Search

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the difficulties faced by Latin American oil and gas (O&G) companies in adopting integrated practices aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda. Design/methodology/approach: A Delphi study was conducted with 14 experts with extensive knowledge and experience in the O&G sector to collect opinions and investigate sustainable practices in the Latin American context. Findings: A consensus was reached after two rounds, demonstrating a unified view of sustainability experts on the difficulties faced by O&G companies to adopt practices aligned with the SDGs. The difficulties identified through the Delphi method were allocated into five clusters named: "public sector and governments," "civil society," "corporate issues," "technology and innovation" and "financial aspects." These clusters were used to discuss the main challenges associated with implementing business practices that recognize the SDGs and their achievement as a synergistic reinforcing system rather than an additive structure. Originality/value: This study provides further insights into the underexplored subject relating to the challenges experienced by Latin American O&G companies in the implementation of the SDGs, adopting the perspective of academic and industry experts in this field. The findings can help professionals in O&G companies implement sustainable practices, policymakers in debates about futures laws and regulations and academic in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic individuals face challenges accessing employment, particularly as a result of limited knowledge and understanding of autism.This mixed methods study aimed to measure levels of knowledge of autism and examine hiring attitudes in the workplace.To determine knowledge of autism, N = 101 professionals in the United Kingdom responded to a survey that included the Autism Stigma & Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q). Open-ended and closed-ended questions were used to examine hiring attitudes and particularly perceived barriers or drivers to employment for autistic candidates. Nine respondents took part in further semi-structured interviews.Findings report adequate knowledge with a lack of stigma endorsement. Data also indicate a significant relationship between self-reported autism knowledge and the overall ASK-Q total. Autism knowledge was statistically significantly higher in participants who knew an autistic individual through work and where professionals or their companies had knowingly employed an autistic person. Qualitative data provide nuanced understanding about barriers and the possibilities for more inclusive autistic employment.A strong case was made for understanding the needs and strengths of individuals in order to generate a diversity climate in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this commentary, we argue that the Big Four professional service firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) are positioning themselves as a bridge between Māori and the Crown in Aotearoa New Zealand. In a political economy that is evolving in line with te Tiriti/the Treaty of Waitangi, this bridge presents a profitable opportunity. We engage with theories of imperialism, the business case for diversity and revolving doors to advance our argument. We conclude with opportunities for future research that take the role of the Big Four in the Māori economy seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning algorithms, as one form of artificial intelligence, are significant for professional work because they create the possibility for some predictions, interpretations and judgements that inform decision-making to be made by algorithms. However, little is known about whether it is possible to transform professional work to incorporate machine learning while also addressing negative responses from professionals whose work is changed by inscrutable algorithms. Through original empirical analysis of the effects of machine learning algorithms on the work of accountants and lawyers, this paper identifies the role of accommodating machine learning algorithms in professional service firms. Accommodating machine learning algorithms involves strategic responses that both justify adoption in the context of the possibilities and new contributions of machine learning algorithms and respond to the algorithms' limitations and opaque and inscrutable nature. The analysis advances understanding of the processes that enable or inhibit the cooperative adoption of artificial intelligence in professional service firms and develops insights relevant when examining the long-term impacts of machine learning algorithms as they become ever more sophisticated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an alternative to SU-8 soft lithography, a new silicon mold process of fabricating PDMS microchannel chips was proposed. A picosecond laser is used to cut through a 550 μm thick silicon wafer and generate the original microchannel pattern with a 50 μm minimum feature size. This single-crystal silicon pattern, with the edge debris caused by laser cutting being trimmed off by a KOH solution and with the protection field oxide layer being removed by BOE afterwards, firmly resided on a glass substrate through the anodic bonding technique. Four-inch wafers with microchannel patterns as the PDMS mold cores were successfully bonded on Pyrex 7740 or Eagle XG glass substrates for the follow-up PDMS molding/demolding process. This new maskless process does not need a photolithography facility, but the laser cutting service must be provided by professional off-campus companies. One PDMS microchannel chip for particle separation was shown as an example of what can be achieved when using this new process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Big 4 professional services firms increasingly lay claim to recruiting and including staff of diverse genders, cultures, ages and sexualities. Drawing on Foucauldian insights, this study explores how LGBTIQ+ staff navigated shifting technologies of client power, at the time marriage equality was legislated in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: This article explores changing experiences of LGBTIQ+ staff and allies, through 56 semi-structured interviews undertaken through 2018–2019. Findings: Technologies of client power were central to shaping workplace experiences for LGBTIQ+ staff. However, each firm was also keen to carve unique and bold responses to changing societal attitudes regarding sexuality and gender. These progressive moves did not sit comfortably with all clients, and so this article provides insight into the limitations of client privilege within professional services firms. For staff, this increasing complexity of sometimes opaque, contradictory and shifting technologies of client and firm power, enabled agency to explore a sense of self for some, but continued to exclude others. Originality/value: Little attention has been directed to exploring challenges for staff of sexual and gendered diversity within professional services firms, or to exploring how staff navigate changing perceptions of client power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores whether or to what extent Northen Ireland—long-noted for its unusually high levels of religiosity—remains, as the late preacher-politician Rev Ian Paisley (d. 2014) described it: the last bastion of evangelicalism in Europe. It presents the results of two major polls conducted in 2023, which together provide the most comprehensive picture of religion in Northern Ireland in two decades. The polls were a representative survey of Northern Ireland, carried out by a professional research company, and a self-selecting online questionnaire distributed by the Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland. The data confirm continued high levels of religiosity, with 50 percent of the general population reporting that they are practising Christians. Surprisingly, 38 percent of practising Catholics self-identify as evangelical—up from six percent in a 2004 survey. Men are more likely to identify as evangelical than women, and young practising Christians (18–34) are more likely to identify as evangelical than other age groups. As expected, evangelicals hold more morally/socially conservative views on a range of issues. We also develop a new four-fold typology to describe evangelicals in Northern Ireland: broad-church evangelicals, classic evangelicals, Catholic evangelicals, and ex-vangelicals (those who were once evangelical but no longer identify as such). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior ERP research has focused primarily on adoption and implementation; however, in an ERP implementation, maintenance and support (M&S) also has a significant impact on the long-term viability and financial expenditures of organizations. Many organizations turn to application management service (AMS) providers to manage ERP M&S. We surveyed professionals knowledgeable in their companies' use of AMS for ERP. We find associations between variables consistent with a business case of "keep the lights on" versus "value-driven" partnership and benefits achieved from the arrangement. We also examine activities that should lead to more M&S success: customization, quality documentation, and process standardization. We find associations between some of these variables and (1) more focus on M&S during implementation, (2) challenges transitioning to AMS, and (3) quality of AMS support. Our results are a first step toward research in AMS for ERP M&S and add to the AIS literature on the ERP post-implementation stage. Data Availability: Data available upon request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paradoxical inertia is an organization condition that has received far less attention than organizational change. We investigate, ethnographically, an Australian Intellectual Property service firm, whose Board members proved to be unable to respond strategically to a rapidly changing environment that threatened their organization's survival. In the face of discontinuous change, this failure to address the management of paradoxes threatening embedded routines reinforced a paralysing inertia. Extant research has emphasized how managers handle paradox; we discuss how they fail to do so. The inertia is derived from the finessing of tensions as non-issues. Constituted as non-issues there were non-decisions about these tensions that maintained internal stability and harmony; they did so, however, in world of change increasingly disrespectful of internal concerns for ongoing professional stability and harmony. The inability to become collectively and critically aware of the specific forms of inertia undermined recursive learning and thus the transformation of the sensemaking practices of the Board. MAD statement Paradox theory invites managers to approach the complexities of the world with an integrate both-and type of approach. In this perspective, paradox may offer new solutions to problems by recentering attention from dualistic frames to sophisticated dualities. This reasoning sounds appealing but dualities may be difficult to manage and to sustain. Not much is known yet about the obstacles to a paradoxical mindset. In this article we explore how paradoxical leadership may be easier said than done and highlight reasons, including inertia, that may impede managers from making paradoxes salient and therefore manageable. This helps explain the hardship of paradox management in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaboration across cultures in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields has become increasingly common. This means many STEM professionals in US-based companies now work with professionals from other cultures. In this global context, cross-cultural knowledge is crucial for effective communication. Without this knowledge, there can be misunderstandings and discomfort. Different cultures use different communication styles, which has been studied by the field of communication. The concept of high and context low-context culture is used to discuss the role of contextual cues in communication. High-context cultures rely on implicit language and contextual and situational cues, while low-context cultures use explicit language. Although no culture is strictly high or low context, this concept is important as it helps us understand how our communication style can be influenced by cultural characteristics. There is a growing need to support and encourage students to become interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields. Many STEM programs in the United States have emphasized the importance of collaboration to meet this need. However, effective collaboration requires effective communication, and students often lack opportunities to explore how they can communicate effectively with collaborators from other cultures and countries. To bridge this gap, this article proposes incorporating communication into STEM courses for undergraduate students. The course will include learning opportunities about low and high-context cultures and guest speakers. This article aims to provide insights into how communication content can prepare undergraduate students to become culturally competent STEM professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clerical staff are an essential part of the healthcare team, as they provide administrative and organizational support to healthcare institutions. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of a basic one-hour online training course on patient safety for these staff. Method: A quasi-experimental pre/post study carried out in a population of 170 administrative staff working in the centers of an Occupational Mutual Insurance Company (MC Mutual) who completed the patient safety training. A convenience sample of 22 administrative professionals, who agreed to participate, was chosen from this population, which made it possible to test their knowledge before and after the course, by examination (P1, P2) and interview, immediately after the course and at 6 months (E1, E2, E3). Results: Of the 170 professionals participating in the course, 167 (98.2%) completed the initial test and the post-test, with mean scores increasing from 5.7 (P1) to 7.3 (P2) (p<0.05). A total of 22 out of a sample of 42 (52.4%) agreed to participate in the interviews and all three interviews were completed by 21 (E1), 22 (E2) and 19 (E3) professionals, whose mean scores increased from 5.9 (E1) to 7.2 (E2) and 7.5 (E3) (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the training course was effective. The evaluation by interview 6 months after the course indicates a likely medium to long term effect. The involvement of administrative professionals in the company's patient care is key. Evaluating the impact of an intervention is essential to inform its effectiveness and guide its planning.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the challenges and proposals for harmonising the data collection and access for financial services and legal services firms and professionals in the EU single market. It focuses on the problems caused by the lack of uniform standards and formats for registers among national competent authorities and the potential benefits of creating a common registry format and information sharing mechanism. It uses concrete examples from both sectors to illustrate the current divergences and the possible solutions. It argues that the EU co-legislators and relevant authorities should work together to adopt and enforce such proposals, as they would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cross-border supervision, reduce regulatory arbitrage and fragmentation, and promote trust and confidence in the single market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the importance of developing and managing relationships with clients in the professional services industry. It highlights the lack of knowledge about how professionals actually build these relationships and offers a book titled "Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships: Leadership in Professional Services" as a resource for practitioners and academics interested in this topic. The book takes a knowledge-based approach and emphasizes the value of collaboration in creating deeply entrenched relationships with clients. It also explores the role of human resource management in cultivating client-oriented practices within professional service firms. The article concludes by stating that while technology has transformed the technical aspects of client relationships, the fundamentals of nurturing these relationships and prioritizing customer knowledge remain relevant. [Extracted from the article]

There has been recent scrutiny of private equity involvement in the healthcare market by federal and state governmental agencies who are concerned about the corporatization and financialization of healthcare in the United States. Data is emerging that patient costs increase, quality of healthcare decreases, physician autonomy decreases, and physician burnout and moral injury increases when corporate interests like private equity enter the medical market. Like other medical specialties, the field of radiology has been affected by corporatization and radiologists should understand how private equity interests may affect individual radiologists and the radiology workforce on a larger scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the crises that has plagued human society recently is the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease. The spread of this virus first affected China’s economy and then caused major financial crises and uncertainty among shareholders. One of the most important ways to protect the interests of shareholders is corporate governance, which increases the company’s value in the long run. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the impact of the Corona crisis on the relationship between corporate governance and stock performance.Methods: The current study is descriptive research, and the data of 150 companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022 was used as a sample. Regression analysis and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.Results: The findings of the research at a 95% confidence level showed that the coronavirus crisis moderates the relationship between the components of corporate governance, the independence of the board of directors, and institutional investors with stock performance, whereas it does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between some other components of corporate governance, such as the size of the board of directors and dual duties of the CEO with stock performance.Conclusion: By increasing some corporate governance mechanisms, such as the board of directors’ independence and institutional ownership, the negative impact of the Corona epidemic on stock performance may decrease.

In business, shift happens fast. Consequently, the accounting profession, including students, must adapt early and often. Fortunately, students reported improved learning and satisfaction through interactive professional learning experiences (Riley, Eldridge, and Venkatesh 2021). This study introduces a cocreated simulation between our university and Deloitte Canada, a professional services firm. A partnership of academics, auditors, and consultants yielded this information communications technology (ICT) business combination simulation for an advanced financial accounting course. Our simulation aimed to empower learners to focus on communicating technical accounting solutions in a professional environment. We also provided a video simulation, solution, and assessment rubric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SYNOPSIS: While accounting firms are facing recruitment and retention problems, regulatory bodies are calling for efforts to improve diversity to be more effective, especially at senior levels. In this paper, we discuss "merit" and assumptions about "meritocracy" in processes of performance evaluation and career progression. Based on interviews in medium and large professional services firms in the United Kingdom, we explore how the language/practices of merit can inhibit moves to improving diversity. Merit has two aspects: "technical" notions of core competencies associated with merit and cultural notions of social fit, which have the effect of favoring the progression of the elite groups embedded within firms. The latter creates a loop in understanding merit, enacted within firm culture over time, that is difficult to disrupt. As such, efforts to improve diversity are unlikely to bring about change without considering how organizational beliefs about merit have unintended consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Management international / International Management / Gestiòn Internacional is the property of Management International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Following the split in darts during the 1990s and a resulting Tomlin order (where terms were agreed in a court of law without admission of liability from either side) in 1997, two governing bodies were recognised as the leading darts organisations: the British Darts Organisation (BDO), and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC – the new name for the World Darts Council, originally formed in 1992). Though both organisations were initially regarded as equals, the PDC rapidly transformed into the leading version of professional darts in the late 2000s. The multi-million-pound circuit of live PDC darts events held across the globe have been widely celebrated in sports media since the early 2010s. However, what has not been explored in scholarly literature are the key catalysts that led to the rapid changes in the PDC which led to the organisation becoming the preeminent version of professional darts during the 2010s. Using a range of semi-structured interviews and archival information with a variety of professional players, media figures and governance linked to the PDC, this article explicates the key catalysts involved in the development of the PDC as an organisation during the 2000s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines how professional service firms' communication effectiveness (affiliative communications style, social dialogue and information provision), social cognitive capital and rapport established between an auditor and SME client are instrumental in influencing the latter's evaluation of the technical quality of an audit. Design/methodology/approach: The study combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies to create a cross-sectional survey covering four geographic regions in an emerging economy – Thailand. The authors examine the hypotheses by employing social interaction theory. Findings: A study of 744 SME executives plus post-survey interviews with three audit partners revealed that an affiliative communications style and information provision are positively associated with the rapport developed between financial auditor and client, and that rapport, in turn, had a strong association with client perceptions of audit quality. In addition, affiliative communication style, information provision and social cognitive capital had a direct (positive) association with perceptions of audit quality. The effects of communication effectiveness and social cognitive capital varied, depending on whether or not the SME client possessed formal accounting qualifications. Originality/value: The study contributes to the literature on the business-to-business professional services, and accounting in particular, by explicating the important roles of communication effectiveness, rapport, and social cognitive capital in the relationship between an auditor and a client. Moreover, the paper reveals that the differences in educational background of clients result in differential impacts of communication effectiveness and social cognitive capital on rapport and perceptions of audit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a theory in which financial (and other professional services) firms design career structures to "sell" prestigious jobs to qualified candidates. Firms create less prestigious entry‐level jobs, which serve as currency for employees to pay for the right to compete for the more prestigious jobs. In optimal career structures, entry‐level employees ("associates") compete for better‐paid and more prestigious positions ("managing directors" or "partners"). The model provides new implications relating job prestige to compensation, employment, competition, and the size of the financial sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the impact of employees' experience of highperformance work systems (HPWS) on their innovative behavior. The study draws upon social exchange theory to propose that employees' experience of HPWS influences their innovative behavior directly and through sequential mediation of social capital development and knowledge-sharing behavior. Additionally, the study uses the Elaboration Likelihood Model to highlight that individuals' need for cognition strengthens the relationship between employees' knowledge-sharing and innovative behaviors. The study employed a timelagged quantitative research design with survey data from 262 job incumbents in professional service firms. The proposed model was tested using the PLSSEM two-stage approach. The findings of the study confirm the proposed direct and indirect relationships. Moreover, the findings also confirm that the need for cognition strengthens the relationship between knowledge-sharing and individual innovation behaviors. The study posits that employees' experience of HRM systems can influence their innovative behavior as a reciprocal exchange toward the employer. Moreover, this study presents a comprehensive model that highlights the interplay of social and cognitive factors that can influence the relationship between HPWS and employees' innovation behavior. This study also fills a gap in the existing literature by highlighting the antecedents of innovative behavior in professional service firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a need to establish the prevalence of self-reported physical symptoms such as pain in professional gamers (PGs) and to analyse whether there are correlations between lifestyle factors and self-reported physical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to analyse the prevalence of self-reported physical symptoms including eye-related problems in PGs. A further aim was to analyse the association between physical symptoms and lifestyle factors such as sleep time, play time and physical activity. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study with data based on an electronic survey, created specifically for this study, through discussion and screening of established validated questionnaires for physical symptoms in musculoskeletal conditions: the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The survey comprised age and years of experience as a PG as descriptive variables, as well as questions on sleep, play time, physical activity and physical symptoms for the purpose of analysis. The directors of 10 professional gaming corporations were contacted by email with a link to the study-specific survey to distribute to all employees. Results: A total of 40 answers to the electronic survey were retrieved from 40 PGs, of which 62.5% (n = 25) had experienced at least one physical symptom in the three months prior to answering the survey. There was a significant association between playing time and physical symptoms (OR = 8.0; 95% CI 1.4–44.6, p = 0.018), where playing for more than 35 h a week was positively associated with eight times higher odds of experiencing physical symptoms. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of physical symptoms, such as headache and eye symptoms, in professional eSports gamers. There was an association between playing more than 35 h per week with the prevalence of physical symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: One of the crises that has plagued human society recently is the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease. The spread of this virus first affected China’s economy and then caused major financial crises and uncertainty among shareholders. One of the most important ways to protect the interests of shareholders is corporate governance, which increases the company’s value in the long run. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the impact of the Corona crisis on the relationship between corporate governance and stock performance. Methods: The current study is descriptive research, and the data of 150 companies admitted to the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022 was used as a sample. Regression analysis and correlation coefficient were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing. Results: The findings of the research at a 95% confidence level showed that the coronavirus crisis moderates the relationship between the components of corporate governance, the independence of the board of directors, and institutional investors with stock performance, whereas it does not have a moderating effect on the relationship between some other components of corporate governance, such as the size of the board of directors and dual duties of the CEO with stock performance. Conclusion: By increasing some corporate governance mechanisms, such as the board of directors’ independence and institutional ownership, the negative impact of the Corona epidemic on stock performance may decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to find out if organizations are still practicing a hybrid workplace arrangement after COVID-19 ease of restrictions, determine the positive and negative sides of a hybrid workplace, ascertain the challenges organizations are currently facing in implementing a hybrid workplace and examine how successful team learning has been in hybrid workplaces. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a mixed approach. Two sets of data (quantitative and qualitative) were used to answer the research questions. Findings: This study found that most organizations within professional service firms are still implementing hybrid workplaces even though COVID-19 restrictions have been eased. This study also found that one of the advantages of implementing a hybrid work arrangement includes employees' opportunity to spend more time with their families. On the other hand, the disadvantages discovered were gradual loss of corporate identity, a feeling of loneliness and others. One of the challenges organizations are facing in implementing this working system is the lack of an ergonomic workplace and appropriate technology for remote working. With evidence, this study ends with finding out that companies are not successful as expected in terms of team learning in a hybrid workplace. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is among the first to look at hybrid workplace in the African setting where COVID restrictions which highlights the practice has not really been an issue. This study also combines its findings with those done on the subject before to firmly clarify attributes as they exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to analyzing the cultural context typical for food and its associated etiquette and rituals from 2 coursebooks on the Italian Business language, and aims at a) investigating to what extent coursebooks in Business Italian include both theoretical and practical content information on the Italian dining culture; b) reconstructing guidelines on etiquette for dining and socializing in professional settings in companies and with regard to the role of language in culture (Hall, 1976, Bańczerowski, et al., 1982). These objectives were fulfilled by performing a semantic analysis of the lexical content of 2 coursebooks by Giovanna Pelizza and Marco Mezzadri (2002 and 2015). For this purpose, a lexical corpus was formed by extracting culinary-related lexical items from the coursebooks. The remaining sources related to food in business culture (Meyer, 2023) was used as a point of reference for validation of the small corpus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial growth—firm growth via the introduction of new market offerings or expansion into new markets—is an important topic for entrepreneurship scholars and practitioners alike. Any firm that wants to exploit opportunities for entrepreneurial growth needs resources and capabilities that it can use to develop new market offerings or to enter new markets. However, many firms face resource and capability constraints, and research has shown that strategic partnerships can provide external pathways for firms to exploit growth opportunities despite their resource and capability constraints. All the extant external growth pathways have in common that they require firms to have some resources and capabilities, which are valuable for partners and can be jointly appropriated with them. An alternative pathway for firms to leverage external resources and capabilities—especially knowledge-based ones—that has received little attention in the literature on growth is short-term contracting of professional service firms such as accounting firms, marketing agencies, or R&D consultancies. Hence, we investigate the role of service intermediaries—professional service firms that facilitate the exchange of services among other firms—as external managers who support their clients to access and leverage a broad range of required resources and capabilities from third parties. We conducted a nested multi-case study of two service intermediaries that enabled two small, wineries from North Macedonia to successfully seize entrepreneurial growth opportunities in markets abroad despite their resource and capability deficits. We identify seven support mechanisms—need articulating, social embedding, linking, governing, clarifying, renegotiating, and mediating—through which the service intermediaries orchestrated complementary external resources and capabilities on behalf of the wineries, thereby enabling the two firms to successfully develop two new product lines for and enter two new geographic markets each. We also identify process differences depending on the stage of the opportunity evaluation process, target market characteristics, and external stakeholder involvement for which we postulate three propositions about the influence of mechanisms on the growth opportunity development. Our study offers novel insights and makes a contribution to research on entrepreneurial growth and resource orchestration. Plain English Summary: Many firms face resource and capability constraints that inhibit their entrepreneurial growth. One approach that firms can use to overcome these constraints is by leveraging external resources and capabilities. However, constrained firms often are unable to establish relationships with and leverage resources and capabilities from external providers. Our study demonstrates how service intermediaries can orchestrate the complementary external resources and capabilities of constrained firms to enable the exploitation of growth opportunities in new markets. The findings of our study can provide policymakers, especially ones focused on regional competitiveness and economic growth, with a framework to foster the creation of intermediaries, which in turn can enable resource- and capability-constrained firms to exploit growth opportunities. In addition, constrained firms may use our findings of this study as a guiding framework when leveraging complementary external resources—independent of whether they orchestrate these resources themselves or engage external resource orchestration managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Agenda for knowledge creation within inter-project alliances and inter-firm supply chain networks has been extensively debated. However, the existing knowledge networks within consultant-supplier interfaces in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry seem to be vague, loose, incidental and insignificant. This study examines factors affecting knowledge networking intention (KNI) within construction service supply chain (CSSC) networks. Design/methodology/approach: Data analysis was conducted on a quantitative survey of 161 consulting professional service firms in Tanzania, employing stepwise regression modelling as the statistical technique. Findings: The results indicate that three types of knowledge inertia (KI) exert varying effects on KNI. While both procedural (PI) and learning inertia (LI) negatively impact KNI, experience inertia (EI) has no impact on KNI. In addition, knowledge governance (KG) mechanisms are found to strongly strengthen and leverage the negative effects of PI and LI on KNI and the positive link between EI and KNI within outbound and heterogeneous CSSC actors, with formal KG having greater leverage than informal KG. Practical implications: The study offers guidance on how managers of PBOs should strategically orchestrate knowledge governance mechanisms within CSSC networks to leverage KI behaviours. Originality/value: Current literature on KNI, KI and KG within CSSC networks offers a limited understanding of how KI behaviours influence KNI of project-based organizations (PBOs) in tapping vibrant outbound peripheral knowledge. The research presents two major original contributions. First, the empirical evidence contributes to deepening the current understanding of how heterogeneous external knowledge within consultant-supplier interactions is negatively influenced by KI. Lastly, the study suggests formal and informal knowledge governance strategies for managers on how to counteract KI forces, thus extending the theoretical debate on KNI, KI and KG literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of interaction in supporting value co-creation during pre-purchase customer journey stages when selling professional B-to-B services. First, value co-creation in professional service firms (PSFs) is reviewed, and, second, the role of interaction in the different stages of a customer's pre-purchase journey is explored, specifically in the context of B-to-B human resource management services. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative, semi-structured interview data was collected from potential B2B customers of a PSF in question, providing a broad coverage of prospective clients in architecture, engineering and IT sector. Findings: In general, the findings of this study indicate that interaction plays a crucial role in pre-purchasing stages of a customer journey. In particular, these findings form understanding of how various interaction channels and content support PSF's ability to co-create value with its prospects. Originality/value: The existing research tends to concentrate on how value is created for existing customers, and far less attention has been paid to the perspective of prospects. This study contributes theoretically by providing novel insights into the current literature on value co-creation in PSFs by providing an understanding of how interactions in pre-purchase phases affect the co-creation of value from the perspective of prospects, which is a less researched viewpoint. Empirically, this study offers managers much-needed, context-specific knowledge of PSFs by comparing differences and pulling together similarities from each customer journey stage of PSF prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the evolving landscape of English-language professional communication in the context of modern technology. In today's globalized world, effective communication is paramount, with English serving as the lingua franca of international business and professional interactions. The article examines the historical evolution of professional communication, tracing its transition from written correspondence to digital communication tools and virtual interactions. The research methodology for this study employs a qualitative approach, including a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews with professionals, data collection from case studies and surveys, and rigorous data analysis techniques. Ethical considerations are also outlined to ensure responsible research practices. Two real-world examples illustrate these impacts: global collaboration facilitated by virtual communication tools and technology-driven language proficiency assessment. In conclusion, technology continues to reshape English-language professional communication, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Professionals must strike a balance between embracing innovation and upholding the principles of effective communication. As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality loom on the horizon, staying adaptable and attuned to evolving communication dynamics remains crucial for success in the modern professional landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of energy in graphs and matrices is used effectively in all application areas. The energy of the matrix is an extension of graph energy. The usage of the energy idea in neutrosophic matrices makes it more flexible and applicable in multi-criteria decision-making environments. In this paper, we propose the energy approach in neutrosophic matrices with interval values. We determined the given energy's upper and lower bounds. The energy is used of the interval-valued neutrosophic matrix to address the MCDM problem. A new strategy has been introduced called the interval-valued neutrosophic energy method to solve this problem. We look at the problem of choosing a qualified manager for a business project. A team of professionals in the company evaluates the options using neutrosophic numbers with interval values, and the energy method is then used to calculate the result. The result has been compared with the TOPSIS method results to show that the outcomes are similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional service firms (PSFs) are commonly perceived to attain success through the acquisition of new clients. However, these firms are not solely reliant on this strategy as PSFs may also achieve competitive advantage by improving their relationships with existing clients. Despite the significance of these established client relationships, limited information exists regarding how PSFs can effectively enhance and utilize them. This study examines how a PSF's client-related knowledge can be obtained and developed through its hiring practices in order to strengthen relationships with existing clients. Results reveal that when hiring from other PSFs who share similar clients (i.e. client-overlapping PSFs), that this has a positive impact on the firm's overall relationships with its clients, with the effect being impacted by the firm's level of practice overlap with the new hires and the degree of co-mobility of the hires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Producao Online is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Engenharia de Producao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, influencing service industries and Professional Services Firms (PSFs) embracing AI to improve margins. In this paper, we reveal how AI impacts the characteristics and marketing practices of PSFs. AI has the potential to provide considerable efficiency and organizational benefits, yet simultaneously changes service attributes, threatens the competitive advantage of deep client relationships, and directly influences the marketing practices of PSFs, including pricing strategy. Based on an extensive literature review, we present a conceptual model illustrating the changes impacting the business model, marketing practices, and client relationships of PSFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising incidence, variety and severity of extreme events that threaten both business and society has increased interest in promoting resilience to such threats. However, relatively little research has explored the potential contributions of the accounting profession to resilience at multiple scales and levels of analysis. To address the need for additional research, in this study we explore the contributions of the accounting profession to resilience during COVID-19. Drawing on a unique database of over 26,000 social media posts by the two principal professional accounting bodies in the UK context (ICAEW, ACCA) and UK-based accounts of the 'Big 4' professional services firms (PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG), as well as user-engagement with those posts, we highlight processes by which the accounting profession encouraged resilience among individuals, organisations, and wider society. Our findings illuminate how the accounting profession contributed to resilience by supporting more effective crisis responses (by sharing trusted advice and shaping policy responses), better crisis adaptation (by crafting post-crisis futures and empowering the profession), and improved future crisis anticipation (by challenging complacency and being good citizens). We build on our analysis to propose a new framework characterising pathways for professions contributing to resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explores the professional work of managers in professional service firms (PSFs) by focusing on the relational position of managers as they interface between diverse groups of actors and navigate a multiplicity of accountabilities. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on an ethnographic study of managers in a Brazilian PSF, this study demonstrates through observations, interviews and shadowing how PSF managers address multiple accountabilities in the conduct of professional work. Findings: To navigate multiple accountabilities, PSF managers perform several forms of boundary work, which the authors conceptualize as "revamping" and "remolding" operations and "translating" and "transforming" understandings. The form of boundary work performed depends on the configuration of two elements of accountability demands: knowledge orientation and extent of exposure. Although analytically distinct, these elements intertwine, suggesting the need for a dynamic perspective on accountability. The analysis shows that professional work extends beyond fixed or passive views of hierarchical and intrinsic accountability to emphasize that managers exude accountability of an adaptive nature. Research limitations/implications: This study illustrates and theorizes the role of boundary work in PSFs, develops its link to accountability, and identifies its scholarly and practical affordances and limitations for understanding managers' professional work when navigating multiple accountabilities. Originality/value: The findings reveal perspectives and behaviors of managers embedded in PSFs, illustrating their unstructured and agentic experiences of accountability and boundary work in practice. The insights can be extended to other contexts where managers face multiple accountabilities in conducting professional work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify contextual antecedents for team learning in professional service firms. Design/methodology/approach: Structural equation modelling was applied to establish reliability and validity and to measure the size of relationships. Evidence was drawn from an empirical sample of 210 consultants in the Nordic professional service industry. Findings: The findings of this study reveal and strongly support that two important contextual antecedent factors that facilitate for team learning in professional service firms are market orientation and leader support for collaborative learning practices. The effect of leader support on team learning is also mediated by a market orientation. Originality/value: There is a paucity of knowledge on contextual factors that contribute to team learning. This study provides insight of theoretical and practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Entorno Geográfico is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dictamen Libre is the property of Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)