Narratives of internal migration experiences, health/well-being issues among females working as head-porters (Kayayei) in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-525
Author(s):  
Ahmed Bawa Kuyini ◽  
Abdulai Abukari ◽  
Abdulai Kuyini Mohammed ◽  
Hughlett Omris Powell
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Internal Migration ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Family Issues ◽  
Migration Experiences

Purpose This study aims to explore the internal migration experiences and health/well-being issues of 38 girls and women working as Kayayei (head-porters) in Accra, Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from seven focus group interview sessions, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings The results revealed the geographic, structural and family issues that promote increased migration of females to the cities. The findings betray the potential negative effects of migration on the participants’ quality of life, including accessing health services. They also suggest that the Kayayei phenomenon is a significant child protection, health/well-being concern yet to be given adequate attention in ways that consider the implications of such large internal migration of females on the overall human resource development capacities of rural communities. Originality/value This is an original study with data collected to explore internal rural to urban migration and its effect on health and well-being of young girls and women.

Imperfect produce: retailer actions and service outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atmadeep Mukherjee ◽  
Amaradri Mukherjee ◽  
Pramod Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Patronage Intention ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Food waste is a big problem where millions of pounds of produce are discarded every year because they are imperfect or unattractive. Despite the societal implications of selling unattractive produce, limited research has been directed toward understanding the effect of imperfect produce on consumers’ evaluations of the produce and retailer outcomes. This paper aims to investigate why consumers tend to discard imperfect produce and how retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphized signage and packaging) can alleviate these negative effects. Design/methodology/approach Three experiments were conducted to examine the postulations. Study 1 highlights the role of consumers’ embarrassment in the purchase decision of imperfect produce and retailer patronage intention. Studies 2 and 3 provide managerially relevant boundary conditions of anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging. Findings Convergent results across three studies (n = 882) indicate that imperfect produce increases purchase embarrassment and reduces purchase intention and retailer patronage intention. Retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging) can allay this feeling of embarrassment and lead to an increased retailer patronage intention and higher service satisfaction. Practical implications This research provides guidance to retailers for effectively promoting imperfect produce. Social implications Retailers’ actions can benefit the well-being of farmers, suppliers, customers and the overall environment. Originality/value This research adds to the literature on unattractive produce by identifying new moderators, namely, anthropomorphic signages and opaque packaging. The research also shows that purchase embarrassment is a key process mechanism.

Tribe and village in African organizations and business

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Ulrik Kragh
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Cultural Patterns ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Behaviour ◽  
Analytical Perspective ◽  
Anthropological Literature ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that organizational behaviour and business relations in African countries reflect preindustrial social norms typical of kinship based, rural communities such as in-group/out-group differentiation, reliance on kinship and the use of gift-exchange to create and strengthen social bonds. Design/methodology/approach – Two books on African management are interpreted using anthropological and sociological theory as the analytical perspective. Findings – The analysis of the two works suggests that the preindustrial patterns described in the anthropological literature play a central role in African management and business. Practical implications – The paper concludes that manager should recognize the negative effects that may follow from a rejection of these socio-cultural patterns of behaviour. Originality/value – It introduces Marshall Sahlins’ theory of social distance and reciprocity showing how this theory explains behaviours in and between African organizations.

A multilevel perspective on the perceived effects of COVID-19 on nurses in China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengyao Sun ◽  
Sophie Hennekam
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
Multilevel Perspective ◽  
Societal Level ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThis study examines the effects of COVID-19 on individual, organizational and societal level as perceived by nurses in China.Design/methodology/approachWe draw on two qualitative studies consisting of 483 qualitative surveys and 28 in-depth interviews with nurses in China.FindingsThe pandemic has enhanced the profile of the nursing profession in Chinese society and has led to an increase in recognition, respect and visibility of nurses. In addition, participants point to an improved workplace culture in which there is a strong sense of pride in the collective effort they put. Simultaneously, however, nurses reported how COVID-19 was perceived to be detrimental to their own psychological well-being, while also interfering with their work–life balance.Originality/valueThe data reveal the paradoxal effects of COVID-19 on nurses in China. On societal and organizational level, the pandemic seems to have had a positive effect, while on individual level a range of perceived negative effects is identified.

scholarly journals White and minority employee reactions to perceived discrimination at work: evidence of White fragility?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddy S. Ng ◽  
Greg J. Sears ◽  
Muge Bakkaloglu
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Settings ◽  
Professional Worker

PurposeBuilding on the notion of “White fragility,” this study aims to explore how Whites react and cope with perceived discrimination at work. Specifically, the authors explore whether: (1) Whites react more negatively than minorities when they perceive discrimination at work and (2) Whites are more likely than minorities to restore the status quo by leaving the situation when they perceive discrimination at work.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were obtained from the Professional Worker Career Experience Survey. In total, 527 working professionals from multiple organizations across the central USA participated in the survey.FindingsThe authors find evidence that Whites experience more negative psychological effects (i.e. lower job satisfaction and higher work stress) from perceived discrimination than minority employees and are more likely to act to restore conditions of privilege by leaving their current job and employer. The stronger negative effects of perceived discrimination for Whites (vs minorities) were restricted to work outcomes (job satisfaction, work stress, turnover intentions from one's employer) and were not evident with respect to perceptions of overall well-being (i.e. life satisfaction), suggesting that White fragility may play a particularly influential role in work settings, wherein racial stress may be more readily activated.Originality/valueConsistent with the notion of White fragility, the study’s results demonstrate that the deleterious impact of perceived discrimination on employee work outcomes may, in some cases, be stronger for White than minority employees.

All's well that ends well!? Moderating effects of goal progress on the relation between challenge and hindrance appraisal and well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kronenwett ◽  
Thomas Rigotti
Keyword(s):  
Time Pressure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Goal Progress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Emotional Demands ◽  
Specific Challenge

PurposeDrawing from both the transactional theory of stress and the conservation of resources theory, this paper sets out to investigate the role of demand-specific challenge and hindrance appraisal of emotional demands, as well as time pressure and perceived goal progress within the challenge–hindrance framework.Design/methodology/approachFor this research, 91 employees provided daily diary data for one working week. Focusing on within-persons effects, multilevel moderated mediation models using multilevel path analyses were applied.FindingsBoth emotional demands and time pressure exert positive effects on work engagement when people expect resource gain (challenge appraisal), independent of actual resource gain (achievement). Furthermore, results show that goal progress buffers negative effects of perceived blocked resource gain (hindrance appraisal) on both emotional and motivational well-being.Originality/valueThis research proposes an extension and refinement of the challenge–hindrance stressor framework to explain health-impairing and motivational processes of emotional demands and time pressure, combining reasoning from both appraisal and resource theory perspectives. The study identifies demand-specific challenge and hindrance appraisals as mediators linking demands to emotional and motivational well-being, emphasizing the influence of goal progress as a resource on these relations.

Agricultural structure and farmers’ interconnections with rural communities

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-376
Author(s):  
T. Besser ◽  
C. Jurt ◽  
S. Mann
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Farm Work ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Farm Diversification ◽  
North East ◽  
Ne Germany

Purpose In the context of rural development, the question how farmers are interconnected with local rural communities is crucial, as farmers historically have played a key role in rural areas, always shaped by the cultural-systemic context in which they acted. The purpose of this paper is to explore this connection in North-East (NE) Germany and Switzerland, two countries whose agricultural systems can be seen as diametrically opposed to each other with respect to their structure. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a survey on NE German and Swiss farmers to assess the connectivity between farms and rural communities in terms of the farm managers’ perceptions of their social networks, social support, sense of belonging, and active involvement in organizations. Findings The results show commonalities and differences between both study regions. Smaller farms are characterized by strongly locally based networks and a higher sense of community belonging, whereas larger farms rather have networks with strong ties outside the local dimension. Moreover, farmers’ local origin and farm diversification are positively associated with strengthening the connection between farms and local communities. Off-farm work is a means for this connection only in NE Germany. Originality/value This paper contributes to the discussion about adverse effects of farming scale and corporate farming on community well-being by simultaneously delivering insights into two structurally different agricultural systems. At the same time the approach allows for a comparison between the systems.

scholarly journals Alienation

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne O’Donohue ◽  
Lindsay Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Existential Psychology ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Work ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Psychology Literature ◽  
The Individual

Purpose – This study aims to re-examine the concept of alienation, particularly from the perspective of existential psychology. While research interest continues to centre on links between human resource management (HRM) and organizational performance, such as in studies by Beer et al. (1984), Huselid (1995), Becker and Gerhart (1996) and Guest (2011), there is a growing interest in individual attributes such as employee well-being in addition to organizational performance, as mentioned in studies by Macky and Boxall (2007), Wood and de Menezes (2011) and Guest and Conway (2011). In this paper, we focus on issues related to the individual, and in doing so we suggest that HRM theory needs further development, as pointed out by Guest (2011). Design/methodology/approach – This is a paper in the tradition of critical theory that draws on both classical and modern research in the business and psychology literature. It outlines the development of the concept of alienation from its classic articulation by Marx through to the perspective offered by existential psychologists such as Blauner (1964). How alienation, thus, defined might manifest in the workplace is then discussed, as are its links to other concepts associated in the literature with positive and negative work experiences is presented. Findings – We argue that alienation needs to be addressed at two levels, namely, at the systemic level, in terms of factors external to the individual such as work and organizational systems and processes, and in terms of factors internal to the individual’s “state of mind”. We offer strategies for management to consider counterbalancing the negative effects of residual feelings of powerlessness, meaninglessness, isolation and self-estrangement that systemic change is unable to eliminate. Originality/value – The paper refocuses attention on the individual within the context of HRM, the effects of alienation and other outcomes of positive and negative work experiences such as work engagement and job burnout.

scholarly journals The Negative Impact of the Effects of Coronavirus on the Well-Being of Children and Families Who Are Clients of Child Protection Authorities in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
J. Kuokkanen ◽  
A Tiili ◽  
A. Paasivirta
Keyword(s):  
Child Protection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Large Scale Survey ◽  
Restrictive Measures

In the spring 2020, the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic quickly spread across Finland, having significant negative consequences for people’s living conditions. On March 16, 2020, the Finnish government declared a state of emergency and imposed several restrictive measures that were in effect until July 16, 2020 [13; 16]. The coronavirus and its aftermath have weakened the resilience of the Finnish welfare state, thereby challenging the welfare state’s ability to protect those most in need of its support. Recent studies have shown that the most vulnerable populations, such as children, are most affected by the negative effects of the pandemic in Finland and worldwide [5; 9; 11; 14; 18]. In autumn 2020, the Central Union for Child Welfare (CUCW) and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) conducted a large-scale survey among the heads of child protection authorities (15.08.—13.10.2020), the aim of which was to find out how the consequences of the coronavirus and government restrictions have affected the well-being of children and their families who are clients of child protection authorities during the fall 2020. This article presents the main results and conclusions of the survey.

Impostor phenomenon: considerations for leadership practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187
Author(s):  
Megan S. Downing ◽  
Nana Arthur-Mensah ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Impostor Phenomenon ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Leadership Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Interventions ◽  
Organizational Value

PurposeThe impostor phenomenon (IP) is a psychological cycle experienced by individuals who, despite successes, are plagued by self-doubt and a concern of being identified as fraudulent. IP research is typically focused on the psychological well-being of those who experience IP, examining antecedents and outcomes of IP. Research on organizational impact is limited with few studies examining IP’s influence on leadership practices. The purpose of this paper is to discuss IP and explore the value of mitigating IP’s negative effects with a view to developing a conceptual model that illustrates IP in context with leaders.Design/methodology/approachUsing a scoping literature review methodology, this paper draws on identity theory to explore and discuss the relevance of IP to organizations and leadership practice.FindingsFollowing a review of relevant literature, the authors propose a conceptual model that illustrates IP’s impact on organizational leaders’ capacity to practice leadership due to conflicting identity standards and diminished self-efficacy. Implications for organizational leadership development as well as leadership practice, theory, and research are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is a theoretical analysis, not an empirical study, however, it presents a conceptual model that provides perspective on IP and its relevance to leadership as well as the organizational value of and suggestions for mitigating IP.Originality/valueA greater understanding of IP and IP’s potential consequences on leadership in the workplace may contribute to organizational interventions that mitigate IP's impact on leaders and the organizations they serve.

Helping behaviors can negatively impact long-term well-being

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-123
Author(s):  
Clarence W. Von Bergen ◽  
Martin S. Bressler ◽  
Tim Boatmun
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Pain And Suffering

Purpose Recently, organizational scholars and social scientists began emphasizing the importance of compassion and altruism and called for increased demonstrations of assistance, giving, empathy and other prosocial conduct toward those in need. Generally, we assume that help is beneficial to those who receive it, and current research on these positive behaviors primarily focuses on the advantages to those who provide it. Despite recent calls for increased levels of aiding the needy and underprivileged, helping may have downsides and adaptive costs to those who receive support that are frequently overlooked. The purpose of the study is to bring to light the potential harm in helping those who lack commitment to improvement, having “skin in the game”. Design/methodology/approach In addition to a literature review, the authors present a model to explain how support in response to human pain and suffering can sometimes result in negative effects on aid recipients. The model specifies two mechanisms, including participation of affected beneficiaries of assistance in the actual aid process and duration of help as factors that may expose vulnerable populations to more risk. Findings The literature strongly suggests that in some instances, helping can be detrimental, to the point where helping can even result in dependency. The authors do not suggest casting a blind eye to those in need, but rather to provide assistance that leads to self-sufficiency. Research limitations/implications Additional research – especially over the long-term – can provide researchers with more detailed results of this approach. Practical implications The findings of this paper can serve as a model approach to provide help that does not create dependency. Social implications Using this approach could provide the ideal method to address long-term social issues that would break the cycle of dependency. Originality/value The authors believe that this approach to helping based upon the two-stage model could become the primary effective method for providing assistance to those in need without creating dependency in the long run.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document