Interactive visualization of hierarchical clusters using MDS and MST

In this paper, we discuss interactively visualizing hierarchical clustering using multidimensional scaling (MDS) and the minimal spanning tree (MST). We can examine the sequential process leading to agglomerative or divisive hierarchical clustering, compare the different agglomerative methods, and detect influential observations better than is possible with dendrograms.     

Effects of compensation for service recovery: From the equity theory perspective

Using equity theory, this study investigated the importance of consumers’ entire history of shared interactions with service organizations, in addition to fairness perceptions, when evaluating recovery efforts following service failure. Specifically, this study empirically tested the different consequences of compensation by manipulating the consumer relationship level. The relationship level determines the perspective of equity (transactional equity perception versus cumulative equity perception) and motivates consumers to follow different psychological processes to redress service failure. An online survey using hypothetical scenarios manipulating recovery efforts and relationship level conditions was conducted to collect data. Mediation tests showed that perceived equity fully mediates the effect of compensation on a consumer's future behavioral intentions. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that when additional compensation is offered after a service failure, perceived equity was found to increase regardless of the consumer's relationship level. However, enhanced equity perception does not automatically mean that corresponding future behavioral intentions are also enhanced. When consumers have a high customer–organization relationship, there is no difference in behavioral intentions between those who are compensated and those who are not. Managerial implications for restaurant operations are also discussed.     

Issue Information

The international human resource management (IHRM) field naturally lends itself to spotlighting the importance of internal and external organizational contexts to help understand how to manage employees in organizations effectively. However, we argue that the range of opportunities that the field creates to understand this context has not yet been fully embraced by IHRM scholars. To address this gap, this special issue explores: (a) the variety of approaches to theorizing how contexts promote or constrain organizational practice; and (b) relevant methodologies that might allow us to unearth novel context-dependent theory in international HRM. We propose a distinction between variable-oriented theorizing (that explains the effects of internal and external contexts on the phenomena under study) and context-dependent theorizing (that requires researchers become intimately familiar with the setting under study to understand context as a shaper of meaning). This editorial also highlights how the articles in the special issue contribute to stimulating further context-dependent IHRM research.     

Keyword analysis of the mass media’s news articles on maker education in South Korea

International Journal of Technology and Design Education - The goal of this study was to investigate—using text network analysis—how key Korean mass media outlets present issues of...     

Productivity dynamics in Japan and the negative exit effect

Previous studies on productivity dynamics in Japan have suggested that one of the reasons for sluggish productivity growth in the economy was that highly productive firms exit the market, giving rise to a negative exit effect. This study is the first using census data and a large-scale micro data set to verify the negative exit effect in Japan. We conduct analyses of productivity dynamics using the micro data. The results show that there is indeed a negative exit effect in Japan and that this is driven mainly by the exit of a small number of highly productive firms.     

Sustainable Health Financing for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response in Asia and the Pacific

To make health systems more resilient to shocks and crises, it is critical for governments to invest in core health system functions such as financing, service delivery, and governance. Ensuring sufficient resources for health is necessary for basic infrastructure including vaccines; the overall level of health expenditure and the public sources of funding are important. Funding for public health services, including infection prevention and control, surveillance, and information systems, is fundamental to ensure health systems are prepared for and respond to health emergencies. Funding should be made available for a quick and effective response to emergencies, requiring a supportive flexible public financial management system. Moreover, it is essential to mitigate the potential risks of health system collapses through innovative ways, for example, telemedicine, and mobilizing private sector providers. Vulnerable groups who are even more impacted during crises need special attention. Multisectoral cooperation is paramount to health system resilience during pandemic response.