Leadership, “communityship,” and “the good folk”

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Mintzberg ◽  
Cam Caldwell
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Leadership ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Public Leaders ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify critical challenges to public leaders in troubled times, based on the experience and thoughts of an accomplished and world-renowned academic in the field of strategy and leadership. The authors have also included it on the original paper, which is attached. Design/methodology/approach A semi-structured interview was conducted based on a series of questions that are considered pertinent to the challenges facing public leaders. Findings The key findings suggest that individualism and egos are too dominant, that there is an absence of effective ethical leadership which, together, overshadows the need for community action. Originality/value This summary of the short interview provides a unique insight into the challenges facing public leadership.

Trust-culture leadership in local public administrators’ work

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Fairholm ◽  
Michael K. Dzordzormenyoh ◽  
Godlove A. Binda
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Public Administrators ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Leadership ◽  
Public Managers ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Public Leaders

Purpose Trust and culture are common themes in leadership literature and research. The purpose of this paper is it to describe an emergent model of trust-culture leadership from the comments of local government managers in the USA. The environment of local government requires a level of trust between government and citizens. Comments from local government managers suggest trust is also a component of leading public organizations. The elements of the model culled from practical insights serve to both verify and elucidate much of what is found in leadership theory in a local government context. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on qualitative interviews of practicing local government managers coupled with an analysis of essays on leadership also written by local government managers. Findings The research indicates eight elements of a model divided into three categories (descriptions of leadership in practice, tools and behaviors, and approaches to followers) that help to both describe and perhaps prescribe the work of trust-culture leadership in a local government context. Originality/value While some of what is summarized below is found in leadership literature already, the fact that these elements of leadership are intuitive to local government managers and internalized in their practice is significant. Linking both trust and culture in leadership literature is limited, and linking them both to the practical insights of public managers is even more unique. The findings verify that public leaders at the local level actually engage in leadership of a particular sort, that of trust-culture leadership. It highlights the priority of trust in local government administration. The elements of the model serve to offer public managers specific things to focus on to promote trust-culture leadership and suggest to public leadership scholars specific avenues for further investigation.

Causes of high variance in building conservation tenders in Malaysia

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lim Yoke Mui ◽  
Yahaya Ahmad ◽  
Faezeh Nabavi
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Uncertain Information ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conservation Projects ◽  
Building Conservation ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Construction Works

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the reasons for the variance among tenders for conservation projects in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interview approach was adopted because this method allows for effective probing of issues. The interviews are conducted with experienced conservation contractors. The interviews are transcribed and the data are analysed using thematic analysis. Coefficient of variation (CV) measure was also used to determine the level of variance that occurs in tenders for conservation projects. Findings – The study found that contractors faced difficulty in pricing competitively due to the following four factors, namely, uncertain information on the actual work on site, inexperience in conservation construction works, information in the bill of quantities is incomplete and uncertain labour and material cost. The study of 22 tenders also ascertains that there is a high variance among the tenderers for building conservation projects. This is determined by the CV analysis where conservation works has a mean CV of 25.5 per cent as compared to 6.5 per cent for new build works. Research limitations/implications – While the interviews managed to draw out insights into the reasons for the high variance among the tender amounts, a definitive conclusion cannot be drawn on the level of variance in tendering for conservation projects due to the limited data that is available for analysis. Originality/value – The paper offers an insight into the reasons why tenders for conservation projects usually have a higher variance than the norm.

Becoming a PI: agency, persistence and some luck!

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn McAlpine ◽  
Gill Turner ◽  
Sharon Saunders ◽  
Natacha Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Principal Investigator ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
National Perspective ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Cross National

Purpose This paper aims to examine the experience of gaining research independence by becoming a principal investigator (PI) – an aspiration for many post-PhD researchers about whom little is known. It provides insight into this experience by using a qualitative narrative approach to document how 60 PIs from a range of disciplines in one European and two UK universities experienced working towards and achieving this significant goal. Design/methodology/approach Within the context of a semi-structured interview, individuals drew and elaborated a map representing the emotional high and low experiences of the journey from PhD graduation to first PI grant, and completed a biographic questionnaire. Findings Regardless of the length of the journey from PhD graduation to first PI grant, more than a third noted the role that luck played in getting the grant. Luck was also perceived to have an influence in other aspects of academic work. This influence made it even more important for these individuals to sustain a belief in themselves and be agentive and persistent in managing the challenges of the journey. Originality/value The study, unusual in its cross-national perspective, and its mixed mode data collection, offers a nuanced perspective on the interaction between agency and an environment where the “randomness factor” plays a role in success. The function of luck as a support for sustained agency and resilience is explored.

Instructor and peer influence on college student use and perceptions of Wikipedia

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-257
Author(s):  
John C. Garrison
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Student Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This study aims to investigate how undergraduate students are influenced by instructors and peers in the ways that they use and think about Wikipedia for academic work. It examines the positive (encouraging the use of Wikipedia) and negative (discouraging the use of Wikipedia) influences of others and how these affect student behavior and attitudes. Design/methodology/approach Sixteen undergraduates participated in two meetings each with the principal investigator, each meeting consisting of a structured interview and a brief survey. Recorded interviews were analyzed by the investigator for patterns to compare participants’ responses. Findings Participants were more frequently and strongly influenced by instructors than by peers about Wikipedia, and this influence was for the most part perceived to be negative. However, the ways in which student behaviors and attitudes changed in response to this influence varied. Three categories or “influence types” emerged in the ways influence was manifested: receptive, independent and conflicted. Practical implications The findings of this study will aid instructors of undergraduate students by describing the likely reactions of those students to various ways of talking about Wikipedia. This information can help inform methods for teaching different kinds of students about the website. Originality/value Previous studies have shown how students use Wikipedia, as well as the attitudes of faculty toward Wikipedia. This study serves to bridge the gap between these areas, providing insight into how faculty and classmates’ attitudes influence student use of Wikipedia.

scholarly journals Unlocking hospitality managers career transitions through applying Schein’s career anchors theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 578-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McGuire ◽  
Giovana Polla ◽  
Britta Heidl
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Career Planning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Career Transitions ◽  
Career Anchors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Career Motivations ◽  
Career Needs ◽  
Hospitality Managers ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper seeks to unlock the career transitions of hospitality managers through applying Schein’s career anchors theory. It seeks to understand how Schein’s Career Anchors help explain the career transitions of managers in the Scottish hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a non-sequential multi-method design. All 22 hospitality managers who participated in the study completed an online version of Schein’s Career Anchors containing 40 items covering all eight career anchors. The career histories of participants were then gathered through use of a semi-structured interview. Comparisons were then drawn across the career anchor classification and the data on career transitions collected from participants. Findings The results highlight the continued relevance of Schein’s career anchors theory and indicate that Schein’s career anchors theory may constitute a useful tool for understanding hospitality managers’ career needs and engaging in meaningful career planning. Originality/value The study provides a useful insight into hospitality managers’ career motivations, and knowledge of career anchors will help hospitality organisations more effectively engage, recruit and retain hospitality managers.

Confucian thinking and the implications for sustainability in HRM

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Mak ◽  
Lenis Cheung ◽  
Amy Mak ◽  
Loretta Leung
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confucian Values ◽  
Two Cities ◽  
Western Perspective ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise introduction of sustainability in human resource management (HRM) from the western perspective. With a review of Confucian thinking, it argues that the application of sustainability in HRM is more effective and efficient under the influence of Confucian values. Therefore, Chinese companies are likely ready to embrace the concept of sustainability and implement sustainable people management practices. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is mainly theoretical in perspective. It also draws on semi-structured interview data derived from a study conducted in companies that operated in two cities in China: Guangzhou and Beijing to support the discussion of synergies between Confucian values and the western concept of sustainability in HRM. Findings – In the interviews, it was evident that the interviewees were adhered to Confucian values, although they did not make the connection explicit. The interview data also showed how Confucian values (e.g. Ren, Yi, Li) affect Chinese management of human resources. Research limitations/implications – The number of interviewees involved was not sufficient to allow a conclusive comparison between groups. Further research is needed to develop comparisons. Practical implications – The paper suggests a favourable application of Confucian values in sustainable people management practices. Originality/value – The interview data provide insight into how Confucian values lend support to sustainability in HRM.

Rethinking bibliographic utilities for library consortia

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Israel Odede
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Distributed Network ◽  
Network Resources ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Consortia ◽  
Individual Ownership ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The paper aims to critically examine the bibliographic utility as a roadmap to increase library consortia and provide an insight into a new library consortia strategy that integrates librarians into a system of sharing both resources and knowledge. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a literature review approach with a focus on bibliographic utility as a necessary prerequisite for effective library consortia, which is a paradigm shift from the concept of individual ownership to a collective access of distributed network resources and knowledge. Findings The reviewed literature indicated that significant bibliographic utilities and integrated library systems are factors that shaped and developed consortia activities in libraries. Originality/value The bibliographic utility has limited literature, and a few published scholarly studies have combined bibliographic utility and library consortia as strategies to share resources and knowledge

Formation of contracts for the international sale of goods under Korean law and the CISG

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-223
Author(s):  
Byung Mun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Case Law ◽  
The Other ◽  
Basic Question ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Sale Of Goods ◽  
The Comparative Study ◽  
International Sales ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the rules on the formation of contracts under Korean law and the Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) in a comparative way and introduce the relevant proposed rules under the Amendment Draft of the Korean Civil Code (KCC). In addition, it attempts to compare and evaluate them in light of the discipline of comparative law. Design/methodology/approach In order to achieve the purposes of the study, it executes a comparative study of the rules as to the formation of contracts of the CISG, Korean law and the Amendment Draft of the KCC. The basic question for this comparative study is placed on whether a solution from one jurisdiction is more logical than the others and to what extent each jurisdiction has responded to protect the reasonable expectations of the parties in the rules as to the formation of contracts. Findings The comparative study finds that most of the rules under the CISG are quite plausible and logical and they are more or less well reflected in the proposals advanced by the KCC amendment committee. On the other hand, the other rules under the CISG which have brought criticisms in terms of their complexity and inconsistent case law invite us their revision or consistent interpretation. The drawbacks of the CISG have also been well responded in the Amendment Draft of the KCC. Nevertheless, it is quite unfortunate that the Amendment Draft of the KCC still has a rule that regards any purported performance with non-material alteration of the terms of an offer as an acceptance. Originality/value This study may provide legal and practical advice to both the seller and the buyer when they enter into a contract for international sales of goods. In addition, it may render us an insight into newly developed or developing rules in this area and show us how they interact with each other. Furthermore, it may be particularly useful in Korea where there is an ongoing discussion for revision of the KCC.

Professionals freaking out: the case of accreditation in Dutch higher education

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everard van Kemenade ◽  
Teun W. Hardjono
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Iso 9000 ◽  
Preliminary Survey ◽  
External Evaluation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Systems ◽  
System A ◽  
Engineering And Technology ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define what factors cause willingness and/or resistance among lecturers in universities towards external evaluation systems, especially accreditation.Design/methodology/approachA model has been designed to describe possible factors of willingness and/or resistance towards accreditation based on Ajzen and Metselaar. A literature review has been undertaken on the effects of external evaluation like ISO 9000 as well as accreditation systems such as Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and European Quality Improvement System. A questionnaire has been administered to a group of 63 lecturers from three departments at Fontys University in The Netherlands. The results of this preliminary survey have been presented to 1,500 academics in The Netherlands and Flanders to collect empirical data.FindingsResistance to accreditation can be found in the consequences of accreditation for the work of the lecturer (workload), negative emotions (stress and insecurity); the lack of knowledge and experience (help from specialists is needed); and lack of acceptance (other paradigm).Originality/valueThe paper provides more insight into the difficulties that organizations, especially universities, have to commit their employees to external evaluation. It might be possible to generalize the findings to other professionals in other organizations. Little research in this field has been undertaken so far.

scholarly journals The future of financial markets and regulation: what strategy for Europe?

foresight ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Gossé ◽  
Dominique Plihon
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Capital Market ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Financial Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Realistic Option ◽  
The Future ◽  
Unstable Environment ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – This article aims to provide insight into the future of financial markets and regulation in order to define what would be the best strategy for Europe. Design/methodology/approach – First the authors define the potential changes in financial markets and then the tools available for the regulator to tame them. Finally, they build five scenarios according to the main evolutions observed on the financial markets and on the tools used by the regulator to modify these trends. Findings – Among the five scenarios defined, two present highly unstable features since the regulator refuses to choose between financial opening and independently determining how to regulate finance in order to preserve financial stability. Three of them achieve financial stability. However, they are more or less efficient or feasible. In terms of market efficiency, the multi-polar scenario is the best and the fragmentation scenario is the worst, since gains of integration depend on the size of the new capital market. Regarding sovereignty of regulation, fragmentation is the best scenario and the multi-polar scenario is the worst, because it necessitates coordination at the global level which implies moving further away from respective national preferences. However, the more realistic option seems to be the regionalisation scenario: this level of coordination seems much more realistic than the global one; the market should be of sufficient size to enjoy substantial benefits of integration. Nevertheless, the “European government” might gradually increase the degree of financial integration outside Europe in line with the degree of cooperation with the rest of the world. Originality/value – Foresight studies on financial markets and regulation are quite rare. This may be explained by the difficulty to forecast what will be their evolution in the coming decades, not least because finance is fundamentally unstable. This paper provides a framework to consider what could be the best strategy of regulators in such an unstable environment.

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