The paper at hand analyses the principal-agent relationship, where comparative perspective between principals’ (municipalities) and agents’ (public utility providers) in the field of water and wastewater management is scrutinized. The goal of the paper is twofold: firstly, to present empirical results validating principal-agent relationships that emerged due to the reorganization process of public enterprises; secondly, to highlight the similarities and differences between the perspectives of principals and agents regarding motives, advantages and disadvantages, and price-setting in relation to the reorganization process. The empirical research is based on the primary data collected through two self-prepared and structured online questionnaires—one for municipalities, and the other for public utility providers. The results reveal similarities between public enterprises and municipalities in motivating factors for full municipal ownership. However, differences are seen among the advantages of the reorganization process. Price-setting by public utilities is recognized as a motivating mechanism for agents.
The tourism sector in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant growth and development, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 strategic framework. However, rapid growth can lead to strategic drift if not managed with vigilance. This study aims to examine the role of strategic vigilance in reducing strategic drift in the tourism sector. The study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 220 staff and directors from the tourism sector. The questionnaire measures the level of strategic vigilance and the level of strategic drift. The study hypothesizes a statistically significant positive relationship between strategic vigilance and reducing strategic drift. Data analysis involves exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. The findings are expected to provide insights into the effectiveness of strategic vigilance in mitigating strategic drift and offer recommendations for enhancing the tourism sector’s resilience and adaptability to accelerated environmental changes.
This research article explores the intricate relationship between cultural impacts and leadership styles in social science management. It emphasizes the importance of cultural-informed decision-making, highlighting its role in fostering inclusive managerial choices. The study also delves into how diverse leadership styles enhance team dynamics and collaboration, contributing to an innovative work environment. While recognizing the potential benefits, challenges like miscommunications are acknowledged, with recommendations for leadership development programs. The research underscores the significance of leadership flexibility in managing diverse teams. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the positive impact of cultural awareness on decision-making, collaboration, and innovation in social science management.
This study discusses prospects and challenges facing start-up entrepreneurs in language and culture-related tourist attractions in Lombok, Indonesia. Data were collected by observing the operations of tourism entrepreneurs and interviewing the owners, workers, clients, and authorities in the industry. The data were analyzed using a mixed method where tourism sales over one year of business experience were quantitatively analyzed and where prime causes leading to profits and losses were qualitatively explicated. The findings identify six prospective opportunities and five challenges in sustainably establishing language and culture-related tourist attractions as core entrepreneurial businesses. This study enriches our understanding of what micro and small entrepreneurs experience at the early stages of business start-ups and how they respond to uncertainties facing them. The study also provides readers with an understanding of the prospects and the challenges facing small tourist-related entrepreneurs in operations at early start-up stages and serves as a reminder to small businesses about the potential challenges in their business operations. The article also recommends viable management plans to refer to as contingency strategies for probable future challenges. Furthermore, this study attempts to fill a gap in the literature on start-up entrepreneurship in language and culture-related tourist attractions.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing, the influence of social media on consumer behavior has become a focal point of scholarly inquiry. This study delves into the intricate dynamics between social media interaction and the quality of relationships in the context of s-commerce, examining how these interactions impact customer loyalty and purchase intentions. It is imperative to note that while the study does explore the mediating role, it is not the primary focus. The core objective revolves around understanding the nuanced relationships between social media interaction and relationship quality. This clarification ensures a precise delineation of the research scope and objectives. Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that while the study delves into customer loyalty, this aspect is not explicitly reflected in the title. However, the examination of loyalty remains an integral component of the research, providing a holistic view of customer behavior in the digital marketplace. By addressing the interplay between social media engagement and relationship quality, this study aims to provide valuable insights for businesses navigating the complexities of s-commerce. Through this research, we seek to illuminate the pivotal role of social media interactions in shaping customer-company relationships, thus offering actionable insights for practitioners and enriching the academic discourse in the field of digital marketing.
The subject of traditional institutions cannot be undermined in the project of sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria given the locus and crucial role of the institution in the past and modern Nigeria. It is incontrovertible that traditional and aboriginal values are held highly with reverence and respect in virtually all parts of Nigeria. To discountenance their relevance will be too costly in any leadership-cum-governance discourse. Towns, villages and cities were duly recognized and protected as the harbingers of culture, mores, norms and values. The contemporary government structure in Nigeria duly recognizes the importance of traditional institutions by having a Commission for Local Government (LG) and Chieftaincy Affairs at all State levels. Moreover, 5% of allocations to LGs go statutorily to the tradition institution in the State. Hitherto, the recklessness and abuse of the native authority system of local government administration in the 1950s–60s had led to the moderation and reforms of the system, which has continued to affect traditional institutions to date. To this end, the paper argues that traditional institutions hold so much values and cohesive practices as well as socially integrative potentials for nation-building so much that the State can leverage on them for sustainable leadership and overall good governance. The methodology adopted for collecting data for this study is descriptive research method, which relies on primary direct observation (eye-witness) account and relevant secondary materials such as texts, journal articles, official documents and internet materials. The data collected were analyzed and presented using thematic analysis and tables. National and international data already analyzed were found essential to drive home the argument of this study. The outcome of the paper provides useful information on how traditional institutions serve as a veritable platform for sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria. The paper concluded that traditional institutions, with its rich culture, values and practices, possess sufficient merits to propel the country towards sustainable leadership that would concomitantly induce economic, technological and political growth in Nigeria.
Copyright © by EnPress Publisher. All rights reserved.