An exploratory study of US craft brewery owners’ motivations for adopting environmental practices

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erol Sozen ◽  
Martin O’Neill ◽  
Imran Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Environmental Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Engagement ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Brewing Process

Purpose Craft brewers in the USA have long sought to improve the efficiency of beer production to achieve their primary aims of improving the product and increasing profit margins. More recently, however, there has been a move toward the adoption of more sustainable production techniques aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the brewing process itself. This study aims to investigate the factors that drive engagement with environmental practices among US craft brewery owners. Design/methodology/approach The present study uses an exploratory sequential mixed methods design where, first, a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted via semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 craft brewers from across the USA. Second, a quantitative online survey was distributed to craft brewers nationwide, and 237 valid responses were collected to rank the preidentified motivational factors. Findings The findings of the present study are in alignment with those of previous studies conducted in a broader business context. This study contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers, which is critical to increasing the ability to target financial and physical resources and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Research limitations/implications The study has theoretical and practical implications for craft breweries, policymakers and academics. From the perspective of policy, there is limited work exploring this topic in the specific context of craft brewing. This study, thus, contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers – which is critical to increasing the ability to target resources, both financial and material, and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Originality/value Identifying exactly what it is that guides the decision-making processes of craft brewery owners, in regard to the adoption of new or improved environmental practices, has several advantages. First, it serves as a guide to help breweries adapt to the evolving needs of a progressive society; second, it assists government and policymakers in formulating effective and relevant legislation; and third, it helps consumers to better understand their role and position in business processes and decision-making.

Integration between knowledge management and business process management and its impact on the decision making process in the construction sector: a case study of Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Wasef Abuezhayeh ◽  
Les Ruddock ◽  
Issa Shehabat
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Business Process Management ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explain how organizations in the construction sector can enhance their decision-making process (DMP) by practising knowledge management (KM) and business process management (BPM) activities. A conceptual framework is developed that recognises the elements that impact DMP in terms of KM and BPM. The development of this framework goes beyond current empirical work on KM in addition to BPM as it investigates a wider variety of variables that impact DMP. Design/methodology/approach A case study is undertaken in the context of the construction industry in Jordan. A theoretical framework is developed and assessment of the proposed framework was undertaken through a questionnaire survey of decision-makers in the construction sector and expert interviews. Findings The outcomes of this research provide several contributions to aid decision-makers in construction organizations. Growth in the usage of KM and BPM, in addition to the integration between them, can provide employees with task-related knowledge in the organization’s operative business processes, improve process performance, promote core competence and maximise and optimise business performance. Originality/value Through the production of a framework, this study provides a tool to enable improved decision-making. The framework generates a strong operational as well as theoretical approach to the organizational utilization of knowledge and business processes.

Thinking styles, gender, and decision making in Latin American management

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camelia Ilie ◽  
Guillermo Cardoza
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Thinking Styles ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose Many studies have analyzed how gender diversity and local culture condition the cognitive styles of managers and affect decision-making processes in organizations. Gender diversity has been defended from an equality perspective; it has been argued to improve decision-making processes and to have a positive impact on companies’ return on investment. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the differences between the thinking styles of men and women, in Latin America and the USA that support decision-making processes. An argument is given in favor of gender diversity in management teams, because of its positive implications in decision making. Design/methodology/approach The measurement instrument used was the Neethling Brain Instrument, developed based on recent neuroscience discovery. The sample comprised 1,216 executives from the USA and several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, who have participated in executive training programs. Findings The results show differences in thinking styles by gender, but no differences were found in thinking styles or decision making between men and women at the same managerial level in either of the two regions. Similarly, results suggest that executives in the USA tend to base their management models on strategic thinking styles that focus on interpersonal relations and involve risk taking, while executives in Latin American countries tend to prefer thinking and management styles focusing on data analysis, execution, planning, and process control. Originality/value The results of the present study show that, in all regions, men score higher in rational thinking styles associated with the cortical areas, while women gravitate toward thinking styles where emotional schemes prevail, related to subcortical areas. These results could be useful for organizational leaders in charge of allocating roles and tasks to people, based on their thinking style strengths. The results can also be very valuable for Latin American organizations to design specific training and development programs for men and women accordingly with their individual needs and their managerial roles. They can also support the argument that diverse gender teams will guarantee complete decision-making processes.

Burnout in emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the USA

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Sporer
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Individual Variables ◽  
Use Of Social Media

PurposeThis study was designed to examine burnout in US emergency medical services (EMS) providers. It examined burnout scores measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) on a convince sample of US EMS providers as well individual variables associated of burnout in this population.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a convince sample, recruited using social media, of EMTs and paramedics and engaged them in an online survey to obtain information on burnout in this population. The responses were analyzed using stand statistical approached in order to determine MBI burnout scores, as well as which individual variables were influential in contributing to burnout in EMS.FindingsThis study found that most EMS providers had high levels of depersonalization and medium levels of personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion. Gender differences were found as they were differences based on agency type and response area.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is the nature of sample recruitment. The use of social media for the recruitment of this type of study has not been done before. Furthermore, it is a convince sample. This issue has limited impact on the results and the ability to apply them more generally because despite the convince nature of this sample, the sample is similar to those used in other studies as well as reflect that national statistics on the make of this population. The second major limitation of this study is that it does not include job specific and organization specific factors that may contribute to burnout. The findings for the variables used in this study suggest that future works should encompass these variables as well.Practical implicationsThis study sets a clear foundation for further examination of US EMS providers and burnout. It helps to establish key ideas that can be followed up. Difference and key issues among US EMS providers need to be understood on a more comprehensive level before the assertion that they are similar to EMS providers worldwide. Ultimately, there is a need to develop better screening tools to assess burnout in EMS as well as to develop prevention and intervention programs based on clear empirical data.Social implicationsBurnout EMS provides are a harm to themselves as well as the organization that employ them. The cost of burnout EMS provider crosses over to patient care and provision of care.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine such a large US-based sample of EMS providers using the MBI. Other studies have used smaller sample or other tools to assess burnout in providers

Utilization of a forensic accountant to investigate financial exploitation of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Jason Dauenhauer ◽  
Kristin Heffernan ◽  
Karen Webber ◽  
Kari Smoker ◽  
Paul Caccamise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Criminal Charges ◽  
Sheer Number

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of an online program evaluation survey conducted in the USA in 2018 which was designed to understand how members of an enhanced multidisciplinary team (E-MDT) use the expertise of a forensic accountant (FA) in suspected cases of elder financial exploitation. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes responses to an online survey from 54 E-MDT members. Narrative responses to open-ended questions were analyzed by using cross-case thematic analysis. Data from demographic questions and those with nominal response options were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings Overwhelmingly, the E-MDT members described how useful the FA’s expertise and subsequent detailed reports are in helping determine whether financial exploitation is taking place and providing information needed to continue an investigation and pursue criminal charges. Practical implications The increasing longevity and sheer number of older adults present ongoing challenges in the fight to address financial exploitation. Findings suggest that FAs working with E-MDTs can help identify signs, collect evidence and help investigate cases of suspected financial abuse of older adults. The development of training programs focused on educating accountants to fill a need in a growing area of forensic accounting may be needed. Originality/value This paper adds to the growing evidence of multidisciplinary teams as an effective model for investigating cases of financial elder exploitation by focusing specifically on the expertise of an FA.

Data privacy-related behavior and concerns of activity tracking technology users from Germany and the USA

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Ilhan ◽  
Kaja J. Fietkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Data Protection ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Privacy Policy ◽  
Activity Tracking ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Technology Users ◽  
Tracking Technology

PurposeThis investigation aims to examine the differences and similarities between activity tracking technology users from two regions (the USA and Germany) in their intended privacy-related behavior. The focus lies on data handling after hypothetical discontinuance of use, data protection and privacy policy seeking, and privacy concerns.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected through an online survey in 2019. In order to identify significant differences between participants from Germany and the USA, the chi-squared test and the Mann–Whitney U test were applied.FindingsThe intensity of several privacy-related concerns was significantly different between the two groups. The majority of the participants did not inform themselves about the respective data privacy policies or terms and conditions before installing an activity tracking application. The majority of the German participants knew that they could request the deletion of all their collected data. In contrast, only 35% out of 68 participants from the US knew about this option.Research limitations/implicationsThis study intends to raise awareness about managing the collected health and fitness data after stopping to use activity tracking technologies. Furthermore, to reduce privacy and security concerns, the involvement of the government, companies and users is necessary to handle and share data more considerably and in a sustainable way.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on users of activity tracking technologies from a broad perspective (here, participants from the USA and Germany). It incorporates not only concerns and the privacy paradox but (intended) user behavior, including seeking information on data protection and privacy policy and handling data after hypothetical discontinuance of use of the technology.

The effects of brand origin and country-of-manufacture on consumers' institutional perceptions and purchase decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijiao Chen ◽  
Malcolm J. Wright ◽  
Hongzhi Gao ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Damien Mather
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Institutional Quality ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Regulatory Environment ◽  
Purchase Decision ◽  
Choice Modelling ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

PurposeIndustry-wide crises involving consumer products place consumers at risk. Consumers rely on institutions that constrain corporate practice and control product quality to reduce risk. As institutions vary by country, country-of-origin (COO) acts as a salient cue for consumers to identify institutional quality and thus evaluate risk when making purchase decisions. However, in the era of globalisation, identification of institutional quality becomes complex as global value chains involve different countries such as brand origin (BO) and country-of-manufacture (COM). Therefore, this research investigates how BO and COM individually and jointly affect consumers' institutional perceptions and subsequent purchase decision-making in the presence of systemic risk.Design/methodology/approachThis research includes three studies (n = 764) employing surveys and choice modelling experiments with samples from China and the USA.FindingsThe results show that BO and COM relate to different institutional perceptions. BO evokes perceptions of legitimacy and the regulatory environment, while COM evokes perceptions of the normative and the regulatory environment. The combination of BO and COM determines how institutional quality is communicated and further affects consumers' legitimacy perceptions, preferences and willingness to pay a price premium.Originality/valueThis research contributes to understanding the effect of BO and COM in the context of complex value chains from an institutional perspective. It also provides implications for leveraging complex COO cues with BO and COM information to improve consumers' institutional perceptions.

Cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India: an empirical analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Shah ◽  
Anuja Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Computing Device ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Controls ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Purpose For a good number of Indians, their smartphone is their first digital computing device. They have less experience in dealing with the Internet-enabled device and hence less experience in handling security threats like malware as compared to users of other countries who have gone through the learning curve of handling such security threats using other Internet-enabled devices such as laptop and desktop. Because of this, the inexperienced Indian smartphone user may be vulnerable to Internet-related security breaches, as compared to the citizens of developed economies. Hence, it is essential to understand the attitude, behaviour and security practices of smartphone users in India. Limited research is available about the security behaviour of smartphone users in India as the majority of research in this domain is done outside India. Design/methodology/approach In this empirical study, the researchers identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices through a survey of relevant literature. An online survey of identified cybersecurity behaviours and practices was administered to 300 smartphone users. Frequency analysis of the respondent data was done to understand the adoption of recommended cybersecurity behaviours and practices. Pearson’s chi-square with 5% level of significance has been used to test the hypotheses. Post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction was conducted for statistically significant associations. Findings Overall, the respondents did not exhibit good cybersecurity behaviour. Respondents have adopted some of the most popular security features of the smartphone such as the use of screen lock. However, respondents have not adopted or are not aware of the technical security controls such as encryption and remote wipe. Statistically significant differences were found between the cybersecurity behaviour and practices and independent variables such as gender, age, mobile operating system (OS) and mother tongue. Respondents reported high level of motivation to protect their device and data, whereas they reported moderate level of threat awareness and the ability to protect to their device and data. Results of the comparative analysis with a similar study in China and the USA are also reported in this study. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are as follows: the respondents' perceptions about their cybersecurity behaviours and practices were measured as opposed to their actual behaviours and practices and the generalizability of the study is limited because the sample size is small as compared to the total number of smartphone users in India. Practical implications The findings of this study may be useful for the design of effective cybersecurity prevention and intervention programs for general smartphone users of India. Originality/value This study provides an insight about cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study to collect such quantitative data of smartphone users in India for a better understanding of the cybersecurity behaviours and practices. This study identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices, which smartphone users should follow to improve cybersecurity.

Enhancing employees’ knowledge sharing through diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal communication during the COVID-19 outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee ◽  
Weiting Tao ◽  
Jo-Yun Queenie Li ◽  
Ruoyu Sun
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Crisis Communication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Sharing Behavior ◽  
Needs Satisfaction ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sharing Behavior

Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal communication on employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior during a crisis situation, coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in particular. Integrating knowledge sharing research with internal crisis communication literature as well as self-determination theory, the mediating roles of employees’ intrinsic needs satisfaction are also identified. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted with 490 full-time employees in the USA across industry sectors during the COVID-19 outbreak. Findings Results suggest that diversity-oriented leadership contributes to transparent internal communication during a crisis and increases employees’ satisfaction of autonomy, competence and relatedness needs. Transparent internal communication also increases employees’ intrinsic needs satisfaction, which in turn fosters their job engagement and knowledge-sharing behavior during the crisis. Originality/value This study is one of the earliest studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of diversity-oriented leadership and strategic internal crisis communication in enhancing employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior, especially in the context of COVID-19.

The cannabis festival: quality, satisfaction, and intention to return

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-283
Author(s):  
Soo Kang ◽  
Jeffrey Miller ◽  
Jaeseok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intent To Return ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Intention To Return ◽  
Industry Professionals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand how festival quality, satisfaction and intention to return among cannabis festival attendees were interrelated by using the 2018 Mile High 420 Cannabis Festival in Denver, Colorado, USA. Design/methodology/approach This study employed an online survey with festival attendees to the 2018 Mile High 420 Festival. A total of 664 attendees participated in the survey. Findings Findings of the study revealed the demographic profile of cannabis festival attendees (i.e. relatively young, single and evenly distributed in terms of gender and residency) and its relationships with respondents’ perceived festival qualities. In addition, two dimensions of festival quality unique to the context of marijuana festival influenced attendees’ satisfaction and intent to return significantly. Festival attendees’ travel characteristics were used to describe attendees’ satisfaction and intent to return to a different degree. This research has also highlighted a lack of research in the area of cannabis events/festivals. Originality/value This study is the first investigation that studied a cannabis-themed festival in the tourism literature. As legalization of recreational cannabis has been embraced in the USA and abroad (i.e. Canada), the findings of this empirical study will help the industry professionals and policy makers to understand this unprecedented SIT market and can be used as the benchmarks for their legal and operational practicality. Further, this study highlights research gaps in the tourism literature, and identifies those areas where future study is unlikely to provide new knowledge.

The Balancing Act

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicki Park ◽  
Elise St John ◽  
Amanda Datnow ◽  
Bailey Choi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Placement ◽  
Organizational Contexts ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Classroom Placement ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how data are used in classroom placement routines. The authors explore educators’ assumptions about the purposes of the classroom placement routine, detailing the ostensive (i.e. structure and template) and performative aspects of the routine itself, and the implications of data use for equity and leadership practices. Design/methodology/approach Using a multi-site case study involving in-depth interviews of teacher and school leaders and observations of meetings, the authors examined the role that data played in classroom placement routines in three elementary schools in the USA. Findings Findings show that educators across schools collected similar types of multi-dimensional data; however, analysis and decision-making processes varied based on their assumptions and goals. Assessing student needs holistically and balancing students across classes based on academic diversity, behavioral or socio-emotional needs, gender and teacher workload were consistent patterns. There was a distinct difference between collecting data and actually using it as a basis of decision making. Research limitations/implications These findings highlight the importance of using in-depth observations to understand data use in schools. Educators’ assumptions and philosophies about classroom placement contributed to the pattern of discussion and decisions made throughout the routines. Delving deeper into how data are used in specific routines and organizational contexts can illuminate how data use is socially constructed and enacted for equity. Practical implications Educators who guide school routines have the power to maintain taken-for-granted assumptions about students, or to create counter-narratives. Originality/value This study provides insights into classroom and student placement processes by emphasizing the social and interactional dimensions of data use as they unfold in practice. It also extends empirical knowledge about the purposes, dimensions, and uses of data-driven decision making models.

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