Tayyaba Rafique Makhdoom, Tahal Kumar Luhana, Abdul Qadir Patoli
Purpose: Conflict is inevitable and tends to occur, though it can be constructive if tackled and resolved tactically, however, it can be very destructive if prolonged and exacerbated. This study delves into reasons for conflicts in organizations and the conflict management style adopted by employees.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Literature about the reasons for conflict and conflict management styles was reviewed, 16 reasons were determined as causes of conflict in organizations, whereas five conflict management styles were investigated about their correspondence to different causes of conflict. The sample of the study was composed of 107 teachers of private schools functioning in Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Findings: Findings revealed that unjustified treatment and lack of resources are the frequent causes of conflict while competing style is commonly used to manage conflict. Employees accommodate or avoid conflict when conflict is caused by personal factors. Whereas, when structural factors cause conflict, the conflict is managed by competing, compromising, and collaborating styles.
Implications/Originality/Value: Organizations should educate employees on conflict management along with evaluation and improvement in the structural factors that lead to conflicts. This is a novel study as it analyzed the nexus between the causes of conflicts and conflict management styles.
本研究以體驗教育為本，將體驗教育活動融入「團隊建立與管理」課程中，以瞭解體驗教育對於建構大學生心理資本的關鍵要素。本研究結合敘事個案研究與量化資料蒐集，針對修習課程的大三及大四學生，共計35位，進行研究。透過一整個學期真實團隊建立發展的歷程，其中包含9次的體驗活動，結合體驗活動後與課程結束後的反思歷程，進行敘事研究資料和問卷資料的蒐集，以瞭解大學生參與體驗教育活動對心理資本建構的影響。研究結果發現，參與者在課程結束之後，對於團隊建立歷程中之自我學習成效、學習滿意度和學習氛圍均有高度的正面評價。透過每個團隊的反思歷程發現，參與者透過體驗活動的參與，協助他們建構心理資本，包括面對挑戰時的希望與樂觀心態、相信自己可以達成目的之自我效能與面對挑戰失敗挫折時的復原力。本研究進一步發現，在體驗教育為本的課程設計中，透過包含明確的團隊目標與獎勵措施、團隊關係的建立、團隊建立與發展體驗歷程與反思討論，以及成功經驗等關鍵要素，可以提升參與者的心理資本。最後，根據本研究結果提供後續相關研究
與教學實務上之建議。
Research Motivation and Objectives
Most college students have to address self-identity challenges while adapting to changes in their external environment. In particular, freshmen struggle with adjustment, which can reduce their future employability. Studies have suggested that positive psychological resources contribute to improved
wellbeing and adaptability in college students, providing them with competitive advantages. Positive psychological resources, such as optimism and resilience, help individuals manage life and work stress, regulate their mental health, engage in effective problem-solving, and increase their adaptability.
Individuals with positive psychological capital (PsyCap) possess positive psychological resources that assist them in navigating life’s challenges. PsyCap is a measurable and cultivatable psychological state that positively influences social performance and satisfaction. Those with high PsyCap are typically confident, curious, challenge-seeking, and quick to recover from setbacks.
Although studies have explored PsyCap in the workplace, few have focused on PsyCap development in college students, particularly those exposed to experiential education. Additionally, most existing PsyCap research is based on quantitative surveys, lacking context on how individuals build PsyCap
through their interactions with the environment. The present study proposes an experiential education model that stresses the role of team-building experiences in shaping behavior through contextual development within teams. In response to the increasing importance of team-based tasks in the workplace, the present study examines whether experiential education fosters PsyCap in
college students engaging in team tasks. Furthermore, it seeks to identify key elements in experiential education programs that effectively promote the building of PsyCap in college students.
Literature Review
1. Psychological Capital
PsyCap emphasizes positive resources and behaviors. Researchers have identified four core PsyCap constructs: self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience. Luthans et al. (2007) defined PsyCap as a state that promotes optimistic and hopeful outlooks, enabling individuals to set and
achieve goals confidently and recover from setbacks. Most studies have focused on employees in corporate settings, where the benefits of PsyCap are well-supported. Because PsyCap is regarded as a key attribute for talent development in business, educational strategies for fostering PsyCap in
students are gaining interest. Recent studies have suggested that students with higher PsyCap adopt more positive attitudes toward various events and exhibit higher levels of adaptability, wellbeing, and competitiveness. Thus, PsyCap serves as a resource that builds positive psychological capabilities, aiding individuals in overcoming challenges and fostering positive growth. Accordingly,
the present study explores methods for enhancing the PsyCap of college students while they navigate crucial social and career transitions.
2. Effect of Experiential Education on Psychological Capital
Experiential education emphasizes real-world experiences that promote knowledge and skill development through activities (Morris, 2020). This learning model integrates experience, education, and learning, guiding participants to engage in self-reflection and to gain awareness and emotional
insights (Beard & Wilson, 2018). Team-based experiential education is beneficial for team building and development, which are crucial for high-performance work structures (Macelaru, 2024). Various experiential activities can strengthen essential skills such as leadership, problem-solving, trust, and communication, enhancing peer interaction and responsibility. Studies have indicated that experiential education can improve students’ team cohesion and learning behaviors. Experiential education provides practical learning opportunities that help young adults develop confidence, problem-solving abilities, and optimism, thereby fostering self-efficacy. By transferring successful experiences to future tasks, students gain resilience and develop a positive outlook on challenges.
Methods
1. Participants and Procedures
The present study recruited 35 junior and senior students from a Team Building and Management course. The students were randomly divided into five groups with both familiar and unfamiliar members to build foundational team dynamics. Informed consent was obtained before data collection. After each activity, groups reflected on their progress and assessed their status.
Quantitative and qualitative data were used to assess team development effectiveness and individual experiences. Quantitative data were collected from 31 valid responses submitted by 18 female and 13 male participants.
2. Course Design
The course was based on Tuckman’s (1965) team development stages and emphasized the first four stages of team development, namely forming, storming, norming, and performing, with groups dissolving in the final stage. Reflective activities were conducted after each session to promote team
development and optimize performance. Nine experiential activities were scheduled over 18 weeks.
Qualitative feedback was collected to obtain the participants’ assessments of team performance, peer respect, and overall learning effectiveness, thereby capturing their reflections on team tasks and experiences.
Results
1. Student Perceptions and Feedback
The results revealed highly positive participant feedback on learning outcomes (Mean = 4.20, standard deviation [SD] = 0.45), satisfaction (Mean = 4.28, SD = 0.33), and learning atmosphere (Mean = 4.65, SD = 0.35). Additionally, the participants perceived strong team performance (Mean = 4.49, SD = 0.45) and peer respect development (Mean = 4.69, SD = 0.52) during team-building
activities.
2. Effect of Team Experiences on PsyCap Development
Most groups reported attempting new communication strategies and solutions during team tasks, viewing challenges optimistically and constructively. This finding aligns with prior studies, which have suggested that experiential education fosters positive emotions and memory retention, potentially enhancing future experiences.
3. Effects of Experiential Education on Self-Efficacy and Resilience
The groups described their efforts and motivation to reach goals, supported by encouragement and cooperation. Notably, the fifth group, which initially lacked confidence, gained confidence through mutual support. These results indicate that experiential education promotes responsibility and fosters optimism and self-efficacy.
4. Effect on Resilience
The groups viewed setbacks as motivational learning experiences. Their engagement in reflection helped them to internalize resilience, enabling them to adapt more effectively to future challenges.
Discussion and Recommendations
This semester-long team-based course integrated experiential education, allowing students to experience all stages of team development. The findings indicate that experiential team-building activities contribute to PsyCap by fostering positive perspectives, resilience, confidence, and adaptability.
1. Academic Implications
The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of experiential education in developing key elements of PsyCap among college students. The integration of real team tasks and qualitative narratives highlighted essential factors for enhancing PsyCap.
2. Practical Applications
The present study performed quantitative and qualitative analyses and identified four practical components that should serve as the focus for future experiential education course design:
• Clear Goals and Rewards. Clear team goals and incentives help sustain positive attitudes and self-efficacy. Clear goal setting and the rewarding of progress can enhance student engagement and PsyCap.
• Positive Team Relationship Development. Supportive team dynamics encourage positivity toward tasks and challenges. Strengthening peer relationships can foster positive PsyCap development through social learning.
• Reflection and Discussion. Reflective discussions help learners integrate experiences and increase resilience. Incorporating personal or group reflections aids in enhancing experiential learning.
• Gaining Successful Experiences. Successful experiences can serve as anchors for developing confidence and positivity. Designing tasks to build initial success before introducing complex challenges may help boost PsyCap.
Burkaltseva Diana, Bondar Aleksandr, Blazhevich Oleg
et al.
It is important to use the resources and potential of the territory of the Far East to form a new management system. Participation of the region in solving complex socio-economic problems of the subject, based on a strategic vision of the future of the organizational system. The implementation of the mission and the achievement of the strategic goal of the development of the Far East is carried out by solving the following tasks of long-term socio-economic development of the territory of the Far East: the development of public function (active citizenship and active participation of residents, business representatives and the government); the development of human potential and social responsibility; the development of infrastructure, finance, land resources; spatial development; development of agriculture and recreation; development of tourist attractiveness; improving the well-being and quality of life of residents; development of digitalization; development of “environmental friendliness#x0022; in all areas of regional development; improving the efficiency of the region and the management system. A system of indicators determining financial security in the management of the organizational structure of the Far East is proposed.
Abstract The study investigates how board cultural diversity (BCD) affects bank stakeholder engagement through improved corporate social performance (CSP) and whether banks' corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy mediates the relationship between BCD and banks' social performance. Adopting an international sample of 379 banks from 2010 to 2019, we found that BCD improves engagement in socially responsible issues in the banking sector. Moreover, we show a mediating role of strategic CSR on the relationship between BCD and banks' social performance. Hence, we contribute to the research on the role of corporate governance mechanisms as drivers of CSR engagement. Furthermore, based on the mediation effect of strategic CSR, we advance the discussion on the link between BCD and banks' social performance. Our findings provide implications for banks and policy‐makers, indicating the opportunity to promote cultural diversity, which supports socially responsible banking, while a CSR strategy positively impacts the stakeholder approach in the banking industry.
Helza Nova Lita, Siti Mashitoh Binti Mahamood, Aam Suryamah
et al.
The waqf institution is one of the economic potentials in Islam which in its history has made a major contribution to the progress of human civilization, including improving economic welfare in society. Managing waqf in a trustworthy and professional manner is important to increase waqf assets and benefits. In this case, the nazhir plays an important role in managing waqf both independently and in collaboration with business entities. Partnerships can be entered into by nazhir with various parties including the Company. In Islamic Law, we recognize the concept of Syirkah (partnership) for business collaboration, including in the formation of companies. This research examines how syirkah as a concept of economic cooperation originates from Islamic law in nazhir partnerships managing waqf assets including the potential for forming waqf-based companies. The analysis method is a normative juridical, namely through a legal approach, both national law and Islamic law, which is supported by empirical data in the field related to companies that manage waqf. Through this article, it is hoped that we can provide an appropriate model for implementing the syirkah/partnership concept in waqf management, including the concept of forming a waqf-based company that can be offered to increase the professionalism of waqf management. Syirkah as the basic concept of company formation in Islam, can be integrated into the formation of a company to manage waqf assets. syirkah amlaak which comes from joint ownership assets that are donated and managed productively, then the results are distributed according to the purpose of the waqf pledge. Besides that, the principles of syirkah inan and syirkah mudharabah can also be applied, which are components of cash waqf that are used as business capital and the profits for the purpose of waqf. An interesting new paradigm for collaboration between waqf and companies includes the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program. Through the CSR Program, Waqf Management will synergize with company activities in a professional and sustainable manner.
Carola Salazar-Rebaza, Monica Zegarra-Alva, Franklin Cordova-Buiza
Currently, many universities are developing virtual education as an option for the training of future professionals. The objective of this study is to analyze aspects of the academic management of university virtual education from the perspective of students, teachers, and administrators. A mixed approach and non-experimental design were applied. Semi-structured interviews and surveys were used. The participants were 8 managers, 340 students, and 75 teachers from Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Spain, from universities where virtual education is offered. The results show that 51% of teachers agree with the management, 50% accept the adequate use of technological tools, and only 20% say that virtual classes are effective. Concerning students, 45% agree with the management, but only 15% feel that they are attended to when problems arise in the virtual modality. The managers determine relevant aspects such as the importance of teacher training, having technological tools to ensure learning, and providing a comprehensive academic service, as is provided in the in-person modality. It is concluded that academic management in the virtual modality should prioritize the improvement of satisfaction levels of both students and teachers through adaptation processes, training, performance evaluation, attention, and problem-solving, as well as the use of virtual platforms that allow the development of competencies of the graduate profile and contribute to the comprehensive training of future professionals.
The way in which both renewable and non-renewable resources are used, and the speed at which these are being exploited, are rapidly eroding the planet’s capacity to regenerate the resources and environmental services on which our prosperity and growth are based. The clothing and textile industry is characterized by a linear (take-make-waste) economic model and huge use of non-renewable resources. In order to integrate circular economy as one of the challenges in the clothing and textile industry, we must boost past research directly to innovation to bring about a higher quality of life for all. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained special importance among researchers, the business community, and customers in recent years. Today, manufacturers have to take another step forward to promote their positive social attitude and take care of their responsibility towards society. In the framework of sustainable development, CSR is carried out by achieving economic, social, or environmental goals. Consumers and shareholders currently expect a responsible approach from clothing and textile companies in the production of sustainable clothing, recycling, or ensuring suitable working conditions for employees. It is important not only to support socially responsible businesses but also to raise awareness of the negative environmental impact of the clothing and textile industry. Based on the recognition of the importance of shifting from a linear to a circular approach in the clothing and textile industry, we see potential in recycling the textile fiber in order to close the loop and use innovative technology to transform the textile waste into recycled material by keeping in mind barriers in technology. This article evaluates the social responsibility of a selected company in the field of sustainable development by setting a good example in the Slovak market through the results of a questionnaire survey.
With the acceleration of the digital technology construction process, digitalization has given impetus to the transformation and upgrading of China’s economy and micro businesses. China’s social and economic sectors have begun to integrate and develop in-depth with digital technology. Whether the digitalization of enterprises can drive their green innovation is an urgent question to be explored. The aim of our study is to answer this question and investigate whether digitalization has finally affected corporate green innovation. On the basis of theoretical discussion, the data of 3,547 Chinese listed companies from 2014 to 2019 were selected as samples. The fixed effect model was used to empirically test the relationship between digitization and green innovation, and then the intermediary effect model was used to analyze the influence mechanism. Research has found that digitalization is genuinely driving green innovation in business. After the robustness test, the conclusion remains the same. In order to deepen the understanding of the impact of digitalization on the green innovation of enterprises, this study additionally analyzed the impact mechanism. We find that digitization can promote corporate green innovation by easing corporate financing constraints and enhancing corporate awareness of fulfilling social responsibility. Moreover, we also find that the impact of digitalization on firm performance is more obvious in the samples with high level of internal control, state-owned enterprises and senior executives with IT background. The findings of this study enrich the related theories of digitalization and sustainability and provide empirical evidence for the positive externalities of digitalization.
Why are contractors keen to develop, implement, and analyse International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs) when they appear to make no financial gains? What makes ILSA contracts so attractive? This paper takes as its starting point the fact that almost all ILSA contractors interviewed stated their ILSA work is an investment, either in the form of a break-even or a loss contract. Applying policy borrowing and lending theory to non-state actors, and analysing 35 interviews with OECD and IEA staff and ILSA contractors, the paper discusses why contractors carry out ILSA contracts or donate to ILSAs. Rationales relate to interests in methodological developments and innovation; research; social responsibility; learning; exposure; prestige; credibility; networks; business opportunities; and individual rationales. The paper identifies parallels with the motives of corporate philanthropy in education. The paper concludes that ILSA contractors are using ILSAs to forward their political agendas, which include growing the learning assessment market.
Purpose: Integrity is pre-requisite for the prosperity and development of the society. Stable integration is the sign of justice, equality, rights and duties which provides tolerated society and religious inclusion. But, developing countries still have many challenges to stabilize their socio-religious integration due to non-cooperative behavior among different segments of the society, lack of politico-religious tolerance and less socio-economic development. The other factors responsible are poor educational and health system, weak social institution, marginalized segments of society, absences of culture of welfare state. Likewise, in India, communal conflicts remain present in every time as well as Pakistan faces sectarian tension and in both countries, religious norms and attitudes are used for political purposes. Similarly, both countries have the challenges of inequality and injustices within their communities.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The qualitative techniques have been applied in this research. Date has been collected from Secondary and Primary Sources.
Findings: Economic development is necessary for the development of the social prosperity without it socio-religious integration is a dream.
Implications/Originality/Value: The epidemic COVID-19 has challenged the socio-religiosity of the developing countries which affected the socio-economic and religious set up of these countries ruthlessly.
The article discusses corporate social policy as an important area of social responsibility on the example of the giant domestic steel industry - the company «Russian Aluminium». Considered a corporate «Policy», which defines the basic principles and main directions of development of the quality management system. Described aspects of corporate social policy and forms of socio-economic effect.
Giovanny Miguel Yauri-Santos, Juan Carlos Erazo-Álvarez, Cecilia Ivonne Narváez-Zurita
et al.
Corporate social responsibility as a voluntary agreement between companies and society to help achieve sustainability objectives, including environmental ones, is an argument for achieving business advantages in the market. So the objective of the research is to design a corporate social responsibility plan for real estate companies in the city of Cuenca. The type of research was non-experimental, had a qualitative and quantitative orientation and the scope of the study was descriptive-explanatory. The methods used were the historical-logical, analytical-synthetic, deductive-inductive and the systemic method. The results demonstrated how basic it is to have social responsibility in companies and not only that, also to design a plan and socialize people, the same ones who widely understand the concept of sustainability and support and idealize this in large companies, especially in real estate agents as intermediaries to satisfy a primary need.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for businesses has been mainly associated with large corporations, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were insignificant as they regarded CSR a costly unsustainable business initiative. This scenario undermines the importance and critical role that SMEs play in the economy. Therefore, the study aimed at exploring the impact of CSR on the sustainable growth of Wholesale and Retail SMEs in the eThekwini Municipal region. Results were attained through assessing attitude levels of SMEs towards CSR; investigating the practice of CSR by SMEs; exploring barriers undermining the practice of CSR and exploring SME owners’ values key to the sustainable growth of their businesses. Stakeholder Theoretical framework guided the study; the philosophical paradigm that guided the research was post-positivist, which subsequently recommends a mixed-method approach, i.e. qualitative and quantitative. Data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. It emerged that majority of the respondents had a negative attitude towards CSR. CSR stakeholders were not valued the same as required by Stakeholder Theory. SMEs believe CSR is meant for large corporations regarding it as a costly extra-curricular from their core business. As new knowledge, a model based on the Stakeholder Theory titled, “Corporate Social Responsibility: A simplified practical approach” was proposed meant to assist wholesale and retail SMEs to positively embrace CSR in their businesses. The study recommended that local authorities must be proactive in supporting SMEs to practise CSR through revisiting the phrase Corporate Social Responsibility as it is psychologically intimidating to SMEs, hence resistance to the practice of CSR.
Examples of scandals related to exposing the unethical practices of companies which are classified as CSR leaders include cases where their declarations on undertaking social responsibility, as well as spending a lot of money on spectacular social campaigns and then rigorously reporting it in the appropriate documents, are accompanied by acts of abusing workers’ and environmental rights, misleading customers, i.e., abusing consumer rights, and finally “tax optimisation”, which generates measurable losses to the local communities. These cases raise the question about the reason for corporate social responsibility not being immune to abuse or opportunities to treat it as merely an image-related issue. The problem is presented using Max Weber’s widely known typology. It contrasts the ethics of conviction (ruled by the principle of intentionally keeping to the rules which have been adopted as being right) with the ethics of responsibility for the consequences of actions, including those that were undertaken in good faith but which have unintentional consequences. The usefulness of Weber’s typology when considering CSR problems becomes evident when we notice that the dominant interpretation of the corporate social responsibility concept, with its characteristic emphasis on voluntariness and positivity of actions within CSR, brings this concept closer to the ethics of conviction model. Voluntary actions in the field of CSR should go beyond carrying out regular goals of economic activities, i.e., the maximisation of profits, by providing good quality, desirable goods and services. However, what should be considered a prosocial activity –and thus, social responsibility –remains unclear in some companies. In accordance with the thesis of the paper, this ambiguity is one of the important factors that create discrepancies between declarations and real corporate activities. As we can see, the focus on voluntarily doing good which has been adopted in the current interpretation of CSR pre-empts the pursuit to avoid bad practices, both in theory and in the implementation of CSR programmes. Moreover, the CSR-dominant interpretation leads to a particular terminological confusion and replaces the companies’ responsibility towards concrete stakeholders, which is appropriate for the economic activity, with an abstractly understood responsibility towards an abstractly understood society. In this sense, the conceptual analysis of the relationship between CSR and ethics reveals that one of the important sources of problems with CSR is joining this concept with an unsuitable model of ethics. This is not because of the alleged defects of the ethics of conviction, appreciated by Weber, among other thinkers, but because it is a model that, in fact, is not suitable for business ethics. If the ethics of conviction is private, then it cannot be used to regulate social relations. In conclusion, it may be stated that, paradoxically, a dominant way of thinking about the social responsibility of corporations leads more to separation than to bringing together ethics and business. CSR, in its current form, cannot be an efficient means of implementing ethical objectives in business because it defines the issue of social responsibility as a sphere of private beliefs and arbitrary interpretations. Therefore, it undermines the relevance of the proper and socially significant notion of responsibility for economic activities and their consequences. Of course, the CSR concept can and should be modified; the question remains as to whether eliminating the elements that bring it closer to the ethics of conviction does not actually translate into giving it up entirely.
Laura Jančiauskaitė, Kristina Lasickaitė, Austė Ripkauskaitė
In a modern world sustainable business development is the adaptation of strategies and actions in order to meet the needs of the organization and society for nature conservation, social welfare and economy. Increasing concern for environmental and social issues commit business to take responsibility and adopt sustainable development principles into strategic management. The research on corporate sustainability examined in this article shows significant relationship of sustainable business between the company's reputation and customers behaviour, while brand image takes the mediating role on all of them. The following theoretical model was created: the impact of corporate sustainability on customer perceived corporate reputation and customer buying decision behaviour shows the relation between these determinants.
The article focuses on analysis of online communication of pharmaceutical companies in the field of CSR. It is based on the fact that there are specific segments in the economy, which are called sensitive sectors. Even though they are often perceived as irresponsible in their nature, there are effective communication tools, which can used to increase positive corporate image. The present study is a part of a larger research that we conducted in the segment of pharmaceutical industry. We used information about companies available on their websites as a research material. We reviewed their availability on websites, but we also reviewed the content on which companies usually focus in terms of social engagement. Our research was supposed to prove that there are considerable differences among companies in our sample. We analyzed (qualitative content analysis) collected data (basic corporate documents like mission, vision and corporate values) using statistical procedures. These documents are crucial to corporate strategies, and often deal with responsibility issues which are then transformed into business strategies, tactics and programs. According to the nature of the research the generalization of the information provided is relatively limited.