scholarly journals Company values guiding the recruitment of employees with a foreign background

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Maija Lämsä ◽  
Markku Mattila ◽  
Merja Lähdesmäki ◽  
Timo Suutari
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Economic Values ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Local Labour ◽  
Integration Of Immigrants ◽  
People’S Attitudes

Purpose In this paper, the following research question is addressed: Why do business organisations recruit employees with a foreign background? This was examined in terms of the values that guide organisations and their management. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The study focused on two businesses in Finland that are pioneers in the recruitment of immigrants. A case study approach was adopted. The research data consist of interviews and documentary data. The data were analysed using content analysis in accordance with grounded theory. Findings Companies can act as an enabling force in the integration of immigrants into the local labour market, especially when the company’s value basis extends beyond only economic values. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted only in two case companies in Finland. Practical implications Companies have the potential to affect local people’s attitudes towards immigrants as workers. This is important because many western societies are likely to face a labour shortage in the future due to the ageing population and low birth rate. Originality/value Prior research has mostly investigated the topic from the viewpoints of the immigrants themselves and of policy makers. The value of this study is that it makes the employers’ viewpoint visible. The dominant theories applied in the field of immigrant recruitment are inadequate to explain employers’ behaviour because of their underlying assumption of the overwhelming importance of economic values in decision making.

Ethical strategic alliances for the sustainable recovering of a territory

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Silvestri ◽  
Stefania Veltri
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Strategic Alliance ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Social Innovations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze a case study of an ethical strategic alliance operating in a depressed territory belonging to the South of Italy, with the aim to investigate whether an alliance guided by ethic principles could be effective in recovering a territory while pursuing, at the same time, economic aims for the alliance itself and for the whole territory. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a case study approach. The analyses of the case data, including in-depth interviews and documentary evidence, interpreted by the authors and supported by literature review, allow for the main research question to be addressed: “Could ethical networks contribute to recover a territory?”. Findings The case analysis delivers new insights into the relationships between business and ethics. The findings also provide evidence that it is possible, even in a depressed area, to conjugate ethics and business with reciprocal advantages for the organizations and the territory, in the light of the creed of the Magna Grecia, kalokagathìa (the good and the beautiful). Social implications The findings of the GOEL strategic alliance provide evidence of the role that could be played by networks in supporting social innovations, thus highlighting clear implications for policy makers, as there is still scarce empirical evidence available to inform governments on how they can influence, support and facilitate the formation of networks. Originality/value This is one of the few studies adopting an ethical perspective in studying alliances and, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first study pursuing the aim to investigate how and whether an ethical network can succeed in recovering a depressed territory.

Neoliberal governance in Indonesian universities: the impact upon academic identity

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 666-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurdiana Gaus ◽  
David Hall
Keyword(s):  
Academic Identity ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Personal Project ◽  
Neoliberal Governance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the under life of Indonesian academics during ongoing implementation of government-driven policy enacted in higher education instititutions in Indonesia. The attention was specifically focused on the new programme of accountability and quality assurance moderated by the implementation of online assessment system to monitor and evaluate the perfromance of lecturers directly and how this system impacted upon the meaning of academic identity perceived by them. Design/methodology/approach – This study was drawn from a qualitative research of case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data and conducted with 30 academics from three state universities. Findings – This study revealed that academics were grappling to balance their schism between keeping their existing identity tenable and excercising new prescribed roles from external environment. However, academics were still able to practice their preceived identity through their principled personal project that legitimate them to become academics and pursue their success rather than use instrumental means. Practical implications – The results of this study will be expected to contribute to a better understanding on the dynamics of academics’ world as it is encountered against government-driven policy, and provide indications for policy makers to take into account this issue in the formulation and enactment of their policy. Originality/value – A new aspect of identity in academic profession was found, that is to say religion.

An examination of ecopreneurs’ incentives through a combination between institutional and resource-based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis E. Nikolaou ◽  
Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis ◽  
Kyriaki Tasopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address two research questions: which are the key factors that stimulate entrepreneurs to invest in ecopreneurship, and how ecopreneurhsip contributes to environmental sustainability. Design/methodology/approach To answer these questions, a framework has been developed to identify the incentives that lead entrepreneurs to invest in firms in the ecopreneurship through institutional and resource-based thinking. Findings From a survey of 91 Greek firms from the green service sector, it is shown that some specific institutional and resource-based view factors play a critical role in green entrepreneurs’ decisions, as well as some certain environmental practices that are frequently used by entrepreneurs to address environmental issues. Research limitations/implications First, the answer of the second research question through data collected by a questionnaire survey may be faced with skepticism by some authors, as it could be seen that entrepreneurs and managers of firms could have overstated their company's environmental activities. Second, although the sample selection of 91 firms is a representative sample (response rate 12.35 percent) of the total population of Greek green firms (761) and equal to other relative studies, a higher number of firms and a wider variety of green entrepreneurship ventures is necessary in future research. Practical implications The findings are useful for scholars, practitioners and policy makers since it provide information regarding the behavior of green entrepreneurs. Originality/value The paper analyze the types of green entrepreneurs in relation to the different features and strategies which are emerged from two theories, such as institutional and resource-based theory.

Growth aspirations among women entrepreneurs in high growth firms

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oxana Bulanova ◽  
Espen John Isaksen ◽  
Lars Kolvereid
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Research Question ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth Firms ◽  
Event Model ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Perceived Desirability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived desirability (attitude towards growth) and feasibility (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) of business growth and women entrepreneurs’ continued business growth aspirations. Hypotheses are derived guided by the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM). The authors also address the following research question: what reasons do women entrepreneurs state for wanting or not wanting continued business growth? Design/methodology/approach – The sample consists of 93 of the largest independent businesses in Norway started by women entrepreneurs in 2004, 2005 or 2006 (response rate 57.5 per cent). The hypotheses are tested using logistic regression. The authors carry out a post hoc analysis of open-ended questions, containing a qualitative analysis of the reasons for not wanting or wanting the business to grow. Findings – The results support the hypotheses. Controlling for industry, location and the women entrepreneurs’ age, perceived desirability and feasibility of business growth predict growth aspirations. Thus, the findings suggests that the EEM is an appropriate and useful model. Reasons are grouped in reasons relating to considerations for the entrepreneur, the business and the environment. The most common reason for not wanting the business to grow relates to business considerations, including that growth would jeopardize the quality of services offered by the business. Important reasons for wanting the business to grow include fun and excitement. Research limitations/implications – Policy makers and educators can encourage business growth by efforts aiming to increase the desirability and feasibility of growth. Practitioners as well as scholars should be aware of the inducements and costs associated with business growth. The study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by exploring and identifying areas that both encourage and hinder further business growth among high-growth women entrepreneurs. Originality/value – Research on women-owned businesses is still scarce, and few if any previous studies have surveyed growth aspiration in new high-growth women-owned businesses. The combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques is also a novel contribution of this survey.

How and why medically-trained managers undertake postgraduate management training

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Loh
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Management Competencies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Chief Executives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Management Positions ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the research question using qualitative research methods: how and why medically trained managers choose to undertake postgraduate management training? Design/methodology/approach – This research used two qualitative methods to gather data. Both methods used purposeful sampling to select interviewees with appropriate management expertise, qualifications and experience. The first stage utilised convergent interviews and was exploratory. The five interviewees were managers and academics. The second stage used case research methodology and was confirmatory. The fifteen interviewees were medically qualified chief executives and chief medical officers. In total, 20 in-depth interviews were carried. Rigorous content analysis of data collected showed emergent themes. Findings – The first theme that emerged was that doctors move into management positions without first undertaking training. The second theme was that doctors undertake such training in the form of a masters-level degree and/or a specialist fellowship. The third theme was that effective postgraduate management training for doctors requires a combination of theory and practice. The fourth theme was that clinical experience alone does not lead to required management competencies. The fifth theme was that doctors choose to undertake training to gain credibility. Research limitations/implications – This research was exploratory and descriptive in nature and limited to analytical rather than statistical generalisation. Originality/value – This research has provided insights into the importance of understanding how and why doctors undertake postgraduate management training, and may assist policy makers and training providers in the development of such training for doctors.

Teaching English as an additional language: a case study approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evanthia Tsaliki
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Methods ◽  
English Language ◽  
Research Question ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach

Purpose This paper aims to deal with the processes and experiences of teaching English as an additional language (AL). More specifically, it deals with the research question of which teaching methods are used when teaching English as AL and why. Design/methodology/approach It concerns a case study approach conducted in an English primary school situated in North Yorkshire, where bilingual pupils also participate. The research methods used include observations in the classroom and in the playground, interviews with the teachers and the bilingual pupils of the school, as well as analysis of policy school documentation related to the topic examined. Findings The picture revealed by this study suggests that a number of different approaches and teaching methods, which contribute to teaching English as an AL, are used. The results indicate that great importance is attributed to teacher-pupil and pupil-pupil interaction, as well as to the employment of specific teaching techniques such as key visuals, corrective feedback. In addition, certain types of questions are addressed to bilingual pupils depending on their current language proficiency level. Teachers seem to emphasise the significance of activating the prior knowledge of non-native speakers (NNS). Progression in the content of the activities set, motivation and differentiation are seen as important. The implementation of the aforementioned approaches and teaching methods are supported by the policy and organisation of the school, where the research study was conducted. Originality/value As stated in the National Curriculum and within the framework of inclusion, all pupils for whom English is not their first language have to be provided with opportunities to develop the English language, the acquisition of which will help them to have access and take part in all subject areas. The present study explores what certain teaching approaches and methods can provide NNS with equal opportunities to develop English as an AL and why.

scholarly journals Contending institutional logics, illegitimacy risk and management accounting

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-824
Author(s):  
Monika Łada ◽  
Alina Kozarkiewicz ◽  
Jim Haslam
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Institutional Logics ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Organizational Responses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Empirical Contribution

PurposeThis article explores the influence of duality in institutional logics on internal accounting, with a focus on a Polish public university. More particularly, we answer the research question: how does illegitimacy risk arising from the divergent pressures of the institutional environment impact management accountings in this institution?Design/methodology/approachThis paper seeks to uncover intricacies of notions of internal legitimacy façade, decoupling and counter-coupling in practice. It explores details of organizational responses involving management accounting aimed at reducing illegitimacy risk. Achieving good organizational access, the authors adopt a qualitative case study approach involving contextual appreciation/document analysis/participant observation/discussion with key actors: facilitating building upon theoretical argumentation through finding things out from the field.FindingsThe authors uncover and discuss organizational solutions and legitimizing manoeuvres applied, identifying four adaptation tactics in the struggle to support legitimacy that they term ‘ceremonial calculations’, ‘legitimacy labelling’, ‘blackboxing’ and ‘shadow management accounting’. These can be seen in relation to decoupling and counter-coupling. Ceremonial calculations supported the internal façade. Shadow management accounting supported pro-effectiveness. Legitimacy labelling and blackboxing helped bind these two organizational layers, further supporting legitimacy. In interaction the four tactics engendered what can be seen as a ‘counter-coupling’ of management accounting. The authors clarify impacts for management accounting.Research limits/implicationsThe usual limitations of case research apply for generalizability. Theorizing of management accounting in relation to contradictory logics is advanced.Practical implicationsThe article illuminates how management accounting can be understood vis-à-vis contradictory logics.Originality valueElaboration of the tactics and their interaction is a theoretical and empirical contribution. Focus on a Polish university constitutes an empirical contribution.

Did the ACA reduce job-lock and spur entrepreneurship?

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Condliffe ◽  
Matt B. Saboe ◽  
Sabrina Terrizzi
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Job Lock ◽  
State Variation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Dependent Coverage

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of the recent Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Dependent Mandate (DM) that requires health insurers to extend dependent coverage to the children of their insured, up to age 26. The DM has the potential to free young persons from “job lock,” enabling them to engage in entrepreneurial activity. Using the American Community Survey, the authors analyze the change in self-employment for ages 18-25 relative to the implementation of the DM. Design/methodology/approach The authors approach the research question in a unique manner and in doing so, extend the literature. Employing national data, the authors focus on young adults impacted by the DM (those under the age of 26 may remain on their parents’ insurance). While the DM is a condition of the ACA, prior to its implementation several states had already passed their own such provision. The authors exploit this state-by-state variation in the methodology. Findings The authors find no evidence that the ACA has stimulated self-employment among all young adults. However, the authors determine that the DM has a positive and significant effect on the likelihood of students being self-employed. The result is even more pronounced when using a stricter definition of entrepreneurship, an incorporated business. Sub-group analyses show no evidence of a significant effect on entrepreneurship among young adults in other groups. The results remain after conducting various falsification tests. Originality/value The paper empirically addresses the commonly held belief that the ACA is creating new businesses via reduced job lock. Policy makers may wish to target other explanations of job lock rather than health insurance availability.

Performance measurement and benchmarking as “reflexive institutions” for local governments

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Kuhlmann ◽  
Joerg Bogumil
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Sector Innovation ◽  
Institutional Learning ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss different approaches of performance measurement and benchmarking as “reflexive institutions” for local governments in England, Germany and Sweden from a comparative perspective. Design/methodology/approach These three countries have been selected because they represent typical (most different) cases of European local government systems and reforms. The existing theories on “institutional reflexivity” point to the potential contribution of benchmarking to public sector innovation and organizational learning. Based on survey findings, in-depth case studies, interviews and document analyses in these three countries, the paper addresses the major research question as to what extent and why benchmarking regimes vary across countries. It derives hypotheses about the impacts of benchmarking on institutional learning and innovation. Findings The outcomes suggest that the combination of three key features of benchmarking, namely – “obligation”, “sanctions” and “benchmarking authority” – in conjunction with country-specific administrative context conditions and local actor constellations – influences the impact of benchmarking as a reflexive institution. Originality/value It is shown in the paper that compulsory benchmarking on its own does not lead to reflexivity and learning, but that there is a need for autonomy and leeway for local actors to cope with benchmarking results. These findings are relevant because policy makers must decide upon the specific “governance mix” of benchmarking exercises taking their national and local contexts into account if they want them to promote institutional learning and innovation.

Green buildings for greying people

Facilities ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 365-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Zuo ◽  
Bo Xia ◽  
Jake Barker ◽  
Martin Skitmore
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Aged People ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Floor Plans ◽  
Recycling Systems

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the critical issues to be considered by developers and practitioners when embarking on their first green residential retirement project in Australia. With an increasingly ageing population and widespread acceptance of the need for sustainable development in Australia, the demand for green retirement villages is increasing. Design/methodology/approach – In view of the lack of adequate historical data for quantitative analysis, a case study approach is used to examine the successful delivery of green retirement villages. Face-to-face interviews and document analyses were conducted for data collection. Findings – The findings of the study indicate that one of the major obstacles to the provision of affordable green retirement villages is the higher initial costs involved. However, positive aspects were identified, the most significant of which relate to the innovative design of site and floor plans; adoption of thermally efficient building materials; orientation of windows; installation of water harvesting and recycling systems, water conservation fittings and appliances; and waste management during the construction stage. With the adoption of these measures, it is believed that sustainable retirement development can be achieved without significant additional capital costs. Practical implications – The research findings serve as a guide for developers in decision-making throughout the project life-cycle when introducing green features into the provision of affordable retirement accommodation. Originality/value – This paper provides insights into the means by which affordable green residential retirement projects for aged people can be successfully completed.

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