The production of outstanding leadership — an analysis of leadership images in the Swedish media

In this paper the constructive and ideological aspects of (business) journalism provide the starting point for an exploration of the images of (outstanding) leadership (re)produced in the Swedish printed media. Using an ethnographic semantics method, articles in five major Swedish publications during two separate weeks were scanned, selected and analysed, resulting in 853 media statements about leadership subsumed under 60 leadership categories. These statements were further categorised and analysed, resulting in 12 underlying leadership themes that together suggest a dominant implicit model of leadership. The results were found to be consistent to some extent with central aspects of a “Swedish leadership style” as reported in previous studies, but they also gave rise to some interesting paradoxes. These paradoxes were partly resolved by introducing a distinction between leadership in a political as opposed to a business context. The analysis shows that institutional contexts seem to generate different implicit models of leadership, but within the same national framework. Excellent leadership is evidently exercised and enacted as an expression of socially constructed institutions and culturally grounded values.     

Can leadership branding work in theory and practice to resolve the integration-responsiveness problems facing multinational enterprises?

Leadership branding has been proposed as a new approach for transforming the impact of leaders in organizations by developing a shared leadership identity. There has, however, been little empirical evidence to support the concept. In this paper, we combine new theories of leadership identity construction with dialogue theory to provide a more adequate explanation of why leadership branding might offer multinational enterprises (MNEs) with a useful conceptual framework and a set of practices to help resolve the integration-responsiveness problems they face. We do this by using data from a longitudinal case study of a UK-based MNE. Our findings support the claims that successful identity construction and dialogue help explain the process of leadership branding. They also show that a leadership-structure schema emphasizing shared values and dialogue can assist in resolving integration-responsiveness problems in MNEs, although strong corporate leadership brands are difficult to establish and may not be beneficial in the long term.     

How are newspaper companies using social media to engage and connect with their audiences? characteristics and forms of Korean newspapers’ YouTube use

The present study classifies the characteristics of YouTube use by South Korean newspapers in terms of both “local proximity” and “reported them” of news content. Several kinds of data related to news production and consumption were collected from the opening of the YouTube account to October 11, 2012. Findings suggest that news content strategies for YouTube are different across newspapers. National newspapers are likely to perceive YouTube as a new medium, whereas local newspapers tend to perceive it as an extension of the existing newspaper. The results also reveal that YouTube strategies based on strongly partisan or critical reports or oppositional parodies can work better than those providing a diverse and universally appealing range of content.     

Can media and text analytics provide insights into labour market conditions in China?

The official Chinese labour market indicators have been seen as problematic given their small cyclical movement and their only partial capture of the labour force. In our paper, we build a monthly Chinese labour market conditions index (LMCI) using text analytics applied to Mainland Chinese-language newspapers over the period from 2003 to 2017. We use a supervised machine learning approach by training a support vector machine classification model. The information content and the forecast ability of our LMCI are tested against official labour market activity measures in wage and credit growth estimations. Surprisingly, one of our findings is that the much-maligned official labour market indicators do contain information. However, their information content is not robust and, in many cases, our LMCI can provide forecasts that are significantly superior. Moreover, regional disaggregation of the LMCI illustrates that labour conditions in the export-oriented coastal region are sensitive to export growth, while those in inland regions are not. This suggests that text analytics can, indeed, be used to extract useful labour market information from Chinese newspaper articles.     

Following the leaders? A study of co-movement and volatility spillover in BRICS currencies

The paper investigates return co-movement and volatility spillover among the currencies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (the BRICS member countries) and four major developed countries from April 2006 to October 2019. Using Bloomberg daily data on exchange rates, the study employs a flexible multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (MGARCH)–dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) model and a vector autoregressive (VAR)–based spillover index, as the empirical strategy. Along with evidence of exchange rate volatility in BRICS currencies, among which the Russian ruble and the Chinese yuan are explosive, the econometric estimation results show the presence of significant return co-movement and volatility spillover among the foreign exchange markets across different countries. The currency markets in developed countries, as leaders, are found to transmit volatility mostly to BRICS currency markets, which are net receivers. The degree of spillover, however, varies across countries, with Brazil and Russia passing on volatility to the developed countries whereas India, China, and South Africa receive volatility from their developed counterparts.     

Can crude oil drive the co-movement in the international stock market? Evidence from partial wavelet coherence analysis

In this paper, we employ partial- and multiple-wavelet coherence analyses to examine co-movement between international stock markets by considering the influence of crude oil in a time domain perspective. Overall, we find that crude oil is a major factor driving co-movement between international stock markets in the median and long term. However, when considering the oil-importing and oil-exporting countries differently, we still find that crude oil is a driver for interdependence between oil-importing and oil-exporting countries. In contrast, the crude oil has relative lower impact on the co-movement in oil-importing or in oil-exporting countries, which indicates its co-movement is caused by other factors. In addition, Gulf Cooperation Council stock market may lead the stock markets of oil-importing countries in the long term. Our empirical results provide meaningful information for investors and policymakers.     

Inflation perceptions and expectations in Sweden – Are media reports the missing link?

We analyze the interrelation between consumers' quantitative inflation perceptions and expectations as well as actual inflation rates in Sweden. The role of media reports about inflation is emphasized. Structural vector error correction models show stable cointegration between actual, perceived and expected inflation. Impulse responses and forecast error variance decompositions suggest strong interaction between perceived and expected inflation, with a lesser role for actual inflation. Media effects are generally small, but imply an asymmetric reaction of inflation expectations and perceptions to news on increasing vs. decreasing inflation. Thus, to anchor inflation expectations, central banks should explore better communication channels to inform consumers about actual inflation.     

A study on the influence of eWOM using content analysis: how do comments on value for money,product sophistication and experiential feeling affect our choices?

The influence of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) has been heavily investigated in relation to online ratings. However, only a few studies examined the content of eWOM. From the perspective of the consideration sets model, consumers formulate an awareness set, a consideration set and a choice set before making a purchase. We argue that the formulation of these sets is influenced by eWOM based on its volume, valance and content relating to product attributes such as value for money, product sophistication and experiential feeling. In this study, the content of posts relating to Shure professional earphones in the online forum Mingo (www.mingo-hmw.com/forum) was captured and annotated. During the data collection period, Mingo was the sole online forum relating to professional earphones. Without much interference from other online forums, the circumstances of this study closely approximate a laboratory setting. In addition, we collected the actual sales, marketing costs, fault rates and number of retail stores selling the Shure professional earphones for 126 weeks. Our findings show that the weekly volume of posts, their relative number of positive (negative) comments, especially regarding value for money and sound quality, and those posts from the earlier week impinged strongly on weekly sales of Shure products. From the regression models, the explained variance in sales jumps from 0.236 to 0.732 due to the influence of eWOM.     

Think talent – think male? A comparative case study analysis of gender inclusion in talent management practices in the German media industry

This paper contributes to our knowledge on talent management (TM) by conceptually and empirically investigating the peculiarities of TM and gender inclusion in talent development in the German context, as well as by analyzing whether TM is an inclusive HRM practice with respect to gender. Thus, we add an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of TM by linking it to important findings of gender and HRM studies with a specific focus on inclusion. A conceptualization of inclusive TM is suggested, and as a result of a comprehensive literature review, we identify five TM elements (talent definition, underlying career orientation, the content of talent development programs, the TM approach, and the talent selection process) which – depending on their design and characteristics – have an impact on the degree of gender bias and the discriminatory risk of TM. Respective propositions are suggested, and based on a qualitative comparative case study analysis, this paper provides empirical evidence from the German media industry, which shows important differences between cases in the identified TM elements and indicators concerning the gender inclusion of TM practices.     

Market and learning orientation in times of turbulence: relevance questioned? An analysis using a multi-case study

This paper aims to pinpoint and to discuss the factors that determine (i) why companies which have previously not been market oriented become so, and (ii) why already market-oriented companies increase their level of market orientation. This paper also analyses drivers of market orientation adoption and dynamics of processes as well as potential links between market orientation, strategy and learning orientation. Empirical research is based on a multi-case study of the Spanish construction and real state industry, providing a longitudinal approach. Data suggest that competitive environments trigger heightened interest in the market orientation and learning orientation constructs. In the analysed industry market orientation seems to be more prevalent in the “sunset” rather than before during the “sunrise” of the industry, which is opposite to the early work of Baker et al. (In: Sauders J (ed) The Marketing Initiative: ESRC Studies into British Marketing. Preentice-Hall, Hemel Hempstead, 1994). The link between market orientation and strategy is unclear, but proactive firms are better prepared for periods of crisis. Thinking on practical implications, this research highlights the relevance of market orientation and learning orientation in times of turbulence and suggests that proactive firms are better prepared for times of turbulence. The paper also includes discussion and implications for both literature and practice. Recommendations for best practices are also provided.     

Growth and real business cycles in Vietnam and the Asean-5. Does the trend shock matter?

We examine Vietnam’s economy in comparison with its closest trade partners. We show that capital accumulation has been the primary growth engine since the start of its transition to the pro-market economy in 1986 – the Doi Moi. We also show that the cyclical behavior of its macro aggregates is similar to that of its ASEAN-5 peers and other developing countries. We extend the standard small open economy RBC model by considering habit persistence and government consumption, which allows a close match of the moments of the growth variables. At the business cycle frequency, transitory productivity shocks account for approximately one-half of Vietnam’s output variance, while country risk and non-transitory productivity shocks account to close to one-fifth each. Regarding the Solow residual’s volatility, we find that the trend component merely accounts for 12 % of this variance in Vietnam, while in Thailand it is only 6 %. These findings refute the “the cycle is the trend” hypothesis in Aguiar and Gopinath (2007) and align with the hypotheses in García-Cicco et al. (2010) and Rhee (2017), where the stationary component is overwhelmingly dominant. We claim that technological progress and productivity-enhancing measures are fundamental for Vietnam’s economy to sustain high growth.     

Drill baby drill? Political influence on federal onshore oil and gas leasing in the Western United States

This paper examines the influence of the federal political environment on the number and acres of leases issued for oil and natural gas development on bureau of land management lands in the western United States between 1983 and 2007. Using a fixed effects Tobit model for a 17-state sample of the westernmost states in the contiguous United States, the findings indicate that regulatory shifts played a significant role in determining the type of leasing. In particular, the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act of 1987 led to an increase in competitive leasing and a decline in non-competitive leasing. Unexpectedly, the party and ideology of relevant federal political actors did not consistently have a significant influence on leasing. More conservative U.S. Senate leadership led to increased competitive leasing, but did not have a significant effect on non-competitive leasing. While for the House of Representatives, Democratic alignment, between the U.S. Congressional leadership and the state delegation to the House, led to decreased leasing. The effects of Federal politics on leasing varied by the branch of Congress and the type of lease issued.     

Is what you see what you get? Investigating the relationship between social media content and counterproductive work behaviors,alcohol consumption,and episodic heavy drinking

Abstract

Employers are increasingly using social networking website (SNW) content to screen applicants for employment despite the absence of much empirical support for this practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of using SNW content to predict employee behavior. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between SNW content and counterproductive work behaviors (CWB), occurrence of workplace accidents, alcohol consumption, and episodic heavy drinking. Participants (N = 146 MBA and upper level undergraduate business students) self-reported demographic information and information about workplace counterproductive behavior. Participants also provided access to their SNW profile, which the researchers subsequently accessed in order to assess potentially compromising content. Results indicate SNW profiles are not associated with CWB or involvement in workplace accidents, while SNW profiles containing alcohol and drug content are associated with alcohol consumption and episodic heavy drinking. Our study is among the first to examine the relationship between SNW profile information and CWBs of interest to HRM personnel and provides evidence that practitioners should exercise caution in drawing inferences about workplace behaviors based on SNW profile information.     

Does sport affect the competitiveness of European Union countries? An analysis of the degree of innovation and GDP per capita using linear and QCA models

The sport industry has experienced great growth in recent years worldwide, and especially in the European Union (EU) countries. However, despite the role that this industry can play in improving the competitiveness of these countries (Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and innovation performance), no studies have been found that analyse its influence. So, the main aim of this study is, firstly, to analyse the relationship between the innovation performance and the GDP per capita of EU countries, and, secondly, to find out how sport-related indicators and different innovation-related indicators influence the innovation performance and GDP per capita of the EU countries. To this end, two different methodologies have been used: hierarchical regression models and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). A total sample of 23 EU countries have been analysed. The results show that GDP per capita and innovation performance are highly correlated in a positive and significant way (0.76; p?<?.0001), and that the variables related to sport help explain the variance of these two variables, highlighting as necessary variable in both cases the growth in the sports sector (consistency >0.90). Finally, a number of practical implications are presented that can help policy makers to improve the competitiveness of EU countries.

     

How Can Leaders Cultivate an Organizational Culture of Creativity and Innovation,Particularly in the Academy?

Cultivating creativity and innovation in the academy requires adaptive leadership to develop organizational capacity for collaboration and teamwork. To foster collective capacity for innovation, leaders can be guided by Kouzes and Posner's five practices of exemplary leadership.     

Benefits and Strategic Outcomes: Are Supplemental Retirement Plans and Safer Driving Related in the U.S. Trucking Industry?

We suggest that a firm's benefits can relate to important organizational outcomes that have strategic implications. We propose a number of mechanisms that could relate benefits to strategic outcomes, including the notion that benefits can help attract and retain the type of employees who are most likely to perform in ways consistent with the firms’ strategies. We illustrate this with the case of supplemental retirement benefits in an actual setting, the long‐haul trucking industry. We report positive organization‐level relationships associated with the management choice of offering these benefits. Our results show that firms offering supplemental retirement plans engage in significantly safer driving practices, as measured by the proxy of driver insurance costs, as hypothesized. These findings show that benefits can be related to outcomes that have strategic implications for the firm. By showing that retirement plans may be of value to organizations, we help to bridge the academic‐practitioner divide and provide motivation and guidance for additional work on this important but underresearched topic. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.