Academic mothers as ideal workers in the USA and Finland

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjukka Ollilainen
Keyword(s):  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Family Policies ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Women Academics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fertility Decisions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Academic Workforce

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how women academics experience academic motherhood in the USA and Finland, how they time their pregnancy in an academic career, and the ways in which the different policy environments and academic opportunity structures in each country shape the management of academic work and care work during maternity leave. Design/methodology/approach Data collection involved a snowball, convenience sample of semi-structured, long interviews with 67 academic mothers, 33 in Finland and 34 in the USA. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for emerging themes. Findings In both countries, women academics made fertility decisions by carefully deliberating their access to maternity leave, age-related concerns and the perception of job security. In Finland, the insecurity of fixed-term contracts and intensification of the ideal worker norm shaped fertility decisions and leave activities despite generous work-family policies. The US mothers’ timing of pregnancy was influenced by concerns of age-related infertility more than career risks. Women in both countries felt pressure to maintain presence at work even while they were on leave. Originality/value The paper addresses a paucity of comparative studies about motherhood (and parenthood) in the academe, an increasingly central question for today’s academic workforce.

Academic mothers as “ideal workers” in both the US and Finland

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-21
Keyword(s):  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Family Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Environments ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Us ◽  
Leave Policy ◽  
The Government ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Maternity Leave Policy

Purpose The purpose was to explore how women academics in Finland and the US experience academic motherhood, how they time their pregnancy, and the ways in which the 10;different policy environments shape their decisions and experiences. Design/methodology/approach The interviewer collected data through 10;semi-structured, long interviews with 67 academic mothers, 33 in Finland and 34 in the US. They were recorded and transcribed, then analyzed for themes. Findings In Finland, the insecurity of fixed-term contracts and the growing influence of the neoliberal “ideal worker” concept influenced decisions despite the generous work-family policies of the Government. In the US, meanwhile, concerns about age-related infertility had a bigger impact than career risks. One thing the US and Finnish women had in common was a feeling of being under pressure to maintain their presence at work while on maternity leave. Originality/value Cross-cultural studies of academic motherhood are rare. The choice of Finland and the US was instructive because of the different work-family policies in place. Finland has some of the most generous family leave policies in the world, whereas the US has not yet seen a federal, paid maternity leave policy.

Examining the influence of transculturation on work ethic in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight M. Hite ◽  
Joshua J. Daspit ◽  
Xueni Dong
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Work Ethic ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
The United States ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Generational Groups ◽  
Survey Responses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of cultural assimilation – termed “transculturation” – on work ethic perceptions, thus this study examines trends in work ethic across ethnic and generational groups within the USA. Design/methodology/approach – Following a literature review on work ethic, ethnicity, and transculturation, an analysis of variance based on 873 survey responses is presented. The sample includes undergraduate and graduate students at several public universities within the USA. Findings – An empirical analysis supports the hypothesis that the variation of work ethic perceptions within the Millennial generation is significantly less than the variation among older generations. The authors find no significant difference in general work ethic perceptions among Millennial ethnic groups. Research limitations/implications – While the study is conducted using a convenience sample, the demographics are closely representative of the USA labor force. The results suggest that Millennials, while a more diverse ethnic population, exhibit less variation among work ethic perceptions than earlier generational groups. Practical implications – Understanding differences in work ethic perceptions across various ethnic groups is valuable for managers interested in designing jobs that appropriately exploit the full value of a multi-generational workforce. Originality/value – The findings of this study offer new insights into how more recent generations, while more ethnically diverse, exhibit a convergence in perceptions of work ethic.

“Conspicuous consumption in the context of consumer animosity”

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Villy Abraham ◽  
Abraham Reitman
Keyword(s):  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Animosity ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Target Country

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of consumer animosity on conspicuous consumption in two research settings: Israel and Russia. The study also examines: the relationship between susceptibility to norm influence (SNI) and consumer animosity, whether SNI affects consumers’ willingness to buy (WTB) products from a country toward which they harbor animosity, and the relationship between consumer animosity and WTB in contexts differing in the level of animosity harbored toward a target country. Design/methodology/approach To probe generalizability, the hypothesized model was tested in two different contexts: Study 1 was conducted in Israel using the context of the Holocaust and Study 2 was conducted in Russia using the context of the recent political discord with the USA. A convenience sample of Israeli-Jewish (n=264) and Russian (n=259) consumers yielded a total of 523 questionnaires. Findings In both contexts, the results from the SPSS and AMOS analyses indicated a negative and significant relationship between consumer animosity and conspicuous consumption. Moreover, SNI was positively associated with consumer animosity. Finally, the study findings point to a negative association between consumer animosity and WTB, regardless of the level of animosity. Originality/value The research findings suggest that consumer animosity may be a stronger predictor for the consumption of conspicuous products than for the consumption of necessity goods.

Consumer initial trust toward internet-only banks in France

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souheila Kaabachi ◽  
Selima Ben Mrad ◽  
Maria Petrescu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Internet Banking ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Initial Trust ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate internet-only banks’ (IOBs) adoption by French consumers and attempt to understand the factors that influence consumers’ initial trust in this type of service. Design/methodology/approach A non-probability convenience sample of potential IOBs adopters from France was used to test a structural equation model that analyzed the antecedents of initial trust and usage intentions of IOBs. Findings The study shows that trust is a major influencer in IOBs’ adoption in France. It has also been found that consumer familiarity with internet banking, high perceived structural assurance, perceived website quality, bank reputation and relative advantage are critical factors influencing IOBs’ initial trust formation. Research limitations/implications This study shows the applicability of the initial trust-building model in the context of IOBs and underlines the importance of factors such as familiarity, reputation and perceived quality in the context of online banking services in France. Practical implications This paper provides e-banking companies with the most important factors that contribute to build the initial trust of customers. E-banks need to focus on making themselves known and promoting their brand more effectively through advertising and advocacy. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the marketing research related to consumer trust and brand reputation, as well as to the electronic banking literature. The results show the importance of initial trust in the context of services and the main factors that influence it, including a key branding variable such as reputation. The paper also focuses on the IOBs’ adoption in France, a market understudied compared to the USA, and seeks to understand the mechanisms associated with the initial formation of French consumers’ trust toward it.

Mobile payments adoption by US consumers: an extended TAM

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 626-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainsworth Anthony Bailey ◽  
Iryna Pentina ◽  
Aditya Shankar Mishra ◽  
Mohammed Slim Ben Mimoun
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Technology Anxiety

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to incorporate mobile payment (MP) self-efficacy, new technology anxiety, and MP privacy concerns into the basic TAM to explore MP adoption, particularly tap-and-go payment, among US consumers. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through an online survey conducted among students at a Midwestern University in the USA. A total of 254 participants provided 240 useable responses. Findings MP self-efficacy significantly impacts perceived ease of use (PEOUMP) and perceived usefulness of MP (PUMP). These in turn impact MP attitude, which affects intention to use MP. Privacy concerns also impact attitude towards MP and MP use intention. New technology anxiety impacts PEOUMP, but not PUMP. Research limitations/implications The study uses a convenience sample of young US consumers, which could limit the generalisability of the results. The study is also limited to tap-and-go payment. Practical implications US retailers have information on some of the factors that encourage MP adoption. Retailers need to address self-efficacy concerns, MP privacy concerns, and consumers’ perceptions of usefulness of the technology. Originality/value There has been little research on factors impacting tap-and-go payment adoption in the USA. The study highlights the roles of self-efficacy and privacy concerns. It focusses on tap-and-go payment, since this technology can enhance consumers’ retail experience.

Values, motivation, commitment, performance and rewards: analysis model

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1139-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Lage Monteiro de Castro ◽  
Mário Teixeira Reis Neto ◽  
Cláudia Aparecida Avelar Ferreira ◽  
Jorge Filipe da Silva Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Management Area ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how construct values, motivation, commitment, performance and reward are associated with professionals from different countries, from the framework of a hypothetical structural model. Design/methodology/approach The survey was cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative. The sample of individuals corresponding to three different countries, with information collected from a sample of 406 respondents, and from a convenience sample of two companies, one company in the oil and gas sector, surveyed in Mexico and the USA, and the other company in the electronics industry, researched in Brazil. Findings Thus, the association of the construct values with motivation in Mexico, demonstrated a better balance of the proposed hypothetical structural model. The study identified six groups (clusters) of different individuals according to values, and also, its associative relationship according to the variables of the proposed hypothetical structural model. The identification of each cluster was possible, according to the variables of the hypothetical structural model, and the groups with greater proximity between Mexico and USA were very similar, mostly because US companies have many Mexicans in their staff. Research limitations/implications Therefore, it is understood that the approach used in this work could eventually be replicated in other regions to seek confirmations and/or contradictions of the results, contributing to future studies to relate such constructs. Practical implications It is expected that this work can stimulate others that aim to explore the hypothetical structural model in more countries or organizations in order to understand the influence of the constructs in or ganizational management, enabling people management area to be more effective in conducting relevant management processes for each organization. Originality/value The proposed model has shown that organizational management allowed the verification of the association between constructs motivation, commitment, performance and reward, excluding the construct values.

Antecedents to internet use to collaboratively consume apparel

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim K.P. Johnson ◽  
Jung Mee Mun ◽  
Yoori Chae
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Previous Experience ◽  
Collaborative Consumption ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate attitude, subjective norm, perceived integrity of participants, materialism, and previous experience with collaborative consumption (CC) offline as antecedents to the CC of apparel facilitated by the internet. Design/methodology/approach Survey research with convenience sample of consumers from within the USA. Findings Attitude toward CC of apparel was significantly related to intention to collaboratively consume apparel online as was subjective norms. Previous experience with CC of apparel offline was significantly related to both attitude and behavioral intention. Perceived integrity of CC participants was related to previous experience with CC of apparel offline and attitude. Materialism was significantly and negatively related to previous experience with CC of apparel. Research limitations/implications Research limitations include the use of a convenience sample of consumers and the research was limited to one form of CC. Practical implications As a means to foster sustainable consumption, for those interested in promoting CC, consideration should be given to having existing participants of CC invite other family members and friends to try it as this might be more effective than targeting random members of the consuming public. Originality/value An investigation of CC of a fashion item (apparel) that identifies predictors to participation.

Historical policies affecting women’s military and family roles

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 427-446
Author(s):  
Erika Lee King ◽  
Diana M. DiNitto
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Maternity Leave ◽  
Family Roles ◽  
Family Policies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Participation Research ◽  
Volunteer Force ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The US military depends on women to meet recruiting goals, but women participate at lower rates than men. Theorists suggest that military and family policies affect women’s lower participation. Research has confirmed the impact of policy changes on women’s military service during specific time periods. The purpose of this paper is to examine how and when military policies affecting women developed over the course of history, exploring two related hypotheses: first, when women’s military participation is vital, policies affecting their military and family roles punctuate in tandem, and second, cultural values impact policy solutions to reconcile women’s roles. Design/methodology/approach Punctuated equilibrium and a women’s military participation theory informed the hypotheses. US Census and Defense Department data were used to identify periods of service when women’s military participation was vital. Historical policies were mapped and analyzed to identify policy patterns and themes affecting women’s military participation 1895–2015. Findings Evidence supports both hypotheses. When women are needed during wartimes, policies simultaneously encourage their service and regulate their family roles. However, policies evolved from separating servicewomen’s roles prior to the 1970s (e.g. prohibiting motherhood), to supporting their families (e.g. maternity leave) – a shift precipitated by sweeping changes in broader society and the military’s change from the draft to an All-Volunteer Force. Originality/value Findings elucidate the link between military and family policies affecting US women’s military participation and retention. Results may inform policy advocacy aimed at optimizing the US Department of Defense’s diversity efforts.

Collaborative consumption: a business model analysis of second-hand fashion

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivasankari Gopalakrishnan ◽  
Delisia Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Retail Stores ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Collaborative Consumption ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Number Of Customers ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the business model of second-hand fashion stores and explore their challenges/opportunities and suggest potential strategies for second-hand fashion retail stores. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method using in-depth interviews of convenience sample of owners/store managers from within the USA was employed. Findings Contrasting the traditional retail stores, customers are the primary partners and suppliers of second-hand fashion stores. These stores retain minimal profits given a business model that typically involves sharing profits with customers. Cheaper price, thrill of finding great deals, value for brands and variety are the primary reasons mentioned by respondents for shopping at second-hand stores. Research limitations/implications Limitations include the use of a convenience sample of store owners/managers as well as the research is limited to women and children’s stores. Respondents of the study were from the same geographical region and the characteristics of the redistribution markets may vary in a different region. Practical implications As a means to foster textile waste reduction through second-hand clothing business, these stores could adopt innovative revenue streams, additional partnerships, and improved fashion and store appeal that may be effective in increasing profits and the number of customers. Originality/value This study is one of the early attempts to examine the business model of second-hand fashion stores, a form of collaborative consumption in the fashion context. The study contributes in promoting second-hand fashion stores as a sustainable business model in the fashion industry.

A comparative study of the police code of silence

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanja Kutnjak Ivković ◽  
Maria Haberfeld ◽  
Wook Kang ◽  
Robert Patrick Peacock ◽  
Louise E. Porter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Peer Culture ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Code Of Silence ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Willingness To Report

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the contours of the police code of silence, a critical component of the ability to control misconduct and enhance integrity within any police agency. Unlike the extant research, dominated by single-country studies, this paper provides an in-depth exploration of the code across five countries and tests the relation between the code of science and societal characteristics. Design/methodology/approach A police integrity survey was used to measure the contours of the code of silence among police officers in Australia (n=856), Croatia (n=966), South Africa (n=871), South Korea (n=379) and the USA (n=664). The respondents evaluated 11 hypothetical scenarios describing various forms of police misconduct. Findings Bivariate analyses reveal considerable divergence in the code of silence across the five countries. Multivariate models of the code of silence show that, next to organizational factors (i.e. the respondents’ assessment of peers’ willingness to report, evaluations of misconduct seriousness and expected discipline) and individual factors (i.e. supervisory status), societal factors (i.e. the Corruption Perceptions Index score and the percent of irreligious citizens) are significant predictors of the respondents’ willingness to report. Research limitations/implications While the same questionnaire was used in all five countries, the nature of the data collection differed somewhat across the countries (e.g. online survey vs paper-and-pencil survey), as did the nature of the samples (e.g. representative sample vs convenience sample). Practical implications Perceived peer pressure, measured as the perceptions of whether other police officers would adhere to the code of silence, is the key variable explaining the police officers’ expressed willingness to adhere to the code of silence. Changing the police officers’ perceptions of peer culture and potentially changing the peer culture itself should be critical elements in the toolbox of any administrator willing to curtail the code of silence. Originality/value Whereas the study of the code of silence has started several decades ago, no prior study has tested the effects of organizational and societal variables on the code of silence in a comparative perspective.

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