Caught between norm and difference: narratives on refugees’ inclusion in organizations

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ponzoni ◽  
Halleh Ghorashi ◽  
Sylvia van der Raad
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Organization Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Studies ◽  
Job Seeking ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose In this study the authors show how discursive spaces both enable and constrain the inclusion of first-generation refugees. For this purpose the authors analyzed a triptych of narratives from first-generation refugees, employers, and mediators (mediating between organizations and job-seeking refugees). The authors adopted a critical studies approach, paying particular attention to the ways in which meanings are embedded within the normalizing discursive processes. The purpose of this paper is to show the maneuvering capacities of three different groups concerning the inclusion of first-generation refugees. Design/methodology/approach The data consist of a selected number of narratives from three groups of actors (refugees, mediators and employers) with the ambition of contrasting their discursive positionings. By including multiple positionings in the process, the authors aimed to reveal “the power effects of particular discursive formations,” which Alvesson et al. (2008) refer to as “positioning practices.” To investigate these patterns, the authors used in-depth interviews and employed an interpretive approach with the focus on the narrations of inclusion and exclusion. Findings The major constraint the authors discovered was that, in spite of the “good will” of all parties involved, the normalizing impact of the dominant discourses on migrants and refugees (discourse of lack) often works against other approaches (added value). This creates contradictory expectations toward refugees, limiting the possibilities of inclusion within organizations. The findings of this research show that diversity and inclusion can only be successful in conjunction with critical reflection that questions the taken-for-granted position of privileged groups as a norm reproduced by dominant societal discourses. Research limitations/implications In the light of growing urgency for the inclusion of refugees in the European context, it is crucial to rethink the notions of inclusion and exclusion from a critical perspective. The authors believe that the findings of the study could have implications which goes beyond the particular experiences presented in this study. Originality/value The authors conclude that diversity talk and practice which does not include reflection on the normalizing power of discourses of otherness does not have a chance of making a long-term impact on inclusion. Although there is a growing body of literature on this topic within critical organization studies, there has been no attention so far for the position of refugees in organizations which makes this paper both unique and urgent.

scholarly journals Sinabung volcano: how culture shapes community resilience

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-303
Author(s):  
Marta Mori ◽  
Ronan McDermott ◽  
Saut Sagala ◽  
Yasmina Wulandari
Keyword(s):  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aid Dependency ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Cultural Experts ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how culture, including traditions and social structures, can influence resilience and how culturally sensitive relief operations can put affected people and their context at the core of any interventions. Design/methodology/approach A case study of the Mt Sinabung volcano area in Indonesia was undertaken. As part of the case study, an analysis of interventions was conducted, which was complemented by semi-structured interviews with Karo cultural experts and humanitarian organisations. Findings Culture influences the manner in which the Karo people react to volcano eruptions with varying implications for recovery. In addition, relief organisations which understand people’s actions through a cultural lens have better managed to tailor programs with long-term impact, thereby avoiding aid dependency. Practical implications Practical examples of disaster management activities that adequately account for the beneficiaries’ way of living prior to the eruptions are provided. Aid actors are provided with guidance concerning how to better tailor their activities in line with a cultural lens. Originality/value The study provides empirical grounding for claims concerning the role of culture in planning interventions in Indonesia and other similar contexts.

Shareholder activism impact on efficiency in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Guimaraes ◽  
Ricardo P.C. Leal ◽  
Peter Wanke ◽  
Matthew Morey
Keyword(s):  
Shareholder Activism ◽  
Efficiency Score ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Truncated Regression ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Characteristics ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
A Company

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the long-term impact of shareholder activism on Brazilian listed companies. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 194 companies in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and a two-stage data envelopment analysis to generate an efficiency score based on corporate governance, ownership structure and financial characteristics of companies. In the second stage, the study applies a bootstrap truncated regression to identify whether there is a relationship between the efficiency scores and a company-level activism index. Findings The results show a negative correlation between the efficiency scores and the activism index, suggesting that activist shareholders tend to target less efficient companies. A time analysis over the period 2010-2014 does not offer evidence of impacts of activism on changes of the efficiency scores. Practical implications Activist shareholders target less efficient companies. Shareholder activism increased after regulation that facilitated shareholder voting and required greater company transparency was introduced. Originality/value The two-stage nature of the procedure used in the analysis ascertains that this result is not spurious, assuring data separability between productive resources and contextual variables. This study contributes to the scarce literature on activism in emerging markets.

Improving competitiveness in education institutes – ABC’s neglected potential

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sorros ◽  
Petros Lois ◽  
Melita Charitou ◽  
Alkiviadis Theofanis Karagiorgos ◽  
Nicholas Belesis
Keyword(s):  
Customer Value ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Cost Allocation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cost Strategy

Purpose Because of the education sector’s evolution, accounting initiatives are required regarding competitiveness. Activity-based costing’s (ABC) neglected potential as a cost strategic tool initiated this research, which aims to identify administrative and operational factors that support or hinder its implementation in educational institutions as a predictor of competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model was proposed and tested through structural equation modeling to identify relationships between accounting departments, cost procedures, the transmissibility of information and competitiveness. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, a scale of items was derived, denoting an institute’s cost strategy and ABC implementations and returned from 417 Greek education institutes. Findings An accounting department’s role in accurate data transmissibility and an institution’s organizational structure significantly affect cost-related competitiveness. The importance of information sharing is strengthened by current cost allocation capabilities and the accounting department’s influence on management. Research limitations/implications ABC’s limited implementation in the Greek education sector complicated the theoretical model’s construction, as a variety of geographical and institutional factors were taken into consideration. Practical implications Customer value provides a competitive advantage and constitutes the basis of solid price strategies. Research demonstrates ABC’s importance for education institutions’ competitiveness and resource exploitation. Social implications Education’s commercialization urges costing strategy prioritization. ABC could benefit competitiveness and attract long-term funds and investments. To create value institutions, the allocation of incurred costs to added-value activities is crucial. Originality/value This study sheds light on vague issues institutions face when dealing with ABC. Understanding accounting departments’ influence shows ABC’s feasibility even for smaller or less efficiency-oriented education institutions.

The rebranding of VoiceStream to T-Mobile

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 635-647
Author(s):  
Anthony Allred ◽  
Skyler King ◽  
Clinton Amos
Keyword(s):  
Brand Management ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Graduate Courses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communications Industry ◽  
Branding Strategies ◽  
Depth Interviews

Synopsis VoiceStream was a strong brand within the digital wireless communications industry at the time CEO Robert Dodson led the company. It had a loyal following of customers and a strong reputation for value. Despite pushback from senior management, CEO Robert Dotson made the decision to undergo a rebranding strategy during a period of declining revenue and growth. As VoiceStream transitioned to T-Mobile, it had initial success, but faced the challenge of how to position the brand long term. Research methodology This case study was written with the historical background of a well-known company and traces key decisions made during the company’s rebranding transition. This case comes complete with insights from then current CEO, Robert Dotson. Relevant courses and levels This case is suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses in marketing, management or strategy, where students are studying brand management. Additionally, this case will be valuable for courses that include advanced branding strategies such as rebranding. This case could also be used for discussion in positioning and advertising techniques. This case includes, via in-depth interviews, critical strategic insights from CEO Robert Dotson. The case illustrates some of the major opportunities and threats associated with the VoiceStream/T-Mobile rebranding strategy.

Lucky or privileged? Working with memory and reflexivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Trimingham Jack
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Educator ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
School Experience ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational History ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Through a case study of the decision making that led to the writer becoming a teacher educator, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to historiography by exploring the complex process of surfacing and interpreting memory. Design/methodology/approach The methodology draws on the concepts of autobiographical memory and reflexivity, together with documentary and archival sources including newspapers and secondary sources. Findings The outcome reveals that the process of memory is complex. It illustrates that allowing the participant a wide scope to work with pivotal memories, which may include those referring to material objects, may lead to unexpected and compelling explanations that have the power to change thinking in regards to related aspects of educational history. In this particular case, the findings reveal the long-term impact of boarding school experience. Originality/value The paper expands the way in which educational historians may think about undertaking interviews by illustrating the need for investment of time and close attention to all memories, some of which may at first seem to be irrelevant. Additionally, while a significant amount of research had been published on the long-term impact of boarding school experience on students in the UK, a little critical historical work has been undertaken in regards to the Australian experience – this paper offers a unique contribution to the undertaking of that project.

How sustainability assurance engagement scopes are determined, and its impact on capture and credibility enhancement

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Bilal Farooq ◽  
Charl de Villiers
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Client Pressure ◽  
Assurance Process ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Management Report

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how sustainability assurance providers’ (SAPs) promotion of sustainability assurance influences the scope of engagements, its implications for professional and managerial capture and the ability of sustainability assurance to promote credible reporting. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted in-depth interviews with sustainability reporting managers (SRMs) and SAPs in Australia and New Zealand, using an institutional work lens to focus the analysis. Findings At the start of a new assurance engagement, SAPs offer pre-assurance and flexible assurance scopes, allowing them to recruit clients on narrow-scoped engagements. These narrow-scoped engagements focus on disclosed content and limit SAPs’ ability to add value and enhance credibility. During assurance engagements, SAPs educate managers and encourage changing the norms underlying sustainability reporting. At the end of the assurance engagement, SAPs provide a management report demonstrating added-value of assurance and encouraging clients broader-scoped engagements. However, with each assurance engagement, the recommendations offer diminishing returns, often leading managers to question the value of broad-scoped engagements and to consider narrowing the scope to realize savings. Under these conditions, client pressure (potentially managerial capture) along with practitioners’ desires to grow assurance income (potentially professional capture) can affect SAPs’ independence and the quality of their assurance work. Practical implications The study implies that regulation mandating the scope of engagements may be called for. Originality/value The authors contribute to the research literature in several ways. First, the findings show how professional and managerial capture occurs before, during and at the end of the assurance process. The authors highlight how perceived value addition from sustainability assurance diminishes over time and how this impacts the scope of engagements (with implications for SAPs independence and the quality of assurance work). The authors show these findings in a table, clarifying the complicated interrelationships. Second, the authors contribute to theory by identifying a new form of institutional work. Third, unlike previous studies focused on SAPs, the authors provide insights from the perspectives of both SAPs and SRMs.

The impact of the reform of PIS/COFINS on the Brazilian industry

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Gomes Vasconcelos ◽  
Nelson Leitão Paes
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Neoclassical Model ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macroeconomic Indicators ◽  
Tax Distortions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Two Sectors

PurposeIn an attempt to reduce tax distortions and increase economic efficiency, in 2002 and 2003 Brazil promoted changes in the PIS/COFINS tax, the main federal tax on consumption. Thus, in addition to the old cumulative regime calculated on company revenues, the noncumulative regime was created with higher rates and the added value as a tax basis.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyzes the effects of the PIS/COFINS reform in a context of deindustrialization in the Brazilian economy, using a neoclassical model with two sectors.FindingsThe results suggest that after a small improvement in the aggregate economy in the short term, in the long term there was a worsening of the macroeconomic indicators. From the sector perspective, the PIS/COFINS reform may have contributed to the loss of industry participation in the Brazilian economy.Originality/valueThe study of the impact of the PIS/COFINS reform on industry through a neoclassical model is unprecedented in the national literature and contributes to the investigation of changes in the tax regime that occurred in the country.

The changing nature of the workplace and the future of office space

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 424-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Harris
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Office Space ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Demand Profile ◽  
City Of London ◽  
The City ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline key changes happening within occupier businesses that will have a medium- to long-term impact upon the demand for office space and, ultimately, the property investment market. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on survey work undertaken for the City of London Corporation as well as direct experience in advising corporate occupiers on their accommodation needs. Findings – The findings suggest major changes taking place in the demand profile of office occupiers, in terms of both quantitative and qualitative demand for space. Practical implications – There are a number of practical implications arising from the findings, not the least being the need for investors to consider the appropriateness of current standards for base building design and fit-out in contemporary offices. Originality/value – The paper presents the output of primary research and consulting and is therefore of an original nature. Its value lies in the fact that the findings reflect the actual experiences and plans of corporate occupiers and can be taken as reliable indicators of future demand for office space.

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