Merits

23 pages, 1378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How to Maintain Compliance Among Host Country Employees as the COVID-19 Pandemic Fades: An Attempt to Apply Conservation of Resources Theory to the Workplace

by Keisuke Kokubun, Yoshiaki Ino and Kazuyoshi Ishimura

Merits 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5010004 - 30 Jan 2025

Viewed by 519

Abstract

As the fear of the spread of COVID-19 has faded, governments around the world are moving to lift strict behavioral restrictions. How should human resource management at overseas subsidiaries adapt to these system changes? To find the answer, this paper clarifies the anxiety of employees working at overseas subsidiaries after the strict behavioral restrictions introduced by governments during the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted, as well as the relationship between psychological and social resources and intention to leave. To this end, we applied and verified the analytical model of “China 2020”, which was conducted on 2973 people in East and South China from February to May 2020, the results of which have been published in previous studies, to psychological questionnaire data from “Wuhan 2023”, which was conducted on 813 people in Wuhan City from January to March 2023. As a result, it was shown that the analytical model based on the conservation of resources theory (COR) can be applied not only to China 2020 but also to Wuhan 2023. This study proposes an analytical framework that can be widely applied across time and place and can be used as a reference for foreign companies that lack local information on disasters that expand while the nature and impact of the damage change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on Occupational Safety and Health)

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14 pages, 6303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

When Leaders Are Safe Havens: How Secure Base Leadership Buffers the Impact of Emotional Demands on Exhaustion

by María C. Navas-Jiménez, Ana Laguia, Rocio Schettini, Fidel Rodríguez-Batalla, David Guillén-Corchado and Juan A. Moriano

Merits 2025, 5(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5010003 - 24 Jan 2025

Viewed by 444

Abstract

Based on attachment theory, this research explores Secure Base Leadership’s (SBL) efficacy in mitigating the negative impact of emotional demands on employee exhaustion, with an aim to reduce burnout rates and improve workplace well-being. A survey sample of 428 Spanish employees from various sectors was collected, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research model. Emotional demands were found to significantly increase employee exhaustion, whereas SBL reduced and moderated these effects, proving its protective function. Furthermore, increased exhaustion was associated with longer tenure and employment in private organizations. Findings support integrating SBL in leadership development to foster a supportive environment, mitigate burnout, and boost employee well-being. Highlighting the application of attachment theory in organizational settings, this study contributes to understanding SBL’s effectiveness against emotional demands, guiding leadership practices to enhance organizational health. Full article

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25 pages, 2806 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Role of Adaptive Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework

by Michele Kremer Sott and Mariluza Sott Bender

Merits 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5010002 - 22 Jan 2025

Viewed by 974

Abstract

Leading multidisciplinary teams requires not only strong leadership skills, but also a supportive organizational environment. This study examines the key characteristics necessary for adaptive leadership and identifies the main organizational factors that facilitate its development. A systematic literature review, following the PRISMA-P protocol, was conducted, analyzing 33 studies on the traits of adaptive leaders and relevant organizational factors. Based on these findings, we propose a conceptual framework representing the feedback cycle of the adaptive leadership process within organizations and present three propositions associated with this model. The results indicate that the primary characteristics of adaptive leaders include flexibility, empathy, innovation, and long-term vision. Conversely, organizations possess factors that can either facilitate or hinder the development of adaptive leadership, such as organizational culture, structure, innovation history, and strategy. The findings emphasize that orchestrating adaptive teams during times of crisis is especially challenging, requiring additional competencies in resilience and adaptability. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the essential capabilities of adaptive leaders and discussing key considerations for leaders and practitioners seeking to transition from traditional to adaptive leadership. Full article

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34 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leadership and Entrepreneurial Choices: Understanding the Motivational Dynamics of Women Entrepreneurs in Iran

by Marcus Goncalves, Sadaf Sartipi and Ghazale Asadi Damavandi

Merits 2025, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/merits5010001 - 9 Jan 2025

Viewed by 622

Abstract

This study explores the motivations and constraints of Iranian women entrepreneurs within a restrictive socioeconomic and cultural landscape. It adopts a qualitative approach and utilizes semi-structured interviews to investigate the complex interplay between financial limitations, gender biases, and regulatory challenges entrepreneurs face. These findings underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and creativity for entrepreneurial success. Women entrepreneurs in Iran adopt incremental growth strategies, utilize digital platforms for market access, and cultivate informal networks to manage risks and scale their ventures. They also creatively integrate family responsibilities into their business models, highlighting the cultural shaping of their entrepreneurial activities. The concept of regulatory adaptation was introduced to illustrate how entrepreneurs restructure their operations to comply with stringent government regulations while sustaining growth. The emotional burden of navigating these hurdles is also evident, emphasizing the need for support mechanisms that address mental health and well-being. Policy implications are discussed, and enhancements in financial access, gender equality, digital entrepreneurship, and mental health support for women entrepreneurs are recommended. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship theory by understanding how sociocultural contexts influence women’s entrepreneurial activities and resilience strategies. Full article

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Merits, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 4 articles

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