Examining the gendered organizations: evidence of institutional discrimination

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how a group of special companies, i.e. highly acknowledged and awarded ones operating in Brazil handle the gender issue. Design/methodology/approach This investigation relies on historical analysis by addressing essentially a surface-level indicator (i.e. gender preferences). Rather, this study is grounded on data from the companies that were awarded as one of the best organizations to work for in Brazil by Época-Great Place to Work® Institute and Guia Você S/A lists (between 2012 and 2016). As a result, four organizations were selected, that is, the most representative examples of gender doing. Findings Overall, it found that the glass ceiling is apparently breaking down within at least some germane Brazilian organizations. However, data suggest that other sorts of institutional discrimination may be taking place, i.e. the one in which a feminist mindset may be permeating an organization or even a whole business sector. Under such a scenario, male workers will likely have only a few opportunities. Research limitations/implications The sample size of this study does not permit that the results be generalized. In addition, data were elicited from only a specific cohort of companies. Practical implications It was found no substantial evidence that these organizations are making strides toward at least mitigating the effects of their gender unbalance, although gender equality and, broadly speaking, diversity does not constitute a new management topic anymore. Originality/value Unlike other investigations, it encompasses a larger sample of companies, draws exclusively upon gender-based organizations and is grounded on multiple sources of information. Additionally, data revealed that gendered organizations may encompass different levels of salience.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Hussein El-Sayed ◽  
Eman Adel ◽  
Omar Elmougy ◽  
Nadeen Fawzy ◽  
Nada Hatem ◽  
...  

PurposeThis study examines whether manipulation in attributes of corporate narrative disclosures and the use of graphical representations can bias non-professional investors' judgment towards firms' future performance, in an emerging market context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct three different experiments with a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, using accounting and finance senior undergraduate students to proxy for the non-professional investors.FindingsResults show that simple (more readable) disclosures improve non-professional investors' judgment towards firms' future performance. In addition, it is found that non-professional investors are prone to a recency effect from the intentional ordering of narrative information, when using complex (less readable) narratives. However, no primacy effect is found, when using simple (more readable) disclosures. The results further provide evidence that the inclusion of graphical representations, along with the manipulated narrative disclosures, can moderate the recency effect of information order, when using less readable and complex narrative disclosures.Research limitations/implicationsThe results reveal that although the content of corporate disclosures can be objective, neutral and relevant, manipulation in textual features and the use of graphical presentations, can interact to impact how non-professional investors perceive and process the disclosed information. This study provides an Egyptian evidence regarding this issue, as the majority of prior studies concentrate on developed capital markets. In addition, it contributes to prior studies evaluating the appropriateness of the Belief Adjustment Model predictions about the effect of textual presentation order on decision-making, by providing evidence from an emerging market.Practical implicationsResults attempt to increase the awareness of investors and encourage them to use multiple sources of information to avoid the probable bias that can result from management's manipulation of narratives. In addition, the study could be of interest to regulators and standard-setters, where the results reveal the need for guidelines and regulations to guide the disclosure of narrative information and the use of graphical information in corporate reports.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of two impression management strategies in narrative disclosures (readability and information order), along with the use of graphical representations, on non-professional investors' judgment in an emerging market, like Egypt.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302
Author(s):  
Chereen Pasha

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the idea of increasing employee productivity and retention within the Big 4 accounting firms through the inclusion of sleeping pods to allow napping. Design/methodology/approach – I have reviewed multiple sources of information and data including Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development data to conclude that allowing napping within Big 4 accounting firms could increase productivity. Findings – As a research note suggesting future research, I am hoping that future research shall find support for the idea that there may be a relationship between being well rested and increase in performance. Practical implications – Higher quality of workers will increase their productivity and the company’s profits. Conservative leaders in large audit firms may reject the idea of incorporating “energy pods”. New ideas always come with push back and criticism. Originality/value – Big 4 firms have developed a working system that could be improved to remove the negative stigma of overworking their employees. The value this research strives to reveal is a structure that reduces turnover and increases retention after two years. “Energizing pods” have been introduced into technology and airline companies. Taking naps in a fast-paced, stressful work environment is not common, but it is a concept that should further explored for the sake of business professionals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-262
Author(s):  
Mark Tadajewski ◽  
D.G. Brian Jones

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical analysis of an important early contribution to the history of marketing thought literature – the six-book series titled The Knack of Selling – which was published in 1913 and intended as an early training course for salesmanship. Design/methodology/approach This research utilized a close, systematic reading of The Knack of Selling series and places it in the professional and intellectual context of the early twentieth century. Books published about marketing are primary source materials for any study of the history of marketing thought. In this case, The Knack series constitutes significant primary source material for a study of early thinking about personal selling. Findings Echoing A.W. Shaw, Watson offers a more sophisticated interpretation of the “one best way” approach associated with Frederick Taylor. Watson’s advice did not entail the repetition of canned sales talks to each customer. His vision of practice was more complicated. Sales presentations were temporally and locationally relative. They were subject to ongoing evolution. As the marketplace changed, as customer needs and interests shifted, so did organizational and salesperson performances. To keep sales talks relevant to the consumer, personnel were encouraged to undertake rudimentary ethnographic research and interviews. Unusually, there is oscillation in the way power relations between marketer and customer were described. While relational themes are present, so are military metaphors. Originality/value This is the first systematic reading of The Knack of Selling that has been produced. It is an important contribution to the literature inasmuch as this book set is not in wide circulation. The material itself was significant as an input into scholarship subsequently hailed as seminal within sales management.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 663-677
Author(s):  
Jean-Charles Deudon ◽  
Ana C. Marques ◽  
Gerrit Sarens

Purpose – In this paper, two different ownership structures in Belgian banks are studied to see whether this had an impact on how these banks went through the financial crisis of 2007-2008. On the one hand, there is the concentrated ownership structure with a number of major shareholders, while on the other hand, the ownership can be really dispersed with no shareholder having a significantly large stake and ability to influence management’s decisions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors study three large Belgians banks. Dexia and KBC followed the first model (concentrated ownership), while Fortis’ ownership was really dispersed since the year 2000. The authors perform several interviews with people involved with these banks during the crisis and analyze several external sources of information. Findings – The mitigating impact that major shareholders could have had on the – in hindsight – wrong decisions of Belgian banks’ top managers is found to be very limited. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dispersed ownership structure of Fortis was not an important factor in its collapse. Nevertheless, a concentrated ownership structure has been found out to help in case of financial distress, mainly because governments will be more inclined to participate to bailouts when a sound rescue strategy, elaborated with the help of a stable and concentrated ownership structure, is present. Originality/value – By performing interviews, the authors get an insider’s point of view of these banks during the crisis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 644-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Stenstrom

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe the decision-making practices of public library managers in the context of interpersonal influence and evidence-based information sources, and to investigate the relationship between models of evidence-based practice and interpersonal influence in the decision-making process of public library managers. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through short audio blog posts participants made about their everyday decisions and coded considering the facets of three existing evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) models as well as the facets of interpersonal influence. Findings – The findings show that public library CEOs decision-making behaviours reflect the use of a variety of practices from analytical to intuitive as is expected of managers in any sector; however, a stronger reliance on gathering objective information may be present than in other sectors. Seeking multiple sources of information and a tendency towards rationalism may indicate a more sophisticated approach to decision making, but be less indicative of the practices employed more broadly. A possible outcome of these tendencies may result in discordance with external partners and collaborators. Practical implications – The findings from this study may inform the work of associations, library and information science (LIS) educators, and library managers in developing strategic directions and instructional strategies within their organisations. It is also the first study to jointly examine models of interpersonal influence and evidence-based decision-making practices in any field. Originality/value – While the study of the decision-making practices of various groups is growing, little previous research has been conducted with public library managers, and none has been undertaken in Canada.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Laursen ◽  
Kristine De Welde

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the evolving theories of change of the US National Science Foundation’s (NSF) ADVANCE program to increase the representation of women on academic faculties in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). ADVANCE supports efforts to transform the cultures and structures of US institutions of higher education by removing gendered barriers to STEM faculty women’s employment, advancement and success, and by developing change strategies that others may adopt.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study is based on qualitative, longitudinal analysis of nine requests for proposals (RfPs) for the ADVANCE program (2001–2016), complemented by historical analysis of funded ADVANCE projects using public records.FindingsThe analysis identifies changes over time that suggest shifts in NSF’s rationale and theory of change for ADVANCE. Increased guidance directs how institutions should best undertake change, document outcomes and share best practices. The RfPs reveal growing attention to equity, rather than simply to representation, and to intersectionality – how gender, race, social class and other identities intersect to produce disparate experiences and outcomes for individuals differently positioned in social systems. Gendered organizations theory helps to place these experiences and outcomes in a structural context. Iterative processes of organizational learning are postulated to account for these changes over time.Originality/valueWhile many studies have examined ADVANCE projects’ activities and outcomes, none have examined the premises and design of the ADVANCE program itself. This analysis offers insight into how the ADVANCE RfP has driven innovation and learning about transformative institutional change to advance gender equity in STEM.


Author(s):  
Hyunjung Cheon ◽  
Charles M. Katz ◽  
Vincent J. Webb

Purpose Although trafficking of persons for commercial sex has been increasingly recognized as a community level problem most estimates of the prevalence of sex trafficking in the USA are made by federal entities and vary depending on the data sources used. Little is known about how local police agencies assess and understand sex trafficking in their own communities. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach To help fill this gap, the current study using survey data from a sample of local police agencies across the USA (n=72) examines law enforcement agencies’ knowledge of and experience with addressing local sex trafficking problems in their jurisdiction. Findings The majority of police agencies reported that sex trafficking is a problem in their jurisdictions and that they have a special unit that has a primary responsibility for addressing sex trafficking issues. Agencies with a special unit tend to use multiple sources of information including official record, intelligence data and personal experience to estimate the community’s trafficking problems when compared to agencies without a unit; however, most of agencies primarily depend on their professional experience. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the data sources used by local police agencies to estimate the scope and nature of their community’s sex trafficking problem, and the findings have important policy implications for understanding the reliability and validity of these estimates, and for their potential use to develop and implement data driven responses to sex trafficking problems.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-188
Author(s):  
Yoke Yue Kan

Purpose The purpose of this study is to review and evaluate the salient features of stock market manipulation in Malaysia. The research questions used are: Who was involved? How it happened? What were the consequences? Design/methodology/approach This study has been conducted using content and thematic analysis. This study includes multiple sources of information to help establish the stylized facts and it uses cases that have been prosecuted in Malaysia for 2005-2015. Findings This study presents arguments and empirical data supporting the view that the stock market manipulation was conducted by those in a privileged position and with access to information. Ethical failure, involving greed, self-interest, dishonesty and a preoccupation with a quick profit, could explain why stock market manipulation happened. Manipulation harms legitimate investors, as share prices and earnings of companies are affected. Practical implications A better understanding about the prevalence, characteristics and consequences of the market manipulation problems will be useful for stakeholders, investors and policymakers in the financial industry for promoting and maintaining a fair, efficient and transparent stock market. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in examining and presenting interpretations based on contemporary phenomenon within the real-life context of Malaysia. There is little study or literature that focuses on Malaysia, especially in examining stock market manipulation by integrating finance and management perspectives to form a comprehensive understanding of the issue.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aspalella A. Rahman

PurposeReporting suspicious transactions under anti‐money laundering (AML) laws creates a major dilemma for banks. On the one hand, failure to report suspicious transactions is an offence under the laws. On the other hand, if they report the transaction, they may breach their duty of confidentiality to their customer or could be liable for tipping off the suspected customer. More importantly, it can also undermine customers' trust. The purpose of this paper is to look into these issues and analyse them against the background of the Malaysian AML laws.Design/methodology/approachThis paper mainly relies on statutes as its primary sources of information. As such, the relevant Malaysian AML that affect the reporting obligations will be identified and analyzed. It will be necessary to examine not just the provisions of the Malaysian Anti‐Money Laundering and Anti‐Terrorism Financing Act, but also its regulations and guidelines which affect banks in detail, as this is the most important legislation for the purpose of this paper.FindingsIt is apparent that the reporting suspicious transactions regime has had a significant impact on the operations of banks in Malaysia. While the regime is based on sound principles, the effectiveness of the regime is still unknown. As such, only time will tell whether the banks will be able to cope sufficiently with the increased AML obligations. Obviously, it is critical at this stage, to establish effective coordination between legislators, regulators and the banking industry, in order to minimize problems faced by the banks and thereby to ensure effective implementation of the regime.Originality/valueThis paper provides an examination of the impact of the reporting suspicious transactions regime on Malaysian banks. It is hoped that the study would provide some insight into this particular area for academics, banks, their legal advisers, practitioners and policy makers, not only in Malaysia but also elsewhere. In view of the international nature of money laundering and banking, there will be significant interest in how the AML laws affect banks operating in Malaysia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Joshi ◽  
Apoorva Srivastava

Purpose – This study/paper aims to create an understanding on how a firm develops dynamic capabilities in new strategic dimensions. Innovation in organizations is not an exclusive domain of large firms. Family-owned and -managed firms have aggressively integrated innovation. Focussed orientation towards product innovation combined with innovative capability and high levels of owner-manager motivation has helped translate technology-based family businesses into highly profitable and competitive ventures. Microlit, is a liquid handling product manufacturer producing high-quality, high-tech, cost-effective, single and multichannel micropipettes. Founded in 1988, by brothers Ajay and Atul Jain, it is based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The key contributor to the firm’s success has been its strong customer-oriented product designs. The challenge lies in development of dynamic capabilities to gain competence in new strategic dimensions? Would the firm be able to leverage its innovation drive? Design/methodology/approach – The case is based on primary and secondary testing of the case several times and filling the case gaps during the process. To authenticate information, multiple sources of information have been used. Findings – Dynamic capabilities are essential for a firm’s growth. The challenge is in continuously harnessing and managing it within a family business. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on observations of one company and research carried through secondary sources, which may limit the theory creation. Practical implications – An enterprise largely competes on the basis of available talent, knowledge, competency and capability. Therefore, knowledge must be managed, and especially, from tacit to explicit. Originality/value – The case is original with the business family in its second generation striving to perform amidst professionalization and internationalization.


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