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Online communities (OCs) have historically focused on building knowledge repositories, but as OCs add more synchronous communication, it is important to understand how different communication capabilities influence user commitment, individual growth, and knowledge contribution. We studied 452 members of a popular OC in Taiwan and found that both connectivity (direct user-to-user interaction) and communality (knowledge repositories) influence member commitment, but connectivity has a stronger influence than communality on knowledge contribution and individual growth. We also found that four media capabilities (transmission velocity, parallelism, symbol sets, and reprocessability) have strong influence on both connectivity and communality. These findings suggest that managers of OCs should add software capabilities that help OC members find like-minded members, enable instant messaging among members, and provide richer communication beyond simple text messages. Online communities (OCs) have become common, both in work settings and in the personal lives of individuals. Communication among members of OCs is similar in many ways to communication among members of work and nonwork teams (e.g., both synchronous and asynchronous communication are possible). Historically, knowledge repositories have been the focus of OCs, but as OCs add more synchronous communication, it is important to understand how different communication capabilities influence user commitment, individual growth, and knowledge contribution. We developed a theoretical model that argues that the five media capabilities of media synchronicity theory influence the two information technology (IT)-enabled public goods of communality (in the form of knowledge repositories) and connectivity (in the form of direct user-to-user interactions) and that these two in turn affect task outcomes such as community commitment, individual growth, and knowledge contribution. We tested this model using three waves of data collection (two surveys and one set of archival behavioral data) from the same 452 members of a popular OC. Our results show that four of the five media capabilities have strong influences on connectivity and communality and through them on task outcomes. Connectivity (direct user-to-user interaction) has a stronger influence on knowledge contribution than communality (knowledge repositories). Our model explains large effect sizes for connectivity and communality and medium to large sizes for task outcomes, suggesting its value to OC theory and practice. History: Suprateek Sarker, Senior Editor; J. J. Po-An Hsieh, Associate Editor. Funding: This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan [Grants MOST 106-2410-H-182-005-MY3 and MOST 111-2410-H-182-010-MY3]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2023.1225. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Readiness for change is a multi-dimensional, multi-level, multifaceted construct. Readiness is arguably one of the most important factors involved in individuals' initial support for change initiatives. Organizational readiness for change is a critical precursor to successful change implementation. There is voluminous literature on organizational change and readiness for change. However, limited published research work has explicitly conceptualized or empirically measured readiness for change in school education from a systems perspective that investigates the interaction of both individual readiness and organizational readiness for change. This article critically reviews the literature on the organizational change process and readiness for change. Informed by documented evidence of existing literature and our previous research on the School Actualization Program in Taiwan, it proposes a conceptual framework of system readiness for change in school education. It seeks to fill the gap identified in the literature and provide insights into the dynamic interaction and readiness for change process, and therefore offer possibilities of debates and further empirical studies in school settings. It concludes with the discussion of implications of the framework in school and system improvement from a cross-national perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the research is to study the employee engagement strategies utilised in Taiwan's SMEs from the perspective of the employees. In doing so, a qualitative research method was employed using semi-structured interviews. Nine participants from five sectors of SMEs (electronics & information, metal transportation, machinery and equipment, food manufacturing, and textile) were interviewed. The authors'results reveal that having high levels of engagement amongst employees in Taiwan's SMEs will bring about an increase in work commitment amongst employees which encourages productivity for the organisation. These findings hold several important theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The commitment of nursing preceptors to their role is an important driving force that supports their clinical teaching and affects teaching quality. Role commitment undergoes dynamic development and thus changes over time. Existing studies have utilized only cross-sectional study designs and have not analyzed the changes in commitment trajectories with related factors. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the development trajectories of the commitment of preceptors and to examine the predictors between the trajectories of role commitment among nursing preceptors. Methods: A single-group, repeated-measures design was adopted, and 59 participants completed the Commitment to the Preceptor Role Scale and the Preceptor_s Perception of Support Scale. The latent class growth analysis method was used to estimate the trajectory class patterns. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a nonparametric method, was used to compare the differences in demographic characteristics between the trajectories of commitment among nursing preceptors. Predictorswere examined using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The two-class model was the best-fitting model to describe the trajectories of nursing preceptor commitment. The two classes in this model were "low commitment," which accounted for 90.3% of all the participants, and "high commitment," which accounted for 9.7%. A significant difference was found between the two classes in terms of motivation for being a preceptor (p = .048). Neither demographic characteristics nor organizational support had a predictive effect on the trajectories of commitment development. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: This study found a low level of role commitment among new preceptors. Moreover, internal motivation was found to be a significant factor affecting the trajectories of this commitment. Therefore, institutions should foster an appropriate environment to enhance the role identity of preceptors as well as cultivate and stimulate their commitment to this role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between HR practice (four aspects), organisational commitment and citizenship behaviour at primary schools in Taiwan. The four human resource (HR) aspects include: recruitment and placement (RP), teaching, education and career (TEC) development, support, communication and retention (SCR), and performance and appraisal (PA).Design/methodology/approach With the assistance from the school HR managers and using an anti-common method variance strategy, research data from 568 incumbent teachers in Taiwan are collected, analysed and evaluated.Findings Different from prior studies, highlighting the merits of HR practice, the study discovers that HR practice may not necessarily contribute to citizenship behaviour. Teachers with positive perceptions of RP and TEC are more likely to demonstrate citizenship behaviour, whereas teachers with positive perceptions of SCR and PA are not. In addition, the study finds three moderators: affective organisational commitment (AOC), rank of positions, and campus size. The analysis shows that teachers with more AOC, higher positions and from smaller campus are more likely to demonstrate organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB).Originality/value The study provides a closer look at the HR-OCB relationship in Taiwan. It reveals that a positive perception of HR practice may not necessarily contribute to OCB occurrence. In addition, the results indicate that teachers have different views about varying HR aspects. Specifically, aspects of RP and TEC development receive relatively higher levels of positive perception, whereas aspects of SCR and PA receive relatively lower levels of positive perception. Questions arise as to whether HR practice may lead to more OCB at primary schools. If this statement is true, school managers shall think further of how to promote OCB using other policies, rather than relying on the HR practice investigated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for effective crisis response. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology involves a qualitative examination of responses by companies that have been judged by analysts to be varyingly effective. Toyota, for instance, had a poor response to its product quality and recall crisis. Singapore Airlines on the other hand, is often cited as an exemplar for an effective response to the crash of its flight SQ 006 in Taiwan. Findings – This research finds that organizations with a strong commitment to doing the right thing for stakeholders and a high readiness are most likely to effectively respond to crises. Organizations lacking in one of the two critical dimensions (commitment to stakeholders and/or readiness), on the other hand, are likely to have ineffective responses with possible post-crisis losses in competitive (e.g. market share) and financial (e.g. penalties) terms. Research limitations/implications – The case study methodology implies limitations about generalizability. The framework may also be less useful in crises where there is ambiguity about the genesis of the crisis and its implications, such as the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines’ MH 370 flight. Practical implications – Since crises are commonplace and can impact any company, the framework can be useful for a wide range of companies. Originality/value – The proposed framework fills a gap in the understanding about why some companies have effective responses to crises and others do not. Prior literature has often adopted narrower perspectives such as the skills and the personality of the CEO, pre-crisis drills and effective communication strategies post-crisis. This study argues that while these factors are important, they are not sufficiently strategic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwanese vocational schools are actively promoting opportunities for students to obtain specialized certificates during their formal education. However, because segments of the student population do not intend to achieve certification, questions about how to increase the motivation of students to pursue this goal have arisen. Two experiments based on the theory of cognitive dissonance were conducted to examine whether personal making an irrevocable commitment and foreseeing the consequences of decision and actions could contribute to changing students' attitudes toward certification examinations. Experiment 1 found that university students who perceived certifications as an irrevocable commitment were more likely to change their attitudes. Experiment 2 showed that attitude change was more prevalent when the negative consequences of decisions and actions were foreseen. As expected, the results were consistent with cognitive dissonance theory. In summary, cognitive dissonance theory can contribute to understanding the process by which university students' attitudes change toward certification examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While scholars have explored the relationship between the organisational climate and knowledge management, the matches for studying how different types of organisational climate affect knowledge transfer through varied types of trust and commitment are varied and complex, and are thus still rare. Structural equation modelling (SEM) has become a useful technique and is increasingly a ‘must’ for researchers in the social sciences. By using SEM, this paper has mapped the main effects and interaction effects of the key factors to successful knowledge transfer. The suitable match for organisational climate, trust and commitment for knowledge transfer in Taiwan is also revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations of information, organisation and environment on the supply chain partner’s commitment using data from the auto parts industries listed in the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Low levels of environmental uncertainty within the context of supply chain relationships with higher levels of intraorganisational facilitators and interorganisational relationships will have influence on the level of information sharing, quality and availability. As expected, it was found that there is a positive relationship between the level of information sharing, quality and availability, and the level of trust. Additionally, it was also found that there is a positive relationship between levels of trust and commitment in supply chain relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gratitude was an important missing factor in the extant relationship quality and relationship loyalty model. We introduced gratitude into the model of relationship quality and relationship loyalty. Two hundred and eighteen teachers from elementary schools in Taiwan were used to conduct an empirical research. The results show that teachers' gratitude has positive direct effects on teachers' trust, satisfaction and commitment. Teachers' trust has no significant effect on behavioural loyalty but has a significant effect on attitudinal loyalty. However, teachers' satisfaction has no significant effect on attitudinal loyalty but has a significant effect on behavioural loyalty. Teachers' commitment has a significant effect on behavioural and attitudinal loyalty. The mediating role of commitment implies that it (1) partially mediates the relationship between teachers' trust and attitudinal loyalty, and fully mediates the relationship between teachers' trust and behavioural loyalty; (2) partially mediates the relationship between teachers' satisfaction and behavioural loyalty, and fully mediates the relationship between teachers' trust and attitudinal loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Information sharing has been an important research issue in supply chain management. Although it has been studied frequently, our understanding of sharing information strategically and appropriately remains limited. To fill the gap, this study aims to understand the content of information sharing strategy (ISS) in a supply chain, and specifically how ISS influences supply chain uncertainty and performance. A survey of the Taiwanese manufacturing industry was carried out in order to test a proposed model. Results indicated that ISS includes information sharing and coordination aspects, and that these aspects have a strong impact on reducing supply chain uncertainty and enhancing chain performance. While a supply chain partner must share high-quality information to assist its supply chain partners' decision-making, it is also clear that a supply chain partner must rely on mutual adjustment and formalised inter-organisational processes to cope with demands. Future research directions and contributions to theory are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the traditional values on marriage and heterosexual relationships, gay and lesbian couple relationships were long ignored in Taiwan. This study attempted to look at gay and lesbian couple relationship commitment. Questionnaires were used in this study. Due to the difficulties of getting gays and lesbians to participate in research, snowballing method was used. The sample included 218 participants in a stable couple relationship for at least six months. Through multiple regression analyses, the result showed that the influencing factors of gay and lesbian couples' commitment fit Rusbult's Investment Model closely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of corporate entrepreneurship, work role characteristics, emotional intelligence and locus of control on the adjustment and commitment of expatriates. Using data from 152 expatriates working in the Taiwanese subsidiary companies in China Mainland, structural equation modelling results indicate that work role characteristics is the most significant predictor for the adjustment and commitment of the expatriates. Emotional intelligence only has impact on commitment. External locus of control has a positive impact on the adjustment, but a negative impact on the stay commitment. The conceptual and empirical contributions of this study as well as the managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By undertaking this study, the author has elaborated upon the factors affecting the buyer-supplier long-term partnership. The partnership effects on the buyer's operational performance will also be discussed. The conceptual model is constructed, based on the transactional cost theory and relational exchange literature. Five hypotheses are derived from this model. The data from 123 Taiwan firms were analysed. The results show the following: Commitment, coordination and information sharing produces positive effects on establishing a buyer-supplier long-term partnership; commitment is significantly affected by trust; a powerful buyer-supplier long-term partnership is helpful in achieving buyer's operational performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An empirical study using two ethics-related and three sales force outcome variables was conducted in Taiwan and compared to an existing U.S. sample. Across the two national cultures, individual perceptions of corporate ethics appears to be a more direct determinant of organizational commitment than individual moral values. Differences between the two national cultures were found in ethics perception as it relates to moral values, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Explanations for the differences are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have created highly personalized and dynamic learning environments for higher education, the low completion rate has hampered their development. Nevertheless, how to engage MOOC learners in continuing to learn online remains unclear in terms of psychological mechanisms. Enlightened by the social cognitive view of learning and hardiness theory, this study investigates the mediating role of online academic hardiness (the courage that is needed to turn stressful changes from burdens into advantageous growth in online environments) between web-based learning self-efficacy (the specific beliefs that people have in their capability to complete tasks when learning online) and online learning engagement. Using validated self-reported scales, a total of 608 participants of six MOOCs courses from Taiwan were included in this study. The results of structural equation modeling indicated the significant mediating effect of commitment on behavioral, emotional and cognitive engagement in learning MOOCs. Additionally, we found that the components of web-based learning self-efficacy led to different types of engagement: general Internet-based learning self-efficacy contributes to behavioral and emotional engagement, whereas functional Internet-based learning self-efficacy contributes to emotional and cognitive engagement. The direct and indirect effects of web-based learning self-efficacy highlight its critical role in online learning engagement. Overall, our conceptual model based on the agentic view of social cognitive theory provides researchers and practitioners with a holistic picture to understand the MOOC engagement phenomenon by revealing mixed results compared to traditional distance education. • A conceptual framework of MOOC engagement was proposed and verified. • Mediating role of online academic hardiness in learning engagement in MOOCs was found. • The direct and indirect effects of web-based learning self-efficacy highlighted its critical role in engagement in MOOCs. • General Internet-based self-efficacy contributes to behavioral and emotional engagement whereas functional Internet-based self-efficacy leads to emotional and cognitive engagement. • Commitment is critical to three kinds of online learning engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing patient loyalty through improved health care quality and patient-provider relationships becomes the key factor in medical providers' successes. This study explored the mediated relationship of patients' perceived value, patient commitment, and patient loyalty and the moderating effect of patient trust on the mediated relationship. A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Mediation and moderated mediation were tested using the PROCESS macro v3.5 for the SPSS supplement. Convenience sampling was used for the distribution of questionnaires to members of the public with experience of seeking medical attention in Taiwan. Among the 254 valid questionnaires recovered, 59.4% of the respondents were male, 38.6% were married, 90.2% were in the 20 to 49 year age range, and 54.7% had a bachelor's degree or above. This study indicated a significant mediated relationship among patients' perceived value of medical services, commitment to the patient-provider relationship, and patient loyalty. Furthermore, when the patient demonstrated higher levels of trust in a healthcare provider, the relationship of perceived value, commitment, and patient loyalty was also enhanced. This study discussed and demonstrated the effect of perceived value, trust, and commitment on patient loyalty. The research suggests that improving patient loyalty benefits sustainable operation of medical providers and the treatment effects for patients.