Digital transformation is important not only in the manufacturing sector but can also help service-based organizations to achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, this study has examined the impact of digital transformation on competitive advantage and the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation. Innovation capability is considered a moderator between digital transformation and competitive advantage. The data for the research were gathered from service companies in Jordan, and AMOS was utilized for the analysis. The results revealed that digital transformation not only influences competitive advantage but also affects entrepreneurial orientation. Entrepreneurial orientation significantly mediates the relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage. In addition, innovation capabilities moderate the relationship between digital transformation, competitive advantage, and entrepreneurial orientation. Innovation, production, and operational managers as well as owners of service companies can use the results of this research as a guideline for policy-making in order to develop a competitive advantage.

Purpose: – This study aims to analyse the environmental scanning and information sources used by Jordanian firms. Furthermore, the relationship between environmental scanning and organisational characteristics (firm size and industry type), as well as organisational performance, is explored.Design/methodology/approach: – The empirical research was coordinated via a survey of 190 Jordanian publicly quoted firms. The results of the survey provided a rich source of data in relation to a variety of practices associated with environmental scanning in these firms.Findings: – The findings of this study show that scanning focus was higher for the general environmental sectors than the task environmental sectors. The results also demonstrate that these firms rely more on internal sources of information. Larger firms have more scanning activities, while smaller firms tend to focus on different sources of information. Additionally, some differences in the industry sector in terms of scanning behaviour were identified. This study also supports the literature regarding the positive relationship between environment scanning and organisational performance by providing new empirical evidence from the context of Middle East countries.Originality/value: – This paper provides empirical evidence on the nature and the practice of environmental scanning and its value for organisational performance in business firms in a Middle East context. From a theoretical perspective, this study engages in the “convergence versus divergence” debate regarding managers’ scanning behaviour around the world.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the use of strategic planning tools and techniques by hotels in Jordan and the nature of its relationship with managers' views of the strategic planning process. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature relating to both strategic planning and strategic planning tools and techniques in both developed and emerging markets is provided. The empirical research was conducted via a questionnaire survey of Jordanian hotels in two cities; namely, Petra and Aqaba. Findings – The main findings of this research are that the Jordanian hotels engage in the strategic planning process by using a number of techniques. The use of strategic planning tools and techniques relates more to the size of hotel and less to age and ownership type. There is a positive relationship between the use of strategic planning techniques and size of hotel. The managers of these hotels have generally positive attitudes towards the strategic planning process. The managers who believe in the benefits of strategic planning engage more in the practice of it. Research limitations/implications – The nature of this research is descriptive and the method used is a cross-sectional survey. Therefore, future research could be conducted on a small number of these hotels by using a more in-depth approach. Second, the sample was restricted to hotels in two cities in Jordan. Further research should include other regions in Jordan and should analyse the ownership types of hotels (such as independent versus chain) and its star rating. Originality/value – This paper provides empirical evidence about the use of the strategic planning tools and techniques by hotels in an emerging market context.

Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which the institutional context impacts on strategic decision implementation in an emerging market. Previous studies of strategic decision making in emerging markets have not examined decision implementation. Given the changes in the world economy during the past decade, and in particular the growing importance of emerging market multinationals, this is an increasingly salient issue. Design/methodology/approach: – Questionnaires were delivered to general managers in all Jordanian publicly quoted industrial firms. A 53.7 per cent response rate was achieved. The structure of the questionnaire built on earlier studies in developed markets and, in particular, Alexander’s (1985) seminal study. Findings: – The strategic decision implementation problems which are found in Jordan are similar to those found in developed economies. However, external shocks are a more important influence on strategic decision implementation that has been found to be the case in developed economies. The success of companies in the emerging market of Jordan is associated with the frequency and extent of their experience of strategic decision implementation problems. Formal strategic planning helps Jordanian firms to deal with these problems more effectively. Research limitations/implications: – It was difficult to explore some of the “why” questions related to the implementation of strategic decisions in the sampled firms since most respondents agreed to complete the questionnaire but not to be interviewed. Single, rather than multiple, respondents participated in the research. A larger sample size would be desirable, although the results are statistically robust. Practical implications: – The results will help managers to make and implement strategic decisions, both in the context of market entry and market maintenance, in the Middle East and in other emerging markets. Originality/value: – Context (institutional) factors are found to be less influential in the case of decision implementation than strategic decision making itself. This is the first study of the problems associated with the implementation of strategic decisions in Jordanian firms and one of the first in any emerging market.

This study aimed to examine the influence of psychological empowerment on job crafting. Moreover, it analyzed the relationship between job crafting and organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, conscientiousness was considered as a moderator between psychological empowerment and job crafting. Whereas the mediation effect of job crafting was examined among psychological empowerment and organizational citizenship behavior. The data were gathered from the ICTs of Jordan and AMOS was used for analysis. The results highlighted that psychological empowerment can influence job crafting, which can lead to organizational citizenship behavior. Therefore, job crafting can significantly mediate the relationship between psychological empowerment and organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, the findings revealed that conscientiousness being an important personality trait can moderate the relationship between psychological empowerment and job crafting. This research can be considered as a guideline for researchers and practitioners focusing on job crafting and organizational citizenship behavior. The focus of this research is merely on the employees of ICTs and it has considered only one personality trait i.e. conscientiousness. Therefore, future studies can emphasize any other sector and include other personality traits as moderators.