scholarly journals Volunteer choice of nonprofit organisation: an integrated framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah-Louise Mitchell ◽  
Moira Clark
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nonprofit Organisation ◽  
Medical Volunteer ◽  
Personal Needs ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to explore how volunteers choose one nonprofit organisation (NPO) rather than another. It identifies the drivers of choice, and the relationship between them, to enable NPOs to strengthen their volunteer recruitment. Design/methodology/approach A total of 51 service-delivery volunteers were interviewed, drawn from 5 leading NPOs. A laddering technique was used to understand the context in which the choice of organisation was made and the underlying personal needs and goals. The data was analysed using means-end chain (MEC) methodology to uncover the relationships between, and hierarchy of, the decision drivers. Findings Brand, cause, and role were found to be important in meeting personal needs and goals through volunteering. The paper makes three contributions. Firstly, it presents a clearer understanding of NPO choice through adopting an integrated theoretical perspective. Secondly, it identifies the decision-making process and key relationships between the attributes of the NPO, the consequences for the volunteer, and the connection to their personal needs. Finally, the study makes an important contribution to literature through presenting a new conceptual framework of volunteer decision-making in the nonprofit context to act as a catalyst for future research. Research limitations/implications This research is both impactful through, and limited by, its context selection: regular service-delivery volunteers from five NPOs within two causes. The paper presents a rich research stream to extend this understanding to other nonprofit stakeholders, other causes including medical volunteer, and smaller NPOs. Practical implications In an increasingly competitive nonprofit environment with a growing need to support the vulnerable in society, NPO sustainability is dependent on their ability to recruit new volunteers. NPOs compete not only with other organisations with similar causes but also those offering similar volunteering roles, and other uses of time to meet personal needs such as sport, career, or community. Understanding how volunteers make their choice of NPO rather than other uses of their time is of vital importance to make the most effective use of scarce marketing resources. This paper contributes to that practitioner understanding. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to extend the understanding of generic motivations of volunteers to consider specific choice of NPO. Unlike previous literature, the authors bring together theory on brand, cause, and role with personal needs. The authors are also the first to apply MEC methodology to the nonprofit context to uncover the personal underlying, less salient reasons behind NPO choice and the relationship between them.

Decision-making approach for complex problems management in a scarce human resources environment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcilio Andrade ◽  
Dermeval Carinhana Jr
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Complex Problems ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This purpose of this study is to structure complex problems to be solved with greater efficiency, optimising the relationship between root causes (RC) relevance of the problem and utilisation of human resources to treat them, minimising the use of manpower in problem-solving activity and thus contributing to greater productivity within organisations. Design/methodology/approach The authors built an approach under the concepts of theory of constraints and multiattribute and multiobjective decision-making methods that were applied in a real complex problem of the low development of Brazilian space industry, by theoretical perspective. Also, the authors submitted it in a simulation environment to assess in which situations it is successful considering number of problem’s RC, system complexity and number of people in the system. Findings The approach was successful on the real case, finding the optimal relationship between the RC relevance and the number of people involved to treat them. For certain complex problem inputs configurations, simulation results reveal that the approach is reliable obtaining more than 95% chance of success in finding the optimal relationship, when comparing with traditional prioritising methods. Originality/value This approach introduces an unprecedented way to locate and evaluate non-physical constraints within a system, which is used to determine RC relevance, as well as an unprecedented way of defining a single optimal solution for structuring a problem, considering the relevance of RC and the use of human resources. The approach is useful for organisations in general which often need managing complex problems with few resources.

A conceptual model of knowledge sharing

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rayees Farooq
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Type ◽  
Thomson Reuters ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop a conceptual model of knowledge sharing and how knowledge sharing is linked to business performance. The study proposes basic dimensions of knowledge sharing which seem to be poorly defined in the past literature. Design/methodology/approach The studies were explored from journals which are indexed (Scopus, Thomson Reuters and ProQuest) and specialized in knowledge sharing and business performance. Majority of the papers were available in electronic format, so that papers could be easily explored using the key terms. Various search engines were used to explore the studies such as Google scholar, Emerald insight and ProQuest. Published theses, conference proceedings, working paper series and work in progress were excluded from the search. The review process included the studies from 1987 to 2017. During the review process, papers were explored on the basis of key word search, namely, “Knowledge sharing”, “Business performance” and “Industry type” to reduce interpretation bias. Findings Knowledge sharing is the significant predictor of business performance and industry type moderates the relationship between knowledge sharing and business performance. The relationship between knowledge sharing and business performance is important in both manufacturing and service organizations. Knowledge sharing dimensions proposed are elementary in nature and require further refinement and development. Research limitations/implications The study was approached from a theoretical perspective and the model proposed can be empirically validated by identifying statements for each dimension. Future research should explore the following: As to what extent these dimensions reflect knowledge sharing? Are dimensions chosen carefully? Or do they emerge as a result of previous studies? Practical implications The model can be very helpful for managers and practitioners who want to study how knowledge sharing enhances business performance. Managers will be able to understand how industry-specific differences affect business performance through knowledge sharing. Originality/value Proposed conceptual model advances the theoretical base of knowledge sharing by suggesting dimensions based on comprehensive review of the literature. The study contributes to knowledge management and business performance literature.

Professional identity and shared decision making among psychiatry residents: designing a brief teaching module

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-123
Author(s):  
Kia J. Bentley ◽  
Cory R. Cummings ◽  
Rachel C. Casey ◽  
Christopher P. Kogut
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Psychiatry Residents ◽  
Training Module ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brief Training ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of shared decision making, the initial aim of the study was to understand how psychiatrists-in-training defined themselves as unique among physicians with an eye on how professional identity might shape approach to care. The second aim was to use those definitions and descriptions related to professional identity and tailor a brief training module to promote awareness of the shared decision making model. Design/methodology/approach The authors do this by first conducting focus groups to ascertain how psychiatric residents characterize their professional identity and unique disciplinary characteristics. The authors then designed a brief training session that exploits the relationship between how they define themselves as physicians and how they approach clinical decision making with patients. Findings Three major themes that emerged from the focus group data: the central role of societal and treatment contexts in shaping their professional identity and approaches to care, a professional identity characterized by a great sense of pride, and a strong commitment to systematic decision-making processes in practice. While the assessment of the training module is preliminary and lacks rigor for any generalizability or statements of causality, responses likely affirm the training tailored around professional identity as a possible vehicle for effective exposure to the concept of shared decision making and served as a useful avenue for self-reflection about needed changes to more fully embrace the practice. Research limitations/implications More inquiry may be needed into the association between trust, relationship longevity and power and paternalism, as a way to bring greater insight into the adoption of shared decision making. Future research will have to investigate whether or not including identity-related content is empirically connected to successful training on shared decision making. Likewise, future research should also look at the reciprocal impact of effectively using shared decision making on the affirmation of professional identity among psychiatrists, and indeed all who embrace patient-centered care. Originality/value This is the one of the first papers to investigate issues of professional identity among psychiatry residents, and also among the first papers to consider the relationship between professional identity and use of shared decision making.

Business process management and service delivery; a case of Uganda's public entities

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nixon Kamukama ◽  
Sulait Tumwine ◽  
Julius Opiso ◽  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Business Process ◽  
Business Process Management ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test empirically a variety of hypotheses related to business process management (BPM) and service delivery within public entities and contracting companies in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach – A valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey on 20 government ministries, ten government departments and 13 service providers (contractors) who are representative of the 40 government entities and 25 service providers in Uganda. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to ascertain the validity of the hypotheses. Findings – Statistical support was found for eight out of the nine hypotheses tested. Research limitations/implications – Only a single research methodological approach was employed, future research through interviews could be undertaken. Multiple respondents in public entities and service providers were studied, neglecting other key stakeholders like service users. Finally, BPM was studied and by the virtual of the results, there are other elements that contribute to service delivery that were not part of this study. Practical implications – There is need to intensify initiatives to encourage greater understanding and acceptance of BPM, employ a viable BPM strategy that includes risk management, building high-level innovation, strong human resource capacity, providers expertise in order to provide optimal service to both service buyers and users. Originality/value – This is the first paper in sub-Saharan Africa to tests empirically the relationship between BPM and service delivery in the Ugandan context of service buyers and providers and provides support for the relationship and process management.

Relationship between direct-to-consumer advertising and consumers’ decision-making

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdel-Aziz Ahmad Sharabati ◽  
Hamzeh Salim Khraim ◽  
Rami Atta Khateeb
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Direct To Consumer Advertising ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumers’ decision-making (CDM). Design/methodology/approach – Practical data were used in the empirical analysis collected from 484 consumer surveyed by means of a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, correlation, simple and multiple regressions were employed. A Cronbach’s alpha was used to confirm the suitability of the data collection instrument. Findings – The results of the study indicated a positive significant relationship between DTCA and CDM. The results indicated that there was significant impact of healthcare awareness on CDM, but there were no significant impacts of drug–drug interactions, medical information source and consumer economical situation on CDM. Research limitations/implications – The data are also limited to a Jordanian market; therefore, generalizing results of a Jordanian setting to other countries may be questionable. Extending the analyses to other settings represent future research opportunities. Originality/value – The current research may be considered as an initiative study that highlights the effect of DTCA on CDM in Jordan and in the Arab world. The results can provide the reference for further research about the relationship between DTCA and CDM.

Applying importance‐performance analysis to assess service delivery performance

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Tsoukatos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to demonstrate the potential of importance‐performance (IP) analysis as a decision‐making tool for service management, employing IP analysis to assess the performance of Greek insurance in delivering quality services.Design/methodology/approachData were collected in a two‐stage survey. In both stages, respondents were asked to provide importance and performance scores, in identical seven‐point Likert scales, for the 25 service attributes identified for Greek insurance. In order to qualify for the sample, individuals had to be over the age of 25 and have at least one insurance policy and one service encounter with their insurers within the previous three months. The two methodological streams of IP analysis, “gap analysis” and IP maps, were employed to analyse the data.FindingsThe value of importance‐performance analysis as a tool for managerial decision making in services was reaffirmed. Contrary to previous findings on insurers' reluctance to respond to their customers' quality requests, Greek insurance was found to have adequate reflexes in this respect. In stage one, the dimensions Responsiveness and Assurance were positioned in the “keep up the good work”, Reliability in the “concentrate”, Empathy in the “low priority” and Tangibles in the “possible overkill” quadrants of the importance‐performance map. In stage two, the industry was found to have taken actions towards keeping‐up with its customers' requirements.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitations of this study are that it was based on a single service industry and that convenience sampling was used. However, its methodology and results are valid for various industries in the service sector and provide a solid basis for future research.Originality/valueService managers can exploit the approach taken by this study to improve service management. Greek insurers have to keep considering the needs and wants of their customers regarding service delivery.

The relationship between MNCs’ strategies and executive staffing

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeetha Lakshman ◽  
C. Lakshman ◽  
Christophe Estay
Keyword(s):  
International Business ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Global Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of business strategies with executive staffing of multinational companies (MNCs). Design/methodology/approach Based on in-depth interviews conducted with top executives of 22 MNCs’, the authors identify important connections between international business strategies and staffing orientation. The authors used the qualitative research approach of building theory from interviews; thus, creating theoretical propositions from empirical evidence. Findings The authors find that when the pressure for global integration is high, MNCs use more parent-country national (PCNs) (ethnocentric staffing) as against the use of host-country managers (HCNs) (polycentric staffing) when this pressure is low. Additionally, MNCs using a global strategy are more likely to use an ethnocentric staffing approach, those using a multi-domestic strategy use a polycentric approach and firms using transnational strategy adopt a mix of ethnocentric and polycentric approaches. Research limitations/implications Although the authors derive theoretical patterns based on rich qualitative data, their sample is relatively small and comprises mostly of French MNCs. Generalizability to a broader context is limited. However, the authors’ findings have critical implications for future research. Practical implications The authors’ findings provide critical managerial implications for MNCs in matching their HR strategies with business strategies. These are important for effective strategy implementation. Originality/value Although MNC staffing orientations have been studied for a long time, their relationship to international business strategies is still not clearly understood. The authors contribute to the literature by investigating the relationship between MNCs’ business strategy types with staffing orientations.

Participative work design in lean production

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Lantz ◽  
Niklas Hansen ◽  
Conny Antoni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Team Learning ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Job Design ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proactive Behaviour ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore job design mechanisms that enhance team proactivity within a lean production system where autonomy is uttermost restricted. We propose and test a model where the team learning process of building shared meaning of work mediates the relationship between team participative decision-making, inter team relations and team proactive behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – The results are based on questionnaires to 417 employees within manufacturing industry (response rate 86 per cent) and managers’ ratings of team proactivity. The research model was tested by mediation analysis on aggregated data (56 teams). Findings – Team learning mediates the relationship between participative decision-making and inter team collaboration on team proactive behaviour. Input from stakeholders in the work flow and partaking in decisions about work, rather than autonomy in carrying out the work, enhance the teams’ proactivity through learning processes. Research limitations/implications – An investigation of the effects of different leadership styles and management policy on proactivity through team-learning processes might shed light on how leadership promotes proactivity, as results support the effects of team participative decision-making – reflecting management policy – on proactivity. Practical implications – Lean production stresses continuous improvements for enhancing efficiency, and such processes rely on individuals and teams that are proactive. Participation in forming the standardization of work is linked to managerial style, which can be changed and developed also within a lean concept. Based on our experiences of implementing the results in the production plant, we discuss what it takes to create and manage participative processes and close collaboration between teams on the shop floor, and other stakeholders such as production support, based on a shared understanding of the work and work processes. Social implications – Learning at the workplace is essential for long-term employability, and for job satisfaction and health. The lean concept is widely spread to both public bodies and enterprises, and it has been shown that it can be linked to increased stress and an increase in workload. Finding the potential for learning within lean production is essential for balancing the need of efficient production and employees’ health and well-being at work. Originality/value – Very few studies have investigated the paradox between lean and teamwork, yet many lean-inspired productions systems have teamwork as a pillar for enhancing effectiveness. A clear distinction between autonomy and participation contributes to the understanding of the links between job design, learning processes and team proactivity.

Dynamic capabilities vs. innovation capability: are they related?

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidija Breznik ◽  
Robert D. Hisrich
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Research ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the relationship between dynamic capabilities and innovation capabilities. It links dynamic capability with innovation capability and indicates the ways they can be related. Design/methodology/approach – The relationships between dynamic and innovation capability were investigated through a systematic literature review. Findings – The review indicates that common characteristics exist between of the both fields, which demonstrate six relationships. Additionally, findings show some inconsistencies and even contradictions. Originality/value – In this paper, the authors have compared dynamic capabilities, a relatively new approach in the field of strategic management, with innovation capabilities, a widely recognised crucial domain for sustained competitiveness. Since both areas address issues that are essential to today's environment, future research should seek to clarify both concepts, by undertaking some new research and developing comprehensive and unambiguous framework.

Unveiling contemporary dimensions in the internationalisation of family firms through bibliometric analysis and thematic analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonal Thukral ◽  
Apoorva Jain
Keyword(s):  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Research Articles ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The Family ◽  
Research Stream

Purpose For sustaining a competitive advantage in the integrated world economy, it has become imperative for family firms to internationalise their operations in overseas markets. However, despite the growing set of literature, results are still inconclusive with respect to family firms’ internationalisation. Thus, this study aims to address this gap by systematically reviewing 142 articles (1991–2019) to help researchers in identifying and unfolding the unexplored themes in the underlying area. Design/methodology/approach For systematically reviewing articles, the study uses a three-step methodology following PRISMA guidelines, bibliometric analysis and thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics of 142 research articles are obtained through bibliometric analysis while thematic analysis is carried out to create themes or clusters of various factors relating to family firms’ internationalisation. Findings The current review uncovers the evolving trends in the research streams, most productive authors, top journals and articles, co-citation analysis, as well as the major themes surrounding the family firms’ internationalisation literature. Results from bibliometric analysis indicate that family firms’ internationalisation is an upcoming research area. Also, the review indicates an opportunity for scholars from developing nations to make significant contributions in the underlying research stream. Research limitations/implications Results from bibliometric and thematic analysis will help academicians and researchers in accumulating a holistic understanding relating to family firms’ internationalisation and understanding the upcoming trends in family firms’ research, thereby guiding the future research scope. Also, it will assist the family firms’ leaders and managers in understanding the important dynamics in overseas markets and various factors to be considered while planning their internationalisation. Originality/value Undertaking a systematic literature review presents readers with a state-of-the-art understanding of the underlying research topic. To the best of the knowledge, to date, the study is the first to conduct the review of literature through bibliometric analysis with the help of R Studio software in the field of family firms’ internationalisation. Also, the study is the first to review more than 100 research articles in the underlying area. Finally, the study proposes a comprehensive framework integrating the major themes and facets relating to family firms’ internationalisation.

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