Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of blockchain technology on firms’ operational efficiency in the context of China. Design/methodology/approach The authors use panel data for blockchain-based companies listed on stock exchanges in China (Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong) between 2014 and 2018. The operational efficiency of firms that deploy blockchain technology is evaluated using ordinary least squares and system generalized method of moments estimation. Findings Results suggest that companies’ current year performance exceeds the previous year performance because of blockchain deployment in firms’ operations. Firms with higher financial leverage and return on assets reap more benefits from blockchain. Larger and older firms benefit less from blockchain implementation. Stochastic frontier estimation suggests that, on average, firms attain a 57.76 per cent technical efficiency level, or, put differently, they operate 42.24 per cent below their maximum level of potential output. Originality/value Blockchain can benefit firms in terms of consensus, security and trust, spurring the evolution of a new form of organizational dynamics. This study explores the theory of transactional cost analysis under blockchain technology. In addition, this study hypothesizes and empirically demonstrates the significant impacts of blockchain technology on corporations’ operational efficiency, using audited, externally reported financial data. Industry professionals can reap benefits from this research by noticing the magnitude of changes in firms’ financial parameters attributable to blockchain adoption.

In today's world, the concept "work-life balance" is considered to be one of the major issues that play a vital role in organizational success. However, work-life balance is seen differently in different society. This paper aims to find out the reasons, which create work-life imbalance. Since in perspective of Bangladesh, a female employee faces more difficulties to balance between work and life than a male employee, this study focuses on women working in different sectors. This study has been conducted based on primary research where a sample of 40 female employees from different organizations is selected. Questionnaire and interviews were taken to reveal the reasons that lead to the reason on an imbalance work-life. The study shows that the reasons for which female employees are facing trouble to maintain a work-life balance are mostly because of: long working hours, job rigidity, work overload, responsibilities related to child care, discrimination & biasness at work place , lack of supervisory support, dominant managerial style and scarce family support. The finding of the study focuses on formulating a structured guideline for the organizations so that the above mentioned reasons can be omitted and female employees can balance their professional and personal life and live in harmony.

PurposeBlockchain technology, a key feature of the fourth industrial revolution, is receiving widespread attention and exploration around the world. Taking the coronavirus pandemic as an example, the purpose of this study to examine the application of blockchain technology from the perspective of epidemic prevention and control.Design/methodology/approachExploring multiple case studies in the Chinese context at various stages of deployment, this study documents a framework about how some of the major challenges associated with COVID-19 can be alleviated by leveraging blockchain technology.FindingsThe case studies and framework presented herein show that utilization of blockchain acts as an enabler to facilitate the containment of several COVID-19 challenges. These challenges include the following: complications associated with medical data sharing; breaches of patients' data privacy; absence of real-time monitoring tools; counterfeit medical products and non-credible suppliers; fallacious insurance claims; overly long insurance claim processes; misappropriations of funds; and misinformation, rumors and fake news.Originality/valueBlockchain is ushering in a new era of innovation that will lay the foundation for a new paradigm in health care. As there are currently insufficient studies pertaining to real-life case studies of blockchain and COVID-19 interaction, this study adds to the literature on the role of blockchain technology in epidemic control and prevention.

Programs to secure customer loyalty have been used by marketers for many years. However, how effective are these programs? More than 50% of marketers said that their loyalty budgets rise during the past two years, while only 10% saw a reduction in budget. This reflects the increase of loyalty programs attracting frequent buyers for everything from food to clothing to entertainment. The main aim of this paper is to identify what extends customer loyalty program work in customer retention, customer engagement, and revenue generation in airlines business taking example of Air Berlin. This paper adopts a single case study design. Relationship management and customer loyalty theory are the theoretical foundations used for evaluation of the aspects of loyalty program effectiveness. It is concluded that though Air Berlin has been successful so far to implement their customer loyalty programs, retaining the customer loyalty can only be possible by being competitive over the other players in the market because customers will look for alternatives on the basic services and that reduces the influence of the drivers that keeps the customers loyal to one single company.

In today's business world "Total Quality Management" strategy is utmost important for a company in order to survive in the rapidly growing competitive market. It helps a company to increase the level of competence and allows it to compete in the market. To meet expected superior need of customers, Volvo delivers cleaner, safer and smarter transport solutions by concentrating on solutions-based approach since its inception. This core value of Volvo is urging to conduct a qualitative study on quality of Volvo toward attaining competitive advantage. This study attempted to investigate the role of quality management on Volvo's competitiveness through a case study method. While exploring the secondary data, this study found that attributes such as dynamic leadership, positive and ethical corporate culture, customer centric orientation, empowering employees helped Volvo to achieve competitive advantage over its competitor. This study also found that practicing Six Sigma, maintaining quality and ISO standards, and establishing quality council have a positive role in attaining Volvo's operational excellences and in achieving well-functioning society. Volvo's strategy of winning competitive advantage is an example which should be followed by others to achieve competitive advantage in order to be able to sustain in today's highly competitive market and keeping pace with rapid changes.