Managers’ experiences as recipients: impact on organizational change

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Pressure ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Prior Experiences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experience Of Change ◽  
Timing Of Exposure ◽  
Do So

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how managers’ prior experiences as recipients of change influence the organizational changes they then go on to make in their management role. Design/methodology/approach The study looks at the frequency and total amount of changes using data from Japanese professional baseball teams over the period 1936-2003, using the replacement of core players from year to year in each team as a measure of change. It uses only data from the managers' first post in that role. Findings The results showed that organizational change is significantly and positively related to the amount of the change managers’ prior experiences as recipients of change but not to the frequency of change. Manager turnover, performance pressure and DH dummy were all significantly and positively related to organizational change, and managers’ tenure negatively related. Research limitations/implications The types of change processes experienced by managers may also be relevant, and it is likely to be important to investigate the timing of exposure to change as recipients, whether early after an individual joins an organization or some considerable time after they do so. Also, the particular power relationships between managers and employees may affect their capacity to promote change effectively. It would also be illuminating to replicate this kind of research in different, non-sporting contexts to explore whether or not these findings can be of general significance. Practical implications When organizations seek to appoint new managers, they should consider carefully their previous experience of change as recipients. These experiences may have an unconscious impact on change capacity. Because they may be unconscious the management candidates may not mention such experiences at interview, for example, unless specifically questioned about any such experiences. Similarly, they may not mention this in their CV or application unless specifically asked to do so. Considering the amount of change in their prior experience may be more important than the frequency of change which may or may not be important. Originality/value The study explores managers’ prior experiences as recipients of change. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to analyse the impact of experiences prior to taking up a management post on their subsequent implementation of organizational change as managers. Previous studies investigated managers’ experience after their appointment and its impact on their implementation of change. In contrast the present study focuses on their experiences as recipients of organizational change and how it impacts on their behaviour as managers.

Evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Eastern Europe since the end of communism

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Georgiev ◽  
Emil Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Bulgaria since the end of communism. The study examines three specific areas: top management’s understanding of the term “quality”; top management’s understanding of the relationship between quality and business performance; and top management’s understanding of the impact of job position on quality. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on a quantitative research approach by using data from a survey of 186 companies in Bulgaria. Findings The paper suggests that senior managers in Bulgaria continue to base their understanding of “quality” on a single approach (*a characteristic of the communist era), with the product-based and the user-based approaches currently being the two most common ones. At the same time, surprisingly enough, this study claims that senior management in Bulgaria is currently well aware of the importance of quality as a dimension of firm’s competitiveness, and is also highly conscious of its roles’ impact on product quality. Research limitations/implications The results of this study are exclusively based on the case of Bulgaria and must be treated with caution in the case of other former communist states from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Practical implications This paper has relevance for both managers and companies doing business in Eastern Europe. Originality/value This is the first paper to provide detailed analysis of the evolution of the understanding of “product quality” in CEE since the end of communism. Moreover, this paper applies, for the first time, Garvin’s five approaches to defining quality within a practical context.

Are atheist consumers less ethical? Investigating the role of religiosity and atheism on consumer ethics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denni Arli ◽  
Tuyet-Mai Nguyen ◽  
Phong Tuan Nham
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Ethics ◽  
Intrinsic Religiosity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Behaviors ◽  
Segmentation Analysis ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Unethical Behaviors ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose There is a perception that non-religious consumers are less ethical than religious consumers. Studies found prejudices against atheists around the world and assumed that those who committed unethical behavior were more likely to be atheists. Hence, first, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of consumers’ intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity and atheism on consumers’ ethical beliefs. Second, this study attempts to segment consumers and identify differences between these segments. Design/methodology/approach Using data from 235 study participants in the USA and 531 in Vietnam. Subsequently, a two-step cluster approach was used to identify segments within these samples. Findings The study results show consumers’ intrinsic religiosity negatively influences all consumers’ unethical beliefs. Similarly, atheism also negatively influences all consumers’ unethical beliefs. This study also complements other studies exploring consumer ethics in developing countries. In addition, the segmentation analysis produced unique segments. The results from both samples (USA and Vietnam) indicated that non-religious consumers are less likely to accept various unethical behaviors compared to religious consumers. Religious consumers are not necessarily more ethical and atheism consumers are not necessarily less ethical. In the end, are implications for business ethics, religious and non-religious leaders on how to view the impact of beliefs on consumer ethical behaviors. Originality/value This is one of the first few studies investigating the impact of atheism on consumer ethics. The results of this study further extend the knowledge of study in consumer ethics by comparing consumers’ religiosity and atheism.

Trust, efficacy and ethicacy when testing prisoners for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Lambert ◽  
Dean Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Current System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Scale Testing ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus and subsequent COVID-19 illness has had a major impact on all levels of society internationally. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on prison staff and prisoners in England and Wales is unknown. Testing for COVID-19 both asymptomatic and symptomatic, as well as for antibodies, to date, has been minimal. The purpose of this paper is to explore the widespread testing of COVID-19 in prisons poses philosophical and ethical questions around trust, efficacy and ethicacy. Design/methodology/approach This paper is both descriptive, providing an overview of the widespread testing of COVID-19 in prisoners in England and Wales, and conceptual in that it discusses and argues the issues associated with large-scale testing. This paper provides a discussion, using comparative studies, of the issues associated with large-scale testing of prisoners across the prison estate in England and Wales (120 prisons). The issues identified in this paper are contextualised through the lens of COVID-19, but they are equally transferrable to epidemiological studies of any pandemic. Given the prevalence of COVID-19 globally and the lack of information about its spread in prisons, at the time of writing this paper, there is a programme of asymptomatic testing of prisoners. However, there remains a paucity of data on the spread of COVID-19 in prisons because of the progress with the ongoing testing programme. Findings The authors argue that the widespread testing of prisoners requires careful consideration of the details regarding who is included in testing, how consent is gained and how tests are administered. This paper outlines and argues the importance of considering the complex nuance of power relationships within the prison system, among prisoner officers, medical staff and prisoners and the detrimental consequences. Practical implications The widespread testing of COVID-19 presents ethical and practical challenges. Careful planning is required when considering the ethics of who should be included in COVID-19 testing, how consent will be gained, who and how tests will be administered and very practical challenges around the recording and assigning of COVID-19 test kits inside the prison. The current system for the general population requires scanning of barcodes and registration using a mobile number; these facilities are not permitted inside a prison. Originality/value This paper looks at the issues associated with mass testing of prisoners for COVID-19. According to the authors’ knowledge, there has not been any research that looks at the issues of testing either in the UK or internationally. The literature available details countries’ responses to the pandemic rather and scientific papers on the development of vaccines. Therefore, this paper is an original review of some of the practicalities that need to be addressed to ensure that testing can be as successful as possible.

Fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making to identify the order of establishing temporary logistics hubs during disaster response

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajali Maharjan ◽  
Shinya Hanaoka
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Group Decision Making ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Numerical Illustration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Disaster

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal the importance of the order of establishment of temporary logistics hubs (TLHs) when resources (mobile storage units used as TLHs) are limited and to present the development and implementation of a methodology that determines the order of establishment of TLHs to support post-disaster decision making. Design/methodology/approach It employed a decision support system that considers multiple decision makers and subjective attributes, while also addressing the impreciseness inherent in post-disaster decision making for ordering the establishment of TLHs. To do so, an optimization model was combined with a fuzzy multi-attribute group decision making approach. A numerical illustration was performed using data from the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Findings The results showed the location and order of establishment of TLHs, and demonstrated the impact of decision makers’ opinions on the overall ordering. Research limitations/implications The study does not discuss the uncertain nature of the location problem and the potential need for relocation of TLHs. Practical implications This methodology offers managerial insights for post-disaster decision making when resources are limited and their effective utilization is vital. The results highlight the importance of considering the opinions of multiple actors/decision makers to enable coordination and avoid complication between the growing numbers of humanitarian responders during disaster response. Originality/value This study introduces the concept of the order of establishment of TLHs and demonstrates its importance when resources are limited. It develops and implements a methodology determining the order of establishment of TLHs to support post-disaster decision making.

scholarly journals Psychology and interviewing: what direction now in our quest for reliable information?

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin E. Oxburgh ◽  
Coral J. Dando
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Investigative Interviewing ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Emergent Theory ◽  
And Training ◽  
Do So

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss two distinct but interrelated areas, namely witness/victim and suspect interviewing, and to argue that both must continue to evolve, suggest how they might do so, and that this process must be driven by emergent theory and contemporary empirical research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the impact of psychological theory and empirical research to investigative interviewing in recent decades.FindingsIt is argued that in order to stay ahead of the game, the field of investigative interviewing (suspect and witness) must continue to evolve in such a manner that not only protects and fosters the important practitioner/academic relationship, but also ensures that future directions are driven by empirical research, with recourse to emergent theory.Originality/valueThe paper outlines the impact of psychological theory and empirical research on investigative interviewing and the consequent enhancement of the interviewing of both suspected offenders and witnesses. The paper demonstrates that working closely together academic research can make a difference, and influence law, policy decisions and training guidelines in order to improve practice.

Effect of R&D subsidies and tax credits on the innovative processes of Chilean firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 517-534
Author(s):  
Cristian Mardones ◽  
Florencia Ávila
Keyword(s):  
Instrumental Variables ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Tax Credits ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Crowding Out ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pseudo Panel ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of research and development (R&D) subsidies and tax credits on the innovative processes of Chilean firms.Design/methodology/approachProbit and tobit models for pseudo-panel with instrumental variables are estimated using data from different versions of the Innovation Survey covering the period 2007–2016.FindingsThe results show that R&D subsidies and tax credits have a statistically significant and positive effect on the probability of performing internal and external R&D, but do not affect the intensity of R&D spending, reflecting a crowding-out effect on private funds of both instruments. On the other hand, firms that simultaneously receive R&D subsidies and tax credits have a lower percentage of innovative sales. Furthermore, there are not effects statistically significant of the R&D subsidies and/or tax credits on the number of intellectual property rights applications.Originality/valueIt is concluded that both instruments have not been effective to encourage innovative outputs in Chilean firms.

scholarly journals Power dynamics in organizational change: an Australian case

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 796-811
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Mastio ◽  
Kenneth Dovey
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Structural Transformation ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Collaborative Problem Solving ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the role of abstract forms of power in organizational change by exploring the role of such forms of power in the recent structural transformation of an iconic Australian Intellectual Property law firm. The research literature reflects relatively few studies on the increasing complexity of power dynamics in organizational and institutional arrangements. Design/methodology/approach The complexity of the investigated phenomena led to the adoption of three qualitative methods in order to access the specific forms of data that were perceived to be relevant to answering the research question (“How did abstract power dynamics influence the nature and outcomes of the firm’s structural transformation?”). Ethnography was used in the attempt to discern, through participation and observation, the assumptions that manifested in action and/or inaction; phenomenology in the exploration through unstructured interviews with 41 staff members and 4 clients of the firm, of their interpretation and “sense-making” of their “lived experience” of “what was going on” in the firm; and narrative enquiry in establishing a narrative of critical events, and their impact on “what was going on” in the firm, including those that had occurred over the years prior to this research initiative. Findings The research shows the effects of contradicting forms of abstract power (namely, hegemonic (ideological) power, dominant institutional logic and structural power) as the firm struggled to address challenges to its existence. The impact of these forms of power upon the partners’ apprehension and interpretation of the emerging challenges to the firm’s business performance remained inconspicuous throughout the period of transformation. However, these contradictory forms of abstract power insidiously created tensions within the organization which were poorly addressed, resulting in organizational dysfunction and destructive sectarian conflict. The results show that the inability of partners to discern the nature of the forms of power which were influencing their responses to the crisis was a consequence of under-developed collectively reflexive capabilities and an absence of collaborative problem-solving practices. This resulted in a negative outcome for the firm. Research limitations/implications The research has significant implications for collective endeavor in global business operations that are becoming increasingly complex. In particular, the complexity of power relations, as insidious ideological forces supported by ubiquitous technologies threaten to subsume agentic power in ways that domesticate and neutralize it, requires the development of sophisticated forms of collective ways of “working with power” – capabilities that include the ability to demystify the abstract forms of power that can shape the experience of social realities as “inevitable and natural.” Further research into these forms of power, and the surreptitious role they play in organizational arrangements, is an important requirement. With respect to limitations, as the research is located in the interpretivist research paradigm, the issue of interpretation is problematic. A strong effort was made to limit unwitting interpretive bias but the possibility of such bias cannot be ruled out, especially as, in some cases, the data are an interpretation of prior interpretations of events and/or experiences (as, e.g., in the interview data). Practical implications Working constructively with various forms of power is becoming a critical capability within organizations. This has implications for the relational and communicative skills that underpin effective collaboration of staff and other stakeholders. Such collaboration needs to include the collective ability to make explicit through critical dialogue the surreptitious influence of abstract forms of power upon the prevailing organizational arrangements and routines. To achieve this, these forms of power have to become demystified through constructive critique of the taken-for-granted aspects of everyday organizational life. This has important implications for leadership development practices and educational programs. Social implications Unless leaders develop the ability to make the influences of abstract forms of power more conspicuous, and develop collaborative capabilities to work with insight into their management, they run the risk of agentic power becoming subsumed and neutralized by such forms of power. This has important implications for organizational agency and, especially, for the creative agency of the individuals who work within organizations. On a broader scale, it has implications for institutional arrangements and for the critical apprehension of global ideologies. Originality/value Studies of abstract forms of power are relatively rare in the research literature. This is probably a result of the long-standing dominance of positivism, with its realist ontological assumptions and its objectivist epistemological assumptions. In exploring the influence exerted by abstract forms of power on the inability of the partners of a professional services firm to apprehend their situation more accurately, and to interpret their strategic options with greater insight, this research makes an original contribution to the understanding of the influence of abstract power dynamics in organizational change, and in organizational arrangements more generally.

Inflation shocks and income inequality

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-240
Author(s):  
Rolando Gonzales ◽  
Andrea Rojas-Hosse
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Inflation ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of inflationary shocks on inequality, using data of selected countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Design/methodology/approach Inflationary shocks were measured as deviations from core inflation, based on a genetic algorithm. Bayesian quantile regression was used to estimate the impact of inflationary shocks in different levels of inequality. Findings The results showed that inflationary shocks substantially affect countries with higher levels of inequality, thus suggesting that the detrimental impact of inflation is exacerbated by the high division of classes in a country. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature about the relationship between inflation and inequality by proposing that not only the sustained increase in prices but also the inflationary shocks – the deviations from core inflation – contribute to the generation of inequality. Also, to the best of the authors knowledge, the relationship between inflation shocks and inequality in the MENA region has never been analyzed before, thus creating a research gap to provide additional empirical evidence about the sources of inequality. Additionally, the authors contribute with a methodological approach to measure inflationary shocks, based on a semelparous genetic algorithm.

The impact of accreditation agencies and other powerful stakeholders on the performance measurement in Polish universities

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Dobija ◽  
Anna Maria Górska ◽  
Anna Pikos
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Performance Information ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Layer ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Polish Higher Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collection Methods

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of how internal organisational processes change in response to external demands, by investigating the changes undertaken by two Polish business schools (b-schools) in anticipation of and in response to the demands of accreditation agencies (AAs) and other powerful stakeholders. Specifically, it examines the internal research-related performance measurement (PM) system and changes in the use of performance information (PI). Design/methodology/approach The case study method is adopted, using data from publicly available documents and interviews with the faculty and management at the two schools. The data are interpreted and analysed using the neo-institutional theory. Findings Powerful stakeholders are the primary reason for changes in PM systems and the manner in which PI is used. Specifically, AAs reflect an additional layer in the PM system, allowing for a downward cascading PI effect. This also leads to a wider use of PI across different organisational levels. Research limitations/implications This study focusses on two case studies in a region still undergoing transition. Thus, this analysis could be reinforced through additional cases, different data collection methods and cross-country and between-country comparative analyses. Originality/value The changes in PM systems and particularly the use of PI are discussed in the context of Polish higher education (HE) and, more broadly, the entire Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Moreover, the consideration of two b-school cases facilitates a comparative analysis of the differences in PM systems and the use of PI in the context of stakeholders’ PI needs.

Hotels’ online reputation management: benefits perceived by managers

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 615-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Perez-Aranda ◽  
María Vallespín ◽  
Sebastian Molinillo
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Model ◽  
Online Reviews ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Reputation Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Order Construct ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
Relationship Benefits ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study aims to develop a measurement model to help hotels manage their reputation within the context of online reviews and ratings platforms and evaluate the impact of this reputation management on the benefits derived by the hotels, as perceived by their managers.Design/methodology/approachPartial least squares was used to assess the model and make a causal predictive analysis, using data from a survey of a random sample of 335 Spanish hotel managers and personnel involved in reputation management.FindingsThis study shows the operationalization of hotel reputation management as a superordinate second-order construct affecting six individual first-order dimensions, strongly impacting on three key benefits as perceived by hotel managers (i.e. financial benefits, customer relationship benefits and customer-based brand benefits), within the context of online review platforms.Practical implicationsBased on the results of this study, hotel managers can improve the effectiveness of their management of ratings and reviews. They can also learn which aspects they should focus on when managing ratings and reviews.Originality/valueBased on the opinions of hotel managers, a causal model for managing online reviews was developed and validated. This study shows how reputation management affects the benefits derived by hotels as perceived by their managers.

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