When responsible downsizing strategy meets employee-oriented leadership: Implications for downsizing performance

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Cheng-Fei Tsai ◽  
Chih-Ting Shih
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Organizational Downsizing ◽  
Practical Implications

AbstractThis study examines whether a responsible downsizing strategy and employee-oriented leadership are complementary in strengthening firm performance after downsizing. This study investigated 154 firms that have used an organizational downsizing strategy with surveys and follow-up focus groups. Results of both the empirical evidence and qualitative data demonstrates that for firms adopting an employee-oriented leadership style, the level of responsible downsizing strategy is high and firm performance is significantly increased. Specifically, the results of the focus groups indicate that a responsible downsizing strategy deepens the loyalty and faith of employees to their employer. These theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

scholarly journals Considering the Issue of Purpose in Leadership: A Review of Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-296
Author(s):  
Megan Vercueil ◽  
Angelo Nicolaides
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Academic Leadership ◽  
Leadership Studies ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Academic Knowledge ◽  
Theoretical Examination ◽  
Practical Implications

This article reviews and integrates the findings of academic leadership studies to guide leaders as they deal with practical implications of “purpose” in leadership at the workplace. This paper offers a theoretical analysis of trait, situational, and value-based leadership theory and presents a philosophically informed theoretical examination of purpose in leadership. Although there is great enthusiasm around the topic of purposeful leadership, much of the knowledge is based on qualitative studies rather than empirical evidence. We hope this article could usefully inform leadership by bringing academic knowledge to the fore to support the enterprise leadership environment. To date, limited empirical research on the role and importance of “purpose” in leadership is available. Our study fills this gap and is unique in that it analyses existing literature and proffers guidance irrespective of the leadership style of those towards whom it is directed. Keywords: Leadership, individual, mission, organisation, purpose, values, vision.

Migration as a livelihood strategy in Ethiopia: fallacy or reality?

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Mago
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Ethiopian Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
External Migration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of migration on the livelihoods of Ethiopians. It is widely acclaimed that migration has positive effects on livelihoods. This paper investigates whether this claim is a fallacy or a reality. Can migration be conceptualized as a strategy for livelihood enhancement? Although Ethiopia has a large number of migrants both internally and externally, this paper focuses on the impact of external migration on the livelihoods of Ethiopian migrants and their families. Design/methodology/approach Using primary data, the paper attempts to establish whether migration enhances livelihoods. Qualitative data are used. Primary data were collected and analyzed using SurveyMonkey. SurveyMonkey is an internet-based software that has a facility for interview questions and it analyses data automatically on submission of responses. The survey achieved a response rate of 52 percent (218 out of 420). A follow-up survey, done between March 20 and April 16, 2018 to validate the online responses, involved 12 respondents. Findings Results show that migration is important in the sustenance of livelihoods. Both pecuniary and non-pecuniary benefits have been realised. In addition, migration also benefits development at home. Practical implications The Ethiopian Government should develop policy options that promote the inflow of remittances for livelihood enhancement. Originality/value The paper uses SurveyMonkey to gather data from a number of respondents (crowdsourcing data collection). The SurveyMonkey made possible a crowd data gathering process.

The polymeric model of school evaluation in the era of accountability

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-411
Author(s):  
Sara Zamir
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Style ◽  
School Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Dimensions ◽  
Four Frames ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
Theoretical Paper ◽  
And Control ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose As the school evaluator’s role is multifaceted and the school elevator is the school principal’s subordinate, this paper aims to present the school evaluator's complex conduct to achieve a better understanding of his or her functioning. Design/methodology/approach Theoretical paper. Findings The two critical dimensions connected to the purpose of this paper are introduced here: the school evaluators’ credibility and the school principal’s leadership style. Hence, the polymeric model displays four frames as follow: false evaluation, confusing evaluation, unreliable evaluation and trustworthy evaluation. Research limitations/implications Although this is a theoretical paper, it can be transformed into a research paper by conducting a follow-up study. Practical implications The increased responsibility that has been placed on schools and the demand for accountability as well as transparency have obligated schools to broaden and deepen the internal evaluation activities and those have led to the position of the school evaluator. This paper sheds light on the problem and suggests some relevant insights. Social implications Evaluative culture in an organization requires deliberate efforts by the leadership to encourage the credible evaluators, to support their skillful and reliable work, and finally, to implement their conclusions even though management may find them tedious and time-consuming. School management that is driven by dishonest motivations (such as gaining power and control) may not only deprive the school of effective evaluation but may also harm the infrastructure of the institution and lead to its decline. Originality/value This paper suggests an original model for school evaluation.

scholarly journals A study on audience perception of fact and fiction in documentary

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Tiffany Crouse
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Media Literacy ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Phase

This study addresses the disconnect between how a documentary consumer goes into a film thinking they are skeptical of the information; when they tend to have a crewed understanding of filmmaking and media literacy. An explanatory, experimental qualitative design was used. This involved collecting qualitative data through the use of focus groups and then expanding upon those data with in-depth interviews. In the first qualitative phase of the study, data was collected from volunteer participants from three different cities in Missouri. Three focus groups where conducted to recognize the volunteers' understanding of the distinctions between fact and fiction in documentary and to assess whether that relates to further word-of-mouth misinformation. The second qualitative phase was conducted as follow up to the focus groups. In this study, the researcher looked at how members of the first data study consume documentaries. She did this through one-on-one in-depth semi-structured interviews with two participants from each of the focus groups. The researcher then conducted a textual analysis of the transcribed material that came from the qualitative data collected in both the focus groups and the interviews. Ultimately addressing the question: how do audience members understand the difference between fact and fiction in documentary?

scholarly journals Two cases of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy leading to rapid psychological improvement in people with intellectual disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 257-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Oliver ◽  
Matthew Selman ◽  
Samuel Brice ◽  
Rebecca Alegbo
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
People With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to show that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may have utility with this client group in routine clinical practice. Design/methodology/approach This uncontrolled double case study describes the targeting of ACT processes with people referred to a mental health service for people with intellectual disabilities because of distressing intrusive thoughts. It includes qualitative data to illustrate the opinions of the participants eight weeks after the end of therapy. Findings Both clients described rapid relief from distress, with some additional untargeted benefits emerging too. The participants provided follow-up qualitative data in which they described how the therapy had helped them as well as areas where it had not. Research limitations/implications This paper presents uncontrolled case studies selected from routine clinical practice. They were selected due to their similarity of outcome and will not represent the experience of every client treated this way. Practical implications The practical implications are that a therapy often considered to rely on the use of metaphors and the manipulation of complex metacognitions may be useful for people with more limited verbal and cognitive ability if the therapy is adapted to meet their level of ability. Originality/value There has been very little published on using ACT with an intellectual disabilities population. This paper has originality value in that it illustrates the application of the approach in routine clinical practice. Additionally, the qualitative follow-up allows the participants’ voices to be heard about their experience of this approach.

Socially Shared Regulation of Learning: A Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Panadero ◽  
Sanna Järvelä
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Learning Theory ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Social Regulation ◽  
Observation Data ◽  
Optimal Form ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
The Past ◽  
Recorded Observation ◽  
Socially Shared Regulation

Abstract. Socially shared regulation of learning (SSRL) has been recognized as a new and growing field in the framework of self-regulated learning theory in the past decade. In the present review, we examine the empirical evidence to support such a phenomenon. A total of 17 articles addressing SSRL were identified, 13 of which presented empirical evidence. Through a narrative review it could be concluded that there is enough data to maintain the existence of SSRL in comparison to other social regulation (e.g., co-regulation). It was found that most of the SSRL research has focused on characterizing phenomena through the use of mixed methods through qualitative data, mostly video-recorded observation data. Also, SSRL seems to contribute to students’ performance. Finally, the article discusses the need for the field to move forward, exploring the best conditions to promote SSRL, clarifying whether SSRL is always the optimal form of collaboration, and identifying more aspects of groups’ characteristics.

Factors Affecting the Use and Consequences of Management Accounting Practices in A Transitional Economy: The Case of Vietnam

2016 ◽  
pp. 54-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh Doan Ngoc Phi
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Transitional Economy ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Factors Affecting

This study seeks to help fill an important gap in the literature by investigating factors that have facilitated the use of management accounting practices (MAPs) in Vietnam - a transitional economy. Data were collected from 220 medium-to-large enterprises. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 20 accounting heads/vice heads to obtain further information and clarification. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (including t-tests and structural equation modeling), while the qualitative data was used to shed further light on the various relationships described by the quantitative analysis. This paper reveals that both decentralization and competition have a positive, significant influence on the use of new MAPs except for the old ones. Consequently, the use of MAPs has a positive, significant influence on enterprise performance.

Heteronormativity and Developing Masculinities at a Primary School in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luckmore Chimanzi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Social Bonds ◽  
Male Identity ◽  
Social Unit ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Diary Research

This article explores the development of heteronormativity and the construction of masculinities at a township primary school in South Africa. In this study, boys and girls chastise homosexuality yet maintain their male-to-male and female-to-female social bonds. Homosocial or male-to-male social bonds have a bearing on the construction of male identity. It is argued that homosocial relationships serve as a means through which certain boys negotiate and exhibit their masculinity in a process of identity formation in which heterosexuality is a key component. Qualitative data from focus groups and diary research with Grade 7 students (male and female) in a primary school are used. Boys engage in a number of games and acquire resources for themselves; hence, as a social unit, they portray themselves as heteronormative. Their solidarity plays a role in maintaining their power in relationships even though privately some of them expressed preference for more flexible constructions of masculinity.

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