A panel for lemons? Positivity bias, reputation systems and data quality on MTurk

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Matherly

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the effectiveness of systems for ensuring cooperation in online transactions is impacted by a positivity bias in the evaluation of the work that is produced. The presence of this bias can reduce the informativeness of the reputation system and negatively impact its ability to ensure quality. Design/methodology/approach This research combines survey and experimental methods, collecting data from 1,875 Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers in five studies designed to investigate the informativeness of the MTurk reputation system. Findings The findings demonstrate the presence of a positivity bias in evaluations of workers on MTurk, which leaves them undifferentiated, except at the extremity of the reputation system and by status markers. Research limitations/implications Because MTurk workers self-select tasks, the findings are limited in that they may only be generalizable to those who are interested in research-related work. Further, the tasks used in this research are largely subjective in nature, which may decrease their sensitivity to differences in quality. Practical implications For researchers, the results suggest that requiring 99 per cent approval rates (rather than the previously advised 95 per cent) should be used to identify high-quality workers on MTurk. Originality/value The research provides insights into the design and use of reputation systems and demonstrates how design decisions can exacerbate the effect of naturally occurring biases in evaluations to reduce the utility of these systems.

2019 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kangning Wei ◽  
Yuzhu Li ◽  
Yong Zha ◽  
Jing Ma

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare the relative impacts of trust and risk on individual’s transaction intention in consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-marketplaces from both the buyers’ and the sellers’ perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Two surveys were used to collect data regarding buyers’ and sellers’ perceptions and transaction intentions at a typical C2C e-marketplace. Partial least squares was used to analyze the data. A complementary qualitative study was conducted to triangulate the results from the quantitative study. Findings Institution-based trust (IBT) exerts a stronger influence on transaction intentions for buyers than for sellers. Sellers perceive a stronger impact of trust in intermediary (TII) than buyers on transaction intentions. The impacts of perceived risk in transactions are not different between buyers and sellers. Furthermore, IBT mediates the impacts of TII and perceived risk on transaction intentions for buyers. Research limitations/implications The results indicate that the impacts of trust and risk on transaction intention in e-marketplaces do differ between buyers and sellers. This suggests a need to further investigate the buyer–seller difference in online transactions. Practical implications Intermediaries need to focus on different types of trust-building mechanisms when attracting buyers and sellers to make transactions in the e-marketplace. Originality/value C2C e-marketplaces cannot survive without participation from both buyers and sellers. Most prior research is conducted from the buyers’ perspective. This research sets a starting point for future research to further explore the differences between buyers’ and sellers’ behavior in C2C e-commerce environments.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 6-8

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 his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – In a survey of academics throughout Turkey, it was found that the positive effects of good “authentic” leadership might go even deeper, especially psychologically, than has previously been envisaged. Trust and high-quality leader–follower relations are essentials for both parties and the organization as a whole. 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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anabela Martins ◽  
Nelson Lima ◽  
Paulo Sampaio

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to develop a standard providing requirements for managing the quality and competence of the biological resource centres (BRC). Design/methodology/approach The methodology for the standard setting was based on the principles of credibility, transparency, alignment and consistency. A justification study was performed to establish its objectives and scope, avoid overlap and prevent the risks in implementation. International documents providing rules for standard development were taken into consideration. Requirements were assembled from several standards and participation of interested parties was promoted. Findings No relevant international document exists covering fundamental issues for BRC operation. It is possible to develop a consistent and aligned standard, under a credible and transparent process that fits BRC purposes. Practical implications This standard will strengthen the BRC technical competence increasing its capability to provide authenticated high-quality biological materials – a crucial factor for biotechnological developments in the fields of health, agriculture and environment. It will serve as a basis for the BRC compliance assessment and the launch pad for establishing the global BRC network. Originality/value Original paper.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-208
Author(s):  
Geetha M. ◽  
Gitanjali Naidu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the attribute preferences of buyers of branded pulses and to study the differences in preferences between consumers who purchase from traditional retail stores and those who purchase from modern retail stores. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 300 respondents (150 respondents from traditional and 150 respondents from modern retail outlet) participated in the study. Conjoint analysis was used to assess the consumers’ attribute preferences for branded pulses. Findings – For both traditional and modern retail outlets, profile with highest utility was the profile with established brand, low price, high quality and normal packaging. Research limitations/implications – Shoppers of traditional and modern retail outlets have similar attribute preferences for branded pulses. Hence, it can be concluded that the purchase point makes no difference in consumer attribute preferences. Practical implications – Results indicate that in both traditional and modern retail outlet customers prefer the same profile of attributes. Two important attributes determining their purchase are also the same. Hence a company entering into the sale of branded pulses will have to focus on these two important attributes irrespective of the purchase point. Originality/value – The topic is relatively less researched in emerging markets especially where both branded pulses and organized retail are in their nascent stages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 13-16

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 his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The growth and popularity of social media and other online platforms offer a potentially rich data source that can enhance human resource management. Effective acquisition and analysis permit researchers to identify attitudes, developments, and trends within the sector. Attention must be paid to various ethical factors when capturing and using such data, which is naturally occurring and unstructured. 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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Love ◽  
Erica Mina Okada

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to propose differential marketing tactics for high-quality products versus low-price products by building on construal level theory. Design/methodology/approach – Two studies were conducted, one using students and another using data collected from more than 7,000 online auctions. Findings – When consumers consider high-quality products, they use more abstract mental models, and when they consider low-price products, they use more concrete mental models. Differentiation based on primary features product is more effective for products that are positioned on quality, while differentiation based on the secondary features is more effective for products that are positioned on price. Also, marketing efforts to attract attention are more effective for products positioned on quality than those positioned on price. Research limitations/implications – This research focused on how consumers use different mental models for considering high-quality versus low-price product offerings but did not examine whether a given segment/consumer uses different models in considering high-quality versus low-price alternatives. Practical implications – Managers wishing to reinforce a high-quality position should focus on marketing efforts compatible with consumers’ high level construal by enhancing and highlighting the primary features, and drawing consumers’ attention to their product offerings. Managers wishing to reinforce a low-price positioning should focus on marketing efforts that are compatible with consumers’ low level construal by enhancing and highlighting secondary features. Originality/value – This research makes an important theoretical link between construal theory and brand positioning.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H. Davis ◽  
Michael B. Schoenfeld ◽  
Elizabeth J. Flores

Purpose This paper aims to compare style and behavior-focused individual difference measures in their ability to uniquely predict naturally occurring conflict acts. Design/methodology/approach Primary participants (and a friend of their choosing) completed a style measure and a behavior-focused measure about the primary participants and reported on the occurrence of a variety of conflict actions over a 60-day period. Findings For self-ratings and friend ratings, both the style measure and the behavior-focused measure were significantly related to the occurrence of conflict acts. However, the unique effect of the behavior-focused measure was stronger than that of the style measure. Research limitations/implications The data were collected from college students, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings. The measure of conflict acts was based on recall, which may also be subject to error and bias. In terms of implications, the findings strongly suggest that behavior-focused instruments are superior to style measures in predicting everyday conflict acts. Practical implications Because the behavior-focused individual difference measure was a better predictor of actual behavior than the style measure, investigators interested in such prediction may want to seriously consider using such measures. Originality/value Little research exists regarding the relative predictive abilities of style measures and behavior-focused measures; this paper provides some of the first such evidence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-35

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 An interview transitions through four naturally occurring stages: the initial impression formed in the first few seconds when the candidate and interviewer first lay eyes on one another; a rapport building stage of several minutes to help each party settle in; the body of the interview in which job skills and culture-fit are assessed; and the close, when the interviewer asks if the candidate has any questions about the job or company. 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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Fredriksson ◽  
Mats Janné ◽  
Martin Rudberg

PurposeThe use of third-party logistics (TPL) setups in construction has increased but is still a new phenomenon. The purpose was to increase understanding of how structural and management dimensions are related in CLSs by describing how CTPL setups are used.Design/methodology/approachTen dimensions to describe and structure CLSs were identified from the literature and used to structure a cross-case analysis of 13 Swedish CLSs.FindingsThe main findings are: (1) there are three typical initiators of CLSs: municipalities, developers and contractors; (2) CLSs are drivers for service differentiation and modularization among TPL providers as construction specific services are required; (3) CLSs play a new role in construction by coordinating logistics activities between the construction project and the vicinity of the site.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on 13 cases in the Swedish construction context. Additional studies of CLSs in other countries are needed.Practical implicationsThe ten dimensions can be used as a guide in designing a CLS and in determining the order of design decisions. The identification and structuring of CTPL services also exemplify the variety of service offerings.Originality/valueThis is one of the first cross-case analyses of CLSs enabling the characterization of CTPL setups. This study identifies how different services included in the setup relate to the roles of SCM and logistics in construction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 753-760
Author(s):  
Álvaro Santos ◽  
Miguel Branco-Teixeira

Purpose This paper identifies and discusses the best possible solutions for regenerating cities, with the aim of creating inclusive, pleasant and sustainable cities and more developed and inclusive societies. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate debate about how to use tourism to regenerate cities. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on background experience in civil engineering and territory planning, this viewpoint discusses the role of tourism in regenerating cities. Findings The paper identifies possible ways to take advantage of the enormous potential of tourism in the transition towards more pleasant and sustainable cities and more developed and inclusive societies. Practical implications This paper advocates a role for tourism in the creation of environments conducive to the launch of high quality, global, urban operations. Originality/value The paper offers ten measures whose implementation could contribute to building more dynamic, pleasant, sustainable and inclusive cities. These measures constitute a “roadmap for change” in urban development.


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