Exploring the meaning of work through a transcendental frame

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Interest Group ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sensitive Issue ◽  
Spirituality And Religion ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Despite the advancement, it appears that much has to be done to clarify the understanding of the effects of the meaning of work (MOW) in the lives. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore such a theoretical stream by means of the Spiritism Doctrine (SD) tenets. In fact, the spiritual knowledge derived from this religion alludes to aspects worthy of investigation. Design/methodology/approach Religious lens serves as a robust frame to approach the MOW, given that people’s beliefs likely shape their view about work. Toward that end, it examines pivotal aspects of MOW literature and the SD revelations thereof. Findings The wise revelations and teachings from the spirits examined throughout this paper suggest that work embraces one of God’s laws. In this regard, the SD tenets deepen this by providing sound explanations, reflections and arguments about the MOW, as well as highlighting that we all must do the best in the work regardless of the profession or activity. In doing so, this paper is serving the neighbors by fulfilling or at least mitigating their needs and consequently engaging in something indefinitely greater than the own desires, that is, the celestial Father’s wish. Practical implications There is no denying that the knowledge brought by the SD, as a source of transcendental epistemology, has deep implications for workers and organizations likewise. Overall, such knowledge enriches the understanding of a very important theme to human beings through an understudied but also insightful lens. Originality/value Therefore, this essay contributes to the MOW through transcendental epistemology (Maslow, 1993). Rather, it focuses on a very sensitive issue (work) and its corresponding implications to mankind through the knowledge of a spiritual and religious framework. In addition, such endeavor also adds to the field of management, spirituality and religion Interest Group of Academy of Management.

scholarly journals Are CRM systems ready for AI integration?

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Soumya Kanti Ghosh ◽  
Ranjan Chaudhuri ◽  
Bang Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Data ◽  
Crm System ◽  
Automated Decision Making ◽  
Unique Study ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to check if an organization is ready to adopt an AI-integrated CRM system. The study also analyzes different situations which can provide a comprehensive check list in the form of indicators that could provide a signal indicating whether the organization is ready to adopt an AI-integrated CRM system by capturing actionable and appropriate data. Design/methodology/approach The paper is a general review, and appropriate literature has been used to support the conceptual framework. Findings The key findings of this study are the different indicators that make up the conceptual framework. This framework can help organizations to check at a glance whether they are ready to adopt AI-integrated CRM system in their organizations. Specifically, it has been identified that different approaches are needed to tackle various types of customer data so that those may be made fit and actionable for appropriate utilization of AI algorithms to facilitate business success of an organization. Practical implications The paper has elaborately discussed the different approaches to be undertaken to calibrate and reorient the various kinds of actionable data and the contemplated challenges one would face in doing so. This would help the practitioners that how the data so captured can be made fit for action and utilization toward application of AI technologies integrated with existing CRM system in an organization. Originality/value This study is claimed to be a unique study to provide a conceptual framework which could help arranging and rearranging of captured data by an organization for making the data fit and ready for use with the help of AI technologies. This successful integration of AI with CRM system can help organizations toward taking quick and automated decision-making without much intervention of human beings.

scholarly journals The allure of celebrities: unpacking their polysemic consumer appeal

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 2025-2053
Author(s):  
Markus Wohlfeil ◽  
Anthony Patterson ◽  
Stephen J. Gould
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Total Period ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Link ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explain a celebrity’s deep resonance with consumers by unpacking the individual constituents of a celebrity’s polysemic appeal. While celebrities are traditionally theorised as unidimensional semiotic receptacles of cultural meaning, the authors conceptualise them here instead as human beings/performers with a multi-constitutional, polysemic consumer appeal. Design/methodology/approach Supporting evidence is drawn from autoethnographic data collected over a total period of 25 months and structured through a hermeneutic analysis. Findings In rehumanising the celebrity, the study finds that each celebrity offers the individual consumer a unique and very personal parasocial appeal as the performer, the private person behind the public performer, the tangible manifestation of either through products and the social link to other consumers. The stronger these constituents, individually or symbiotically, appeal to the consumer’s personal desires, the more s/he feels emotionally attached to this particular celebrity. Research limitations/implications Although using autoethnography means that the breadth of collected data is limited, the depth of insight this approach garners sufficiently unpacks the polysemic appeal of celebrities to consumers. Practical implications The findings encourage talent agents, publicists and marketing managers to reconsider underlying assumptions in their talent management and/or celebrity endorsement practices. Originality/value While prior research on celebrity appeal has tended to enshrine celebrities in a “dehumanised” structuralist semiosis, which erases the very idea of individualised consumer meanings, this paper reveals the multi-constitutional polysemy of any particular celebrity’s personal appeal as a performer and human being to any particular consumer.

Human being – organization homomorphism: between autopoiesis and allopoiesis

Kybernetes ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-520
Author(s):  
Mario Iván Tarride
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Production System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Productive System ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Human Nervous System

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the condition of human beings and organizations producing goods and/or services as autopoietic and allopoietic machines, with the aim of establishing a functional homomorphism between the productive system of an organization and the productive system of human beings, a matter that involves reflecting on what human beings do that is distinguished as allopoietic by an observer. Design/methodology/approach – Use is made of Ashby’s concept of functional homomorphism to establish similarities between human beings and organizations. The definitions of autopoietic and allopoietic machine of Maturana and Varela are used to distinguish similarities and differences between what organizations do and what human beings do. Findings – As a result of using the autopoietic/allopoietic viewpoint, it is proposed to homologate the human nervous system with the production system of an organization, defining the latter as a world-creating energy/communication processing system. Research limitations/implications – A homomorphism is established here between a human nervous system and the production system of an organization; it remains pending the other homomorphisms that can be made between the systems of the human body and the organization. Practical implications – A proposal is made to understand an organization as a world-creating energy/communication processing system, and it is estimated that this would imply displacing attention, at present strongly centered on the generated products and/or services, toward the sense that they have for both persons and society, restating the question on the world we construct/live in, from the organizational standpoint. Originality/value – Human beings are seen as allopoietic machines, aiming to contribute to the discussion about what it is that we call human, homologating it with the work of an organization. As a result a new definition of organization is proposed.

Valued work outcomes among Jews, Muslims and Christians in Israel

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Sharabi
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Serving Society ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine work outcomes preferences of Jewish, Muslim and Christian employees. The study attempts to explain the similarities and the differences among the ethno-religious groups. Design/methodology/approach The Meaning-of-Work (MOW) questionnaire was conducted on 898 Jews, 215 Muslims and 103 Christians working respondents. The work outcomes were: status and prestige, income, time filling, interpersonal relations, serving society, interest and satisfaction. Findings Significant differences were found between the three ethno-religious groups, especially between Jews and Muslims, regarding the preferences of work outcomes and their rankings. The findings can be explained mainly by cultural differences. Research limitations/implications There is the unbalanced proportion of Jews, Muslims and Christians in the study. Practical implications This study provides a better understanding of the three ethno-religious groups and their valued work outcomes. This knowledge can help in the planning of material and non-material rewards systems and methods suitable to the different ethnic groups. Implementing “Diversity Management” programs in organizations based on the variance among sub-groups can maximize the potential of the organizational human resources. Originality/value There are no other studies that compared the work values of Jews, Muslims and Christians, in or out of Israel. This study explores the work outcomes preferences of the three ethno-religious groups in Israel and the causes for those differences.

High intergenerational connections: a film-based inquiry

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1298-1315
Author(s):  
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Close Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intergenerational Connections ◽  
Film Method ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to increase the understanding about the concept of high-quality connections (HQCs) by examining how it develops between members of different generations. Design/methodology/approach It draws on film-based method to explain how the theory of HQC unfolds, particularly in a context of high intergenerational connection. Findings This study reflects the analysis of a movie that, to a large extent, fits in the HQCs conceptual framework. Rather, all key mechanisms of HQCs concept (i.e. behavioral, cognitive and emotional) were found in the plot of Die Hard 4.0. It provides compelling evidence that films may explore the possibilities of reality including the nuances of the relationships among human beings, despite the fact that it portrays a fictional creation. In doing so, it shows that HQCs are likely to be found – as very often happens in the real life – even in the worst situations. Findings also show that HQCs may be built through the time as individuals start to better know each other, i.e. their styles, behavior, religion preferences, held values, capabilities and interpersonal skills. Research limitations/implications Otherwise, film method does not allow that the research results be generalized. At best, it offers elements to the viewers reflect about. Practical implications Very often individuals are designated to carry out certain tasks along with unknown colleagues with whom they need to interact in a positive manner to accomplish the goals. As a result, organizations should pay close attention to the quality of connections among their employees. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first endeavor toward analyzing the mechanisms of HQCs concept by means of such approach. In doing so, this analysis strongly corroborates HQCs concept functioning.

A longitudinal study of heavy time investment in work

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Snir
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Heavy Work ◽  
Situational Predictors ◽  
The One ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine heavy time investment in work from both dispositional and situational perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected twice, at the beginning and at the end of a 12-year period, from the same respondents of the Meaning of Work project in Israel. Findings The classification of respondents as heavy work investors (work more than 50 weekly hours) or as ordinary workers is stable over the years, which indirectly supports the dispositional perspective. The situational perspective is generally not supported. Remaining at the same workplace or changing workplaces and a stable or changing classification of a person as a heavy work investor or as an ordinary worker over the years are dependent on each other. However, no relation was found between change in financial needs and a person’s level of time investment in work. Only two out of 14 relevant life events relate positively and significantly to the level of time investment in work over the years: appointment to manage other workers and receiving greater work autonomy. Practical implications The effectiveness of policies designed to encourage working long hours on the one hand, or a work-life balance on the other, is questionable. However, a specific intervention which, based on the findings of this study, may encourage time investment in work is expanding the job vertically. Originality/value This is an exceptional longitudinal study examining stability (over time) and situational predictors of work hours among the same individuals.

Consumer value creation through WhatsApp use

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-471
Author(s):  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Jorge Guadalupe-Lanas ◽  
Ekaterina Zabelina ◽  
Andrés Palacio-Fierro ◽  
Margarita Velín-Fárez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Role Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Value ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand in-depth how consumers create value in their lives using WhatsApp, the leading mobile instant messaging (MIM) application. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the perspective of customer-dominant logic (CDL) and uses a qualitative multimethod design involving 3 focus groups and 25 subsequent in-depth interviews. The research setting was Ecuador, a Latin American country. Findings Analysis and interpretation of the participants’ stories made it possible to identify and understand the creation of four types of value: maintaining and strengthening relationships; improving role performance; emotional support; and entertainment and fun. In addition, the present study proposes a conceptual model of consumer value creation as it applies to MIM. Practical implications Understanding the way consumers create value in their lives using MIM is important not only for organizations that offer MIM applications, but also for those companies that develop other applications for mobile phones or for those who wish to use MIM as an electronic word-of-mouth vehicle. Originality/value The current study is one of the first to address the topic of consumer behavior in the use of technologies from the perspective of CDL; this perspective enables an integrated qualitative vision of value creation in which the consumer is the protagonist.

scholarly journals Advantages and potential challenges of data management in e-maintenance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arian Razmi-Farooji ◽  
Hanna Kropsu-Vehkaperä ◽  
Janne Härkönen ◽  
Harri Haapasalo
Keyword(s):  
Data Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Maintenance Systems ◽  
Industry Leader ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to understand data management challenges in e-maintenance systems from a holistically viewpoint through summarizing the earlier scattered research in the field, and second, to present a conceptual approach for addressing these challenges in practice. Design/methodology/approach The study is realized as a combination of a literature review and by the means of analyzing the practices on an industry leader in manufacturing and maintenance services. Findings This research provides a general understanding over data management challenges in e-maintenance and summarizes their associated proposed solutions. In addition, this paper lists and exemplifies different types and sources of data which can be collected in e-maintenance, across different organizational levels. Analyzing the data management practices of an e-maintenance industry leader provides a conceptual approach to address identified challenges in practice. Research limitations/implications Since this paper is based on studying the practices of a single company, it might be limited to generalize the results. Future research topics can focus on each of mentioned data management challenges and also validate the applicability of presented model in other companies and industries. Practical implications Understanding the e-maintenance-related challenges helps maintenance managers and other involved stakeholders in e-maintenance systems to better solve the challenges. Originality/value The so-far literature on e-maintenance has been studied with narrow focus to data and data management in e-maintenance appears as one of the less studied topics in the literature. This research paper contributes to e-maintenance by highlighting the deficiencies of the discussion surrounding the perspectives of data management in e-maintenance by studying all common data management challenges and listing different types of data which need to be acquired in e-maintenance systems.

An exploratory empirical study of whistleblowing and whistleblowers

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-770
Author(s):  
Maria Krambia-Kapardis
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Due Date ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Unethical Behaviour ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
European Directive ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of whistleblowers and to determine whether whistleblowing legislation would encourage those individuals to bring to light some illegal or unethical behaviour that otherwise would remain in the shadows. Design/methodology/approach Having identified whistleblowing correlation, a survey was carried out in Cyprus of actual whistleblowers and could-have-been whistleblowers. Findings Males between 46 and55 years of age, regardless of whether they have dependents or hold senior positions in organizations are significantly more likely to blow the whistle. However, could-have-been whistleblowers did not go ahead because they felt that the authorities would not act on their information. Research limitations/implications Because of the sensitive nature of the research topic and the fact that only whistleblowers or intended whistleblowers could participate in the study, the sample size is limited as a result. This, in turn, limits both the number of respondents in each category (actual and intended) as well as constrains the statistical analysis that could be carried out on the data. Practical implications It remains to be seen whether EU Member States shall implement the European Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union Law, in its entirety by the due date, namely December 2021. Originality/value This study provides a literature review of whistleblowing and reports an original survey against the backdrop of the European Directive.

How Phillips saw the light

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 29-31
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Business World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Freak Show ◽  
The World ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
The One ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The problem with developing a reputation of being something of an oracle in the business world is that all of a sudden, everyone expects you to pull off the trick of interpreting the future on a daily basis. Like a freak show circus act or one-hit wonder pop singer, people expect you to perform when they see you, and they expect you to perform the thing that made you famous, even if it is the one thing in the world you don’t want to do. And when you fail to deliver on these heightened expectations, you are dismissed as a one trick pony, however good that trick is in the first place. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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