Search Results (210)

Due to globalization, companies are exposed to a culturally diversified workforce; therefore, great emphasis is placed on identifying the most effective leadership style that would be able to manage such a workforce. Although numerous studies have attempted to identify successful leadership styles in different cultural settings, none have focused on the perceptions of top managers who work in multinational corporations (MNCs) in culturally diversified surroundings. Thus, our research attempts to identify the most preferred leadership style and characteristics from the perspective of top managers in MNCs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 13 leadership characteristics analyzed in this study were generated from the 21 characteristics found by Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness (GLOBE) research. The participants, top managers in MNCs, needed to evaluate leadership styles by considering leadership characteristics. To ensure the objectiveness of the study, we analyzed their answers by applying the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The results indicated that the most preferred leadership characteristics were visionary, inspirational, collaborative team-oriented, and performance-oriented. Moreover, the transformational leadership style emerged as the most preferred leadership style. The study’s findings show that top managers believe that employees in MNCs in the UAE seek a leader with a vision who will inspire, motivate, and help them fulfill their true potential. Full article

Efficient and consistent DNA extraction is crucial for genotyping but often hindered by the limitations of traditional manual processes, which are labour-intensive, error-prone, and costly. We introduce a semi-automated, robotic-assisted DNA extraction (RoboCTAB) tailored for large-scale plant genotyping, leveraging advanced yet affordable liquid-handling robotic systems. The protocol/workflow integrates a CTAB extraction protocol specifically adapted for a robotic liquid-handling system, making it compatible with high-throughput genotyping techniques such as SNP genotyping and sequencing. Various plant parts (leaves, roots, manual seed chip) were explored as the source material for DNA extractions, with the aim of identifying the tissue best suited for collection on a large scale. Young roots (radicle) proved the easiest to harvest at scale, while the harvest of leaves and seed chips were more laborious and error-prone. DNA yield and quality from both leaves and roots (but not seed chips) were similar and sufficient for downstream analysis. Interestingly, root tissue could still be extracted from imbibed seeds, even if the seeds failed to germinate, thus proving useful for DNA extraction. Cost analysis indicates significant savings in labour costs, highlighting the approach’s suitability for large-scale projects. Quality assessments demonstrate that the robotic process yields high-quality DNA, maintaining integrity for downstream applications. This semi-automated DNA extraction system represents a scalable, reliable solution for large-scale genotyping that is accessible to many users who cannot implement highly sophisticated and costly systems as are known to exist in large multinational seed companies. RoboCTAB, a low-cost, optimized method for high-throughput DNA extraction, minimizes the risk of cross-contamination. RoboCTAB is capable of processing up to four 96-well plates (384 samples) simultaneously in a single run, improving cost-efficiency and providing seamless integration with laboratory workflows, potentially setting new standards for efficiency and quality in DNA processing and sequencing at scale. Full article

As Chinese firms play pivotal roles in global supply chains, multinational corporations face increasing pressure to ensure ESG accountability across their sourcing networks. Current ESG rating systems lack transparency in incorporating China’s unique industrial, economic, and cultural factors, creating reliability concerns for stakeholders managing supply chain sustainability risks. This study develops an explainable artificial intelligence framework using SHAP and permutation feature importance (PFI) methods to predict the ESG performance of Chinese firms. We analyze comprehensive ESG data of 1608 Chinese listed companies over 13 years (2009–2021), integrating financial and non-financial determinants traditionally examined in isolation. Empirical findings demonstrate that random forest algorithms significantly outperform multivariate linear regression in capturing nonlinear ESG relationships. Key non-financial determinants include patent portfolios, CSR training initiatives, pollutant emissions, and charitable donations, while financial factors such as current assets and gearing ratios prove influential. Sectoral analysis reveals that manufacturing firms are evaluated through pollutant emissions and technical capabilities, whereas non-manufacturing firms are assessed on business taxes and intangible assets. These insights provide essential tools for multinational corporations to anticipate supply chain sustainability conditions. Full article

Construction projects are becoming increasingly complex due to their dynamic nature, the integration of multiple disciplines, and the need for strategic alignment between organizational processes and project management. However, traditional project management approaches often fail to address this complexity effectively. This study presents the application of IModel, a web-based semantic model grounded in systems thinking, designed to integrate enterprise architecture and project management. Through a case study conducted in a multinational AEC company, IModel was evaluated for its ability to enhance system interoperability, optimize processes, and support strategic decision-making. The methodology combined web semantic modeling with expert interviews and organizational data analysis. Findings indicate that IModel provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge management, reduces uncertainty, and improves decision-making in dynamic project environments. However, challenges related to model adoption, including the need for training in systems thinking and ontological modeling, were identified. This study contributes to the literature on innovation in construction project management, highlighting the potential of systems thinking and semantic tools to address complex problems in dynamic and evolving environments. Full article

Risk management is crucial for the effective delivery of construction projects. While extensive research around the importance of risk management exists globally, limited studies have examined the effectiveness of risk assessment in general and in Egyptian construction projects in particular. Hence, this paper fills this gap by exploring current risk assessment practices through semi-structured interviews with 15 industry experts from various construction firms in Egypt. A qualitative methodology was adopted, and thematic analysis was used to identify key challenges and opportunities for improvement. The findings indicated that Egyptian firms tend to rely heavily on personal judgment rather than implementing a structured process, whereas multinational companies adopt more formalized approaches. The absence of systematic documentation on project failures further weakens the effectiveness of current risk assessment practices. Unlike previous studies that primarily used quantitative methods, this research employs a qualitative approach that provides direct insights from the industry and offers a deeper understanding of actual practices. Given the differences in risk assessment approaches between local and international companies, this study suggests that cultural and operational factors must be considered when developing structured risk management frameworks. Similar patterns have been observed in other regions, where multinational firms operating in markets such as the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America tend to implement standardized risk management protocols, while local companies often face challenges in formalizing these practices. The findings offer valuable insights for both national and multinational companies operating in the Egyptian construction sector that aim to enhance project risk management. Full article

Setúbal Peninsula (SetPe) has played a critical role in Portugal’s industrial history, symbolizing economic growth in the 1960s and serving as the centre of the working-class movement during the Carnation Revolution. This study examines the impacts of deindustrialisation and integration into Global Network and Chain Structures (GNCS) on the region’s daily life and urban areas. Despite the decline in industrial employment and the challenges posed by abandoned industrial areas, the region has remained connected to GNCS through existing industrial facilities. The study utilised both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse these transformations and highlighted the region’s vulnerability in the face of these global processes. The findings suggest that integration into GNCS in SetPe has led to economic dependence on multinational companies, social and cultural decline, and challenges in urban redevelopment. Full article

After 35 years of a free market in Poland, three life insurance companies have gained a dominant position in the market and developed certain procedural equilibrium in the area of training, allowing their status quo to be maintained. Yet, they do not take into account the opinions of agents and the possibility of using the latest IT developments, including artificial intelligence, which supports increasingly broad areas of activity in organisations with great success. As independent sales force training poses a challenge to any national or multinational company in a constantly changing global economy, the primary focus of this research was to analyse the opinions of the top 438 agents from dominant life insurance companies. A need was emphasised to reconfigure the existing training programmes with the potential for AI involvement to achieve a more effective educational trajectory. The research findings confirmed the necessity to reconstruct training programmes in relation to an agent’s age, education level, and seniority and offered grounds for discussing innovative AI concepts that can be relevant for future academic research in management sciences and improving organisational effectiveness, particularly in life insurance companies or other first-contact personnel-dependent institutions. Full article

This study explores the determinants of job satisfaction among IT industry employees in the U.S. and South Korea, focusing on how cultural and socio-economic contexts influence employee well-being and organizational sustainability. Given the high turnover rates in the IT industry, understanding the key factors affecting job satisfaction and dissatisfaction is critical for promoting sustainable organizational practices. By comparing reviews from Glassdoor and Jobplanet, this study uncovers cultural and organizational differences that directly affect employee retention and job satisfaction, offering actionable insights for multinational IT companies seeking to align their strategies with sustainable HR practices. The research utilizes Contextualized Topic Modeling (CTM), a cutting-edge method leveraging Sentence-BERT embeddings, to analyze user-generated reviews. CTM identifies key topics such as attendance management, career development, organizational culture, welfare support, salary, and job autonomy, revealing distinct cultural influences. For example, attendance management and organizational culture positively influenced job satisfaction in U.S. companies, while welfare benefits were more significant in the U.S. than in South Korea. Salary had a positive effect in South Korea but a negative effect in the U.S. The comparative analysis also highlights the higher satisfaction levels among current employees, underscoring factors critical for long-term retention. This study contributes to the literature by leveraging user-generated content to reveal context-specific factors, including new elements such as “technological capabilities” and “location and accessibility,” which are often overlooked in traditional survey-based research. The findings provide actionable insights for IT companies to refine HR practices in ways that enhance employee satisfaction, contributing to both organizational sustainability and the well-being of employees. Full article

This research describes an online solution for the collection and processing of production data, which are gathered from manufacturing and assembly processes at automotive companies. The solution describes the process for live monitoring of the production health and then evaluation through reports, with the option to generate reports for up to six months. Since the data are located in multiple sources, it is challenging to monitor them live or generate reports on demand. The solution described in this research outlines applications that simplify users’ tasks and provide immediate insights into the processes and health of production lines. Research will be divided into three applications which are delivered in one package, which is called Cycle Time Deviation (CTD): (i) workshop application for live monitoring; (ii) for evaluating data older than 24 h, the shift report application; and (iii) for comparing and monitoring the impact of process changes on the analysis, the before and after application—the Plant Improvement Tracker (PIT)—will be presented. The aim of the research is to describe the proposed solution that was implemented in a multinational automotive corporation and to outline the benefits gained from the implementation. Full article

This study assesses the extent of public goods provision by Brazilian firms and how this behavior has changed over time. We use text data of publicly traded companies’ annual standardized financial declarations from 2010 and 2022 and apply natural language processing techniques to extract ESG (environmental, social, and governance) keywords related to the provision of public goods. Context and sentiment analyses were used to supplement the information extracted from the raw keyword counts; these analyses were conducted using diverse regression techniques. We found a pronounced increase in keyword mentions over time; in particular, “responsibility” and “sustainability” appeared more frequently. Virtually all firms became more dedicated to ESG practices, particularly those that had a low frequency of ESG mentions in a positive context. Overall, it seems that large Brazilian corporations have embedded comprehensive ESG policies into their business practices, thus aligning their strategies with those of pioneering multinationals. Full article

Clinical trials conducted by pharmaceutical companies are essential for bridging local research efforts with broader populations, facilitating the transfer of valuable insights and solutions. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators affecting clinical trials in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of key personnel within the pharmaceutical industry and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine participants, which provided a holistic understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping the landscape of clinical trials in the country. The analysis revealed three prominent themes: operational challenges, complexities in navigating approval hurdles, and the unique value proposition for conducting clinical trials in Saudi Arabia. The participants expressed pride in the local infrastructure but acknowledged existing flaws, particularly in regulatory processes that contribute to delays in trial initiation. They emphasized the importance of conducting clinical trials in areas such as diabetes, crowd management during pilgrimages, and rare diseases, which are prevalent in the region. Despite the limited number of clinical trials registered (354 from 2009 to 2020, with only 1% being phase 1 studies), Saudi Arabia’s total pharmaceutical market exceeds SAR 13 billion, positioning it as the largest market in the region. Stakeholders recognized the country’s potential as a research hub, particularly within the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region. However, to attract more trials and enhance the medical research landscape, it is crucial to address the identified barriers, streamline processes, and improve stakeholder alignment. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to overcome these challenges and leverage Saudi Arabia’s investments in healthcare infrastructure since its transformation program launched in 2010. By enhancing the regulatory environment and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Saudi Arabia can solidify its role as a key player in international clinical research. Full article

This study focuses on the R&D innovation drive mechanism of Chinese multinational companies. Using a grounded theory, five driving factors were identified: government support, entrepreneurial spirit, market competition, company profits, and the innovation environment of the host country. Dynamic Qualitative Comparative Analysis was then employed to assess the validity of these driving factors and determine their pathways of influence, leading to the establishment of a driving mechanism. Finally, structural equation modeling was used to explore the magnitude of the effects of these driving factors. Based on data analysis from Chinese A-share listed multinational companies from 2007 to 2022, it was found that entrepreneurial spirit serves as the core driving force, while government support and market competition act as mediating variables that significantly promote R&D innovation among Chinese multinational companies. However, company profits were found to have a negative impact. Additionally, the innovation environment of the host country plays a moderating role, enhancing the positive effects of government support and market competition on innovation. These findings emphasize the importance of the synergy between the internal and external resources for Chinese multinational companies, providing important insights for integrating global resources to enhance international competitiveness and innovation capabilities. Full article

In the turbulent and dynamic post-COVID business environment, strategic management (SM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) must increasingly adapt to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders and improve outcomes. Within this context, the total compensation (TC) system can play a pivotal role. This study aims to evaluate the importance of the TC system as a human resource management (HRM) tool that is mediated by the organisation’s strategy and a socially responsible factor in organisational behaviour. Our analysis explores various TC policies, including both financial and non-financial elements, and examines their relationship with SM and CSR policies. Using structural equation modelling on a sample of 205 employees from multinational technology companies based in Spain, we demonstrate a stronger relationship between SM and non-financial TC. Additionally, the indirect effect of SM on the social aspect of CSR is notably stronger through non-financial TC. These findings could have profound implications for practitioners, suggesting that the effective implementation of non-financial TC systems can enhance SM and foster socially responsible organisational behaviour. Moreover, aligning SM with CSR policies through robust compensation systems could enable companies to achieve competitive advantages by increasing workforce commitment and engagement. Full article

Labneh is a popular fermented dairy product, which contemporarily has diversified into a varied range of styles, formulated with the inclusion of multiple additives, and is sourced across the globe. This has driven labneh’s emergence as a complex product with varying textural and rheological characteristics. The lack of scientific literature about labneh products available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market and their characterization has prompted this study. A detailed UAE market analysis of labneh for label, formulation, nutrition, and price variability was conducted. Surveyed labneh products were categorized as unpackaged, multinational company (MNC), small and medium enterprise (SME), and specialty products. They differed in manufacturing, such as acid ± enzyme coagulation with/without post-fermentation heat treatment, and contained various stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, and processing aids. Interestingly, almost equal proportions, 64.7% and 67%, of MNC and SME labneh contained additives, respectively. All MNC labneh were post-heat-treated, in contrast to only 7% of SME labneh. Organic labneh and non-bovine milk-based labneh are not yet widely available. The second part of the study involved the physicochemical characterization of a select number of packaged labneh that were categorized in accordance with fat content as high-fat (17–18%), full-fat (7.1–8%), and lite-fat (3.5–4.5%). High-fat labneh showed a significantly higher complex viscosity, complex modulus, hardness, adhesiveness, stringiness, and fracturability, followed by lite-fat labneh compared to full-fat labneh, especially when it contained pectin. Full-fat labneh with added gums (and starch) and high-fat labneh with gums showed a significantly lower complex modulus compared to their respective control labneh. This study highlights the variety of commercial labneh products available and differences in their formulation, manufacturing, and composition, and provides specific dependencies of materials with their physicochemical characteristics. Full article

Electronic waste is a global problem in our tech-driven age and is becoming more and more so as new devices are released and tonnes of electronics are thrown away. The objective of this study is to determine which materials are essential in electronic waste, to evaluate the environmental impact of those materials, and to investigate the ways in which implementing a circular supply chain and circular economy principles can support economic expansion. This study identifies valuable materials like gold, silver, copper, palladium, cobalt, mercury, and lithium using the Prisma approach and a quantitative method. Mercury is found to have a significant environmental impact. With its special insights into material disposal and environmental consequences, the practical application highlights profitability and material waste reduction in multinational cell phone manufacturing companies. Full article