South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

Shaista E. Khilji

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-12-2013-0090

Purpose – Based upon the argument that the primary characteristic of successful interdisciplinary research lies in human behavior and action (Brun et al. , 2007 as cited in Buller, 2008), the purpose of this paper is to offer a view on human aspects of interdisciplinary research. Findings – The paper presents interdisciplinary research as an overlapping process of collective human interactions, consisting of group composition, conceptualization, integration and contribution. Conceptualization and integration processes are particularly important for knowledge exchange and creation as individuals learn to translate, articulate, relate and relocate their original disciplinary positions (Buller, 2008). Further, the paper argues that interdisciplinarity can be enhanced through appropriate group mechanisms and practices; and successful interdisciplinary research also translates into individual (and group) learning and capability development, in addition to knowledge creation. Research limitations/implications – Interdisciplinary research is important for IB scholars to stay relevant in today's complex environment (Cheng et al. , 2009). Since the South Asian region represents extreme contrast and paradoxes, interdisciplinary research could prove particularly valuable in exploring contradictions there (Khilji, 2012). Originality/value – The value of this perspective is in describing interdisciplinary research as a boundary‐spanning experience for researchers in that it facilitates creation of new insights and allows them to transcend their original discipline. However, interdisciplinarity itself is not automatic, but must be collectively managed through appropriate group mechanisms and practices (Buller, 2008; Haythornthwaite, 2006).

Candice Matthews; Shaista E. Khilji

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-12-2013-0089

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the perspective of Navin Kumar, founder and CEO of iPRIMED, a workforce development company in India. The paper explores core adult learning concepts to focus upon iPRIMED's approach to training the next generation of learners and leaders. This is an important topic because India is faced with talent shortages and organizations there have been experiencing difficulties in recruiting employees who have been adequately trained to lead complex projects ( The Economist , 2007; Khilji, 2012). Design/methodology/approach – This paper was based on a structured interview with Navin Kumar and informed by adult learning literature. Findings – The perspective of a South Asian leader in today's globalized environment indicates that experiential and transformational learning is important in educating the next generation of learners and leaders. If successful and sustained, it can have a huge impact on India, South Asia and the global community. By incorporating adult learning concepts, iPRIMED is considering the whole learner with the hopes of developing skilled people for the world's employers. Originality/value – Khilji (2012) has argued that economic development of South Asia is truly dependent upon its ability to engage in human development priorities and ensure its younger generation is educated and capable enough for meeting needs of the global economy. This paper provides example of one skill‐strengthening organization in India that has taken on the challenge of adequately preparing next generation of leaders for the global environment. The paper describes iPRIMED's learning‐based approach that may be very unique in the Indian context.

Sumi Jha

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-04-2012-0036

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand various antecedents of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Transformational leadership and psychological empowerment were two independent variables chosen for the study. Design/methodology/approach – Standard questionnaires were used to collect data. The sample of 319 employees of different five‐star hotels formed the source of data. Frontline employees having two to three subordinates and were from hotels which were in operation at least since last two years, took part in the study. Findings – The effect of transformational leadership on OCB has been found to be significant and positive. The moderating effect of psychological empowerment on OCB was also found significant. Research limitations/implications – The theoretical development from this paper will contribute toward understanding the antecedents of OCB. The moderating effect of psychological empowerment will reinforce the importance of psychological empowerment. Practical implications – It can develop practices to enhance the feeling of psychological empowerment through several training program. Leaders at the top positions shall emphasize on OCB by bringing cultural change. Originality/value – This paper probes the OCB's antecedents. It also studied the moderating effect of psychological empowerment on the relationship of transformational leadership and OCB.

Tuheena Mukherjee; Saurabh Maheshwari

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-03-2012-0030

Purpose – Jobs at call centers have received numerous negative undertones. Research has only highlighted the negative impact and dismal psychological consequences of call center jobs on their employees. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibilities of positive impact of call center jobs on their employees. The study hypothesizes that the employees working at the call centers with high self‐worth (i.e. self‐esteem) and high job worth (perceived worth of job (PWJ)) would perceive lesser work stress and have greater job satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on data collected from 152 call‐center employees through self‐reporting questionnaire. Regression and mediation analysis was done to analyze the results. Findings – Analysis revealed that those with high self‐esteem and high PWJ experience less stress and higher job satisfaction. Stress partially mediates between PWJ and job satisfaction and between self‐esteem and job satisfaction. Results confirm that call center jobs do not always create negative impact on the employees and have a positive side too. It is a significant finding for the call center industry which is presently facing high attrition. Originality/value – The value of the present study lies in analyzing the importance of PWJ, which is a subjective perception. It is an imperative factor in generating positive or negative effect on the psychological well‐being of the employee.

Sulaman Hafeez Siddiqui; Muhammad Zafarullah; Muhammad Ijaz Latif; Ghulam Shabir

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-03-2013-0015

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to postulate the impact of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on internationalization strategies of member countries’ firms. The study also aims to triangulate the proposed model using empirical data from PTA partner economies. Design/methodology/approach – The mixed methods research design is used for the purpose of inquiry as suggested by Creswell. The inductive reasoning based on critical literature review and grounded theory methodology is used to postulate the model. Explanatory strength of the model is triangulated using empirical longitudinal trade data of Pakistan with her bilateral PTA partners, i.e. Malaysia, Mauritius, Iran, Sri Lanka and China. Internationalization indices are adapted following the Ietto‐Gillies and London (2009) and Petri (1994) to measure the intensity and geographical diversification dimensions of internationalization. Country‐level trade statistics are used as a proxy of firm‐level data to explain the international expansion of home firms resulting from PTAs. Findings – Empirical results confirm a strong and long‐term impact of PTAs on the intensity and extensity dimensions of internationalization over post‐agreement period in Pakistan and member economies. Gravity index depicts greater concentration of Pakistan's trade in FTA markets and thereby confirms the influence of PTAs on international market selection. Analysis at sectoral level depicts a contraction in services trade whereas expansion in the manufacturing firms’ export growth to member economies. Originality/value – The paper extends the theory of internationalization by identifying PTAs as exogenous variable influencing internationalization strategies of member countries’ firms in a developing South Asian context. Coupled with findings from empirical data, the study identifies PTAs as a new strategic trade policy tool available to policy makers for promoting and influencing the home firms’ internationalization strategies.

Diana J. Wong‐MingJi; Eric H. Kessler; Shaista E. Khilji; Shanthi Gopalakrishnan

2014 South Asian Journal of Global Business Research

doi: 10.1108/SAJGBR-09-2012-0110

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore leadership styles and patterns in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the USA in order to contribute to a greater understanding of global leadership. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses cultural mythologies as a lens (Kessler and Wong‐MingJi, 2009a) to extract the most favored leadership traits within selected countries. In doing so, the paper explores historical trajectories and core values of each country to identify their distinctive characteristics. Additionally, leadership styles of well‐known business leaders in each culture are examined to develop a comparative discussion of global leadership patterns and styles. Findings – The paper finds that leaders may share same characteristics across countries, however, their behavioral expressions tend to unfold differently within each context. The paper argues that without context, meanings embedded in cultural mythologies and behaviors often become lost. The paper concludes that a comparative analysis of selected countries reveals a more complex and rich array of cultural meanings, thus offering support to a contextual view of leadership. Research limitations/implications – Examination of cultural mythologies on leadership makes important theoretical contributions by illustrating that cultural mythologies indeed shape the values, behaviors, and attitudes of global leaders, and provide three important functions that are identified as: cultural bridging, meaning making, and contextual nuancing. Practical implications – Understanding comparative leadership patterns is critical in international business. The paper offers cultural mythologies as a tool for leaders who seek to cross‐cultural boundaries in developing long term and high‐quality productive international business relationships. Originality/value – The value of the study lies in developing a comparative analysis of leadership patterns in three Southeast Asian countries and the USA with the help of cultural mythologies. The paper urges that scholars to move beyond quantification of cultural dimensions to a more contextualized understanding of leadership.