2011
Social Asjustment of Expatriates in Macau: Evidence from the Gamming Industry
Lei Wai I, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
Zenon Arthur Siloran Udani, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
Antonio A. Arches, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 3-23.
The liberalization of Macau’s gaming industry in 2001 has drawn many expatriates to the region, adding value and expertise into the workplace. Expatriate social adjustment in both work and social milieus is an issue to contend with for job fit and cultural adaptation. This study examines the social factors affecting the adjustment of expatriates working in Macau’s gaming industry. The findings indicate that language ability and family adjustment are the most critical factors that influenced the expatriates’ overall adjustment. In addition, co-worker and logistical support facilitated the expatriates’ integration to their host organizations and enhanced their appreciation of the local culture. The study recommends a continuing acculturation program and language training for the expatriates and their family in order to enhance their social adjustment in Macau. Moreover, host nationals who deal directly with expatriates should be trained how to effectively support the latter in their adjustment.
System Enhancement and Work Place Relocation about Intranet Use in Hospital Management Accounting of the Hospital Authority in HONG KONG
Chun Cheong Steve Fong, School of Business, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macau, China
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 25-38.
This paper investigates the roles of system enhancement and work place relocation in the use of intranet and web-enabled applications (IWAs) for supporting hospital management accounting in Hong Kong. A pseudo-longitudinal study in Hong Kong public hospitals has been conducted over a duration of 1.5 years to observe changes that have occured over time. The study is based on 157 hospital executives in the phase I survey and 147 hospital executives in the phase II survey. The phase I survey illustrates different aspects of information quality of Management Accounting Systems (MASIQ) in hospitals. The phase II survey results add further findings. The time for system enhancement illustrates a clearly positive impact on IWAs, while work place relocation has a negative impact on hospital management regarding management accounting functions to a certain extent. Work place relocation is less effective for grouping talents to work in the office at different locations. Face-to-face communication at work place is more efficient than communication through intranet applications. The research results contribute to the knowledge of uses of intranet for management accounting and control in public hospitals.
Managers' Entrenchment, Power and Corporate Governance
Jorge José Martins Rodrigues, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração de Lisboa, Portugal
Nelson Santos António, Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa ( ISCTE), ISCTE Business School, Portugal
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 39-50.
Entrenchment strategies are implemented by top managers in order to make them become indispensable. This concept belongs to the field of corporate governance and little has been studied about it. These strategies appear to be a kind of reaction from the top managers to the different mechanisms of control, either internal or external, and are essential for those who want to enlarge their discretionary space. The entrenchment of top managers is not translated in a formal status and it is not an official recognition. Rather, it is constructed within a network of informal relationships controlled by them. The entrenchment allows them to increase their power toward the stakeholders, and therefore this power is perceived as coming from an illegitimate source. Nevertheless entrenchment of top managers could be beneficial if it contributes to the creation of value and to the development of the enterprise as a whole.
Russian Business Leadership: A Study of Managers Working within MNCs
Eric Van Genderen, Institute of Management Technology, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 51-67.
Along with ‘Globalization’ and global competition, has arisen the need for culturally ‘literate’ managers and business practices for successfully operating with – or within – foreign markets. This research focused on Russian managers working within multinational corporations (MNCs), furthers the limited knowledge and understanding of Russian managers’ leadership styles, competencies, and Emotional Intelligence. Major findings of this investigation include identifying a clear leadership style, and further support of the literature suggesting significant relationships between cognitive, emotional, and managerial competencies.
Identification of Barriers for Development of the Sri Lankan Small and Medium Scale Furniture and Wooden Products Manufacturing Enterprises, a Case Study Based on the Moratuwa Area
S.W.S.B. Dasanayaka, Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School, Business University of Utara, Malaysia
R. Kankanamge, Department of Management of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
G.D. Sardana, Birla Institute, Management Technology Greater Noida, India
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 69-101.
Irrespective of the stage of economic development, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constitute and continue to be a main source of growth of a nation. Sri Lanka is no exception to this phenomenon. However, it is a paradox that a large number of SMEs in Sri Lanka are struggling to survive in today’s competitive environment. Absence of any networking and cooperation among the SMEs and lack of linkages with large scale industries have aggravated these problems. This study endeavors to ascertain the main issues faced by the Sri Lankan SMEs with special emphasis on the furniture and wooden sector. The study was conducted in the Moratuwa area which is a main hub of the furniture and wooden products manufacturing sector in the country. The study reveals that the SMEs are facing various obstacles in developing their business. These issues fall in the domains of financial management, human resources, product and process technology management, business regulations, intense competition from cheap imports, lack of infrastructure and so on. In spite of various policy initiatives, concessions and incentives offered by successive Sri Lankan governments and the assistance from various donor agencies, SMEs need further assistance to grow. The study concludes with recommendations to overcome these obstacles to enable the SMEs to develop their full potentials.
Group Management and Crotrol and Its Effect on Chinese SOEs’ Competitivenes
Jing Long, School of Management & Economics, Dalian University of Technology, China
Yanxi Li, School of Management & Economics, Dalian University of Technology, China
Xiuwen Xu, School of Management & Economics, Dalian University of Technology, China
Marco Kung`unde, School of Management & Economics, Dalian University of Technology, China
Issue 40 (Vol. 21, No. 1/2), December 2011, pp. 103-110.
Adopting triangulation method and qualitative research, this paper aims at seeking for key constructs that influence group management and control, as well as establishing a relevant multidimensional group management and control theory. The research reveals that the group should consider a comprehensive diversification of its management from operations and control’s modules perspectives. Through coding analysis, the research proposes a Multidimensional Group Control Operating System Structure (MGCOSS), as well as designing a group administration and control system for improving the competitiveness of Chinese state-owned enterprises.