Inspiration at work: is it an oxymoron?

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Avramenko
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Philosophical Hermeneutics ◽  
Instrumental Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Cultural Study ◽  
Contemporary Management ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present results of an exploratory cross-cultural study aiming to examine the role and meaning of inspiration in organisational settings to advance the contemporary understanding of inspiration and its manifestations. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilises Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics to cultivate an understanding of the rationalisations of inspiration at work and to explore its conceptualisations to inform future research. Findings – The findings strongly indicate that inspiration in its numerous manifestations is not confined to the domain of personal life and that it often occurs in organisational settings. There are no indications that inspiration is affected by the cultural belongingness of employees, rather it is found that attitudes towards inspiration differ among representatives of the different levels of the organisational hierarchy. A connection between motivation and inspiration is discussed and indication found that at the level of lay accounts the concepts are perceived to be both different and complementary. Originality/value – The article presents a conceptualisation of inspiration in an organisational context to guide future research towards a more instrumental approach to recognising and utilising inspiration in contemporary management practice.

Haunted by the past: transformations and daily challenges of China's prosthetics

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Chunchun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Institutional Pressures ◽  
Rehabilitation Center ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
History Of ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the transformations of prosthetic practices in China, as well as the daily experiences and dilemmas arising from the everchanging practices since 1949. On the basis of materials, this paper explores an everyday perspective to review the history of technology.Design/methodology/approachEthnography was collected with the application of participant observations, informal interviews and in-depth interviews during a 13-months study at a rehabilitation center in Chengdu, China. The literature on prosthetic manufacturing was also reviewed for this paper.FindingsChina's prosthetic technology seems to evolve from traditional to modern. However, this progressive narrative – innovation-based timeline (Edgerton, 2006, xi) – has been challenged by daily practices. Due to institutional pressures, prosthetists are in a dilemma of selectively using their knowledge to create one kind of device for all prosthesis users with a certain kind of disability, thereby regulating the physical and social experiences of prosthesis users. Besides, prosthesis users are accustomed to prostheses made with old techniques, and must correct themselves from old experiences to the daily practices recognized by the selected techniques.Originality/valueThis paper provides a cross-cultural case to reexamine Edgerton's criticism of the progressive and orderly innovation-centric technological narrative. More importantly, it reviews the history and practices of China's prosthetics from daily experiences rather than Edgerton's concentration on technology; therefore, it provides an everyday perspective for future research on technological transformations.

scholarly journals High-growth firms and scale-ups: a review and research agenda

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-111
Author(s):  
Guilherme Fowler A. Monteiro
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Levels Of Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth Firms ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose This paper aims to conduct an extensive review and advances a framework for the literature of high-growth firms (HGFs) and scale-ups. Design/methodology/approach This paper takes the form of a literature review. Findings The author makes three specific contributions. First, he presents a broad review of high growth in firms, shedding light on the different levels of analysis. Second, he advances a characterization of scale-up companies to enable a better basis for discussion. Finally, he identifies gaps in the existing literature and suggest paths for future research. Originality/value The interest in HGFs and those referred to as scale-ups has increased considerably in recent years. Despite this trend, existing studies still have conceptual divergences and a gap separating theoretical inputs from the actual experiences of entrepreneurs.

Managing healthcare information: analyzing trust

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 786-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Söderström ◽  
Nomie Eriksson ◽  
Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trusting Beliefs ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze two case studies with a trust matrix tool, to identify trust issues related to electronic health records. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research approach is applied using two case studies. The data analysis of these studies generated a problem list, which was mapped to a trust matrix. Findings – Results demonstrate flaws in current practices and point to achieving balance between organizational, person and technology trust perspectives. The analysis revealed three challenge areas, to: achieve higher trust in patient-focussed healthcare; improve communication between patients and healthcare professionals; and establish clear terminology. By taking trust into account, a more holistic perspective on healthcare can be achieved, where trust can be obtained and optimized. Research limitations/implications – A trust matrix is tested and shown to identify trust problems on different levels and relating to trusting beliefs. Future research should elaborate and more fully address issues within three identified challenge areas. Practical implications – The trust matrix’s usefulness as a tool for organizations to analyze trust problems and issues is demonstrated. Originality/value – Healthcare trust issues are captured to a greater extent and from previously unchartered perspectives.

Understanding control in nonprofit organisations: moving governance research forward?

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terri Byers ◽  
Christos Anagnostopoulos ◽  
Georgina Brooke-Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Levels Of Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nonprofit Organisations ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of organisational control and both its importance and utility for understanding nonprofit organisations. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a critical realist (CR) methodology to discuss the concept of control and its utility to research on governance of nonprofit organisations. Findings – The current study offers a conceptual framework that presents a holistic view of control, relevant for analysing nonprofit organisations, and a methodological lens (CR) through which this framework can be implemented. Research limitations/implications – This paper suggests that studies of governance should consider different levels of analysis, as suggested by examining the concept of control using a CR framework. This notion has yet to be tested empirically and a framework for examining governance from a CR perspective of control is suggested. Context is highly relevant to understanding control, and thus, this model requires testing in a wide diversity of nonprofit sectors, sizes of organisations and time periods. Originality/value – The literature on organisational control provides useful insights to advance our understanding of nonprofit organisations beyond the notion of governance, and this paper proposes both conceptual and methodological underpinnings to facilitate future research.

Rude bosses versus rude subordinates

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ceren Günsoy
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Work ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Southern States ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Diverse Cultures

Purpose Workplace incivility has detrimental effects on targets of such behaviors and can lead to further conflict. This research aims to examine whether cultural differences in people’s approach to social respect and status may influence their responses to incivility displayed by superiors and subordinates. Design/methodology/approach Three studies (n = 1043) examined how people from honor cultures (southern states of the USA; Latin America) and dignity cultures (northern states of the USA) would perceive and respond to uncivil superiors relative to uncivil subordinates. Studies 1 and 2 used scenarios; in Study 3, employed participants recalled their own incivility experiences. Findings Participants from honor cultures were more likely to perceive the mistreatment negatively if it came from a superior than a subordinate (all studies) and more likely to indicate that they would retaliate against an uncivil superior than an uncivil subordinate (Studies 1 and 3). Moreover, for participants from honor cultures (but not from dignity cultures), anger mediated the relation between the appraisal of incivility and retaliation only when the offender was a superior (all studies). Research limitations/implications This research relied on scenarios and people’s recollections, focusing on a limited range of responses to incivility. Future research should conduct laboratory experiments and examine additional responses. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that being mistreated by a superior or a subordinate has different meanings and consequences for people from diverse cultures, which can have implications for cross-cultural work interactions. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this research is the first to compare people’s emotional and behavioral responses to uncivil superiors with their responses to uncivil subordinates in honor cultures.

Knowledge sharing in higher education institutions: a systematic review

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Al-Kurdi ◽  
Ramzi El-Haddadeh ◽  
Tillal Eldabi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to help in providing a better understanding on knowledge sharing amongst academics in higher education institutions (HEIs). The aim of this study is realized by profiling existing literature to understand the determinants of knowledge sharing, research trends, theories, and future research opportunities. Design/methodology/approach After carefully examining the extant literature and by utilizing relevant academic-based research databases, a total of 73 papers published in peer-reviewed journals over the last decade were reviewed and analyzed using well-established systematic literature review methodology. Findings The adopted systematic review revealed that there are limited contributions in understanding knowledge sharing in HEIs when compared with other sectors. The review provides a number of avenues for future research including technological, cultural, organizational, and behavioral aspects at different levels. Practical implications This study helps in offering a focal point to senior management in HEIs for realizing the requirements for developing appropriate strategies and programs to promote knowledge sharing among academics and consequently enhance their institutions’ performance. Originality/value This study utilized Jesson et al. (2011) in presenting a comprehensive systematic review of knowledge sharing specifically in the context of HEIs. This paper offers some theoretical and practical insights on what contributes toward understating the determinates affecting knowledge sharing practices among academics.

People make the brand: a commentary

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-387
Author(s):  
Kristin Backhaus
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Employer Branding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Reputation ◽  
Employer Brand ◽  
Brand Ambassadors ◽  
Cultural Branding

Purpose The paper aims at a commentary on Graham and Cascio, “The employer-branding journal: its relationship with cross-cultural branding, brand reputation and brand repair”. Design/methodology/approach Based on the authors’ statement that “people make the brand”, this paper discusses elements of brand making and brand breaking. Findings Specifically, the paper discusses the creation of the employer brand, the positives and negatives of employees as brand ambassadors and the manner in which word-of-mouth information influences brands. Originality/value This commentary reflects on Graham and Cascio’s work and concludes with suggestions for future research.

A cross-cultural study of staying reasons of American brands

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munazza Saeed ◽  
Ilhaamie Abdul Ghani Azmi
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Cultural Study ◽  
Brand Switching ◽  
Switching Behaviour ◽  
Switching Barriers ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Although researchers have investigated thoroughly the consumer’s brand switching behaviour, the probability of confusion regarding “brand switching” is a less travelled road so far. Therefore, the purpose of current study is to investigate and highlight the underlying convincing parameters in relation to not switching from American brands within the context of millennial Muslim consumers in Pakistan and Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 704 consumers living in two divergent cultures, who were asked about American brands. Two categories of “reasons to stay” were examined: switching barriers and affirmatory factors. Findings The main discovery was that staying reasons for specific brands could be different in two different cultures, but they influence the ultimate brand switching behaviour. Practical implications This study is important for those firms who have many prospective switchers because it is important to understand why these customers stay and discover to what extent such firms can discourage such consumers from leaving, in both positive and negative ways. Originality/value This is the first paper of its kind that examines the brand switching behaviour of millennial Muslim consumers.

Global HRM integration: a knowledge transfer perspective

2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Smale
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Future Research Agenda ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
Different Levels

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the literature on HRM in MNCs from a knowledge transfer perspective, to identify some of the key weaknesses in extant research and to outline a future research agenda.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper key contributions to the literature on HRM in MNCs are reviewed and discussed in connection with the knowledge transfer literature. The review and discussion culminate in the presentation of an agenda for future research.FindingsThe paper finds that, by viewing global HRM integration in MNCs as a process of knowledge transfer, three weaknesses in the extant literature are identified: inadequate consideration of HRM's knowledge characteristics at different levels within the organisation – the “what”; insufficient attention paid to the organisational mechanisms through which HRM is transferred – the “how”; and a lack of rigour in assessing when HRM transfer can be viewed as successful – the “when”.Originality/valueIn viewing global HRM integration as a process of knowledge transfer, the paper extends the HRM‐knowledge link and provides an alternative point of departure from which to study HRM in MNCs. In highlighting some of the weaknesses in extant research and in proposing a research agenda, it is also hoped that this paper can assist other scholars in making incremental improvements to a field reportedly in need of further theoretical development.

scholarly journals Advantages and potential challenges of data management in e-maintenance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arian Razmi-Farooji ◽  
Hanna Kropsu-Vehkaperä ◽  
Janne Härkönen ◽  
Harri Haapasalo
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Maintenance Systems ◽  
Industry Leader ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand data management challenges in e-maintenance systems from a holistically viewpoint through summarizing the earlier scattered research in the field, and second, to present a conceptual approach for addressing these challenges in practice. Design/methodology/approach The study is realized as a combination of a literature review and by the means of analyzing the practices on an industry leader in manufacturing and maintenance services. Findings This research provides a general understanding over data management challenges in e-maintenance and summarizes their associated proposed solutions. In addition, this paper lists and exemplifies different types and sources of data which can be collected in e-maintenance, across different organizational levels. Analyzing the data management practices of an e-maintenance industry leader provides a conceptual approach to address identified challenges in practice. Research limitations/implications Since this paper is based on studying the practices of a single company, it might be limited to generalize the results. Future research topics can focus on each of mentioned data management challenges and also validate the applicability of presented model in other companies and industries. Practical implications Understanding the e-maintenance-related challenges helps maintenance managers and other involved stakeholders in e-maintenance systems to better solve the challenges. Originality/value The so-far literature on e-maintenance has been studied with narrow focus to data and data management in e-maintenance appears as one of the less studied topics in the literature. This research paper contributes to e-maintenance by highlighting the deficiencies of the discussion surrounding the perspectives of data management in e-maintenance by studying all common data management challenges and listing different types of data which need to be acquired in e-maintenance systems.

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