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The construct of mental toughness is in a state of evolution and refinement. The current study proposed to investigate; (1) the importance of mental toughness attributes from a Classical Martial Arts context, (2) the trainability of the mental toughness attributes from a Classical Martial Arts context, (3) and the extent to which classical martial artists perceive that attributes converge under broader, overarching sub-categories. The current study used a two-phase approach to evaluate the perceptions of mental toughness in 174 non-competition based classical martial artists. Phase One used a survey (a) to assess the perceived importance and trainability of mental toughness, (b) to evaluate unique CMA (CMA) mental toughness components, and (c) to determine underlying factors via factor analysis. Phase Two used interviews to enhance study perspectives of 20 randomly selected CMA participants. Phase One survey results support (a) the inclusion of all items as important to the mental toughness construct, (b) the trainability of all but 4 items, and (c) anticipation, learning attitude, and ethics as three unique CMA mental toughness components. The factor analysis supports the use of a six-factor model, which accounts for 60% of the variance, to explain CMA toughness. Phase Two promotes the use of several key themes as important to mental toughness in the CMA¬- conviction, commitment, conditioning, readiness to perform, distraction control, and shifting focus of attention. Phase Two also provides insight into the context specific application of the six-factor model. Previous perspectives on attribute importance, trainability, and general dimensions of mental toughness are supported by the current study. Variations exist between dimensions in the current study and those found previously. However, these differences are noted to exist more in context applications than in the essential meanings. / Ph. D.

Cross-border acquisitions (CBAs), as organisational entities which are formed and controlled by foreign firms, are one of the most effective methods of expansion available to international firms. Cross-border acquisition is a highly complex and multi-faceted business model which presents several challenges for management. Over the past several years, CBA has become a more frequent target for research in business, and has received significant attention from academia and practitioners alike. The aim of this research is to investigate the factors that impact interorganizational trust and as an outcome, the performance of CBAs in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According Fadol and Sandhu, (2013), Abosag and Lee, (2012), there are few studies that focused on alliances in Middle Eastern countries and more studies on these areas are required. The empirical study is preceded by a review of the existing literature that led to the development of a conceptual framework for this research. The target population samples for this research were collected from four target firm’s employees in Iraq and the UAE, where those firms were identified as having acquired by firms from Western Europe and Asia. The research tool used to collect the necessary data was a survey questionnaire, and the data analysis was undertaken using SPSS and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings of this study identify that relationship history, inter-firm distance, and integration approach factors have a positive impact on the level of target firm members’ trust; while factors such as collaboration history, complementarity, and autonomy preservation were not found to have a positive and significantly related to the trust. Moreover, Country risk was found to have a negative and significant relationship with the trust. Religion was not found to be positive and significantly related to the trust. Furthermore, positive relationship between trust and performance and between commitment and performance were found. The results of this study offer a framework that identifies the key factors in the development of trust within CBAs and demonstrates that this trust and it’s antecedents have a significant impact on firm performance in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and UAE. The findings of this study offer us implications for meaningful managerial practice in selecting cross-border competitors as target firms.

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