scholarly journals Constructing information experience: a grounded theory portrait of academic information management

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-670
Author(s):  
Lettie Y. Conrad ◽  
Christine S. Bruce ◽  
Virginia M. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Case Illustration ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Researchers ◽  
Academic Information

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss what it means to consider the information experience of academic information management from a constructivist grounded theory perspective. Using a doctoral study in progress as a case illustration, the authors demonstrate how information experience research applies a wide lens to achieve a holistic view of information management phenomena. By unifying a range of elements, and understanding information and its management to be inseparable from the totality of human experience, an information experience perspective offers a fresh approach to answering today's research questions.Design/methodology/approachThe case illustration is a constructivist grounded theory study using interactive interviews, an original form of semi-structured qualitative interviews combined with card-sorting exercises (Conrad and Tucker, 2019), to deepen reflections by participants and externalize their information experiences. The constructivist variant of grounded theory offers an inductive, exploratory approach to address the highly contextualized information experiences of student-researchers in managing academic information.FindingsPreliminary results are reported in the form of three interpretative categories that outline the key aspects of the information experience for student-researchers. By presenting these initial results, the study demonstrates how the constructivist grounded theory methodology can illuminate multiple truths and bring a focus on interpretive practices to the understanding of information management experiences.Research limitations/implicationsThis new approach offers holistic insights into academic information management phenomena as contextual, fluid and informed by meaning-making and adaptive practices. Limitations include the small sample size customary to qualitative research, within one situated perspective on the academic information management experience.Originality/valueThe study demonstrates the theoretical and methodological contributions of the constructivist information experience research to illuminate information management in an academic setting.

scholarly journals Transcending adversity: resilience in volunteer firefighters

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh McCarley Blaney ◽  
David Wilde ◽  
Rowena Hill
Keyword(s):  
Meaning Making ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Psychological Resilience ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Core Concepts ◽  
Volunteer Firefighters

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a theory of psychological resilience in volunteer firefighters.Design/methodology/approachUsing a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) approach, the qualitative study engaged a purposive sample of eight firefighters in Canada, conducted in-depth interviews and analysed the data using comparative methods.FindingsThe results provided unique insights into resilience in firefighters and revealing resilience as multidimensional, complex, dynamic and contextual. Six core concepts interrelate to construct resilience: relationships, personal resources, meaning-making, leadership, culture and knowledge.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research offer a framework for practical integration of resilience theory into workplace health policy and practice. The theory was co-created with firefighters hence is contextually sound to this population, but applicable to other emergency and health services.Originality/valueVolunteer firefighters are under-represented in the literature, despite facing intermittent and frequently intense work-related stressors; this research begins to address the gap in the literature. As well, previous resilience theories have noted relationships between some components, but there is little evidence linking categories; this theory more patently represents the complex nature of resilience in volunteer firefighters.

scholarly journals Fundamental elements of university-industry interaction from a grounded theory approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Bürger ◽  
Gabriela Gonçalves Silveira Fiates
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The University ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach ◽  
University Industry

PurposeThis work aims to analyze the university–industry interaction in innovation ecosystems. The problem under study addresses how agents can operate in university–industry interactions to enhance the connections, specifically in the aspect of operational mechanisms of an innovation ecosystem.Design/methodology/approachThe study is qualitative, applied through grounded theory approach, cross-sectional and multiple sources of evidence – semi-structured interviews were conducted. An explanatory conceptual model was subsequently compared with the literature and validated with specialists.FindingsThe results showed that the university–industry interaction is influenced by several factors, such as networking, legal support, facilitating agents, management practices. Despite this, some other factors were identified for the improvement of U–I relationships, such as: strengthening of triple helix, greater legal certainty and encouragement of open innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe small sample size and the heterogeneity among the universities interviewed did not allow full saturation to occur. In spite of that, a significant level of saturation with respect to the challenges and barriers was observed.Practical implicationsThis work has a direct dialogue with researchers, managers and actors involved in university–industry interaction with regard to increasing the capacity for creation and dissemination of knowledge among organizations, educational institutions, government and companies.Originality/valueBy adopting a grounded theory approach, a detailed research agenda addresses research needs in two main areas: activities that precede the interaction between universities and companies, and the organization and management of the consequences of collaborative relationships.

scholarly journals Carer needs on an organic inpatient unit

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Jennifer Clegg ◽  
Sarah Craven-Staines
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Comparative Methods ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Substantive Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Sampling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to further understand the needs of carers when a relative with dementia is admitted to an organic impatient ward. Design/methodology/approach A constructivist grounded theory approach was employed to generate a substantive theory to understand the needs of carers and how staff perceive carer needs when a relative is admitted to a dementia ward. Five relatives and six members of staff were interviewed using purposive and theoretical sampling. Interview transcripts were analysed using initial, focused and theoretical coding using constant comparative methods to develop the end theory. Findings The grounded theory concluded that carers have three categories of needs: “The Safe and Cared for Relative”, “The Informed Carer and “The Understanding, Responsive and Available Service”. Underpinning the needs are the relationships between carers, their relative and staff. Three barriers were identified which can impact on these needs being effectively met. These identified barriers were: Loss, Time and Ineffective Communication. Originality/value The grounded theory demonstrates that carers needs fundamentally relate to their relatives being safe and cared for and being included and informed during the admission. Relationships can be ruptured when a barrier prevents the needs from being effectively met. Recommendations are made to aim to reduce the impact of the barriers and to aid staff in developing their understanding of the carer experience.

scholarly journals “Systemic Managerial Constraints”

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 862-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Willson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Personal Agency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
Share Information

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the information behaviour of early career academics (ECAs) within humanities and social sciences (HSS) disciplines who are starting their first continuing academic position. The proposed grounded theory of Systemic Managerial Constraints (SMC) is introduced as a way to understand the influence of neoliberal universities on the information behaviour of ECAs. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research used constructivist grounded theory methodology. Participants were 20 Australian and Canadian ECAs from HSS. Their information practices and information behaviour were examined for a period of five to seven months using two interviews and multiple “check-ins”. Data were analysed through two rounds of coding, where codes were iteratively compared and contrasted. Findings SMC emerged from the analysis and is proposed as a grounded theory to help better understand the context of higher education and its influence on ECAs’ information behaviour. SMC presents university managerialism, resulting from neoliberalism, as pervasive and constraining both the work ECAs do and how they perform that work. SMC helps to explain ECAs’ uncertainty and precarity in higher education and changing information needs as a result of altered work role, which, in turn, leads ECAs to seek and share information with their colleagues and use information to wield their personal agency to respond to SMC. Originality/value The findings from this paper provide a lens through which to view universities as information environments and the influence these environments can have on ECAs’ information practices and information behaviour.

scholarly journals Leadership and elite interviews

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomaz Schara ◽  
Richard Common
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Elite Interviews ◽  
The Eu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the constructivist-grounded theory in elite interviews, the methodology used for this research. Design/methodology/approach – The research is about the challenges of the EU rail industry integration in the context of EU integration as seen and told by the involved actors. In particular, the integration process requires leadership in the multi-level governance context of the EU and in the transition from state monopolies to businesses providing services on the integrated market. This provides a potential source of theoretically and practically relevant research questions; and second rigorous grounded research methodologies will bring insight that transcends the currently accepted formal and public statements about the phenomena. The work is situated within social constructivist ontology, enacted through a rigorous grounded theory approach to understanding the current challenges of the industry and seeking more effective developments for the future. Findings – Findings place the concepts of leadership and debt into a relationship that could offer profound understanding of certain social relations and contribute to the growth of theory and practice. These findings are also elaborated in this paper as reflections on the methodological process. Research limitations/implications – Contribution to theory and practice supports the relevance and rigor of “constructivist-grounded theory in elite interviews” as a methodological approach. Practical implications – In particular, it supports qualitative research in complex political environments, such as the multi-level governance structures of the EU. Social implications – A clearer understanding of leadership within such dynamic contexts can make a substantial contribution to better policy-making in the EU and better outcomes for its citizens. Originality/value – Further analysis and research of the concepts of leadership and debt and their relationship could offer profound understanding of certain social relations and contribute to the growth of theory and practice.

Facades of morality: the role of moral disengagement in green buying behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitika Sharma ◽  
Madan Lal
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Moral Dilemma ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Green Consumption ◽  
Buying Behaviour

Purpose This study aims to presents the article regarding the influential role of moral inefficacy and moral disengagement to address green intention and behaviour gap among consumers, and how they attain self-exoneration because of the moral dilemma if any exist. Design/methodology/approach The present study is based on semi-structured interviews, using constructivist grounded theory, which offers a platform to investigate, explore and discover psychosocial mechanism that operates among the consumers regarding the dimension of morality and green practices. In-depth exhaustive dialogues with Indian green consumers are set up to stimulate dialogue on the study. Findings Findings of the study shed light on the moral dilemma arising from internal and external inefficacy of consumers and disengagement of morality to save consumers from self-condemnation. Also, the study proffers the potential conceptual framework of moral inefficacy, moral disengagement and green buying behaviour of consumers. Eventually, the study mapped the morality matrix to explore the consequents of moral inefficacy and moral disengagement. Research limitations/implications The idiographic nature of qualitative research, particularly grounded theory may be considered as a research limitation as it follows limited generalizability. Moreover, the present research work is exploratory in nature and depends on the candour of researchers’ reactivity and understanding. Practical implications The study subjectively concludes the green behaviour of consumers and discusses the rationality behind green intentions and behaviour gap. Marketers can strategize consumer morality as an approach to enhance green buying behaviour of consumers by removing moral inefficacies and disengagements. Social implications It is crucial for marketers and society to understand the reasons behind non-green consumerism and accordingly cope up with the situation. Originality/value The study has been designed in a way to discuss the philosophy of morality and psychology of consumers on green consumption. To elicit the crux and conceptualization of morality and green purchasing framework using constructivist grounded theory is the exclusivity of this study. This paper explores green consumption pattern using moral orientation and processes in detail.

Information management – a skills gap?

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 170-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kolding ◽  
Martin Sundblad ◽  
Jan Alexa ◽  
Merlin Stone ◽  
Eleni Aravopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Management ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
European Universities ◽  
Skills Shortage ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Right ◽  
University Course

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore very recent data about how large organizations are dealing with a shortage of information and communications technology (ICT) specialists, in terms of its implications for information management. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on qualitative interview-based research with 11 large European companies, with an estimated ICT workforce of around 400,000 (about 14 per cent of ICT professionals in Europe), covering hiring, retention and upskilling of ICT staff, and expectations concerning graduates from European universities. These data are combined with International Data Corporation (IDC) analyst reports on the demand for different categories of ICT products and services, and data from the authors’ consulting work. Findings Larger organizations expect hiring to be a challenge, with strong competition for talent, whether from existing users or from the many rapidly digitalizing companies – digitalizing their organizations; their products and services; and their relationships with customer, suppliers and business partners. Upskilling and retraining workforces is seen by large organizations as a better approach than hiring, allowing them to create the right skills balance and retain their workers better. However, softer skills, such as communication and problem solving, are seen as just as important. ICT workers will benefit from a lifelong approach to learning, acquiring new skills and adapting existing skills. Many ICT companies have created academies for developing employee skills and certifications related to their own technologies, while the education sector has been working on creating curricula (alone or sometimes in partnerships with vendors) to improve graduate employability. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a small sample of large companies. The situation may be different in other companies and smaller organizations. Practical implications Organizations can cope with the skills shortage by anticipating and working with the market forces rather than trying to oppose them. Social implications ICT employees will show the way for employees in other sectors where skills are scarce, by demonstrating how to reinvent themselves as the skills needed change. Originality/value This paper demonstrates that employers have changed their expectations of universities. They expect less that graduates will be ICT-employment ready, and more that they will have the skills to make and keep themselves employment ready. This has significant implications for university course design.

Listen to me, I’m talking: involvement and recovery

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fran Walsh ◽  
Anna Tickle
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Service User ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how those engaged in service user involvement (SUI) initiatives perceive involvement and recovery; whether involvement is related to their recovery process and, if so, how. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative method, social constructionist grounded theory, was adopted throughout the research process. Nine semi-structured interviews were undertaken with participants who self-defined as having current or previous mental health problems and who were engaged in SUI initiatives. Findings Most participants identified explicit links between their own experiences of SUI and recovery. These links represented a connection between the characteristics they perceived to be inherent to involvement and their personal definitions of recovery. In contrast, experiences of consultation and involvement as patient service users was limited and identified as an area for improvement. The core of the tentative grounded theory constructed suggests that individuals found in involvement elements which were concordant with and supported their own definitions of recovery and which were not apparent in their experiences as patients. Research limitations/implications The small sample and narrow constituency of participants limit the nature of the claims made by the study. Practical implications This study highlights the value of involvement in promoting recovery and indicates the merit of promoting meaningful involvement across the spectrum of the service user experience. Originality/value This study offers a unique contribution to the current literature, highlighting the links made between involvement and personal recovery.

scholarly journals The Awe in Awesome in Education Abroad

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-119
Author(s):  
Kristin L. Thomas ◽  
Deborah Kerstetter
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Education Abroad ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
Educational Travel ◽  
Grounded Theory Approach

Few have examined how students perceive or make sense of their formal educational travel experiences, resulting in a dearth of knowledge about perceived educational value of experiences. To rectify this situation, this study addressed how students make meaning during their education abroad (EA) experience. Employing a constructivist grounded theory approach, students were found to process their experiences through four meaning-making structures labeled, “Seeking Novelty,” “Actually Being,” “Securing/Blending,” and “Living in a State of Awe,” all of which contributed to experiencing awe during their EA experience. The authors propose the Education Abroad Meaning-Making Framework, which can be used to understand students’ experiences while on EA and to serve as a theoretical foundation upon which further research on EA can be conducted. They also discuss implications of the Framework for pre- and post-experience advising, program, and curriculum development. Abstract in French Peu d’études ont examinées comment les étudiants perçoivent et donnent du sens aux  expériences formelles durant leurs voyages éducatifs, résultant en un manque de connaissance quant à la valeur perçue de ces expériences. Afin de rectifier cette situation, cette étude décrit comment les étudiants donnent du sens à leurs expériences durant leurs voyages éducatifs (VE). Utilisant une approche théorique constructiviste, il est apparu que les étudiants traitent leurs expériences à travers quatre structures donneuses de sens appelées « Chercher la nouveauté », « Être vraiment », « Confort/Immersion », et « Vivre émerveillé », qui ont toutes contribuées à leur émerveillement durant leurs VE. Les auteurs proposent le Cadre de Voyage Éducatif Donneur de Sens, qui peut être utilisé pour comprendre les expériences des étudiants pendant leur VE et servant de fondement théorique sur lequel baser de futures recherches sur les VE. Ils discutent aussi des implications de ce Cadre pour le développement de l’encadrement, du programme et du curriculum avant et après les VE.

scholarly journals Bounded rationality, capital budgeting decisions and small business

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-318
Author(s):  
Jaime A. Morales Burgos ◽  
Markus Kittler ◽  
Michael Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Bounded Rationality ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Capital Budgeting ◽  
The Body ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the capital budgeting decision-making of Canadian and Mexican entrepreneurs in small businesses in the food sector. The objective is to understand the capital budgeting decisions through the lens of bounded rationality and how these decisions are affected by different (national) contexts. Design/methodology/approach This is a comparative study in which the use of constructivist grounded theory allowed deep conversations about capital budgeting decisions. Data was collected from forty semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs/managers in two regions, Mexico and Canada. Findings Insights from this study suggest that entrepreneurs’ capital budgeting decisions are not only taken under conditions of bounded rationality but also suggest a prominent role of context in how bounded rationality is applied differently towards investment decisions. Research limitations/implications While the findings cannot simply be generalized, exploring how capital budgeting decisions are made differently across two regional contexts adds to the understanding of the nexus of context, bounded rationality and capital budgeting decision-making. Practical implications Using a bounded rationality lens, this study contrasts and explains similarities and differences in the entrepreneur’s capital budgeting decision-making within small businesses. The insights add to the body of knowledge and help entrepreneurs to reflect on their approach to decision-making. Originality/value The paper uses a less commonly applied approach to understand two under-researched regional contexts. We use constructivist grounded theory to explore entrepreneurs’ capital budgeting decision-making in small businesses in two regions, Canada and Mexico. The comparative approach and the findings add to the understanding of decision-making, highlight the prominent role of context and also challenge some insights from previous research.

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