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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address gaps in the knowledge about human resource (HR) professional involvement in strategic decision-making in China compared with that in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: First, the authors compare the strategic involvement of Chinese and Australian HR professionals. Second, based on the upper echelon theory, the authors compare the impact of chief executive officer (CEO) and top management team (TMT) between both countries on HR involvement in strategic decision-making. Data were collected from matched pairs of HR and TMT executives in China (n = 168) and in Australia (n = 102). Findings: Results indicate a difference, despite of no statistical significance, in HR involvement in strategic decision-making between Chinese and Australian samples. TMT behavioural integration was positively related to HR involvement in strategic decision-making in a collectivistic culture (i.e. in China), but not in an individualistic culture (i.e. in Australia). However, CEO support for HRM was positively related to HR involvement in strategic decision-making in Australia, whereas it is not related in China. Originality/value: The paper conducts a comparative study and practical, and research implications are discussed at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to clarify the differences between students' travel behaviours in Australia and China and the association between students' environmental attitudes and their travel behaviours in both countries.Design/methodology/approach The paper extensively reviewed most of existing literature work on commuting patterns of higher education students with referring to different studies around the world and then used it to build a theoretical framework and conceptual model to relate the travel patterns of students to built environment, personal demographics and environmental knowledge/consideration. An online survey was used with 230 students at Mawson Lakes campus of University of South Australia and Beiyangyuan campus of Tianjin University (China). Statistical tests (i.e. mean test, one-way analysis of variance, factor analysis) were used to analyse the data.Findings The study reveals that a high dependence on private vehicles amongst students at the Mawson Lakes campus, whilst a more environmentally sustainable modal choice dominated at the Beiyangyuan campus. Those who studied at Mawson Lakes campus tended to have stronger involvement in environmental activities than their counterparts at Beiyangyuan campus, which presented a clear association between environmental awareness and the travel behaviours of the sampled students.Research limitations/implications The study focussed on two respective campuses of both universities in Australia and China. Future work could be expanded with students at all campuses of two universities.Practical implications The study affirmed the value of nurturing environmental awareness for students in both universities to encourage more environmentally sustainable travel behaviours amongst students. The paper provides policy recommendations such as establishing infrastructure, and facilities for new stream of mobility included sharing bike schemes, which would be very practical due to flexibility and cost effectiveness within University campuses. The paper attempted to transfer lessons from Chinese bike friendly society to Adelaide's car dominated campus.Originality/value This study brings remarkable contributions as comparing university students' travel behaviours in two different nations. It is the first one in Australia, which links the environmental concerns among university students with their travel behaviours. The paper was successful in getting the gap between theory and practice filled to some extent. The paper has a capability to be used as an evidence-base work in the area of sustainability education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a basis for the construction professionals and stakeholders to understand the critical factors influencing resource availability in a post-disaster situation. The study reported in this paper is part of ongoing research concerned with developing a methodology to improve the outcomes of resource availability for projects in post-disaster environments. This study attempts to address the following questions: what factors impinge upon the availability of resources in a disaster recovery project and what are the common resource availability determinants across different recovery environments? Design/methodology/approach – The method of analysis in this investigation is a comparative case study. The researchers took part in disaster field trips to Indonesia, China and Australia during their recovery from natural disasters. By using case studies and a triangulation method, critical factors that affected resource availability in the three examined countries were identified and compared. Findings – A comparative analysis shows that specific cultural elements, the socio-economic environment and the political agenda in the three countries influenced their resourcing problems and the solutions they adopted. Despite different resourcing approaches in the three cases, competence of construction professionals, and government response and intervention were identified as common determinants to resourcing disaster recovery projects. Research limitations/implications – The research findings contribute to the project management methodology to post-disaster reconstruction. Practical implications – From this research, decision makers and construction practitioners can have a clearer direction for improving their resourcing effort in a post-disaster situation. This study provides a basis for the construction professionals and stakeholders to understand the critical factors influencing resource availability in a post-disaster situation, with a view to enhancing their capability of managing disaster recovery projects. Social implications – A comparative analysis of three cases provides a multi-perspective view of the resourcing issues in a post-disaster situation. As many problems are faced in disaster recovery projects, resource availability intrinsically links to chronic conditions of vulnerability in existence in the broader social system prior to a disaster. The five aspects of resourcing discussed in the paper show the key areas of recovery planning in relation to resource availability. Originality/value – In large and complex disaster recovery operations, the availability of resources is bound to be limited. Identified resourcing problems are likely to be universal and can be anticipated and pre-planned for, irrespective of the environment when a disaster happens. The paper provides a basis for the construction professionals and stakeholders to understand the critical factors influencing resource availability in a post-disaster situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Building upon McLeod and Wainwright's paradigm for rigorous scientific assessment of study abroad programs, this paper aims to use social learning theory to assess mainland Chinese students' satisfaction of the Chinese Curtin Student Accounting Academic Programme. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of mainland Chinese students enrolled in Curtin units were invited to complete a short survey on their perspectives of the study abroad programme. Findings – The author's results suggest that preparation for study in Australia, in addition to differences between Australia and China concerning culture and technical teaching, is essential for a mainland Chinese student to flourish in the programme. Research limitations/implications – McLeod and Wainwright's social learning theory proposes that behaviour is predicted by the expectancy that if a person behaves in a certain way that person will be rewarded by the extent that the person values the reward. The expectancy which is linked to a local of control is reflected in the mainland Chinese students' preparation of studies in China. Social implications – Mainland Chinese students who feel they are better prepared for study in Australia showed higher satisfaction. Preparation is, therefore, an important factor in getting satisfaction out of the study abroad programme. Originality/value – The paper offers some helpful practical implications for managers and administrators wanting to continue the study abroad programmes. There is a clear need to convey to prospective students the need for sound preparation when students consider taking on a study abroad programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine if high versus low ethnocentric consumers differ in their attitudes toward buying domestic and foreign brands of underwear that are made domestically or in foreign countries. Design/methodology/approach – Australian residents recruited through a mall intercept participated in this study through a self-completed questionnaire. Fishbein's Multi-Attribute model was used as the measure, along with repeated-measures ANOVA and t-tests, to examine whether the groups differed in their attitudes toward buying underwear with "Made in Australia", "Made in the USA", and "Made in China" labels. Findings – The findings generally indicated that there is no significant difference between high and low ethnocentric consumers in attitude towards underwear that are made in Australia and the USA. On the other hand, high ethnocentric consumers viewed domestically made and branded underwear as more durable, easier to care for, better priced, more colourful, more attractive, more fashionable, of stronger brand name, more appropriate for occasions, and more choices of styles. Domestically-made but foreign-branded underwear is viewed as easier to care for and better priced. Practical implications – The study suggests that China should improve its country image as compared to such developed nations as Australia and the USA in terms of production and manufacturing standards. The study also purports that American underwear brands with strong presence in the global fashion world that have not already established operation in Australia can consider entering the market. Originality/value – The paper fills the gap in the ethnocentrism literature by validating the study in Australia and focusing on the attitudes of high ethnocentric (and low ethnocentric) consumers. It also examines underwear, which is a common product category in apparels but inherently deficient in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Since the 1980s, and especially after China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1991, international educational collaborations have developed in China. Spurred by economic, cultural and educational factors, joint programs have become an essential supplement to Chinese education. Despite the obvious and diverse benefits brought about by joint programs, various challenges arise. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the benefits and challenges generally and then in a more targeted way through the lens of one Sino-Australian partnership.Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a case study of one joint Australia-China program to explore the development, benefits and challenges of joint programs in China and suggest how to improve the overall quality of the joint programs which will further international collaboration of educational institutions in China.Findings – Joint programs are a strategic component of the expansion and globalization objectives of the Chinese government. They offer more opportunities for Chinese students to receive an overseas education, enhance the research profile of Chinese universities and promote new ways of teaching and learning. For the Australian government, transnational education and the model of joint programs are helping to build Australia's research reputation, develop alternative teaching and learning ideas and promote global citizenship. Challenges include linguistic issues, financial problems, inefficient management, program assessment, qualifications, skills of teaching staff and different ways of thinking.Practical implications – Enhancing pedagogical quality within a business paradigm is a unifying imperative.Originality/value – The paper presents a new case study analysis for joint program educators and decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper aims to investigate the detailed relationships between Chinese cultural values (Confucian dynamism, individualism, masculinity, and power distance) and work values (self-enhancement, contribution to society, rewards and stability, openness to change, and power and status) in an integrated model. Further attempts are also made to explain the above relationship in terms of different cultural exposure experiences. Design/methodology/approach - The sample was collected from China (selected from after-work classes for Chinese businessmen in China) and Australia (overseas Chinese living or working in Sydney) by questionnaires. Altogether, 185 respondents took part in the study. SEM was used to test the relationship between Chinese cultural values and work values, and difference analysis was employed to test the impact of respondents' Western cultural exposure experiences. Findings - Interesting results are found concerning Chinese employees' cross-cultural work values. The study not only confirms the impact of cultural values on work values, but also brings some new thoughts on Hoftstede's belief that instead of high masculinity and individualism, Confucian dynamism is the main cultural value to foster self-enhancement and most work value of Chinese employees. Research limitations/implications - Because China is a complex country, the limited Chinese sample should not be taken as representative. The current study did not differentiate respondents' demographic differences. Hence, some demographic variables may have produced some of the inter-group differences reported in this study. Practical implications- The findings provide useful input for managers who are seeking to develop effective working relationships with Chinese counterparts. Originality/value - This paper enriches existing Chinese values studies and serves as a starting point for future research concerning the detailed relationship between Chinese cultural values and work values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to compare the management style of marketing managers in Australia with the counterparts in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Design/methodology/approach - Based on the differences in cultural dimensions and context, five hypotheses related to management decision-making styles were developed and tested by questionnaire survey. Sixty seven valid Australia samples and 104 valid Chinese samples were obtained through mail survey and personal interviews, respectively. Findings - Results show that PRC managers have significantly higher scores in the five management style dimensions (namely: information utilization, complexity, group decision-making, risk acceptance and technology orientation) than their Australian counterparts. Research limitations/implications - The research is limited by the small sample size. The findings may be limited by measurement equivalence issues and further investigation of management style differences across more countries is clearly needed. Practical implications - The findings of this study provide useful insights into the differences in the management style of marketing managers in the two countries. It is possible to predict management style differences based on a comparison of cultural differences in a systematic way. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the literature in international marketing and management It is imperative for managers to understand how cultures affect the management style of the managers they interact with as well as their own. The study serves as a guideline for studying other cultures, which is especially relevant for companies that are seeking to expand their strategic alliance operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]