Opening the black box and searching for smoking guns

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 691-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth E. Bennett ◽  
Rochell R. McWhorter
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Causal Inference ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Conceptual Frame ◽  
Causal Processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of qualitative research in causality, with particular emphasis on process causality. In one paper, it is not possible to discuss all the issues of causality, but the aim is to provide useful ways of thinking about causality and qualitative research. Specifically, a brief overview of the regularity theory of causation is provided, qualitative research characteristics and ontological and epistemological views that serve as a potential conceptual frame to resolve some tensions between quantitative and qualitative work are discussed and causal processes are explored. This paper offers a definition and a model of process causality and then presents findings from an exploratory study that advanced the discussion beyond the conceptual frame. Design/methodology/approach This paper first conceptually frames process causality within qualitative research and then discusses results from an exploratory study that involved reviewing literature and interviewing expert researchers. The exploratory study conducted involved analyzing multiple years of literature in two top human resource development (HRD) journals and also exploratory expert interviews. The study was guided by the research question: How might qualitative research inform causal inferences in HRD? This study used a basic qualitative approach that sought insight through inductive analysis within the focus of this study. Findings The exploratory study found that triangulation, context, thick description and process research questions are important elements of qualitative studies that can improve research that involves causal relationships. Specifically, qualitative studies provide both depth of data collection and descriptive write-up that provide clues to cause-and-effect relationships that support or refute theory. Research limitations/implications A major conclusion of this study is that qualitative research plays a critical role in causal inference, albeit an understated one, when one takes an enlarged philosophical view of causality. Equating causality solely with variance theory associated with quantitative research leaves causal processes locked in a metaphoric black box between cause and effect, whereas qualitative research opens up the processes and mechanisms contained within the box. Originality/value This paper reframed the discussion about causality to include both the logic of quantitative studies and qualitative studies to demonstrate a more holistic view of causality and to demonstrate the value of qualitative research for causal inference. Process causality in qualitative research is added to the mix of techniques and theories found in the larger discussion of causality in HRD.

Designing training programs for HRD, expectations of participants explored

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-6
Author(s):  
Jol Stoffers ◽  
Ilse Schrijver ◽  
Anne Kleefstra
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Qualitative Research Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Human Resource Development Professionals ◽  
Part Time

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the expectations of adult part-time participants enrolled in training programs. The purpose was to provide knowledge for the adequate design of those programs. Design/methodology/approach The design was a combination of complementary research methodologies. A literature review exploring the topic marked the start of the investigation. On the basis of this review, questions were formulated for group interviews, using the Delphi method, a qualitative research method. Findings The results revealed that participants in training programs have high expectations, in terms of facilities and organization, as well as in content, instructional formats, and trainers, albeit that these expectations differ per course. Practical implications Insights into participants’ expectations provide educational institutes with the opportunity to respond to the target group more appropriately, and to fulfill their obligation to facilitate lifelong learning for employees.This paper also supports human resource development professionals to select and design adequate training programs for their employees. Originality/value This is one of the few studies using the Delphi method, a qualitative research method, to investigate the expectations of adult part-time participants enrolled in training programs.

Verifying rigor: analyzing qualitative research in international marketing

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitish Singh ◽  
Mamoun Benmamoun ◽  
Elizabeth Meyr ◽  
Ramazan Hamza Arikan
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past

PurposeThere has been a growing call regarding broad criteria for assessing qualitative methods' reliability and validity in international marketing (IM) research. In response, this study synthesizes the past literature to present an overarching, yet adaptable, trustworthiness verification framework for assessing the rigor of various qualitative methods used in IM.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on qualitative research from various disciplines. It uses content analysis to examine how trustworthiness is conceptualized in qualitative studies in International Marketing Review (IMR) from 2005 to 2019.FindingsThe analysis reveals that strategies to ensure rigor and trustworthiness of qualitative research in IMR are partially applied. There remain gaps in implementing quality criteria across the trustworthiness dimensions of credibility, transferability, dependability, conformability and ethics.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper highlights the importance of incorporating strategies for assessing the quality of qualitative research in IM research. Since the analysis only focused on IMR, future research should explore and test the framework in other IM and business journals to reach a broader consensus in assessing qualitative studies' rigor.Originality/valueIM researchers have yet to develop a consensus regarding broad criteria for assessing qualitative methods' reliability and validity. This paper is an attempt to fill this gap.

Systematic literature review of halal food consumption-qualitative research era 1990-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 687-707
Author(s):  
Saira Naeem ◽  
Rana Muhammad Ayyub ◽  
Irfan Ishaq ◽  
Sobia Sadiq ◽  
Tahir Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies

Purpose In view of increasing demand of halal foods and to properly address the needs of various types of consumers, the literary inquiries have sprung in this area since start of twenty-first century. However, the number of papers published in reputed journals is still pegged to the lowest ebb. This paper aims to systematically review all qualitative research papers, published in reputed journals, and to give specific directions to future researchers to move on and explore some other required areas. Design/methodology/approach The Campbell collaboration systematic literature review technique was adopted as methodology to screen out relevant studies. A total of 11 qualitative studies qualified the set criteria which have used various qualitative methodologies like interviews, focus groups, observations and netnography. The qualitative data were analyzed through nVivo software by adopting Spiggle’s steps of data analysis. Findings In these selected qualitative studies, around 24 main themes were extracted in total, out of which four themes were repeatedly discussed in most of these studies. Likewise, the details of geographical location of authors, type of methodology used, religious affiliation of respondents, type of journals, most prolific journals and citations of each paper were worked out and given in the form of result tables. Based on the importance of this fastest-growing global food market, it has been concluded that the qualitative research inquiries are still in infancy in this area, and more papers need to be published in reputed journals. Research limitations/implications As per set criteria, only papers published in quality journals were included in this review; therefore, the main limitation of this review is that it has not included other qualitative papers published elsewhere. Practical implications The future researchers can use the results of this study in setting direction of their research in the area of halal food consumption. These results can be used by academicians to know about the extent of research conducted in this area, whereas marketers can make prudent policies based on these explored areas. Originality/value It is claimed to be the first systematic literature review on halal food consumption.

Against the scandal: itinerant curriculum theory as subaltern momentum

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-143
Author(s):  
João M. Paraskeva
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Curriculum Theory ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Education And Society ◽  
Ways Of Being

Purpose Keeping Spivak’s essay “Can the Subaltern Speak?” in mind, the purpose of this paper is to examine the itinerant curriculum theory (ICT) as a subaltern momentum unveiling how ICT informs subaltern ways of being and thus, potentially, the research lens for qualitative approaches. In this context, the paper examines how curriculum as an ideological devise produces an epistemicide – the killing of knowledge – an epistemological havoc cooked up daily in the process of qualitative studies promoting and legitimizing a specific modern western Eurocentric episteme. Design/methodology/approach The paper dissects modernity as a colonial zone, creating “abyssal thinking,” a eugenic system of visible and invisible distinctions that legitimizes the visible, i.e. “this side of the line” and produces “the other side of the line” as “non-existent.” Findings The paper urges the need to decolonize leading modern western Eurocentric counter-hegemonic traditions such as Marxism. Originality/value The paper analyzes ICT’s contribution to subaltern struggles, asserts ICT’s commitment against any form of canon, grabs the educational matrix of qualitative research as an eugenic beast from its very own ideological horns, alerting the need to examine any study of education and society within the ideological eugenic political economy and modes of production of systems pillared by poverty, exploitation, segregation, and intellectual rape.

Developing sales training programs to promote a competitive advantage: linking corporate strategy with human resource development

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 181-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley C. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sales Training ◽  
Training Strategy ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Strategic Focus

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide a framework for any organization to follow in designing training programs by describing a hypothetical sales training model linked to an organization’s strategic focus. Training strategy shapes the type of training programs provided by organizations. What influences an organization’s training strategy is important to understand if we are to grasp the valuable role training plays in the long-term performance of the organization. Strategic focus provides a framework for organizations to follow when creating specialized training programs. This paper represents an initiative to help put in a broader and clearer context an organization’s strategic focus from which training program initiatives originate. Furthermore, the paper examines how strategic focus influences an organization’s decisions regarding the specific purposes, content and frequency of training. The paper identifies and describes several important dimensions of the conceptual model, as well as the interconnectedness among the dimensions. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the link between sales training and an organization’s strategic focus. The use of a conceptual model linking strategic focus with a training program provides a “big picture” perspective showing the link between an organization’s vision and the role training plays in helping to realize this vision. The conceptual model shows the cause and effect link between the strategic focus and the development of training programs. Findings – The model demonstrates how practitioners can move from a strategic, conceptual focus to deliver a training program that represents the ability to implement strategic intent. Practical implications – The conceptual model shows the cause and effect link between the strategic focus and the development of training programs. Originality/value – The value of this conceptual model is to demonstrate the ability to link strategy to specific business activities associated with the implementation of strategy.

The effect of actual workplace learning on job satisfaction and organizational commitment

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 481-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geunpil Ryu ◽  
Seong-Gin Moon
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Organizational Commitment ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Work Attitudes ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Programs

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of workplace learning experience and intrinsic learning motive on job satisfaction and organizational commitment. In addition, the study examined the moderating effect of intrinsic learning motives on the relationship between learning experience and job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Design/methodology/approach The current research used the Human Capital Corporate Panel survey data set, which aimed to explore how human resource development practices influence corporate performance. In all, 10,003 samples from 441 companies were used for data analysis. Findings Results indicate that taking part in workplace learning programs positively affects job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Likewise, intrinsic learning motives are also positively related to work attitudes. However, no interaction effect between the intrinsic learning motive and the learning experience was found, which may imply that an autonomous extrinsic learning motive is a better predictor for explaining job satisfaction than is a purely intrinsic learning motive within an organizational context. Originality/value Little research has examined the actual effect of workplace learning programs on employees’ attitudes regarding job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Furthermore, to the authors’ knowledge, no research has examined the moderating effect of intrinsic learning motive with workplace learning experience on employees’ positive work attitudes.

Firm size and workplace learning processes: a study of the restaurant sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 305-320
Author(s):  
Daniel Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Workplace Learning ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Learning ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper asks how workplace learning environments change as firm size increases, and how employees respond to this. In doing so, it looks beyond an exclusive focus on formal training and incorporates more informal, work-based learning processes. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a comparative, qualitative research design, using semi-structured interviews with an under-researched group of workers – waiting for staff in restaurants. The data were collected from six restaurants of different sizes. Findings As formally instituted human resource development (HRD) structures expand as firm size increases are more extensive in larger firms, this leaves less room for individual choice and agency in shaping the learning process. This does not inevitably constrain or enhance workplace learning, and can be experienced either negatively or positively by employees, depending on their previous working and learning experiences. Research limitations/implications Future research on HRD and workplace learning should acknowledge both formal and informal learning processes and the interaction between them – particularly in small and growing firms. Insights are drawn from the sociomaterial perspective help the authors to conceptualise this formality and informality. Research is needed in a wider range of sectors. Practical implications There are implications for managers in small, growing firms, in terms of how they maintain space for informal learning as formal HRD structures expand, and how they support learners who may struggle in less structured learning environments. Originality/value The paper extends current understanding of how the workplace learning environment – beyond a narrow focus on “training” – changes as firm size increases.

scholarly journals Methods of synthesizing qualitative research studies for health technology assessment

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Ring ◽  
Ruth Jepson ◽  
Karen Ritchie
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Patient Centeredness ◽  
Summary Table ◽  
Thematic Synthesis

Objectives: Synthesizing qualitative research is an important means of ensuring the needs, preferences, and experiences of patients are taken into account by service providers and policy makers, but the range of methods available can appear confusing. This study presents the methods for synthesizing qualitative research most used in health research to-date and, specifically those with a potential role in health technology assessment.Methods: To identify reviews conducted using the eight main methods for synthesizing qualitative studies, nine electronic databases were searched using key terms including meta-ethnography and synthesis. A summary table groups the identified reviews by their use of the eight methods, highlighting the methods used most generally and specifically in relation to health technology assessment topics.Results: Although there is debate about how best to identify and quality appraise qualitative research for synthesis, 107 reviews were identified using one of the eight main methods. Four methods (meta-ethnography, meta-study, meta-summary, and thematic synthesis) have been most widely used and have a role within health technology assessment. Meta-ethnography is the leading method for synthesizing qualitative health research. Thematic synthesis is also useful for integrating qualitative and quantitative findings. Four other methods (critical interpretive synthesis, grounded theory synthesis, meta-interpretation, and cross-case analysis) have been under-used in health research and their potential in health technology assessments is currently under-developed.Conclusions: Synthesizing individual qualitative studies has becoming increasingly common in recent years. Although this is still an emerging research discipline such an approach is one means of promoting the patient-centeredness of health technology assessments.

Identifying core control items of information security management and improvement strategies by applying fuzzy DEMATEL

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Hsing Ho ◽  
Ming-Tsai Hsu ◽  
Tieh-Min Yen
Keyword(s):  
Information Security ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Security Management ◽  
Fuzzy Dematel ◽  
Information Security Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Information Security Management System ◽  
Security Control ◽  
Improvement Strategies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cause-and-effect relationship and the mutually influential level among information security control items, as well as to provide organizations with a method for analyzing and making systematic decisions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilized the Fuzzy DEMATEL to analyze cause-and-effect relationships and mutual influence of the 11 control items of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS), which are discussed by seven experts in Taiwan to identify the core control items for developing the improvement strategies. Findings – The study has found that the three core control items of the ISMS are security policy (SC1), access control (SC7) and human resource security (SC4). This study provides organizations with a direction to develop improvement strategies and effectively manage the ISMS of the organization. Originality/value – The value of this study is for an organization to effectively dedicate resources to core control items, such that other control items are driven toward positive change by analyzing the cause-and-effect relation and the mutual influential level among information security control items, through a cause-and-effect matrix and a systematic diagram.

Online ethnography: a study of software developers and software development

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Rodrigo Cordoba-Pachon ◽  
Cecilia Loureiro-Koechlin
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Software Developers ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Ethnography ◽  
Area Of Interest

Purpose – Qualitative research has made important contributions to social science by enabling researchers to engage with people and get an in-depth understanding of their views, beliefs and perceptions about social phenomena. With new and electronically mediated forms of human interaction (e.g. the online world), there are new opportunities for researchers to gather data and participate with or observe people in online groups. The purpose of this paper is to present features, challenges and possibilities for online ethnography as an innovative form of qualitative research. Design/methodology/approach – Ethnography is about telling a story about what happens in a particular setting or settings. In order to do this online, it is important to revisit, adopt and adapt some ideas about traditional (offline) ethnography. The paper distinguishes online ethnography from other types of research. It draws some generic features of online ethnography and identifies challenges for it. With these ideas in mind the paper presents and provides a reflection of an online ethnography of software developers. Findings – Online ethnography can provide valuable insights about social phenomena. The paper identifies generic features of this approach and a number of challenges related to its practice. These challenges have to do with to the choice of settings, use of online data for research, representation of people and generation of valuable and useful knowledge. The paper also highlights issues for future consideration in research and practice. Practical implications – The ethnography helped the researcher to identify and address a number of methodological challenges in practice and position herself in relation to relevant audiences she wanted to speak to. The paper also suggests different orientations to online ethnography. Lessons learned highlight potential contributions as well as further possibilities for qualitative research in the online world. Originality/value – Online ethnography offers possibilities to engage with a global audience of research subjects. For academics and practitioners the paper opens up possibilities to use online tools for research and it shows that the use of these tools can help overcome difficulties in access and interaction with people and to study a diversity of research topics, not only those that exist online. The paper offers guidance for researchers about where to start and how to proceed if they want to conduct online ethnography and generate useful and valuable knowledge in their area of interest.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document