Purpose: This research aims to replicate the work of Oberholster et al. (2013) on expatriation motivation through a generalization and extension replication. Additionally, it aims to contribute to the Self-Initiated Expatriates (SIEs) literature by studying the Basic Psychological Needs (BPNs) of SIEs as proposed by the Self-Determination Theory (SDT).Design/methodology/approach: This research used Latent Class Analysis (LCA) with covariate estimation to create five clusters based on survey data from 179 SIEs. Additionally, the replication procedure followed recommendations by Dau et al. (2022) to produce a constructive replication.Findings: Besides validating clusters in the original study, one new cluster was found. Furthermore, identifying the BPNs of the clusters helped in understanding the mechanism that motivates them.Research limitations/implications: By studying the BPNs as per the SDT, this research contributes to our understanding of the psychological factors that shape expatriates' motivations and experiences. This can inform the knowledge developed in the international mobility theories and the models related to SIEs' psychological well-being.Practical implications: Building on the results of this research, organizations can tailor recruiting and retaining strategies to the specific BPNs of different SIEs groups. Organizations can motivate SIEs, enhance their job satisfaction and loyalty, predict their success, and support their psychological well-being.Originality/value: A generalization and extension replication value lies in testing the validity and reliability of previous findings in new contexts. The originality in this research stems from its utilization of the BPNs from SDT to explain SIEs' motivation and evaluate their psychological well-being.

Purpose: This study investigates short food supply chains (SFSCs) for fresh products in Jordan from the perspectives of key stakeholders, including farmers, intermediaries, and retailers. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative approach is employed, utilizing 30 semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings: Through thematic analysis, this research identifies five dominant themes: market dynamics, supply chain relationships and communication, operations and efficiency, sustainability practices, and challenges and opportunities. The results reveal that trust and communication are critical for maintaining SFSCs in Jordan, although these interactions are largely informal and rely on intermediaries. Market dynamics demonstrate a growing preference for locally sourced products driven by affordability, quality, and availability. Sustainability practices are evident across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, but challenges persist, including limited infrastructure, financial constraints, and climate-related vulnerabilities. Research limitations/implications: The paper advances the literature by adopting a holistic and multi-actor framework that integrates relational, operational, and sustainability dimensions, which offers new insights into short food systems in emerging economies. The findings offer insights for policymakers and practitioners on the importance of traceability, the critical role of logistics infrastructure in maintaining food quality, and the significance of trust in optimizing supply chain operations. Originality/value: This research contributes to the limited body of literature on SFSCs in developing countries. It provides comprehensive insights into their benefits and challenges. The findings confirm the role of SFSCs in enhancing Jordan's food security, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting local communities. Practical recommendations are offered to stakeholders and policymakers to improve SFSC's resilience and sustainability.

Inventory management is crucial for organizational performance, yet a significant gap exists between theoretical models and practical applications. This study explores the inventory management practices and challenges among Jordanian companies across various industries. Given the limited empirical research on this topic in Jordan, a qualitative approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews with representatives from 45 manufacturing, retail, and service companies. The findings reveal a significant gap between theoretical inventory management models and their practical application among participating companies. The common challenges of inventory management were also identified and found to include the lack of formal cost calculation methods, limited technological adoption, supply chain disruptions, and reliance on managerial intuition over data-driven decision-making. The study underscores the need to develop flexible, context-specific inventory models and enhance technological integration, particularly for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The study also found that company size significantly affects inventory management, where smaller companies lacked specialized personnel and relied on informal approaches using basic tools like spreadsheets, leading to inefficiencies and limited responsiveness to demand fluctuations. A set of recommendations for practitioners was provided, including adopting adaptable inventory strategies, investing in technology, improving demand forecasting, and strengthening supplier relationships. The study also highlights the importance of bridging the gap between inventory theory and practice, offering valuable insights for academics and practitioners aiming to optimize inventory management in developing economies like Jordan.

Introduction: Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) are promoted as a pathway to more sustainable agri-food systems. Jordan’s fresh-produce sector, which relies heavily on local markets, offers a valuable setting to examine how SFSCs support sustainability. This study qualitatively explores how the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability manifest, and occasionally trade off, within Jordan’s fresh-produce SFSCs. Methods: The study analyzed a qualitative dataset comprising 30 semi-structured interviews with farmers, intermediaries, and retailers, using deductive thematic analysis. Codes were organized around economic, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions. Results: Sustainability benefits are evident across all three pillars. Economically, local sourcing reduces transport costs, buffers actors from global price shocks, and retains value within communities. Environmentally, short distances, minimal packaging, and rapid turnover reduce fuel use, emissions, and waste. Socially, SFSCs create local employment, strengthen producer–consumer relationships, and expand market access for smallholders and women. Discussion: Jordan’s SFSCs deliver measurable sustainability gains despite infrastructural and financial constraints. Targeted improvements, such as community cold storage, clearer payment systems, and consumer “buy local” initiatives, could amplify these benefits. The findings extend SFSC research to a developing-country context and highlight practical steps for policymakers seeking sustainable food networks.

This study investigates short food supply chains (SFSCs) for fresh products in Jordan from the perspectives of key stakeholders, including farmers, intermediaries, and retailers. A qualitative approach is employed, utilizing 30 semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Through thematic analysis, this research identifies critical themes such as market dynamics, supply chain relationships and communication, operations and efficiency, sustainability practices, and challenges and opportunities. The results reveal that trust and communication are critical for maintaining SFSCs in Jordan, though these interactions are largely informal and reliant on intermediaries. Market dynamics demonstrate a growing preference for locally sourced produce driven by affordability, quality, and availability. Sustainability practices across economic, social, and environmental dimensions are evident, but challenges persist including limited infrastructure, financial challenges, and climate-related vulnerabilities. This research addresses the limited literature on SFSCs in developing countries. It provides comprehensive insights into their benefits and challenges. The findings confirm the role of SFSCs in enhancing Jordan’s food security, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting local communities. Practical recommendations are offered to stakeholders and policymakers to improve SFSC's resilience and sustainability.