scholarly journals Wii are family: consumption, console gaming and family togetherness

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 2005-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathriona Nash ◽  
Lisa O’Malley ◽  
Maurice Patterson

Purpose This paper aims to understand the relationship between family togetherness and consumption. This is important given the inherent tension permeating discourses of family consumption and a lack of a critical understanding about how togetherness is experienced, expressed and performed. The Nintendo Wii and Wii gaming were explicitly chosen to engage in a more nuanced understanding and to provide a route to access families in their natural consumption habitat. Design/methodology/approach An interpretive ethnographic methodology was utilised to investigate family consumption in context and used in conjunction with the biographical narrative interpretive method to capture reflective and detailed informants’ consumption experiences. Holistic content analysis was used to interpret and aid thematic development. Findings Opportunities for idealised family togetherness afforded by the Wii still appeal to family members. Idealised family togetherness is accessed through collective, “proper” Wii gaming but is ultimately unsustainable. Importantly, the authors see that relational togetherness and bonding is also possible, and as such, the lived experience, expression and performance of family togetherness are not prescriptive. Originality/value Family togetherness is a useful and important lens through which to understand the dynamic relationship between family, consumption and the marketplace. The authors suggest that current conceptualisations of togetherness are too idealised and prescriptive and should be open to critical rethinking and engagement by both academics and industry practitioners to communicate with and about families and to explore how to be part of relevant and meaningful family conversations.

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-431
Author(s):  
Patricia S. Sánchez-Medina

PurposeBusinesses in Mexico, particularly small and mid-sized companies, are faced with numerous challenges: a lack of competition, difficulty in positioning and maintaining oneself in the market, irrational use of natural resources, and poverty in the environment in which they develop. In spite of these problems, many are able to succeed; however, there is limited knowledge about how these businesses could implement organizational changes that would positively impact their results.Design/methodology/approachUsing dynamic capabilities theory and survey data obtained from pottery businesses in several artisan communities in Mexico through the application of face-to-face interviews, this paper analyzes the relationship between organizational capability for change (OCC) and economic and environmental performance.FindingsThis research proves that OCC positively and significantly impacts economic and environmental performance. Results contribute to the existing literature on OCC in the context of poverty.Originality/valueThis study offers empirical research that illustrates the relationship between OCC and the environmental and economic performance of pottery businesses. Additionally it contributes to a field of knowledge in progress; that is, OCC in contexts of subsistence where poverty is a constant issue. Artisans living in this context can also develop business capabilities that contribute to the permanence of their business in the market.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-402
Author(s):  
Bradley Edward Roberts

Purpose Phenomenology is widely recognised for its power to generate nuanced understanding of lived experience and human existence. However, phenomenology is often made inaccessible to prospective researchers due to its specialised nomenclature and dense philosophical underpinnings. This paper explores the value of the researcher’s lived experience as a pathway into phenomenological inquiry. The purpose of this paper is to improve the accessibility of phenomenology as a method for qualitative analysis. It achieves this by aligning Husserl’s concept of phenomenological epoche, or bracketing of preconceptions, and the author’s lived experience as a practitioner of kendo, or Japanese fencing. Design/methodology/approach The paper employs the narrative vignette as a means of illuminating the intersections between kendo practice and the application of phenomenological epoche as it applies to the understanding of embodied sensemaking. Reflections on the narrative vignette identified a suite of techniques from kendo practice that were applied to a phenomenological approach for critical incident interviews. These techniques were then applied to 30 critical incident, semi-structured interviews as part of a PhD research project into embodied sensemaking. Findings The results from these interviews suggest that the kendo-derived techniques were effective in generating thick narratives from participants during semi-structured interviews. Examination of the results provided insights into the linkage between phenomenology as a continental philosophy and eastern perspectives such as those found within the Zen traditions and other aesthetic practices. Originality/value This research suggests that lived experience such as kendo practice can provide a ready-to-hand pathway to phenomenological inquiry.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 30-32

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Research propositions concerning the relationship between implementation of different sustainability strategies, along with the requisite capabilities offered, provide a guide for managers, and also encouragement for scholars to seek a more nuanced understanding of how companies can improve their economic performance through the implementation of sustainable business strategies. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Panari ◽  
Silvia Simbula

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents and consequences of the phenomenon of presenteeism in the educational sector. Particularly, the authors tested the relationship between excessive work responsibilities, presenteeism, work-to-family conflict and workers’ emotional exhaustion. Design/methodology/approach – A self-report questionnaire was administered to 264 teachers in secondary schools. Findings – A subsequent mediation of presenteeism and work-to-family conflict between work responsibilities and emotional exhaustion was found. Originality/value – The findings of this study will provide help today’s organisations for better understanding and managing the new phenomenon of presenteeism in order to promote workers’ well-being and performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amer Ali Al-Atwi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the ostracism literature by exploring the pragmatic impact of ostracism on performance. Design/methodology/approach Ostracism workplace, social relations and empowerment structures are discussed. The paper then develops a theoretical framework that explains why and under what conditions workplace ostracism undermines employees’ performance. The author proposes that empowerment structures mediate the link between ostracism and in-role and extra-role performance. In addition, it was proposed that relational links buffer the negative relationship between ostracism and empowerment structures on performance and weaken the negative indirect effect of ostracism on performance. Findings The theoretical arguments provide support for the model showing that empowerment structures mediate the relationship between ostracism and performance, and the mediation effect only occurred when external links were high but not when external links were low. Originality/value The author has expanded the extant literature by answering recent calls for research exploring the pragmatic impact of workplace ostracism where past research has typically focused solely on the psychological impacts such as psychological needs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 973-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azzouz Elhamma

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the main results of the first empirical study done in Morocco and attempts to highlight the impact of the firm size on the budgetary evaluation and its performance according to the firm size. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using a questionnaire sent to the Moroccan firms. A total of 62 questionnaires were correctly returned. The response rate was 15 per cent. Findings – In this research, we identified three principal styles of budgetary evaluation: “strict budgetary evaluation” adopted by 21 per cent of the sample; “moderate budgetary evaluation” adopted by 27.4 per cent of the surveyed enterprises; and “lower budgetary evaluation” adopted by 51.6 per cent of the sample. The first style is adopted especially by large firms. The firm’s performance is significantly and positively correlated with the budgetary evaluation in large enterprises. This correlation is not significant in SMEs. Practical implications – The findings of this research can help managers of companies in emerging economies in the choice of a better budgetary evaluation system. Originality/value – The outcomes of the study are relevant both to the literature on budgetary evaluation in particular and on management control in general, since they determine that the correct fit between budgetary evaluation and firm size causes a positive and significant change in the firm’s performance.


2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1020-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina D’Agostini ◽  
Vilmar Antonio Gonçalves Tondolo ◽  
Maria Emília Camargo ◽  
Angela Isabel dos Santos Dullius ◽  
Rosana da Rosa Portella Tondolo ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between sustainable operations practices (SOP) and performance. Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted through a systematic literature review followed by a meta-analysis of correlations. Findings In the results, 14 of the relationships examined showed a positive relationship and 12 the presence of moderators. The study findings indicate that contingency affects the relationship between SOPs and performance. Research limitations/implications The research presented in this paper is mainly limited to databases that were searched. Among the quantitative articles selected from the databases, many did not have the data needed to conduct the meta-analysis, which may have limited the results of this study. Practical implications Using the results of this study, practitioners can become aware of to the occurrence of moderating factors in the relationships, which can range from interference from other practices and variables to characteristics of the organization itself or the market in which organizations operate. Originality/value This study uses a multidimensional approach for both SOP and performance. This approach allowed a more complete and comprehensive result, showing how these SOPs influence the different categories of performance, expanding the understanding of the relationship between practices and performance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Aboramadan ◽  
Belal Albashiti ◽  
Hatem Alharazin ◽  
Souhaila Zaidoune

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the links between organizational culture, innovation and banks’ performance in Palestine. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from 186 employees working in the Palestinian banking sector. The data gathered were analyzed using the PLS-SEM approach. Findings The findings of the study show that organizational culture and marketing innovation have a positive impact on banks’ performance. Moreover, it was found that marketing performance partially mediates the relationship between organizational culture and banks’ performance. Practical implications The paper may be of use for banks managers to create an organizational culture, which fosters both innovation and performance. Originality/value The paper is unique as it examines organizational culture, innovation and performance links in a non-western context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 929-943
Author(s):  
Simon C.H. Chan

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether self-efficacy is a key mediator of the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance, based on intrinsic motivation theory. The study extended the literature on self-efficacy to transformational leadership in non-formal voluntary service education.Design/methodology/approachOne hundred and seventy-eight scouts and scout leaders were sampled from a Hong Kong voluntary service organization that involved volunteers in the process of non-formal education.FindingsTransformational leadership was positively associated with the volunteers' performance. In addition, self-efficacy mediated the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance.Originality/valueThe study thus yielded novel insights for management development into the relationship between transformational leadership and volunteers' performance, suggesting that self-efficacy mediates this relationship for volunteers in non-formal voluntary service education.


Author(s):  
Hussein Nabil Ismail ◽  
Adnan Iqbal ◽  
Lina Nasr

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between employee engagement and job performance in the country of Lebanon, and to test whether creativity mediates the relationship between engagement and performance. Design/methodology/approach The research sample consisted of 186 respondents working in Lebanese firms. The questionnaire included established measures relating to employee engagement, job performance and creativity – in addition to various demographic questions. Stepwise multiple regression and bootstrapping methods were employed in the analysis of the data. Findings The findings showed a significant positive effect of employee engagement on job performance. However, mediation analysis using bootstrapping methods has shown that creativity has fully mediated the relationship between engagement and performance. Originality/value The study extends previous research and increases the external validity of the findings by investigating the relationship between engagement and performance in new non-western contexts. Moreover, this is one of the first research studies that explores the role of creativity in the relationship between the two variables; this helps in improving our understanding of the model and aids in enhancing the effect of engagement on performance.


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