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Research Methods For Managers
... The Cronbach's alpha value for the Northern Cyprus data was determined to be 0.877 in the analysis of the reliability of the crisis management scale. The fact that the computed values were higher than 0.7 indicated that the scale was reliable [83]. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analysis was carried out to verify the scale's construct validity confirmed the scale's structure (CMIN/DF 2.347, GFI 0.951, NFI 0.841, CFI 0.901, RMSEA 0.051). ...
... In the analysis for the reliability of the Mobile Government scale, the Cronbach's alpha value for the Northern Cyprus data was determined to be 0.930. As a result, since the calculated values were above 0.7, the scale was deemed to be reliable [83]. Confirmatory factor analysis carried out to verify the scale's construct validity also confirmed the scale's structure (CMIN/DF 3.540, GFI 0.911, NFI 0.932, CFI 0.988, RMSEA 0.061). ...
... The Cronbach's alpha value for the Northern Cyprus data was determined to be 0.864 in the analysis of the reliability of the techno-skepticism scale. The computed value above 0.7 proved that the scale was reliable [83]. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis conducted to verify the scale's construct validity confirmed the scale's structure (CMIN/DF 2.347, GFI 0.951, NFI 0.841, CFI 0.901, RMSEA 0.051). ...
Providing user confidence in mobile government services (MGS) is essential for the success of mobile government. This study aimed to test the moderating role of techno-skepticism in the impact of crisis management on mobile government. Due to several inadequacies, citizens seem to respond negatively to the use of certain public technological services, leading them to develop a perspective of techno-skepticism. This issue has been cited in numerous scholarly studies as a critical component in the effective implementation of technological innovations. The effectiveness of digital technology in the procurement of public services is highly dependent on the perceptions and behaviors of its users. In this context, this study measured the attitudes of the participants and the connections between techno-skepticism, mobile government use, and crisis management among Northern Cyprus residents over 18 years old. The study employed a quantitative approach. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect data by modifying the survey questions to fit the scope of the study. The study participants were selected using the random sampling method to acquire data from a total of 402 citizens. The study findings revealed that techno-skepticism mediates the impact of crisis management on mobile government. As a result, techno-skepticism is a critical and decisive factor in citizens’ mobile government use, affecting its utilization frequency. Techno-skepticism was also found to play a vital role in mobile government use. The current study represents a pioneering effort in testing the moderating role of techno-skepticism in the impact of crisis management on mobile government. It also provides various contributions to theory and practice, particularly in the fields of mobile government and the use of digital technologies.
... According to Statistics SA [41] there are about 100,884 agricultural households in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality. Gill et al. [42] reported that a sample size of 656 is appropriate for a study population of 100,000 for a margin error of 5%. In applying the above phenomenon, the target sample size was 656 from a population of 100,884 agricultural households in the study area. ...
... Therefore, the number of households with backyard gardens was approximately 42,885 who were cultivating grain and food crops, industrial crops, fruits and vegetables [41]. The appropriate sample size from the study population of 42,885 was 281 when using the sampling method recommended by Gill et al. [42]. During data collection it was realised that some of the selected participants did not have backyard gardens but were rather participating in community gardens. ...
Backyard gardens possess unique features that make them a potential source of livelihood among the rural poor households. The study aimed to assess the factors influencing households to establish backyard gardening in the Bojanala District in the North West Province of South Africa. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire administered to 220 purposively selected participants actively engaged in backyard gardening. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logistic Regression with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0. The results showed that most households cultivated 100% of the land allocated for backyard gardens mainly to produce food for home consumption. Moreover, the outputs from multinomial regression analysis revealed that being employed and involved in non-farm activities were significant factors influencing the participants to establish backyard gardens to produce food for home consumption. It is recommended that households in the study area should cultivate the whole area reserved for backyard gardens and rent unutilised space to earn income. Again, the working class in peri-urban and rural areas of the Bojanala district should establish backyard gardens as a mechanism to sustainably produce food for their families and save money for purchasing food.
... The formula above was used by Gill et al., (2010) to develop a sample size table (Table 2) based on desired accuracy of 5%, 3% and 1% with confidence level of 95%. From this table the researcher selected a sample size of 341 for an accuracy of 5% and a population size of 3796. ...
... Sample size based on desired accuracy with confidence level of 95%(Gill et al., 2010) ...
The quality of building construction projects in Kenya has been a challenge throughout recent years. Despite the presence of regulatory agencies, buildings have continued to portray a significant lack of quality with several buildings collapsing in major towns. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors influencing quality assurance of building projects as well as to determine the magnitude of the influence. Eight indicators of quality assurance were identified from ISO 9001 elements of quality assurance. Similarly, eleven factors influencing quality assurance with five indicators each were identified from literature. A questionnaire survey of building contractors was carried out to evaluate factors influencing quality assurance of building construction projects. The findings of the survey were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS to determine which studied factors were most critical. Findings indicated the most critical factors as; contractor related factors, consultant related factors, inspection and supervision related factors, communication related factors, and quality standards and measurements related factors. The least ranked factors were equipment related, and health and safety related factors. All eleven factors were however found to have significant influence on quality assurance of building construction projects. The findings of this study are important in highlighting critical areas in which contractors should channel resources to enhance quality assurance of building projects.
... Source(Gill et al., 2010) [13]. ...
... Source(Gill et al., 2010) [13]. ...
An appropriate sampling technique with the exact determination of sample size involves a very vigorous selection process, which is actually vital for any empirical research. It is obvious that these methodological decisions would greatly affect the internal and external validity and the overall generalizability of the study findings. This paper has comprehensively updated the guidelines on sampling methods and sample size calculation, hence giving enough evidence that will be beneficial in assisting researchers to advance the credibility and statistical power of their research work. The differences between probability sampling techniques, including simple random sampling, stratified sampling, and cluster sampling, and non-probability methods, such as convenience sampling, purposive sampling, and snowball sampling, have been fully explained. Probability is the only that can ensure the generalizability, while non-probability sampling is useful in exploratory situations. Another significant process is the determination of an optimal sample size, which, among other things, has to take into account the total population size, effect size, statistical power, confidence level, and margin of error. The paper contributes both theoretical guidance and practical tools that researchers need in choosing appropriate strategies for sampling and validating methodologically appropriate sample size calculations. In sum, such a paper sets the standard for best practice in research methodology that will drive reliability, validity, and empirical rigor across diverse studies.
... While some suggest adhering to common theories and methodologies, this approach may stifle unconventional ideas and hinder cross-learning. Alternatively, the "new sensibility" in management research emphasizes the importance of understanding epistemology and sociology, staying alert to potential preconceptions and understanding how knowledge is structured, generated, and validated (Gill & Johnson, 1991). There are three commonly employed epistemological positions in academic research: Positivism, Interpretivism, and Pragmatism, each with distinct characteristics and applications. ...
... Recognizing these limitations, the research adopts a balanced approach that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methods, aligning with the works of Bryman (2016), Gill and Johnson (1991), Saunders et al. (2016), and Gartner and Birley (2002). Qualitative research, despite its potential complexities and time demands (Vaivio, 2008), provides valuable theoretical interpretations through open-ended questions, comments, and structured formats. ...
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the economic development of Lagos, Nigeria. This research aims to identify the factors affecting SMEs' access to microfinance in Lagos while exploring the critical role of microfinance in supporting the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Lagos and to identify challenges and opportunities in accessing microfinance services.
A survey of 100 small business owners in Lagos, spanning different industries and operational years, was conducted. The survey covered topics including microfinance access, reasons for usage, factors influencing institution choice, and perceived impact on business performance.
Microfinance Banks were the dominant choice for microfinance services in Lagos, selected by 69.2% of respondents, while personal savings and family donations constituted informal alternatives at 30.8%. Notably, 61.5% accessed microfinance services in the past year. These services were mainly used for operational cost management (41.7%), asset acquisition (33.3%), and business establishment or enhancement (16.7%). Interest rates (42.1%) and repayment terms (41.7%) were the key factors determining the choice of institution or channel.
Chi-squared tests unveiled a significant link between the reason for accessing microfinance and factors influencing the choice of institution or channel. This highlights the strong reliance of Lagos' small businesses on microfinance institutions, with interest rates and repayment terms being crucial considerations.
The research's outcomes lead to recommendations for enhancing microfinance's impact on Lagos' SMEs. These include implementing financial literacy programs, launching awareness campaigns, offering more flexible repayment options, streamlining application procedures, and revising government policies to address challenges faced by microfinance institutions. These measures aim to bolster small business growth and sustainability, ultimately contributing to Lagos' economic development.
... With this in mind, an interpretivist philosophy was adopted, combined with an inductive, qualitative approach to this exploratory study. Gill and Johnson [5] suggest that such an approach is most appropriate when the research aim is exploratory in nature, and the researchers seek to develop an explanation of the phenomenon being studied. There were two main phases in the research (Figure 1). ...
p>Within the retail industry the continuing introduction of AI is generating considerable excitement. While there is a rapidly growing literature on the role of AI in retailing, how individual retailers have publicly reported on their introduction of AI has attracted little or no attention in the business and management literature. This article makes a contribution to addressing that gap by providing some simple illustrations of how four leading retailers, namely Amazon, Carrefour, J. Sainsbury and Walmart are developing their relationship with AI. The paper concludes that while the four retailers paint a very positive picture of the benefits AI will generate, there are also a number of issues surrounding the increasing use of AI within retailing that will require careful and vigilant management. These include ethical concerns, balancing personalization and privacy, cybersecurity, the upskilling challenges for retailers, impacts on their employees, sustainability and consumption, environmental problems and corporate social responsibility. This is an exploratory paper and is limited to a secondary research focus, but may provide a useful platform for future research endeavors that could include, for example, empirical research on one or more of the large retailers. </p
... Wibawa et al. (2018) defined HRIS as a computer application software that organizes HR in corporation to support the decision-making process, which is also known as the Decision Support System (DSS). Johnson and Gill (2010) also defined HRIS as an electronic system that generally consists of a database or interconnected databases that tracks workers and employment-related information. Esangbedo et al. (2021) assert that HRIS "is an integrated system that assists with the planning and controlling of employees by aligning them with the organisation so that they efficiently work for the organisation." ...
... The second sets of questionnaires were administered to hoteliers and taxi drivers. Using [22] sampling technique to select 123 hoteliers out of 186 registered hotels in Osogbo township [24]. The sampling technique suggested that sample sizes are taking at 95% confidence level. ...
The Osun Osogbo Festival is an important cultural heritage event and a well-known tourist attraction with significant social, cultural, and economic importance. This research examines the socio-economic impact of the festival on the local population and community. A concurrent research approach was utilized, combining both quantitative and qualitative data sources. The quantitative data involved distributing structured questionnaires to 189 festival participants using stratified random sampling techniques, as well as surveying 123 hotel operators and 20 taxi drivers. For the qualitative aspect, in-depth interviews were carried out with relevant stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics (including tables and percentages) and inferential statistics (notably regression analysis). The descriptive analysis revealed that 89.4% support
sustainable tourism development, 95.3% are in favor of biodiversity conservation, and 88.9% reported social and community impact. Additionally, the findings indicated that 85% experienced increased sales during the festival. The regression analysis showed a p-value of 0.05, signifying a significant association between community involvement and cultural appreciation. In summary, the Osun Osogbo Festival has had a positive effect on the community. The study suggests that both government and community members should offer financial assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and training programs to help local businesses maximize the economic benefits stemming from the festival.
... The second sets of questionnaires were administered to hoteliers and taxi drivers. Using [22] sampling technique to select 123 hoteliers out of 186 registered hotels in Osogbo township [24]. The sampling technique suggested that sample sizes are taking at 95% confidence level. ...
The Osun Osogbo Festival serves as a significant cultural heritage site and a popular tourist attraction having considerable social, cultural, and economic value. This study investigates the socio-economic contributions of the festival to the people and the community. A concurrent research method was employed, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data sources. Quantitative data included administering structured questionnaires to 189 festival attendees, utilizing stratified random sampling techniques, and 123 hoteliers and twenty (20) taxi drivers. For qualitative methods, an In-depth interview was conducted with the stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, (tables and percentages) and inferential statistics (regression analysis). Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The result from the descriptive analysis showed (89.4%) sustainable tourism development, (95.3%) biodiversity conservation, and social and community impact (88.9%). The findings also revealed (85%) increased sales during the festival. Regression analysis had a p - value of 0.05 indicating, a significant relationship between community engagement and cultural appreciation. In conclusion, the Osun Osogbo Festival impacted the community positively. The study recommends that government and community members provide financial support, capacity-building programs, and training initiatives to enable local businesses to optimize the economic benefits derived from the festival.
Keywords: Festival, tourism, socioeconomic, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, community development
... The estimated population for the study was 192 mathematics teacher educators who teach in the 32 public colleges of education. To obtain a representative sample, we relied sample size adequacy recommendation by Gill et al. (2010) with a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval to obtain 128 mathematics teacher educators for the study. We clustered the 32 colleges of education by three belts (Coastal, Forest, and Savannah) and selected 22 using quota sampling to obtain a population-representative sample. ...
The necessity for establishing links between school mathematics and students' personal lives and cultures, as enshrined in the ethnomathematics program, is being recognized and investigated in different regions across the globe. However, a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents that drive the integration of ethnomathematical perspectives into mathematics teaching among mathematics teachers is still limited. This cross-sectional survey aimed to address this gap by investigating whether the explanatory variables (such as gender, teaching experience, and religion) predict the mathematics teacher educators’ incorporation of the mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching. We included a sample of 128 mathematics teacher educators in the survey through cluster and quota sampling. A logistic regression model was employed to analyze the data garnered using a web-based questionnaire. Based on the findings, all three explanatory variables (gender, teaching experience, and religion) did not predict mathematics teacher educators’ incorporation of mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching. The findings would help key actors of mathematics education to re-examine their beliefs and practices about the incorporation of ethnomathematical perspectives into teaching that builds on students’ socio-cultural experiences. Implications for teaching and future research are reported.
... A systematic literature review meticulously identifies, evaluates, and synthesizes all available evidence on a given topic to address specific research questions that have been previously established. This method is conducted in a structured manner, adhering to a predefined protocol to mitigate bias and personal interpretations by the researcher, thereby ensuring objectivity in the review process (Gill & Johnson, 2010). ...
The property sector contributed 2.77% to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product in 2019,. However, 2020 proved to be a challenging year globally due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which significantly disrupted various sectors, including the global economy. The extent of financial losses worldwide due to the pandemic has not been precisely quantified. This study explores the impact of the pandemic on the property market, specifically focusing on workforce dynamics, performance metrics, effective property sales strategies during the pandemic, and the enhancement of marketing competencies. Employing a qualitative, descriptive-analytical approach, this research concludes that exceptional property sales during the pandemic require rigorous effort, high performance, and advanced marketing skills. Competence, diligence, and performance are crucial in enhancing the capabilities of individual salespersons and, consequently, boosting organizational profits. This study highlights that the diligent and performance-oriented behaviors of salespersons are pivotal for acquiring and applying knowledge in sales scenarios, which are essential for navigating the complexities of the pandemic-affected market. The resilience shown by property salespersons in terms of time dedication and sustained effort amidst failures underscores their critical role in sustaining business operations during unprecedented times.
... Participants were then chosen via simple random sampling within each category, ensuring equal selection probability, as noted by Fowler and Lapp (2019). Following the guidelines established by Gill et al. (2010), a sample size of 322 was deemed adequate for our target population of 2,000 form three students. Consistent with the recommendation by Israel (2020), the sample size was adjusted by 30% to account for possible non-response and incomplete questionnaires, yielding a final sample size of 418 participants. ...
In a competency-based curriculum (CBC), the development of logical and critical thinking skills in mathematics is essential. As a cornerstone of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), mathematics is pivotal for addressing real-world challenges. However, overall pass rates remain unsatisfactory in Kenyan secondary schools, particularly in Kisii County. This study investigated the mediating role of academic disidentification in the relationship between achievement goals, perceived teacher support, and mathematics achievement. Grounded in the revised 3x2 Achievement Goal Model, Self-Determination Theory, and Expectancy-Value Theory, a correlational design was employed with a random sample of 418 Form Three students from thirty seven schools in Kisii County; Kenya in 2023. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that academic disidentification partially mediates the relationship among achievement goals, perceived teacher support, and mathematics achievement. School categories differed significantly in avoidance motivation, with co-educational schools exhibiting the highest levels. Based on these findings, the study recommends that mathematics teachers prioritize fostering approach motivation, especially in co-educational schools, to enhance student achievement in mathematics.
... The sample size was determined as follows. In Hungary, the population aged 18 years and over was 7.9 million in 2022, with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of 5%, the required sample size was 358 (Johnson and Gill, 2010). The data processing method used in this research was structural equation modeling (SEM), which is a highly sensitive method to sample size, so it is essential to choose the right sample size (Hair et al., 2014). ...
Despite the growing consumer interest in local and artisanal foods over the past decades, there have still been few empirical studies on consumer behavior toward crafted food. This study aims to be the first to investigate consumer behavior towards craft bakery products by using the Theory of Planned Behavior model. Data were collected in Hungary, the sample of 418 respondents was weighted by gender and age group to ensure representativeness. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used as the data analyzing method. The results showed that positive consumer attitudes and the effects of perceived behavioral control explained consumer intention and behavior towards craft bakery products well, but the influence of the consumer’s environment was not confirmed. Based on the results, the main activities proposed to the stakeholders of craft bakery products are those that highlight the availability and affordability of craft bakery products, while raising awareness of sustainability and health aspects. It is worth organizing festivals and events where the consumption of artisan baked goods is combined with pleasant stimuli and aromas. The results of the study provide a good starting point for further research, in which adding more factors to the model would increase its explanatory power.
... The research is based on an interpretivist philosophy and an inductive, qualitative approach. This is in line with Gill and Johnson's [22] assertion that an inductive approach is best suited to research in which the aim is to explore a study area and develop an explanation of the phenomenon being studied. There were three main phases in the research process ( Figure 3). ...
Since the 1960s, Iran’s major cities have experienced significant migration from the country’s rural areas and from overseas. Although many urban planning and design concepts can be traced back to Iran, the coun-try’s planning machinery has failed to effectively regulate urban growth, notably in the city peripheries, where land use has changed radically as semi-rural areas have been developed in a haphazard fashion with scant adherence to existing plans and planning regulations. Farahzad is one such area in the urban periph-ery of Tehran, where a range of sub-standard dwellings have been built and urban services are deficient in many regards. This article uses secondary documentation, images developed from GIS data, and interview material with NGOs and other local authorities to explore the growth of the neighbourhood in recent dec-ades, and assess the current problems confronting both residents and local authorities. The article examines how the urban landscape has evolved, how the resident population has grown, and the nature of the social and economic issues that persist today. Findings suggest that the planning machinery, and land use zoning in particular, have played little part in guiding or controlling urban development in this peripheral neigh-bourhood, and that identifying urban fabrics may prove a useful way of assessing socio-economic and physical development needs in such circumstances. The article makes a small contribution to our under-standing of the change dynamics in a peripheral neighbourhood of a major city in the developing world.
... It is concerned about the measurement's level of random error. The consistency of the replies to the questions is what determines how reliable a questionnaire is (Gill & Johnson, 2002). The ...
A growing body of evidence points to psychological capital (PsyCap), a crucial component of POB, as having a favourable impact on vital work attitudes and behaviours. However, studies show that more research is needed to properly understand psychological capital research (PsyCap), given that it is still in its early stages of growth (Newman et al. 2014). By combining efficacy, optimism, hope, and resiliency, Luthans et al. (2007a) coined the term psychological capital; or PsyCap for short. Despite the fact that many academics disagree with this definition, psychological capital is a higher-order concept. Over the past ten years, several studies have examined the relationship between PsyCap and specific employee attitudes, behaviours, and performance (Avey, Luthans & Youssef, 2010). The study examines PsyCap's determinants as well as its functional pathways, and it has been designed to do so at the organisational level. The proposed study seeks to advance our comprehension of positive psychology at work in the Indian organisational environment, with a primary focus on psychological capital (PsyCap). Even though this area has had a significant expansion, much more is still to be uncovered.
... When the population of research is between 1 million and 100 million, a sample size of 384 with a sampling error of 0.05, p = 0.05 and confidence interval of q = 0.05, is sufficient (Gill et al., 2010). Non-random sampling in which the sample group to be selected from the main population is determined by the judgments of the researcher, is called convenience sampling (Taherdoost, 2016). ...
Hotels that serve customers having different cultural values should improve their service capabilities to achieve customer satisfaction. This study researches how empathy, trust and cultural values affect hotel customer satisfaction and looks at the combinations of these components that lead to high customer satisfaction. The current literature on Hofstede’s five-dimensional cultural values, cognitive and affective dimensions of empathy, trust and customer satisfaction were used to develop the research model and present recommendations. To ensure cultural diversity, a face-to-face survey was administered to 553 tourists from six countries. The data obtained were evaluated using partial least squares structural equation modelling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). According to the results, the effects of hotel customers’ empathy levels on their satisfaction occur through their trust in the business. The fsQCA revealed combinations of cultural values, empathy and trust that would generate high levels of satisfaction. The present study contributes to the relevant literature by addressing the relatively under-emphasized components that ensure that hotel customers are highly satisfied.
... The structure will comprise of four stages, that are (1) analyzing existing patient data, (2) observing virtual consultations, (3) interviewing participants, and (4) holding focus groups ( Figure 1). Considering the innovative nature and relative novelty of virtual hospitals, we designed a comprehensive method, drawing on existing approaches to investigate new phenomena [33,34], explore complex systems [35], and gain a holistic understanding of an event or interaction [36]. The aim is to produce a practical list of recommendations for improvement founded on action-based evidence [37]. ...
Background
Virtual care is increasingly incorporated within routine health care settings to improve patient experience and access to care. A patient’s experience encompasses all the interactions an individual has with the health care system. This includes a greater emphasis on actively involving carers in the decisions and activities surrounding a patient’s health care.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the variety of health care delivery challenges encountered in a virtual hospital and explore potential ways to improve the patient experience.
Methods
Focusing on acute respiratory, this protocol outlines a mixed methods study exploring the patient experience of a virtual hospital in Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Virtual Hospital (rpavirtual). We will use an exploratory mixed methods approach comprising of secondary data analysis, observations, interviews, and co-design focus groups. Participants will include patients, their carers, and health care workers who are involved in the acute respiratory virtual hospital model of care. Together, the data will be triangulated to explore views and experiences of using this model of care, as well as co-designing recommendations for further improvement.
Results
Findings from this study will identify current barriers and facilitators to implementing virtual care, such as work-as-done versus work-as-imagined, equity of care, the role of carers, and patient safety during virtual care. As of August 2024, a total of 25 participants have been interviewed.
Conclusions
This protocol outlines a mixed methods case study on the acute respiratory model of care from Australia’s first virtual hospital, rpavirtual. This study will collect the experiences of patients, carers, and health care workers to co-design a series of recommendations to improve the patient experience.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/58683
... This section focuses on the description of steps taken to receive research results and draw conclusions. The methodology section is of extreme importance for research, as it provides information to the reader what steps should be done to repeat the results of the research (Gill & Johnson, 2010). Researchers often write this section first, as it is the most objective part of the paper that serves a as backbone for all the other sections of the paper (Kallet, 2004). ...
Background: The ICT sector in the UAE has been developing rapidly with support from the government that provides aid in the form of licensing and policies that promote business activity. By 2025, this industry will experience a compound growth of 3.5%, which will affect employment and organizational management strategies. Since employees are the central resources that allow businesses to grow and reach their strategic targets, there is a need to define factors affecting workplace satisfaction and intention to stay. While previous research provides some insights on factors that contribute to employee retention, there is a lack of evidence specific of the UAE.
Literature Review: Previous studies focused on relationships between different variables, including work satisfaction, organizational commitment, intention to stay, engagement, psychological capital, and the person-environment fit (P-E fit). However, none of the previous studies explored the correlation between the six factors simultaneously, since the majority of the researchers focused on examining the connection between two variables. Moreover, literature review demonstrated that the moderating and mediating effects of the different workplace-related factors were under-researched.
Research Question: The primary research question was “How can turnover intention be reduced in the ICT Sector in the UAE?” The question was subdivided into five secondary research questions that concerned specific inter-relationships between the six variables identified during the literature review.
Conceptual Model: This research focused on analysis of inter-relations among six variables divided into four types. Intention to stay was treated as a dependent variable, and psychological capital and P-E fit were independent variables. Work engagement was treated as a moderating variable, while job satisfaction and organizational commitment were treated as mediating variables. A total of eight hypotheses were created based on analysis of previous literature.
Research Gaps: There is limited understanding of the direct effects of P-E fit and psychological capital on employees' intention to stay in the ICT sector in the UAE. Additionally, there is a dearth of studies examining the moderating effect of work engagement and the mediating role of job satisfaction and organizational commitment in the relationship between psychological capital, P-E fit, and intention to stay
Methods: This study utilized a quantitative approach to answer the research question. An online survey was conducted that included a total of 95 questions. The link to the survey was distributed among the telecommunication workers with the help of HR managers. The final sample included 412 employees from the ICT sector in the UAE. Multiple regression analysis, simple moderations modeling, and simple mediation modeling were used to test twelve hypotheses. SPSS Version 26 and Hayes’s PROCESS macro were used to conduct statistical tests.
Results: The results provided evidence for accepting six hypotheses out of eight. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that P-E fit and psychological capital had a significant direct impact on intention to stay after controlling for gender, age, and education level. Moderation analysis demonstrated that work engagement did not moderate the relationship between psychological capital and intention to stay. At the same time, work engagement was found to positively moderate the relationship between P-E fit and intention to stay. Mediation modeling revealed that job satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between psychological capital and intention to stay. Moreover, simple mediation analyses revealed that organizational commitment partially mediated the relationship between P-E fit and intention to stay on the one hand and fully meditated the relationship between psychological capital and intention to stay on the other hand.
Implications: The results of this research helped increase the generalizability of previous findings and discover new inter-relationships between the six variables. The research results also helped to formulate recommendations for managers in the ICT sector in the UAE concerning retention rates. Additionally, suggestions for future research were provided.
Keywords: telecommunication sector, ICT, job satisfaction, intention to stay, person-environment fit, engagement, psychological capital, organizational commitment, UAE
... Convenience sampling is appropriate for exploratory research (Malhotra, Nunan and Birks, 2017). Using the formula provided by (Gill and Johnson, 2010), a sample size of 385 respondents is considered acceptable, and the likelihood of falling into bias is minimal. In our case, the total number of respondents has exceeded 385, which indicates a higher level of capturing a representative sample. ...
... Revisão integrativa visa reunir, analisar e sintetizar estudos existentes sobre um determinado tema ou questão de pesquisa, proporcionando aplicabilidade dos resultados do estudo na prática. (Gill, et. al. 2010) Processo de revisão: ...
Introdução: A técnica de buttonhole, também conhecida no Brasil como botoeira, é uma abordagem utilizada em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise que possuem o acesso venoso definitivo (fístula arteriovenosa – FAV). Com finalidade de minimizar trauma das repetidas punções e evitar hematomas de trajeto em condutos venosos curtos, essa técnica é realizada envolvendo a criação de um túnel através de punções constantes no mesmo local com agulha cortante, posteriormente com a utilização de agulhas rombas, mantendo todas as punções em um mesmo trajeto. Objetivo: Explorar as complicações infecciosas da corrente sanguínea associadas ao uso da técnica de buttonhole em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento hemodialítico, buscando contribuir para a melhoria dos protocolos de tratamento. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Resultado/Discussão: Como vantagens, temos a diminuição da dor, e redução das complicações vasculares, porém a técnica está associada a um risco aumentado de infecções da corrente sanguínea, devido ao uso repetido do mesmo trajeto, podendo facilitar a colonização bacteriana, principalmente se a antissepsia da região não for feita cautelosamente, aumentará as chances de uma bacteremia. Conclusão: O estudo apresenta um número relativamente pequeno de pacientes em uso da técnica de buttonhole, novos estudos acerca da técnica devem ser realizados de forma a capturar dados que possam embasar de forma rigorosa as taxas de infecção para guiar as futuras pesquisas e decisões clínicas.
... Every research work is based on some underlying paradigm that directly informs what will constitute that research and the methods to be employed [34] [35]. There are various paradigms that can be adopted in any research work. ...
... (Burgess, 1984;Gill & Johnson, 2002;Whyte, 1943), seeing access as an 'ongoing process' (Brown-Saracino, 2014;Katz, 1982;Leigh et al., 2021). Research on 'getting in' the field (Irvine & Gaffkin, 2006;Buchanan et al., 1988;Silverman & Jones,1973) typically represents access problems as temporally specific practical hurdles preceding research (Buchanan et al., 1988;Crowhurst & Kennedy-Macfoy, 2013;Peticca-Harris et al., 2016) to be overcome by a better presentation of the researcher's self (cf. ...
Little attention has been given to questions of blocked access in public administration research. We draw on past scholarship on access: qualitative research accounts in public administration that address access processes, problems, and possibilities; and our own experience with access challenges in a public school setting involving public sector employees. This allowed us to detail three methodological principles to facilitate the initiation of ethnographic research while access was constantly (re)negotiated: accounting for regulations, rules, and ruling artifacts; meaningful events; and routine and non-routine artifacts. We investigated public administration regulations, events, and artifacts, developing and employing an empirical method to collect data under conditions where access to primary field sites is blocked based on the boundary condition of our investigation. By describing the research findings and their applications, we demonstrate that conceptualizing access problems as multiple data layers can provide researchers with profound insights into relational dynamics, thereby enriching qualitative inquiry in public administration research. We conclude by arguing that this approach remains highly relevant even as field access is constantly negotiated.
... The purposive selection of these sites is because these colleges of education run the common B.Ed. program that demandsThe estimated population for the study was 192 mathematics teacher educators who teach in the 32 public colleges of education. To obtain a representative sample, we relied on the sample size adequacy recommendation byGill et al. (2010) with a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval to obtain 128 mathematics teacher educators for the study. This included all the mathematics teacher educators in the 22 selected colleges. ...
The necessity of establishing links between school mathematics and students' personal lives and cultures, as enshrined in the ethnomathematics program, is being recognized and investigated in different regions across the globe. However, a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents that drive the integration of ethnomathematical perspectives into mathematics teaching among mathematics teachers is still limited. This cross-sectional survey aimed to address this gap by investigating whether the explanatory variables (such as gender, teaching experience, and religion) influence the mathematics teacher educators' incorporation of the mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching. We included a sample of 128 mathematics teacher educators in the survey through non-probability sampling. A logistic regression model was employed to analyze the data garnered using a web-based questionnaire. Based on the findings, all three explanatory variables (gender, teaching experience, and religion) did not influence mathematics teacher educators' incorporation of mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching. The findings would help key actors of mathematics education to reexamine their beliefs and practices about the incorporation of ethnomathematical perspectives into teaching that builds on students' socio-cultural experiences.
... through a Focused Group Discussion. The sample size was based on the desired accuracy with a confidence level of 95%, Variance of the population (P = 50%)(Johnson and Gill, 2010 ...
Tuta absoluta (Myrick) is one of the most destructive pests of tomato globally. In order to study its current status and management practices adopted by farmers, a household survey was conducted in February 2019 at three road corridors (Surkhet-Jumla, Surkhet-Dailekh and Surkhet-Jajarkot) and Birendranagar valley of Surkhet district. Amongst the tomato growers listed at the government offices and local key informants, a purposive random sampling method was employed to select the 60 tomato producers, 30 from Birendranagar Municipality, 15 from Barahatal Municipality (Surkhet-Jumla), 10 from Bheriganga Municipality (Surkhet-Jajarkot) and 5 from Gurans Municipality (Surkhet-Dailekh). Majority of tomato growers (52%) claimed T. absoluta as their major pest and most of them well aware about the symptoms of the pest in leaves as well as fruits. Majority of the farmers were found to be (33%) relied on chemical means while 27% on cultural methods, 18% used tomato leaf miner lure (TLM lure), 13% used botanicals, 5% used physical, and 3% used mechanical method for the management of T. absoluta. Chemicals means being very quick and more effective to other techniques in solitary were practiced by many but without reading the label, without measuring before use (57%), without any protective wear (53%) and lack of know-how on waiting period (78%). Most of the farmers having dependent on Agrovets (85%) for technical assistance were bound to continue the false practices. The efficacy of extension was found to be very poor exhibiting the urgency of pesticide use literacy for the farmers and the knowledge of IPM for pest management. Farmers should be taught about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides, methods of handling pesticides, use of protective gears and keep chemical as last resort. Other alternative means like use of TLM lures, botanical pesticides, use of nets etc. should be encouraged.
... The estimated population for the study was 192 mathematics teacher educators who teach in the 32 public colleges of education affiliated with the four traditional universities that teamed up to develop the new four-year teacher education curricula. We employed Gill et al. (2010) sample determination to determine the appropriate sample size at a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval to obtain a representative sample. To this end, a sample comprising 128 mathematics teacher educators was employed for the study. ...
Research has revealed a deficiency in cultural congruence in the pedagogy and acquisition of geometrical knowledge as the cause of students’ poor performance in geometry. Drawing upon the historical context of mathematics education and its evolution, incorporating ethnomathematical perspectives was introduced as a potential remedy. This embedded mixed methods study explored how mathematics teacher educators incorporate the mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching in the classroom. Eight mathematics teacher educators were included in the qualitative phase through purposive and convenience sampling. The qualitative data obtained through classroom observation was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. On the other hand, 128 mathematics teacher educators were included in the quantitative phase through cluster and quota sampling. The quantitative data obtained through the survey was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Based on the findings, male and female mathematics teacher educators at the colleges of education tend to employ culturally responsive teaching (a pedagogical perspective of ethnomathematics) to integrate the mathematics found outside of school into geometry teaching in the classroom. Nonetheless, only a few mathematics teacher educators (one from each case) strove to incorporate the forms of mathematics found outside of school to teach plane geometry by citing appropriate cultural examples. Implications for teaching and future research are reported.
... The study population was 192 mathematics teacher educators who teach in the 32 public colleges of education affiliated with the four traditional universities that teamed up to develop the new bachelor of education curricula. To obtain a representative sample, we employed Gill et al. (2010) appropriate sample size according to the required level of accuracy with a 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval. For this purpose, a group of 128 mathematics teacher educators was selected for the study. ...
A significant gap exists, as research has revealed that teaching mathematics in classrooms is usually unrelated to the sociocultural contexts of the learners. This embedded mixed methods study explored the challenges mathematics teacher educators face in integrating ethnomathematical perspectives into Euclidean geometry teaching in the classroom. Eight mathematics teacher educators were included in the qualitative phase through purposive sampling. The qualitative data obtained through interviews and focus groups were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. On the other hand, 128 mathematics teacher educators were included in the quantitative phase through cluster and quota sampling. The quantitative data obtained through the survey was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The mathematics teacher educators' accounts revealed college and educator-related challenges, including inadequate/lack of cultural examples in the geometry curriculum, a lack of clarity on how to integrate ethnomathematical approaches into geometry teaching in the curriculum, cultural diversity, financial constraints, time constraints, and gender discrimination. The quantitative study observed a statistically significant difference between the male and female cases in their response to the challenge of inadequate/lack of cultural examples in the geometry curriculum. In all, the findings obtained from the qualitative investigation revealed differences among male and female mathematics teacher educators regarding what they perceive as challenges regarding the integration of ethnomathematical perspectives. Implications for teaching and future research are reported.
... The quantitative research was chosen and the crosssectional survey design was adopted. This was because a greater number of studies on employee empowerment and performance outcomes in the financial industry adopted the quantitative approach (Gill et al. 2010). Quantitative research is widely acknowledged for producing more reliable and consistent data that are easily analysed through statistical techniques (Saunders et al., 2019;Silva et al., 2019). ...
Orientation: Employee empowerment has received widespread attention in both academic and business literature. The idea is that an empowered employee is a productive worker; a productive worker is, in turn, a competitive asset to the organisation. However, the banking industry in many developing nations still falls short in employee empowerment. Research purpose: This study aims to analyse the robust strategies for empowering bank workers and their effects on job performance. Motivation for the study: The study was motivated by the fact that extant studies seem inconsistent in identifying the precise empowerment strategies capable of igniting better work performance in the banking industry. Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design targeting 316 middle-level bank managers in the five biggest banks in Nigeria. Data were collected using the structured questionnaire and processed using the structural equation modelling in SmartPLS software. Main findings: Results showed that employee empowerment variables ( employee input acknowledgment, mutual decision-making, joint resolution implementation, and sense of belonging climate ) were positively related to improved job performance. Practical/managerial implications: The study has shown that improved employee performance can be achieved when the adopted empowerment strategy is a mix of employee input acknowledgment, mutual decision-making, joint resolution implementation, and a sense of belonging climate. Contribution/value-add: The study has addressed the existing gaps in the banking sector employee empowerment by highlighting four new strategies.
... The following formula is used to calculate the sample size for the survey: where n is the number of samples required, z determines the confidence level, s is the standard deviation, and d is the margin of error. When the population size is more than 1,000,000, using a 95% confidence interval, 3% marginal error, and the variance of the population is 50%, the required sample size is 1066 [50]. ...
The widespread dissemination of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a transition from traditional, in-person pedagogy to online methods within higher vocational education. The inherent limitations of online learning have become progressively conspicuous. Given its pivotal role amidst the pandemic, numerous institutions have endeavored to integrate technology with traditional classroom pedagogies. Consequently, blended learning has emerged as a focal point within vocational education, garnering notable attention and interest. The question arises: which learning method proves most effective for vocational skills development? This study endeavored to ascertain the comparative effectiveness of various learning methods for vocational skills training. Specifically, employing a quantitative approach, the study conducted a comprehensive questionnaire survey of graduates of higher vocational institutions in China. Participants have undergone training via exclusively physical, thoroughly online, and blended learning formats, respectively. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of these three methods as perceived by higher vocational graduates. In addition, the study aimed to analyze the personal and pedagogical factors that influence the effectiveness of these learning methods. The collected data underwent analysis utilizing SPSS software. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, correlation analyses, and subsequent least significant difference (LSD) post-hoc analyses were employed to investigate the correlations between demographic variables and factors related to teachers and educational resources across the three learning methods. These findings indicate that blended learning is the most efficient approach, with a notable preference among vocational graduates. Physical learning demonstrated superior effectiveness, particularly in functional skills training. In divergence, online learning ranked the lowest among graduates' preference, efficiency, and efficacy in functional skills training. Among the demographic factors examined, gender and duration of graduation exhibited notable variances across the effectiveness of different learning methods. However, there are no significant differences in the area of origin, economic region, type of higher vocational institution, and majors. These insights provide valuable guidance for higher vocational institutions in selecting the most suitable learning methods for enhancing functional skills training.
... Fifty-nine instructors were excluded for unpaid leave and scientific sabbatical reasons, which represented 35 and 24 respectively. According to Gill and Johnson (2010), a random stratified sample was used to ensure that the study population was well represented. The number of responses on the questionnaire is 384, which represent approximately 68.8% of the size of the study population presented in Table (1) for a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error equals three. ...
Organizations today are experiencing the challenges of uncertainty and accelerating change in the work environment, as managers of higher education institutions are obligated to adopt virtuous behavior to produce the desired institutional excellence. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of virtuous leadership on institutional excellence, and the level of virtuous leadership elements as well as the existence of institutional excellence aspects at Mutah University. The study considered Optimism, forgiveness, trust, compassion, and integrity as the virtuous elements that predict organizational excellence as well it considered the dimensions of organizational excellence represented by leadership, partnership and resources, people management, policy and strategy, process management. This study was applied to a sample of 384 faculty members at Mutah University, to illustrate the effect of virtuous leadership on achieving organizational excellence in a higher education institution in Jordan.The importance of the study stems from the fact that few studies dealt with organizational excellence in institutions of higher education with regard to the concept of virtue. The study found that there is a statistically significant impact of the virtuous leadership on institutional excellence in general, and the faculty members at Mutah University perceive that the virtue is trust, compassion, and integrity among university leaders.
... Questions related to service quality were based on a 5-point Likert scale where 1 was strongly disagree and 5 was strongly agree. Systematic sampling was employed and the formula, N = p (100-p) z2/E2, Gill et al. (2010), was adopted to calculate sample size. Following ethical approval from the University of Johannesburg School of Tourism and Hospitality Ethics Committee, data was collected face-to-face at the study sites from 300 respondents. ...
Hospitality training facilities are the laboratories in which students are exposed to experiential learning in real environments. These establishments aim to produce employable graduates and generate revenue to ensure financial sustainability. Despite the importance of service excellence in hospitality training facilities, this has not been effectively measured by existing studies. The study sought to determine guest profiles and satisfaction levels at these establishments. The methodology implemented was quantitative, surveying 300 guests at commercial establishments at two hospitality training facilities in South Africa. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The findings revealed that training facilities are frequently patronised by a youthful market who are educated, either work or study at the facility and visit mainly for meetings or business events. Significantly, the study found that most guests did not experience high levels of satisfaction, revealing gaps in the products and services delivered to them. The most important factors that influenced this were responsiveness, reliability, tangibility, empathy and assurance. These low levels of satisfaction should be addressed through improvements in service delivery and product quality. The results of the study provide valuable insights in ensuring the future success of hospitality training facilities and the effective training of future employees.
... This trajectory is particularly relevant to the field of CLRs, which focuses specifically on labour-related issues within CSR, emphasizing fair treatment of workers. However, in developing countries, the adoption of CSR and ESG practices is still evolving [34]. In the realm of HLRs, broader societal concerns, such as modern slavery, human trafficking, and race discrimination, are addressed [2,9]. ...
Amidst today’s globalized economy, embedding sustainable practices into corporate governance frameworks has become important. This era underscores a heightened focus on CSR and sustainability, drawing considerable scholarly and practical interest to the nexus of corporate governance, sustainability initiatives, and corporate labour rights (CLRs). Hence, this study investigates the relationship between corporate sustainability governance initiatives (CSGIs) and CLR practices in India. Despite regulatory efforts, issues such as modern slavery and low wages persist in the country. Drawing on legitimacy, agency, stakeholder, and resource dependency theories, this study examines how CSGIs influence CLR practices. Data from 1212 observations of top Indian listed companies between 2010 and 2021 indicate positive correlations between CSGI dimensions and CLR practices across industries and board CSR orientations. This research underscores the importance of CSGIs in promoting sustainable corporate practices and improving CLRs in emerging economies. It also aligns with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 8, and SDG 10. By combining theoretical rigour with practical relevance, this study provides insights for businesses, policymakers, workers, investors, and CSR scholars, contributing to efforts to enhance CLRs in India and beyond. For instance, the study offers actionable guidance for businesses and policymakers aiming to improve CLR practices. It highlights the positive correlation between specific attributes of CSGIs and CLR practices, providing insights for corporate decision-making and emphasizing the importance of aligning operations with the UN’s sustainable development goals. The findings serve as critical decision-making tools for investors concerned with corporate sustainability governance and CLRs to identify ethically responsible companies and mitigate investment risks.
... The study adopted a positivist research ethic predominantly because it concentrated on findings which could be quantified and subjected to statistical analysis. Positivist researchers usually advocated the implication of a highly structured method so as to increase the likelihood of replication (Gill & Johnson, 2010). The researcher adopted positivist approach to objectively observe the impact of financial literacy on SMEs performance in Zimbabwe. ...
This study investigates how the access to financial products and services affect growth and development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe. The study uses a mixed-methods approach that combines primary data collected from self-administered questionnaires targeted at SMEs owner-manager by incorporating secondary sources from monetary policy statement, World Bank financial statistics, and scholarly literature. The objective of this all-inclusive data collection approach is to present, an overall picture of the financial infrastructure for SMEs in Zimbabwe which is focused on both access to Finance and the impact of financial services on SME growth. The survey instruments were, therefore, developed to provide more nuanced feedback on the twin issues, inquiring both qualitatively and quantitatively about notions of SMEs’ involvement with financial services. The secondary data assists to present these findings within the broad economic environment; thus, a macro-level perspective of the challenges and opportunities that are facing SMEs in Zimbabwe is provided. The anticipated outcomes of the research aim at improving knowledge about of the role of financial accessibility in supporting growth and development of SMEs in a developing country. Thus, we note the lack of policies that increase the financial inclusion and ensure the SMEs as major development engines.
The inspiration for this study came from the researcher's own learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This researcher's experience made them consider how practical learning is essential for scientific learners. The purpose of the research was to determine how physical science subjects are taught and learned in high schools in the Amajuba District of KwaZulu-Natal. To explore the phenomenon, a mixed-method approach was employed which combined qualitative and quantitative approaches. Educators who were involved in teaching physical sciences were the target demographic for this study. There were three stages to the data gathering. In the first stage, the quantitative data were collected from 120 teachers through a structured closed-ended questionnaire. In the second stage, qualitative data were collected from 10 physical sciences teachers through in-depth interviews. For the qualitative approach, the interview guide and open-ended questions were used, and a face-to-face in-depth interview was conducted. The study's findings showed that 40% of the participants who were teachers performed online lessons during COVID-19 at their schools using social media platforms, and 35.5% of the respondents used Google learning platforms. 75.8% of the respondents, physical sciences teachers noted that they faced challenges associated with online learning and teaching, and only 24.2% of them stated that they were not facing any challenges related to online learning and teaching. This study recommended that South African high schools provide their employees with training programmes on online instruction. These programmes will give educators a chance to learn the necessary e-teaching skills.
Background
Authentic leadership is crucial during the succession phase of a family business, as it helps employees adapt to change more effectively. Thus, developing a clear portrait of an authentic leader becomes essential to guide the business through this pivotal phase.
Objective
This study aims to explore authentic leadership in family SMEs using a resource-based approach, with inputs like leaders’ psychological capital, social intelligence, and family culture. It also examines how authentic leadership moderates the link between employees’ psychological ownership and readiness for organisational change.
Methods
A multilevel model was used, based on data collected from 107 leaders and 693 employees in Vietnamese family SMEs.
Results
The findings reveal that psychological capital, social intelligence, and family culture play a critical role in shaping authentic leadership. Moreover, by leveraging the potential for change, authentic leaders can amplify the positive aspects of psychological ownership, fostering greater employee readiness for organisational change.
Conclusions
This study portrays an authentic leader who aids family businesses in smooth generational transitions while also strengthening the link between psychological ownership and readiness for organisational change, which has been unclear in past research.
not available Bangladesh J. Zool. 52(3): 341-348, 2024
In the age where every firm is digitizing, it is no longer digitisation that leverages a firm's competitive edge. Instead, it is the know-how of digital business strategy's optimisation which is increasingly turning into an idiosyncratic strategic value creating resource. But even if that is the case, discerning how to bolster digital business strategy's optimisation is still a paradox as most of the previous studies have been largely fascinated with digital transformation as a driver of digitisation. As this undermines how firms can discern how to optimise their digital business strategy, it is such a paradox that this paper sought to address by exploring a model for leveraging digital business strategy's optimisation as a driver of differential value creation. The paper uses interpretivist research paradigm, exploratory research design and qualitative research method to explore and socially construct the opinions of sixty-six digital business managers and IT managers from the energy and chemical sector about the approaches for digital business strategy's optimisation as well as its impact on value creation and major impediments among the multinational companies in the global energy and chemical industries. The sixty-six digital business managers and IT managers were purposively drawn from eighty multinational energy and chemical companies that are operating in South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria. Apart from investment in relevant digital technologies and digital transformation, findings revealed factors that leverage or even constrain digital business strategy's optimisation to create differential values to often arise from how the digital business strategy is crafted and utilised as well as digital skills and level of digital culture transition. Such findings contrast theories that indicated strategic levers of digital business strategy's optimisation to include scope, scalability, speed and sources of value creation of the digital business strategy. However, in conclusion, the paper proposes an alternative digital business strategy's optimisation model that executives can replicate as an idiosyncratic strategic value creating resource to leverage a firm's competitiveness in the modern complex digital age.
This study investigates the familiarity of auditors with sustainability reporting and assurance concepts across different sizes of audit firms in Europe. Utilizing extensive literature and quantitative surveys deployed at auditors and audit firms in Europe, the research reveals that auditors associated with international audit networks and larger audit firms demonstrate a greater familiarity with sustainability reporting and assurance concepts and practices compared to auditors associated with smaller, local audit firms. The findings suggest that this familiarity gap stems from the predominant involvement of larger audit firms in providing sustainability reporting services and assurance for their clients. To narrow this familiarity gap, the study proposes collaborative efforts involving academia and professional audit associations to deliver training on sustainability reporting and assurance concepts and practices. Recognizing auditor proficiency and knowledge as crucial factors in ensuring the quality of assurance services in this domain, the study emphasizes the importance of enhancing external auditors’ competencies in sustainability reporting and assurance. Furthermore, the study advocates for the implementation of stringent regulations by national authorities to secure the market for sustainability reporting and assurance, aligning with previous scholarly calls for clearer regulatory frameworks in this sphere. However, the study underscores the need for further research to assess the impact of such regulations on the professional market for sustainability reporting and assurance.
The study examines the impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) on construction project performance in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria. It evaluates six practices from the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) framework: Leadership, Strategic Planning, Customer Focus, Workforce Focus, Operation Focus, and Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management. The results show that all six MBNQA practices positively impacted project performance, indicating that TQM significantly influences project outcomes. The study offers practical recommendations for construction firms and practitioners to better understand the link between TQM and project performance.
A hagyományos hústermelési rendszerekkel szembeni kritikák miatt az élelmiszeripar egyre inkább keresi a húshelyettesítés lehetőségeit. A fejlesztések egyik fő irányát a laboratóriumban növesztett húsok képviselik. A kutatás legfontosabb célkitűzése a laborhússal kapcsolatos fogyasztói preferenciák vizsgálata volt a magyar lakosság körében, aminek érdekében egy 500 fős, országos reprezentatív megkérdezést folytattunk le. Eredményeink szerint a laborhúst nagyon kevesen próbálnák ki és fogyasztanák rendszeresen; a biztosan kipróbálók aránya mindössze 4,2%, a biztosan rendszeres fogyasztóké pedig 5,2%. Kicsi a részaránya azoknak is (2,3%), akik biztosan lecserélnék a hagyományos húsféleségeket a laborhúsra, illetve azonos ár mellett a laborhúsból készült húspogácsát is mindössze 2,9% választaná, szemben a hagyományos húspogácsát preferálók 80,2%-ával. Mindez összhangban áll a magyar fogyasztók új élelmiszerektől való magas szintű idegenkedésével (élelmiszerneofóbiával), illetve arra utal, hogy a már rögzült fogyasztói szokásoknak és preferenciáknak nagy a szerepe a fogyasztói magatartás alakulásában. Ugyanakkor elmondható, hogy a növényi húshelyettesítőket már kipróbáló fogyasztók laborhúskipróbálási hajlandósága lényegesen nagyobb azokkal összehasonlítva, akik még nem próbálták ki e helyettesítőket, a két csoport között tehát átjárás van, így valószínűleg ez a szegmens lesz az üzletek elsődleges célcsoportja. Emellett a kipróbálási és rendszeres fogyasztási hajlandóság a fiatalok, a magukat nagyon egészségés környezettudatosnak valló fogyasztók, valamint Közép-Magyarország lakóinak körében is lényegesen magasabb a többi szegmenshez képest. A vállalatoknak ezért célszerű lehet elsőként ezeket a célcsoportokat megszólítaniuk és üzeneteikben hatékonyan koncentrálni a laborhús előnyös tulajdonságaira. A válaszadók szerint a két legfontosabb akadályozó tényező a laborhús kipróbálása kapcsán az élelmiszerbiztonság kérdése és a termék élvezeti értéke, így a vállalatoknak bizonyítaniuk kell, hogy az új termék nem káros az egészségre, ugyanakkor kóstoltatással azt is igazolniuk kell, hogy az élvezeti értéke (íze) nem tér el a hagyományos húsféléktől.
Müşteriler, markaya yönelik olumlu deneyimlerini ve memnuniyetlerini marka savunuculuğu aracılığıyla yansıtmaktadır. Marka savunuculuğu, marka ile ilgili olumlu ağızdan ağıza iletişim pratiği ve müşteri desteğinin somutlaşması olup markayla ilgili deneyim ve memnuniyetin çevrim dışı / içi bir şekilde başkalarına aktarılmasını kapsamaktadır. Bu çerçevede markanın, müşteri tarafından yoğun bir biçimde içselleştirilmesi ve müşterinin markaya güven duyması marka savunuculuğunu şekillendirmektedir. Öte yandan her müşteri birbirinden farklı kişilik özelliklerine sahiptir. Söz konusu kişilik özelliklerini marka savunuculuğu kapsamında değerlendirmek önem taşımaktadır. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada, online marka savunuculuğu ve beş büyük kişilik özelliği arasındaki ilişki ile online marka savunuculuğunun ve beş büyük kişilik özelliğinin demografik değişkenler açısından farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığı incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda online marka savunuculuğu ve beş büyük kişilik özelliği arasında anlamlı bir ilişkinin olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Diğer yandan online marka savunuculuğu ile beş büyük kişilik özelliğinin alt boyutlarından biri olan “sorumluluk” arasında pozitif yönde ve düşük düzeyde anlamlı bir ilişkinin olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bunların yanı sıra online marka savunuculuğunun cinsiyet ve eğitim durumu değişkenlerine göre anlamlı bir farklılık gösterdiği ancak yaş ve gelir durumu değişkenlerine göre anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Beş büyük kişilik özelliğinin ise demografik değişkenler açısından anlamlı bir farklılık göstermediği ortaya konulmuştur.
The ubiquity of terrorism cannot be overemphasized as it has become a global common phenomenon. Schools are easy prey of terrorist attack since they lack the maximum security apparatuses that other state institutions possess. All over the world, terrorist attacks have taken place inside and beside school premises raising serious concern for government, security experts and school authorities. The recurring events of school shootings that keep taking place in the United States of America, Beslan Russia and even in Norway have proven that no school is totally immune from attacks by insiders, criminals, terrorists and non-state actors. Consequently, schools should be protected from these threats given the public emotion, sensitivity and global concerns about places of learning. In the last decade or so, Nigeria has gone through the harrowing experiences of terrorist attacks on schools especially in the Northern part of the country and the North East in particular by Boko Haram, ISWAP and currently armed bandits. This study therefore examines this ugly menace that has defied sustainable solutions to insecurity and safety threats in Schools. The study is descriptive in nature and gathered information from materials already available and questionnaires from individuals and schools authorities.
The previous chapter outlined the theoretical framework of the research, focusing on the direct relationships between firm innovativeness, supply chain agility, and firm performance. In alignment with the research aim and objectives, several hypotheses were proposed. This chapter details the research methodology utilized in this study.
Bu araştırmanın temel amacı; sağlık kurumlarında çalışan çocuk gelişimi uzmanlarının mevcut duruma, sorunlara ve çözüm önerilerine ilişkin görüşlerinin incelenmesidir. Araştırmada nitel araştırma modeli uygulanmıştır. Araştırmanın evrenini Türkiye genelindeki sağlık kurumlarında görev yapan çocuk gelişimi uzmanları oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma grubunun belirlenmesi amacıyla farklı illerdeki sağlık kurumlarında görev yapan çocuk gelişimi uzmanlarına dijital ortamda ulaşılmıştır. Katılımcılara araştırmanın kapsamı ve içeriği hakkında detaylı bilgi verilmiş ve veriler araştırmaya katılmaya gönüllü olan çocuk gelişimi uzmanlarından elde edilmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak “Demografik Bilgi Formu” ile uzman görüşleri alınarak oluşturulan “Yarı Yapılandırılmış Görüşme Formu” kullanılmıştır. Katılımcıların görüşlerinden ortaya çıkan temalar tablolaştırılarak literatürle desteklenmiştir. Elde edilen nitel verileri düzenlemek, görselleştirmek ve analiz etmek için MaxQda 20 kullanılmıştır. Çalışma grubundaki kişilerin büyük çoğunluğu Çocuk Gelişimi Polikliniğinde çalışmaktadır. Çocukların gelişimsel değerlendirilmesinde en sık Denver-II, AGTE ve Metropolitan testleri uygulanmaktadır. Elde edilen verilere göre; çocuk gelişimi profesyonellerinin en sık yaşadığı sorunların; çocuk gelişimi mesleğinin bilinmemesi, açık öğretimden kaynaklanan kalite sorunu, fiziki imkânların yetersizliği, görev tanımının belirsiz olması, hastaların doğrudan Çocuk Gelişmi Polikliniğinden randevu alamaması olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışmanın sonunda, meslekte hizmet kalitesini artırmak için çeşitli önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Bu öneriler arasında mesleki standartların oluşturulması, meslek hakkında toplumsal farkındalığın artırılması, meslekte birlik sağlanması ve fiziksel koşulların iyileştirilmesi yer almaktadır.
Abstract
Introduction: This current study examines the factors that contribute towards behavior change among motorcyclist and its implications in encouraging the use of crush helmets in Accra the capital city of Ghana.
Methods: In this study the result primarily is based on collected data from using questionnaire randomly administered to motorcyclists in two specific municipalities in the greater Accra Region who ride motorcycles either for private or for commercial use.
Findings: The theory of Planned behavior was used and the results indicate that, of the four variables in the framework only perceived behavioral control was seen to contribute towards changing risky behaviors of motorcyclists as it was found to have a significant positive relationship with intention to change and change with helmet wearing. Again, the moderating role of social marketing campaigns was found to have a rather negative influence indicating the lack of or inadequate use it.
Originality/value –This study adds to the theoretical understanding of the functioning of behaviour change and the role social marketing play in that effect and the important implications motorcyclists and the prevention of injuries from accidents.
Zusammenfassung
Community-gesteuerte Marketing- und Vertriebsaktivitäten nehmen seit dem Pandemiejahr stetig zu und etablieren sich in den USA bereits als vielversprechende Markteintrittsstrategie für Software-Startups. Innerhalb der Entrepreneurial Marketing Forschung ist der Ansatz bislang wenig diskutiert, birgt aber großes Potenzial wertschöpfende Interaktionen mit Nutzern und Kunden zu generieren, indem frühzeitig eine Community aufgebaut wird. Mit dem Community-Led Growth Ansatz können insbesondere Herausforderungen von Software-Startups im B2B-Umfeld adressiert werden. Da die Kundenakquise hier besonders langwierig und komplex ist, kann mithilfe einer Community eine kundenzentrierte Produktentwicklung mit vielen direkten Berührungspunkten fokussiert werden. Somit können Markteintrittsbarrieren reduziert, Expertise und Kredibilität aufgebaut und erste Kontakte zu potenziellen Kunden oder späteren Vertriebskanälen und Multiplikatoren geknüpft werden. Dieser Artikel liefert einen konzeptionellen Beitrag zu Community-Led Growth und reflektiert, wie die Dynamik von Communities entlang der Customer Journey Wert für Unternehmen wie z. B. geringere Servicekosten oder eine stärkere Produktaffinität und daraus resultierend eine stärkere Kundenzufriedenheit und -bindung schaffen kann. Basierend auf dem Orbit Model und dem Community Grid wird zunächst aufgezeigt, wie Community-Mitglieder segmentiert werden können und wer zum initialen Kern einer Community gehört. Ein Vergleich von drei Modellen zum Aufbau von Communities (Community Canvas, Community-Led Growth Model und Community Experience) zeigt auf, welche internen und externen Voraussetzungen für den Aufbau einer Community notwendig sind. Abschließend werden auf Basis einer Minimum Viable Community Canvas Handlungsempfehlungen für Software-Startups abgeleitet und ein erweitertes Framework mit iterativen und zielorientierten Komponenten skizziert.
The environmental and construction legislations are not modernized to control the adverse impacts of construction activities in Bangladesh. A large volume of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste and carbon are annually released from this sector. This research was undertaken to investigate the Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and its implications during the implementation in constructions. Three construction industries and three related material manufacturers were selected for case study, and thirty industries combing both categories were investigated through questionnaire survey to unravel current GSCM practices, and its challenges and effect on constructions. Results revealed that market (76.67%) and supplier (91.03%) pressures promoted GSCM practices in construction industries, additionally internal factors played significant role (74.44%), whereas 60% regulations as external pressure. As GSCM elements, green manufacturing (90.83%), green purchasing (85.83%), internal environmental management (82.5%), investment recovery (86.66), and eco-design (93.33%) respondents agreed to improve the construction industry to reduce C&D waste and carbon emission. About 89% and 79% respondents acknowledged the environmental and economic performances, respectively improved by GSCM practices. Furthermore, 70–90% respondents opined financial/technical/human application as key barriers in GSCM practices. Finally, the GSCM practices reduced C&D waste and carbon emissions; however, it was not maintained regularly and strictly.
Field of ResearchThis research study investigates the role of distributed leadership and culture within small enterprises in Malta, an area in which there has been very limited research. It focuses on the interaction between these two elements and their impact on organizational behaviour and effectiveness. Several studies (Jardon et al 2019; Cope et al., 2011; de Oliveira et al., 2015; Mohanty et al., 2012;) suggest that effective leadership and culture are vital elements in the successful endeavours of small organizations. Schein (2006) further asserts that they are two different faces on the same coin and the dyadic interaction characterizes “how leaders create culture and how culture defines and creates leaders”. Distributed Leadership is a systematic practice of interactions and synergies between leaders, followers, and the situation (Spillane 2013). It is different from traditional leadership, which involves top-down management because it tends to be more democratic and participatory, whereby influence and decision-making are shared among multiple individuals rather than being controlled by a single leader. (Xhemajli et al. 2022) MethodologyAdopting a naturalistic approach and guided by an interpretivist, constructivist epistemological stance, this research delves into the intricate interplay between leadership and culture within small businesses. The chosen research methodology employs Grounded Theory, recognized for its robust and systematic process facilitating the observation of patterns through intensive iterative and highly analytical procedures (Charmaz, 2015).In the initial stages of field research, characterized by 'responsive interviewing' (Rubin and Rubin, 2012), data sampling commenced with convenience sampling. This initial phase gradually evolved into a refined strategy incorporating selective sampling and theoretical sampling (Corbin and Strauss, 2015). The shift in sampling approaches reflects a deliberate focus on collecting data based on its specific contribution to the development and comprehension of the dimensions, properties, and characteristics of key concepts.The induction of theory is a product of successive comparative analyses, involving the systematic comparison of data points to identify both similarities and variations. Abductive reasoning is integral throughout the analytical process, with particular emphasis during constant comparative analysis of categories, leading to theoretical integration (Charmaz, 2006). This meticulous approach aligns with the assertion of Strauss and Corbin (2015) that grounding theory in data enhances the likelihood of deriving theories that authentically reflect reality.The key advantage of using this approach is that the analysis carried out goes beyond deep exploration and rich description and actually develops a framework that explains the phenomena observed (Parker and Roffey, 1997, p.218). This is very important if the findings are to contribute to the knowledge enhancement of any field of practiceThe culmination of this research effort is the presentation of a set of interconnected concepts, intricately woven together into an emergent parsimonious model (Corbin and Strauss, 2015). This model serves to explain the dynamic interplay between leadership and culture, elucidating its tangible impact on the effectiveness of small enterprises. Research Contribution:Implications for PracticeThis research contributes to the literature on leadership and organizational culture in small enterprises, particularly in the context of Malta where such studies are scarce. By providing an initial exploration of these phenomena and their impact on organizational behavior, this paper lays the groundwork for further inquiry into this important area. Furthermore, the study offers practical insights for leaders of small enterprises by elucidating leadership behaviors observed in established organizations. Through applied cases, it demonstrates how the abstract concept of culture can be translated into a practical instrument that supports leadership and organizational development. This not only enriches the understanding of leadership dynamics but also provides tangible strategies for implementation. Moreover, the research contributes empirical evidence on the development of leadership functions within small enterprises, emphasizing the potential of shared and distributed leadership models. By grounding its findings in data, the study equips leaders with a deeper understanding of how these leadership approaches can shape organizational development, fostering more effective management practices in small businesses. Methodologically, the adoption of Grounded Theory methodology showcases its efficacy in exploring complex management phenomena. By employing this approach, the researchers were able to gather rich descriptions and develop an explanatory framework, highlighting its applicability in studying nuanced organizational dynamics. Implications for Policy and TheoryThis research also holds significant implications for policymakers, academic researchers and institutions involved in supporting small businesses. By providing insights into distributed leadership and cultural influences on organizational effectiveness, it offers a basis for informed policy formulation and support mechanisms. The conceptual model emerging from this study serves as a foundation for designing more targeted policies that cater to the unique needs of small enterprises. By understanding the intricacies of leadership dynamics and cultural contexts, policymakers can develop interventions that foster a conducive environment for small business growth and sustainability. Additionally, academic researchers can use these findings to further refine theoretical frameworks and empirical studies in the field, contributing to ongoing scholarly dialogue and knowledge advancement.
This article outlines a narratological approach to understanding how middle managers and senior managers in a UK National Health Service (NHS) hospital made sense of the introduction of a series of interventions, led by senior managers. The research contribution this article makes is fourfold. First, it illustrates the role of individual and group narratives in processes of collective sensemaking. Second, it discusses the importance of work narratives in the efforts of individuals and groups to define their shared identities. Third, it outlines a view of organizations as storytelling milieux in which group narratives play important hegemonic and legitimatory roles. Finally, our focus on narratives, and the plurivocal understandings of actions and events they often encompass, is, we maintain, one useful means by which polysemy can be read back into case study research.
This article examines five common misunderstandings about case-study research: (a) theoretical knowledge is more valuable than practical knowledge; (b) one cannot generalize from a single case, therefore, the single-case study cannot contribute to scientific development; (c) the case study is most useful for generating hypotheses, whereas other methods are more suitable for hypotheses testing and theory building; (d) the case study contains a bias toward verification; and (e) it is often difficult to summarize specific case studies. This article explains and corrects these misunderstandings one by one and concludes with the Kuhnian insight that a scientific discipline without a large number of thoroughly executed case studies is a discipline without systematic production of exemplars, and a discipline without exemplars is an ineffective one. Social science may be strengthened by the execution of a greater number of good case studies.
Wide availability of networked personal computers within organizations has en- abled new methods for organizational research involving presentation of research stimuli using Web pages and browsers. The authors provide an overview of the technological challenges for collecting organizational data through this medium as a springboard to discuss the validity of such research and its ethical implica- tions. A review of research comparing Web browser-based research with other ad- ministration modalities appears to warrant guarded optimism about the validity of these new methods. The complexity of the technology and researchers' relative un- familiarity with it have created a number of pitfalls that must be avoided to ensure ethical treatment of research participants. The authors highlight the need for an online research participants' bill of rights and other structures to ensure success- ful and appropriate use of this promising new research medium. Between 1981 and the present, organizations in the United States have moved from centralized computing facilities to networks of interconnected personal computers (Abbate, 1999). These technology changes can have far-reaching implications for organizational research, including reduced research costs, enlarged sample sizes, shortened data collection-analysis-presentation cycles, improved access to previously hard-to-reach populations (e.g., the disabled), and enhanced interactivity of research materials. With these technological opportunities, however, come new challenges associated with designing, conducting, and interpreting research results. This article can serve as a road map to guide organizational researchers through unique issues encountered when planning and implementing research using Web pages on the Internet or an intranet.
Many issues are under debate as to the philosophical nature of OR/MS: is it science or technology? Is it natural or social science? Can it be realist as well as being interpretivist? There are also many debates within the philosophy of science itself. This paper proposes that a particular account of the philosophy of science, known as critical realism, is especially suitable as an underpinning of OR/MS. The structure of the argument of this paper is to outline the main positions within the philosophy of science and highlight their problems, especially from the point of view of OR/MS; then to introduce critical realism and to show how it addresses these problems and how it is particularly appropriate for OR/MS; and finally to illustrate this by considering examples of various practical OR methods.
Presents a critical review of the role of laboratory experiments in information systems research. In an attempt to highlight the issues raised by laboratory experiments, presents a thought experiment of such an experiment. The thought experiment indicates the problem of distinguishing between that which is done to complete the task and that which is done to complete the requirements of the experiment. Further develops an understanding of this problem by presenting the work of Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty and others. From this discussion, shows that people develop styles for coping in the world that do not allow them to “break up” the world into discrete objects, events, persons, and so forth. Based on this discussion, argues that it is impossible for the observer as well as the observed to know whether their style of coping in the experiment is a style of coping with the world or a style of coping with the requirements and constraints of the experiment. From this discussion, concludes that most laboratory experiments in information systems research have neither internal nor external validity. As such, they should be actively discouraged.
We have recently witnessed a growing, if still arguably marginal, interest in `Critical Management Studies' (CMS). Our aim in this paper is to reflect upon the popularization of CMS; more specifically, we propose to examine the various factors that have contributed to its emergence, and to review the significance of its project. We start by exploring the conditions of possibility for CMS and point to a combination of political, institutional and epistemological trends. In the second part of the paper, we consider what constitutes `CMS' and suggest that whilst it draws upon a plurality of intellectual traditions, CMS is unified by an anti performative stance, and a commitment to (some form of) denaturalization and reflexivity. Finally, we articulate the polemics around which CMS politics have been contested, in particular we review the debates between neo-Marxism and post-structuralism, and discuss the issue of engagement with management practice.
The field of organizational research displays three trends: widening boundaries, a multiparadigmatic profile, and methodological inventiveness. Choice of research methods, shaped by aims, epistemological concerns, and norms of practice, is thus also influenced by organizational, historical, political, ethical, evidential, and personal factors, typically treated as problems to be overcome. This article argues that those factors constitute a system of inevitable influences and that this contextualization of methods choice has three implications. First, it is difficult to argue that methods choice depends exclusively on links to research aims; choice involves a more complex, interdependent set of considerations. Second, it is difficult to view method as merely a technique for snapping reality into focus; choices of method frame the data windows through which phenomena are observed, influencing interpretative schemas and theoretical development. Third, research competence thus involves addressing coherently the organizational, historical, political, ethical, evidential, and personal factors relevant to an investigation.
This paper recognizes the failure of management research to communicate with practitioners, and speculates over the reasons why this may be the case. It is possible that the researchers' interests may not always coincide with management practitioners'; however, even when such interests are congruent, it seems that relatively little management research is published in practitioner journals. We suggest that this is because academic research is written in a style that tends to alienate most practitioners. This paper isolates the stylistic conventions associated with research targeted to academics (typically published in academic journals) and research targeted to practitioners (typically published in practitioner-oriented journals). Such stylistic differences are illustrated through a study of organizational change whose findings have been published in both academic and practitioner format, namely in the Administrative Science Quarterly and the Harvard Business Review. We suggest that the gap between these two types of research could be narrowed through processes of translation (i.e. academic jargon could be translated in practitioner language). In addition we might consider greater use of Mode 2 research over Mode 1 research (academic). Mode 2 research presupposes that teams of academics and practitioners assemble to define the research problem and methodology in terms appropriate to a particular context and in a way that accounts for all existing interests so that translation processes are seamless. However, Mode 2 creates its own gap in that the knowledge is more contextual and may not reach a wide audience.
The work of Kurt Lewin dominated the theory and practice of change management for over 40 years. However, in the past 20 years, Lewin's approach to change, particularly the 3-Step model, has attracted major criticisms. The key ones are that his work: assumed organizations operate in a stable state; was only suitable for small-scale change projects; ignored organizational power and politics; and was top-down and management-driven. This article seeks to re-appraise Lewin's work and challenge the validity of these views. It begins by describing Lewin's background and beliefs, especially his commitment to resolving social conflict. The article then moves on to examine the main elements of his Planned approach to change: Field Theory; Group Dynamics; Action Research; and the 3-Step model. This is followed by a brief summary of the major developments in the field of organizational change since Lewin's death which, in turn, leads to an examination of the main criticisms levelled at Lewin's work. The article concludes by arguing that rather than being outdated or redundant, Lewin's approach is still relevant to the modern world. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2004.
Undertaking a review of the literature is an important part of any research project. The researcher both maps and assesses the relevant intellectual territory in order to specify a research question which will further develop the knowledge base. However, traditional 'narrative' reviews frequently lack thoroughness, and in many cases are not undertaken as genuine pieces of investigatory science. Consequently they can lack a means for making sense of what the collection of studies is saying. These reviews can be biased by the researcher and often lack rigour. Furthermore, the use of reviews of the available evidence to provide insights and guidance for intervention into operational needs of practitioners and policymakers has largely been of secondary importance. For practitioners, making sense of a mass of often-contradictory evidence has become progressively harder. The quality of evidence underpinning decision-making and action has been questioned, for inadequate or incomplete evidence seriously impedes policy formulation and implementation. In exploring ways in which evidence-informed management reviews might be achieved, the authors evaluate the process of systematic review used in the medical sciences. Over the last fifteen years, medical science has attempted to improve the review process by synthesizing research in a systematic, transparent, and reproducible manner with the twin aims of enhancing the knowledge base and informing policymaking and practice. This paper evaluates the extent to which the process of systematic review can be applied to the management field in order to produce a reliable knowledge stock and enhanced practice by developing context-sensitive research. The paper highlights the challenges in developing an appropriate methodology.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of research which explores how the concept qualitative management research is variably constructed and defined by those who have a direct interest in, and influence upon, important aspects of qualitative management research.
Design/methodology/approach
Information was gathered through the use of semi‐structured interviews conducted with 44 individuals who were drawn from four observer‐identified types of “expert” informant who were taken to generally represent key groups of stakeholders in the conduct, evaluation and dissemination of qualitative management research. Interview data from these individuals were analysed though an iterative process using the NVivo software package to inductively generate definitional categories and explore aspects of their interrelationships.
Findings
From data analysis it was apparent that there are eight different, but often interrelated, ways in which interviewees define qualitative management research. The philosophical dimensions of each of these variable definitions are outlined and their relationships to the methodological literature are explored. The variety identified amongst informants, indicates how there is a potential dissensus possible regarding what qualitative management research might entail, as well as regarding its provenance and its academic status. This dissensus potentially can create problems with regard to its evaluation.
Originality/value
So whist there is little evidence to suggest any systematic relationship between the variable institutional backgrounds of informants and how they variably define and perceive qualitative management research, philosophical influences upon this contested terrain are explored and the implications of the identified dissensus for how qualitative management research is perceived and evaluated is discussed. The implications of this evidently contested terrain are discussed with particular reference to the future constitution of qualitative management research and its evaluation.
Research on organizational flexibility should examine the linkages between numerical and functional flexibility. Unfortunately, studies of each type of flexibility generally neglect the other. Moreover, the most popular conception of the interplay between these two forms of flexibility - the core-periphery model - is incomplete in important ways. I discuss evidence and limitations of the core-periphery model of the flexible firm, and outline some promising attempts to conceptualize how organizations may combine functional and numerical flexibility. I focus mainly on the USA and the UK, though I also review evidence and issues involved in cross-national differences in organizational flexibility. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd/London School of Economics 2001.