EDITORIAL

Volume 15, Issue 2, 2020

1.Investigating Factors Impeding Online Grocery Shopping (OGS) Intention Among Urban Gen-Y Females In Malaysia

- Sivagami Balasundram & William Chua

This paper was written before the coronavirus outbreak, and would be a very different paper now. Worldwide fear of infection has escalated demand for online groceries to panic levels, and may have changed that market permanently. This paper looks at the apparent reluctance, at that time, to buy groceries online, even amongst those who are well acquainted with online shopping, probably because viewing before buying is highly important for fresh produce, particularly food. The sample population was gen-Y women in urban Malaysia. The paper looks at perceived risks and benefits, online complexity, in-store shopping enjoyment, the sensory element, and social influence. Perceived risk refers to possibly losing money or food not being up to standard, not to infection, and risk now applies also to in-store shopping too. Nevertheless, the variables remain relevant in the long-term. Online grocers need to take these into account when planning their future strategies.

 

2. A Study on Consumer Attitude towards Social Media Marketing in High-involvement Purchases in Malaysia

- Celeste Sin Wei Ler & William Chua

Social media marketing is a powerful use, and sellers of small items such as books and gadgets have reaped the benefit. It is slower for perishables (see Balasundram’s paper in this issue), and for very expensive products with high-involvement, and the highest involvement purchase has to be the home. Although an agent is likely to be involved as the purchase progresses, it is now usual for home searches to begin online. Estate agents have a strong presence online and it is easy to find information about houses for sale, but there seems to be less attention to marketing techniques than in other businesses. This paper looks at six aspects of consumer attitude to social media marketing: informativeness, entertainment, irritation, source credibility, and incentive. These factors are relevant for any business and lessons have been learned. Estate agents might attract more viewers to their sites, with the potential of becoming the chosen agent, by using the information in this paper.

 

3.A Cross-Sectional Study on Job Satisfaction Mediated Factors and Employee Performance in Palm Oil Industry in Malaysia

- Ir. Gideon Tan Xiang Yee & William Chua

This paper goes beyond its title, looking at different industries and nations, and provides an extensive literature list. A questionnaire was used to find the relationship between job satisfaction, performance, and five variables – salary, work environment, work-life balance, training, and support from supervisors and co-workers. Salary matters, partly as a form of recognition. Work-life balance gives general satisfaction, but how far this translates into high performance depends partly on culture. The work environment affects performance, e.g. a manageable workload and feelings of safety help. Training helps if measures are in place to apply learning in the job itself. Support from others is helpful unless it has seen as a sign that the person offering support does not trust the worker. So, although overall job satisfaction is one of the vital factors for high performance, the factors that seem to help are subject to the influence of culture. .

 

4. A Perspective on the Future of UK Foodservice Business.

- Vessela Warren

Food is an essential for life, and as such is at the bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The starving will eat what they can find, regardless of quality or risk. The next level of need is safety, both the safety of the food itself – hygiene – and the safety of the environment. There may be no serious threat, but feeling unwelcome brings discomfort and stress symptoms. This leads on to the next level – a need to belong and feel accepted. There is a higher level of a need to go beyond just acceptance, and have some esteem in the group. The top level is self-actualisation, where the person feels fulfilled. This paper applies Maslow’s principles to the food service industry. Any edible food reaches the lowest level, but good hygiene is essential to rise to the level of safety needs. Brusque staff will block a feeling of being welcome, and prevents rising to the level of belongingness and a sense of connection. Friendly staff foster feelings of esteem, which is next to the top level. Above that is self-actualisation, which can come from purposeful and convivial meetings in welcoming surroundings with good food.

 

5.Managing Cross- Cultural Joint Ventures: A Case Study of the Joint Venture between Oman Gas Company and Royal Shell

- Mohammed Issa Ala eddin

Cross-cultural joint ventures, by the fact of joining different cultures in one venture, invites diversity of views. This can be excellent, if there is open discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect and interest in the ideas of the other side, even when, or especially when, those ideas are new, and may seem strange. Hofstede’s work on cultural dimensions, looking at certain categories where cultures differ, provides a useful framework for understanding types of difference. This paper looks at Hofstede’s original four dimensions, in relation to a joint venture between Oman Gas Company and Royal Shell in the Netherlands. Oman is higher on power-distance and uncertainty avoidance. The Netherlands is higher on individualism. Both are similar for femininity, meaning valuing caring for others and quality of life. In Oman, this could be due to more women in the workplace. Also, religion encourages mutual support and care in society.

 

6.Using Sustainability Audits to Enhance Responsible Management Education and Develop Personally and Professionally Responsible Work-Ready Graduates

- Kay Emblem-Perry

Professional responsibility is an asset that needs to be applied continuously throughout careers. Learning sets of rules early on will not be adequate for long. Worcester (UK) Business School has developed sustainability audits that assess the impact of processes and procedures on the complex issues involved in many decisions. Second-year students evaluate Worcester University, using real data. Third-years audit a fictional company, using emails, photographs and company reports designed to mirror real business as closely as possible. Both sets of students are given and audit template to use to collect evidence and then select relevant information. This approach requires long-term thinking, and gives students the basis for critical analysis of whole situations. It will help towards making decisions that show responsibility to the environment, society, and business.