mechanisms of how the running of private healthcare institutions in Ghana can be enhanced are expanded by the empirical results obtained through how employees can be satisfied by training and the application of rewards to reduce turnover. Moreover, administrators of private healthcare organizations are forewarned of the implications of employees' resistance to change and its effect on employee turnover intentions. © 2021 LLC CPC Business Perspectives. All rights reserved.Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/FaME/2020/00

A viewpoint on management practices for cybersecurity in industry 4.0 Environment

Industry 4.0 is characterized by the smart business developments, application of cyber-physical systems, internet of things (IOTs), excessive use of big data, etc. In other words, it is about computerization and digitization of processes through the above-mentioned technologies. Industry 4.0 offers more effective and efficient resources to regulate the production system as compared to the out-dated centralized system. Today’s economy is a data-driven economy and data is the key input to industry 4.0 operations. In the industry 4.0 era companies are bombarded with huge volume and variety of structured and unstructured data with vast velocity. Data has become one of the most significant strategic assets for data-driven companies and subsequent resource-based view (RBV) for sustainable competitive advantage companies require to maintain the rarity, inimitability, value, and organization of data as a strategic resource. This condition makes it very crucial to the data protection, steadfast technology, and secure access has become the main part of selling strategies of companies sell; trust is becoming a very serious factor of commercial dealings. It is an old thought that cybersecurity manages only cyber risks but it also manages the trust. The firms are exposed to cyber risks beyond their direct control and this has resulted from complex digital value chains. There is a possibility of hefty damage due to cyber-attacks in terms of continuous business operations, reputational harm and stealing of confidential information. This paper aims to present a viewpoint on the best appropriate cybersecurity practices to facilitate the businesses to match the stride of industry 4.0. The recent studies discuss only the technological aspect of cybersecurity. This paper is one of the early attempts to draw attention to the important role of cybersecurity management practices and identifying the most relevant challenges of managing cybersecurity in the context of industry 4.0. © 2020 Curran Associates Inc.. All rights reserved

Assessing pre-purchase risk attributes towards used-products: Evidence from E-shoppers in the Czech Republic

Recent years have witnessed a marked increase in research focusing on risk in online transactions. Partly, these research efforts have been situated within the context of risk in online transactions in general with scant evidence considering the risk in the online used goods market in the Czech Republic. Less is also known about the level of risk associated with the customer to embark on online transactions of second-hand goods. Against this background, this paper is aimed at eliciting the magnitude of risky components aligned with the tendency to connect via online in search of second-hand goods. To achieve this, the research proposes a Non-Hierarchical (K-means) algorithm to glean relevant patterns in the data accrued from the Czech Republic. Hence, a simple random technique geared towards demographic variables was adopted to gather data; with 329 out of 411 respondents eligible for our analysis. Consequently, the research revealed through the K- means clustering algorithm that, consumers or respondents in these regions, namely, Pardubicky, Vysocina, and Kralovehradecky regions in the Czech Republic are more circumspect concerning the zeal to connect via online specifically second-hand goods. The findings from this shed light on a significantly ignored research area for researchers and provide a managerial strategy for online used goods vendors. © 2019 Association for Computing Machinery