scholarly journals Self-interest or the greater good

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Marshall ◽  
Eamonn Ambrose ◽  
Ronan McIvor ◽  
Richard Lamming
Keyword(s):  
Decision Process ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Greater Good ◽  
Outsourcing Decision ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time ◽  
Telecommunications Companies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the influence of political goals and behaviour on the outsourcing decision process and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – The research used an exploratory longitudinal case-based approach. Eight outsourcing projects in three telecommunications companies were analysed from the initial decision to the outcome of the case. Findings – The authors show how political goals and behaviours influence the outsourcing decision process and inductively develop four political goals: personal reputation, attainment, elimination and control. The authors also identify three dynamic outsourcing paths: the personal reputation path, which leads to successful outcomes; the short-term attain and eliminate path leading to unsuccessful outcomes; and the destabilised path, which leads to mixed outcomes. All of these can be tested in other empirical settings. Research limitations/implications – The implications for outsourcing literature are that political intentions influence the decision process and outcomes. For theorists, the authors provide an understanding of how political and rational goals and behaviour interact to impact outsourcing outcomes: with political and rational goals and behaviour complementary in some instances. The limitations are that with a small sample the findings are generalisable to theoretical propositions rather than to a population. Practical implications – The implications for managers are the ability to identify and manage political goals that influence outsourcing decision process and outcomes. Originality/value – For the first time, the authors uncover the political goals that impact the outsourcing decision process and outcomes. The authors add to the outsourcing literature, transaction cost theory and resource-based theory by defining and understanding the political goals that complement these theories.

scholarly journals Liberal democracy and globalized capitalism in Africa: Perspective from Heidegger

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Joseph Nnnemeka Agbo ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Liberal Democracy ◽  
The Political ◽  
Liberal Democratic ◽  
Actual Experience ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Ontological Analysis ◽  
Political Ground ◽  
And Control ◽  
Critical Methods

This paper sets out to defend a set of mutually inclusive theses. First, it argues that liberal democracy’s sojourn in Africa is not political but economic. Secondly, that there is nothing natural about capitalism, rather capitalism was forcefully globalized in order to create the false impression that man is by nature motivated by self-interest or profit. But this paper demonstrates the historicity of capitalism. Finally, the paper employs Martin Heidegger’s ontological analysis to show that liberal democracy is just the political manifestation of what he calls “the nihilism of Western metaphysical thinking”, a thinking that is expansionist, dominating and ultimately “enframing”; (controlling). Using the expository, historical, analytic and critical methods, the essay demonstrates that the liberal democratic march in Africa is to provide the enabling conditions for capitalist exploitation. Thus, it argues that without the political ground- clearing capacity of liberal democracy, the economic domination and control by capitalism in Africa would be very difficult. In conclusion, the paper draws from the actual experience of liberal democracy and the thrust of capitalism in Africa to demonstrate their ontological ambivalence.

Macron could change France's political landscape

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Political ◽  
Political Movement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
First Time ◽  
Do So

Subject Emmanuel Macron's political movement. Significance The political movement En Marche (Let's Go) was founded by France's Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron on April 6. It is the first time that a party has been launched by a minister while still in office. Macron has so far shown no intention of resigning but he may have to do so later this year as criticism about his ambiguous status is mounting from within government ranks. Impacts Macron's novel approach is likely to appeal to those frustrated with established parties and lack of progress. Support for the movement could encourage the next government to attempt more far-reaching reforms. The movement provides him with a platform that will help his future political ambitions.

Demand far outpacing supply makes US property pricier

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
House Price ◽  
The Political ◽  
Household Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Trends ◽  
Property Prices ◽  
Home Construction ◽  
First Time

Subject US housing outlook. Significance US property prices are well above the pre-2008-09 global financial crisis housing ‘bubble’ level but there is much variation across cities. Higher prices have not encouraged home construction, which remains low by historical standards. While household formation slowed in the first few years after 2008-09, it has picked up in recent years. However, fewer households are buying homes than before 2008-09, partially as zoning legislation is tightening in major cities and partly as demographic and social trends are increasing the average age of first-time homebuyers. Impacts The political tide will continue shifting against 'big tech', making regions where the tech sector is key at risk of a house price crash. The Council of Economic Advisors report will raise attention on homelessness, which is much worse in states with less affordable housing. The rising cost of US higher education will continue delaying the average age at which households form, raising the age of homebuying.

Schools as learning organizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1106-1115
Author(s):  
Laurie Field
Keyword(s):  
Learning Organization ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Learning Organizations ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
The Political ◽  
Educational Improvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the desirability and attainability of schools becoming learning organizations. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents a critical analysis based on a wide-ranging review of the “schools as learning organizations” literature. Findings The notion of learning organization applied to schools is fundamentally flawed. Most notably, schools as learning organizations are conceptualized in so many different ways that it is possible to claim almost anything; the political aspects of shared learning are inadequately handled; and poor quality scholarship is commonplace. Practical implications There are repeated claims in the educational improvement literature that that there are significant benefits for schools that become learning organizations and, as a result, school leaders should steer schools in this direction. However, this paper critically challenges these claims, concluding instead that schools and their leaders should ignore calls to become learning organizations. Originality/value Many scholars, together with agencies such as the OECD, have suggested that, for schools, the learning organization is both a desirable goal and an achievable endpoint. The value of this paper is that, for the first time, these claims are subjected to a comprehensive critical review, revealing them to be hollow rhetoric rather than attainable reality.

scholarly journals Mixed Infections and Rifampin Heteroresistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Isolates

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 2138-2147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Zheng ◽  
Song Li ◽  
Zhongyue Luo ◽  
Rui Pi ◽  
Honghu Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Variable Number Tandem Repeat ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Proper Solution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

Mixed infections and heteroresistance ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscontribute to the difficulty of diagnosis, treatment, and control of tuberculosis. However, there is still no proper solution for these issues. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between mixed infections and heteroresistance and to determine the high-risk groups related to these factors. A total of 499 resistant and susceptible isolates were subjected to spoligotyping and 24-locus variable-number tandem repeat methods to analyze their genotypic lineages and the occurrence of mixed infections. Two hundred ninety-two randomly selected isolates were sequenced on theirrpoBgene to examine mutations and heteroresistance. The results showed that 12 patients had mixed infections, and the corresponding isolates belonged to Manu2 (n= 8), Beijing (n= 2), T (n= 1), and unknown (n= 1) lineages. Manu2 was found to be significantly associated with mixed infections (odds ratio, 47.72; confidence interval, 9.68 to 235.23;P< 0.01). Four isolates (1.37%) were confirmed to be heteroresistant, which was caused by mixed infections in three (75%) isolates; these belonged to Manu2. Additionally, 3.8% of the rifampin-resistant isolates showing no mutation in therpoBgene were significantly associated with mixed infections (χ2, 56.78;P< 0.01). This study revealed for the first time that Manu2 was the predominant group in the cases of mixed infections, and this might be the main reason for heteroresistance and a possible mechanism for isolates without any mutation in therpoBgene to become rifampin resistant. Further studies should focus on this lineage to clarify its relevance to mixed infections.

International market selection for small firms: a fuzzy-based decision process

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 2198-2212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Marchi ◽  
Marina Vignola ◽  
Gisella Facchinetti ◽  
Giovanni Mastroleo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Process ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Single Case ◽  
International Market ◽  
Market Selection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
First Time

Purpose – This study aims to build and test an International Market Selection (IMS) decision process method that is able to capture, within a small firm’s risk-averse setting, the entrepreneur's experience, reduce cognitive biases, and preserve the flexibility of the decision, by combining the advantages of systematic and behavioural-based international market selection approaches. Design/methodology/approach – The unit of analysis is the IMS decision process of a small firm venturing abroad. We adopt a ranking approach based on three-step screening. We assess the markets through a multi-criteria approach with a wider set of variables aggregated within a tree-shaped model. To obtain the ranking, we use a Fuzzy Expert System (FES) as an evaluative tool. Findings – The results show that the proposed decision method is consistent with the entrepreneur’s strategic orientation and experience, while preserving the flexibility requested for decision-making in small firms. Unlike traditional behavioural IMS approaches, the method demonstrates an ability to reduce the cognitive biases associated with the use of a limited set of variables and unreliable evaluation models. Research limitations/implications – The single-case-study approach limits generalization of the findings. Practical implications – The proposed methodology helps the decision-maker to improve the quality of the IMS decision by reducing the effect of cognitive biases that usually affect traditional behavioural models. Originality/value – For the first time, a decision-process methodology based on an FES is applied to a small firm’s IMS problem.

Increasing e-government adoption by emphasizing environmental sustainability: an extended case study in Peru

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastián Ramón Pérez Chacón ◽  
Jose Luis Rodriguez Vilchez ◽  
Jorge Antonio Cabrera Berrios ◽  
Carlos Arturo Raymundo Ibañez ◽  
David Santos Mauricio
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
The Common ◽  
Acceptance Model ◽  
First Time

Purpose Low citizen adoption rates jeopardize the success and proliferation of e-government systems. This study aims to understand how the perception of environmental sustainability (ES) can influence a citizen’s intention to use e-government systems. Design/methodology/approach In a case study in Peru, the technology acceptance model (TAM) adoption model is extended with the construct of ES and evaluated with structural equation modeling. An 18-element, in-person survey was constructed and administered to citizens of Lima, Peru who had prior exposure to e-government systems. Findings The results show that citizens can be positively influenced to adopt e-government systems if they perceive that doing so will contribute to ES. Research limitations/implications As this was a preliminary study, further research should focus on specific, as opposed to general, e-government systems, as well as encompassing a broader cross section of the population. Practical implications Administrators of e-government initiatives can consider public-interest factors, alongside of the common self-interest factors, when looking to improve adoption rates of e-government systems. Originality/value This is the first time that TAM has been extended with the construct of ES.

Marketing communications in a post-modern world

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 34-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Kitchen ◽  
Tony Proctor
Keyword(s):  
First Century ◽  
Marketing Communications ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Accessibility ◽  
The Face ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Changing Times ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss information accessibility in today’s world alongside the accompanying demise of corporate invisibility. This is an ever-present communications reality for businesses and consumers in the twenty-first century. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the relevant extant literature relating to economic, social and technological developments and their impact on the post-modern world of marketing communications. It discusses the rip tides of change that impact on that world. Discussion focuses on the changing global environment as a backdrop to observing new trends in the marketplace underpinned by an information explosion. Consumer typologies and their significance are considered generationally in terms of X, Y and Z and explored in the context of postmodernism. Findings – The pace of change in marketplaces and market-spaces everywhere is continuous and accelerating. Inexorably – and perhaps inevitably – marketing communications are changing shape, metamorphosing into new configurations and forms as a result of underlying technological changes and in the face of ongoing recessionary influences. For the first time in history, people are exerting more influence and control over marketing processes. Medias are moving in tandem with the technological drivers, implying that managers, brands and companies should all be proactive in taking advantage of the changing times. Practical implications – Different communications are needed for different markets, but always based on a sound understanding of the dynamics of the markets they address. Not only is an understanding of the needs and wants of different generations important, but also the different economic, social and cultural settings in which consumption takes place. Social implications – Constant technological change is here to stay and has consequences for the ways companies design and implement marketing communications. Originality/value – This paper is original in its assessment of the problems of creating effective marketing communication and in highlighting the issues facing companies in today’s post-modern world. Using generational types presents an interesting way of examining and addressing different markets with different needs.

Islamist poll victory will strengthen Jordanian king

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Muslim Brotherhood ◽  
The Political ◽  
Election Law ◽  
Political Movement ◽  
Security Forces ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
The Muslim Brotherhood ◽  
First Time

Significance The Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, became the single largest party in the September 20 poll, winning 11 out of 130 seats. Arguably the best organised political movement in the country, the IAF participated in the polls for the first time since 2007, having ended its boycott in response to a new election law. However, voters were sceptical of the possibility for change, with turnout at just 37%. Impacts Security forces may struggle to identify and neutralise disaffected Islamists. Despite the new parliament, Jordan's aid-dependence will keep it loyal to US interests in the region and implementing IMF reforms. Domestic political tensions will rise, exacerbated by a faltering economy and a large Syrian refugee presence.

Benin’s Talon is poised to secure re-election in 2021

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Presidential Election ◽  
The Political ◽  
External Financing ◽  
Democratic Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Debt Issuance ◽  
First Time

Significance He has said that he will announce next month whether he will contest the April 2021 presidential election. On the economic front, Talon’s first term has been very successful, but on the political front he has weakened democratic institutions, with virtually no parliamentary opposition for the first time since multiparty democracy was introduced in 1990. Impacts Talon will likely intensify diplomatic efforts to repair relations with Nigeria following the latter's ongoing border closures. Talon will look to increase Benin’s external financing, principally through debt issuance, to fund his development agenda. Benin's recent decision to withdraw from the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights further highlights Talon's authoritarian tendencies.

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