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Enhancing R&D in Taiwanese Small and Medium Enterprises: an Analysis of Post Covid-19 Business Survival Strategies
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Despite numerous setbacks, some SMEs demonstrated resilience by adopting innovative survival strategies, including investment in research and development (R&D). This study investigates the extent of R&D investment among selected SMEs in Taiwan and its role in their survival during the pandemic. Using a mixed methods approach, data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, with participants representing various SME categories until saturation was achieved. SME proprietors provided insights on how R&D investments contributed to their resilience. The findings indicate that 73.3% of respondents invested directly in R&D and 54.3% reported that R&D investments positively impacted their business survival during the pandemic. The study recommends that SMEs enhance their R&D capabilities by developing staff skills and allocating specific funds for R&D in their budgets to better withstand future disruption
Work Engagement as A Mediator Between Autonomy Support and Psychological Well-Being
Full text linkThis study explored the role of supervisor and colleague autonomy support in relation to psychological, social, and emotional well-being, using the components of work engagement—vigor, devotion, and absorption—as mediators. Grounded in the Job-Demands Resources (JD-R) Model, the research highlights the importance of job resources, such as peer-support, in managing job demands and enhancing employee well-being, particularly within the context of education during the pandemic. A total of 315 participants, including teachers, staff members, and administrators, completed scales assessing work self-efficacy, job engagement, and mental health. The study utilized a cross-sectional and predictive research design, conducting the survey at a single point in time to determine the direct relationships and mediating roles of autonomy support and work engagement in relation to well-being. Data was analyzed using mediation analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, with model fit indices indicating an excellent fit. The findings revealed that supervisor and colleague autonomy support significantly predicted well-being, with work engagement fully mediating these relationships. Consequently, the direct effects of autonomy support on well-being became non-significant when work engagement was accounted for, indicating full mediation. Based on these results, it is recommended that educational institutions promote a supportive social environment, provide growth opportunities, and respect employee autonomy. This study contributes to the literature by elucidating pathways through which supervisor and peer autonomy support influence psychological, emotional, and social well-being through work vigor, dedication, and commitmen
Patriotic Leadership and National Development: A Comparative Analysis of The United States and Nigeria - Insights and Lessons
Full text linkPatriotic leadership is integral to a country’s development and is desirous for effective state-society interactions. Such leadership is often characterized by selflessness, legitimacy, dedication to service, and efficient administration of resources, both human and natural. This paper examines the import of patriotic leadership to national development in the America and Nigeria’s context. The paper employs a historical and descriptive investigative approach with an element of comparative design. It utilizes relevant data collected from documentary sources, which were analysed qualitatively within the framework of Lucian Pye’s modernization theory. From the analysis, it became obvious that America’s history abounds with leaders who, in their private and public lives, have worked assiduously to attain national unity, liberty, equality, and civic rights, hence facilitating national development. In contrast, Nigeria lacks patriotic leaders instilled with vision and commitment to genuine national development. Besides, patriotism and commitment to leadership are ingrained in American culture, which are conducive to national development. In contrast, Nigeria has yet to reach such heights in its political history, with leaders often prioritizing ethnic and regional interests over national interests antagonistic to national development. Consequently, the paper recommends, among others, that for Nigeria to match up with its America counterpart, its political leadership class must undergo a total attitudinal reorientation to embrace national interest and commitment to patriotism and national consciousness. The study offers valuable insights for improving political leadership in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a nationalistic leadership approach to foster developmen
